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How to Make a Substack: Your Guide to Getting Started Right

by Karna Liv Nau under on November 22, 2024
Karna Liv Nau has her hand on a wall with the text How to Make a Substack

So, you want to know how to make a Substack?

That was me a little over three years ago, agonizing about how to make a Substack work.

Can you relate to what I was looking for?

  • I wanted a place to publish my writing that was easy to use and find.
  • I was excited about a solution that allowed me to build a newsletter and an audience who wanted to read what I had to say.
  • I loved the idea of publishing an article and having it sent directly to my subscribers without the hassle of CRMs like Mailchimp or FloDesk.
  • I wanted a beautiful, clean design and user experience.
  • I dreamed of a simple solution where I could host free and paid content.

Substack checked all these boxes.

Now, I’ve been using Substack for over three years and have set up Substack publications for clients like Both Sides of Life, The Women’s Digestive Wellness Project, and SpellCast.

This guide will show you how to make a Substack, whether you’re a personal writer or building a professional presence.

Let’s dive in.

Before You Get Started: Understanding How to Make a Substack

Before setting up your Substack, consider these questions:

  • What’s your main goal? Are you writing for fun, building a professional audience, or monetizing your content?
  • Who is your target reader? Knowing your audience helps you craft content that resonates.
  • How much time can you commit? Consistency is key, whether you post weekly, biweekly, or monthly. If you plan on monetizing, publishing once a week is a good target.

Having clear answers will make creating your Substack smoother and more effective.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make a Substack

1. Create Your Writer Profile

When you sign up, you’ll be prompted to create a writer profile. Include:

  • Your full name: This increases discoverability and adds credibility.
  • A photo: Choose a professional or personal photo that aligns with your brand.

Helpful tip: If you’re camera-shy, you can use a logo or illustration. Check out tools like Canva for free, easy-to-use design options.

2. Choose a Memorable Publication Name

Your publication’s name should reflect its purpose. Test your ideas:

  • Is it easy to say, spell, and remember?
  • Does it make sense to your audience?

Example:
For a newsletter about mindfulness, “Pause + Reflect” communicates both the theme and tone effectively.

3. Write a Clear Description

Your one-line description tells potential subscribers why they should care.

Example:
“Pause + Reflect is a weekly newsletter exploring mindfulness, mental clarity, and intentional living for busy professionals.”

Pro Tip: Use strong keywords to help with discoverability.

4. Pick Your URL

Substack will generate a default URL like yourname.substack.com.

  • You can customize this for better branding (e.g., mindfulnessweekly.substack.com). But either option works.
  • Substack also allows custom domains if you prefer to remove “substack” from your URL.

Helpful Resource: How to Set Up a Custom Domain on Substack.

5. Design Graphic Assets

Visuals matter! Prepare the following:

    • Logo for your homepage
    • Thumbnail icon (appears next to your name and posts)
  • Wordmark (appears in the top middle of your publication)
  • Graphic dividers to break up long posts

Free tools like Canva can help you create these assets.

Substack also has specific requirements for the size and aspect ratio of certain images:

 

  • Logo: At least 256 x 256 pixels, with a transparent background
  • Wordmark: At least 1,344 x 256 pixels, with a maximum aspect ratio of 21:4
  • Cover photo: At least 600 x 600 pixels 
karna on couch making peace sign discovering How to make a Substack - Karna Liv nau

Building Your Pages: Key Tips for How to Make a Substack Stand Out

Bio

Write a one-paragraph bio that captures your expertise, personality, and why readers should subscribe.

Example Bio:
Hi! I’m Karna, a writer, marketer, and mom passionate about helping women use their voices to make an impact. I started this newsletter to share what I’ve learned about storytelling and self-expression.

About Page

Your About Page is your chance to connect deeply with readers.

  • Part 1: Newsletter Overview
    Example:
    Pause + Reflect is a weekly newsletter exploring mindfulness and mental clarity for busy professionals. Expect stories, insights, and practical tips to help you live more intentionally.
  • Part 2: Your Story
    Share why you started this newsletter. Were you overwhelmed and found solace in mindfulness? Share that journey.
  • Part 3: Professional Highlights
    Include credentials, accomplishments, or testimonials that build trust.

