Many writers are discovering how a Substack newsletter can help them reach new audiences with minimal fuss. Yet, if you’re looking to do more than simply send out articles—especially if you’re interested in segmentation, welcome sequences, or more robust marketing—you quickly realize that Substack alone may not be enough. That’s where an additional email platform (like ConvertKit, colloquially called Kit) and intelligent automations come in.

In essence, you can think of Substack as a dynamic publishing tool that’s great for building initial awareness and community engagement. Meanwhile, Kit (or a similar email service provider) excels at segmenting subscribers, sending personalized sequences, and tracking revenue-driving metrics. By automating the data flow between Substack and Kit, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: maintaining a vibrant presence on Substack while feeding your most loyal subscribers or potential buyers into finely tuned email funnels. Below, we’ll explore exactly why and how to create such an automation pipeline, as illuminated by one creator’s experience.

Why Substack Alone Might Not Be Enough

First, let’s clarify what Substack does well—and where it shows limitations:

* Organic Discovery and SimplicitySubstack makes it easy to write and publish. The interface is intuitive and free from clutter: you can focus on words (and maybe a few images) instead of tinkering with design. Plus, features like Recommendations and Notes open a window for organic discovery and reader interaction.

* Community InteractionSubstack has built-in community features—chats, comments, and the public “Notes” feed—that can nurture conversation. For writers who want to dialogue with their audience, this is an enormous advantage.

* Limited Sales & Marketing ToolsSubstack’s Achilles’ heel is handling in-depth marketing tasks. Its segmentation is basic; reporting can feel minimal or confusing; and you don’t get the ability to easily automate multiple-step welcome sequences or complex campaigns. If you run courses, sell products, or want deep insights into subscriber actions, you’ll likely find Substack’s native toolset too shallow.

This is precisely why many creators keep Substack for community-building and general outreach—but then port the email addresses over to a more powerful platform for advanced marketing.

Why Bring Kit (ConvertKit) Into the Mix?

Kit, or ConvertKit, is a dedicated email service provider built with creators in mind. You might also consider Mailchimp, MailerLite, or other similar platforms. However, many writers gravitate to Kit for these reasons:

* Ease of Writing & FormattingKit still treats the written word as core. Its editor is clean and user-friendly, which matters immensely to word-centric creators.

* Segmentation & AutomationYou can create welcome funnels, advanced tagging systems, and specialized campaigns that might not be possible on Substack alone. Want to welcome new subscribers differently than long-time fans? Tag them. Want to create a mini-course via email? A few button clicks in Kit is all it takes.

* Clear AnalyticsWhereas Substack’s analytic tools can be opaque, Kit provides stats on open rates, click-through rates, unsubscribes, and more, helping you refine your future launches or funnels.

Together, Substack and Kit can form a powerhouse: Substack draws people in, gives them valuable free content, and fosters community engagement, while Kit quietly works in the background, delivering more specialized messages to the right segments at the right time.

Connecting the Dots: Substack-to-Kit Automation

Step 1: Capture Subscriber Data

The first hurdle is that Substack does not (yet) offer a direct integration or open API. That means you can’t simply log in to your Substack dashboard, press a button, and send new subscribers to Kit. The workaround is to use an automation platform such as Zapier or Make (formerly Integromat). These tools watch for new signups or subscriber events on your Substack, then transfer that data to Kit.

How does it work?

* Forward Substack Emails to GmailSubstack sends you an email for each new subscriber or subscription change (including unsubscribes). In Gmail (or another mail service), create filters to label or tag these Substack notifications appropriately. For instance, one filter might detect “New free subscriber on Substack” in the subject line, while another tracks “New paid subscriber on Substack.”

* Create a Zap in ZapierIn Zapier, set your Trigger to “New Labeled Email in Gmail.” This will “listen” for any incoming messages with your chosen labels. Next, set an Action of “Add or Update Subscriber in ConvertKit.” Now, whenever a new subscriber joins your Substack, you’ll automatically create or update a contact in Kit.

* Assign Proper TagsIn that Zapier action step, you can also apply a tag, such as “Substack Free,” “Substack Paid,” or “Cancelled Subscription.” Segmenting them in Kit allows you to deliver different welcome sequences or product offers based on their status.

Step 2: Use Tags to Trigger Automations

Once a subscriber hits your Kit account with a specific tag, you can fire off automations tailored to their stage or interest. Here’s a quick look at potential scenarios:

* New Free SubscribersThese folks might appreciate an introductory email course that highlights your best Substack articles or showcases your creative journey. Automate a series of short emails over a week or two—each containing a valuable nugget or free resource. By the end, these new subscribers should know who you are, what you stand for, and how they can benefit from staying connected.

