How artists can build their first real audience fairly easily with Substack...if they act quickly before the time window closes.
Please ask current subscribers for permission before transferring them to your Substack mailing list.
And conversely, when Substack speeds up and starts using ads, and you leave Substack and begin your own list again, it's a great plan to get consent to transfer your Substack people to your personal email list.
It could be argued that Blue Sky is absolutely still in its heyday as of this writing in 2026.
Bluesky is social media. Therefore, it's fast-paced and approval-based. BUT- unlike Substack, Bluesky enforces a strict anti-hate-speech policy. I admire that.
Bonus material from other artists and writers I respect to help you decide.
Here is a piece by artist Heather Murray about how to sell your art on Substack vs Etsy.
And a good short piece on making money as an artist from Katie Stack's Substack.
Check out The Calm Creative's My results after 1 1/2 years on Substack (And why I'm leaving).
She has since re-joined Substack. This is a comprehensive, heartfelt take that most artists will benefit from watching. She grew her mailing list exponentially, and her art is very cool. :)
Do you consider yourself a writer and not an artist?
Here's a solid YouTube interview of Jane Friedman which answers the question, Is Substack the Best Platform for Writers?