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Fiona W.'s avatar

Even though you said this was for someone with content, it has been very helpful for me as a newbie to Substack. Knowing how I can start myself off in a healthy rhythm and what I can look forward to is very helpful.

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Claire Tak's avatar

I’m so glad to hear that. Thank you for your comment and kudos to getting started on substack! :)

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Lora Arbrador's avatar

Lots of great tips here! I saw you at the Women in Publishing Summit recently and am also writing a memoir which is in layout now (it's a hybrid memoir/art book). I just passed the one year mark on my Substack and I'm having a lot of fun writing it and getting feedback. (Art Blotter Plus). What a journey memoir writing and Substack!

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Claire Tak's avatar

Hi Lora,

Thank you so much! Congrats on having your memoir in layout form. It is super cool that you're making it into a hybrid memoir/art book. You'll have to share it with me when you are finished! Substack is great, right? I am also still enjoying it (so much more than WordPress or just blogging in the hopes that someone (maybe) will read it!

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Lora Arbrador's avatar

Yeah, I started my Substack as a chore, something to tick off on my list as a "must do" in preparation for building a mailing list to promote the memoir. Kind of similar to your reason? (but different of course). But it's taken on a life of its own. It's even helped me to keep painting in spite of all the writing and other book chores (I'm a painter not a writer!) Because I have a feature called, "From My Easel." I feel I need to have some art to share every month. But I've got a lot to learn so I'm happy to have found your Substack. I'll keep you posted on my progress and will be watching yours!

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Morgan Carew's avatar

Great tips! I'm super new to Substack so this is a great starting place.

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Fadai Mammadov's avatar

A really good article! I have been doing some of them already. Will start tom implement other tips :)

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Claire Tak's avatar

Thank you! :D

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Sarah Li-Cain's avatar

Love these tips! I am personally feeling very confused about what to do on notes, but one step at a time!

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Claire Tak's avatar

Thanks! I guess Notes is similar to Twitter/X? I'm also not completely sure how to gain traction there, other than to keep posting consistently (which I don't do, haha).

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Kelli Tompkins's avatar

This is so helpful! I'm just getting started with substack (honestly, terrified), but this content strategy structure helps me feel a lot more confident to get started. Thank you!

Any tips for making a first post for a newbie? Anyone? Anyone? đŸ˜…

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Claire Tak's avatar

Hi Kelli, thanks for your comment! My advice is to not get too caught up in your very first Substack newsletter and let that scare you. I would focus on what your Substack is all about and what readers can expect, maybe just an intro about you. On that note, I would also make sure your welcome email isn't the template that Substack provides and make sure it's tailored to you and what you're all about. Then, as you create more and more content, update the welcome email to showcase the most popular or pivotal content you think readers will want to read (for the newer subscribers that come through.) Good luck and happy Substacking!!!

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