The home page is often the most visited page on any website, and therefore one of the most critical to get right. So yes, people look at it and make decisions based on it.
Right, but my assumption is that if I do things right, I'll get a large portion of my traffic from outside of Substack. (which means to them, it's just a website). That is the goal.
Also, people often check the home page after they read an article, just to see if it's worth subscribing or coming back to later. Even if the traffic came from your subscribers (like a referral) or the Substack app, your home page could be the thing that makes them subscribe.
I don’t expect anyone to subscribe to mine, so I don’t even think about it. They can get Vanity Fair with a lot more content for the same price as my Substack. It would be a lousy deal so I don’t bother offering it.
This made me laugh out loud. I think this all the time but never say it out loud. If I do, I'll get discouraged, haha, so I pretend otherwise. Vanity Fair has great photographers, that's one thing I can work on.
I never check the front page out either, but now I'm starting. There's gold nestled in some of these newsletters, I'm certain. And thank you for the short tutorial, now I have to go back and redo mine. I've changed it a few times and (it) still isn't right. Darn graphic design gets me every single time. :)
Mine wasn't either, but I'm playing with it. Probably still make some changes, but the side effect is that it's making me think about how I want to present my work you know?
Yeah. I have always just been all over the place with my writing - poetry, essays, short stories, children's books. My page probably reflects that chaos.
Thank you so much, Linda! Great info. My problem is that I created a publication and NONE of those posts show up on my homepage. Any suggestions how to fix this problem? Do I just get rid of the publication and move each post one by one back to my personal homepage here? Your wisdom (or anyone else who has this problem) is welcome!
I have 2 substacks too, but the other is my history of women substack. But, when I go to my page, there's a tiny arrow on my profile pic in the top right corner. When I click that arrow, I can toggle between the two. Not sure if it works that way for you. But the one thing to check is that I think publications have all the design settings, but profiles don't. They may have changed that, but might be a good idea to check before deleting anything.
This was helpful, Linda! If I ever saw my home page it was ever so briefly. Right now I'm just doing my "Chats with Deb" schtick on Substack, but if I ever branch out I will need to spend time with the home page design. Thanks!
Thanks for all this great advice. I will give it a shot, although I'm the least creative person I know (except for writing). Hopefully, I can gradually make things look more appealing.
Thank you for the advice.
Thanks! I'm going to head over and see what I can improve!
Enjoy. Make some tea or coffee, I have fun playing in there. Hope you do, too
I need to study this. Do people even look at these? I guess some must. I don’t but I’m not everybody. Mine looks like crap alright.
The home page is often the most visited page on any website, and therefore one of the most critical to get right. So yes, people look at it and make decisions based on it.
I meant on Substack. I never look at other people’s homepages on Substack. Websites, yes.
Right, but my assumption is that if I do things right, I'll get a large portion of my traffic from outside of Substack. (which means to them, it's just a website). That is the goal.
Also, people often check the home page after they read an article, just to see if it's worth subscribing or coming back to later. Even if the traffic came from your subscribers (like a referral) or the Substack app, your home page could be the thing that makes them subscribe.
I don’t expect anyone to subscribe to mine, so I don’t even think about it. They can get Vanity Fair with a lot more content for the same price as my Substack. It would be a lousy deal so I don’t bother offering it.
This made me laugh out loud. I think this all the time but never say it out loud. If I do, I'll get discouraged, haha, so I pretend otherwise. Vanity Fair has great photographers, that's one thing I can work on.
I do, I check out Substacks that way all the time. Never really thought about it until the one I wrote about.
Ah, but it’s also a business interest for you. Maybe I’m just weird but I think a lot of people don’t. I will start!
I never check the front page out either, but now I'm starting. There's gold nestled in some of these newsletters, I'm certain. And thank you for the short tutorial, now I have to go back and redo mine. I've changed it a few times and (it) still isn't right. Darn graphic design gets me every single time. :)
You've inspired me to take your advice and get to work!! :) xoxo
Have fun in there. I'm still tinkering, too
Oh dear. My Substack page is not pretty.
Mine wasn't either, but I'm playing with it. Probably still make some changes, but the side effect is that it's making me think about how I want to present my work you know?
Yeah. I have always just been all over the place with my writing - poetry, essays, short stories, children's books. My page probably reflects that chaos.
Thank you so much, Linda! Great info. My problem is that I created a publication and NONE of those posts show up on my homepage. Any suggestions how to fix this problem? Do I just get rid of the publication and move each post one by one back to my personal homepage here? Your wisdom (or anyone else who has this problem) is welcome!
From what I can tell, you have these two:
https://sonyashannon22.substack.com/
https://sonyashannon.substack.com/
I have 2 substacks too, but the other is my history of women substack. But, when I go to my page, there's a tiny arrow on my profile pic in the top right corner. When I click that arrow, I can toggle between the two. Not sure if it works that way for you. But the one thing to check is that I think publications have all the design settings, but profiles don't. They may have changed that, but might be a good idea to check before deleting anything.
Thank you, Linda! You are most helpful and I have made changes based on your suggestions. Really appreciate your care and insights!
Thanks for the tips - I’m doing it all wrong 😑
I had to laugh Tara. I was, too. For a good couple of years, too.
So helpful. I’ve been tripping around the homepage. I’ve got a couple of different topics I’m diving into. Thanks for the tips!
You're very welcome.
Super helpful. Thanks.
Thanks so much. Never knew that all this even existed!
Right? I didn't for a long time, either.
Such great info especially for someone just starting out. Thank you!
You are very welcome. I wish I'd known all that when I was starting. Hope it helps
Great tips. I use the Subscribe bar, but you gave me some more good ideas.
This was helpful, Linda! If I ever saw my home page it was ever so briefly. Right now I'm just doing my "Chats with Deb" schtick on Substack, but if I ever branch out I will need to spend time with the home page design. Thanks!
Thanks for all this great advice. I will give it a shot, although I'm the least creative person I know (except for writing). Hopefully, I can gradually make things look more appealing.
Amazing input, as always. Thank you! Just toggled on the advanced options - a whole new world opened up:)
Thankyou, very timely tips for me. 🙂👍