Substack Mastery Book: Chapter 11
Supercharge Your Substack Newsletters with Blogging on WordPress, Medium, or Other Platforms: Here’s What You Need to Know and How to Get Started Right Now
Non-members can read this story here. I also published a version for Medium readers for easy access. As this full chapter might exceed an email size, you may choose to read it in the Content Strategy, Development, & Marketing Insights publication.
Links to Available Chapters of Substack Mastery Book
Preface of “Substack Mastery” for Beta Readers, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11
Can Blogging Boost Your Newsletter Growth?
Dear Beta Readers, I wrote this chapter because I gained significant benefits from blogging, especially within the last 12 months when I started intensifying my efforts on Substack. Until I deliberately blogged my content published on Substack or sent it through emails, subscriber growth was slow. It was only through limited discovery with the platform's built-in tools.
I have known the importance of blogging since its start, but I wish I had noticed its importance for Substack earlier. I want to highlight this because since I started blogging my Substack posts on my website and guest blogging places, I have noticed significant growth in my three publications on Substack. I own multiple blogs like this one, contribute as a guest blogger to other blogs, and also invite guest bloggers to my website, which hosts multiple blogs.
As I highlighted before, I treat Substack as another platform. It cannot replace our own site as we never know its future. They might change the rules or even close the company. Although blogging is possible on Substack, it is not as powerful as an actual blogging platform.
Some writers asked me whether they could use Substack as their sole blogging platform. If you don’t have any other option, yes, but Substack is not designed as a major blogging platform as it lacks key blogging features like search engine optimization (SEO) and discovery customization. Thus, from my observations, the discoverability of Substack blogs in search engines is relatively low.
However, Substack positions itself as a blogging service with an email subscription facility, providing some great examples in this official document. So, as good news, I assume the company will invest in this program as they do in their subscription services always supporting creators in innovative ways.
I have been investigating blogging platforms for a long time to provide insights to my clients, students, and proteges. Blogging platforms keep changing; some are growing, and some are declining. Finding a good blogging platform can be a good investment for your content marketing strategy.
To give you an example, according to Forbes, the top seven blogging sites in 2024 are WordPress, Wix, Weebly, Drupal, Squarespace, CMS Hub, and our good old Medium, where I share this story. As you may know, Medium is free and open to the public for blogging, in addition to its partner program, which allows writers to monetize their content.
I have been using WordPress to host my website and Medium as a secondary blogging platform for the last five years. As I introduce on my site, WordPress.com has many additional tools like Jetpack , Pressable, WooCommerce Marketplace , Akismet , SenseiLMS , and WPJobManager to help me grow my website.
So, I can endorse the effectiveness of both WordPress and Medium for bloggers and freelance writers. For example, both platforms have a domain authority of 95, and many of my posts from these two platforms gained significant visibility, and some even went viral.
Combining WordPress with Medium has been my best content distribution and marketing strategy. Based on my research, these platforms have close to a billion backlinks, which I will cover in another story to highlight the importance of linking domains to increase SEO. Now, adding Substack to the equation can be a game-changer for freelance writers.
You may wonder what blogging on our websites or being a guest blogger on other sites can add to your Substack's growth with compelling reasons. I will explain why blogging is essential for your Substack success, offer best practices to maximize growth and discuss potential pitfalls to avoid.
Consider Substack taking a road trip while blogging, which is like flying. Both help you reach a broad audience, but blogging gets you there faster when you want to promote your own content.
Substack has a built-in boost feature that helps with visibility, as I mentioned in a previous chapter, but if you want to amplify your reach and grow your audience, blogging is a powerful tool. That’s why I have added guest blogging as a complementary boost service for my writing community. It is the quickest way to give your content a boost.
Now, I want to highlight some key points on what blogging can do for your content and how it can help you grow your Substack newsletters with notable benefits based on my experience and observations of successful bloggers.
How Blogging Boosts Your Newsletter Growth
Blogging has a long history and can be a powerful tool for freelance writers aiming to succeed on Substack as well. Blogging platforms are geared to allow writers to build an audience, convert readers into paying subscribers, and monetize their content in various ways.
From my experience, blogging on your own website or guest blogging on other sites can significantly contribute to your Substack newsletter growth in various ways. I want to highlight some compelling reasons for considering this strategy.
Posting regularly on your website can increase your online presence and visibility thanks to the focus of search engines that prioritize blog posts.
Readers visiting your blog can discover your Substack newsletter through prominent call-to-actions (like opt-in forms, subscribe buttons, or banners) and subscribe directly via links to newsletters.
When you guest blog on high-traffic sites relevant to your niche, you expose your content to new audiences. In your blog posts, you can include links to your Substack in the author bio or within the article to drive traffic back to your Substack and convert it into subscribers.
SEO (search engine optimization) is a critical success factor for bloggers and all other content developers. You need to learn the basics. I will cover SEO in another chapter with details and practical tips.
In the meantime, you need to understand that regularly publishing keyword-rich content logically and meaningfully on your own blog can help build domain authority, which can rank your site higher in search results and attract organic traffic. By linking back to your Substack, you increase the chances of converting this traffic into newsletter subscribers.
