10 Steps To Get You Started On Substack in 2024

Plus many ways to get the most out of your time here.

Oct 13, 2024

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So, you've decided to start a Substack—or maybe you're launching a newsletter and stumbled across Substack along the way.

Either way, you've committed to the idea of sharing your thoughts, ideas, and expertise regularly.

That’s great! But before you dive in, there’s one key thing you need to do first: figure out your “why.”

1. Start With Your Why

Why did you decide to start a newsletter? What is it that you hope to achieve with it?

This is a critical question because your “why” will act as your North Star when the going gets tough—and it will get tough. Your “why” will remind you why you show up week after week to deliver fresh content. It will help you stay on track when you’re battling self-doubt or when you’re uncertain if anyone’s even paying attention.

Write down your “why” and keep it somewhere visible—on your wall, your desk, or your phone. You’ll want it handy whenever you need to reconnect with your purpose.

2. Don’t Obsess Over Your Niche

You may have heard a lot about the importance of choosing a niche.

Here’s the thing. You don’t need to get caught up in that right away. Instead, start by writing about topics you love, things you know well or want to learn more about. Your niche will naturally evolve over time as you write more and engage with your audience.

Your audience will find you if you stay authentic.

There’s no point in forcing yourself into a niche just because it seems popular. Imagine writing five newsletters about something you thought you should write about, only to realise you’re bored stiff. Instead, write what excites you, and the right people will follow.

3. Decide on a Sustainable Cadence

Once you’ve nailed down your “why” and your topics, it’s time to figure out your publishing cadence.

You might feel the temptation to publish daily—or maybe twice a week—but be careful not to burn out.

My advice: pick a frequency that feels comfortable, then reduce it by one.

If you think you can handle publishing twice a week, start with once a week. This keeps you within your comfort zone, allowing you to be consistent over the long haul. You can always increase your output later.

The most important thing is to stick to a regular schedule so your audience knows when to expect your next edition.

4. Understand Growth Takes Time

If you’re starting from scratch on Substack, understand that building an audience is a marathon, not a sprint.

Growth takes time. Think of your Substack like a fine wine. Let is grow and mature over time.

Then give it space to breathe.

You’ll need to be patient as you form connections with readers, build a community, and figure out your own writing voice.

But here’s the good news: Substack is excellent at building network effects. Recommendations and features like Substack Notes help amplify your visibility. However, don’t expect overnight success.

Your growth will happen gradually, so give yourself—and your newsletter—the time it deserves.

5. Pause to Celebrate Milestones

Along the way, it’s important to take a step back and reflect on your progress.

Many Substack writers share milestone posts, and these can be a great source of motivation—not only for readers but for you as well. They allow you to see how far you’ve come, even if it feels like growth has been slow day to day.

I started my Substack journey in mid-2022. Back then, there were no recommendations, Substack Notes, or many of the features available today. In the first three months, I gathered around 100 subscribers—hard work, but each new subscriber felt like a huge win.

Now, with over 2,000 subscribers, I still look back on those early days and appreciate how far I’ve come.

6. Don’t Worry About Paid Subscriptions Early On

Some people might suggest that you introduce paid subscriptions right from the start.

My advice? Focus on building your free audience first. You can always introduce paid options later.

Launching with paid subscriptions creates pressure, and that can weigh you down. Instead, concentrate on establishing a strong foundation of engaged readers. As your following grows, you can introduce premium content, sponsorships, or even consulting opportunities.

Remember, Substack may nudge you toward subscriptions, but you can monetise in other ways, such as selling products or offering services.

Or not at all - its up to you.

7. Engage With Your Audience

Growth is not just about what you write—it’s also about how you engage with your readers.

Take time to interact with the people who comment on your posts.

These subscribers are your core supporters, and fostering these relationships can lead to stronger community ties.

In addition to replying to comments, engage with other writers on Substack. Check out their work, comment, share their articles, and build a network. Substack isn’t just about you and your audience—it’s about a broader community. The more you give, the more you’ll get in return.

8. Overcome the Fear of Self-Promotion

For many writers, promoting their work feels awkward.

But if you want to grow, you need to get comfortable with it.

This doesn’t mean being overly pushy—it just means sharing your work in ways that feel authentic.

You can share your posts on Substack Notes, LinkedIn, or social media. Substack provides built-in visuals to make your content more shareable, so take advantage of those.

The key is to make your work discoverable because, ultimately, you want people to read what you’re publishing.

9. Learn the Features of Substack

Substack offers a lot of tools, though the dashboard can feel overwhelming at first. Take the time to familiarise yourself with everything it offers.

You can embed videos, podcasts, and Spotify links, and use various formatting options to make your posts more engaging. Learn to use headers and SEO settings to help Google rank your posts better.

Top tip: A simple tweak to your URL can make a big difference in search visibility.

10. Most Importantly, Enjoy the Journey

At the end of the day, Substack (or any newsletter) should be something you enjoy. The process of writing, sharing, and interacting with readers should bring you satisfaction. If it feels like a chore, you’ll struggle to keep it going.

So, find the joy in creating your newsletter, celebrate the little wins, and keep coming back. That’s the secret to long-term success on Substack.