If you’re an author looking for a smart, streamlined way to build your audience, Substack needs to be on your radar. What started as a simple newsletter platform has quickly evolved into a full-service publishing tool designed to help writers connect, engage, and monetize their work.

And the best part? Substack keeps rolling out new and underutilized features that can seriously boost your visibility, strengthen your reader relationships, and help you track your growth with confidence.

Whether you’re just getting started or you’re ready to level up your Substack presence, here are 10 must-know features you should be using to grow your author brand in 2025:

1. Recommendations (Reader Discovery Boost)

Substack’s Recommendations feature allows you to recommend other newsletters—and vice versa. This creates a powerful cross-promotion loop, exposing your work to brand-new readers who are already engaged with similar content.

💡 Tip: Partner with a few author friends to swap recommendations and grow together!

2. Notes (Social Media for Substack)

Substack’s Notes feature acts like a private Twitter feed just for Substack users. You can post mini updates, quotes, polls, or article links—and readers can comment and share within the Substack ecosystem.

💬 It’s an incredible way to stay top of mind without needing a new article for every update.

3. Subscriber Chat (Build a Private Community)

If you want to foster deeper connection, Chat is a powerful tool. Create private group discussions or host informal AMA (Ask Me Anything) sessions directly with your subscribers.

🤝 Perfect for building loyalty and keeping readers engaged between posts.

4. Podcasting and Audio Narration Tools

Did you know you can upload podcasts or audio versions of your posts on Substack now?

🎧 Readers can listen to your posts on the go, making your work even more accessible—and helping you reach new audiences who prefer audio content.

5. Pledge Campaigns (Get Paid Before You Publish)

Substack’s Pledge Campaigns let you gauge reader interest (and funding!) before you officially launch a paid newsletter.

💸 If you’re thinking about offering premium content, this feature helps you build a paying audience with zero guesswork.

6. Custom Domains (Brand Your Substack)

Want your Substack to feel like a seamless extension of your author brand? You can now use a custom domain!
🌐 Instead of yourname.substack.com, you can have newsletter.yourwebsite.com or something branded to your author platform.

7. Personalized Welcome Emails

Set up automatic welcome emails for new subscribers!

👋 Use this to introduce yourself, share your most popular posts, invite readers to connect on social media, and set expectations for what’s coming. (First impressions matter!)

8. Reader-Only Posts and Series

Substack now allows you to create posts or series visible only to certain groups—like paid subscribers, early access members, or specific cohorts.

🎁 Perfect for special behind-the-scenes updates, bonus chapters, or exclusive workshops.

9. Advanced Analytics Dashboard

Substack has seriously upgraded its analytics—you can now track open rates, click rates, subscription trends, and even see which posts are driving the most growth.

📊 Use this data to tailor your content and understand what truly resonates with your audience.

10. Boosted Posts (Substack Network Promotion)

Newer to the platform, Boosted Posts allow Substack to promote your paid content across their network if your writing is driving strong engagement.

🚀 It’s like an internal ad system—if your content fits the right audience, Substack will help amplify it!

💬 Final Thoughts: Substack = Author Power in 2025

In 2025, authors who build direct relationships with their audience will be the ones who thrive—and Substack is leading the way.
From audience growth to direct sales to deep community engagement, the platform now offers far more than just email delivery.

👉 If you’re serious about growing your author brand, take advantage of these tools now—while many writers are still underutilizing them. Future You will thank you!

🔗 Want to learn how to really master Substack? Check out our upcoming Substack Deep Dive for Authors—two full days of actionable strategies to help you build your audience and brand with confidence! 

Grow Your Audience with Substack: A 2-Part Workshop for Authors

This May, we’re hosting a live, interactive workshop series designed to help you set up, optimize, and grow your Substack newsletter. Led by Substack expert Claire Tak, this isn’t just a presentation—it’s guided implementation designed for authors.

You’ll learn:
✅ How to set up and customize your Substack
✅ How to migrate your email list the right way
✅ How to create engaging free and paid content
✅ How to grow your list and monetize with confidence

🗓️ Workshop Schedule:

📍 Day 1: Substack Setup & Launch
📅 May 7 | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM ET
Focus: Setting up your Substack, drafting your first post, and importing your list

📍 Day 2: Optimization & Growth Strategies
📅 May 14 | 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM ET
Focus: Growing your audience, monetizing, content strategy, and live reviews

🎥 Can’t attend both live? Don’t worry—recordings are included.

