Why most Substack advice fails
The graphic I’ve been dying to show you
Your subscription explained
A story and a gift
Why most Substack advice fails
Indeed it does.
Most Substack advice is scattered, recycled from the internet or AI, and/or one person’s experience.
Of course, you can ask AI what to do, but Substack is changing so fast that AI advice is outdated.
And yes, you can follow someone who just got to Substack, but they’re probably using AI and recycled internet advice that’s also outdated (or taking from someone else, which, well, sucks).
You can try to do what one person did, but what makes each Substack successful is so individual that it will take you decades to follow enough people to find what will work for you to build an engaged list long term.
The graphic I’ve been dying to show you
I’ve been helping people on Substack for a long time. What I give you is always the most timely, cutting-edge guidance that’s based on real data from the proprietary framework I’ve developed working 1:1 with over 700 clients and thousands of you here.
This isn’t a static map or some theoretical “system” retrieved from AI.
It’s tactical, timely, grounded in real data, and meant to empower you, not make you try to game yet another platform.
It’s what’s helped my private clients and premier members—including CNN political analyst Kirsten Powers; Publisher’s Weekly editor, poet, and entrepreneur Maya Popa; former CNN commentator Chris Cizzila; influencer Ajiri Aki; bestselling author and entrepreneur Joy Sullivan; author, podcaster, and viral TED speaker Sarah Knight; publisher, podcaster, and bestselling author Zibby Owens; and those brand new to Substack with zero online presence—double and triple and quadruple and 10x their subscribers, substantially increase their revenue, build their platforms, grow their audiences and communities, see real engagement, produce their best work, and use Substack to create opportunities like book deals, clients, speaking gigs, and more.
Your subscription explained
The support you need depends on your preferences and what you want to invest in your Substack:
Free subscribers get a taste of what we do with occasional posts and lives.
The paid subscription gives you so much—DIY with community support and all of my weekly guidance no matter what stage you’re at, resources, live sessions with Substack creators on how to make Substack your own, and the original Notes Boost Challenges (September=30 days!).
The guidance you get here is premium and comes at a premium though not a steep one—the cost of a scratch-off lottery ticket a week with much better odds. (Annual ~ $2.11/week)
The Premier Membership is a one-year, all-in-one mentorship with direct access to me and a community of committed Substack writers and creators. It’s a larger investment and for those who’ve taken my Foundations course, have been on Substack actively for three months or more, or feel very comfortable with the platform. We don’t cover the basics.
It evolved from the Cohort and Mastermind.
Substack is exploding. We want to be smart, supported, precious with our time and energy, agile, and make this platform a place where you’re in control.
A story and a gift…
*Other Substack educators doing original, engaging work include other veterans like
and —we’re very different from each other—both highly recommended.
I've got so much out of my paid subscriptions to you and Claire Venus, I really appreciate your hard work and longevity here! 🧡☺️👏
My father died 30 years ago today. I loved him very much and I miss him every day. August 19 is always a difficult day for me, so today I decided to do nice things, like working on my Substack, doing some branding. Things that bring me joy, and it's working! I haven't cried since the morning.