First Pinned Post

The pinned post stays at the top of your publication.

  • Welcome your readers.
  • Explain what they can expect.
  • Include a poll to learn more about their interests (Substack makes adding polls easy).
  • You can also include a prompt for people to introduce themselves in the comment section.

Content Creation Tips

  1. Start Simple: Publish one piece of content weekly or biweekly.
  2. Use Mixed Media: Substack allows you to post text, images, audio, and video. Experiment!
  3. Engage with Subscribers: Respond to comments and include subscriber questions in future posts.

Helpful Resource: Substack Blog for tips on growing your audience.

Monetization Options

Substack makes it easy to offer paid subscriptions. 

Here are two ways to approach it:

Option 1: Start with Free Content

Publishing free content first allows you to build trust and attract a loyal audience. Use this time to engage with readers, refine your content, and grow your subscriber base.

  • Make sure you enable Pledging in your settings. This feature allows readers to pledge financial support even before you turn on paid subscriptions, giving you an early indicator of potential interest.
  • When you’re ready to offer paid subscriptions, you can introduce exclusive content or bonus features to entice your free subscribers to upgrade.

Option 2: Launch with Paid Subscriptions

If you’re confident in your content’s value and have an existing audience, consider starting with paid subscriptions right away. This approach works well for creators with a clear niche or a highly engaged following.

  • Offer a mix of free previews and gated content to showcase what paid subscribers will get.
  • Include perks like exclusive articles, early access, or personalized interactions to add value.

Pro Tip:

Keep your pricing simple and accessible. Popular starting points are $5/month or $50/year. Test what works best for your audience and adjust as needed.

Welcome Email

Your welcome email should make subscribers feel valued.

Start simple, and subscribe to a few different Substacks to explore what email styles resonate with you. Below are three approaches to inspire your own welcome email.

1. Example Email: Simple

Subject: Welcome to Pause + Reflect

Hi [Name],

Thanks for subscribing! I’m thrilled to have you here. Every Friday, you’ll receive mindfulness tips, personal stories, and tools to help you live intentionally.

Feel free to reply to this email and introduce yourself—I’d love to hear from you!

Cheers,
Karna

2. Example Email: Free Giveaway

Subject: Welcome! Here’s Your Free [Resource Name]

Hi [Name],

Welcome to [Your Publication Name]! I’m so glad you’re here. As a thank-you for subscribing, I’ve created a free resource for you:

👉 [Link to your freebie, e.g., “5 Quick Steps to Mindful Living”]

This guide is designed to help you get started right away. If you find it helpful or have questions, I’d love to hear your feedback—just hit reply.

Thanks for being part of this journey.

Warmly,
Karna

P.S. Did you know Substack has an app? You can download it here to read your favorite newsletters, including this one, on the go. It also has a handy feature that lets you listen to articles and discover other great publications. Give it a try!

3. Example Email: Start Here Guide with Top Posts

Subject: Welcome! Your Guide to [Publication Name]

Hi [Name],

Thank you for joining [Publication Name]. I’m so excited to have you here!

To get you started, here are three of my most popular posts:

  1. [Post Title 1 – Include link and brief description]
  2. [Post Title 2 – Include link and brief description]
  3. [Post Title 3 – Include link and brief description]

Feel free to explore these and reply with your thoughts or any questions. I can’t wait to hear from you!

Love,
Karna

P.S. Did you know Substack has an app? You can download it here to read your favorite newsletters, including this one, on the go. It also has a handy feature that lets you listen to articles and discover other great publications. Give it a try!

 

Now that you know how to make a Substack, you’re ready to launch your publication. Substack is a powerful platform for sharing your voice, building your audience, and even making money.

Ready to Start Your Substack Journey?

If all of this sparks excitement and you’re ready to learn how to make money on Substack, I’d love to help! My program, How to Start a Substack, is the perfect place to get started with your Substack. Contact me if you’re ready to turn that dream into a reality with ease and fun, or learn more before jumping in!