Terms
Photo created by Lucas George Wendt on Unsplash
Publishing platforms and newsletters give writers the opportunity to monetize their works in a sensible manner. Instead of launching affiliate programs or filling their websites with ads, they are able to spend their time doing the things they enjoy -- writing.
This exchange benefits both as creators and members. They are compensated for the creation of content while readers get the opportunity to access the content they enjoy, and at the same time enjoy a pristine free of ads. If you're a journalist on a blog or perhaps aspiring writer This comparison can aid you in making the right decision about which platform will best cater to your needs.
Substack
Substack's principal goal is to support writers through providing the required tools needed to reach their goals. The platform offers various instruments that meet the needs of freelance content creators. From monetization opportunities to control of audience, Substack gives writers the possibility to control their own creative process and create the foundation for a long-term career.
Pricing and features
It is marketed as "a platform for writers to work on their own," Substack offers writers the opportunity to create an online magazine that helps build communities, and also earn money through subscriptions. The company claims no technical knowledge required and they aim to "take all the responsibility, excluding the most difficult aspect (the creation itself)." The company promises "true liberty" where the writer keeps the copyright on all the work they write.
It's straightforward. Authors can upload posts they've written on different platforms, such as Mailchimp, WordPress, Tinyletter, Medium, Tumblr, as well as some custom-built sites, or set up a new site completely from scratch in just less than a minutes. Once the website is up and running and the writer decides on which posts are free as well as those subject to the Substack paywall. Substack takes 10% of the revenue when the creator begins monetizing their site, but up to that time, the site is accessible to anyone at no cost. The Substack team states that they will "start with your Substack with breakfast and start earning cash by lunchtime." That's how you could achieve this.
Dashboard/Posts
The Dashboard page will display any posts you've published along with general statistics on your most recent article. This includes: the number of views, how many emails you've received, along with the opening percentage.
Here you'll also see various options for you to begin creating the new piece of content. Buttons include: Create a brand new blog post, or a brand new podcast episode or an entirely new thread. On this dashboard, you are able to view Subscribers as well as Stats and Settings.
In Substack newsletters, they're known as "posts in addition to they are shared on the author's Substack page to display their profile. Once an account is activated, Substack automatically creates a first draft of the article. It also encourages subscribers to sign up for Substack's newsletters for paid subscribers and promote the event via social media. Edit or delete this first already-populated blog post or even write an article of your own.
Substack posts homepage
Editing or writing begins by adding the title, subtitle and the author. You could even invite guests authors to write. Then you are able to use an effective text editor that allows you to create paragraphs, headings, pictures and buttons. You can also add codes to use bold or italic fonts, as well as quotes and bullet point.
If you click the Settings button You'll have the opportunity to alter the visibility of your article. It is possible to make your page either public or private and decide to allow comments or not. In this section it is possible to edit the day of publishing, the URL along with the non-official "draft hyperlink" should you choose to distribute the content to family members or acquaintances (even after it's been published). It is possible to send a trial email or alter the preview of social media so that you can ensure the image is perfect before sending it to your fans.
When you've published the post, go to the Posts page. There you'll see how many viewers have viewed each of your articles.
Subscribers
The dashboard for subscribers displays the entire number of paying and non-paying customers along with the total annualized gross revenue as well as amount of subscribers in the past 30-day period, 90-day period and throughout each entire day. The dashboard displays your subscribers' email addresses, including of your customers along with the subscription type (free or paid) the date when the registration date was set, and also the amount they make per user.
For more subscribers to join You can connect them with the email address they provide or you can export the current list of subscribers on MailChimp, TinyLetter, Patreon as well as similar platforms to an CSV file and later move the file. The Substack uploader will import any email address it locates but only subscribers who have signed up to your list of subscribers.
Stats
On the Stats webpage, you'll find information about the volume of visitors that came toward your site and how many emails you sent out over a 30-day interval, 90-day after the launch of your email newsletter.
The tab on traffic lists the latest month's website users in addition to the source. The source could be the content itself, and also from your personal profile page on Substack as well as other social media platforms such as Twitter.
The Email tabs shows you all the details for each article, including the title, date of publication and the audience (public as well as private) as well as information on the delivery of each article, like the amount of opens, open rate and subscriptions that are either free or paid after one day, as well as engagement (likes and comments).
Settings
It is here that you are able to change the title and description of the publication. You can also alter the discoverability settings (such tags) and personalize the About page so that it highlights the benefits of having the publication in addition to having it as a subscription.
There's a myriad of possibilities to alter your blog's voice and the visual branding of your blog. These include the logo, your cover image along with your banner for mail and welcome message (which is emailed to users shortly after signing to sign up). Editing email sender options such as your sender name, whether you would want to receive responses via email to your content and also add emails for RSS feeds, such as [email protectedemail protected[email protectedemail protected]. Here you can also join and remove from your social media accounts in addition to Stripe for processing payments.
