Switching from Substack to Postion: A 5-Step Migration Guide (It's Easier Than You Think)

You've done the math. You realize that Substack's 10% fee is costing you more than you think. You're ready for more control over your brand, better SEO, and a platform that doesn't penalize your growth.

You've decided to move. But now comes the question that stops so many creators in their tracks: "Is it hard to leave Substack?"

The fear is understandable. You worry about losing content, messing up your subscriber list, or facing a technical nightmare. We're here to tell you: it's not. Migrating to a platform built for growth is one of the best decisions you can make, and we've made the process painless.

Here is your complete 5-step guide to switching from Substack to Postion.

Step 1: Export Your Lifeboat from Substack

First things first, you need to package up your most valuable assets. Substack makes this part straightforward.

1. Go to your Substack Dashboard.
2. Navigate to the Settings page.
3. Scroll down to the "Exports" section.
4. You'll see options to export your content and your email list. Click both.
   • Export your posts: This will give you a zip file containing all your content in HTML format.
   • Export your subscribers: This will give you a simple CSV file. This file is your single most valuable asset.

Congratulations. You now hold the keys to your business. Keep these files in a safe place.

Step 2: Set Up Your New Home on Postion

This isn't about building from scratch; it's about importing and arranging your furniture.

1. Sign up for your Postion account.
2. In the welcome dashboard, you'll see an option to "Import from another platform."
3. Select Substack and upload the content zip file you downloaded in Step 1.
4. Our importer will automatically parse the files, pull in your posts, preserve your formatting, and set up your new publication. You'll be shocked at how quickly your content appears, beautifully formatted in its new home.

Step 3: Connect Your Custom Domain

This is the step that makes you a true owner. Instead of being yourname.substack.com, you'll be yourname.com. This is critical, as a custom domain is vital for long-term SEO success.

While this sounds technical, it's just a matter of telling your domain registrar (like GoDaddy or Namecheap) where your new site lives.

1. In your Postion settings, go to the "Domain" section and enter your custom domain name.
2. We will provide you with a few simple records to copy.
3. Log in to your domain registrar and paste these records into your DNS settings.
4. Our platform will automatically detect the changes, secure your site with an SSL certificate, and you're live!

Need help? Our support team can walk you through this process step-by-step.

Step 4: Import Your Subscribers (Safely)

Now it's time to bring your community over.

1. Navigate to the "Audience" section in Postion and click "Import Subscribers."
2. Upload the CSV file you downloaded from Substack in Step 1.
3. You'll have the option to import them as free or paid members, matching their status from Substack. We do not email them upon import, so you can plan your announcement perfectly.

Pro-Tip: This is a great opportunity to clean your list. You can easily tag or segment your imported subscribers in Postion to better organize your audience from day one.

Step 5: Flip the Switch & Announce Your Move

This is the final, empowering step.

1. Set up redirects: In your Substack settings, you can now set up a redirect from your old Substack site to your new Postion custom domain. This ensures any lingering traffic or old links automatically find their way to your new home.
2. Cancel your Stripe connection on Substack: This prevents any future billing through their system.
3. Write your "Welcome Home" post: Publish your first post on Postion! Announce the move to your audience. Explain the benefits for them (like a better reading experience, new community features, etc.) and celebrate this new chapter for your brand.

That's it. In five manageable steps, you've moved from being a renter on a restrictive platform to being the owner of a powerful, independent publication. You've given yourself a raise by cutting out the 10% fee and set yourself up for real, sustainable growth.

Still weighing your options? For a bird's-eye view of the entire creator platform landscape, check out our definitive pillar page, The Great Migration: Choosing the Best Creator Platform.