I started using Substack August 2022 and I continue to use it on an almost daily basis. Like all social media platforms it has evolved and chanced and so has my usage of the platform. If you’re Substack curious or are currently using the platform, I thought it would be interesting to share how I’m changing how I use Substack in 2026. In recent years, Substack has been talked about as a newsletter platform where creatives typically share long-form creative work. Then new components to the platform were introduced. There was the Notes feature that still doesn’t grow my profile (even though I kill it on Threads). Think of Notes as a Twitter or Threadsesque feed on Substack. Then Substack added a livestreaming feature. In 2025, it became increasingly clear that Substack was shifting more towards being a social media platform vs. a newsletter builder and this shift has changed how I plan to use Substack in 2026. Buckle up, we’re in for a wild ride.
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Listen to the Episode
What Is Substack?
In my view, Substack is long-form social media. I love this because I love using words, images, sharing deep thoughts, unique conversations and more. What makes Substack appealing is that users currently can download their subscriber lists. This is a big deal if you’re focused on a deeper level of ownership over your community assets. Substack’s shift to a deeper social media app creates opportunities and some downsides.
Here’s how I’m dealing with them.
- Doubling-Down on the Livestreaming Feature-In 2025 I cohosted a weekly livestream series with my two friends Corey Gumbs founder of The Black Podcasters Association and Angela Hollowell founder of Please Hustle Responsibly and Melanin MVP. I’ve absolutely loved this experience for several reasons. It gives us the opportunity to get in front of our combined audiences. We’re able to connect with our true fans, grow our lists and add evergreen content onto the platform. It’s amazing to me how people keep finding recordings that we did earlier in the year and are commenting on them.
- Publishing more podcasting related content-I have a pillar of content focused on podcasting that I haven’t published content onto for the past year. I miss sharing podcasting related content and so it’s time to do that next year.
- Lean Into the Discovery Features of Substack-Unlike other social media platforms, Substack is a closed eco-system which means that the team is incentivized to constantly push great content in front of users. They want to keep us on the platform and new and interesting content (in addition to referrals) means that if our content is good-sooner or later our work should land in front of people on the platform.
- Emailing off platform-Many creators who are focused on the benefits of email list building will likely become frustrated with the email experience specific to the Substack platform. A lot of the functionality that a good email marketing tool typically would have-Substack currently does not (and it’s January 2026) as I record this episode.
- Focusing on followers-What exactly does it mean to have a large number of followers? Can they be converted to community members, brand advocates, subscribers or clientele? I think about my behavior as a follower of many creators on Substack and I think there’s a ton of untapped value and resources that creators are ignoring because the person may be a follower vs. a subscriber. The goal for me is to figure out how to move a Followers to one of the categories that I just shared.
Have More Fun
I am looking forward to being even more creative on Substack than I have been in previous years. I want to have more fun, do random stuff and embrace “whimsy” in a creative space that rewards or at least values this type of creative energy.
The Creator Income Collective
Are you looking for a high impact resource for your online brand building as you manage the cost of living during wildly weird times. Are you an empathetic, mission led creator who is building beautiful work and is wanting to find more people to be a part of and support the work that you’re doing? Are you looking to be in community with other creators doing the work and who understand the stress of what you’re doing? Join The Creator Income Collective today. It’s ridiculously inexpensive on purpose. I want this to be the easiest professional development tool and space that you say “yes” to this year. Go to: https://creatorsgettingpaid.com/membership All community members of The Creator Income Collective also gain access to the resource: SUBSCRIBED a growing list of different mission lead content creator newsletter and email lists that compliment the type of work or communities that you’re building.