Integrations and compatibility
One of the most important features of Substack's services is its capability to import content across multiple platforms. This can save you time because it's not necessary to copy and paste content on every platform you frequent. Substack provides import functionality for the following platforms: Mailchimp, WordPress, TinyLetter, Tumblr and website RSS feeds, RSS feeds for podcasts and Stripe and many others.
That said, much of Substack's focus on integrations is data and tracking and you're able to include an Facebook Pixel ID, Twitter Pixel ID, Parse.ly Pixel ID and Google Analytics Pixel ID, Google Tag Manager ID Google Site Verification and Facebook Site Verification.
These pixels allow for monitoring your readership/engagement levels and some create an integration with advertising platforms. In the case of Facebook For instance if you include your Facebook Pixel ID (found on the Facebook business Page) to Substack, or your Substack, Facebook can track the audience for ads relevant to your business.
Medium
Medium however it is an online publishing and content creation platform that houses a variety of content from authors. Medium is a social-based discovery platform that allows writers to connect with a wide audience and connect with others who are online readers and share similar interest. Medium provides a straightforward interface, extensive social functions and an built-in distribution network.
Pricing and Specifications
Medium.com has a broad range of functions and features for users and creators of content. The site is now an essential website for organizations and individuals to post their ideas or stories to a worldwide group of people.
You can easily create and edit your content using an easy and user-friendly editor. Medium is a no-cost editing environment that includes essential formatting options like headings and lists, as well as images and embedding multimedia information. After you've written your article, you may publish it for public access to everyone or limit it to certain audiences.
Unlimited access to the internet costs $5 USD/month if you pay monthly or annually for $50 USD if an entire year's cost is paid up front.
Dashboard/Home
Similar to other social media platforms, Medium offers an extensive community of users and readers that are always looking for new material. Because of the algorithm and curation system including an editor's choice publication, the content will gain not only recognition but also reach an enormous public. It will assist writers and authors reach out to their audience, build a following, and increase their influence in their field.
Medium is a huge platform which allows authors to connect with an even greater number of people and gain exposure for their work. The huge reach of Medium ensures that your article is more likely to be discovered by those who share a genuine curiosity about the subject.
The features of the platform that are curate help to present your content to the most relevant readers. This increases the likelihood of engagement and visibility. Utilizing these discovery methods, it is possible to tap into Medium's distribution system and increase the exposure of your articles.
Post editor
Medium offers a wide range of content creation tools that provide advanced formatting capabilities along with embedded media support that includes video and pictures, as well as the capability to include custom code fragments. Medium lets writers create appealing and visually pleasing pieces, which include rich media, and it is suited to digital writers who want an approach that is more visually appealing.
By using Medium's editor for posts, which is flexible editors can modify the look and style of their posts to be in line with their brand's image. Media integration is enabled by the platform, allowing for the seamless addition of photos video, audio, as well as interactive elements. If you're seeking to show off your skills in photography or share information through visuals, Medium allows you to make stunning media.
Network effect
Medium fosters a sense of community through features like comments, highlights, and suggestions which allow writers to communicate to their readers. These tools facilitate deep discussion and help create an environment that allows writers to engage with their readers.
The network effect of Medium is a key factor in increasing the visibility of writer's content. When users interact with a piece of articles through comments, claps or share, the algorithm at Medium take note of the interaction and then present the content to a wider public. This feature of the platform permits authors to reach to a wider audience than their followers as well as attract new readers about the topic that they write about.
How to make money: Medium's Partner Program
Medium uses a unique method of monetization which is referred to as"the Medium Partner Program. Writers can join this program to earn money on the base of the level of engagement that they get from their content, such as the number of claps (Medium's equivalent of likes) as well as the time spent reading. (While earning potential is present in Medium, the earnings could be more unpredictable compared to Substack's subscription-based system.)
The medium Partner Program offers authors the opportunity to write engaging and stimulating content that resonates with viewers. Through rewarding content based on the reader's feedback and interactions, Medium promotes the development of high-quality content that is captivating and has the ability to inspire its viewers. Medium offers the possibility to earn money, and also maintain a cost-free and open publishing platform.
Conclusion: Medium vs Substack
Substack and Medium offer different things to cater to different creators -- the best way to choose the platform for you is to consider what you want to get out of your newsletter/publishing platform. Substack empowers independent writers with monetization options, along with content that is owned by readers and an intuitive and targeted publishing experience. However, Medium offers a vast user base, as well as discoverability functions along with a feeling of belonging.
In providing unique and valuable information to your readers You are able to earn a profit in addition to help you to sustain your art. Each of these options has a distinct goal, so it's up to you determine which option is right for your needs and the audience you serve. Enjoy writing!
This post was first seen on here