How to Set Up Your Substack Like a Pro (Even If You're a Beginner)
7 tips for beginners getting started on Substack.
Substack is an easy-to-use, free online writing platform.
I’ve used it to publish over 1,000 articles in 3+ years. Here’s what I’ve learned about setting up my Substack to help you “hit the ground running!”
#1 - Create a professional-looking logo in Canva.
Canva allows you to create a professional-looking logo in minutes - for free!
Canva is perfect for graphic design-challenged people like you and me. There are hundreds of templates ready to go. All you have to do is pick your colors and decide on the logo you want.
Here’s a small sample size of the available logo templates. I’ve marked the ones that are usable with a free Canva account.
#2 - Think carefully about your publication’s description.
How would you describe your Substack in one sentence to someone? That’s what your publication’s description is supposed to be.
Use this one sentence to do two things.
Explain what your Substack is about.
“Sell” people on why they should subscribe.
Tell how what you’re offering will benefit your reader.
#3 - Don’t worry about payments.
I saw a video post where
shared he wouldn’t worry about turning on paid subscriptions and creating paid content until you reach about 500 free subscribers.While experienced writers like Tom will have a different number, pretty much everyone will agree you shouldn’t worry about paid subscribers on Day 1. What do you have to offer on your first day on Substack that people would be willing to pay money for?
If you’re unsure what the answer to that question is, then don’t worry about it right now. You’ll discover that as you create more content for your audience.
#4 - Match your publication theme colors to your logo.
If you create your logo in Canva, it will show you the colors you used in your logo. You can use this color to do something pretty cool in Substack.
Under Branding —> Publication Theme in your Substack settings, you can choose one of the exact colors in your logo as your accent color.
The accent color is the color that’s used in the buttons on your page.
Like this one.
#5 - Don’t skip the “About” page.
While Substack generates an automated “About” page for you, use this as another opportunity to stand out from the crowd.
Your “About” page is the perfect place to tell us your favorite kind of coffee, how many cats you have, or why you live in a van down by the river.
Your “About” page is also a good place to explain your Substack in greater detail. I’ve even seen some writers give their publishing schedule in their “About” page.
#6 - Create an email banner image in Canva.
When you send your posts out through email, Substack allows you to upload a banner image that will be at the top of your email.
Mine looks like this:
I created this in Canva according to the specs suggested by Substack (1100 x 220) and then uploaded it.
The banner image provides yet another layer of customization to your Substack and adds to the quality of your content.
#7 - Customize those welcome emails.
I hope you’re not tired of customization yet!
Like your “About” page, Substack automatically generates a template welcome email that’s sent to everybody who subscribes to your Substack. But it’s easy to edit and makes you sound more like a human being to your subscribers.
Here’s an example of my welcome email that’s sent to new subscribers to this publication.
It’s ok to do all you can to provide value and quality for your readers.
Bonus - Don’t stress about any of this.
I know this is a lot of information to throw at you, especially if you’ve never used Substack before, or even written online before.
Don’t let any of these tips stress you out.
If you work on them all gradually as you write on Substack, that’s totally fine. Just start, and keep writing!
I’m creating a playlist of videos on YouTube called “How to Use Substack.” If watching someone do something is helpful to you, you can check out that playlist here.
