I mean, can't you accomplish the same thing with "enter your email/social handle to be notified when I post something"?

bonestamp2 an hour ago | parent | next [-]

For sure. I had a huge following on my wordpress blog 15 years ago and email was how everyone got notified of new content. I'm sure there's a way to at least do sms now if people want that level of notification.

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ImJamal an hour ago | parent | prev [-]

Most writers just want to write and don't want to start maintaining servers and databases to handle the collection and storing of emails. This is why they outsource that functionality to a service like Substack.

	▲	true_religion 24 minutes ago \| parent [-]
		It would be nice if services like Substack supported exportability, so when a writer eventually becomes successful enough to migrate away, or the platform itself is no longer a good fit, then there aren't any losses. Convenience is good, but I don't want writers & readers to have to make a faustian pact every day.