By Claire Venus
The podcast currently has 37 episodes available.
Thank you Jo Hutton, Robin Harford, cara alwill, Emma Simpson, Vicki Lesley, and many others for tuning into my live video with Caroline Donahue!
Join me for my next live video in the app next week.
It’s been a joy to support Caroline Donahue on her journey to Substack Bestseller.
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If you want my bespoke support, Diamond Membership opens to my paid members and customers this weekend for a limited number of people.
Here are the perks…
Let me know if you have questions,
Claire
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With a Sparkle on Substack membership you join a hub of over 400 people joyfully growing their Substack publication. You get two calls a month with me, weekly ask-me-anythings and competitions. When you join you get access to my four week course ‘Stay Creative on Substack’ to set your Substack up congruently embodying your own unique creative practise.
If you’re happy here as a reader or if you need a gift subscription here you are welcome to ask. If you’d like to recommend Sparkle on Substack to your friends and help teach the Substack algorithm what you like, you can do that here. 💝
Sparklers!
It was a joy to participate in this workshop and I know you’ll all adore it.
It’s a welcome break from the drama on Substack Notes and a refocus into what we’re here to do. 🙏
Thank you for your beautiful ideas and sharing parts of what make you tick, your why for Substack and your storytelling ideas…I’m so honoured to share this space with you.
There are two other workshops from Aimée which are so soulful and special.
* Your big, bold vision for Substack - writing your stand out ‘about’ page.
* Soulful micro copy - for your Substack bio, publication explainer and IG bio
Members, for more guest expert workshops to help grow your Substack soulfully, joyfully and sustainably, head here;
https://sparkleon.substack.com/t/guest-expert-workshops
If you missed out and want to buy the workshops separately without joining the Sparkle on Substack membership, you can here.
Hi all,
This morning I popped LIVE on the Substack app to chat a little more about the current situ with Notes and how we’re all feeling.
Over on Notes, it’s less of a water cooler moment with our colleagues and more of noisy airport where most of the flights are delayed and everyone has their phone on LOUD these days…
This is my third Substack LIVE and the only one I felt happy to share…
Thank you Susannah Conway ,Jo Hutton, Ingrid Fernandez, and many others for tuning into my live video! Substack are quite keen on us testing lives and I think we all know that it will make this space busier and noisier. That being said, I felt I had something of comfort and value to say in the here and now and this was how I chose to share it…
We always have a choice…
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Here are my points summarised for you. I’d love to invite more comments and questions. It’s a fascinating topic…
You can join my private chat space to share or if you’re not a member or leave a comment below…
1. Purpose of Substack Notes: I reflected on how Substack Notes has shifted from a cosy, conversation-based space to feeling more like traditional social media. This change has impacted how we experience it, often pulling us into comparison and distraction.
2. Coping with Overwhelm: I shared strategies to help avoid the overwhelm of the Notes feed. For example, I suggested setting the Substack app to open on the newsletter "inbox" rather than Notes so that we're not bombarded with content that might disrupt our calm and pull us out of being creative.
3. Intentional Content Consumption: I talked about how important it is to consume content mindfully. Personally, I only follow people whose content aligns with my interests, like travel and self-care, to create a calmer online experience and steer clear of stressful topics.
4. Engagement Alternatives: Instead of relying heavily on Notes, I suggested engaging through thoughtful comments on articles/ posts and using recommendations to build connections and grow on Substack—these feel more intentional and less overwhelming. There’s MORE reciprocity and a deeper human-human connection.
5. Organic Growth Tips: A lot of my growth on Substack has come from organic ‘recommendations’, and I really encourage others to leverage this too. Collaborating with other writers you connect with is also a great way to reach new and ‘good fit’ audiences.
6. Depth over Virality: I value “depth of connection” over trying to go viral. While virality can bring a quick influx of subscribers, it’s not as meaningful to me as creating joy and building real connections with my community. I’ve never gone viral anywhere online although I have supported clients to. When we see a feed full of viral notes it’s just what Substack has chosen to show us not what is ‘actually’ happening…
7. Empathy and User Experience: I encouraged everyone to take a mindful approach when using Notes. We can all adjust our engagement based on personal boundaries and content preferences, making our Substack experience more fulfilling and positive.
