What are their demographic (age, gender, location, etc.)? What are their goals and challenges? Knowing who you’re talking to can help you to create content they’ll respond to.

Define your ideal reader: Consider who your ideal reader is and what their interests and needs are.

Here are some steps you can take to identify your target audience: Publications need readers, and it’s important to have a clear understanding of who you want to reach, so you can create content that appeals to them and grow your audience. Overall, choosing a niche will help you build a loyal following and vastly increase the chances of success for your publication.

It can be monetized more easily: If you choose a niche that has a clear potential for monetization, you may have more success in generating revenue for your publication.

It helps you build a loyal following: By attracting readers who are interested in your specific niche, you can build a loyal following of readers who are engaged with your content.

It allows you to become an expert: By focusing on a specific topic, you can become an expert in your field and provide valuable insights and information to your readers.

By choosing a niche, you can differentiate your publication and attract readers who are specifically interested in your topic.

It helps you stand out: In a crowded marketplace, it can be difficult to get noticed.

Here are some reasons why choosing a niche is important: It will define what your publication is about and help you to attract readers who are interested in your area of expertise. The success of any publication hinges on creating content that resonates with readers and builds a loyal following.Ĭhoosing a niche is a crucial step. Here’s a link to various stories of writers who have already made it and here’s a link to some current ‘Staff Picks’ for publications on Substack. Take a look through as many examples as you can of publications that are already smashing it.

See what works for others: Substack is a huge platform with many incredible (and very successful) writers.

You can do this through surveys, focus groups or by simply asking for feedback in your newsletters or on social media.

Get feedback from your target audience: Consider asking them what they’d like to see in your publication.

Some categories/niches on Substack to consider include: Culture, Politics, Technology, Business, Finance, Food & Drink, Sports, Faith & Spirituality, News, Music, Comics, Crypto, International, Art & Illustration, Climate, Science, Health & Wellness, Literature, Fiction, Parenting, Design, Travel, Education, Philosophy, History, Humor and Fashion & Beauty.

This can help you to identify topics that are underrepresented or areas where you can add your own unique perspective. is there a gap for this kind of content that you’ve noticed, or an audience that’s being underserved that you can speak to? Look at what other publications in your niche are writing about to see what they may be missing. However, it’s also worth considering why people may want to read your take on the subject, and think of what new angle or approach you can bring to the table - e.g.

Research what’s already out there: It’s likely you’re starting a publication because you already have a topic in mind and have something to say.

Which topics do you have a lot of knowledge of or experience in? What are you most passionate about? Writing about what you know and care about will help you to create content that’s authentic and engaging, and also keep you motivated, which is crucial if you want to build up your publication over the long term.

Consider your expertise and interests: As the saying goes, write what you know.

Here are a few steps you can follow to help you decide what to write about: With so many topics to choose from, deciding what area to focus on can be a challenge. (* Here’s a great success story to inspire you.) Whether you’re a seasoned writer or a complete beginner, these should help you to make your foray into Substack a success. So, to help you to get to grips with the platform and make your content stand out, we’ve created a list of 15 tips for success - covering everything from identifying your target audience to monetizing your content.

Getting started with a new platform and putting your work out there can be daunting. Are you thinking about starting a publication on Substack? Substack is a very powerful platform for writers and creators, and starting a publication can be a rewarding (not to mention potentially very lucrative*) experience.

Authors on substack