👉 [Register now to grab your spot!]

Email List vs Substack? Why More Authors Are Ditching Traditional Newsletters

As an author, building and nurturing your audience is one of the most powerful things you can do to grow your platform and sell more books. But with so many options available for email marketing, it can be tough to figure out which tool is right for you.

Lately, we’ve seen a wave of authors switching from traditional platforms like MailerLite or ConvertKit to Substack. We talked about this recently in our blog post What’s the Buzz About Substack for Authors?

Let’s break it down a little further with some direct comparison.

Traditional Email Platforms: Built for Strategy and Sales Funnels

MailerLite, ConvertKit, and other traditional email platforms were designed for structured marketing strategies. You can automate welcome sequences, segment your readers by genre or interest, and create beautifully branded email campaigns to promote your books, events, and offers.

These tools also give you full ownership of your list (but so does SubStack). That means access to powerful analytics, deep customization, and the ability to use your list across your entire business or brand. If you’re planning a book launch, setting up an email funnel, or offering multiple services or products—this level of control matters.

But let’s be honest—these platforms can also be intimidating if you’re not super tech-savvy. And for authors who prefer writing over marketing, all those dashboards and automations can feel like a full-time job.

Enter Substack: Where Writing Meets Community

Substack has quickly become a go-to platform for writers, thought leaders, and authors who want to connect with their audience in a more relaxed, writer-first way.

It combines email and blogging into one seamless experience. No designing emails. No list segmenting. Just write and hit publish.

Even better? Substack has its own built-in discovery features—so people can stumble across your writing without you needing to drive all the traffic yourself. And if you ever wanted to monetize your newsletter, Substack makes it easy to add paid subscriptions or reader-supported tiers.

It’s a platform that feels more like publishing than marketing. And for authors who want to build community, share behind-the-scenes updates, or serialize content, Substack might feel like the perfect fit.

But Don’t Abandon Your Email List Just Yet…

While Substack is incredible for relationship-building and reader engagement, it has its limitations. You don’t get the same level of customization, automation, or ownership that platforms like MailerLite or ConvertKit offer.

If you’re planning a book launch, running a preorder campaign, or building an author funnel, you’re going to need more structure. Substack isn’t designed for advanced list-building, lead magnets, or tracking conversions.

That’s why many authors are doing both.

Email Lists vs Substack for Authors

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide what fits best based on your goals:

The good news? You don’t have to pick just one.

Use Substack to connect with readers and share your voice. Use a traditional email platform to run your marketing strategy, sell your books, and guide readers through your funnel. Each tool has its purpose—use them both wisely.

Want to Learn How to Use Substack Strategically?

You’re in luck—our next live training is all about Substack for Authors!

Grow Your Audience with Substack: A 2-Part Workshop for Authors

This May, we’re hosting a live, interactive workshop series designed to help you set up, optimize, and grow your Substack newsletter. Led by Substack expert Claire Tak, this isn’t just a presentation—it’s guided implementation designed for authors.

You’ll learn:
✅ How to set up and customize your Substack
✅ How to migrate your email list the right way
✅ How to create engaging free and paid content
✅ How to grow your list and monetize with confidence

🗓️ Workshop Schedule:

📍 Day 1: Substack Setup & Launch
📅 May 7 | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM ET
Focus: Setting up your Substack, drafting your first post, and importing your list

📍 Day 2: Optimization & Growth Strategies
📅 May 14 | 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM ET
Focus: Growing your audience, monetizing, content strategy, and live reviews

🎥 Can’t attend both live? Don’t worry—recordings are included.

👉 [Register now to grab your spot!]

More Resources to Explore:

• If you’re not sure what an Email CRM is or what all of those technical words like automation, segment, and funnel mean, check out this blog post on basics.

Want help choosing the right strategy for your author platform? We’ve got your back. DM us anytime or join one of our live trainings to ask questions in real-time.

Let’s simplify the marketing and get your message into the hands of the readers who need it most.

📬 What’s the Buzz About Substack for Authors?

How many newsletters did you delete from your inbox this morning?
No judgment—we all do it. You subscribe to someone’s newsletter and then… eh. It didn’t grab you. It didn’t feel personal. It wasn’t consistent.

