
What is Substack Creator Studio?
Substack Creator Studio is a new initiative for the next generation of creators who want to build subscription communities and products around video, based on a direct connection with their audience. Ten creators will be selected via an application process to produce their own shows and/or communities on Substack. Apply to Substack Creator Studio here.
What do creators receive as part of the program?
Creators will receive:
Expert production and creative consulting from Adam Faze and Gymnasium, the studio behind TikTok sensations Keep the Meter Running, Clockwork Dynasty, and the recently launched Boy Room.
Exclusive features on Substack’s owned channels and surfaces, including our flagship publication, which reaches millions of readers, Substack Reads.
Access to our talented press team, who will spread the word to top media outlets.
Each creator will also receive one-on-one white-glove service from a member of Substack’s Partnerships team, who will assist throughout the onboarding process and launch and set each creator’s publication up for maximum success. The program will culminate in an event highlighting Substack’s best-selling video creators.
What are you looking for in applications?
Social-first creators who have large, engaged followings for their video content and want to create a meaningful home for their work and their subscribers.
Applicants should be highly motivated to launch a show or community supported by subscriptions and make Substack their primary home base for free and premium content. You’ll absolutely still use platforms like TikTok and YouTube for top-of-funnel growth, but Substack should be the destination everything points toward.
Applicants should be excited to engage with their subscribers in the Substack app, and specifically via Substack Chat.
Can anybody apply?
Any U.S.-based individual creator, or small group of creators, can apply.
I already publish on Substack. Can I apply?
Yes. We encourage existing Substack publishers to apply.
I’m outside of the U.S. Can I apply?
Unfortunately, no. This program is just for U.S.-based creators.
What is the timeline?
Applications open: Tuesday, May 7
Applications close: Friday, May 17 at 5 p.m. PST
Final decisions made and winners notified: Wednesday, May 22
Can long-form video creators apply?
Yes. We encourage all types of video creators to apply to the program, so long as they have a sizeable, engaged audience.
How will I know if I have been selected?
We will be in touch via email to let you know if you have been selected. For any creators not selected, we are planning a Substack Masterclass this summer, so stay tuned for more information on that.
I’m interested in starting a Substack today, whether or not I’m selected for the program. What’s the best way to go about that and get set up for success?
Great! We’ve pulled together a getting-started guide for you with all the information you’ll need. See you on Substack!
I have a question about applying for this program. How can I get in touch?
We’ve set up an email here: creatorstudio@substackinc.com. Due to volume, we may not be able to reach out right away, but we’ll try to get to your inquiry as soon as possible. Please only use this email for questions, not to submit your application. Only applications submitted through this form will be reviewed.
Will you do more programs like this in the future?
Yes. We’re always looking for new ways to support writers and creators. Be sure to subscribe to and follow On Substack for updates.
So basically, you're looking for influencers. And it smells like you are attempting to be another tiktok. The ones who really deserve or need the fellow ship aren't the ones already established. This is so much like the art world with the gatekeeping it stinks.
Well said. 💔
I am sad to see this is only for people who already have a large following. I have a dedicated following on Facebook and I have a large following on Pinterest. But I don’t know if my following would fit your criteria for “a large following.”
I started making video content last year as I traveled the USA and started playing violin in all of the states. I will be playing in a lot more states in a few weeks.
I am #TheTravelingViolinist on social media.
And I would love to be a part of your program!
I hope you consider doing this for folks who don’t have a huge following but are looking to get one at some point with the “slow and steady wins the race” mindset that some of us have to be on due to many hard-knock-life reasons.
Absolutely. I just said something very similar myself. I can understand how bringing over huge influencers is going to generate money quickly, but it would be amazing to see them offering this for newer talent as well, who show promise and deserve a chance. I'd love it even more if they did this for writers, too! 😎
100% !!!
Spot on.
