Substack Success Level 2
Building Momentum
June 11, 18, and 25, 2026
8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern (5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific)
You’ve taken the first steps—you’ve launched your Substack and begun connecting with readers. Now it’s time to build on that foundation and transform your column into a vibrant, influential platform that reflects your unique voice and expands your reach.
Whether you’ve completed one of our beginning classes or have started publishing on your own, this three-night workshop offers practical tools, strategic insights, and personalized guidance to help you expand your audience, strengthen your brand, and deepen your connection with your readers.
In Substack Success Level 2, you’ll learn how to interpret your analytics, collaborate with other Substack writers, and grow your readership in authentic and meaningful ways. You’ll explore monetization options, advanced features, and workflow strategies that make publishing easier and more rewarding. And best of all, you’ll have opportunities for live feedback so you can refine your content, clarify your vision, and learn from the experiences of your peers.
This class is perfect for writers who are posting regularly, have at least a few published pieces, and are now ready to think like both a writer and an editor, creator, publisher, and community builder. You’ll leave with practical strategies for growth, new creative confidence, and a clear plan for sustaining your Substack over the long haul—all within the supportive, collaborative spirit that defines Story Summit.
Here's how the class will unfold.
Night One: Strengthening Your Voice and Vision
Topics:
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Reassessing your “why” and clarifying the evolving purpose behind your publication
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Deepening your niche by identifying what makes your Substack uniquely yours
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Fine-tuning tone, consistency, and reader trust
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Exploring Substack tools—including audio, video, and Live—and how to use them to deepen reader connection
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Designing a reader journey: intentionally guiding readers from discovery to long-term connection and loyalty
Activities/Coaching:
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Clarify your publication differentiators and evolving “why”
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Identify opportunities to strengthen reader trust and connection
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Take-home: Reader Journey worksheet and implementation exercise
Night Two: Growing and Engaging Your Audience
Topics:
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Growing organically through Notes, recommendations, collaborations, and Substack’s built-in discovery tools
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Exploring collaboration strategies including guest posts, cross-posting, interviews, and community partnerships
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Writing stronger headlines and openings that spark curiosity and draw readers in
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Building meaningful community through comments, polls, chats, and conversation
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Strengthening reader loyalty through thank-you messages, anniversaries, meaningful extras, and surprise moments
Activities/Coaching:
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Workshop headline and audience engagement ideas
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Identify one strategy to strengthen community interaction or reader loyalty
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Take-home: Audience Growth in Action exercise
Night Three: Monetization, Momentum, and Sustainability
Topics:
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Exploring Substack monetization models and preparing for paid subscribers
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Understanding paid content strategies, paywalls, and creating value beyond the subscription
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Creative offerings beyond posts (workshops, podcasts, mini-courses, live experiences, and more)
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Content batching, scheduling, and systems for long-term sustainability
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Leveraging analytics and automations for growth and sustainability
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Long-term strategy: aligning your Substack with your broader writing career and goals
Activities/Coaching:
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Brainstorm paid offerings and subscriber value ideas
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Identify one sustainable strategy to support consistency and long-term growth
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Take-home: Create a 3-month growth and publishing plan
By the end of the class, you will:
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Clarify and strengthen your unique editorial voice
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Learn proven strategies to grow and engage your readership
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Develop confidence in monetization and advanced Substack tools
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Leave with a 3-month growth and publishing plan tailored to your goals
Our Faculty
Today's Price Only $197 for 6 hours of instruction
Story Summit Membership subscribers receive this class at no additional cost. Just register and the discount will be applied automatically. Please make sure you're logged in to receive the discount. Not a subscriber yet? Join here.
Please note: Our classes are designed specifically for live participation, so your attendance is important. If you need to miss a class for any reason, you’ll receive a passcode-protected link to watch the recordings after the course is over.
A Peek at Our Past Virtual Classes
