213: How (and why) to treat Substack like a business (featuring Yana G.Y.)

Season 2, episode 13 is here!

In this episode, I chat to Yana G.Y. about how and why to treat Substack like a business and generate real, sustainable income on the platform.

You’ll learn:

- Why treating your Substack like a real business changes everything

- How Yana hit a 6% conversion rate (and keeps it steady)

- The overlooked channel on Substack that converts better than email

- What a smart 20-day automation can do for your paid signups

- Why selling transformation beats listing features every time

- The subtle power of monthly challenges to drive retention and growth

- How to actually use AI without sounding like everyone else

- A simple system for turning audience insights into paid content ideas

- Why branding isn't optional if you want to be memorable

- The retention mindset shift that most creators overlook

- The one thing most writers are scared to do, and why it’s the key to income

Make sure to subscribe to Yana’s publication Unplugged by Yana G.Y. before you go.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedavidmcilroy.substack.com/subscribe