7 Other Creative Ways to Monetize on Substack Beyond the Paywall
How to Monetize on Substack Beyond the Paywall
Today, I’m going to show you other ways you can start monetizing your creativity—with examples from creators who are already using them.
Hey Creator,
Whether you are a seasoned creator or just starting out, monetizing your creativity is what fuel does to the car—it keeps you inspired to keep going.
Also, if Stripe isn’t available in your country, you’re not out of options—you’re ahead of the curve.
Here’s the truth: The Substack paywall is just one monetization strategy. And while it’s a good one, it’s not the only one. Diversifying your income streams can make your creative work more sustainable and scalable.
Why This Matters
Monetizing your creativity doesn’t have to mean relying on a single platform. By leveraging Substack’s tools and thinking beyond the paywall, you can:
Grow multiple income streams for better financial stability.
Reach a global audience without the limitations of paywalls.
Build long-term value through strategies like books and courses that keep earning for years.
But here’s the catch:
Most creators focus on what’s obvious (like paywalls) and overlook the gold hiding in plain sight.
Why Most Creators Struggle With Monetization
They rely too heavily on one method. Putting all your eggs in the paywall basket is risky.
They don’t see their content’s full potential. Content isn’t just words—it’s assets.
They overlook their audience’s other needs. Subscribers want transformation, interaction, and value.
They underestimate the power of repurposing. Great content can—and should—live in many formats.
Let’s fix that.
Here’s how to unlock the full monetization potential of your Substack.
7 Creative Ways to Monetize on Substack Beyond the Paywall
The beauty of Substack is its flexibility. These seven strategies will help you maximize your earning potential.
#1. Sell Licensing Rights to Your Content
Why stop at one audience? If your Substack content is evergreen, package it and sell licensing rights to other creators or businesses that want high-quality material to share with their audiences. They get ready-made content, you get paid.
#2. Monetize the “Making Of” Process
Turn your behind-the-scenes workflow into an exclusive experience. Turn your behind-the-scenes workflow into an exclusive experience. Charge subscribers to watch how you create content, write, research, or even manage your newsletter. People love a peek behind the curtain, especially if they aspire to do what you do. Your transparency attracts aspiring entrepreneurs and creates a loyal paying audience.
#3. Offer a “Hire My Brain” Subscription
Create a premium tier where subscribers submit questions or challenges, and you provide personalized advice. Nicolas Cole and Dickie Bush, who co-created Write with AI, offer consultations and priority prompts alongside their high-value content. Their newsletter has over 50,000 subscribers and has earned more than $300,000, thanks to offerings like The Prompt Playbook.
#4. Partner with Other Creators for a Premium Series
Collaborate with a complementary creator to co-create a premium series of newsletters or eBooks. Ana Calin , creator of How We Grow Today, partners with psychologists and other creators to produce a premium webinar series, tapping into both audiences and creating a unique, sellable product.
#5. Turn Your Content into NFTs
If you have visually compelling or unique content, mint it as NFTs. This strategy, though niche, works wonders for creators in art or design-focused niches. Fans can own a piece of your digital work, and you get to monetize in a cutting-edge way.
#6. Sell Access to a Resource Vault
Curate a library of resources—templates, checklists, swipe files, and case studies—and sell access. Kristina God excels at this by offering an exclusive vault for her Online Writing Club members, generating recurring revenue in paid subscriptions and premium coaching.
#7. Offer Revenue Sharing for Niche Projects
Partner with businesses or creators aligned with your audience and offer your platform for promotion in exchange for revenue sharing. Find niche projects or creators that align with your audience and offer sponsorship deals in exchange for revenue-sharing agreements.
Bonus Monetization Ideas
Sell Digital Products: Templates, guides, or eBooks complement your Substack content.
Affiliate Marketing: Recommend products or tools you genuinely use and earn commissions.
Sponsorships: Partner with brands to feature their products in your newsletter. Justin Welsh has done this and added credibility and income streams to his portfolio.
How to Choose the Right Strategy
Ask yourself these questions to decide which path to pursue:
What is my audience already asking for?
How much time and effort am I willing to invest in creating new products or services?
Which strategy aligns with my expertise and long-term goals?
What Creators Like You Are Asking
Can these strategies work for creators in smaller niches?
Yes, and sometimes even better! Ana Calin’s fiction Substack thrives because smaller niches often have loyal audiences. Premium offerings amplify this loyalty, making monetization smoother.
What if my audience doesn’t engage with premium content—are there low-cost alternatives?
Absolutely! Claudia Faith started with free, high-value newsletters and gradually introduced low-cost products like digital guides. Small steps build trust while keeping costs low for your audience.
My Final Thoughts
Monetizing your Substack requires creativity and alignment.
Each of these strategies lets you tap into different aspects of your content, skills, and audience needs. Diversification doesn’t just protect you from platform limitations—it turns your work into a thriving business.
Your Turn:
Which monetization strategy excites you most?
Drop your thoughts in the comments! I’d like to hear your thoughts.
Also, share your publication link in the comments below let’s see it. I will share the ones I think are relevant to my audience.
I will suggest other things you can adjust to increase your open rates too.
And if you want more insights like this, subscribe to my newsletter for actionable strategies every week.
With these and many more, your creativity can reward you.
Chat soon.
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Thank you so much, Philip, for this very insightful article. We usually only see the paywall and neglect other earning options. I appreciate this!
Good insight 😌 Can i translate part of this article into Spanish with links to you and a description of your newsletter?