Pep talk! How to be a genius on Substack
Because you and what you're doing matters...
Good morning/afternoon!
I wanted to share why what you’re doing here matters, a realization I had, and what’s coming on Substack Writers at Work (SW@W) and the Writers at Work Studio.
Not to be missed…
1. Substack Demystified Workshop and Celebration for all subscribers
Friday, 9/26 at 1-1:45 PM CT
Zoom
Complimentary
For all SW@W subscribers
Get the Substack platform mechanics that make everything easier: learn the three critical settings, navigate the dashboard—plus celebrate your work, what you’re doing, and all you’re going to do. BYOC: Bring Your Own Cake/Refreshment.
2. Replay of our live: You’re Writing So Much More Than a Substack with Mason Currey
Don’t miss the replay of my interview with Mason Currey of Subtle Maneuvers. We talk about using Substack as a tool, not yet another platform to game; patience over pressure; sustainable scheduling; going analog; creating community without performing; and more.
3. Tuesday posts:
The New “Rules” Around Paywalling: Paid subscribers will learn the new approach to paywalling that digital media publishers are adopting. Why? Because the old ways don’t work.
Why It’s Better Not to Go Viral: When newcomers flood a platform promising viral tricks, it's time to reassess. I’ll share what I’ve learned from 700+ 1:1 clients about why “going viral” may not be the best goal—and what works better.
Upcoming Writers at Work Writing Studio Intensives and Courses
Separate from the paid subscription and Premier Membership—but both get discounts!
Substack DNA Intensive: The Essential Component for Real Growth
Discover your Substack DNA in one day intensive—because real, sustainable growth won’t happen without knowing what obsesses you, what makes your publication uniquely yours, and what you could write about endlessly without getting bored.
10/3
Free to Premier Members
$185
Annual paid subscribers get 20% off
Registration opens 9/19
How to Write a Substack Devoted Readers Will Pay For
6-week writing course covering the creative writing skills that turn Substacks and newsletters into revenue streams: humor that creates connection, the components of viral posts, personal writing that converts, headline mastery to increase open rates, voice development that makes your Substack you, creating a content calendar that works, and becoming the kind of storyteller that sparks engagement in the comments—plus weekly feedback on your actual posts.
This is the exact creative writing curriculum I teach at Northwestern University (and you don’t have to get 1560 on the SATs or pay Northwestern tuition to take it)
10/24 - 12/6
$1585
Annual paid subscribers and Premier Members get 10% off
Registration opens 10/8
*Annual subscribers and Premier Members receive discounts on all Writers at Work Studio intensives and courses.
You're the best, Sarah! Thank you for the wisdom, the cats, and the encouragement. Hope you get outside for some Vitamin N, and you get some Sarah-time today too.
Awesome. Thank you. Would you start providing transcripts for your videos? That would be really helpful.