For more joyful growth join our community and connect to like minded folks who share your passion for creativity and a life without burn out.
Thanks for tuning in and let me know if you’d like me to do more lives nature!
Any questions? Thoughts, comments on Notes and how you using showing up to connect without feeling flat?
Claire
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PS - Here’s some more on recommendations and how to use them here on Substack…
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Hi all,
We’re meeting this morning! 9.30am (UK time) to discuss increasing your income on Substack through Founding Memberships.
Register here. Replay will be posted after the call.
In response to a reader question, I recorded you this video/ audio so you can better understand the strategy behind my recent decisions here at Sparkle on Substack.
Members - I’ll be away this w…
The Power of Community on Substack: "I had no idea that it was going to become this massive community that I was going to want to live in."
Lindsay Johnstone
From the archives and in celebration of Lindsay completing an incredible memoir serialisation project here on Substack, here is a wonderful episode on the POWER of audio on Substack. Lindsay is running a flash sale where you can access her serialised memoir ‘Held in Mind’ for the price of a hard back book. GO see!
Lindsay Johnstone has been here in my membership here at Sparkle on Substack from the very beginning and it’s been an ABSOLUTE joy to celebrate her triumphs and see her express herself so creatively on this platform.
I believe audio is the most under utilised resource here. The transcription tools are insanely good, the hosting is COMPLETELY free and we can record with the technology we already have. 😬
With audio my publication keeps growing. This podcast has been downloaded almost 35k times. It blows my mind. As the platform gets busier, audio is the way to stay ahead of the curve!
Substack tell us publications that integrate audio grow 2.5 times faster. I’m so passionate about it I’ve built a whole course to teach you about process, tech and mindset on sharing your voice.
If you want to join us live we start next Friday, I’m going to guide you every step of the way…
More details here on my LIVE course Perfectly Imperfect Podcasting.
Guest bio
Lindsay is a writer, reviewer and creative writing workshop facilitator based in Glasgow, Scotland. Post-therapy, she’s holding the necessary space for herself and others entering midlife while very much still figuring things out.
In autumn 2022, she ended a three-year psychotherapy journey asking, ‘What now?’ and vowed she’d replace those thrice-weekly therapeutic hours with something, but wasn’t then sure quite what.
Enter Substack…
Follow Lindsay’s work on Substack over at What Now? with Lindsay Johnstone or on Instagram;
🎙️ Timeline
00:00 Writer discusses work on Substack and books.
05:07 Substack became community and writing practice hub.
07:45 Connection turns comments into conversations, fostering community.
12:35 Loneliness-driven mental health epidemic needs deeper connections.
15:32 Audio storytelling enhances personal connection in publishing.
19:35 Episodes revised for better audio pacing, content.
21:55 Curating content creatively yields timely, impactful connections.
23:48 Teaching schedule, energy management, and consistent writing.
26:58 Creative evolution with Substack, community, and experimentation.
30:25 Guest authors connect with writers via Substack.
35:36 Holding space: connection, creativity, balance, wellbeing.
37:23 Substack voiceover improved; eager to try.
41:53 Voice notes on Substack built global connections.
45:19 Audio offers creators personal expression and accessibility.
47:47 Exploring audio snippets and diaries for creativity.
53:27 Recording helps refine writing; creative expression evolves.
54:53 Stopping recording; continuing chat with paid members.
This podcast is supported by my Diamond Members who’s belief in me has led to me running the business of my dreams. Thanks to them and to you for being here. Diamond membership opens again in January 2025 for one month.
Just a reminder, it’s the last month to jump in as a monthly paid member to Sparkle on Substack. It’s currently £11 a month or £95 for the year.
On 1st November, I am TAKING OUT the monthly option and the annual price will be £145. That’s a jump from USD $124 to $189 or you can lock in monthly at USD$14.
If your a current member your price will always stay the same.
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Help Lucy Werner meet her goal of reaching 500 paid members and upgrade to her membership with this special 30 day free trial.
