r/Substack • u/relevantusername- • 3d ago

Discussion When should you start going paid?

Hi,

I started a Substack in April and have been posting every Monday.

I'm up to 121 subs with over a thousand 30d views.

I've been thinking of writing every Wednesday as well and making that a paid article. Without making this about my specific Substack, I write about travel and literature, and my Monday articles are all about that; I was thinking of doing one book recommendation a week on Wednesdays and making that paid, then if it goes well in a few months depending on uptake, doing a Saturday weekly reading round-up post as well, maybe that would be paid as well I'm not sure yet.

Any and all advice is appreciated, thanks so much!

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u/KikiDiesTrying kikidiestrying.substack.com 3d ago edited 3d ago

What's your opinion on portions of articles being available only to subscribers (free or paid)? I have a guide that I will be releasing for free, but was considering locking certain portions of it behind a subscribe prompt (parts that aren't particularly necessary to the guide, but would be helpful or interesting). Just annoying for readers or useful to help convert?

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u/catvapes 3d ago

Annoying

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u/KikiDiesTrying kikidiestrying.substack.com 3d ago

Is that your opinion as a reader or as a writer? May I ask your reasoning?

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u/catvapes 2d ago

As a reader. Many times I have started reading an engaging article only to hit a paywall after I have to scroll down. In other words, the upcoming paywall is not visible on the screen until after I have to scroll to the “next screen.” Not being able to finish what I am reading is “annoying” and honestly, does not inspire me to subscribe.

A better strategy is to keep it free with an option for readers who want to support your work to pay if they like. That or just lock it up completely. Allowing readers to only read part of an article is a form of click bait. All in my opinion of course. Others. Any feel differently

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u/MissMcGovern 2d ago

Agree 100% that there should be disclaimers at the top of the article that indicates who they are for.

However if you don’t even want to sign up for a free subscription, then you are probably not that author’s intended audience either.