Substack Basics for Writers
Tips for Success from Our Story Summit Class
If you’ve ever dreamed of sharing your writing with the world—on your terms—Substack may be the most accessible, powerful tool available today. Whether you’re an emerging writer or a seasoned author exploring new platforms, this beginner-friendly newsletter service has quickly become a go-to publishing space for storytellers, thought leaders, poets, journalists, and creators of all kinds.
Over the course of three engaging sessions in the Substack Success class, hosted by Story Summit and led by longtime columnist Julie Gammack and bestselling author Debra Engle, writers got a hands-on walkthrough of what it takes to launch and grow a Substack column. What follows are some of the most important takeaways—peppered with advice, inspiration, and a few golden rules to help you start strong.
Why Substack?
At its core, Substack is a platform for writing and publishing newsletters—via email and the web. But it’s also a publishing model that puts the power in your hands. There are no gatekeepers, no fancy tech requirements, and no need to wait for someone to say “yes” to your voice. It’s as simple as: you write, you publish, you build your own audience.
Julie, a veteran journalist and early Substack adopter, emphasized that many writers start by publishing for free—and that’s perfectly okay. For those who eventually choose to monetize, Substack makes it easy to set up paid subscriptions, accept tips, or offer founding member options.
But the heart of Substack isn’t money—it’s connection. It’s about using your authentic voice to show up regularly in your readers’ inboxes and create a relationship built on trust, story, and purpose.
“Substack is an ideological mission to create a better system that can encourage a better kind of culture…It’s truly a platform for writers, and it was developed by writers.”
—Hamish Mackenzie
Naming Your Column: What’s Your Promise?
One of the first questions new Substackers face is: What do I name my column? Julie’s advice: “Think of your title as a promise to your reader.”
Whether your column is poetic, practical, or personal, your name should hint at the experience or insight your readers can expect. Ask yourself:
What’s the essence of what I want to share?
Is my title clear or too clever?
Will readers know what they’re getting—and feel excited to return?
Don’t overthink it, but don’t be vague. A title like “The Grief House,” for example, immediately conveys tone and theme. A column called “Open Window” may sound beautiful, but without context, it could be about anything from weather to soul-searching.
Still stuck? You can always start with your name and adjust later. Substack lets you rebrand when the time feels right.
Frequency: How Often Should You Post?
The most successful Substackers are consistent. That doesn’t mean daily—or even weekly—but it does mean you should choose a rhythm that’s realistic and sustainable for you.
Deb reminded writers: “It’s better to show up regularly than to burn out quickly.” Whether you post once a week or once a month, setting expectations builds reader trust—and helps you maintain your creative momentum.
And remember it’s your column. You’re allowed to change, evolve, or take breaks. Just communicate with your readers when you do.
The Power of the Welcome Email
When someone subscribes to your Substack, they’ll automatically receive a welcome message. Julie and Deb encouraged writers to personalize this message—it’s one of the most overlooked tools for building loyalty.
Rather than sending a generic “thanks for subscribing,” use the welcome email to:
Introduce yourself and your column’s purpose.
Let readers know what to expect (e.g., how often you’ll post)
Offer a personal note of gratitude or even a story.
Make this message feel human and heartfelt. It’s the first impression—and it’s worth making it memorable.
Getting the Word Out (Without Being Annoying)
Once your column is live, how do you get people to actually read it?
Julie recommends starting with people you already know—your “natural audience.” That may be friends, family, writing groups, social media connections, or former colleagues. But don’t just dump them onto your subscriber list. In fact, importing a big list of emails without consent is a major no-no.
Instead, send a personal email or post that says something like:
“Hey, I’ve started a Substack column. If you’d like to subscribe, here’s the link. I’d love to have you join me.”
It’s ethical, respectful, and much more likely to bring in engaged readers. Substack’s organic growth often comes from readers sharing your post with others, so your first wave of subscribers should feel genuinely invited—not cornered.
Writing Your First Post (And What Comes Next)
The first post often feels the hardest—but it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few great ways to start:
Introduce your column and your “why.”
