How I Use Substack as a Writer There’s always a new tool, platform, process, you name it, that you just have to try. It’s exhausting as a content creator to try to keep up with the latest trends and time-consuming to learn how to use completely new platforms. It can also feel risky to start creating content somewhere new when where you are is already working for you. But it is my professional opinion that if you are a writer (or reader), you must get acquainted with Substack. Self-described as “a new economic engine for culture,” it launched in 2017 and has become a popular space for everyone from famed, professional authors to young 20-somethings looking for a place to air their grievances. It’s the perfect blend of blog, magazine, and newsletter, with the bonus of a kind and thought-provoking community. Still skeptical? Read on for more information about Substack and some tips and best practices for writers and readers alike. Table of Contents What Is Substack? Why Use Substack as a Content Creator or Writer? How to Use Substack as a Writer How to Use Substack as a Reader Substack Best Practices The model allows writers to keep approximately 90% of the money from paid subscriptions, while 10% goes back to Substack. Substack does more than allow writers to curate a space for their content — it also...

How to Use Medium: A Beginner's Guide to Writing, Publishing & Promoting on the Platform What do the White House, Sports Illustrated, and my cousin Jimmy all have in common? They all publish content on Medium. For the White House, that content includes State of the Union addresses and policy announcements. Sports Illustrated, meanwhile, manages a sports news publication called The Cauldron. My cousin Jimmy? He publishes an ongoing series on advanced cat grooming techniques. And that, my friends, is Medium in microcosm. What is Medium? Medium is a social publishing platform that is open to all and home to a diverse array of stories, ideas, and perspectives. Anyone can be an individual contributor, and popular topics on Medium range from mental health to social media, and from world affairs and trending news to productivity hacks.  As Medium founder (and Blogger creator/Twitter co-founder) Ev Williams wrote when he first launched the platform in 2012: "Medium is not about who you are or whom you know, but about what you have to say." To help emphasize the importance of what it is you're saying, the overall design of Medium is minimalistic, featuring lots of white space and limited formatting options. Want to change the header typeface to Comic Sans? You can't. Medium won't allow for such atrocities of design. But that's just one of many little nuances that come with the territory for Medium users. In fact, if you're just getting started on the platform, there's a...