Did you know that Substack has over 5 million subscribers?
In the digital marketing world, newsletters have become integral for brands to establish authority, raise brand awareness, and improve audience building. Substack has experienced exponential growth in recent years, becoming the go-to newsletter platform for online content creators and businesses. However, it does more than streamline the creation and execution of email newsletters; it also allows users to actively engage with the content they consume, whether by liking, commenting, sharing, or joining discussion threads.
Unlike top social media giants, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok, Substack isn’t dominated by the same ever-changing algorithms that prioritize discovery and virality. Instead, it values connecting readers with content that aligns with their interests, nurturing a stronger online community, and meaningful conversations. These features set Substack apart from other email newsletter platforms, such as MailChimp and HubSpot, which are less content- and audience-centric. More importantly, Substack’s approach actually works. In fact, according to The Content Marketing Institute, the top ten newsletter publishers of the platform have collectively earned more than $40 million a year.
If you’re interested in implementing a newsletter strategy for your business or aren’t satisfied with the existing newsletter tool you’re using, Substack might just be the answer you have been searching for. In this blog, we will discuss everything you need to know about Substack as a newsletter platform, why businesses are using it for their email newsletters, how you can leverage it for email marketing success, and noteworthy success stories from major brands.
How Substack Redefined Email Marketing and Digital Publishing
In 2017, Chris Best, Jairaj Sethi, and Hamish McKenzie founded Substack with the intention of creating a newsletter platform for writers to monetize their creative work through paid newsletters.
With Substack, you can enjoy the following features:
- Use an intuitive editor to write and format text, insert images, embed videos, and attach links
- Preview and edit your content to ensure consistent quality across multiple devices
- Schedule your newsletter for a specific time and date or immediately publish it
- Access detailed reports on subscriber analytics and trend analysis
- Engage with your email subscribers through comments, polls, and email responses
- Segment subscribers based on their engagement levels or subscription status
- Integrate with third-party platforms (e.g. Facebook, X, Google Analytics, Zapier, etc.)
Over time, Substack has evolved into more than a newsletter platform, providing writers with a creative outlet to share their ideas, thoughts, and experiences with email subscribers. Today, Substack has attracted many high-profile writers, including renowned journalists and authors, who have flocked to the newsletter platform in search of autonomy and audience building. Aside from gaining a growing user base, the newsletter tool has also introduced a wide array of features, including Substack Notes, podcast support, improved analytics and community-building tools, making it the perfect all-in-one platform for content creation and email marketing—but that’s not all.
In 2025, the founders announced in a Substack post that they secured $100 million in funding, thanks to the support of major investors. They also emphasized the importance of creators supporting their livelihood and shared their mission to provide better tools designed to protect their independence, amplify voices and foster deeper relationships. In their post, they further stated, “Most importantly, we’re building an economic engine to power this entire cultural ecosystem. Our model is simple: creators make money by serving their communities, and Substack succeeds only when they do. Audiences vote with attention and money for the culture they want, acting as collaborators in shaping a media ecosystem rooted in intention and connection.”
Source: Substack
Why More Businesses Are Using Substack as Their Newsletter Platform
While Substack was first created with writers in mind, that doesn’t mean businesses can’t reap the multitude of benefits the newsletter tool has to offer. Find out below why brands have transitioned to using Substack for their newsletter strategy (and why you should too).
1. Substack Simplifies Email Marketing for Businesses
If you easily feel overwhelmed by overly technical and complex features and settings on newsletter platforms, you should know that Substack makes email marketing a breeze. It features a user-friendly interface that makes the newsletter publication process simple, yet effective. Substack also offers many helpful guides that detail the steps to take, from getting started with your value proposition and customizing your publication to growing your audience.
2. Built-In Audience Discovery and Newsletter Growth
Substack was designed with a direct-to-audience model in mind, which means that businesses can bypass trend-based algorithms and deliver valuable content directly to their email list. When it comes to audiences, the newsletter tool also has built-in discovery features, allowing them to directly find recent newsletters. In this way, Substack is tailored to individual audience interests and provides a platform for more engaging content. By consistently sharing relevant content with their audiences without having to navigate an algorithm, businesses can directly engage with their email subscribers and experience newsletter growth.
