Sarah Fay

Sarah Fay challenges conventional notions about paywalling on Substack. She argues that paywalling isn't necessarily the best or only strategy for earning income. Rather than relying on rigid paywalls, she encourages fostering deep connections with subscribers by offering valuable content and community access. Successful Substackers like Heather Cox Richardson and Anne Helen Petersen have thrived with minimal or strategic paywalling, prioritizing their unique voices and engagement over strict paywalls. Fay advises intentional, generous paywalling that enhances the reader experience rather than interrupting it abruptly. Ultimately, she emphasizes that earning subscribers stems from authentic connection, not gimmicks or tricks.