Have you ever felt like you're constantly creating content for social media, only to see it disappear into the void?
Well, I did!
That’s why I started my Substack newsletter in October 2022 after writing for years on the publishing platform Medium and earning $1000/month there as a top writer. It was a grind. I didn’t want to rely on an algorithm or later the BOOST and knew my following meant nothing. In addition, my earnings changed every day.
Let’s be honest: You post, you engage, you hustle—and yet, the algorithm decides who actually sees your work.
It’s exhausting. And more importantly, it’s risky.
You can’t rely on social media alone. If you’re reading or watching this, it’s the perfect start to come with me, start and grow an email list from zero to an engaged list in 2025.
If you read until the end you’ll also see my invite for my FREE SUBSTACK SHINE Masterclass on Monday, Feb 3, at 2pm EST. I got you! I’m here to lead you every step of the way.
Social Media = Borrowed Land
Think about it: you don’t own your Medium, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or X followers. Those platforms do. If one day they change their rules, shift their focus, or—worst case—shut down (TikTok!), what happens to all your hard work?
Social Media = Trap
Many content creators, entrepreneurs, and business owners spend years building their presence on social media. They craft posts, engage with their audience, and even invest in ads—only to see their reach decline as algorithms change. Social media is designed to keep users on the platform, not to help you connect deeply with your audience.
In comparison, an email list is an asset you own and control.
Email = More Powerful Than Social Media
Social media is great for visibility and engagement, but it’s not where real business growth happens. Your email list, however, allows you to:
✅ Reach your audience directly—no algorithm interference
✅ Build trust and credibility over time
✅ Increase conversion rates (email subscribers are 3x more likely to buy than social followers!)
✅ Own your contacts and maintain control over your communication
The ROI of Email Marketing
As a marketing and brand manager I love to talk numbers:
studies show that for every $1 spent on email marketing, businesses earn an average return of $36.
Compare that to social media’s unpredictable reach, and it’s easy to see why email should be at the center of your joyful marketing strategy.
More importantly, email allows you to create personalized communication with your audience. Unlike social media posts, which fight for attention in an overcrowded feed, emails land directly in inboxes—waiting to be read. And because email subscribers have already shown interest in what you do, they are far more likely to engage with your content.
The Decline of Social Media Engagement
Social media platforms are flooded with content, making it harder for even your most dedicated followers to see your posts.
The average organic reach on Facebook is only 5.2% of your followers.
On Medium less than 1% of your followers see your articles.
On X you sometimes get less than 0.5% engagement per tweet.
In addition, here’s your return on investment, if you would invest $1 in…
With numbers like these, it’s clear that relying solely on social media is a gamble for your business. Instead of fighting an uphill battle, shift your focus to a strategy you own—your email list.
The Key to Engagement: Give Value
People won’t just hand over their email addresses without a good reason.
By focusing on VALUE first, you’ll build an audience that trusts you, listens to you, and eventually buys from you.
The cool thing, if you do this on Substack and also use Notes you can gain followers but these followers at least mean something:
“I want to get to know you more, but I’m not yet ready to give you my email address”.
Okay, well, let’s work on that and show them it’s worthwhile.
Why People Are Burned Out on Social Media
Many creators are burnt out by the constant pressure of keeping up with social media trends. Algorithms favor new formats, making it harder to maintain visibility without constantly adapting.
On top of that, the sheer volume of content means your posts have a short lifespan—often disappearing within hours. Contrast that with email marketing, where a single email can continue generating sales and engagement for days, even weeks.
Email vs. Social Media: A Side-by-Side Comparison
As you can see, email marketing wins in every category that truly matters for business growth.
I created this table for you:
Where Do You Go From Here? SHINE!
Here’s the truth: you can’t wait any longer to build your email list. Even if it feels scary, overwhelming, you’re nervous and got thousands of other things to do…
If you’re serious about starting or growing your online writing business in 2025, NOW is the time to start building your email list.
That’s why I’m inviting you to SUBSTACK SHINE – a FREE live class happening this Monday at 2PM EST!
In this session, I’ll teach you how to grow your email list from scratch, don’t dim your light but SHINE, and create an engaged audience that truly cares about your content.
I’m here to lead you every step of the way.
📩 Save your spot now! (Replay available for those who sign up!)
Oh, and did I mention? We’ll have engagement prizes for those who show up live, plus exclusive discounts on my upcoming 5-Day Substack Notes Kickstarter Bootcamp with David!
Can’t wait to see you on Monday at 2pm EST.
What Do You Think?
How do you see social media compared to an email list? Do you want to start building yours this year? What challenges are holding you back? And most importantly, what kind of support do you need from The Online Writing Club to make it happen?
P.S. If you think other writer friends benefit from this post and our event, please restack (share) this post!
P.P.S. If you’ve enjoyed this, like it, share it, and let me know what you think in the comments, you know how much I love to hear from you.
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