Are you ready to share your voice with the world through video content on Substack? Whether you're a seasoned creator or just starting out, Substack offers a straightforward platform to publish your work and connect with your audience. In this guide, I'll walk you through the process of setting up your Substack account and publishing your first video. By the end, you'll be ready to share your message and grow your audience with ease!
Step 1: Visit the Substack Homepage
To get started, open your browser and go to substack.com. Substack is a platform primarily known for written newsletters, but it now supports video content as well. It's perfect for creators looking to combine the power of both mediums.
On the homepage, you'll see a clear layout with options to discover new newsletters, sign in, or create a new account. Let’s focus on the latter.
Step 2: Creating Your Substack Account
Once you're on the homepage, look for the two options Create your Substack or Start Publishing button. If you’re already logged in, feel free to skip this step. But if you're new to the platform, click on Create your Substack and enter your email address. Substack will guide you through the steps to create an account. You can skip those steps by clicking on Skip for Now or take actions as prompted, It’s that simple!
You’ll be prompted to choose your creator profile—make sure to select a name and description that reflects the essence of your brand. This is what your subscribers will see, so make it count!
Step 3: Setting Up Your Publishing Preferences
Once you've created your account, you'll land on your dashboard. This is where all the magic happens—your control center for creating content, engaging with your subscribers, and tracking your analytics.
Before publishing, take a moment to set up your publishing preferences:
Newsletter Title: What do you want to call your newsletter? Choose a name that reflects your content or mission.
Logo and Design: You can personalize your newsletter by adding a logo and choosing your design settings.
Monetization Settings: If you want to charge for access to your newsletter or certain content, set up your monetization preferences here (Currently in India this option is not availalbe).
Once you're happy with your settings, it's time to dive into content creation!
Step 4: Creating Your First Video Post
Now comes the exciting part—publishing your first video on Substack!
From your dashboard, click on New Post and select Video. If you don’t see this option, make sure that you have the latest updates from Substack, as they continue to roll out new features.
Here’s what you’ll need to do next:
Add a Title: Choose a catchy and descriptive title for your video post. Remember, the title is often what grabs people's attention.
Write a Description: Provide a brief introduction to your video. This is your opportunity to give context, build anticipation, and encourage your audience to watch.
Upload Your Video: You can either upload a pre-recorded video from your device or paste a link if you’ve hosted it on YouTube or another platform. If your video is on YouTube, simply paste the link, and Substack will embed it in your post.
Step 5: Preview and Edit Your Post
Before you hit publish, it's a good idea to preview your post. Substack provides a Preview button that lets you see how your post will look to subscribers. Double-check that your title, description, and video are displaying correctly. You can also make any last-minute tweaks here—polish your language or adjust the formatting to make your post more visually appealing.
Step 6: Publishing Your Video Post
When you're satisfied with your content, it's time to publish! Just click the Publish button, and your video will go live for all your subscribers to enjoy. Depending on your settings, your post may also be available to non-subscribers who visit your page, so you can attract new readers (or viewers) in the process.
After publishing, Substack will automatically notify your subscribers through email, letting them know about your new video post. It’s that easy!
Step 7: Engage With Your Audience
Once your post is live, your job isn’t over. Substack provides a space for comments, allowing you to engage with your audience directly. Responding to questions and comments can help foster a stronger connection with your subscribers, turning them into loyal fans.
Step 8: Promote Your Video Post
To maximize the reach of your video, share it across your social media platforms. Substack also gives you a direct link to each post, which you can share in WhatsApp groups, Facebook pages, Instagram stories, or wherever your audience hangs out.
Remember, consistency is key! The more regular you are with publishing, the more engaged your audience will become.
Why Substack Is Perfect for Video Creators
You might be wondering—why choose Substack for video when there are so many other platforms? The answer lies in its unique blend of email newsletter functionality and video support. With Substack, your videos reach your audience’s inbox directly, bypassing the noise of traditional social media platforms. It’s a great way to cultivate a dedicated following that’s invested in your content.
Join My Substack Newsletter for More Tips and Insights!
If you found this guide helpful and want more tips on creating content, growing your audience, and publishing effectively on Substack, make sure to subscribe to my Substack newsletter. You’ll get weekly updates straight to your inbox, packed with actionable advice and strategies to help you succeed in the digital space.
Join My Live Workshop Every Sunday!
For a more in-depth look at how to grow your digital brand, join my Live Workshop every Sunday at 11 a.m. where I teach aspiring creators how to launch their own digital products from scratch. Spots fill up quickly, so be sure to reserve your seat now by signing up at live.skillmaker.in.
PS: If at first you don’t succeed, just remember: even Substack had to create an account once! Keep trying, and soon you’ll be publishing like a pro!
