Substack Success Level 2
Building Momentum
November 10, 17, and 24, 2025
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 column’s direction: Is your “why” still clear?
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Deepening your niche: What sets your Substack apart?
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Fine-tuning tone, consistency, and reader trust
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Designing a reader journey: From discovery to loyal subscriber
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Using analytics to understand what’s working and where you can improve
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Integrating Substack tools, including video, audio, and Substack Live
Activities/Coaching:
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Create a “reader journey” pathway
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Live feedback on recent posts
Night Two: Growing and Engaging Your Audience
Topics:
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How to grow organically through Notes, recommendations, and collaborations
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Cross-promotion strategies and newsletter swaps
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Using Substack’s built-in discovery tools
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Writing irresistible headlines and openings
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Creating a reader community through comments, chat, and polls
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Building loyalty through thank you notes, live chats, meaningful extras, subscription anniversaries
Activities/Coaching:
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Group brainstorming: identifying one growth strategy for your specific column
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Live examples: analyzing successful Substack headlines
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Reviewing students’ posts for ways to build engagement
Night Three: Monetization, Momentum, and Sustainability
Topics:
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Creative offerings beyond posts (workshops, podcasts, mini-courses, etc.)
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Content batching and scheduling for sustainability
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Leveraging Substack analytics and automations
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Long-term strategy: aligning your Substack with your broader writing career
Activities/Coaching:
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Create a 3-month growth and publishing plan
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Reviewing students’ posts for ways to expand content and reach
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
