This Making Money on Substack is Still Not Going Well
This should come as no surprise. May 2025 Income Update
It’s been about two months since I moved my little newsletter from Ghost to Substack, and both have their pros and cons but in one way they’re still the same:
I’m still failing at making much any money with this writing thing.
If you look at the numbers things are about the same:
BUT, BUT, BUT.
I’ve found some new reads and even made a few new connections. Yes, that’s right - my writing about hugging your landscaper and making money online is being read. Can you imagine?
This got me thinking: What does success mean when it comes to writing? We all can’t be (insert your favorite writer here) and some of us are just alone with our thoughts and our keyboard in the early mornings - or in my case: after if the child goes to bed.
I’m here for the writing. And the challenge.
The writing isn’t that hard. I can always find some drivel to write about and if somebody reads it - that’s great.
It’s the Dream I’m after.
The folks at Substack seem to make it seem so easy: just get 1000 true (paying) fans and you’ll have a full time income online.
And I guess for the the skilled lucky few, that’s true.
So, let’s look at the numbers:
In May I actually lost money writing.
Yes, it cost me money to write.
I still have my 3 paid subscribers. And yes, they’re all related.
As far as subscriber count, I seem to have stalled at 66 subscribers. It’s been there at that number for a while. I keep showing up every day though so I’ll keep at it.
Readership is down a bit.
In June to date I have not made one commission sale by sprinkling in a link or two to crap from china quality stuff on Amazon here and there. It’s surprising as I’m getting some traffic, but no sales so far this month
My paid subscribers got the early bird deal at two bucks a month, so I am at the same with six bucks for May. The fact that anybody wants to pay for this is amazing. Thank you!
The six-year-old could do the math for May:
6 dollars -7 dollars = negative 1 dollar.
I owe the internet a buck for May 2025. I wonder if it offers a payment plan.
Until Next Time,
TH and Co.