* New Paid SubscribersPaid Substack subscribers are your VIP audience. You could send a personal welcome message with bonus content—maybe a behind-the-scenes video or a discount on a related product. Automation ensures each new paid member feels special without you sending manual follow-ups.

* Lapsed or UnsubscribedIf someone cancels their Substack subscription, you might want to send a win-back email. That email could ask for feedback or let them know you’re there if they ever decide to return. With the right tagging and automations in Kit, this outreach happens seamlessly in the background.

Step 3: Refine and Extend Your Campaigns

One of the greatest benefits of integrating Substack with Kit is the ability to iteratively improve. Substack doesn’t make it easy to see which emails or posts actually converted a subscriber into a paying customer, but Kit does. As you learn which automations perform best, you can continuously refine and expand them.

Consider these advanced possibilities:

* Long-Term Nurture SequencesInstead of a simple three-email welcome series, you might create a six-month funnel that gradually educates subscribers about your world. For instance, you could drip out exclusive essays, recommended readings, or tips every two weeks. This drip strategy helps keep you top-of-mind without overwhelming them.

* Targeted Product LaunchesIf you sell books, courses, or run crowdfunding campaigns (e.g., on Kickstarter), your Kit automations can handle the entire promotional cycle. Imagine building a 7–10 email sequence that starts two weeks before a launch date, peaks during launch week, and then follows up post-launch. By segmenting your Substack readers who are also on Kit, you ensure that the people most likely to buy or back your work receive the right pitch at the right time.

* Promoting Substack UpgradesIf you want free Substack subscribers to become paid subscribers, you can also craft dedicated campaigns that highlight the benefits of upgrading. Perhaps you schedule them to receive a special discount code on their three-month anniversary or show them exclusive articles they can unlock by becoming paid members.

Balancing Automation and Authenticity

Some creators worry that advanced email funnels feel “impersonal” or “salesy.” In reality, the automation is there to help you connect more deeply. By delivering targeted information at precisely the right time—such as a welcome note or a relevant freebie—you’re showing your audience you care about their interests, rather than blasting everyone with the same generic note.

Moreover, automations free you to focus on what you do best: creating. Instead of manually sending out the same messages each time someone arrives, you can devote that energy to crafting new content or engaging your community on Substack. Think of automation as your behind-the-scenes ally, tirelessly ensuring that readers get the right experience—and that no one slips through the cracks.

Making It Work: A Step-by-Step Recap

* Set Up Labels in GmailFilter new subscriber notifications from Substack to separate labels: “New Free Substack Subscriber,” “New Paid Substack Subscriber,” “Unsubscribed,” etc.

* Build a Zapier (or Make) WorkflowFor each label, create a Zap that adds or updates the subscriber in ConvertKit with the right tag.

* Create Automations in KitWithin ConvertKit, build out sequences based on those tags. A few suggestions:

* Welcome Sequence (Free) – Introduce your best content and build trust.

* Welcome Sequence (Paid) – Deliver exclusive resources or behind-the-scenes material.

* Cancellation / Win-Back – If someone leaves, gently invite them to return or give feedback.

* Refine Over TimeMonitor open rates, click-throughs, and sign-ups. If certain emails lead to more conversions, replicate the success. If some get low engagement, rework or remove them.

* Build Authentic ConnectionUse automation to save time, but keep your personal touch. Automations can complement Substack’s community features by directing the right people to the right content, so you can concentrate on deeper engagement.

Conclusion

Substack’s simplicity is brilliant for publishing and community interaction, but it has clear limits when it comes to sophisticated marketing or segmentation. By automating a Substack-to-Kit workflow—using Zapier or a similar tool as the glue—you can enjoy the creative freedom of Substack while harnessing the marketing muscle of a dedicated email service.

Don’t be daunted by the initial setup. Once you’ve built your Substack-to-Kit pipeline, you’ll rarely need to tweak it—unless you decide to refine your welcome sequences or add a new offering. From that point on, each new subscriber is placed on the perfect track to discover your best work, explore your products, and deepen their relationship with you over time.

Embrace the power of automation. You’ll find that it doesn’t rob you of authenticity—it amplifies it. By guiding readers to exactly what they need, when they need it, you’ll foster stronger ties with the people who believe in your creative vision, while ensuring your creative business can flourish behind the scenes.

