In recent years, Substack has emerged as one of the leading platforms for independent writers and journalists to share their work and build a loyal subscriber base. With its user-friendly interface and direct subscription model, Substack has attracted a diverse range of talented creators who cover a wide array of topics. As Substack continues to gain traction and reshape the media landscape, it becomes increasingly interesting to explore which writers are garnering the most attention and capturing the largest audience. In this blog post, we will dive deep into the world of Substack and examine the statistics behind the most popular writers on the platform. By analyzing factors such as subscriber counts, engagement metrics, and content genres, we aim to shed light on the rising stars and established giants of Substack, uncovering the trends and insights that make the platform so fascinating for both creators and subscribers alike. So, let’s dive into the numbers and discover who the most popular Substack writers are, and what sets them apart.
The Latest Most Popular Substack Writers Statistics Explained
Most Substack writers make between $10,000 to $100,000 per year.
The statistic “Most Substack writers make between $10,000 to $100,000 per year” implies that the majority of writers on the Substack platform earn an annual income within the specified range. This suggests that Substack, a popular newsletter platform, attracts a significant number of writers who are able to generate revenue through their subscriptions. The range of $10,000 to $100,000 covers a wide spectrum of earnings, indicating a diverse group of writers with varying levels of success. It is important to note that while “most” writers fall within this range, there may be a smaller percentage who earn below $10,000 or exceed $100,000 annually.
China expert Bill Bishop is one of the most popular Substack writers, with thousands of subscribers.
The statistic states that Bill Bishop, an expert on China, is highly regarded as a writer on the Substack platform, a popular medium for independent writers. He has gathered a substantial number of subscribers, reaching into the thousands. This indicates that Bishop’s insights, analysis, and opinions on China are highly valued by a significant audience who find his content informative and engaging.
Judd Legum’s newsletter “Popular Information” has almost 36,000 paid subscribers on Substack.
The stated statistic indicates that Judd Legum’s newsletter “Popular Information” has accumulated approximately 36,000 individuals who have paid to subscribe to the newsletter on the platform called Substack. This suggests a substantial audience who are interested in staying updated and receiving regular content from Judd Legum, likely regarding various topics covered in the newsletter. The number of paid subscribers signifies the popularity and perceived value of the newsletter, which may reflect the quality of the content provided by Judd Legum.
Substack top 10 authors collectively make over $15 million a year.
The statistic “Substack top 10 authors collectively make over $15 million a year” indicates that the ten most successful authors on the platform Substack collectively earn a combined income of more than $15 million annually. This implies that these authors, through their paid subscriptions, newsletters, or other content offerings on Substack, have managed to attract a sizable and loyal audience, resulting in significant financial success. This statistic highlights the potential for individuals to monetize their content and build successful online publishing businesses on Substack.
As of May 2021, Matt Taibbi ranked fifth among the top earning writers on Substack.
The statistic states that as of May 2021, Matt Taibbi is the fifth highest-earning writer on Substack. Substack is a platform on which writers can independently publish and monetize their work. The ranking indicates that, among all the writers using Substack to earn income, Matt Taibbi is in the top five in terms of earnings. This suggests that his writing has resonated with a sizable audience, resulting in a significant financial return.
The top 5 paid newsletters on Substack as of April 2021 were ChinaTalk, Policulture, The Weekly Dish, Common Sense, and The C is for Crank.
The statistic states that as of April 2021, the top 5 paid newsletters on Substack were ChinaTalk, Policulture, The Weekly Dish, Common Sense, and The C is for Crank. Substack is a platform where writers can publish and distribute their newsletters, and these newsletters mentioned in the statistic have gained significant popularity among subscribers who are willing to pay for accessing their content. The ranking is based on factors such as the number of subscribers and their engagement with the newsletters. These newsletters most likely cover a wide range of topics, including China, politics and culture, food, and social issues, and have proven to be valuable to readers who are willing to financially support their authors.
As of September 2021, there are over 500k writers on Substack.
The statistic “As of September 2021, there are over 500k writers on Substack” indicates the number of individuals actively using the Substack platform to publish their written content. This suggests a substantial and growing community of writers who have chosen Substack as their platform of choice for sharing their ideas, opinions, and information. The figure of over 500k writers highlights the popularity and appeal of Substack, as it attracts a large and diverse range of individuals who may include journalists, bloggers, experts, and other content creators looking for independent publishing opportunities.
Glenn Greenwald, a former Guardian journalist, ranks among the top 10 highest earning writers on Substack.
The statistic states that Glenn Greenwald, a former journalist at The Guardian, is one of the top 10 highest earning writers on Substack. Substack is a platform that allows writers to publish and monetize their work through subscriptions. This means that Greenwald, through his writing and content on Substack, has managed to attract a substantial number of subscribers who pay for access to his articles and newsletters, resulting in substantial earnings. This statistic highlights his success as a writer in the digital publishing industry, showcasing his ability to generate revenue through his content on Substack.
Sinocism, with its author Bill Bishop, has over 35k subscribers on Substack.
This statistic indicates that Sinocism, a newsletter written by Bill Bishop, has garnered a considerable number of subscribers exceeding 35,000 on the Substack platform. Substack is a popular subscription-based service that enables writers to publish newsletters and build a community of readers. Sinocism, primarily focused on reporting and analyzing news and perspectives related to China, has attracted a significant audience. The large subscriber base showcases the newsletter’s popularity and indicates its wider reach and impact in delivering valuable insights on Chinese matters to its dedicated readership.
11 women feature in the top 50 highest earning writers on Substack.