"And even before I turned on Substack, I'd written about 100 articles on medium just to practice. So I kind of had the, you can actually, if you scroll back to my early medium articles, the headlines and the content are horrendous because I kind of just use that as my public draft notebook. We didn't have an audience there, so it didn't matter."
Lucy Werner
Want audio only?
It’s here;
AI Timestamped Overview
00:00 Transitioned from agency owner to teaching DIY PR.
03:54 Starting paid subscriptions is challenging but essential.
08:17 Needed time to join membership; later invested.
11:06 Unusual growth pattern influenced by pricing adjustments.
14:24 Volume strategy balances lower price with higher subscribers.
19:31 Adjusted pricing due to audience preferences and data.
21:07 Incredible story shared, emphasizes audience value clarity.
23:35 Lucy's genuine journey is highly relatable and human.
26:57 Networking in community fosters diverse support and learning.
33:34 Reached over 40,000 people, enjoyed the process.
35:35 Substack endorsement could've boosted book's popularity.
37:08 Always carry and promote your book creatively.
40:44 Contemplating final project launch before year's end.
44:25 Improving base tier to spur organic growth.
48:17 Expert: B2B data analysis and editorial skills combined.
49:56 We're all in service, evolving together constantly.
54:13 Never drastically reduce prices; honour initial supporters.
57:44 Join workshops to learn and grow your business.
How Data Analysis with Amanda B. Hinton Altered My Subscription Pricing: "The data audit was super, super clear that there was a sweet spot where my audience were coming in and the pricing of 20 pounds a month and 150 was way outside of that. So I decided to bring it down."
Lucy Werner
Watch on YouTube
Find and follow Lucy online
https://www.instagram.com/lucywernerpr
“One of the things that I like to do with my book is I try and take it everywhere. Because you never know who you're going to meet. And actually, that having a copy on me landed me my biggest ever podcast with the biggest ever, like somebody who had millions of followers on YouTube. I also quite like to stash them places."
The video version is here -
https://sparkleon.substack.com/p/subscriber-retention-on-substack
"Sometimes I would go into such a flow when I'm in conversation for the podcast that when I listen back, I'm like, wow, I can't believe that I'm that smart."
Hannah Harvey
Afternoon sparklers, how are you?
1001 ways you say - what a gift… let’s chat about the ways you could use audio in the comments!
BEFORE I get into it - I wanted to remind you that it’s the VERY last day to grab the early bird price on my NEW audio/ video podcasting course.
Perfectly Imperfect Podcasting is the course to kick start your idea into a tangible podcast / audio/ video/ audio plan for your Substack. I’ll support you every step of the way.
Join me for four weeks with tutorials to take in your own time, one live group mentoring call and 24/7 chat. Get your podcast planned out, named, branded, learn the tech, set up your flows and get ready to launch right here on Substack. We start with mindset work and finish with a plan/ launch.
I’ve got you! We start Friday 1st November. (I am not planning on running another live round but the course will be available to my Diamond Members in January).
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I have a BONUS mini video podcast episode for you today with my friend and fellow podcast host Hannah Harvey celebrating her podcast process and leaning into the power of speaking your truth. I invited Hannah over to chat with me because I’ve been absolutely fascinated with her bravery and style when it came to showing up to share her voice. I think you’ll adore her as much as I do, her work is a true gift to women. Hannah has been podcasting for two years and so I jumped in and got her to explain some of her potted reflections for those of you who are curious about starting.
"Yes I booked a studio for the day for my first 8 episodes but there were plenty of times when (my co-host and producer) Katie and I were literally sat in my wardrobe just for sound dampening and producing it ourselves." Hannah Harvey
Connect with Hannah Harvey
https://www.hannahharvey.uk
Hannah’s just getting started on Substack so give her a follow/ subscribe?
While I’m here, there are lots of audio and video resources in the membership. Head over to the A-Z to find something to unlock the next stage of your journey.
