Starting a Substack in 2026? 10 Things I'd Do First Copy

Editor’s Note: This masterclass is exclusively for premium subscribers of the Unstuck to Published Collective. It includes the full video with Robyn and a detailed written guide covering the 10 things I’d do if I were starting my Substack today.

You can watch the masterclass, work through the guide, or use both as you build your own publication.

Not a Collective member yet? If you’d like access to this masterclass and the rest of our premium resources, I’d love to have you join us. 💜

👉 Join the Unstuck to Published Collective CLICK HERE

---

Substack Masterclass: 10 Things I Would Do If I Were Starting My Substack Today in 2026

Four years on Substack, multiple publications, and plenty of experiments later, here’s the plan I’d follow if I had to begin again.

If I were starting my Substack today, I wouldn’t begin by posting five Notes a day or trying to figure out the algorithm.

I’d start with my publication.

When I started publishing in 2023, I didn’t have all the tools creators have now. Since then, I’ve built multiple publications through my own writing and ghostwriting, created tutorials, launched a podcast, experimented with different content formats, and made friends who have become part of my everyday life.

One of the reasons I created Unstuck to Published was to help people get past the confusion that comes with starting a publication.

There are so many features to learn, decisions to make, and people telling you what you should be doing.

I want to make that process easier by sharing what I’ve learned from building publications myself, so you can spend less time wondering where to begin and more time actually publishing.

I’ve tried a lot of advice along the way. Some worked. Some didn’t. And a few things took me much longer to figure out than they should have.

So when my friend Robyn joined me for this masterclass, I wanted to answer one question:

If I lost my publication today and had to start again, what would I do first?

Because when you’re new, the advice comes at you from every direction.

• Publish every day.

• Post more Notes.

• Start a podcast.

• Go Live.

• Turn on paid subscriptions.

• Find your niche.

• Make friends.

And somewhere in the middle of all that, you’re staring at your dashboard thinking:

Okay, but what the hell am I supposed to do FIRST? 😂

I’ve been publishing every Sunday since 2023, and that experience has taught me something important: there’s no single publishing routine or growth strategy that works for everyone.

What works for me might not work for you.

So these aren’t ten rules you have to follow exactly as I do.

They’re ten decisions I’d make if I were starting from scratch in 2026, based on what I’ve learned from building publications, helping other creators, and doing the work myself.

Let’s start with the part I’d get right before asking anyone to subscribe.

---

1. I’d Build my publication’s foundation before promoting it.

Imagine spending hours writing an article.

Someone discovers it, likes what you have to say, and clicks through to your publication.

They find a vague short description, an unfinished About page, and a default welcome email.

What exactly are they supposed to subscribe FOR?

You’ve done the work to get someone interested in your writing, but your publication hasn’t explained why they should stick around.

That’s why I’d get the foundation in place first.

When someone lands on your publication, they should understand three things within seconds:

1. Who is this for?

2. What will I get?

3. Why should I subscribe?

Don’t make people guess and don’t try to be so clever with your description that nobody understands what you actually do.

Clarity first.

Here’s what I’d set up.

Ready to build your Substack with me? 💜

In the full masterclass, Robyn and I walk through all 10 things I’d do if I were starting my Substack today, from setting up my publication and planning content to finding readers, collaborating, and creating a paid offer.

Paid members of the Unstuck to Published Collective get the complete video, the detailed written guide, and practical exercises they can use for their own publications.

Join the Collective to watch the masterclass & read the full guide.

Before promoting a new publication, I’d work through seven things:

1. Publication name: Choose a name that makes sense for your subject and audience.

2. Publication short description: Tell readers what they’ll receive.

3. About page: Explain who the publication is for, what you write about, and why someone might want to subscribe.

4. Welcome emails: Set up a welcome email for free subscribers and a separate one for paid subscribers if you offer a paid tier.

5. Branding: Choose a recognizable logo and a simple, consistent visual identity.

6. Publishing schedule: Decide what you can realistically deliver.

7. Free and paid offerings: Make it clear what each subscription includes.

You might get through the setup in half an hour if you already know your publication’s name, audience, and subject.

If you’re still figuring those things out, it might take a few days. That’s okay.

I’d rather spend that time getting the publication ready than rush to promote something I haven’t finished explaining.

Your name and your publication name aren’t necessarily the same thing.

During the masterclass, Robyn asked about something that confused her when she first started: the difference between a profile name, a publication name, and a handle.

It’s worth understanding before you set everything up.

1. Your profile name identifies you as the author. It’s the name readers associate with your writing.

2. Your publication name identifies the publication itself. It can be different from your personal name. Some creators deliberately connect the two, though. Chris B. Writes’ Chris B. Writes publication is a great example.

3. Your handle is how people find and tag you. Make it recognizable, especially if you want other creators to be able to find you for conversations and collaborations.

Your publication’s web address is another decision. You can begin with a Substack address and consider a custom domain later if it makes sense for your branding.

You don’t need to buy a custom domain to start publishing.

The important thing is that people can recognize you and understand what your publication is about.

Don’t leave your welcome emails on the default settings.

This is one of those details I’d pay attention to from the beginning.

→ When someone subscribes for free, introduce yourself. Tell them what to expect and point them toward something useful you’ve already published.

→ If you have a paid tier, explain what paid subscribers receive and how interested readers can learn more.

And when someone pays, give them a separate welcome email that acknowledges their subscription and explains what happens next.

Think about it.

Someone has just decided they want more of your work.

Don’t greet them with a message you haven’t even bothered to customize.

Your welcome email is part of their first experience with your publication. Make it count.

Your next move: Complete this sentence:

I help ______ achieve or learn ______ through ______.

It doesn’t need to be perfect. You’ll refine it as you go, but if you can’t explain who your publication is for and what readers will get, that’s where I’d start.