The growing popularity of Substack has created fresh opportunities for writers to reach new audiences, deepen relationships with existing fans, and share knowledge with minimal barriers to entry. At the same time, simply starting a Substack isn’t enough to guarantee sustainable success—especially if you want it to become part of a meaningful creative career rather than just a hobby. You’ll quickly realize the importance of having a clear purpose, finding (and occasionally redefining) your niche, and knowing how to adapt when opportunities arise or when life throws you curveballs.

In a recent conversation, one well-known creator (author of “How to Build a World-Class Substack”) shared insights that go beyond routine newsletter tips. He discussed balancing joy with monetization, exploring multiple areas of expertise, and staying open to the possibility of “pivoting” your brand or business whenever data suggests it’s time. While the conversation touched on Substack specifically, these lessons apply broadly to writing, business-building, and entrepreneurship as a whole. Below, we break down the main lessons so you can apply them to your own creative journey.

Putting “Money as Means” Instead of Money as an End

One of the first big ideas is the importance of reframing your relationship with money. While some business gurus treat revenue as the primary end goal, many creators are uncomfortable with the idea of “selling, selling, selling.” For them, money is the means to keep creating. It pays for the resources, covers basic living expenses, and, ideally, sustains them so they can focus on their craft.

If this resonates with you, then you may find it helpful to reorient your mindset:

* Create for Impact, Not Just ProfitYes, you should charge for your best material—especially if you want your creative pursuits to be more than a hobby. But do so from the standpoint that money fuels a bigger vision. For instance, a writer might monetize a Substack subscription so they can afford to spend more time researching and writing meaningful content.

* Give Away Some Content FreelyParadoxically, offering certain things for free can help you grow faster. Free samples, giveaways, or zero-cost tiers on Substack remove friction for potential readers or buyers. They let people test your value proposition with no risk, and often convert more effectively into paying fans. You’re optimizing for growth in these moments, not immediate profit.

Finding the Right Niche (Eventually)

“Niche” is one of the most talked-about words in modern content marketing. Many experts suggest narrowing down your audience so you can become the go-to authority for that specific topic. However, the transcript underscores a valuable nuance: you might not know your ultimate niche right away. In fact, there’s value in exploring different formats, genres, and specializations early on.

* Experiment Broadly at FirstEarly in your career, try your hand at multiple types of writing or diverse topics, whether it’s romantic comedy screenplays, non-fiction guides, or daily motivational posts. The broader your experimentation, the clearer the data you’ll gather about where your true passion and audience overlap.

* Let Data (and Joy) Guide YouKeep an eye on what resonates with readers. Over time, a certain theme, angle, or style may consistently generate more enthusiasm—and you might enjoy writing it more, too. This combination of personal excitement and audience engagement is an ideal sweet spot. That is typically where you start narrowing down and doubling up on your efforts.

Why Homogeneity Kills Small Publications

On paper, it might seem logical to stick to one hyper-focused topic, aiming to please every single reader, every time. Yet doing so can lead to “homogeneity”—where every post is essentially the same. When that happens, both you and your audience risk boredom, and newcomers may not see much reason to stick around.

Instead, aim to speak to segments within your audience. Even if you primarily address one niche—say, personal finance or creativity—your readers have different tastes and experiences. Write posts that appeal strongly to smaller groups on a rotating basis. As long as each group feels catered to at some point, they remain engaged and share your work with like-minded people.

Example: Tim Ferriss once remarked that each podcast episode might only appeal to around 25% of his audience. Yet by ensuring each segment is addressed regularly, the overall show remains fresh and relevant. Likewise, your Substack might run an interview series for one subset, personal opinion essays for another, and in-depth research pieces for a third.

The Art of the Pivot

Pivoting is essentially changing direction in your creative or business journey—sometimes by choosing a new primary platform, exploring an adjacent industry, or even switching from one product type to another. For many creators, pivoting can feel risky or disloyal to your initial audience. However, the transcript conversation highlighted two key ideas that enable graceful, productive pivots:

* Don’t Abandon Your Core ThemeYou can remain consistent in your overall mission or “why” while changing the outward form of your work. For example, an author who loves empowering people’s creativity can shift from writing primarily about Substack to writing about Kickstarter or direct sales, because it’s still about helping aspiring creators succeed. Your audience will see the continuity if you communicate that deeper purpose.

* Leverage Existing SkillsPivoting becomes far easier if you have a range of skills and experiences. If you’ve ever done public speaking, built an online course, or run a blog in another industry, you can transfer that expertise to new platforms. Stay curious and open-minded: sometimes the best tool for your next pivot comes from a totally different field.