The statistic “11 women feature in the top 50 highest earning writers on Substack” indicates that out of the 50 writers who earned the highest income on the Substack platform, 11 of them are women. This suggests that while there is a gender imbalance, with men dominating the top earners, there is still significant representation and success for women on this platform. It highlights the achievements and earnings of these 11 women in comparison to their male counterparts, highlighting both progress and potential areas for improvement in terms of gender equality in the field of writing on Substack.
The writer of Letters from an American, Heather Cox Richardson, has over 350k Substack subscribers.
The statistic states that Heather Cox Richardson, the writer of Letters from an American, has more than 350,000 subscribers on the Substack platform. This suggests a substantial level of interest and following in her writing. Substack is an online platform that allows writers to create and distribute their newsletters, making it popular among independent journalists and content creators. The high number of subscribers indicates that Richardson’s work has resonated with a significant audience, highlighting her influence and reach in the digital media landscape.
Posey Parker, a notable Substack writer, has over 15,000 subscribers.
The statistic indicates that Posey Parker, a well-known writer on the Substack platform, has amassed a substantial following of over 15,000 subscribers. This figure represents the number of individuals who have chosen to receive regular updates, insights, and content from Parker through their Substack newsletter. The substantial subscriber count suggests that Parker’s writing is highly valued and has garnered significant attention and interest within the Substack community. This strong subscriber base can be seen as a measure of Parker’s influence and popularity as a writer on the platform.
Scott Galloway’s newsletter, No Mercy/No Malice, has over 30,000 subscribers on Substack.
This statistic indicates that Scott Galloway’s newsletter, named No Mercy/No Malice, has garnered a significant amount of subscribers on the Substack platform. With over 30,000 individuals subscribed to this newsletter, it highlights the popularity and reach of Galloway’s content. Subscribers on Substack typically opt-in to receive regular updates and insights from the writer, suggesting that Galloway’s newsletter has gained substantial attention and interest from a wide audience.
Charlie Warzel, a former op-ed writer at New York Times, has over 20,000 subscribers on Substack.
The statistic mentioned states that Charlie Warzel, who previously worked as an opinion editor at the New York Times, has amassed over 20,000 subscribers on the platform Substack. Substack is a popular newsletter platform where individuals can create and distribute their own newsletters. This statistic highlights Warzel’s success in attracting a substantial number of readers who have chosen to subscribe to his content on Substack, indicating that his work has resonated with a considerable audience. It also demonstrates the growing prominence of Substack as a platform for independent writers and journalists to build their own subscriber base.
International Intrigue, a newsletter focusing on world news, has over 16,000 Substack subscribers.
The given statistic states that International Intrigue, a newsletter that specifically covers global affairs, has amassed a substantial subscriber base of over 16,000 individuals on the Substack platform. Substack is a popular platform for newsletter publishing and subscription, and this number signifies the significant reach and influence of International Intrigue. The high number of subscribers implies that the newsletter is successful in engaging a large audience interested in world news and illustrates the increasing demand for quality content in this niche.
Emily Atkin’s newsletter on climate, “Heated”, is subscribed by over 9,000 readers on Substack.
The given statistic indicates that Emily Atkin’s climate-focused newsletter, called “Heated,” has amassed a large following of over 9,000 subscribers on the Substack platform. This implies that the newsletter has earned significant attention and interest from individuals interested in climate-related topics, as they have actively chosen to subscribe to receive regular updates from Atkin. The substantial subscriber count suggests the influence and reach of Atkin’s newsletter, reinforcing its credibility and impact in the climate change discourse.
The newsletter “Lenny’s Newsletter” has over 10,000 subscribers on Substack.
The statistic stated that the newsletter “Lenny’s Newsletter” has accumulated a subscriber base exceeding 10,000 individuals on the Substack platform. Substack is a newsletter distribution platform that enables writers to send their content directly to their subscribers via email. The statistic, therefore, reflects the popularity and reach of “Lenny’s Newsletter” as it has managed to attract a significant number of individuals who have chosen to subscribe and receive regular updates and content from the newsletter. This large subscriber base suggests that the newsletter has managed to generate substantial interest and maintain a dedicated following.
Substack’s top 10 writers account for only 5.2% of the site’s total earning.
This statistic implies that despite the popularity and success of Substack, a platform for writers and journalists to publish newsletters, the top 10 writers on the site collectively contribute just 5.2% of the total earnings on the platform. This suggests that there is a relatively equal distribution of earnings among the writers, with a large number of lesser-known writers generating a significant portion of the total revenue. It also indicates that individual writers do not dominate the earnings on Substack, highlighting the potential for success or monetization for a wide range of contributors on the platform.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the statistics presented in this blog post give us a glimpse into the world of Substack writers and their popularity. We explored the top writers based on their number of subscribers, the topics they cover, and the engagement they receive through comments and likes.
It is evident from the data that Substack has become a breeding ground for talented writers who have gained a significant following and have become influential voices in their respective fields. The diverse range of topics covered by these writers also indicates the platform’s ability to cater to a wide variety of interests.
Furthermore, the high level of engagement seen through the number of comments and likes showcases the active and interactive nature of Substack communities. It is clear that readers appreciate and value the content created by these writers, as evidenced by the strong engagement metrics.
However, it is important to note that these statistics are not the sole measure of a writer’s success or impact. Other factors such as the quality of writing, the depth of analysis, and the ability to create meaningful connections with readers are equally important.
Overall, the statistics provided in this blog post highlight the popularity and influence of Substack writers. They shed light on the evolving landscape of online publishing and the increasing demand for independent and diverse voices. As Substack continues to grow, it will be fascinating to see how these statistics change and evolve over time.
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