Why Everyone Needs to Start Substack & Stop Building on Rented Land
Wes Pearce
Resume Writer & Career Coach ? Writing Daily on “EscapeTheCubicle.Substack.Com” ? Join 5-Day Email Class on “How to Grow on LinkedIn” ????
???? Join 4,200+ Subscribers over on Escape the Cubicle Substack
I've written a recent post on Substack on "How I'm Building a Six-Figure Newsletter in 2025" where I share how I went from Zero to 4,200+ subscribers and a $5K+ per month operation in less than 6 months...all while posting LESS content and making MORE revenue.
If you'd like to dive into more about this Substack Growth Strategy, check out my recent post on Substack below ??
Last week, my friend Sarah (name changed) called me in tears.
"Everything's gone. My whole business... just... disappeared."
Sarah had built a thriving community of over 100,000 followers on TikTok. Her content helped thousands of people daily, and she'd turned her passion into a full-time income.
Then came the TikTok ban announcement.
In less than an hour, her entire audience – the community she'd spent years building – vanished. The platform wasn't just restricted; it was completely inaccessible.
But, for 12 terrifying hours, Sarah faced the harsh reality that many content creators refuse to acknowledge: When you build on rented land, you're always one policy change away from losing everything.
Yes, TikTok came back online. But those 12 hours changed Sarah forever. They exposed a critical vulnerability in her business that she – like many creators – had overlooked.
The Digital Sharecropping Trap
This is what I call "digital sharecropping" – building your entire presence on platforms you don't control. Whether it's:
You're building on borrowed land. And the landlord can evict you anytime.
The Solution? Own Your Audience
This is why I'm passionate about Substack. It's not just another platform – it's a bridge to true audience ownership through email lists.
When you build on Substack:
领英推荐
Most importantly? If Substack disappeared tomorrow, you'd still have your email list. You could take those relationships anywhere.
The Wake-Up Call We All Needed
Sarah's story had a relatively happy ending – TikTok came back online. But not everyone is so lucky. Just ask the creators who:
The TikTok scare was a wake-up call. It showed us how fragile our digital empires can be when built on platforms we don't control.
Why Start Today?
The best time to start building your email list was years ago. The second best time? Right now.
Every day you wait is another day you're vulnerable to platform changes, algorithm updates, and policy shifts that could wipe out your audience overnight.
Want to start future-proofing your content business? I write about building sustainable newsletter businesses through email lists and owned platforms on my Substack. Check it out & subscribe below ??
Question: What was your wake-up call about platform dependency? Share your story in the comments below. ??
P.S. The TikTok ban scare might have been brief, but it taught us a valuable lesson. Don't wait for your own wake-up call – start building your email list today.
???? Join 4,200+ Subscribers over on Escape the Cubicle Substack
I've written a recent post on Substack on "How I'm Building a Six-Figure Newsletter in 2025" where I share how I went from Zero to 4,200+ subscribers and a $5K+ per month operation in less than 6 months...all while posting LESS content and making MORE revenue.
If you'd like to dive into more about this Substack Growth Strategy, check out my recent post on Substack below ??
Helping holistic wellness brands be unforgettable AND sustainable | Branding | Offer Development | Content Marketing | Certified Master Marketer | Certified Online Business Manager
1 个月It's fascinating to see how companies are adapting their spaces to foster creativity and teamwork while still accommodating individual needs.
Former bank executive with 35 years of experience | Options trading expert who has taught 825+ students | Join my Masterclass to learn the strategy I used to create a 6-figure income stream
1 个月Wes Pearce Helpful read!
?? Empowering Average Individuals to Succeed in Working from Home | ?? Roadmap to Confidence and Success | ?? Digital Entrepreneur
1 个月How cool that you were able to find Substack and be successful there! I was looking around Substack and just happened to be reading this person's post where they said that their Substack account was banned because someone accused them of violating policies. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this. https://substack.com/@healthylivingwithkosi/p-154062264