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 our conversation, work through the guide, or use both as you build your own publication.

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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.

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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.