Striving for Authenticity (and Keeping Ego in Check)

It’s tempting to measure your worth by the number of subscribers, the amount of monthly revenue, or the size of your social-media following. Yet the conversation reminds us how dangerous that can be. Life is unpredictable, and business numbers can rise or fall for reasons beyond your control. If you find your self-worth heavily tied to a certain metric, a future dip could do real damage to your mental health and motivation.

Practical Tip: If you notice yourself feeling down or anxious when you see someone else “going viral,” practice stepping away from the comparison. Remind yourself that each creator has a different timeline, starting point, and personal context. Meditation or journaling can help you regroup and refocus on what you can control: your own craft, message, and personal well-being.

Quarter-by-Quarter Learning

One particularly actionable strategy mentioned is to focus on one key area of learning or improvement each quarter. Devote a handful of days to immerse yourself in a topic—whether it’s advanced email automation, growing a membership site, or mastering a new design tool. Test ideas for a few months to see if they enhance your workflow and whether they resonate with your audience. This timeframe is long enough to see real results, yet short enough to let you pivot or change directions if it’s not working out.

The result, over time, is a collection of new skills that function like table legs: each skill provides support, so your entire business doesn’t collapse if one income stream weakens. This approach fosters stability and keeps you excited about learning, preventing creative stagnation.

Practical Takeaways for Your Substack Journey

* Start Broad, Then NarrowAt the outset, experiment with varied content. Track which types of posts generate the most positive feedback and personal enthusiasm. Over time, you’ll discover a sweet spot.

* Don’t be Afraid to Give Away ValueIf your goal is audience growth, removing friction is key. Provide substantial free posts or previews. Once readers trust you, they’ll be more receptive to paid offers.

* Be Open to CollaborationCross-promotion, interviews, and co-created content can break up the monotony, reach fresh audiences, and shine a light on perspectives you may not personally cover. This variety also helps you avoid homogeneity in your newsletter.

* Pivoting Is About Expanding Your MissionAdapting doesn’t mean discarding your old identity. Instead, find new ways to apply your central theme to different formats, platforms, or specific niches.

* Detach Self-Worth from MetricsFinancial or follower-based success is often fleeting. It’s okay to celebrate big wins, but remember to remain grounded in the intrinsic worth you had before any accolades.

Conclusion

Building a world-class Substack (or any creative enterprise) is about more than just “writing good posts.” Yes, consistent, high-quality writing is foundational. But the difference between short-term hype and long-term sustainability lies in how you think about growth, collaboration, monetization, and pivoting. Ask yourself what truly drives your work—money as the means to a greater mission? Growth for the sake of helping more people? Or maybe the sheer joy of exploration and creativity?

When those bigger “why” questions are answered, you’ll find Substack and other platforms are simply the channels through which you bring your ideas to life. Keeping your eyes open to new opportunities, staying flexible, and building skill upon skill each quarter can gradually turn your one-person writing venture into a multi-faceted, resilient business—one that can pivot and thrive, no matter what changes the future brings.

Creative Growth Strategies for a Sustainable Business

Building a creative career that lasts requires more than just passion—it’s about setting boundaries, leveraging the right tools, and creating sustainable systems. In our recent live discussion, we explored strategies to help creative entrepreneurs grow while maintaining balance. Here’s what we uncovered:

1. Protect Your Energy with Boundaries

Creative work thrives on focus, but the internet can be a “tool of mass distraction.” To make meaningful progress, you need clear limits.

* Why it matters: Saying yes to everything dilutes your impact and drains your resources.

* Try this: Restrict access to your time by setting rules for live invites or direct messages. Be intentional about where your energy goes—reserve it for tasks and relationships that align with your goals.

2. Lean Into Organic Growth

Data doesn’t lie: Russell found that 57% of his paid subscribers came directly from Substack, while only 15.5% came from paid ads.

* What this means: Organic growth through platform-native tools like newsletters and Notes is more effective than pouring money into ads.

* Try this: Focus on creating valuable, engaging content that attracts your ideal audience. Use paid ads sparingly to amplify what’s already working.

3. Offer Tiers That Meet Different Needs

Not every subscriber wants the same level of access or engagement. A multi-tier membership model lets you serve a broader audience while respecting your own limits.

* Structure it like this:

* Base Tier: Access to articles, archives, and replays—a low-touch experience for casual followers.

