Clued vs Substack

Substack is great for writers and newsletters. Clued complements Substack by giving indie sellers shops, drops, and built-in marketing so they can turn subscribers into buyers.
Published on Aug 22, 2025

In this article

Substack made newsletters cool again. Writers and creators use it to send content directly to their audience — no algorithms, no middlemen.

But here’s the truth: Substack is built for writing, not selling.

If you’re an indie seller, you don’t just need to send essays. You need to drop goods, own your buyers, and actually make sales. That’s where Clued comes in.

Clued doesn’t replace Substack — it complements it.

  • AI-powered Scenes that turn your product shots into scroll-stopping videos.
  • Subscribers + messaging built in — your list grows automatically with every drop.
  • Your shop + checkout — payments, shipping, and order tracking included.
  • Mobile-first — designed for sellers who live on Instagram and TikTok.

👉 Substack builds readers. Clued turns them into buyers.

Substack: What it does well

  • Direct connection to readers.
  • Easy-to-use publishing and email delivery.
  • Good for writers, essays, and long-form content.

But Substack isn’t designed for drops, shops, or physical goods.

How Clued complements Substack

Clued fills the commerce gap Substack leaves:

Clued Substack
Core Shop + growth. Scenes, drops, subscribers built in. Newsletters. Writing + email delivery.
Subscribers Collect + sell. Every drop builds a list you can message directly. Collect only. Great for readers, not buyers.
Selling Built-in. Shop, checkout, shipping included. None. Needs extra platforms.
Marketing AI-powered Scenes. Instant visuals that sell. DIY writing. Content is all on you.
Together Pair Substack for essays + Clued for drops → audience and sales in one stack. Audience only.

Why sellers use Clued + Substack together

  • From readers to buyers → Substack builds readers. Clued builds sales.
  • From newsletters to drops → Write your essay on Substack, drop your goods on Clued.
  • From content to commerce → Scenes + shops make your subscribers convert.
  • From fragmented to complementary stack → Substack + Clued = audience + shop in one.

“I run my newsletter on Substack, but link my drops on Clued. It’s the perfect combo — audience + sales.”

— Seller feedback

Which path do you want?

  • If you’re only writing newsletters, Substack works fine.
  • If you’re selling goods, you’ll want Clued alongside Substack.

Ready to make the switch?

Substack is perfect for building readers. But if you’re a seller, you’ll need more than a newsletter.

Clued is the natural complement. It adds shops, drops, and AI marketing that make your subscribers buy — not just read.

👉 Make your first Scene today and join the sellers running Substack + Clued together.

Because the truth is simple: Substack helps you write. Clued helps you sell.

Frequently asked questions

Does Clued replace Substack?

No. Clued complements Substack. Many sellers use both: Substack for newsletters, Clued for shops and drops.

Can I use Substack + Clued together?

Yes. Many sellers link their Clued shop in their Substack newsletters, so every essay points readers to a drop.

Is Clued cheaper than Substack?

Yes. Substack takes a 10% fee on paid newsletters. Clued has no listing fees and is priced for indie sellers who want to grow.

Who should use Clued?

Indie sellers who want to keep writing on Substack but also run a shop that actually sells.

Why is Clued better for sellers?

Because Substack helps you build readers. Clued helps you build buyers.

Substack made newsletters cool again. Writers and creators use it to send content directly to their audience — no algorithms, no middlemen.

But here’s the truth: Substack is built for writing, not selling.

If you’re an indie seller, you don’t just need to send essays. You need to drop goods, own your buyers, and actually make sales. That’s where Clued comes in.

Clued doesn’t replace Substack — it complements it.

  • AI-powered Scenes that turn your product shots into scroll-stopping videos.
  • Subscribers + messaging built in — your list grows automatically with every drop.
  • Your shop + checkout — payments, shipping, and order tracking included.
  • Mobile-first — designed for sellers who live on Instagram and TikTok.

👉 Substack builds readers. Clued turns them into buyers.

Substack: What it does well

  • Direct connection to readers.
  • Easy-to-use publishing and email delivery.
  • Good for writers, essays, and long-form content.

But Substack isn’t designed for drops, shops, or physical goods.

How Clued complements Substack

Clued fills the commerce gap Substack leaves:

Clued Substack
Core Shop + growth. Scenes, drops, subscribers built in. Newsletters. Writing + email delivery.
Subscribers Collect + sell. Every drop builds a list you can message directly. Collect only. Great for readers, not buyers.
Selling Built-in. Shop, checkout, shipping included. None. Needs extra platforms.
Marketing AI-powered Scenes. Instant visuals that sell. DIY writing. Content is all on you.
Together Pair Substack for essays + Clued for drops → audience and sales in one stack. Audience only.

Why sellers use Clued + Substack together

  • From readers to buyers → Substack builds readers. Clued builds sales.
  • From newsletters to drops → Write your essay on Substack, drop your goods on Clued.
  • From content to commerce → Scenes + shops make your subscribers convert.
  • From fragmented to complementary stack → Substack + Clued = audience + shop in one.

“I run my newsletter on Substack, but link my drops on Clued. It’s the perfect combo — audience + sales.”

— Seller feedback

Which path do you want?

  • If you’re only writing newsletters, Substack works fine.
  • If you’re selling goods, you’ll want Clued alongside Substack.

Ready to make the switch?

Substack is perfect for building readers. But if you’re a seller, you’ll need more than a newsletter.

Clued is the natural complement. It adds shops, drops, and AI marketing that make your subscribers buy — not just read.

👉 Make your first Scene today and join the sellers running Substack + Clued together.

Because the truth is simple: Substack helps you write. Clued helps you sell.

Frequently asked questions

Does Clued replace Substack?

No. Clued complements Substack. Many sellers use both: Substack for newsletters, Clued for shops and drops.

Can I use Substack + Clued together?

Yes. Many sellers link their Clued shop in their Substack newsletters, so every essay points readers to a drop.

Is Clued cheaper than Substack?

Yes. Substack takes a 10% fee on paid newsletters. Clued has no listing fees and is priced for indie sellers who want to grow.

Who should use Clued?

Indie sellers who want to keep writing on Substack but also run a shop that actually sells.

Why is Clued better for sellers?

Because Substack helps you build readers. Clued helps you build buyers.

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Clued exists to make independent sellers lives easier.

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