And yet, email marketing remains one of the most vital tools for authors trying to build community, sell books, and connect with readers.

But something’s changing.

More and more, authors are turning to Substack—not just as a mailing list tool, but as a way to build a paid readership and share content on their own terms. Some writers are even making a living from their newsletters, separate from any book revenue.

So… what’s the deal? What is Substack really, and is it something you should explore?

Let’s dig in.

💡 What Is Substack?

Substack is an email-based publishing platform—but unlike most newsletter tools, it’s designed to support monetized content from the start. Think Mailchimp meets Patreon, but with a sleek writer-first interface and built-in community features.

You can:

• Offer both free and paid content

• Deliver posts via email or web

• Publish audio, video, and podcast-style updates

• Create member-only discussions and recommendations

You set your own pricing, though many writers charge around $5/month or $50/year. Some niche newsletters—like those on finance or academia—charge more. Substack takes a 10% fee, and the rest is yours.

✍️ Why Are Authors and Publishers Using It?

✅ It’s Built for Writers

Substack isn’t an email marketing tool disguised as a writing platform—it’s a writing platform that lets you build a subscriber base. It supports serialized fiction, essays, behind-the-scenes updates, and even bonus content like deleted scenes or character deep dives.

✅ You Own Your List

This is a big deal. You have full access to your list and can export it any time—unlike social media followers.

✅ It’s a Revenue Stream

If you’re ready to charge for exclusive content, Substack makes it seamless. And if you’re not, you can still publish for free and grow your audience.

✅ There’s Discovery Built In

Substack allows you to recommend other newsletters and get recommended back. They also promote top writers and trending topics across the platform.

🧠 What Does It Take to Do Well on Substack?

Here’s the truth: it takes work. You need to grow your list, produce consistent content, and connect with your audience in an authentic way.

Some tips:

• Keep your free newsletter going! Use it to funnel engaged readers to your paid content.

• Promote your Substack consistently on social media—yes, social is still part of the strategy.

• Make your content worth paying for. That doesn’t mean stiff and formal—it means thoughtful, entertaining, and valuable.

• Be consistent. Weekly is great, but a couple of shorter updates a week can work, too.

🗣️ What Are Writers Saying About It?

We asked around, and here’s what we heard:

Nancy: “I’ve been reading Roxane Gay’s Substack for years. It’s one of the few newsletters I actually look forward to.”
Sarah: “I subscribe to Daniel Lavery’s work—he moved from Patreon to Substack recently. I also love Agents and Books, which gives great publishing insight.”

Even authors like Katie Conrad are using it to serialize cozy fiction—like her story about a witch and her cat, Saffron and Bear.

🔥 So, Should You Start a Substack?

YES, IF:

• You already have a warm email list, and you’re ready to deepen your connection with those readers.

• You want a place to experiment with new content, essays, or serialized stories.

• You’re looking to supplement your income with paid subscriptions.

• You want to try something new and community-focused without relying on social media algorithms.

There’s little downside—as long as it doesn’t take you away from your book-writing goals.

🎓 Want to Start (or Grow) Yours with Support?

If you’re ready to take the leap, we’ve got something special for you:

Grow Your Audience with Substack: A 2-Part Workshop for Authors

This May, we’re hosting a live, interactive workshop series designed to help you set up, optimize, and grow your Substack newsletter. Led by Substack expert Claire Tak, this isn’t just a presentation—it’s guided implementation designed for authors.

You’ll learn:
✅ How to set up and customize your Substack
✅ How to migrate your email list the right way
✅ How to create engaging free and paid content
✅ How to grow your list and monetize with confidence

🗓️ Workshop Schedule:

📍 Day 1: Substack Setup & Launch
📅 May 7 | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM ET
Focus: Setting up your Substack, drafting your first post, and importing your list

📍 Day 2: Optimization & Growth Strategies
📅 May 14 | 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM ET
Focus: Growing your audience, monetizing, content strategy, and live reviews

🎥 Can’t attend both live? Don’t worry—recordings are included.

👉 [Register now to grab your spot!]

Substack is more than a newsletter. It’s a space where your voice can thrive, your writing can shine, and your readers can support your creative journey. Come learn how to make the most of it—with guidance and support every step of the way.