How to launch a show on Substack

A quick checklist to getting started for video creators

Easy stuff

• Claim your subdomain here if you don’t already have one and pick a title

• Connect Stripe and be sure to hide any personal contact info. Many publishers use a personal Google Voice account

• Download the Substack app

Copywriting and strategy

• Come up with your free vs. paid video content strategy for your subscribe page

• Create an About page explaining who you are and what you plan to do on Substack with video, community and/or writing tools

• Write a one-line description and set up your Welcome page

• Create a launch video or post

• Write your welcome emails for free and paid subscribers

Website customization

Check out this guide for brand guidelines.

• Select colors and homepage layout for your publication

• Update your cover photo, logo, and watermark (if you have them) 

• Update the information in your Substack reader profile, including linking your social accounts

• Enable Substack Chat

Launch

• Be sure to drop in buttons to download the Substack app and reply to your Chat in the body of your post 

• Publish your launch post and grab the link in our share center 

• Share a video about your new Substack on Substack Notes

• Announce your Substack launch on socials—check out @jenneatsgoood as an example

• Send news of your Substack to all your friends and followers

• Change bio links in your social channels to your new Substack

• Ask friends to promote your launch posts or recommend your publication

• Start a thread in your Chat—say hi, ask your subscribers to introduce themselves, and remind them to download the app for the best Chat experience!