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Content by Jessica Upton, design by Gemini AI
How do stories help people see themselves more clearly? How does sharing them help you see yourself more clearly?
These are the two questions central to all of my writing. What drives your writing? Where does your story fit? How will it add to the conversation?
Your process doesn't have to be, and shouldn't be, the same as mine. I share my process to hopefully inspire someone else to try something new.
What is Substack?
What is Substack?
Substack is an all-in-one publishing platform designed to let writers, creators, and bloggers publish content directly to their audience's inboxes. It seamlessly combines a clean, user-friendly blogging interface with a built-in email newsletter service, bypassing the need for complex website design or external mailing list management.
Why It’s Useful for Your Blog
Why It’s Useful for Your Blog
For a creator focusing on "Small Town Big Ideas," Substack is an ideal choice because it removes the technical overwhelm often associated with starting a blog. Key benefits include:
Simplicity: You can focus entirely on writing without worrying about plugins, hosting, or coding.
Direct Connection: Your posts go straight to your subscribers' email, building a loyal community.
Growth Tools: Features like Substack Notes allow you to network and find new readers organically.
Monetization: If you choose, you can easily transition from free content to paid subscriptions with a single click.
When I decided to start my blog in April of 2026, I chose Substack for its ease of use.
When I decided to start my blog in April of 2026, I chose Substack for its ease of use.
Click here for a checklist to help you get started
o Click 'Start Writing' or 'Create a Substack'
o Enter your publication name
o Choose your Substack URL
o Confirm your email address
o Complete publication settings (tagline, description)
o Upload profile photo and logo
o Customize homepage layout and branding
o Set email sender name
o Connect Stripe (optional for paid subscriptions)
o Import email list (optional)
o Adjust subscription settings (free/paid)
o Write your first post
o Preview and format the post
o Choose email, post, or both
o Click Publish
o Share your Substack link
I found this video to be extremely helpful. In it, they go through the basics of your home page, your notes page, and your author dashboard. This video clearly lays out each area and allows the viewer time to experiment in real time.
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