Switching from Substack to Postion: A 5-Step Migration Guide

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, better SEO, and a platform that doesn't penalize your growth. You've decided it's time for a Substack alternative.

But now comes the question that stops so many creators: "Is it hard to leave Substack?"

The fear is understandable. You worry about losing content or messing up your subscriber list. We're here to tell you: it's not. This is your complete 5-step guide on how to migrate from Substack to Postion.

Step 1: Export Your Content & Subscribers from Substack

First, you need to package up your most valuable assets. This is the core of how you export from Substack.

1. Go to your Substack Dashboard and navigate to the Settings page.
2. Scroll down to the "Exports" section.
3. Click to export your posts (this gives you a zip file).
4. Click to export your subscribers (this gives you a CSV file). This is your single most valuable asset.

Congratulations. You now hold the keys to your business.

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, select "Import from another platform."
3. Choose Substack and upload the content zip file you just downloaded.
4. Our importer will automatically parse the files, pull in your posts, and preserve your formatting. This is the first step to importing your Substack to Postion.

Step 3: Connect Your Custom Domain

This is the step that makes you a true owner. This is critical, as a custom domain is vital for long-term SEO success.

While this sounds technical, it's just a matter of copying and pasting a few records into your domain registrar (like GoDaddy or Namecheap).

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 and secure your site with an SSL certificate.

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

Step 4: Import Your Substack 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 for Substack export subscribers that you downloaded in Step 1.
3. You'll have the option to import them as free or paid members. 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 and tag or segment your imported subscribers.

Step 5: Flip the Switch & Announce Your Move

This is the final step in switching from Substack.

1. Set up redirects: In your Substack settings, you can now set up a Substack redirect to your new domain. This ensures any lingering traffic automatically finds its 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 and celebrate this new chapter.

That's it. In five manageable steps, you've completed your migration from Substack. You've moved from being a renter to being the owner of a powerful, independent publication.

Still weighing your options? For a bird's-eye view of all the best Substack alternatives, check out our definitive pillar page, The Great Migration: Choosing the Best Creator Platform.