Starting a Substack
A longer read this week as we add the My Home Office spin on starting a Substack.
With more than four years of writing a weekly Substack, I have some thoughts on how to start a ‘stack’. I was recently interviewed on that very topic. Here’s the first part of that interview.
Q: What’s the biggest mistake you see people make when starting a Substack newsletter?
A: People assume it works like Field of Dreams that if they build it, readers will magically show up. A Substack is more like self-publishing a book. Once you have book in hand, the real work begins--marketing. Even people you expect to be no-brainer subscribers—friends, colleagues and your existing network often don’t sign up. You have to build your own audience, and that takes consistent effort.
Q: What should someone do immediately after publishing their first issue?
A: First, post a Note. Notes are Substack’s version of social media, and they’re one of the fastest ways to get visibility inside the platform. Then share your post on your own social channels. Just as important: subscribe to other Substacks and recommend the ones you genuinely like. When you recommend another publication, readers from both newsletters can see that connection—and curiosity alone can bring new people to your work.
Q: Some writers worry that recommending other Substacks sends readers away. How do you respond to that?
A: The foundation is good content. If readers like what you write, they’ll come back. Recommending quality Substacks actually enhances your credibility, especially when they cover a similar subject area. It shows you’re thoughtful, well-read, and part of a larger conversation—not just shouting into the void.
Q: You emphasize “good content” a lot. What does that actually mean?
A: Good content starts with genuine interest. You should care about what you’re writing. It also needs to be in your voice and reflect your point of view. Just like on a website, social media, or a traditional newsletter, stories sell—or in this case, they get people to stick around. The goal is to earn trust and engagement first. Free subscribers today can absolutely become paid subscribers later.
For the rest of the interview, take advantage of your free trial.
What does DOGE have on you?
It’s a great question. If you’re a US citizen, you have the right to request it. And you can use this form letter provided by Congressman Jamie Raskin of Maryland.
