How to Gain More Independence From Substack
And all other platforms for that matter
Brought to you by WriteStack* - The #1 Substack tool for writers who want to take their Stack to the next level
Scary thought experiment:
Imagine waking up tomorrow and finding out Substack just got swallowed by Meta. Great…
Or banned in your country. Or decided your newsletter doesn’t “fit the brand” anymore, because VC has decided Substack needs more “control”.
Poof. Your audience, your archive, your income… gone, or at least in serious trouble.
But we can prepare for something like that. Here’s how you stay independent while you still enjoy the perks of Substack and all the other big platforms.
1. Put Your Name On The Door
Usual way: [yourname].substack.com
Better way: [yourname].com
A custom domain means your work lives under your brand, not Substack’s.
If you switch platforms later (to Ghost, WordPress, or the Next Big Thing), your readers can still type the same URL. They follow you, not your Substack subdomain.
Yes, it costs a bit, $5, $10, $20 a year for a good web hosting service. That’s very doable. Plus Substack’s $50 fee for adding a custom domain. Small price to keep your name on the door, in my eyes.
I did that right when I started on Substack, and it has many benefits. Did the same on Medium too, by the way. And Gumroad. And many other tools I use.
2. Stop Depending On One Income Stream
Paid subscriptions are sweet . I know.
Until Substack tweaks something or changes completely. Then, you can’t do anything. It's tough to move paid subscriptions to a different platform.
So, don’t solely rely on them. Instead:
Add affiliate links for tools, books, or products you genuinely recommend.
Create digital products like templates, guides, swipe files, checklists.
Offer a course or coaching if you have something to teach.
Bring in your own sponsors , cut your own deals.
Hell, maybe even sell merch if that fits your niche.
Just don’t sell crap. Then you’re good to go.
Paid subs can be your anchor. But not the entire foundation.
3. Teach Google To Notice You
Substack’s SEO is fine. But we can improve it. First, by utilizing the few SEO options Substack gives us, like SEO tags and titles.
But more so, by plugging your publication into Google Search Console.
It’s free, takes five minutes, and helps Google index your posts quicker and more reliably.
Bonus: If you ever switch platforms, you’ll already know your way around your site’s search presence, and with a custom domain, you still get the benefits.
4. Build A Second Home, or Third
Have a backup spot. A satellite office. Another door in.
Similar platforms like Medium, Vocal
More independent platforms like WordPress or Ghost
Repurpose. Cross-post. Syndicate. Turn newsletters into blog posts that live somewhere else.
I know sometimes it’s a pain to juggle multiple platforms. But it has huge upsides.
5. Back Up
Your newsletter archive is your digital baby.
Regularly export your subscribers.
Back up your posts.
Even keep copies offline
6. Reader Connection
Substack feels direct. And it is. It feels safe. But you’ll never know.
If you can, build a side list on some other email platform like Beehiiv, MailerLite, EmailOctopus or Kit. I use Gumroad for this purpose.
Offer a bonus freebie (guide, checklist, swipe file) to get readers to that second platform.
The more ways you can reach your people, the less chance a single gatekeeper can cut the cord.
Your best stuff shouldn’t all be locked in one vault.
The Bottom Line
Use Substack. Profit from Substack. I love the place. And I use it every day.
But don’t let it own you. Substack needs us more than we need the platform.
There are many great platforms out there.
So, stay more independent. Use your domain. Have a backup plan. Save your reader list. Create multiple revenue streams.
That’s real independence. For us.
Brought to you by WriteStack* - The #1 Substack tool for writers who want to take their Stack to the next level
*this is an affiliate or SparkLoop* partner link. I’ll get a commission if you decide to sign up.
Thanks for those tips - so important to protect all that you've grown!!
Hey Burk hope you are great. I wanted to know how one could start working with affiliates? Is there a place where you can contact brands and get affiliate links, or do you wait until someone reaches out to you? Thanks so much :)