The Substack Mastermind Membership
Get on the waitlist...
The Mastermind Membership will save you from wasting years, flailing around on Substack, trying to figure out what works, and not seeing any growth.
The Mastermind is sold out for this cycle. To get on the waitlist for our next opening, go here.
The Substack Mastermind is really special…
It’s where committed Substack writers, creators, and visionaries seeking long-term growth gather for expert guidance and mastermind opportunities via:
Monthly Substack Masterclasses
Supportive “hotseat: feedback to observe the kind of feedback I give my private clients and use it for your own Substack
Collaboration and networking opportunities you can’t find anywhere else
✨ It’s the only place to receive white-glove support to accelerate your financial, professional, and creative growth on Substack, i.e., increase paid subscribers, grow a platform, and become a Substack pro.
What you'll experience in your 12-month Mastermind membership
$985/year (~$82/month)
Monthly Masterclasses and mastermind calls—where I take you through the proven growth strategies and processes I typically share only with my 1:1 clients, including how to discover your Substack DNA and use it for long-term growth and make Substack just one part of a profitable business model
The only direct live access to me outside my 1:1s on group calls
Exclusive mastermind breakout rooms with a team of other committed Substack writers and creators so you can achieve your goals on Substack
Notes Challenges—intensive and supportive periods of Notes support and engagement (Mastermind members have quadrupled their subscribers—one went from 1300 to 6000 subscribers in just over a month using my strategies and the Challenges)
Everything in the paid membership, including weekly posts, exclusive Lives with top Substack creators, Friday Notes Boosts, and the 24/7 Support Chat to get your questions answered
Current paid subscribers, the prorated amount you’ve already paid will be credited to your account after you upgrade.
✨ “Sarah paid for herself before we met. I made a thousand bucks before I bought a session. It’s all because of Sarah. I came to her work and I was like, 'I get this, I understand what I'm doing.’ Sarah spelled it all out for me. What she does is so valuable. And I'm just so grateful.”
—Cassidy Frost, Dedicate Your Life to Music
📈 These are the same techniques my clients use to get results
Jeannine Ouellete’s paid subscriptions (at $50/year) increased from 560 to 953 in 70 days.
She’s now at 2000 paid subscribers.
✨ “Sarah is brilliant and knows Substack inside out. She also listens deeply and gets to know you and your goals for your newsletter, both short and long term. Sarah earned my trust in the first five minutes. Her guidance is not cookie cutter; it’s very precisely tailored based on your specific publication and vision.”
—Jeannine Ouellette, Writing in the Dark
David Roberts became a featured Substack, a Substack bestseller, and grew by 4000 subscribers in just one year.
He’s now at over 7000 subscribers.
✨ “The result has been an improvement in the quality of my posts and a surge in subscribers. I’m also having a lot more fun as a Substack writer. She is a superb teacher.”
—David Roberts, Sparks from Culture
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens in the monthly Mastermind Sessions?
Direct analysis of members’ Substacks through hot seats
Strategic solutions to resolve common Substack challenges, especially in terms of growth and paid subscribers
Step-by-step implementation of those solutions on your Substack in real time
Facilitated breakout rooms for guidance and collaboration
When are the live calls?
Second Friday each month: 9 AM Central
Second Saturday each month: 12:30 PM Central
Replays available (though live attendance delivers the most value)
When does it start?
Below and in your welcome email, you’ll receive the links to register for:
Our Mastermind onboarding call: 3/15 at 2 PM
Our upcoming call: Choose between 3/14 at 12 PM or 3/15 at 12:30 PM
What makes this different from the paid subscription?
The regular Substack Writers at Work membership no longer includes live workshops or replays.
Aside from my 1:1s, the Mastermind is now the only opportunity to ask me questions in real-time.
It’s also the only place to get direct feedback on your Substack and connect with other serious Substack writers and creators.
Is there a monthly payment option available?
No, the Mastermind is only available as a one-time annual payment. This commitment ensures our Mastermind remains stable and focused throughout the full 12-month journey.
I'm already a paid subscriber to SW@W. Does the Mastermind include all those benefits?
Yes, absolutely. The Mastermind includes everything in the paid membership (all posts, resources, and Notes Boosts) plus the exclusive Masterclasses and mastermind sessions.
Will I be credited for my existing SW@W paid subscription?
Yes. Current paid subscribers will have their prorated remaining subscription amount credited after upgrading. While the system may initially show the full price during checkout, the credit will be applied after your purchase. You won't be double-charged.
How often are the Mastermind sessions?
Two sessions per month: typically on the second Friday (9 AM Central) and second Saturday (12:30 PM Central). Replays will be available, but live attendance provides the greatest value.
What if I can't attend all sessions live?
All sessions will be recorded so you can watch the replays and still benefit from the insights. However, to get feedback on your specific Substack during hot seats, you’ll want to attend live when possible.
Is there a limit to how many people can join?
Yes, spots in this Mastermind are strictly limited. Once this enrollment period closes, you’ll miss the opportunity to join this particular group of Substack writers working together.
Can I get a refund if it’s not for me?
Due to the exclusive nature of this program and the limited spots available, the Mastermind investment is non-refundable. I'm confident in the value you'll receive, which is why I highlight that you'll earn back your investment with just 10-15 new paid subscribers.
> Real Results, Real Growth
My most committed clients have:
Launched successful writing careers
10x’d (and more) their subscribers
Substantially increased their revenue
Established six-figure incomes
Built engaged communities of loyal readers
Created additional revenue streams
Attracted the attention of literary agents and editors
More importantly, they’ve:
Built genuine connections with their readers
Created sustainable systems that work for them
Developed skills they can use anywhere
Gained clarity on their unique path
Found their authentic voice on the platform
What qualifies me to do this?
I’m the leading Substack Growth Strategist, plus:
the creator of two bestselling, featured Substacks
the founder of Substack Writers at Work, a Top 3 bestselling Substack, globally
a mentor to thousands of Substack writers
an award-winning, bestselling author at HarperCollins (Pathological: The True Story of Six Misdiagnoses)
a freelance writer at The New York Times, The Atlantic, et al.
a literary scholar with an MFA, MA, PhD
on the faculty at Northwestern University
former advisory editor at The Paris Review
so fortunate to have 30,000+ active Substack subscribers
the go-to Substack expert
Lover of all things Substack and cats