Writing guest posts for established websites can provide backlinks to your blogging site and Substack newsletters. These backlinks can improve your site’s SEO, making it more discoverable on search engines.
Blogging on your website helps establish you as an authority in your niche or expertise areas. Readers who find value in your blog posts are more likely to view your Substack as a credible source of valuable content and subscribe to it.
Being featured as a guest blogger on reputable sites can enhance your credibility and reputation. Readers are more likely to trust and subscribe to your Substack newsletters when they see your expertise acknowledged by established platforms.
Repurposing and diversifying your content is essential for growing your Substack newsletters and your freelance writing business. You can repurpose or expand content from your website or guest blogs into more in-depth pieces for your Substack.
Blogging can keep your Substack content fresh and engaging while also enticing blog readers to subscribe for exclusive and extended insights through your posts.
Guest blogging provides opportunities for cross-promotion. Some hosts may allow you to promote your Substack newsletter directly, and you can invite their readers to explore exclusive content on Substack.
Readers who engage with your blog posts (through comments or shares) might be willing to subscribe to more personal, behind-the-scenes insights via a newsletter. Engaging with your blog’s audience through thoughtful responses might encourage more robust relationships and enable a sense of community that can translate into newsletter subscriptions.
By driving blog readers to your Substack, you can increase the likelihood of building a paid subscriber base on Substack. Exclusive paid content or tiers in your Substack can entice readers who already appreciate your blog content to support you monetarily.
Besides, guest blogging on other platforms can lead to collaborations or further guest appearances, expanding your professional network. This new network can introduce you to new readers and subscribers through word-of-mouth or partnerships.
Blogging allows you to test topics and content formats with your audience. Content that performs well on your website or as a guest post can be refined and expanded for your Substack audience. Additionally, collecting feedback from blog readers can help shape future newsletters, ensuring they align with your audience’s interests.
Most importantly, you can monetize your blogging in several ways and use Substack as a supplementary growth and income stream. I will write a detailed story about this, as there are some nuances to consider before monetizing a blog.
By integrating blogging into your overall content strategy, you can establish a solid, flexible, and diverse online presence that funnels interested readers into your Substack ecosystem, growing your readership and engagement.
A holistic approach through blogging on your site and being a guest blogger on reputable sites, combining SEO, networking, content repurposing, and audience interaction, can help you grow your Substack subscriber base effectively.
What is the difference between Substack and WordPress for Bloggers?
Most of my clients, students, and proteges asked me this question during my workshops or mentoring sessions. So, I thought it is worthwhile to touch on it here to give you a perspective.
The biggest differentiator is that Substack is a company, and WordPress is a technology. To explain this idea to them, I use an analogy to make it easy to understand and memorable.
I see Substack as a restaurant with its own unique menu. You can’t get the exact same experience elsewhere because it is a company with a specific setup. However, you can take your followers with you if you leave, even though the “menu” (features and tools) might change.
WordPress, on the other hand, is more like an oven that many different restaurants use. If one restaurant closes, you can move to another place with the same oven and keep making your pizza (content) the same way since WordPress is a widely used technology, not a single company.
How to Start Blogging for Absolute Beginners
In this section, I extract a chapter from one of my previous books to give a high-level step-by-step guide for absolute beginners to create a website and start blogging to promote their Substack newsletters.
I originally created this based on my experience with WordPress, which has been #1 for bloggers for many years. Many hosting companies use WordPress as their blogging offer due to its rich features and ease of use.
This guide will give beginners the basic steps to get started with blogging to grow your Substack readership without overwhelming technical jargon.
If you already have a blog and know these steps, you can skip them or share them with someone who might need them.
1. Choose a Website Platform
Pick a blogging platform that’s easy to use for beginners. Two popular options are WordPress (great for customization and control) and Wix (ideal for beginners). Your platform will be the backbone of your site. WordPress is widely recommended because it offers flexibility and control, while Wix is user-friendly. But there are many more, so you may find a platform that suits your needs.
2. Register a Domain Name
Choose a domain name that reflects your brand or newsletter. If you sign up with WordPress, they give you a domain name for free for the first year. Some domain names can be very expensive. You may also buy a domain name from vendors like Namecheap at a reasonable price. Keep it simple, memorable, and aligned with your Substack focus. A custom domain looks professional and helps build brand consistency.
3. Sign Up for Web Hosting
If using WordPress.org, you will need hosting (like Bluehost or SiteGround). If using WordPress.com or Wix, hosting is included. Many platforms provide hosting. One of my proteges uses Namecheap, which he found cost-effective as a beginner. Remember that reliable hosting ensures your site stays live and performs well.
4. Set Up Your Website
WordPress can be installed on your hosting platform. Most hosting services offer 1-click installs). Pick a theme that matches your blog’s aesthetics and is responsive and mobile-friendly. You may choose free or premium themes depending on your budget. Remember that your site’s design can influence first impressions and user experience.
5. Add Essential Pages
Create these key pages to start. The most important one is the homepage to introduce yourself and your content, the page to share your story and what your newsletter covers, the contact page to make it easy for readers to reach you, and the newsletter signup to embed your Substack sign-up form or link to it prominently. These are foundational elements of a professional blog.
