I’ve been advocating for a while that every business owner should be a publisher. They should share their expertise on regular basis, through blogging. Substack has surpassed 5 million paid subscriptions as of March 2025, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of creator-driven media. This growth underscores the increasing value of authentic, creator-powered content in an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is generating vast amounts of material.
(Don't miss out. Subscribe for free to the ZoneofGenius.com email newsletter)
Related – Is Substack Worth The Hype? Are There Better Alternatives?
Related – Why Brands Are Turning to Substack and Other Platforms to Build Communities with Less Ads
Content Matters More Than Ever
In a digital landscape saturated with AI-generated content, the demand for genuine, human-authored material is on the rise. Substack’s success highlights this trend, with more than 50,000 publishers monetizing their work on the platform. Notably, the top 10 creators collectively earn over $40 million annually.
This shift indicates that audiences are seeking content that offers personal insights, authenticity, and a direct connection to the creator—qualities that AI currently struggles to replicate.
The Rise of the Creator-Entrepreneur
Substack’s model empowers individuals to become creator-entrepreneurs, allowing them to build and monetize their own media brands. By offering tools for publishing, payment processing, and audience analytics, Substack enables creators to maintain ownership of their work and foster direct relationships with their subscribers.
This approach is particularly beneficial for entrepreneurs looking to establish thought leadership, share industry insights, or build a community around their brand.
Blogging Platforms as Business Tools
Beyond Substack, platforms like BeeHiiv, Medium, LinkedIn, and others provide entrepreneurs with avenues to publish content, engage audiences, and establish authority in their respective fields. These platforms offer various features tailored to different content strategies, from long-form articles to multimedia presentations.
Utilizing these tools effectively can enhance brand visibility, foster customer loyalty, and drive business growth.
Embracing the Publisher Mindset
In today’s digital economy, every entrepreneur should consider adopting a publisher’s mindset. This involves consistently creating and sharing valuable content, engaging with audiences, and building a narrative around one’s brand or expertise.
By doing so, entrepreneurs can differentiate themselves in the market, establish trust with their audience, and create additional revenue streams through content monetization.
Conclusion
Substack’s achievement of 5 million subscribers is more than a numerical milestone; it signifies a broader shift towards valuing authentic, creator-driven content. For entrepreneurs, this presents an opportunity to leverage content platforms not just for marketing, but as integral components of their business strategy.
In an age where AI-generated content is ubiquitous, the human touch remains a powerful differentiator. Entrepreneurs who embrace this reality and invest in genuine content creation are poised to thrive in the evolving digital landscape.