* Mid-Tier: Include live interactions, exclusive courses, or member-only chats.

* Top Tier: Offer high-touch perks like one-on-one consultations or premium workshops.

4. Treat Your Archive Like Gold

As you build your content library, its value compounds. Your archive isn’t just a collection of past work—it’s a resource your audience will pay to access.

* Why it works: Subscribers are more willing to invest when they see they’re getting ongoing value.

* Try this: Raise your membership price as your archive grows. For instance, increase rates every 100 posts or after major milestones, and clearly communicate the added value.

5. Gamify Your Growth

Milestones like hitting a certain number of subscribers or reaching bestseller status on Substack can be powerful motivators.

* Make it fun: Offer special perks, discounts, or bonuses for early supporters or founding members.

* Pro tip: Use gamification as a way to engage your audience and reward loyalty, but don’t let it pressure you into unsustainable practices.

6. Build a Self-Sustaining Community

A strong community does more than just engage—it lightens your workload. By fostering connections among members, you create a space that thrives even without constant input.

* Why it matters: When members help each other, your role shifts from leader to facilitator.

* Try this: Provide resources like tutorials and onboarding guides for new members, then encourage experienced members to share their expertise.

7. Price Your Work for Sustainability

Low prices may attract more subscribers, but they can lead to burnout if you’re overworked and underpaid. On the flip side, higher prices can create a safer, more intentional community.

* Balance is key: Position your pricing to reflect the value of what you offer, especially if it includes live interactions or direct access.

* Try this: Reassess your pricing as your offerings grow. If you’re providing more value, don’t be afraid to adjust your rates accordingly.

Final Thoughts: Sustainable Growth is Intentional

Growth doesn’t have to mean chaos. By focusing on what matters—your energy, your audience, and the systems you build—you can create a career that supports both your creativity and your well-being. These strategies aren’t just about reaching the next milestone—they’re about enjoying the journey and making it last.

Nobody taught me more during their time on my show then Ben. I have tried to incorporate his entire business model into my own with varying degrees of success.

He laid the foundation for this whole line of thought when he blew my mind.

Here is his bio, straight from his Wikipedia page.

Templesmith produced his first commercial American comics work in 2002, providing the art for Todd McFarlane Productions’ Hellspawn, which was published by Image Comics. He has gone on to create his own original works as well as contribute to many licensed properties at various publishers, most notably IDW Publishing, with which he had an exclusive agreement through most of 2008 and part of 2009 before returning to being a freelancer. Other licensed properties that Templesmith has worked on include illustrating “Dark Journey”, a story in issue #17 of the Dark Horse Comics anthology series Star Wars Talesin 2003, and the covers to Devil’s Due Publishing‘s Army of Darkness: Ashes to Ashes #1 in 2004 and IDW’s G.I. Joe #0 in 2008. Original works Templesmith has produced include the miniseries Welcome to Hoxford, the New York Times best-selling Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse [3] Tommyrot: The Art of Ben Templesmith, Conluvio and Choker at Image Comics with writer Ben McCool. He also provided a number of covers for the Oni Press series Wasteland.

In April 2012 DC Entertainment announced that Templesmith will be one of the artists illustrating a new digital Batman series whose stories will be set outside of the regular DC continuity.[4] Starting in November 2014, Templesmith launched Gotham by Midnight from DC Comics with writer Ray Fawkes

Listen to this episode if you want to learn:

* Ben’s method of utilizing Patreon, Kickstarter, and the direct market to create a profitable business model for his art

* The trick to having a successful Patreon

* What to watch out for in a publishing contract

* Why he keeps coming back to comics even though other forms of art pay better

…and much more.

Since interviewing Margot, she left Kickstarter to become the publisher at an awesome feminist press.

I talked with Margot just a couple months before I shot to success with my first $25,000+ Kickstarter project Monsters and Other Scary Shit, and I credit a lot of the advice she gave me here with unlocking the last bits of the puzzle for me.

This interview is INVALUABLE if you ever want to run a publishing or comics Kickstarter because you are listening about what to do straight from the person who runs that part of the Kickstarter platform.

Here is her bio straight from www.emdashandco.com.

Margot Atwell is a publishing professional with over a decade of experience. She is currently a Publishing Community Manager at Kickstarter.com.

Previously, Margot was Publisher at Beaufort Books, an independent publisher of fiction and non-fiction. Under her leadership, Beaufort published four national bestsellers, including Hide!!! by Jeff Foxworthy, If I Did It by the Goldman Family, and a new edition of I’m Dancing As Fast as I Can by Barbara Gordon, along with many award-winning books.

