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In this final episode of the year, we broke down the biggest lessons we learned from growing the Write • Build • Scale publication to 1,000+ paid subscribers (and 29,000+ total subscribers) in 2025.
In this value-packed episode, we covered:
The biggest mistake beginners make with paid subscriptions (00:45)
The exact free vs paid content mix we follow (00:02:39)
Why we create a few “pillar posts” per year - and how they drive paid subscriber growth (05:30)
How one free post became our most profitable piece of content ever (07:23)
Why personal connection will matter more than ever in an AI-heavy future (11:05)
Why we treat our paid Substack as an entry-point offer, not the end of monetization (18:05)
How Substack is becoming an all-in-one creator platform heading into 2026 (28:24)
The Substack features we’re most excited about for next year (33:15)
And much, much more…
Want 1:1 Support To Grow Your Substack In 2026?
If you’re serious about growing your audience and income on Substack next year - and you want hands-on, personal support every step of the way - we’ve got great news.
We’re opening up a limited number of spots in our 1:1 coaching programs for the start of 2026.
If you’d like more details about private coaching, just comment “Substack” below this post, and we’ll send everything your way.
Let’s make 2026 your biggest year on Substack yet. 📈
Watch On YouTube:
👉 Subscribe to the Write • Build • Scale YouTube channel, where we’ll upload a video version of the podcast every week.
Key Lessons From This Episode:
#1: Your Free Content Does the Selling for Your Paid Substack
Your free content is the main sales engine for your paid tier.
If you don’t have enough free content available, or it’s not impactful enough, people won’t upgrade to your paid tier.
But when your free content already delivers a lot of value, shows your personality, and builds a lot of trust, upgrading to your paid tier becomes a no-brainer.
#2: Most of Your Content Should Stay Free
Turning on paid doesn’t mean locking everything behind a paywall.
In fact, doing that often leads to burnout, slower growth, and lower-quality content.
A better approach is to publish most of your content for free, and pair it with clearly differentiated premium pieces.
Think of workshops, ultimate guides, digital downloads, templates, or other types of content that make your premium content feel unique.
#3: Treat Your Paid Substack as an Entry Point (Not the End Goal)
Paid subscriptions are powerful, but they shouldn’t be the only way you monetize.
There’s a natural ceiling to what people will pay for a monthly or yearly subscription.
The real leverage comes from treating your paid Substack as the first step into a larger ecosystem with courses, cohorts, communities, digital products, or 1:1 coaching.
Buyers buy again - but only if you give them more than one way to do so.
#4: Use AI to Buy Back Time
AI can be an incredible tool, but only if you use it intentionally.
Instead of using it to spam more content, use it to automate low-value, repeatable tasks so you can spend more time on what doesn’t scale.
(Like responding to comments, doing live streams, jumping on calls, showing your face, and building real relationships with your readers.)
In an AI-heavy world, trust and human connection become your biggest advantages.
#5: Personal Connection Will Matter More Than Ever
People don’t just subscribe for the information you share - they subscribe for your personality, your perspectives, your beliefs, and your stories.
So, the more personal your content, the stronger (and more profitable) your business becomes.
Yes, sharing helpful tips and strategies about your topic is important - but if you never show your personality, it lacks that personal connection that makes people buy.
Grab your free Substack Starter Kit, where you’ll find proven strategies, frameworks, and systems that help you turn your Substack into a thriving newsletter with thousands of readers.