6. Install Essential Plugins (for WordPress)
Yoast SEO can help optimize your blog for search engines. One of the volunteer editors of my publication created a tutorial about Yoast SEO for the guest bloggers of my site and posted it to our community channel, Substack Mastery. WPForms can make it easy to create forms, such as a newsletter signup. Plugins expand your website’s functionality without needing technical knowledge. There are many of them that you can consider as you grow your blogging site.
7. Integrate Your Substack to Your Blogging Site
You can embed your Substack newsletter using your unique signup form on key parts of your website (e.g., sidebar, footer, or a dedicated page). You may also add it as a signature at the end of your blogs. You may add a consent field with a tick box to obtain agreement from your audience to subscribe to your newsletters for free. Remember your blog because you want to drive traffic from your blog to grow your Substack subscribers.
8. Write Your First Blog Post, Promote it, and Maintain It
Start with an introductory post about your newsletter’s focus and value. Use clear headings, and keep it conversational. Include links back to your Substack where relevant. Introduce yourself and connect with potential readers, leading them to your Substack newsletters.
Share your blog posts on social media, in your Substack newsletter, and through guest blogging on other platforms. Promoting your blog drives traffic to your website and Substack, boosting your audience.
To grow your audience, you need to post regularly on your blog and integrate your Substack on your website. It is also a good idea to promote your latest posts to your newsletter audience. Consistency builds engagement and trust with your readers.
What is next?
While you improve your blogging skills, you need to use well-placed CTAs, email segmentation, limited-time offers, and testimonials to encourage free readers to convert to paying subscribers.
Remember to track your analytics to see what works and what doesn’t. Refine your strategy over time to ensure you are optimizing for growth and paid conversions.
By mastering the art and science of blogging for Substack with consistent, high-value content and clever conversion tactics, you can grow your audience and turn your newsletter into a sustainable income stream as a freelance writer.
Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.
About the Substack Mastery Book for Review and Purchase
As I shared in a previous post, this book has already hit the top 100 bestseller list in multiple categories in various Amazon marketplaces. Thank you, my loyal readers, for making this book a success and a valuable knowledge source for the community.
Many thanks to beta readers who started leaving honest feedback on this evolving book on Goodreads today. If you enjoy and benefit from this book, I’d appreciate leaving honest feedback on Goodreads, as the Amazon version is not ready for review yet.
If you want to purchase the book at a reasonable price or gift it to someone you care about, you may preorder it via various Amazon markets. If the editing process is complete on time, I can get it published faster. The funds generated from this book will be donated to the management of the Substack Mastery site for the ILLUMINATION community. This education site also amplifies the newsletters of freelance writers.
Substack Mastery: Insider Secrets from a Content Strategist & Seasoned Author: Learn the Basics…
Substack Mastery: Insider Secrets from a Content Strategist & Seasoned Author: Learn the Basics, Stay Motivated, Grow…www.amazon.com
Community Building on Substack Bridging with Other Platforms
Integrating Substack with Medium is a great idea. To this end, as a community builder, I created a philanthropic organization that will empower creators, freelance writers, and content entrepreneurs with a commercial arm. I documented the strategy and high-level plan in a story. Please feel free to ask questions and provide feedback. Refraining from perfection, I choose a progressive path.
Here are our draft service definitions for creators, freelance writers, and content entrepreneurs. We will explain the details in our upcoming newsletter. Here is an invitation from a founding member.
If you are a writer on Medium and Substack, we have a new publication called Substack Mastery. You are welcome to join and share your Substack experience with your fellow writers and discerning readers. ILLUMINATION-Curators curate, feature, and promote newsletters of our contributors in collections like this one. Being part of a community can bring many benefits, such as a fast-growing audience.
Substack Mastery Featured Newsletters: Episode 12
Curated newsletters of writers contributing to the Substack Mastery publication on Medium for joyful collaboration and…medium.com
For advanced writers, we also have a publication called Curated Newsletters, which replaced the former ILLUMINATION-Curated. As I withdraw from the boost program, I now allocate more time to support writers in extending their services to Substack or other platforms.
If you are a writer, you are welcome to join my publications by sending a request via this link. I support 32K writers who contribute to my publications on this platform. You can contact me via my website. I also have another profile to write and curate tech stories. Friend Links to My Sample Boosted Stories for Non-Members of Medium.
New Submission Guidelines for ILLUMINATION and Curated Newsletters
You are welcome to join the ILLUMINATION Community on Medium and Substack and our education tool, Substack Mastery, curated by ILLUMINATION-Curators. Here is the Importance and Value of Medium Friendship for Writers and Readers
Join me on Substack, where I offer experience-based content on health, content strategy, and technology topics to inform and inspire my readers.
Health and Wellness by Dr Mehmet Yildiz
This story was initially published at DigitalMehmet.com. My blogs and website offer free access to inspiring and educational stories for freelancers and content entrepreneurs. Membership Tiers and Benefits of ILLUMINATION Substack Mastery Community. Please use this portal to contact me with inquiries and feedback.