#Boosting paid subscriptions on Substack | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

rustbeltjessie · 1 year ago

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Hey friends—I, once again, could really really use some $$, and I decided to add a poll for traction cuz that seems to work on other people's posts. Anyway. I'm not in dire dire straits, in that my rent and utility bills are paid for the month, and we currently have food, but I'm basically entirely out of money otherwise. I need to make sure I can put gas in the car (it's almost on empty, and my kids both have doctor and dentist appointments coming up in the next couple weeks), as well as have money for other bills, household goods other than food, and anything else that might come up. My goal right now is $150-$300, but of course more than that would be even more helpful, as it would leave me in a better place heading into March.

Ways you can support me:

I have a Ko-fi, where you can purchase things I made, commission me for a custom collage, or hire me to proofread or line-edit your writing. If you're looking for zines to read, I have many. My main project right now is a year-long zine subscription, where I send you 1-3 mini zines every month. It's never too late to sign up—you can do it month-by-month, a six-month subscription will get you any combination of past and future zines that total up to six months' worth, and if you sign up for the full year at any point you will receive all past and future issues. February's zines, which will be sent out sometime in the next ten days, are going to be one containing a couple excerpts from the novel I'm writing, and another that's a remembrance of an old friend and a favorite band. I also got a pin (badge) maker for my birthday, and I've now put some of my designs up for sale on my Ko-fi.

Speaking of pins: I'm unofficially offering custom pin commissions. I'm not offering the type of service where you can send me your own design and I'll make hundreds of pins from it. What I mean is, for a base fee, you can commission me to design a custom pin for you. The base fee will include one pin made from the custom design. For an extra fee, you can pay for up to 10 more. If you are interested in something like that, please DM me, or email me at coeur(dot)de(dot)fantome(at)gmail(dot)com.

And, as always, if you appreciate the art and writing I share for free on my blog, in my Substack, and elsewhere, you can just tip me—either directly through Tumblr, or via Ko-fi, P*yP*l, or V*nmo.

P.S. If you live outside the US and need help calculating shipping costs, or you want to order something/hire or commission me but you prefer to do it outside Ko-fi, please DM or email me.

Ko-fi: ko-fi(dot)com/rustbeltjessie P*yP*l: coeur(dot)de(dot)fantome(at)gmail(dot)com V*nmo: (at) JessieLynnMcMains

And, as always, reblogging/boosting this post helps, too. 🖤💗

#rust belt jessie #thanks in advance #as always #i will reblog this later with direct links #also please don't tag this with any algorithm-ruining things #ykwim

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ameliasoulturner · 1 month ago

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3 Best Platforms for Aspiring Writers to Launch a Solo Business and Break Free in 2025

If you've ever dreamed of turning your passion for writing into a full-time income and finally saying goodbye to your 9-to-5, you're not alone. Thousands of people are making the leap every year, using their writing skills to build solo businesses that give them freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.

The good news? You don’t need a traditional publishing deal or a journalism degree to make it happen. In 2025, there are more opportunities than ever for writers to carve out their own paths and make real money doing what they love. The internet has leveled the playing field—and with the right tools and platforms, you can create your own lane, attract a loyal audience, and turn your words into income.

But with so many platforms out there, where should a new writer begin? In this article, we're diving into the three best platforms for aspiring writers in 2025—whether your goal is to build a personal brand, create a steady stream of income, or simply do meaningful work on your own terms.

Let’s break it down.

1. Substack: Your Launchpad for Independent Publishing

If you enjoy writing essays, newsletters, or commentary and want to build an email-based audience, Substack is your best friend.

Substack allows writers to create and send email newsletters to their readers, monetize through paid subscriptions, and build a direct connection with their audience. What makes it so appealing is its simplicity. You don’t need to know how to build a website or learn marketing funnels—just write, publish, and share.

But here’s where Substack really shines: it lets you own your audience. Unlike social media platforms where algorithms control who sees your content, Substack delivers your writing directly to inboxes. And in 2025, email is still one of the most powerful tools for building trust and loyalty.

Why It Works for Solo Writers:

Direct Monetization: You can start with free content and slowly introduce paid options as your audience grows. Substack handles payment processing, so you can focus on writing.

Community Tools: You can host discussions, comments, and even podcasts, building a real community around your work.

No Gatekeepers: No editor telling you what to write. Your voice, your topics, your rules.

Writers making anywhere from $500 to over $10,000 per month have built their businesses one email at a time. The key? Show up consistently, be authentic, and deliver value.

Best For: Writers who want to build a loyal readership, share their thoughts or expertise, and get paid directly by subscribers.

2. Medium: Reach a Built-In Audience While You Learn the Game

Medium is like the digital version of a glossy magazine mixed with a public journal. It's perfect for new writers who want to find their voice, test ideas, and reach people without worrying about promotion or SEO right out of the gate.

With Medium’s Partner Program, you can actually earn money based on how much time paying members spend reading your stories. This performance-based model means that high-quality, engaging content can get rewarded—even if you're just getting started.

