Transform Your Substack Posts With Two Simple Fixes
Two main lessons I frequently see Substack writers struggling with
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Two Simple Fixes for Better Substack Articles
Lately, I’ve been reading through 100s of Substack articles from my paid subscribers asking me for feedback.
Interestingly, 2 main issues ALWAYS stand out.
And they are easy to fix once you know them.
Let’s get right into it.
1 | Design
One major thing I see people not paying attention to is to make articles easy for the eyes.
If an article begins with a block of texts, I’m already dropping out without having even started.
Our attention spans are decreasing. Don’t expect people to read through your entire post. Nopes. Prepare for skim reading, which is what our brains are more accustomed to nowadays.
Prepare your articles in that style so that people can get the main information quickly.
One tip I have comes from Nicolas Cole who suggests following the 1-3-1 method. It’s basically like this
1: one sentence to get people interested in the topic
3: a paragraph of 3 lines with the main insides
1: one strong sentence containing your main lesson.
Let me give you an example:
1: By using the 1-3-1 system, readers effortlessly slip into a comfortable reading flow.
3: That's because you make it easy for them to navigate your writing without having to focus too hard. This method provides a clear structure for your sentences. This middle part is used as an explanation or descriptive part.
1: Your words have power. Use design elements to emphasize what you want to say.
Try it out. You’d be surprised how different your flow will be.
Additionally, breaking things up into sections with titles and subtitles helps organize your content.
Sometimes, it makes sense to use bullet points which are easy on the eye. Always think about your reader and how you can make their lives easier while reading through your writing.
2 | Tell That Story
The second main thing that I advise on is to tell that story.
It’s not enough to lead with a killer opening to give the rest of your story in bullet points. That’s just not how it works.
Take people on a journey with you.
Let them know where you are, what you feel, and what message you want to convey (if it’s fiction, then let that be the protagonist telling the story).
Luckily, also for this, there are some tips and tricks that can help you write a good story.
Tell your story. bring people into your situation.
Start with a Hook: Grab the reader's attention with something interesting right away.
Set the Scene: Describe where you are, your thoughts, and the mood.
Share Results or Outcomes: Talk about what happened or something inspiring.
Give Personal Insights: Don't just list points. Share how things were for you.
End with a Lesson Learned: Offer directions or advice based on your experience.
Let me give you an example here as well.
Start with a Hook: So there I was, lounging in a café in Medellin, Colombia, heart pounding as I hit "publish" on my very first newsletter.
Set the Scene: I've been traveling across South America, soaking up vibrant cultures and endless stories just waiting to be told.
Share Results/Outcome: A few months down the line, my newsletter has gathered hundreds of subscribers. Pinch me, please.
Give Personal Insights: But it hasn't all been easy. I've gotten lost in the maze-like streets of Buenos Aires, stumbled over my rusty Spanish in tiny mountain villages, and found unexpected friendships in the most unlikely places. Opening up about my fears and wins made the journey feel real.
End with a Lesson Learned: What did I learn? Trusting the process. Always. If you're a writer or anyone with a dream, take that leap. The world's full of stories waiting for you to live and share them.
It’s a simple structure to follow.
It has helped me personally to become a better writer. Even if you are writing non-fiction, people still love to read personal stories and emotions while learning something new.
If you incorporate those two points, trust me, your articles will stand out.
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Exactly! Sub heads and white space lets the words breathe.
Great advice as always! As a seasoned writer, especially in digital media, I can say you have hit the main points! Nothing hurts my brain more than to see either one huge block of texts or multiple paragraphs of block text.