Really useful, but completely optional stuff to look at.
Here's Jeff Tweedy's subscription tier page for reference
Here's the official written how-to
Here's a back-end view how people pay you and what it costs you when they do
Your VALUE PROPOSITION - are you more comfortable in subscription mode or patronage mode?
Here's good thinking about your VALUE PROPOSITION from Substacker Jane Friedman - note that whether you're thinking in the patronage or subscription mode, the language in the Substack settings is always 'subscribe' - so this is more about the LANGUAGE you use in your descriptions of 'subscriber benefits', and later, your about page.
I’ve been running a paid newsletter for nearly 10 years, and with the advent of Substack, so many more people are throwing their hat in the ring.
To stand out and make progress, think about whether you’re better off operating on a subscription model (providing value for money, reliably) or a patronage model.
Patronage: When people want to support your art or mission.
Subscription: When people want the value/information/experience you provide.
Patronage: Your work might be less commercial or you just want to write whatever you want.
Subscription: You work has market value and you write and publish for an existing or identifiable readership.
Patronage: You can disappear for a while and it’ll probably be okay.
Subscription: You commit to a schedule and pause subs if you take an unexpected break.
Patronage: You want your work to be widely available to everyone or you seek greater influence or you’re building platform.
Subscription: You only want paying people to see or read your work and/or you don’t care how far it travels.
Obviously, these models can overlap. And even subscription models generally offer some kind of free content to get new subs in the door.
But think through which way you lean. It’ll help you better position your subscription/patronage deals and tell people why they should subscribe or support.
Looking for more on paid newsletter strategy? I’m teaching an affordable class this week (see comments).
From Substacker Jane Friedman
