Learning how to use substack requires creating a writer profile, configuring your publication settings, and deciding whether to offer free or paid subscriptions. Writers draft posts using Substack’s web editor or mobile app, broadcast via email or the platform’s Notes feed, and collect payments directly through an integrated Stripe account. This guide outlines the step-by-step setup, broadcasting tools, fee structures, and technical requirements needed to operate a publication effectively in 2026.
Technical Setup and Subscriber Account Requirements
Starting a publication on Substack does not require paid hosting, domain setup fees, or web development experience. Anyone can register a free account using an email address or an existing social media login. However, writers planning to monetize their audience must meet basic platform and payment gateway prerequisites before turning on paid subscriptions.
To publish free posts, you only need a verified email address, a publication title, and a sub domain (such as yourname.substack.com). If you decide to sell memberships, you must connect a business or individual account through Stripe, Substack’s official payment processing partner. Stripe requires identity verification, a valid tax identification number, and a supported bank account located in a country served by Stripe services.
Substack is accessible via desktop browsers and dedicated mobile applications on iOS and Android. While readers can browse and read posts through any browser, managing publication settings, analyzing reader retention metrics, and configuring custom domain names are best handled through the desktop web dashboard.
How to Use Substack for Writing and Publishing Content
Publishing on Substack combines email broadcasting with web blogging. Every time you send a post, Substack simultaneously delivers it to your subscribers’ email inboxes and publishes it as a webpage on your publication site. Following a clear workflow helps prevent accidental sends and ensures high readability across mobile and desktop devices.
Step 1: Configure Publication Settings and Branding
Log in to your dashboard and navigate to the Settings tab. Specify your publication name, logo, wordmark, and a brief one-sentence description. Under the Website section, select your default theme colors, header layout, and homepage layout. If you already own a custom web domain, you can configure DNS records to point your domain to Substack for a one-time setup fee charged by the platform.
Step 2: Draft Your Post in the Web Editor
Click “New Post” in the top dashboard navigation to open the clean text editor. Type or paste your content, using the upper formatting toolbar to apply headings (H2, H3), blockquotes, bulleted lists, hyperlinked text, and embedded media. You can drag and drop images directly into the body text, add caption text, and set alt text for web accessibility. Substack supports embedding YouTube videos, Spotify audio, X (formerly Twitter) posts, and audio clips created directly inside the editor.
Step 3: Set Paywall Controls and Subscriber Visibility
If you have enabled paid subscriptions, you can control which parts of your article are accessible to free readers. Highlight the text where you want the paywall to begin, click the button icon in the formatting bar, and insert a “Paywall block.” Everything above the paywall block remains visible to all readers, while content below it is hidden behind a subscription prompt. You can also designate an entire post as “Everybody,” “Paid subscribers only,” or “Founding members only” in the post settings menu.
Step 4: Review Delivery Settings and Send
Click “Continue” in the top right corner to access the publish menu. Select whether to send the post as an email newsletter, publish it exclusively to your web archive, or both. Choose your target audience, customize your email subject line and preview text, and schedule the broadcast for a specific date and time or send it immediately. Reviewing launching your newsletter platform best practices before hitting send can help maximize open rates and minimize delivery issues.
Substack Live Streaming, Audio Posts, and Reader Notes
Substack has expanded beyond written newsletters to include multimedia publishing and social networking features designed to build audience engagement directly inside its ecosystem.
The platform offers a social feed called Notes, which acts like a public stream where writers post short commentary, images, quote blocks, and links. Posting regularly to Notes helps introduce your publication to active readers across the broader network without triggering an email notification to your subscriber inbox. Utilizing Substack app reader distribution effectively relies heavily on leveraging Notes and native mobile app recommendations.
Writers can also record or upload podcasts and audio posts directly within the editor. Substack automatically generates an RSS feed that can be distributed to external podcast directories like Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Additionally, the native “Substack Live” video feature lets creators broadcast live video streams to their community. Live streams can be gated exclusively for paid members or kept public to attract new followers, with automatically generated replay videos published directly to your feed once the stream ends.
