Medium and Substack are two popular digital platforms that have revolutionized the way writers publish their work online. They both offer a host of features and benefits, but there are significant differences between the two which can influence a writer’s choice.
Medium is an online publishing platform that allows anyone to share their thoughts, ideas, or stories with a vast audience. It has an established user base of over 60 million monthly readers, providing writers with immediate access to a large audience. Medium’s partner program enables writers to earn money based on how much engagement their articles receive from members. This includes reading time and claps (Medium’s version of likes). Medium also offers various tools for article formatting, SEO optimization, and integration with social media platforms.
On the other hand, Substack focuses on email newsletters. It provides writers with tools to build subscription lists and send out regular updates directly into subscribers’ inboxes. The monetization model here is straightforward: readers pay directly for subscriptions to access premium content. Writers have full control over pricing, allowing them more predictability and potential for high earnings. However, building a subscriber list from scratch can be challenging without an existing follower base.
In terms of design flexibility and Medium.com customization features; Substack offers fewer options than Medium. While this results in less complexity when setting up your page or writing posts on Substack, it may limit creative freedom compared to what you can achieve on Medium.
When comparing discoverability; Medium has the upper hand due to its algorithm-driven recommendation system which promotes articles across its platform based on reader interests — potentially leading your work being discovered by millions of users globally even if they’re not following you initially.
However, where Substack shines is in creating intimate relationships between writers and readers through direct communication via newsletters – something which isn’t as prevalent on Medium due to its broader focus towards mass content distribution rather than fostering individual connections.
So who wins? There isn’t really a clear-cut answer because it depends on what a writer values most. If you’re looking for exposure and don’t mind sharing revenue, Medium’s vast audience and discovery mechanisms might be more appealing. But if you want to build a close-knit community of readers who are willing to pay directly for your content, Substack could be the better choice.
Ultimately, both platforms have their strengths and weaknesses. It may even make sense to use both: Medium for broad visibility and discoverability, Substack for nurturing a dedicated subscriber base. As always in writing as in life, diversification can often be the key to success.