The Edward Show
How Substack Got Its First Customers
Jan 27, 2025
Discover the captivating story behind Substack’s rise, from its innovative beginnings to its effective customer acquisition strategies during the pandemic. The founders focused on building trust and fostering strong relationships with writers, prioritizing quality content over social media metrics. Learn about their go-to-market strategy and the unique features that set Substack apart while paving the way for its growth and future opportunities.
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Quick takeaways
- Substack's success stemmed from its writer-centric model that prioritizes trust, allowing creators to export subscriber lists and thrive financially.
- The initial customer acquisition strategy focused on forging deep relationships with successful writers, creating a flywheel of growth through their early successes.
Deep dives
Building a Trust-Centric Model
Substack differentiates itself by prioritizing trust over traditional product sales. The company fosters a unique relationship with writers by allowing them to easily export their subscriber lists, thereby creating an environment where writers feel secure and valued. Its business model, which includes a modest 10% commission on paid subscriptions, aligns the platform's success with the financial success of its writers. This writer-centric approach has been fundamental in attracting high-quality content creators who feel they have no significant risks and can trust Substack to help them grow their audience.
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