5 Questions Every New Substack Writer Asks Before They Launch
If you’re stuck starting your publication, these are usually the real questions underneath.
If you’re wondering how to start a Substack publication and what beginners should know before launching, these are the five questions most new writers ask first.
When people first start thinking about launching a Substack publication, the biggest obstacle usually isn’t writing.
It’s uncertainty.
New writers tend to circle the same questions again and again before they ever publish their first post.
Questions like:
What should I name my Substack?
When should I turn on paid subscriptions?
What should go behind the paywall?
How long should my first article be?
What should I actually write about?
If you’ve been thinking about starting a Substack but haven’t launched yet, chances are one of these questions has slowed you down.
Let’s walk through the most common ones.
1. How Do I Choose My Substack Name?
This is often the first point where people get stuck.
They want the name to be perfect before they launch.
In reality, the best Substack names are usually clear and descriptive, not overly clever.
A simple rule is this:
Your publication name should tell the reader what the publication is about.
Examples:
How We Grow
The Bitcoin Report
Unstuck to Published
Write With AI
Commercial Fiction Club
A clear name helps readers immediately understand what they’re subscribing to.
And remember: you can always refine things later.
2. When Should I Turn On Paid Subscriptions?
Many new writers delay turning on paid subscriptions because they feel they need a large audience first.
In reality, you can turn on paid subscriptions much earlier than most people think.
The key is having a clear idea of:
What readers receive.
What problem you help solve for your audience.
What kind of content will live behind the paywall.
What your offer is, who is it for, and what are you promising them.
You can continue publishing free articles while offering additional depth for paid readers.
The important thing is that the offer is clear.
3. What Part of the Article Goes Behind the Paywall?
This is another very common question.
The simplest way to think about it is this:
The free section explains the idea.
The paid section explains how to apply it.
Free readers should still receive value from the article.
However, paid readers receive the deeper insights, frameworks, and detailed breakdowns.
This makes the paywall feel fair to readers while rewarding those who choose to support your work.
4. What Should My First Substack Article Be About?
Your first article doesn’t need to be complicated.
In fact, the best first posts are often simple.
Some good starting options include:
Explaining what your publication will cover.
Sharing the story behind why you started writing on Substack.
Answering a common question in your field.
Your first article is simply a starting point, not a final product.
The most important step is publishing.
5. What If I Don’t Feel Ready Yet?
This is the quiet question behind all the others.
Many writers believe they need to feel fully prepared before they launch their publication.
However in practice, most successful Substack writers learned by doing.
They launched the publication.
They wrote the first post.
They published 2-3 more articles.
Then, they refined things over time.
Momentum usually comes after the first few posts, not before.
The Real Pattern Behind These Questions
All five of these questions point to the same thing.
New writers are often trying to solve every problem before they ever publish, but Substack works best when you approach it as a process:
Launch the publication.
Write the first article.
Learn as you go.
Clarity usually appears through action.
If You’re Stuck Right Now
The Most Important Step When Starting a Substack
If you’re thinking about starting a Substack publication, the most important step isn’t answering every question perfectly.
It’s simply getting started.
You can refine the name, improve the structure, and experiment with the paywall, but none of those things happen until the publication exists.
Start simple. Then build from there.
— Jessica
Move first. Refine second. Publish with structure.
🚨Want Help Getting Your Substack Published Today?!
If you’re currently thinking about launching your Substack, but haven’t taken the first step yet, I’m hosting a small live, 90-minute intensive workshop this evening, Friday 7PM EST called From Unstuck to Published.
In the workshop, we build your Substack publication from scratch together step-by-step so you leave with it set up the right way and ready to publish.
You can see the details and reserve your seat below:
Another great article! It’s a great time to be a substack noob because of people like you!
What a lovely article. So helpful. I loved your answer regarding when to start offering paid, and the main conclusion. I agree, most of what I've learnt do far has been by doing, running my Substack, making mistakes and iteration as I go along. Rock on Jessica!