Jonathan Gill

Chris Best of Substack and Jonathan Gill of Backtracks discuss how podcasts and newsletters can earn revenue through advertising, subscriptions, or a mix of both. They argue that creators need reliable measurement to understand audience engagement and advertising value, while direct payments can support niche work that advertisers might overlook. Best describes Substack’s approach to growing newsletters through free, shareable posts, referrals, and paid subscriptions. The speakers also recommend starting with a clear purpose, publishing consistently, and learning from early audience feedback.