Stratechery Sovereign Writers and Substack
Mar 22, 2021
Delve into the controversies surrounding Substack, a platform transforming writers into independent creators. Discover the intricacies of membership management and the benefits of direct financial relationships for writers. Explore Substack's unique financial incentives, including substantial upfront payments resembling book advances. Learn how this model empowers independent writers to thrive while challenging traditional publishing paradigms. Finally, witness the rise of sovereign writers as they navigate the evolving media landscape and the sustainability of their newfound independence.
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Sovereign Writers on Substack
- Substack's model empowers writers to sell subscriptions directly, making them sovereign.
- This contrasts with platforms that seek user-generated content without direct payment.
Stratechery and Memberful
- Ben Thompson uses Stratechery and Memberful, similar to how writers use Substack.
- He owns his content and customer data; Memberful/Substack are just tools.
Subscription Model Advantages
- Recurring revenue from subscriptions offers a better model than one-time book sales.
- Building a subscriber base takes time, similar to writing a book upfront.