How To Get Started On Substack (And My Number 1 Writing Hack)

I will never go back to any other writing style

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How To Get Started on Substack (And My Number 1 Writing Hack)

As requested, I wanted to share a quick and easy way to get started on Substack.

How To Get Started On Substack

1. Create Your Publication: Your Online Home

a. First things first: I recommend to have your own publication. While it’s possible to write posts under just your name, having a dedicated publication feels more professional and gives you a clear identity. Plus, it allows you to access a dashboard with valuable insights, create a personalized homepage, and much more.

If you don’t have a publication yet, no worries. Just go to your profile in the upper right corner (on Substack), click on settings, and scroll down to where it says “Create Publication.” It’s super easy. Once you have that set up, you can even create multiple publications later on as your interests evolve.

b. Organize with Sections and Tags: Now that you have your publication, let’s talk about sections and tags. These are essential tools for organizing your content.

• Sections: These are like categories for your posts. They help you create distinct mailing lists for different topics, allowing subscribers to choose what they want to see. For example, if you write about travel, personal finance, and wellness, you could create separate sections for each. It gives your subscribers more control over their content and makes it easier for them to find what interests them. Plus, sections can appear as tabs on your homepage, enhancing navigation.

• Tags: Tags are simpler and help categorize your posts but don’t offer the same level of customization. Think of tags as keywords that help organize articles under a shared theme. While they’re useful, they don’t provide the flexibility of sections, so use them to complement your organization.

To set up sections and tags, just head to your dashboard and explore the settings. You can find tags under the website item and sections in it’s own category further down.

2. Creating Your Bios: Establish Credibility

• Personal Bio: This is your chance to share who you are and why you’re the right person to write about your chosen topics. Keep it brief but impactful. Mention what you do and add some proof — like how you’ve helped 1000 clients, been an online writer for 5 years, or generated $100k in revenue as a marketing guru. These details help build trust and establish your credibility.

• Publication Bio: This is where you can be specific about what your newsletter offers. How often will you send it out? What topics will you cover? What value can subscribers expect? For example, you might say, “Join my Friday newsletter for one actionable tip each week on marketing your business through online activities.” This clarity helps potential subscribers understand what they can gain by signing up.

3. Engage Through Notes and Posts: Tell Your Story

• Let’s dive into the heart of your publication: your notes and posts. Use your notes (like tweets) to bring readers along on your journey. Share personal anecdotes, behind-the-scenes thoughts, or little insights that add depth to your writing. This is where you connect on a more intimate level.

• When it comes to posts, storytelling is key. People love a good narrative, so make sure yours captivates them. Use appealing design elements to keep things visually engaging and easy to read. Incorporate your personal notes into your posts to create that sense of connection.
  And don’t forget about CTAs — calls to action. Encourage your readers to subscribe, but make it fun. Instead of just saying “Subscribe,” try something like “Join our amazing community” or “Let’s explore together”, A friendly approach makes all the difference.

If you are a Substack newbie, I believe my Grow Your Substack Course will help you.

This is a recent testimonial I got from

Michael Lawrence

(go check his Substack out)🧡

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I Learned About A Writing Hack And Now I Will Never Go Back

Honestly, this is probably the most important writing advice you will ever read.

It was for me.

It almost felt like a revelation and now I will never go back again.

You know how on many platforms they put a lot of emphasis on the layout? As in, every image needs a caption, a headline in all capitals, a sub-headline, etc, etc..

When I started writing online this became the norm for me. To make everything exactly how they tell you to do it.

I used

• A nice header image

• Obeyed to all title formats

• Always wrote the title in capital

• Wrote professional sentences.

And while that might be essential for some articles, it certainly isn’t for all of them.

My writing turned out to be just like ALL the others out there, with little distinction factors other than my own thoughts and experiences.

The truth is that people get tired. Tired of SEEING the exact same thing all over again.

I am grateful to have come across Tom Orbach’s newsletter on how to write viral LinkedIn posts. While they are more short-form than a usual newsletter article, there was a lot to learn.

Breaking Free From The Usual

Many people go to great lengths to present themselves as professionals.

They focus on serious subjects, use formal business language, and tend to give advice that is often obvious or not particularly helpful.

Or (even worse) ask ChatGTP to write it up which will 100% lead to it sounding stiff and written by a robot. Which it literally is.

This is when it hit me.

Nobody wants to see or read the professional, stiff messages. But everybody wants to feel. Feel connected to the author. We achieve this best when we write how we are. No stiffness, no fake professionalism attached.

Instead of writing for your 10th-grade English teacher, write for your friends. Let them into your messy thought process (if it’s too much, you might want to organize it afterward).

But the point is: stop following the rules and simply write your heart out.

Don’t Get Me Wrong

I will not stop using titles and subtitles or even images and captions. I will use whatever makes it easier for you all to go through my articles.

No, this is not what I mean.

What I do mean is that I will let go of trying to sound like an English teacher correcting essays, focusing on everything to be 100% correct.

I will mix things up and not follow all the writing rules to perfection.

I will allow myself to write how I am.

What makes you special is you, live it out.

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Something to keep in mind this week 🧡

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