Tips for building your community on Substack, courtesy of Bailey Richardson, who helped shape the communities around Instagram, IDEO, and Pop-Up Magazine.
For now, we have a basic search tool that's not really public (because it's not fully developed), but that's about it: substack.com/search. Otherwise, the leaderboards at substack.com can be helpful.
Might be a bit off-topic but just testing before getting started:
Overcoming the quirky behavior of the editor I compose a post including body text [normal] in the default serif font. The post shows up on the website perfectly, but when test posts are sent the recipient sees body text in a sans-serif font.
It doesn't look so classy, but worse, the sans-serif font requires more line space and looks ragged.
Have tested on all platforms, Windows, Android, iPhone and various browsers and email clients, including 'allow use of other fonts' in email client settings. Same result throughout.
This is great advice for those of us who might be, ahem, dinosaurs trying to adapt to new media. Thanks for this!
This is awesome, feels like a breadcrumb trail through the forest! Lots to think about here.
One thing I’m not clear on: can only paid subscribers comment on posts or post on discussion threads or can anyone signed up for your Substack do so?
For normal posts, only paying subscribers can comment.
For discussion threads, the author chooses. Public thread = anybody with an email can comment.
That way, you only get comments from the wide world when you specifically choose to (by making a public thread)
Thanks for clarifying. I’m still building my audience so haven’t opted to switch to paid subscribers yet.
Got it. In that case, if you want you could try a public thread :)
Thank you, a helpful article. I'm starting to use discussions now, weekly at the same time, affirmed with this advice. Tonight's chat: https://readingbyexample.com/2020/01/08/what-can-we-learn-from-a-students-book-box-wednesdaywondering/
This is great! But first I need some subscribers, right? Otherwise how can I have a conversation?
Can you search interests or publications on here like on Medium?
For now, we have a basic search tool that's not really public (because it's not fully developed), but that's about it: substack.com/search. Otherwise, the leaderboards at substack.com can be helpful.
Great advice, I really like the who/why/what sentence structure to help frame things in better light. Clarity is key!
Merci des conseils, pour un noviste c'est important ...
Great article! I really liked the tip on thinking about what a problem might be that people can solve together (and examples). Thx!
Great piece thank you!
Thanks for sharing this! Great stuff here for those struggling with the "why."
Might be a bit off-topic but just testing before getting started:
Overcoming the quirky behavior of the editor I compose a post including body text [normal] in the default serif font. The post shows up on the website perfectly, but when test posts are sent the recipient sees body text in a sans-serif font.
It doesn't look so classy, but worse, the sans-serif font requires more line space and looks ragged.
Have tested on all platforms, Windows, Android, iPhone and various browsers and email clients, including 'allow use of other fonts' in email client settings. Same result throughout.
Anyone have a suggestion on this please?
TIA