Ask HN: What's the best place to start a newsletter?
Is Substack a good option? Is it Beehiiv? Something else?
If you're aware of the pros-cons, it'd be super helpful. Thanks!
If you're aware of the pros-cons, it'd be super helpful. Thanks!
I wanted to combine the best of both: Substack as an amazing email social network, and MkDocs Material’s awesome look. So I’ve gone with using Substack as the core platform which I use to manage subscribers, and use it to post either math/code-free posts or a short teasers pointing to my main blog site on MkDocs Material when I need to show math/code
Remember, content is key, so focus on delivering value and engaging your readers to keep them coming back for more. If you some guidance on how to use it, you can check ours! https://www.ratherlabs.com/newsletter
As a reader I hate substack because it's so damn pushy about signing up and paying for subscription. As a creator, I guess that drives your revenue.
Imho, everyone is doing newsletters now and it's a completely overcrowded field. I recently unsubscribed from almost all newsletters, because most provided little to no value for me. Sure, having 10k subscribers is fine but how many of them actually read it?
And yes, I agree; it is getting too crowded :(
Substack apparently has (or had?) a good reputation, but I read people switching to other platforms, and started doubting it.
Gotta look up hackernoon. Thanks :)
I think managing the newsletter yourself is really the best way to go and then talk about it on social media. My main problem is that once you want to make money with it everything becomes less enjoyable. Gotta start thinking about your funnel, your landing page, etc.
About the money-making aspect, it seems like a later stage thing atm. But yes, I get where you're coming from.
For me it feels like either you want to make money or you don't and that is the major drive behind the choice. Most tools have some way to export/import subscribers.
I would probably try to have a newsletter and also publish on your website for example. This way, people will have a chance to checkout your content before subscribing.