How to start and grow your Substack: My guide for besties

Demystifying settings, customizations, and plenty of pep talks.

I’ve been writing Rel’s Recs for over three years. In that time I’ve learned a lot about Substack, from how to use the platform and sharpening my brand to finding community and, critically, enjoying the journey. Over the past year, many friends have come to me and asked for advice on getting started themselves.

While you will certainly find other “How to Get Started With Substack” posts out there, below you’ll find my approach in the way that I’d discuss it with a close friend. There’s practical guidance for literally setting things up, along with personal advice about, say, whether you really need to have a full-blown business plan and content strategy before you get going. (Spoiler: You don’t.)

Let’s dig in.

Your concept

If you’re wondering if your concept is good enough for Substack, the reality is that it probably is — especially if you’re my bestie, then it definitely is. The Substack world is vast. There are entertainers, gardeners, philosophers, knitters, political educators, fo…