Substack has launched the ‘Substack Chat’ feature, allowing content creators to build their online following outside social media. The new feature will grant writers, podcasters, and other content creators the opportunity to host conversations with their audiences. Users can set a topic for discussion and communicate with other users without the need for Discord, Telegram, or Slack. Creators also have the option to make chat available for all subscribers or just for the ones that pay for content.
"Chat is a community space reimagined specifically for writers and creators — it’s like having your own private social network where you make the rules," Substack said in a post announcing the feature.
Substack Chat is now only accessible through the iOS app, but the business claims that both the Web and Android versions of the service will be added in the near future.
Discussion-Oriented Social Features
Substack Launches the 'Substack Chat' Feature for Creators
Trend Themes
1. Discussion-oriented Social Platforms - There is an opportunity to create more discussion-oriented social platforms, tailored specifically for content creators and their audiences.
2. Subscription-based Content - The trend of subscription-based content is growing and innovators can further disrupt the industry by providing additional features like Substack Chat.
3. Private Social Networks - The future of social networking may be in private, community-oriented platforms that allow creators to connect with their audiences outside of traditional social media sites.
Industry Implications
1. Media and Publishing - Media and publishing companies could benefit from implementing discussion-oriented social features like Substack Chat to better engage with their audiences.
2. Social Media and Networking - Social media and networking companies could innovate by creating private social networks tailored towards specific groups, such as content creators and their followers.
3. Mobile App Development - Mobile app developers could create similar discussion-oriented social platforms for different industries that allow users to connect and engage with each other through chat or other means.