The Ultimate (Short) Guide to Structuring Your Substack Posts
Substack tips & tricks
When structuring Substack posts, it’s important to keep in mind that your goal is to engage and inform your audience, while respecting their time. And adding a little fun to it can’t hurt either.
Here are some tips to help you structure your Substack posts effectively:
Go for click-worthy headlines: Use power words, keep it short, and let the imagination roll
Start with a clear introduction: Begin your post with an attention-grabbing opening that clearly introduces your topic and lets readers know what to expect. Or jump right into the content without blabbering. Time’s valuable.
Break up your content: Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to break up your content into easy-to-digest chunks. This not only makes your post more visually appealing but also helps your readers quickly find the information they need.
Keep it concise: Substack posts should be relatively short and to the point. Aim for around 500–1000 words per post. Even shorter if you publish frequently (daily, multiple times per week), and longer if you publish less often (weekly, monthly).
Use examples and stories: People love personal or unique stories, so try to incorporate examples and anecdotes to help illustrate your points and make your post more engaging. Honestly, I typically forget this crucial step.
End with a call to action: End your post with a clear call to action that encourages your readers to engage with you or take some kind of action. This could be anything from a continue reading button, a reminder to subscribe to your newsletter, or a hint to leave a comment and share your post on the web.
Further visual aids are large colored buttons for important links you don’t want your readers to miss, dividers (lines) above or below important sections, and relevant media like images, GIFs, videos, and more.
Remember, the most significant thing is to provide value to your readers. This ain’t social media. Your Substack is a newsletter with a direct connection to your readers one on one. It’s a big deal for many to let you into their personal inbox. Respect that!
With these 6 easy steps, you’ll make your Substack posts visually appealing and easy to follow.