3. Monetization Opportunities with Paid Newsletters
Another reason why Substack is such a valuable email marketing tool is that it offers a tiered subscription model that enables brands to send paid newsletters and generate revenue. These newsletters can include exclusive content, from resources and insights, to special news on the latest product releases or discounts.
4. Authentic Content and Strengthened Brand Loyalty
As mentioned earlier, Substack differs from other newsletter tools in that it provides users with a platform to create newsletters that directly connect them with readers whose interests align with their content. In this way, Substack prioritizes authentic content and gives businesses the opportunity to create valuable publications that resonate with their target audience. Not only will this aid brands in sending newsletters to the right people, but it will also help nurture a strong, loyal following in the long run.
5. Streamlined Content Publishing and Analytics
Substack has been praised by long-time users for making the newsletter publication process so seamless. The newsletter platform offers businesses complete control over their email lists and enables them to easily import subscribers from their previous newsletter platform, such as Mailchimp, Ghost, Patreon, Beehiiv and ConvertKit. Substack also gives users complete ownership of their data, including subscriber growth, open rates and engagement metrics, so that they can monitor their analytics and enhance their newsletter strategy.
How to Get Started with Substack for Business
Step 1: Set Up Your Substack Account
The first step to using Substack for your business is to set up your account. Once you’re done signing up with an email address and password on the newsletter platform, make sure to do the following:
- Name Your Newsletter: Pick a name for your email newsletter that is specific to your business, industry, or specialization. Businesses that want their audience to know exactly what they’ll be discussing can choose a niche-specific name. If you’re having trouble deciding, ask yourself precisely what your audience will be searching for, or try using a newsletter name generator.
- Select a URL: Enter a URL that includes your business’s name. Although you can change the name of your newsletter later on, you can’t do the same for your URL because it’s permanent.
- Write Your Substack Bio: Create a bio for your business that's clear, concise, and direct. You can include 2–3 sentences about your credentials, target audience, or the specific problem that your business solves.
- Add Your Profile Picture: Upload a clear photo for your profile picture. Use the same picture across your business’s other social media platforms to remain consistent and be instantly recognizable.
Step 2: Define Your Newsletter Strategy
Next, start thinking about your newsletter strategy. During this stage, it’s crucial to take the time to plan out the content categories that fit into your content marketing strategy and business objectives. Ask yourself the following three questions:
- What topic are you covering?
- Who are you speaking to?
- What benefit will your audience get from reading your newsletter content?
When you think about what problem you’re actively trying to solve and the unique insight you can offer your target audience, you can devise a strong foundation for your newsletter strategy and attract and retain the right people.
Step 3: Craft and Publish High-Quality, Value-Driven Content
As a business owner, you’re the subject matter expert, so you need to create authentic, top-grade content that offers value to your audience. You can create content following the formats below:
- Conversational emails: With this email newsletter format, you’re directly speaking to the reader and building a connection with them over time. You can start with a hook, share a story or explanation, give an actionable takeaway, and then end with a simple call-to-action.
- Template-based newsletter: If you prefer structure, this is the right newsletter format for you. For a template, you can include your article, a relevant article from someone else within your niche, and a recommendation.
- Tutorials or listicles: This one not only performs very well, but is also simple to write. You can share How-To’s or Listicles that are specific to a particular problem or your chosen niche.
If you’re uncertain about whether it’s worth discussing a certain topic in your newsletter, you can try a test run. Head over to the Substacks Notes app and post short-form content, share your thoughts, or even ask questions. Start a conversation and watch engagement unfold in real time. Seeing likes, comments, and shares are surefire signs that your audience is hungry for more.
Step 3: Grow Your Email List
When it comes to growing your email list, you’ll need to take a different approach from traditional email marketing platforms. This is because Substack doesn’t integrate with landing pages, so businesses will need to follow an alternative route.
That means sharing your Substack for business on a regular basis, whether that be in your Instagram’s bio, LinkedIn profile, or X header. If your business has a podcast show or YouTube channel, mention it on those platforms. You can also embed a Substack subscribe form on your website. In this way, people are directly subscribing to your newsletter, rather than discovering your business through a lead magnet.