Share a personal story that captures your voice.
Offer value—through inspiration, reflection, humor, or information.
Analytics Without Overwhelm
Substack’s analytics can tell you how many people opened your post, clicked links, or subscribed—but don’t obsess over the numbers. Especially at first.
Instead, focus on engagement. Are readers replying? Sharing? Mentioning your column in conversation?
Julie suggested watching for quiet clues: if someone writes back to you, that’s gold. If five people forward your post to friends, that’s growth. If you feel energized and proud after hitting “send,” that’s success.
Final Encouragement: Your Voice Matters
Substack success isn’t about follower count or perfect branding. It’s about showing up with honesty, heart, and consistency.
Julie left writers with this encouragement: “If you have something to say, Substack is your microphone. Don’t wait for permission.”
So, here’s your invitation: Start messy. Start now. Share what you know, what you’ve lived, what you’re learning. Whether it’s poetry or politics, essays or encouragement, your story deserves to be read.
And if you do start a Substack? Let us know. We’d love to cheer you on.
Interested in learning more?
Story Summit offers tools, classes, and community to support writers at every stage of their journey. You don’t have to do this alone.
If you’re looking for more Substack education and support, we have an advanced class, Substack Success— Next Level Strategies, coming up on Monday, July 28. Requirements include that you attended the first Story Summit Substack class in June or that you have an active Substack column.
Looking to learn the basics or just getting started on Substack? Substack Success was one of our most popular classes, so we will be offering the introduction class again in the fall. Visit our website or download the Story Summit App for Android or Apple for timely announcements on upcoming classes and so much more.
Apply Now for a Full Scholarship to Our Her Spirit Women’s Writing Retreat
We’re offering two full scholarships for the incredible Her Spirit Writing Retreat this August 24-28 in Santa Cruz, CA, and the 5-day application window is open!
Simply submit a 250-word paragraph on what motivates you to apply, plus a three-page (double-spaced) writing sample. There is a $25 application fee. Recipients will be announced by early August.
Her Spirit is a gathering of women writers devoted to craft, courage, and community. The five soul-nourishing days include workshops on craft by bestselling and award-winning authors, time to write, and space for deep reflection. It’s a rare opportunity to step away from the noise, lift up your voice and your writing, and feel the support of other women in a place of spectacular beauty.
What’s Coming Up at Story Summit?
Here are a few of our upcoming classes and events. Check out the complete schedule at www.storysummit.us.
July 27: Book & Film Club: Soul Binder with Author Kit Danforth (Free)
Kit Danforth is an award-winning playwright, poet, and novelist whose stories whisk readers into realms of magic, mystery, and myth. With a passion for epic adventures, she writes sweeping adult fantasy and middle-grade quests filled with wonder and heart. In this lively discussion with Kit, we’ll learn her motivations for writing the book and her path to publishing.
July 28, August 4 & 11: Substack Success—Next Level Strategies with Julie Gammack and Deb Engle
This class is a three-part advanced training designed for alumni of our previous class or others with a Substack already in motion. This live, interactive series is your chance to get personalized feedback, explore advanced tools, and learn directly from writers who are using Substack in creative and powerful ways.
July 29: Lunch & Learn, What’s Your Problem? - Shoring Up the End of Act I with Screenwriter Carl Ellsworth
In this one-hour session, Carl Ellsworth will teach you why you don’t need any more problems—but your protagonist absolutely needs one. The “big problem” that visits your protagonist in the first act generates momentum, drive, and much-needed urgency in your script. In this Lunch and Learn, we’ll zero in on and simply define your big problem, because everything depends on it!
Story Summit was founded by David Kirkpatrick, the former president of Paramount Studios and former chief of production for Disney. From the beginning of Story Summit, his dream has been to help make writers’ dreams come true. It’s happening in big ways, so from time to time we’ll feature Summiteers whose work is being published or produced and let you know how they did it.
We hope that one of those writers will someday be you. Please reach out, leave a comment, and check out our links. And most of all, please join us! We’d love to welcome you to our Story Summit community.