In 2025, Medium continues to be a top pick for new writers because it takes care of the technical side of blogging. No hosting. No themes. Just you and your writing.

Why It Works for Solo Writers:

Built-In Exposure: Medium’s curated content system can help you reach thousands—even tens of thousands—of readers if your content resonates.

Monetization Without Selling: You don’t need to pitch anything or sell a product. Just write, and if your content performs well, you get paid.

Credibility Boost: Medium content ranks well on Google, so it’s a smart way to build authority in a niche or industry.

A well-written story can live on Medium for years, continuously driving traffic and passive income. That’s not just side-hustle potential—that’s digital real estate.

Best For: Writers who want a clean, focused platform to build a portfolio, grow their reputation, and earn based on content performance.

3. Fiverr: Turn Your Writing Into a Freelance Business

While Substack and Medium are great for content-driven business models, Fiverr is the fast track to getting paid for your writing services.

Fiverr has evolved a lot since its early days of $5 gigs. Today, it’s a thriving marketplace where writers are earning serious money offering services like blog posts, email copy, product descriptions, LinkedIn bios, and more.

What sets Fiverr apart is its reach. Millions of buyers are already looking for help with writing projects. All you have to do is show up with a strong profile and quality samples, and you’re in the game.

Why It Works for Solo Writers:

Immediate Income: You can start earning as soon as someone places an order. No need to build an audience first.

Skill-Based Scaling: As you get more orders and positive reviews, Fiverr ranks you higher in search, which means more visibility and better-paying clients.

Niche Opportunities: You can specialize in areas like resume writing, technical writing, or even writing social media posts. There's room for everyone.

Some freelancers earn $2,000 to $5,000 per month on Fiverr alone. And with the right strategy, you can turn one-time gigs into recurring clients and long-term contracts.

Best For: Writers looking to get paid quickly, build a service-based business, and grow into a full-fledged freelancing career.

Bonus Tips for Building a Sustainable Writing Business

Choosing the right platform is important—but equally crucial is how you show up. Here are a few quick tips to make your writing business thrive in 2025:

1. Niche Down Early: Pick a niche that matches your skills and interests. The more specific your content or services, the easier it is to attract loyal followers or buyers.

2. Focus on Quality Over Quantity: Writing every day won’t matter if it’s not useful, interesting, or original. Take your time, research deeply, and make each piece count.

3. Build Your Brand: Whether it’s your tone, your story, or your values—make sure people know what you stand for. A strong personal brand is what separates you from the crowd.

4. Diversify Your Income: Don’t rely on just one source. You can write on Medium, run a Substack newsletter, and freelance on Fiverr—all at the same time. Diversifying your income streams adds stability and growth potential.

5. Invest in Learning: From SEO and digital marketing to storytelling and productivity, investing in new skills can 10x your results. The more value you bring to the table, the more you can charge—and the faster you grow.

Final Thoughts: Why Now Is the Best Time to Go All-In

There’s never been a better time to be a writer. The barriers are lower. The tools are better. The market is global. And if you play it right, you can build a writing career on your own terms—one that pays the bills, fuels your creativity, and gives you the freedom most jobs never will.

Whether you’re sharing your voice on Substack, building authority on Medium, or landing clients on Fiverr, you have everything you need to launch a solo business in 2025. So if you’re sitting at a desk right now, dreaming of quitting your job—this is your sign. Start writing. Start building. Your solo journey begins now.

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depressedhouseplant · 1 year ago

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So I Created a Substack

It’s linked in the Masterlist post under “WIP Wednesday / Teasers”. It was unofficial homework from my creative writing teacher because apparently that’s where all the legit writers are hanging out these days.

It is easily the most user unfriendly interface I’ve used for a blogging site. I hate it. My first post will go up at noon today EST & I’ve got a few more scheduled. It’s all WIPs where I basically changed the names to English & made a few minor tweaks to make them look a little less like fanfic. Full disclosure - any work that’s been broken up into parts only the first post is free. After that it’s paywalled. These are all WIPs that have never seen the light of day either on AO3 or here (though there’s a slight chance I’ll post the toxic Chanlix and the Bbangju royalty which y’all have seen).

I would greatly appreciate if y’all subscribed because even free subscriptions boost visibility. I’ve linked it in this post as well for your convenience. I tried to make paid subscriptions as affordable as possible:

$5/month

$50/yr (17% off)

$150/“founding member” (which I think means lifetime? I honestly don’t know. It was so vague I was about ready to lose my damn mind)

Again, please don’t feel pressured to get a paid subscription. I feel really skeevy about having paywalled posts & trying to sell it to y’all in the first place, but it’s a thing that’s done so I’m doing the thing.

I will (obviously) keep posting my JFW here daily for free. If you want to see what could have been, the freebies will be up on Substack (have I mentioned how much I hate the interface? Because I hate it) Mondays at noon.

C U Soon with today’s JFW 😘

#substack #my wips #I feel super skeevy rn

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