On SubSAC, if you are going into notes and then you find a post that you love and you want to go read 5,000 words, we're winning. That helps our business model. We want to encourage deep engagement because that means that you might actually give your email to that person. You might go on to pay to subscribe to them. The end goal is like deep value. And the lion's share of the economic benefit is going to the writers.
Last week, Elon kicked off a feud with both Substack and his very own former Twitter Files ingénue (and Substack star), Matt Taibbi. Kara and Nayeema break down the battle of the bros before turning to an interview with those at the center of the storm: Substack co-founders Chris Best and Hamish McKenzie.
The two address questions about Substack Notes (which Elon dubbed, and they deny, is a “Twitter clone”), the challenging business model of newsletters and their stance on free expression. Somehow, they manage to avoid uttering the name “Elon.” Kara doesn’t shy away though.
Questions? Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find us on Twitter @karaswisher and @nayeema
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