Why Many Writers Are Moving to Substack (And Why You Might Want to, Too) by Todd Burleson

If you're a writer, blogger, or storyteller looking for a better way to connect with your readers, Substack might be exactly what you need. It is more than just a blogging platform that combines newsletter functionality, a website for your writing, and built-in community tools. This makes it easier for writers to grow their audience without the frustrations of traditional blogging.

The GROG is exploring Substack as a new home for its content, though we will continue to post on Blogger as we transition. In the meantime, we want to introduce our readers to Substack and explain why so many writers are making the move.

What Makes Substack Different?

At its core, Substack is about direct connection. Instead of relying on algorithms or hoping people find your latest post through social media or search engines, your writing goes straight to subscribers’ inboxes. This direct approach gives writers more control over their audience and engagement.

Here are some of the features that set Substack apart:

• A clean, easy-to-use writing space without the distractions of ads or complex site management

• A built-in recommendation system that helps readers discover new writers

• Support for multiple content formats, including writing, podcasts, and video

• No costs for free publications, with the option to introduce paid subscriptions if desired

Why Writers Are Choosing Substack Over Traditional Blogs

Many writers who have used platforms like Blogger and WordPress are moving to Substack. Here are a few of the reasons why:

Writers Own Their Audience

Social media platforms control visibility through algorithms, and traditional blogs can be difficult to promote without external traffic sources. On Substack, writers fully own their subscriber lists. Every time a writer publishes, their work goes directly to their readers' inboxes. There is no need to rely on social media algorithms, and if a writer ever decides to leave Substack, they can export their entire subscriber list.

Less Time Managing a Website, More Time Writing

Maintaining a traditional blog can take significant effort, from managing hosting and updates to formatting posts and troubleshooting technical issues. Substack removes those barriers by handling the infrastructure so writers can focus on their content.

With Substack:

• There are no hosting fees

• There are no charges for email distribution to subscribers

• There are no plugins or technical maintenance required

For many writers, Substack simplifies their publishing process. Instead of managing a website, they can devote more energy to writing and engaging with their readers.

Substack Helps Writers Get Discovered

Publishing on a personal blog can sometimes feel like sending work into the void. Without an existing audience, it can be difficult to attract new readers. Substack has a built-in discovery system that helps writers expand their reach.

• Writers can recommend other publications, creating opportunities for cross-promotion

• Readers who subscribe to similar newsletters receive personalized recommendations

• Featured sections on Substack highlight engaging content, allowing new writers to gain visibility

Instead of relying solely on social media or search engine traffic, Substack creates pathways for writers to be discovered organically.

A Single Platform for Blogging and Newsletters

Most writers today use multiple platforms to connect with their audience:

• A blog for long-form content

• An email newsletter to reach subscribers directly

• Social media to engage with readers

Substack simplifies this process by combining all of these elements in one place. Every post is automatically sent as an email to subscribers while also living on the writer’s Substack website. This means there is no need to maintain separate platforms for blogging and newsletters.

Writers benefit from:

• Less duplication of effort

• More direct engagement with readers

• A streamlined workflow that reduces administrative tasks

Why the GROG is Exploring Substack

The GROG is committed to supporting writers, and we believe Substack provides exciting opportunities to connect with our readers. As we explore this new platform, we are looking forward to:

• Reaching readers more directly through email distribution

• Reducing the need for technical maintenance

• Taking advantage of Substack’s built-in recommendation features

• Streamlining our publishing process so we can focus on quality content

We will continue posting on Blogger as we transition, and we look forward to sharing more details about our Substack plans in the future.

Join Us for Our Webinar on Substack

To introduce our community to Substack, we will be hosting a webinar on March 26. This session will provide an overview of Substack’s features, explain how writers can use the platform effectively, and answer questions from attendees.

This Webinar is FREE, but limited to the first 100 attendees.

HERE is a short form to sign up.

GROG Webinar on Substack

Wednesday, March 26 · 7:00 – 8:00pm

Time zone: America/Chicago

The webinar will cover:

• The basics of setting up a Substack publication

• Best practices for growing an audience

• How writers can use Substack to build community

• A preview of the GROG’s plans for Substack

If you are curious about Substack and how it might benefit your writing, we invite you to join the conversation.

We look forward to exploring this platform together and continuing to support writers in finding new ways to connect with their audience.