Imagine earning $1000 in just 18 days by writing about topics you love. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, I did exactly that on Substack, a platform designed for writers, creators, and thinkers to build a loyal audience and earn from subscriptions. In this article, I'll walk you through how I made $1000 in less than three weeks writing on Substack, sharing strategies, tips, and best practices that helped me grow my readership and turn it into a lucrative side hustle.

If you’re a writer looking to monetize your content or someone interested in building a thriving community around your ideas, this guide will show you how you can replicate my success.

What is Substack?

Before diving into my journey, let’s briefly discuss what Substack is. Substack is a platform that allows writers and creators to send newsletters directly to their subscribers’ inboxes. Writers can offer free or paid subscriptions, with Substack taking a 10% cut of the earnings from paid subscribers.

What sets Substack apart from other writing platforms is its simplicity and focus on audience engagement. You own your list, you have creative control, and you can build a steady stream of income as your audience grows.

Now, here’s how I made $1000 in 18 days on Substack.

Step 1: Choose a Niche That Resonates

The first and most crucial step was selecting a niche that I was both passionate about and that resonated with my target audience. I didn’t try to be everything to everyone. Instead, I focused on a specific topic that aligned with my interests and skills. This allowed me to produce high-quality, engaging content that my audience loved.

In my case, I chose to write about personal finance tips for freelancers and creatives. With so many freelancers seeking financial advice, especially in today’s gig economy, I knew there was a demand for this type of content. Whether you’re into tech, lifestyle, wellness, or politics, finding a niche with an active audience is key to success.

Pro Tip:

When choosing your niche, ask yourself three questions:

1. What am I passionate about?
2. Is there a clear demand for this topic?
3. Can I create consistent, valuable content around this subject?

Step 2: Build Anticipation Before Launching

Before I officially launched my Substack, I started building anticipation. I announced my upcoming newsletter on social media, sharing teasers about the kind of content I would be offering. This early buzz helped me get initial subscribers, making my launch much more successful.

I also reached out to my existing audience — contacts from LinkedIn, Twitter, and my personal network — to let them know about my new venture. By creating a sense of anticipation, I generated excitement and curiosity, ensuring I wasn’t starting from zero when I hit “publish” on my first post.

Pro Tip:

Create a pre-launch page on Substack to capture email addresses of interested readers. Share sneak peeks of your content and explain the value subscribers will get by joining your newsletter.

Step 3: Create Consistent, High-Value Content

Once I launched my Substack, I committed to posting regularly — at least two to three times a week. Consistency is essential because it keeps your subscribers engaged and builds trust over time. However, consistency is not enough if your content isn’t valuable.

My content provided practical tips, tools, and insights that freelancers and creatives could immediately apply to their work. Every piece of content had a clear takeaway, making it worth my audience’s time. I also varied my content, mixing long-form articles with shorter insights and personal anecdotes, keeping readers interested and engaged.

Pro Tip:

Content is king on Substack, but quality is queen. Focus on delivering content that provides real value. Whether it’s education, entertainment, or inspiration, make sure your readers feel that they’ve gained something by reading your posts.

Step 4: Offer a Mix of Free and Paid Content

To reach $1000 in earnings within 18 days, I implemented a strategic mix of free and paid content. Most of my posts were free, giving readers a taste of what they could expect from my premium offerings. But I reserved the most in-depth, actionable guides for paid subscribers.

This “freemium” model worked well because it allowed me to grow my readership through free content, while offering a strong incentive for those who wanted more to upgrade to a paid subscription. Within the first week, I saw several readers convert to paid subscribers after reading my free content.

Pro Tip:

Strike a balance between free and paid content. Give your readers enough free material to build trust and show your expertise, but create compelling premium content that offers extra value for those willing to pay.

Step 5: Set a Reasonable Subscription Price

When it came to setting the price for my paid subscriptions, I opted for a reasonable, low barrier entry fee of $5 per month. This pricing allowed me to attract more subscribers quickly without making the subscription feel too expensive.

I also offered an annual subscription option, which provided a discount for those who signed up for the whole year. Around 30% of my paid subscribers chose the annual plan, providing me with upfront revenue and long-term commitment from my audience.

Pro Tip:

Start with a modest price point to build momentum. You can always increase your subscription fee later as your audience grows and your content becomes more valuable.

Step 6: Leverage Social Proof and Testimonials

Once I started getting positive feedback from my readers, I didn’t keep it to myself. I showcased testimonials and social proof on my Substack page and social media channels. Positive reviews and shout-outs from happy subscribers acted as powerful endorsements, encouraging others to join my newsletter.

I also highlighted milestones, such as reaching 100 or 200 subscribers, to build credibility and show new readers that I had an engaged and growing community.

Pro Tip:

Ask your subscribers for feedback and testimonials. Use positive comments to build trust with potential new readers and convert them into paying subscribers.

Step 7: Engage With Your Audience

Substack is more than just a platform for publishing — it’s a community-building tool. I made sure to actively engage with my audience by responding to comments, asking for input, and incorporating reader suggestions into my future content. This two-way interaction made my readers feel valued and heard, leading to increased loyalty and subscriber retention.

In addition, I created exclusive content for paid subscribers, including Q&A sessions, behind-the-scenes content, and special subscriber-only events. This made my paid subscribers feel like they were getting extra value for their money.

Pro Tip:

Encourage interaction by asking questions, seeking feedback, and hosting interactive content such as live chats or Q&A sessions for your paid subscribers.

Step 8: Promote, Promote, Promote!

To make $1000 in just 18 days, I didn’t rely solely on organic growth. I actively promoted my Substack on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. I also collaborated with influencers in my niche and guest-posted on other newsletters to broaden my reach.

Every time I published a new post, I promoted it across all my social channels. This not only helped me gain new subscribers but also kept my existing audience engaged.

Pro Tip:

Don’t be shy about promoting your work. Use every channel at your disposal to spread the word about your Substack, whether it’s social media, blogs, or collaborations with other creators.

How You Can Do It Too

If I could make $1000 on Substack in just 18 days, so can you. Here are the key takeaways to remember:

1. Pick a niche you're passionate about and that has demand.
2. Create anticipation before launching your Substack.
3. Deliver high-value, consistent content to build trust and engagement.
4. Offer a mix of free and premium content to attract both free and paid subscribers.
5. Price your subscription reasonably to build a subscriber base quickly.
6. Leverage social proof and engage with your audience to build a loyal community.
7. Promote your Substack on social media and collaborate with others to increase visibility.

Conclusion

It’s entirely possible to make $1000 or more on Substack in a short period, as I did in just 18 days. The key is combining great content with smart marketing and audience engagement strategies. By following the steps outlined above, you can build a successful, profitable newsletter and turn your passion for writing into a reliable income stream.

If you're ready to start earning from your writing, Substack is a great place to begin!

1. How to make money on Substack
2. Earn $1000 writing on Substack
3. Substack income strategies
4. Grow paid Substack subscribers
5. Make money writing newsletters
6. Substack success tips
7. Best niches for Substack
8. Substack monetization ideas
9. Writing for profit on Substack
10. Substack paid subscription guide
11. Increase Substack earnings
12. Make $1000 in 18 days on Substack
13. Substack marketing tips
14. Build a paid Substack newsletter
15. Turn writing into income with Substack