With the rise in reputation of content material creation, there are actually extra choices than ever for selling your writing or different content material on-line. Substack, WordPress, Patreon, and Medium are just some business leaders. The selection can really feel overwhelming while you’re making an attempt to determine which platform to decide on. However with so many choices, one needs to be higher than the opposite, proper? Not precisely. This text will share how every platform could also be higher suited to several types of creators, their benefits and downsides, and the way you would possibly need to strategy utilizing them in your self-publishing empire.What’s a content material creator?A content material creator is somebody who writes, designs, information, or broadcasts content material with the intent of getting it shared with others. Content material creators could embrace: BloggersPhotographersVideographersJournalistsVisual artistsStorytellersBusiness thought leadersMothersTikTok-ersSkateboardersAs you possibly can see, nearly anybody who needs to publish authentic work on-line is a content material creator. Numerous new platforms have been launched over time to assist these numerous creators promote their work in distinctive methods. Totally different platforms supply totally different advantages and downsides that it’s best to take into account earlier than selecting one in your work.Numerous content material platforms for numerous artistsDifferent folks have totally different content material publishing wants. Some might have a low-key platform that can be utilized on cell units, whereas others could need a sturdy system with a group of followers. Some creators have a enterprise mannequin the place creating content material is their major type of earnings, whereas others could have a job outdoors of their inventive life and use on-line publishing as a interest or side-hustle. Holding this in thoughts, it’s important to determine which sort of platform would work greatest for you.SubstackThe Substack platform is a wonderful selection for impartial writers, journalists, and people who need to push their writing to a broader viewers. This text platform is free for anybody to make use of, so you will get your work on the market with out spending a lot cash. Substack writers can even earn cash by way of the platform. You’ll be able to arrange paid subscription choices for subscribers who worth your content material sufficient to pay you a month-to-month or annual price. A key truth about Substack to recollect is that it’s designed as a publication service, with electronic mail as the first type of distribution. So it’s important to consider your viewers and whether or not they’re more likely to interact with electronic mail content material. If not, Substack won’t be the platform for you. Appropriate for:Freelance journalistsComic ebook creatorsLocal information journalistsIndustry thought leadersFrequent subscriber updatesNovelists and fiction writersMediumMedium is a well-liked possibility for writers as a result of it’s free to make use of and has an easy-to-navigate interface. It additionally has an energetic, loyal person base that helps and shares content material and authors on Medium, whereas there are additionally a plethora of specialist subject communities and teams the place you’ll find the perfect place in your content material to be seen. Medium additionally gives the power to publish your posts on social media with one click on, making it straightforward for folks to share your content material.The draw back is that Medium solely showcases trending posts- one thing chances are you’ll not discover helpful when you write about area of interest subjects. When you can embed images and different media varieties, it’s not an awesome showcase for visible artists as a result of the platform vastly prefers text-based content material.You need to struggle for a finite quantity of site visitors on Medium, which may be tough. Many authors are very aggressive and spend hours a day optimizing tags, commenting on different Medium articles, and making an attempt to be seen. Since Medium requires a subscription price for limitless entry, readers genuinely come at a premium. Appropriate for:Tech writersTwitter power-usersPolitical bloggersAspiring enterprise influencersPeople with loads of time to self promoteWordPressWordPress is without doubt one of the hottest content material administration methods on the earth. It’s additionally one of many oldest, having been in improvement since 2003. In reality, Substack, Medium, and Patreon every owe loads of credit score to WordPress, as their predecessor closely impressed the content material publishing course of.WordPress has varied native publishing instruments which might be free to make use of, making it straightforward for novices to get began. WordPress is an open-source platform, which means that it’s perpetually up to date by lots of of individuals with new options and modifications.Nonetheless, WordPress can have drawbacks. One main drawback is the shortage of customer support or tech assist from WordPress builders, though this may be averted by selecting a managed internet hosting service. And whereas WordPress is very customizable, some customers discover that the restricted choices of Medium and Substack make them simpler to be taught. However when you’re in search of an answer that provides extra flexibility and scalability whereas nonetheless sustaining a comparatively straightforward interface for novices, WordPress is price consideration.Appropriate for:Writers & journalistsTravel bloggersSmall businessesFull-time, skilled content material creatorsCreating a customized person experiencePatreonPatreon is a wonderful possibility for creators who need to monetize modern video, audio, and photographic works by way of month-to-month subscriptions. Podcasters and bloggers love utilizing Patreon along side different platforms as a technique to monetize premium gives whereas nonetheless publishing some free content material. Just like Substack, your followers can turn out to be patrons by pledging a sure amount of cash each month to assist your work. The subscription mannequin additionally encourages your followers to offer you constant cash, which is extra predictable than one-time donations and fundraising campaigns. So far as pricing, Patreon merely takes a small share of your month-to-month subscription charges, primarily based on what number of options you want.Whereas it’s straightforward to get began with no upfront prices from the creator, with commissions of as much as 12% going to Patreon, it’s important to consider simply how a lot revenue you need to divulge to the platform. Appropriate for:MusiciansVideo creatorsVisual artistsSelling on-line tutorialsPaid podcastingHow to determine which platform to useIt may be difficult to decide on which platform to publish your work on. However the resolution is a private one that can rely in your wants and objectives as a content material creator. Substack is a stable place to begin when you’re simply beginning and need to construct your electronic mail base — it’s free, straightforward to make use of, and doesn’t require any coding data. For extra skilled content material creators, Medium is an efficient possibility, with a big group of writers and an energetic viewers. For visible creators who need to generate profits off their work, Patreon gives an intensive set of options. And for creators who need a most stage of customization and management, WordPress is probably going your best option.Irrespective of which platform you determine to make use of, the hot button is to find out what’s appropriate for you and your viewers. Be sure you tell us your deciding components within the feedback beneath!