Margot is a freelance writer, editor, and book reviewer. Her writing has been published in The Huffington Post, Moviefone.com, Publishers Weekly, fiveonfive magazine, and Derbylife.com.

Her first book, The Insider’s Guide to Book Publishing Success, was published in February 2013. Her second book, Derby Life: Stories, Advice & Wisdom from the Roller Derby World is forthcoming from Gutpunch Press.

I knew of Margot before we met earlier this year, I just didn’t know it. Before I launched my publishing company, Wannabe Press, I read her book. When we first started talking, I knew the name sounded familiar but I couldn’t place it. When she agreed to be on the show I did my research, saw the cover, and IMMEDIATELY connected the name with a very formative book from my past.

We started our conversation talking about her past and publishing as a whole. One of the things I quickly found out about Margot is that she is publishing through and through. Even before Kickstarter, she was a publisher and author. Since then, she has launched two successful book campaigns focused on her love of Roller Derby. Check them out here and here.

The conversation quickly turned to Kickstarter, as these things must. As much as I would have loved to talk about publishing books for hours, the purpose of having her on was to answer your pressing questions about Kickstarter…well really my pressing questions about Kickstarter.

The first one was one that’s been gnawing at me for years, since even before I got on the platform: how do you get to be staff pick? I’ve done five projects so far and only one has been a staff pick, since renamed Projects We Love.

While I wish I got a hard data answer, the truth is more subjective. While anybody can look through projects and flag something they like, it’s really the curation team that has the final say. One thing she told me is that tweeting at the Kickstarter people and sending them gifts DOES NOT HELP.

What does help is doing something cool and original, making sure your page is clear and concise. Make sure it tells a story and does something original. They specifically look for books that are told from a different perspective and featuring diverse characters. The end goal is that it’s unique and original. It can’t be something they’ve seen before.

If you look at the comic book team or publishing team at Kickstarter, one thing you will see is that they have very diverse tastes. They are almost all creators themselves (if fact Kickstarter encourages their team to run Kickstarters for their projects), and their tastes are diverse. Margot told me that they like to get a wide range of projects, from the $50,000 banger to the tiny $500 one.

Another thing she told me was that there is no limit. If 50% of projects are deserving, then they will all get picked. I always thought there was a limit, so it was nice to see there isn’t.

One thing people complain about is that Kickstarter doesn’t work like it used to even a couple years ago. There are fewer people on any given project, and people feel deluged with constant project updates. While Margot wouldn’t cop to this, she did say that there are many more fantastic projects today by sheer volume than ever before. Additionally, there are many more people using Kickstarter to find projects as well. There are 12 million backers on Kickstarter, and 3.5 million of them are repeat backers.

Margot said this is where you should focus your energy. 60% of all money raised is raised through repeat backers. It’s critical for you to find these backers because they are your best chance for success.

The last point she made before answering some listener questions was that Kickstarter is a community. That’s what they are trying to build and that’s what they are most proud of creating at the end of the day. Even though it’s overused, the word community really matters to them. Kickstarter works hard to build custom experiences for backers and works to get people to find new projects to back.

We talked about much more during our conversation, but I’m not going to spoil it all here. There was so much gold and I felt this was a more in depth conversation than most people get when researching Kickstarter. I’ve never seen or heard a Kickstarter community manager or director interviewed on a podcast before, so this was quite a thrill for me. I hope you get as much out of it as I did and that there is enough meat to pull a whole lot away for your own project.

Here are some of the links Margot mentioned during the interview.

Kickstarter Creator Handbook

https://www.kickstarter.com/help/handbook

Kickstarter on Medium

https://medium.com/kickstarter

Kickstarter Basics on Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/user/kickstarter

Kickstarter Campus

https://www.kickstarter.com/blog/welcome-to-campus

Since this episode aired, Pat has become a banger at Kickstarter. Everything he launches is a show stopped. He’s expanded his clients and even returned to Zenescope to write for some of his most beloved characters again.

I won’t lie. Pat Shand is a guy I’m a little jealous of because he seamlessly weaves comics and novels into one awesome career.

He’s raised $20,000+ on Kickstarter and had exclusive contracts with comic publishers. He’s written Marvel books, including Guardians of The Galaxy, and he’s just killing it.

I don’t know how Pat and I met, especially because we live on different coasts, but I am super excited that we did because he has been an awesome and supportive friend along with making great projects.

Pat came on the show to talk about building a living as a writer and to pimp his new book Clonsters.