Just to steal in quickly before the show and tell you my BRAND new podcasting course is on EARLY BIRD sale until Wednesday. Join in in Perfectly, Imperfect Podcasting and make your podcasting dreams come true! More here. It’s £220 right now or x2 payments of £110. (That’s USD $288 approx)
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"Just because I think it's so interesting through your life how your relationship to money changes and how your experience with money changes and how already there's been kind of patterns of women not being taken seriously around this topic."
Keris Fox
Ah guys I know I say this every time but it was a DELIGHT to meet Keris. Keris was one of the first people I met here on Substack through my pal Suzy Walker and we reached Substack bestseller (101 paid subs) at the same time back in October 2023.
It was in the heady days of growth where I thought everyone was my colleague and friend online - oh wait…
Anyway, Keris Fox is a gem and on a one woman missing to spread more joy about lots of things including money, chocolate moose bears and Harry Styles. We don’t shy away from the money chat in this episode and we hope our way of speaking transparently is helpful.
“Most books don’t earn out their advance, that’s the reality.”
AUTHOR BIO - Keris Fox is the bestselling author of fourteen novels, including adult and YA romcoms and one Christmas novel for younger readers that is not a romance, but does star a talking pug. Her first non-fiction title, The Harry Styles Effect, both a fandom memoir and celebration of Styles, will be published in March 2025.
Keris writes two Substacks: her author newsletter, Happy Endings, and The Ladybird Purse, where she interviews women about money and shares her own money misadventures. Keris and her two sons recently moved back to the seaside town she grew up in. She'll never say no to fish and chips on the beach.
"The biggest advance I got a few years ago was £9000 for one book and I was delighted!
Then publication was another year after that so it worked out at more like two and a half grand a year over three years. You celebrate the advance, you forget that you've still got to write the bloody book as well."
Shop all the books over at Keris website.
Timestamped overview
00:00 UK book publishing industry busy with timelines.
07:16 Low advances, high royalties, successful book sales.
15:24 Marriage, financial independence, and the challenges.
16:23 Interviewing women across decades about money, experiences.
21:50 Challenges of managing finances with limited income.
29:34 Author reflects on book advances and upbringing.
35:52 Industry workers navigating economic decisions and emotions.
41:20 Free content, follow-ups, and expert interviews.
45:14 Link to Keris, compile articles, talk money.
51:04 Value proposition for paid content is crucial.
55:27 Author documents writing process and personal memories.
01:02:58 Building connections, feeling less alone in navigating.
Other links we mentioned
https://bookouture.com/
The chocolate bear…
We hope you enjoy this episode and would love to hear from you in the comments.
Claire and Keris!
Thank you to my WONDERFUL 💎 Diamond Members for sponsoring season 2 of the podcast.
Perfectly Imperfect Podcasting on Substack
I have had SOOOO many questions about starting and committing to a podcast recently, I decided to make a month long LIVE course to support you. We start November 1st.
(If you’re in the membership here at Sparkle on Substack, you can access some light touch resources to help you use audio here on Substack, just head to the a-z and you’ll find everything there).
Podcasting starts with having something to say, something you care about…
And we don’t have to say it ‘perfectly’. In-fact, in our podcast Linda at Substack shared that people like to see the real human here - those are the people who are growing well here. The people who show up in a way that’s relatable, as themselves not as a perfectly polished performance version of themselves. Thank goodness hey?
The course is wholehearted, it’s holistic.
It can be scary to sit and record audio home alone, should you go to a studio? What should you call your podcast? Do you want guests? What if they don’t reply to your invite. So many questions!
🎙️ Perfectly, imperfect Podcasting 💫 zooms out to look at where video/ audio podcast content could sit within your content eco system here and across the global air waves.
It looks at our barriers and blocks to using our voice, being on video, tracks through planning, design, branding, naming, all the tech you need. Oh and a launch strategy that feels good to you. I’ll also pop your podcast on a stand alone post and tell everyone about it when you launch.
A podcast doesn’t actually have to be a podcast. Short on time, how about a themed voice note - that’s where I started and one of the things I attribute to the growth I saw in my first year.
Any questions on producing audio here, just ask, it would be a honour to support your audio/ video journey.
Claire
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The podcast currently has 37 episodes available.