What is Substack? How do I get started on Substack: A Beginner's Guide (Part 1)
All the links to all the Substack Guides collated for those starting out.
Starting a Substack doesn’t have to be loud, strategic, or overwhelming.
If you’ve been asking yourself “How do I start a Substack?” or even “What is Substack and how does it work?”, this guide is for you.
This is Part 1 of a gentle, practical series that walks you through setting up your Substack step by step.
We’ll cover the essentials: what Substack is, how to set it up, and what actually matters when you’re just starting out.
The Series at a Glance
Part 1 – How to Start a Substack (The Essentials)
Setting up your publication, choosing a name, and understanding the basic tools.
Part 2 – What to Write on Substack & How Often to Publish
Finding your voice, choosing a sustainable rhythm, and building confidence.
Part 3 – How to Grow a Substack Gently (Free vs Paid)
Subscriptions, paid options, and slow, intentional growth.
What Is Substack? (And Is It Right for You?)
Substack is a writing and email platform that lets you publish a newsletter and send it directly to subscribers’ inboxes.
You write posts. Readers subscribe. Your writing lands in their email — without algorithms, ads, or constant social media posting.
Substack combines:
A newsletter
A simple website for your writing
Optional paid subscriptions
It’s especially popular with writers who value depth, connection, and owning their relationship with readers.
Here is a great overview on what you can create on substack.
Get Started Today - Create Your Substack Account
To start a Substack, head here.
Start a publication here with one of the basic themes.
If you already have an email list upload your email list. But don’t keep going if you don’t Substack has a great community you can start sharing and build your audience on there.
You’ll be guided through a simple setup process where you’ll:
Choose a publication name
Create a Substack URL (you can change this later)
Add your name and a short bio
If you’re stuck on names or details, you can come back and change it. Save this how to post for later.
A friendly reminder: many successful Substacks simply use the writer’s own name. This is a great place to start to get a feel of things first.
Decide What You’ll Write About on Substack
One of the most common questions new writers ask is:
“What should I write about on Substack?”
You don’t need a tight niche, but readers do appreciate a sense of direction.
Try finishing this sentence:
I write about…. …for people who…. …so they can…. .
This isn’t a promise for life — just a starting point.
Set Up the Key Pages Readers Look At First
Before you publish an article, it’s worth setting up a few foundational pages.
Your About Page
This is one of the most visited pages on any Substack.
Use it to share:
Who you are
Why you’re writing
What readers can expect
How often you plan to publish (keep this realistic)
About page guidance from Substack.
Your Welcome Page
Your Welcome Page acts as the essential landing page and “book cover” for a publication, appearing to new, unsubscribed visitors to explain the newsletter’s value and convert them into subscribers. It typically includes a logo, a one-line description, a cover photo, the creator’s name, and a, clear subscription button.
Here is Substack’s guidance on Welcome Page.
Your Welcome Email
Every new subscriber receives this automatically.
Keep it warm and human:
Thank them for being there
Tell them what you’re exploring
Invite them to reply (this builds real connection)
Follow this great guide from Substack on how to set it up.
Your Profile
A clear photo and thoughtful bio help readers trust you. This is what invites new readers to subscribe so it deserves some thought.
Here is Substack’s profile settings guide.
Should You Start a Free or Paid Substack?
Another very common question is: “Should I start a free or paid Substack?”
If you’re just beginning, starting with free posts is often the simplest and least pressured option.
It allows you to:
Find your voice
Build confidence
Learn what resonates with readers
Here is a guide to setting up a paid subscription.
But one thing I have seen done well is starting free to build your audience so there is no barrier to the subscribing.
Once your audience is larger, you can add in some paid options. Doing it this way gives you a better chance of getting on the bestsellers list as a lot of people are signing up for paid at once, rather than one by one as they find you. This makes you more visibe.
But some people with an audience or great value proposition start paid and do really well. It is up to you. And you can change it later.
How to Publish Your First Post on Substack
Your first post doesn’t need to be polished. It just needs to be real.
Good first-post ideas include:
Why you’re starting this Substack
What you’re curious about right now
A personal story connected to your main theme
When you publish, you can choose to:
Send it as an email
Post it on your Substack site
Or both (most writers choose both)
What Comes Next
In Part 2, we’ll explore:
* What to write when you feel stuck
* How often to publish without burning out
* Writing with confidence, even when you’re unsure
In Part 3, we’ll look at:
Growing your Substack slowly and steadily
Free vs paid subscriptions
Staying grounded as your readership grows
You don’t need to do everything today.
Set up the space.
Write the first post.
Let the rest unfold in its own time.
