I'm sorry if I put doubt in your head. I was worried the title could repel some people. But I thought it’s funny. Those headlines you saw on Facebook like 15 years ago are still in my head. They are so obviously exaggerated. Well... I hope people share my sense of humor haha
“You are allowed to write because you love it, not because it makes you rich. You are allowed to be slow.”
Thank you for this honest post! I came to Substack to practice expressing myself through the written word and bring discipline to my creative practice by publishing something daily. And yet, it’s easy to question if it’s worth it at times when so many others are trying to monetize their hackneyed “lessons” and turn Substack into another ego-filled LinkedIn.
I will re-read this post when I get caught up in that “what’s the point” spiral.
Great read, Philipp. I have to admit I’m skeptical about Substack. I’ve been in this game for a long time. I watched Quora start as an exceptional platform and slowly turn into what it is today, and I’ve helped build personal brands that went well beyond seven figures. So I’m very familiar with the game and how these platforms tend to evolve.
Substack is VC-backed. Even if the founders genuinely want to preserve the original ethos, change is inevitable. And it’s already happening. Just look at yesterday’s announcement about Substack TV.
There’s also a small but important detail that many people overlook, and I’m convinced it was a deliberate choice by the Substack team: they don’t allow you to email using custom domains.
It seems minor, but that’s how lock-in works. Yes, you can export your list and move elsewhere. But try taking a 5,000-subscriber newsletter to a new platform and setting up a custom domain from scratch. You’ll run into serious deliverability issues, and a large portion of your emails will land in spam. Most people here don’t have enough experience running newsletters to anticipate that. They’ll learn it too late.
That said, there are genuinely great writers on Substack. I’m interested in using the platform to build relationships with them. But for me, the priority is clear: building and owning my list outside the platform.
The VC backing is kind of like a black sawn. As you said it doesn't matter what the founders want. My hope is that they understand basic marketing. Substack's niche is anti-social media. They won't make it competing with Meta or TikTok.
The point you made about the custom domain is quite interesting. I never thought about that.
You’re wrong only about one thing. I didn’t click because of the title. I clicked because I expected you to critique that kind of trend, which is exactly what you did. Otherwise? Top-notch article.🔥
It is refreshing to see you talk about results without pretending the ‘one trick’ exists in a vacuum. The way you framed the underlying mindset and the unglamorous work behind that number makes the whole thing feel more honest. It made me look at my own metrics a little differently.
This is so good! I have been thinking about this lately - if we don't want this platform to go the way of the others, we have to lead how we are using it. Which means, remembering the delight that we experienced when we found this new place, unadulterated by fluff that dominates the other platforms. WE have to be the ones who drive interaction and support on the articles and podcasts that demonstrate actual depth.
Thanks for another great article. There is a reason most entrepreneurs quit within a year. When they start, they think it's easy because of all the crap online. In reality, most entrepreneurs earn less than minimum wage (while working twice as hard).
I started in 2020 and I don't see myself ever working for a boss again. But I've seen more people go than come in the past 6 years.
I just discovered you through a @lukematthws post. Love your work. So tired of the selling and the fake platitudes, that's why I came to substack. Anyway, keep going strong!
I love your voice. It's edgy but so full of wisdom and you are shining a light on something I noticed. I almost thought everyone on Substack wrote about writing on Substack and started to wonder, "will this work for me?"
“You clicked. Of course you did.”
I clicked because I couldn’t believe you’d actually write a headline like that 🙂
I follow your work precisely because I’m tired of shortcuts, numbers, and formulas.
Thanks for consistently reminding people not to fall for “precious” promises and shiny numbers — we all know how that story ends. 🙂
I'm sorry if I put doubt in your head. I was worried the title could repel some people. But I thought it’s funny. Those headlines you saw on Facebook like 15 years ago are still in my head. They are so obviously exaggerated. Well... I hope people share my sense of humor haha
Humour shared. The title into the meta call out was great. And it was a good read.
You actually proved your point — we’ll click on numbers even when it’s you, Philipp 😁
Joking aside, I enjoyed both the piece and the exchange here. Thank you.
Same!
“You are allowed to write because you love it, not because it makes you rich. You are allowed to be slow.”