Thank you 🩷
This is an incredible opportunity. Good luck to anyone who is applying. It is a shame it's only for Creators who already have a huge following, though, as it would be great to see new talent getting a break and I think that is something that could really make Substack stand out. It would make this the true home of content creators and a place people would come to see the brightest new stars being built and showcasing their work. It would also be amazing to see this happen for writers, too. There are so many people here who deserve a chance to be supported and mentored like this, to help them really make something out of their writing... 😎
This is disheartening indeed. It seems like the cultivation and growth efforts are going towards those who have already achieved growth on their own. I believe it would feel more supportive if you offered cohorts available to many individuals via a recording or a live session that we can implement on our own. In time, those putting in the time and effort to creating work would stand out, and from there, you could select some people to support. I agree with both Jodi Rose on the point of life not being as linear to some of us and Terri on the ones needing support being less established. This just points out what those of us who do have solid writing and a very supportive and engaging audience are lacking in a sense, and it does not feel great.
Yes, I would love to see them focus on nurturing newer talent, as well. There are so many great writers here who are putting in just as much effort as the bigger names, and deserve a break and a chance to be uplifted and have their work seen by a wider audience. It would be amazing if they could support and build up those voices with a programme like this, rather than only helping the ones who are already established... 😎
I agree! Substack should be keen on its motto of supporting writers... mostly on the platform. I am surprised by this new move, the business model seems to be reaching a certain limit perhaps
(Big names, bigger profits).
Well, best of luck with this new direction. I do love the video focus, many great video writers are on Substack. I think of "One Word" for example. There are many talented folks here. I hope it won't be detrimental to the overall spirit of Substack, the one I joined in for.
Spot on Keva. I appreciate your hopeful perspective. The whole reason many of us joined this platform was for the aspect of enjoying reading and sharing words. Longform video content is lovely, I appreciate it as well and hope that the new direction enables smaller publications to still gain readership without detracting from what we have been cultivating.
True! You said it right "What we have been cultivating".
Whatever they decide we still own our worlds within Substack. If small publications get less algorithm-friendly, it won't stop us from writing, sharing, and connecting with fellow writers.
We should also understand the social media paradigm and hack it with our Why, what, and who. Focusing on the readers we have and nurturing that relationship. Influencers rushing on the platform cannot prevent that from being our culture and care as individuals and a collective. If we start losing interest and understanding of what Substack stands for us, then possibly we could find ourselves in another TikTok, or Instagram mirage.
Que sera sera...
In complete agreement Chris. Beautifully shared.
Thank you! I hope they listen to us.
Hi Substack team, this is an incredible opportunity but if you really want to create a product that sets you apart from the market, you should open this up to creators with great ideas and help them grow via your resources. It is much more impactful when you target those that are starting out, especially ones that don't have a large following but are still creative and have great ideas.
There is just too many influencers out there. Think substack should aim to help those of us starting out. We need more support and I believe audiences need an alternative to tiktok. A sober approach to storytelling, without the clout chasing. My take.
Really? So you're looking for people who are already established on other apps to take a chance over here with the idea that everything has to funnel towards Substack. That contradicts your overall message of trying to help people grow on Substack and be independent when the only people you're interested in is poaching influencers off other apps for your own.
Sad that this is limited to those in the U.S. (I'm in Canada) BUT excited about the increased focus re: video here on Substack. I've been feeling stretched too thin re: video content, would MUCH rather focus creating video content on Substack than elsewhere, once functionality/features improve. Fingers crossed!
A fascinating perspective that challenges how I’ve traditionally viewed this topic. https://559.osttopstfreeware.com
https://strands-nyt.io - The game presents a grid of randomly arranged letters.
I don't qualify to apply for this launch program of Substack Creator Studio and all of its perks, but I'm really excited to see this expansion come to Substack and the ability to integrate video into my writing platform.
Looking forward to this expansion. I'm just coming back to my show(s) and my following is large on IG and X. Would love to join something similar. Will look into this further.
Sounds like a great initiative! It's a bit of a shame that it's currently limited to the USA. Hopefully, it'll soon expand to include people from various backgrounds and cultures worldwide. I do like the idea of focusing on creating more video content on Substack, though!
I'm in Brazil and I would love to try. PLEASE include people outside the US
What a cool opportunity! Hope we hear from you.