Substack

What is Substack?

Substack functions primarily as a newsletter platform, best suited for independent writers, journalists, bloggers, and content creators who wish to publish and monetize newsletters. It’s characterized by its low-tech approach and simplicity for content publishing.

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Who is it for?

Substack is only suitable for new coaches who primarily intend to deliver content via a paid newsletter and already possess a pre-built audience. It’s designed for coaches who want to focus purely on content delivery through written newsletters rather than comprehensive business operations or client management.

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Pros

• Completely free starting point with no upfront costs • Extremely low technical barrier to entry - no website required • Well-suited for monetizing content through paid newsletter subscriptions • Supports audio and video files in content for multimedia newsletters • Basic SEO features integrated for content discovery • Simple text formatting and content creation tools

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Cons

High transaction fees of 10% plus additional Stripe fees significantly impact revenue. Not designed as full-fledged email marketing service with minimal automation options. Complete absence of integrations with other business tools.

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Is it worth it?

Substack should be used with extreme caution for coaching businesses. While the free entry point is appealing, the 10% transaction fees plus Stripe fees make it one of the most expensive platforms for revenue generation. It lacks essential coaching business tools like client management, course hosting, or comprehensive marketing features. Only recommended for coaches with established audiences who want to supplement their main platform with newsletter content, not as a primary business solution.

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