It may be time to...Style Your Stack!

And learn the ins & outs of navigating that old backend. Yes, the tech. Yes, that.

So, you want to write on Substack, but you don’t know where to start. Especially when it comes to creating design elements and setting up your new writing/publishing home––your individual newsletter.

Substack is many things to many people, but for some, setting it up is challenging, sometimes downright dumbfounding, and on the whole, not especially intuitive. 

It takes some time to get accustomed to the tech end of things, especially if you’re unfamiliar or uncomfortable with using the platform. Some folks just aren’t techy, nor do they need to be. There are ways to have it all. I can help with that.

You might have a few questions. Here are a selection of the many that have come up for my clients.

Q: What kind of logo should I make? Do I even need one, Nan?

Nan says: Yes, I think you do. It can be simple, yet iconic. Bold and memorable. People will come to equate your brand with you and your stack.

Q: A wordmark? What’s a wordmark? Oh, that’s a wordmark! Some of the ones I’ve seen are so tiny and unreadable. I don’t want that, do I? 

Nan says: No, you certainly don’t want something that’s tiny and unreadable, but you might want a wordmark that reflects your personal style, features a favorite color or font, and pops way more than Substack’s default version of your newsletter’s title. Color and style make a difference.

Q: Do I really want a photo of myself on my welcome page or on my About page?

Nan says: You might! A personal touch is important. Readers appreciate it. It can make them feel more connected to your writing––and to you––in a sweet, and hopefully not stalky way!

Q: Is my “About” page that important?

Nan says:  You bet it is. Why are you writing on Substack? Who are you? What do you want your readers to know? What will you offer a potential subscriber, paid or free? It’s a place to say hello, let readers know what they can expect, what your subscription prices are, and what they’ll get for the level they choose. You can let them know if there are extra perks for upgrading to paid status. Your “About” page is the place to do it.

Q: Stripe? What’s Stripe? Maybe I won’t turn on “accept payments,” the whole process seems too complicated, too intimidating. I hate doing this kind of thing!

Nan says: Nonsense! You deserve to be paid. I’ll guide you through all of it, it’s completely doable–– if not a little annoying at moments––but once it’s done, it’s done. There’s something sort of thrilling each time I get an email from Stripe saying they’re going to deposit $4.67 in my checking account on Tuesday. Or $14.70 on a Friday. I feel so seen, so cared about, and sooooo wealthy!

Q: “Oh, Nan, how do I make this thing work?” you plead, trying to resist pulling your hair out by the roots. “I feel like all I do is go around and around in circles! It doesn’t make sense!”

Nan says: Fret no longer, my dears! I’m here for you. You very well could be going around in circles. There are answers, and that’s where I come in. I’ll teach you how to get it done. Or I’ll do it for you, if that’s what you prefer.

A little about Nan Tepper, the creator of Style Your Stack:

See my About page to find out more about me, my background, and the services I offer and the subscription options.

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