Monetization Setup, Stripe Integration, and Creator Fees
Understanding the operational math behind reader subscriptions is essential for setting pricing strategies and forecasting net revenue. Substack operates on a revenue-share model where creators pay no upfront monthly fee to host their publication.
| Subscription Type | Minimum Pricing | Platform Fee | Payment Processing Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Membership | $0 / month | 0% | 0% |
| Monthly Recurring | $5.00 / month | 10% of gross revenue | Stripe standard fees (~2.9% + $0.30 per charge) |
| Annual Recurring | $30.00 / year | 10% of gross revenue | Stripe standard fees (~2.9% + $0.30 per charge) |
| Founding Tier | Custom (Above annual) | 10% of gross revenue | Stripe standard fees (~2.9% + $0.30 per charge) |
Substack takes a flat 10% platform fee on all paid subscription revenue. In addition, Stripe deducts standard payment processing fees, which typically average 2.9% plus $0.30 per successful credit card transaction in the United States (rates vary slightly for international cards and regional payment methods). Payouts clear according to your connected Stripe account balance schedule, usually transferring funds to your linked bank account on a daily or weekly rolling basis.
Creators are classified as independent contractors for tax purposes. In the United States, if you reach taxable thresholds, Stripe will issue a Form 1099-K detailing your gross transaction totals. You are responsible for reporting this income and accounting for local self-employment taxes. Tax rules differ significantly across the UK, Canada, and Australia, so consulting a qualified local tax professional is highly recommended when setup completed.
Writers interested in exploring alternative revenue models can read about monetizing your reader base through sponsorship placements, custom digital downloads, and tiered member benefits.
Reader Email Deliverability and Subscription Friction Points
Maintaining high inbox deliverability is one of the most critical operational tasks when managing a Substack publication. Because thousands of writers share sending domains, email service providers like Gmail and Yahoo monitor engagement metrics closely.
Common delivery and growth challenges include:
- Spam Folder Placement: New publications often land in promotional or spam folders. Encourage new subscribers to move your welcome email to their primary inbox or add your sending address to their contact list.
- Email Bounces: Invalid email addresses decrease sender reputation. Substack automatically prunes persistent hard bounces, but keeping an eye on your subscriber health list in the dashboard is good practice.
- Payment Failures: Expired credit cards and banking holds cause subscription churn. Stripe automatically sends renewal reminders and attempts retries, but a small percentage of paid subscribers drop off naturally every billing cycle.
- Unsubscribe Rates: High publishing frequency without consistent value leads to reader fatigue. Establishing a predictable schedule helps manage subscriber expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Using Substack
Is Substack completely free to use if I do not charge readers?
Yes. Substack is completely free to use if you publish free posts. The platform does not charge hosting, storage, or subscriber limits for unpaid publications. Substack only collects fees when you collect payments from paid subscribers.
Can I import an existing email list from another newsletter provider?
Yes. Substack allows you to import existing email subscriber lists via CSV file upload from platforms like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, or Beehiiv. You must certify that imported contacts explicitly opted in to receive emails from you to prevent spam violations.
How does Substack handle sales tax and VAT on paid subscriptions?
Stripe Billing and Substack automatically calculate, collect, and remit applicable local sales taxes, US state taxes, or Value Added Tax (VAT) on digital subscriptions based on the buyer’s billing location, taking the compliance burden off individual creators.
Can I export my subscriber list and leave Substack at any time?
Yes. You own your reader relationship and content rights entirely. You can export your free and paid subscriber email lists along with customer payment IDs to another newsletter or membership platform at any point without penalty.
Next Steps for Launching Your Substack Publication
To begin publishing content on Substack immediately, follow these direct operational steps:
- Go to Substack.com, click “Start Writing,” and create your account using your preferred email address.
- Complete your basic profile: set your publication title, upload a clean square logo, and write a concise publication summary.
- Connect a verified Stripe account in the “Settings” tab under “Payments” if you intend to offer paid memberships immediately or in the future.
- Draft a brief “Welcome Post” explaining what readers can expect from your writing, schedule, and topic focus.
- Publish your welcome post and share your publication URL across your social channels and personal email contacts to collect your first subscribers.
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Last updated: October 21, 2026. Pay rates, bonuses and eligibility rules change often, so always confirm the current details on the official website before you sign up.
