How to Get Your First Paid Subscribers on Substack
Simple tips to start earning from your content.
An annual subscription gives you:
Full access to the entire content archive.
Free access to the Creator’s Vault (all my digital products).
70% cheaper than paying monthly.
I got my first paid subscriber just two weeks after launching my newsletter.
Like everyone, I was excited.
Even though I’d been writing on Medium for a few years and earning through their Partner Program, Substack felt different.
Here’s why:
Medium pays you based on the algorithm. Substack pays you based on trust.
Someone literally pulls out their card to pay you, not a platform, for your content.
That’s validation.
It’s also when I knew this newsletter thing could become a real business.
Now, after 9 months of writing on Substack, I’ve learned a lot about what gets people to pay for your newsletter.
In this post, I’ll break it down so you can start turning readers into paying supporters.
1. Focus on Growing Free Subscribers First
Before you get paid subscribers, you need free ones.
A general rule of thumb: for every 100 free subscribers, you can expect to convert around 3 into paying members (a 3% conversion rate).
That may not sound like a lot, but it adds up.
So, your first job? Build that free list.
Here’s how to do it:
Publish at least once a week.
Post Notes 2–3 times a day.
Engage with other creators. Comment, reply, and be part of the community.
In the beginning, growth will feel slow.
That’s normal. Nobody knows who you are yet.
But if you keep showing up, people will start to notice.
If you stay consistent, you’ll find those who resonate with your voice, message, and content in about 6 weeks.
2. Create a Tangible Reason to Upgrade
People don’t pay just because they like you.
They pay because they get something valuable in return.
Subscribers usually upgrade for one of three reasons:
Inspiration – your content motivates them.
Education – your content teaches them something useful.
Entertainment – your content makes them feel good or smile.
Your job is to make your paid offer feel worth it.
Think about the subscriptions you already pay for— Netflix, Spotify, gym memberships, etc.
You pay because you get perceived value from them.
Your newsletter is no different.
Don’t treat your newsletter like a personal journal. Most people won’t pay to read your inner thoughts unless you’re already famous. People pay for content that helps them solve a problem, feel better, or grow.
Give your paid offer some weight.
You can include:
Bonus articles or deep dives
A private podcast feed
Exclusive workshops or AMAs
Early access to new content
Templates, tools, or mini-courses
You want readers to feel like they’re missing out if they don’t become paid subscribers.