Why I Quit Social Media for Substack and Built a $5K/Month Newsletter (by Accident)

Jun 09, 2025

I just got this testimonial from a student in my Six-Figure Substack Growth Masterclass:

“Hi Wes,
I wanted to reach out and say thank you - your Six-Figure Substack Growth Playbook made a real impact on me. It helped me structure my approach on Substack after a major life event, and gave me the clarity I needed to start writing consistently.” (Eugene G.)

Reading this hit because honestly, I never planned for any of this to happen.

Last year I was a burnt-out coach, grinding on LinkedIn for hours every day, creating content I didn't really care about for an audience that felt... distant. I was making some money, but I dreaded opening up the app. It felt like work.

This year? I wake up excited to open Substack. I'm writing about something I actually enjoy—helping people build newsletters and grow their businesses. I look forward to seeing what my community is up to, responding to comments, and writing my next post.

And somehow, almost by accident, I've built a newsletter with nearly 10,000 subscribers that generates consistent $5K+ monthly revenue.

I didn't set out to create this Substack community. It really did happen organically. But looking back, I can see exactly why Substack worked when everything else felt like pushing a boulder uphill.

Here's why Substack beats every other platform for serious writers who want to build something real:

1. You Own Your Audience (Actually Own It)

When Instagram or LinkedIn changes their algorithm, your reach gets crushed overnight. I've seen creators lose 80% of their engagement because of an algorithm update they had zero control over.

With Substack, when someone subscribes, I get their email address. That's direct access that no tech company can take away. I'm building an asset, not just followers.

Today, I connected with a company who wants to partner with some sponsored content. They liked my 135K+ followers on LinkedIn, but they were more interested in my newsletter email audience. Interesting, right?

2. The Economics Actually Make Sense

Most platforms make money by keeping people ON the platform. Substack makes money when YOU make money. Their business model is aligned with creators succeeding, not just creating content that keeps people scrolling.

Plus, the monetization options are either built in or there’s super simple tools. Paid subscriptions, digital product sales, sponsorships—everything you need to run a real business, not just a hobby.

3. Other Creators Want You to Win

I now have over 300+ Substacks recommending my newsletter. These aren't paid partnerships—they're writers who genuinely think their audience would benefit from my content.

Show me another platform where creators actively promote each other's work. It doesn't exist. The recommendation system here is pure gold for sustainable growth.

4. Notes Give You Organic Reach That Actually Works

I write 2-3 Substack Notes daily and consistently get new subscribers from them. It's a little X/Twitter but without the noise, algorithm manipulation, or random drama.

The engagement is real. The people finding your content actually want to be there. It's organic reach that converts to business results.

I Went Viral on Substack Notes, Then Studied 100+ Other Viral Notes. Here's What Actually Works

Wes Pearce

Feb 23

Read full story

5. It's Built for Long-Term Business Building

Everything about Substack is designed for creators who want to build something sustainable. The analytics help you understand your audience. The tools support actual revenue generation. The culture values quality over viral moments.

I'm not just creating content here—I'm building a platform that generates consistent $5K+ monthly revenue while working less than 10 hours per week.

The Real ROI: I Actually Enjoy My Work Again

Beyond the revenue and growth metrics, what makes Substack such a game-changer is that I genuinely enjoy what I'm building.

Last year, creating content felt like a chore. Now, I look forward to writing my next post or engaging with my community. When you enjoy the work, everything else flows naturally.

The testimonial I shared above? That person found me through Substack, joined my course, and is now building their own successful newsletter. These connections happen because the platform encourages real relationships, not just vanity metrics.

I didn't plan to accidentally build an almost 10,000-person community on Substack, but I'm glad it happened here instead of anywhere else.

One Thing You Can Do Right Now to Start Building These Connections

If you want to test this for yourself, here's the simplest way to start:

Go read 5 Substacks in your niche and leave genuine, thoughtful comments on their posts.

Not just generic "Great post!" comments. Quote something specific that resonated with you. Share a related experience. Ask a follow-up question that adds value.

Most creators get very few real comments, so when you leave a thoughtful one, you'll stand out immediately. Some of those writers will check out your work. Some might recommend you later.

It's the same approach that's gotten me 300+ recommendations—I genuinely engage with other creators' work first.

Ready to Grow Your Substack (for real)?

If you're ready to stop treating your writing like a hobby and start building a real business around it, I can help you do it the right way.

My Six-Figure Substack Growth Masterclass contains the complete system I've used to grow to 9,000+ subscribers and generate consistent $5K+ monthly revenue—including the exact strategies behind those 300+ recommendations and my daily Notes approach.

This is the same masterclass & training that Eugene mentioned in the testimonial at the beginning of this post.

This isn't about quick wins or growth hacks. It's about building a sustainable newsletter that actually pays you for your expertise. You can join 100’s of writers inside the masterclass below:

Join the Substack Growth Masterclass