Chapter 1: The Quest for Income on Substack

How much can one truly earn on Substack? As a writer, I’m not shy to admit I want to profit from my passion. Writing brings me joy, but it’s essential to cover my living expenses.

My introduction to Substack came via Sir Charles's Instagram. I subscribed to his newsletter but didn’t delve into it deeply. Later, I stumbled upon a post by Lea Bardot, who shared her experience of securing one paid subscriber, generating an annualized revenue of $96 since she began on April 24. Reading that made me think: $96 could really help.

Intrigued, I started researching Substack further. Following Lea's advice, I realized I needed to identify a niche, so I consulted my friend Kimmie, who runs a travel agency. I wanted to explore whether I could leverage Substack for affiliate marketing.

Kimmie's insights equipped me to venture into travel writing. However, I faced a significant hurdle: I don’t travel often due to financial constraints and a touch of motion sickness.

Although I'd love to visit new destinations, I often find myself dreaming of teleportation instead. Yet, I understand that I don't need to travel physically to write about travel; my four years of ghostwriting have demonstrated that research can bridge that gap. However, that makes my writing feel less genuine. For instance, I could craft a narrative about a trip to Thailand, but it would lack authenticity, even to my audience.

Caught in this dilemma, I recently watched videos from Kristina God and Sinem Günel, which only added to my confusion. Both influencers advocate for Substack, but they already have extensive followings on Medium—Kristina boasts over 11,000 followers, while Sinem has an impressive 79,000.

As a small African girl with just 300 followers, it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed. I constantly ask myself: What unique value can I offer? Would anyone be willing to pay for my writing? Can I earn their trust? What content would be worthy of their investment?

I recognize that my uncertainty stems from limiting beliefs, yet I remain perplexed. What should I write about? Should I share culinary stories and their cultural significance? Revisit my childhood experiences? Discuss quirky tales from my village, like my uncle's gardener's recent romantic dilemma? Or should I continue my WordPress blog, focusing on teaching others how to earn money online?

Perhaps my slogan could be: "I write stories, I create culinary delights, and I help you enhance your digital presence." I excel in these areas, yet I find myself in a quandary.

Chapter 2: How You Can Support My Journey

Feel free to explore my portfolio and blog through the link below. I welcome recommendations for copywriting opportunities and invite you to follow my blogs and Substack. Additionally, you can purchase my journals or planners to support my work.