How to Start a Substack
A practical walkthrough for brands and founders setting up a Substack newsletter, from naming to the first ten posts.
A newsletter gives you a direct line to your audience that no algorithm can take away. Substack makes the setup simple, but a few early decisions shape everything that follows.
1. Decide what the newsletter is for
Pick one job for it: thought leadership, product news, community or paid content. Mixing all four in the first month confuses readers.
2. Set up the publication
- Choose a name and a one-line promise readers can repeat
- Write an About page that says who it is for
- Connect a custom domain if you have one
3. Plan your first posts
Draft several posts before you launch so you can keep a steady schedule while you learn what resonates.
Formats that work well
- Short weekly roundups
- Behind-the-scenes stories
- Interviews with customers or partners
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