Listen to this episode if you want to know:

* Why you shouldn’t be afraid to reach out to your fans

* How to bridge the writing gap between comics and novels

* Why networking is so important to writing success

* How Pat writes 3+ novels in a year

* Why you shouldn’t be pissed at creators if their covers suck

* How to book jobs (both the sneaky way and the best way)

* Why you should always buy from creators you meet

* How to test an artist properly

…and much more.

I was so excited to have Hope Larson as a guest. Hope was the current writer for Batgirl when I met her, but I knew her from her amazing work on Chiggers, Compass South, and the A Wrinkle in Time graphic novel, along with having the most reasonably priced original art I’ve ever seen.

I picked up three of her original pieces at ComicART two years ago for $25.

Here is here bio, from Wikipedia:

While Larson was still in college, Scott McCloud took an interest in her illustrations, encouraging her to create comics. Soon after, she was invited to the webcomics anthology site Girlamatic and produced her first professional comic, a web serial entitled I Was There & Just Returned.[4] Afterward, Larson concentrated on a number of small, handmade minicomics, combining her interests in comics, screenprinting, and bookmaking. She contributed to comics anthologies Flight, True Porn 2, and You Ain't No Dancer, while working on a web-serialized graphic novel, Salamander Dream. This eventually became her first full-length book, published by AdHouse Books in September 2005; she moved to Oni Press for her second graphic novel, Gray Horses (released March 2006). In 2006, Larson signed a two-book contract with New York publishing house Simon & Schuster.

The first book under this deal, Chiggers (released June 18, 2008, under the Atheneum Books Ginee Seo imprint), is a graphic novel about "nerdy teenaged girls" who meet at summer camp. Chiggers is intended for a 9- to 12-year-old audience.[5] March 26, 2016, It was announced she would be the new writer for DC Comics Batgirl A run that saw the character go on a backpacking trip through China on a voyage of self-discovery. In addition to comics, Larson has worked as a freelance illustrator for various clients, including the New York Times. She has also worked as a letterer on such books as Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly's Local. Hope is awesome, and another in a truly small amount of comic book creators I’ve had on the show which has been published by traditional publishing houses AND mainstream comic book publishers.

Listen to this episode if you want to know:

* How to learn to write better as an artist, even if you are self-taught

* The But…Therefore strategy made famous by Trey Parker and Matt Stone

* What Hope would tell little Hope about pitching to editors

* How to sustainably build a career (newsflash: it’s hard)

* The ins and out of publishing contracts, like what does being paid in thirds mean and how do you earn out

* The difference between mainstream publishers and direct market ones

…and much more.

Since this episode aired, Gina moved from First Second to Random House, and still puts out amazing books.

This week on the show we have Gina Gagliano from First Second books, a fine purveyor of graphic novels for every reader. They are owned by Macmillan, a giant in the publishing space. Even though they are small, they have the support of a massive brand behind them.

That’s what made my conversation with Gina so interesting. She was able to talk from a much wider and more longitudinal view of many, many projects. She talked about the three-year time horizon from signing an author to having a book come out. For most people in the indie world, that is an insane length of time. First Second does that several dozen times a year. So they have to think in the short and long term. First Second also has one of the most extensive networks of bookstore and library distribution, if not the biggest, of any guest we’ve had so far, so it was nice to talk about how to plan for that kind of growth. Gina talked about the shows she attends and the strategy she used to make each of them a success. But we talked about so much more than just shows. Gina laid out a sample plan for how she brings a book to market.

Gina went step by step through her entire marketing plan, and how to dissect the best methods for your book launch even if you don’t have a publisher. It was fascinating to listen to her break that down, and also break down the different target markets for books. This is something I struggled with all year, but haven’t articulated on the podcast, so I’m glad she did. The world is not just split up into adult, YA, and kids.

There are many gradations that must be met when you are planning your marketing. Nearly every age gets split into its own category, and the marketing changes depending on the target market. That’s one of the main reasons why Wannabe Press abandoned the children’s market. It was just too much work to segment our small market in so small a way. It didn’t work for us. This is one of the most important concepts you need to understand before developing a marketing plan.

Where is your market?

Since this episode, Sheri has joined with her husband Derek Taylor Kent to form The Whimsical World, which is a powerhouse in children’s and young adult publishing.

