Since others are asking about where you're moving to, I'll share, in case it's helpful, that I'm integrating my newsletter into my Squarespace website. They have the capability of offering content for members only, which I'll use to continue to offer special, premium content to paying subscribers.
I was considering Ghost Pro or Beehiiv and have decided on Ghost Pro. Based on the minimal analytics we get on Substack, I have a fair amount of traffic coming from people who stumble onto my posts via Google, so I think a more blog-like set-up is a better fit for me than the more topical, newsletter-focused set-up of Beehiiv. (Though that also seems like a great choice and I think is a little cheaper than Ghost Pro.)
Anjali, if you wanted to get more insights on your performance here or even on Ghost, I would be happy to help you set up on Google Search Console and Google Analytics (chronicling my journey giving up dieting is my passion project, but professionally I've done content marketing for 10+ years). I know Substack offers minimal analytics, but you can still connect your account to Google's tools and see very clearly where your traffic is coming from, which keywords you are ranking for etc.
Yes I am also interested in which platform you are moving to and appreciate you offering guidance for others based on what you have learned. I am particularly wondering about how other writers are ensuring that they don't just move to another platform that will eventually having the same issues - thought I'm sure you have carefully considered that and of course it's often impossible to predict where these companies will end up. And I am also looking forward to your latest hot take on the Mediterranean diet!
I decided on Ghost Pro and am also planning on integrating Outpost for membership management (https://outpost.pub/). Ghost is set up as a nonprofit, so at the very least they are not incentivized to make money off of hateful content, and Outpost is a publishers cooperative, so they also are not in the business of enriching billionaires. I will definitely be sharing what I learn along the way!
Thanks for the heads up. I'm actively unsubscribing from substacks for the same reason you're moving, so I fully support this change!! I hope the transition is smooth and look forward to reading your work on a more ethical platform :)
I recently started a newsletter and opted for Ghost. It's focused identity, ritual, and spirituality through the my lens as a Jewish convert, so Substack absolutely didn't feel like the right place to set up shop. I definitely don't judge/fault anyone who stays though, as you pointed out there are a lot of financial implications for creators.
I've been feeling the same and am also looking for a better alternative. I don't have paid, so I have a few more options. Wherever you go, let me know and I'll make adjustments to your graphics free of charge. And thanks for doing this! Sometimes social pressure is the only accountability people get.
Thanks for sharing this. It is always good to know the ethics of the places behind the people whose work I admire. Disappointed in Substack, but fully supportive of you as you cross into new spaces.
Thanks for sharing! I am getting more and more fed up with Substack’s limited basic functionality as I grow my community and platform.
For example, I cannot require readers to subscribe before getting access to the content. Substack only allows for paid memberships. I tried a workaround with a paid membership with an auto-100% coupon but it still requires the user to enter a CC (terrible user experience).
I also can’t edit certain link names (like “Home” cannot be “My Writing”) or other basic design elements, which is frustrating.
Thank you for sharing that Anjali. The situation with Substack is so disappointing. I have found this such a useful platform for the 10 months that I’ve been here and I have loved reading from lots of different people in an easy way, because I use the app.
I’ve been grappling with what to do with my own newsletter & podcast that live here. And for now since all my content is free and I don’t have any paying subscribers I will leave it here, as it means I don’t pay any hosting fees either.
If I decide to focus on trying to grow paid subscribers, then I might look elsewhere.
I'm leaving, too. I grapple with the ethics of the decision here:
https://mightyforces.substack.com/p/the-ethics-of-where-we-publish
Since others are asking about where you're moving to, I'll share, in case it's helpful, that I'm integrating my newsletter into my Squarespace website. They have the capability of offering content for members only, which I'll use to continue to offer special, premium content to paying subscribers.
Thanks for sharing that, Amanda! That's good to know.
Anjali, can you share where you’re moving? Beehiiv?
I love the tease about the Mediterranean diet. Looking forward to reading!!
I was considering Ghost Pro or Beehiiv and have decided on Ghost Pro. Based on the minimal analytics we get on Substack, I have a fair amount of traffic coming from people who stumble onto my posts via Google, so I think a more blog-like set-up is a better fit for me than the more topical, newsletter-focused set-up of Beehiiv. (Though that also seems like a great choice and I think is a little cheaper than Ghost Pro.)
Anjali, if you wanted to get more insights on your performance here or even on Ghost, I would be happy to help you set up on Google Search Console and Google Analytics (chronicling my journey giving up dieting is my passion project, but professionally I've done content marketing for 10+ years). I know Substack offers minimal analytics, but you can still connect your account to Google's tools and see very clearly where your traffic is coming from, which keywords you are ranking for etc.
Yes I am also interested in which platform you are moving to and appreciate you offering guidance for others based on what you have learned. I am particularly wondering about how other writers are ensuring that they don't just move to another platform that will eventually having the same issues - thought I'm sure you have carefully considered that and of course it's often impossible to predict where these companies will end up. And I am also looking forward to your latest hot take on the Mediterranean diet!
I decided on Ghost Pro and am also planning on integrating Outpost for membership management (https://outpost.pub/). Ghost is set up as a nonprofit, so at the very least they are not incentivized to make money off of hateful content, and Outpost is a publishers cooperative, so they also are not in the business of enriching billionaires. I will definitely be sharing what I learn along the way!
Thanks for the heads up. I'm actively unsubscribing from substacks for the same reason you're moving, so I fully support this change!! I hope the transition is smooth and look forward to reading your work on a more ethical platform :)
Thanks, Shara!
I recently started a newsletter and opted for Ghost. It's focused identity, ritual, and spirituality through the my lens as a Jewish convert, so Substack absolutely didn't feel like the right place to set up shop. I definitely don't judge/fault anyone who stays though, as you pointed out there are a lot of financial implications for creators.
I've been feeling the same and am also looking for a better alternative. I don't have paid, so I have a few more options. Wherever you go, let me know and I'll make adjustments to your graphics free of charge. And thanks for doing this! Sometimes social pressure is the only accountability people get.
Thanks for sharing this. It is always good to know the ethics of the places behind the people whose work I admire. Disappointed in Substack, but fully supportive of you as you cross into new spaces.
Thanks for sharing! I am getting more and more fed up with Substack’s limited basic functionality as I grow my community and platform.
For example, I cannot require readers to subscribe before getting access to the content. Substack only allows for paid memberships. I tried a workaround with a paid membership with an auto-100% coupon but it still requires the user to enter a CC (terrible user experience).
I also can’t edit certain link names (like “Home” cannot be “My Writing”) or other basic design elements, which is frustrating.
Thank you for sharing Anjali, looking forward to seeing where you'll go and safe to say that I'll be following to whichever platform you'll choose ✿
Thank you for sharing that Anjali. The situation with Substack is so disappointing. I have found this such a useful platform for the 10 months that I’ve been here and I have loved reading from lots of different people in an easy way, because I use the app.
I’ve been grappling with what to do with my own newsletter & podcast that live here. And for now since all my content is free and I don’t have any paying subscribers I will leave it here, as it means I don’t pay any hosting fees either.
If I decide to focus on trying to grow paid subscribers, then I might look elsewhere.
I love your integrity and courage in your convictions.
And glad to be taking the plunge alongside you because I do not know what I’m doing 😳😅