Thank you for this honest post! I came to Substack to practice expressing myself through the written word and bring discipline to my creative practice by publishing something daily. And yet, it’s easy to question if it’s worth it at times when so many others are trying to monetize their hackneyed “lessons” and turn Substack into another ego-filled LinkedIn.
I will re-read this post when I get caught up in that “what’s the point” spiral.
The point is that you're not alone :)
I still love reading your letters in my inbox.
This one was awesome. Thanks chief.
Thanks Tommy, glad to see you here.
I hate people selling air to us! 👏👏👏
Great read, Philipp. I have to admit I’m skeptical about Substack. I’ve been in this game for a long time. I watched Quora start as an exceptional platform and slowly turn into what it is today, and I’ve helped build personal brands that went well beyond seven figures. So I’m very familiar with the game and how these platforms tend to evolve.
Substack is VC-backed. Even if the founders genuinely want to preserve the original ethos, change is inevitable. And it’s already happening. Just look at yesterday’s announcement about Substack TV.
There’s also a small but important detail that many people overlook, and I’m convinced it was a deliberate choice by the Substack team: they don’t allow you to email using custom domains.
It seems minor, but that’s how lock-in works. Yes, you can export your list and move elsewhere. But try taking a 5,000-subscriber newsletter to a new platform and setting up a custom domain from scratch. You’ll run into serious deliverability issues, and a large portion of your emails will land in spam. Most people here don’t have enough experience running newsletters to anticipate that. They’ll learn it too late.
That said, there are genuinely great writers on Substack. I’m interested in using the platform to build relationships with them. But for me, the priority is clear: building and owning my list outside the platform.
The VC backing is kind of like a black sawn. As you said it doesn't matter what the founders want. My hope is that they understand basic marketing. Substack's niche is anti-social media. They won't make it competing with Meta or TikTok.
The point you made about the custom domain is quite interesting. I never thought about that.
Yep, I hope too. I guess we'll have to wait and see.
You’re wrong only about one thing. I didn’t click because of the title. I clicked because I expected you to critique that kind of trend, which is exactly what you did. Otherwise? Top-notch article.🔥
It is refreshing to see you talk about results without pretending the ‘one trick’ exists in a vacuum. The way you framed the underlying mindset and the unglamorous work behind that number makes the whole thing feel more honest. It made me look at my own metrics a little differently.
This is so good! I have been thinking about this lately - if we don't want this platform to go the way of the others, we have to lead how we are using it. Which means, remembering the delight that we experienced when we found this new place, unadulterated by fluff that dominates the other platforms. WE have to be the ones who drive interaction and support on the articles and podcasts that demonstrate actual depth.
Are you KIDDING at the end about “Invite your friends and EARN points”….
Is that a JOKE?
Just checking to see who reads the nitty gritty?
Your post, your sincerity, your integrity….all good UNTIL the weird upsell the end.
Haha, I think I deserved this one.
You’re a good man to be able to say that!!! 💗
Thanks for another great article. There is a reason most entrepreneurs quit within a year. When they start, they think it's easy because of all the crap online. In reality, most entrepreneurs earn less than minimum wage (while working twice as hard).
I started in 2020 and I don't see myself ever working for a boss again. But I've seen more people go than come in the past 6 years.
Well said and spot on, Philipp!
I just discovered you through a @lukematthws post. Love your work. So tired of the selling and the fake platitudes, that's why I came to substack. Anyway, keep going strong!
Thank Deano. Luke is my man. Great dude.
I love your voice. It's edgy but so full of wisdom and you are shining a light on something I noticed. I almost thought everyone on Substack wrote about writing on Substack and started to wonder, "will this work for me?"
Thanks Robin, that means a lot to me. I’m honestly still working on bringing my voice across.
I didn’t click, because someone I trust wrote: “We want the algorithm to change. We want the culture to change.
But we keep clicking on the rage-bait. We keep writing the listicles.
The system is just a feedback loop of our behavior.
If you want a deeper internet, you must be brave enough to post deep work into the shallows.
Be the signal you want to see.”
I was like: This sounds familiar 😂
Very clever 😂 - even though the title looked weird for you. I really want to adapt this for my audience.
This is the click bait and switch I needed today