Sheri Fink is an inspirational speaker, a #1 best-selling, award-winning author, and the creator of “The Whimsical World of Sheri Fink” inspirational brand. She creates books, products, and experiences that inspire and delight kids of all ages while planting seeds of self-esteem. All 5 of her children’s books were #1 best-sellers, including The Little Rose which was a #1 Amazon Best-seller for over 60 weeks, became the #1 Top-Rated Children’s eBook on Amazon, and was adapted into a stage play.

Sheri has expanded her brand with books, live experiences, beauty items, and music all designed to create magical experiences for her Fans. Sheri became a #1 best-selling recording artist on Amazon with the 2014 release of her first inspirational album, Love Notes.

Frequently asked about the secret to her success, Sheri released her daily practices that enable her to achieve her dreams in My Bliss Book, a daily journal designed to help you create more magic, passion, and aliveness in your life while achieving your dreams. In 2013, CBS Los Angeles selected her as one of the top 3 authors in her local area, a distinction she shares with Dean Koontz. Sheri’s books have been honored with several awards including 3 gold medals in the Readers Favorite International Book Awards, and is a recipient of the prestigious Gold Mom’s Choice Award honoring the best in family friendly entertainment. Sheri was honored with the 2013 Extraordinary Inspiration Award for her long-lasting commitment to spreading inspirational messages of hope and self-esteem through her books, her moving life story, and her brand. In the words of Jack Canfield, co-creator of Chicken Soup for the Soul and New York Times Best-selling author of The Success Principles, “The Whimsical World of Sheri Fink children’s brand is an excellent resource for award-winning and quality children’s books that encourage actions of tolerance, acceptance, and, perhaps the hardest lesson to be learned of all, staying true to the core of one’s self.” Sheri is an empowering speaker who shares her strategies on overcoming adversity and living life with passion and aliveness as well as her inspirational journey.

Her talks focus on authenticity, confidence, and personal empowerment. In addition, Sheri speaks to elementary school students about the importance of kindness, what it takes to be a successful author, and the behind-the-scenes of transforming an idea into a book. Sheri has spoken to and inspired thousands of people throughout North America including events for PBS, Barnes and Noble at The Grove, USC, and UCLA, corporations including Macy’s and California Pizza Kitchen, and has keynoted for the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Southern California Writers Conference, the American Association of University Women, and the South Bay Women’s Conference. View testimonials of Sheri’s motivational speaking. Sheri and her books have been featured in hundreds of articles, programs, websites, and shows, including on NBC’s The 10! Show, CBS Los Angeles, The Huffington Post, Life After 50 Magazine, The Good Life with VeegMama, and Publishers Weekly.

Sheri has appeared on the cover of several magazines along with feature articles that inspire readers to believe in themselves and take inspired action to transform their lives. Sheri has been honored to participate in pop culture events including Comic-Con, the MTV Movie Awards, the Primetime Emmy Awards, Book Expo America, and the People’s Choice Awards. Sheri is proud to serve as a spokesperson for Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), a non-profit organization that provides free books to underprivileged elementary school students, and to volunteer in the Pediatric ICU at Children’s Hospital. In addition, she is a founding member of the Evolutionary Business Council, an international, invitation-only council of speakers and influencers dedicated to teaching the principles of success in order to make the world a better place, and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

Sheri’s newest adventure is a contemporary romance. She was inspired to write Cake in Bed, her debut novel, to empower women to be their authentic selves and to not settle for less than they deserve in life or in love, because everyone deserves to have their cake and eat it too … preferably in bed! I didn’t know what to think of Sheri when I met her at Los Angeles Comic-con, clad in a Harley Quinn outfit, but she immediately impressed me. The fact that she friended me on Facebook before I could add her was an even better indication of her legitimacy, but then I saw her website and it blew me away.

I loved talking to Sheri because she perfectly balanced the whimsy and inspiration that pumps you up with the tactical and practical information that can help get you to the next level. The thing that really resonated with me from our conversation was the idea of becoming a magnet for the right people.

Since this episode aired years ago, Neo’s reputation has grown exponentially. He’s added clients like Storm King Comics, and become a powerhouse force in writing.

This episode’s guest is Neo Edmund, author of the Alpha Huntress series, several Power Ranger books for Random House, and animation writer for such shows as Kaijudo. Neo has taught me so much over the years, and I am excited that I got to have this conversation with him.

Neo taught me all about panels, and tabling at conventions, and what makes a book sell while I was just getting my feet wet as an author.

Listen to this episode if you want to learn:

* How to take risks strategically

* Why even if you’re scared you should do it anyway

* How to interact with fans at conventions

* Why writing a thousand books a year doesn’t matter much

…and more.