Write • Build • Scale

In this engaging discussion, Amy Suto, a 4x author and the brains behind the successful Substack 'Make Writing Your Job', reveals how she generated nearly $200K in annual revenue. She emphasizes the importance of solving unique problems and turning subscriptions on from day one. Amy shares insights on marketing creatively, adopting a membership model beyond paywalled articles, and how Substack serves as a platform for freelancers and writers alike. Plus, she tackles the myth of the 'starving artist' and offers strategies for confidently monetizing writing.

Discover the secrets behind building a thriving subscription base with invaluable tips for content creators. Learn why the right mix of free and paid content can boost conversions. Hear how seasonal pillar posts can supercharge growth. The hosts stress the importance of personal connections in an AI-driven world. Insights on treating paid subscriptions as gateways to additional monetization opportunities are shared. Plus, get a sneak peek into the future of Substack as a multimedia powerhouse for creators!

In this week’s episode, I sat down with Derek Hughes from The Irresistible Writer to talk about how to turn your Substack into multiple streams of revenue (rather than relying on paid subscriptions alone).----🧰 Grab your FREE Substack Starter Kit: https://mwa.kit.com/podstarterkit----Follow Derek Hughes on Substack: https://substack.com/@derekhughesSubscribe To The Irresistible Writer: https://derekhughes.substack.com/Check Out The Irresistible Substack Agent (AI Tool): https://derekhughes.thrivecart.com/the-irresistible-substack-agent/----In this value-packed episode, we covered:- How Derek lost 95% of his Medium income overnight - and why that changed everything about his writing business (00:45)- Why he stopped building “perfect” digital products (04:34)- How to serve different types of buyers with the same knowledge (low-ticket → high-ticket) (06:44)- Why you should never build a big product before validating demand (and how Derek tests ideas fast) (12:37)- Why writing in a “saturated market” doesn’t matter if people trust you (17:15)- Why paid Substack subscriptions should be an entry point, not the end goal (33:28)- How Derek prices his paid Substack to maximize retention (34:23)

In this week’s episode, I sat down with Corey Fradin, who is the founder of Authrs.io - an agency that ghostwrites, markets, and publishes best-selling books for busy professionals.Interested in Working With Authrs.io? Book a Call Here: https://authrs.io/callInterested in writing for Authrs.io? Reach out to their Director of Fulfillment here: anthony@authrs.io (Experienced writers only.)----🧰 Grab your FREE Substack Starter Kit: https://mwa.kit.com/podstarterkit----In this value-packed episode, we covered:The biggest mistake first-time authors make (02:16)Why most books only sell a few hundred copies - and how to make sure your book sells more (03:17)How to choose the right book idea (04:10)The real economics of book sales on Amazon (08:12)Self-publishing vs traditional publishing - which one is better? (09:14)Why building an audience first makes traditional publishers almost irrelevant (13:02)How Corey and his co-founder grew Authors.io into a 7-figure business in under 3 years (24:31)And much, much more…

Phil Powis, co-founder of Sacred Business Flow, shares his journey from a high-growth marketing background to aligning business with inner values. Carolina Wilke, also a co-founder, discusses the blend of intuition and strategy in creating heart-led businesses. They explore subconscious patterns that hinder success and the importance of embracing a beginner’s mindset. The Harmony Map, a tool they introduce, balances personal and business needs. Finally, they emphasize the critical role of community and human connection in a tech-driven world.

Explore why mini-courses are the ultimate digital product for creators in 2026. They outperform ebooks and templates by generating passive income and freeing up your time. Learn how they boost customer lifetime value and target specific pain points, making them easy to sell. Plus, they’re quick to build and launch, requiring just a couple of hours of content. With higher completion rates, mini-courses lead to real results and stronger loyalty among customers. Discover how to leverage this powerful tool in your business!

Philipp Hofmacher, a seasoned co-founder and expert in digital products, shares invaluable insights gained from generating six-figure launches. He emphasizes that teaching for free builds trust and can lead to higher sales. The discussion covers the 'seven-hour rule' highlighting how long it takes for potential customers to convert, and why creators often undervalue their knowledge. Philipp advocates for short, actionable mini-courses as they sell better and encourage repeat buyers. He also stresses the importance of validating product demand before development.

Explore innovative ways to monetize your newsletter beyond paid subscriptions. Discover how mini courses can drive sales through specificity and audience engagement. Learn to create impactful coaching programs that deliver transformations. Delve into the benefits of live cohorts for scaling your offerings. Turn archived content into ebooks for new revenue opportunities, and utilize templates as effective upsells. The discussion highlights a recommended mix, positioning mini courses as a standout option for success.

In this engaging discussion, Brian Clark, a serial entrepreneur and founder of Copyblogger, shares insights on launching successful online businesses after 50. He explains how experience and networks boost Gen X entrepreneurs' chances of success. Brian emphasizes turning expertise into income through client services and scalable digital products. He also highlights the freedom of a lifestyle-first business, the power of Substack for creators, and the importance of listening to audience feedback for co-creating offers. Discover how to build a thriving business while still employed!

In this week’s episode, I sat down with Luis and Rui Sousa, co-founders of The AI Break, a Substack newsletter that’s grown to more than 90,000 subscribers in under two years.The two brothers shared how they turned their side-project into a full-time business, combining paid ads, organic growth, and practical AI education.🧰 Grab your FREE Substack Starter Kit: https://www.writebuildscale.com/podstarterkit/We also covered:- Why paid ads became their biggest growth engine - and how they reinvested every dollar to scale (02:41)- How they monetize their newsletter through 3 powerful income streams (13:00)- Why the best way to sell your services might be to stop pitching them altogether (19:40)- The smart paywall strategy that converts free readers into paying subscribers (21:00)- How to start using AI if you’re feeling overwhelmed or intimidated by it (28:20)- How you can create high-quality content with AI - that actually sounds and feels like you (37:00)- Why you should start monetizing your knowledge right now - even if you only have 10 subscribers (01:00:45)And much, much more…Connect With Rui & Luis Sousa:📙 ⁠Follow Rui Sousa on Substack: https://substack.com/@ruisousa11💼 Follow Luis Sousa on Substack: https://substack.com/@luissousa28▶️ Subscribe To The AI Break Substack: https://theaibreak.substack.com/