Step 4: Engage and Retain Email Subscribers
As mentioned earlier, Substack has built-in features that help new readers find your newsletter content. These recommendations allow you to suggest other newsletters to your subscribers, and those other creators can, in turn, recommend you. You can even cross-recommend and partner with similar newsletters to promote each other’s work, which has been shown to drive over 40% of newsletter growth. As a result, this creates a network in which readers can discover new newsletters that cater to their interests.
With Substack Notes, you can also directly communicate with other contributors on Substack and potential email subscribers. When you take advantage of these features, you can engage in discussions with other creators, recommend other publications you enjoy, and become an active participant in the Substack community. This highlights the community building aspect of Substack, which is what sets it apart from other email newsletter platforms.
Success Stories: 4 Businesses Winning with Substack for Email Marketing
Tory Burch
Tory Burch’s newsletter “What Should I Wear?” provides fashion enthusiasts with insights into style, culture, and female empowerment, as well as exclusive insider information on what the American fashion designer wears for special events. The company currently has over 4,000 Substack followers.
Source: Screenshot by User
Shopify
According to Modern Retail, Shopify became the biggest company to launch a newsletter, as it has a market capitalization of more than $224 billion. The e-commerce company is the first of its kind to join the platform, and its newsletter, “In Stock” features the latest scoop on viral brands, trends, and innovations, sharing stories readers can act on.
Source: Screenshot by User
Sprout Social
The social media management platform, Sprout Social, created the newsletter, “Social Futures”. It shows deep dives, case studies, and insights from top professionals, empowering social media marketers to create an indelible impact in the social media space. In only 3 months, the newsletter garnered 7,300 views and an average newsletter open rate of 61%.
Source: Screenshot by User
Saie
Saie Beauty’s newsletter, From the Saie Office, showcases all things related to beauty and lifestyle, from skincare advice and seasonal must-haves to conversations about health and wellness, and sustainability through The Saie Climate Collective. The $100 million clean beauty brand has currently amassed over 3,000 subscribers.
Source: Screenshot by User
Why Substack Is the Future of Newsletter Marketing
Substack has quickly proven itself as more than just a newsletter tool, but a powerful platform for audience connection, brand growth, and authentic communication. With its user-friendly design, built-in discovery tools, and focus on meaningful content, it’s no wonder that more businesses are making the switch to Substack to elevate their email marketing strategies.
Whether you're a solo entrepreneur or an established brand, Substack offers room to grow. From cultivating a loyal readership to owning your distribution without relying on social algorithms, it's a practical and powerful shift for any business serious about content.
Are you ready to take your digital marketing to the next level? Partner with TechWyse and let our digital marketing experts help you build a successful digital marketing strategy tailored to your brand’s goals. To book an appointment, call 866-208-3095 or contact us here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Substack good for business newsletters?
Yes, Substack is a great platform for businesses looking to build and engage their email list. It offers simple tools, built-in discovery, and paid newsletter options, making it ideal for audience building and content marketing.
How does Substack compare to Mailchimp or HubSpot?
Unlike Mailchimp or HubSpot, Substack focuses on content-first email publishing. It provides a minimal, user-friendly interface, built-in audience growth features, and monetization through paid subscriptions, making it a better choice for creators and value-driven brands.
Can I monetize my email newsletter on Substack?
Yes, Substack offers tiered subscriptions that let you create paid newsletters. This allows you to generate revenue by offering exclusive content to your most engaged email subscribers.
Do I need a website to use Substack for email marketing?
No, you don’t need a website to use Substack. Your Substack publication acts as both a blog and newsletter hub, where readers can subscribe, read, and interact, all in one place.
Is Substack better than other newsletter tools for creators?
Substack is often preferred by creators because it prioritizes content quality and reader engagement over complex automation. Its clean interface and creator-first monetization model make it ideal for building a loyal subscriber base.
What kind of content should I publish on Substack?
You can publish newsletters, listicles, thought leadership pieces, tutorials, interviews, and even podcasts. The key is to offer valuable, authentic content that resonates with your audience and aligns with your brand voice.
