YouTube is a really strong channel for lead generation for us, but we're in a unique position there because there is a lot of demand for Substack education with very little truly valuable YouTube content from other creators. Plus, my channel had already been at 5,000 subscribers at the time I decided to do Substack content.
Growing on YouTube directly is fairly easy for my channel right now, even though I'm far from being a YouTube pro. But we're not sending people from YouTube directly to Substack. Instead, we're sending them to our freebies on Kit because that's a stronger call to action that converts better.
So, if you were to do YouTube videos, I wouldn't just say something like "subscribe to my publication," but I would use a freebie that actually gets them excited about subscribing. You can even deliver that freebie in your free subscriber welcome email.
Nevertheless, the bottom line is that running a proper YouTube channel is a significant time investment. So I would only really consider it if you're also excited about the idea of doing video and leveraging it on other channels as well. If you look at our publication for example, every single YouTube video I produce also goes out as a Substack post with the video being embedded. So it's really a double win for us.
Great explanation! 👏🏻 Thank you so much, Sinem! I became a paid subscriber of Write build scale after watching your YouTube videos. It was no brainer. :) So it totally makes sense that strategy.
Sinem, I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this really thorough breakdown. You were touching on some platforms that I'm intimately familiar with, like podcasting and YouTube, but you're doing such a great job of tying it all together. I'm excited to dig in more on what you're doing. Really, really appreciate the insights.
Clear breakdown as always and I’m super excited to see the Smarter Substack publication grow. I am also curious how you use kit in conjunction with YouTube and Substack. Like what are the automations behind the scenes to capture email address addresses from Substack subscribers, the different types of sequences in kit versus Substack, and that behind the scenes strategy of how to leverage the Substack posts (that get emailed) plus the nurturing campaigns out of kit, and how that all works together without being all over your subscribers inboxes too much.
Im working on my X channel. Currently have other socials but focusing on platform at a time. Recently started on Substack. Can we use videos, posts, threads just like other socials?
I’m just curious, how did YouTube impacted the growth? I’m considering starting a channel as well…
YouTube is a really strong channel for lead generation for us, but we're in a unique position there because there is a lot of demand for Substack education with very little truly valuable YouTube content from other creators. Plus, my channel had already been at 5,000 subscribers at the time I decided to do Substack content.
Growing on YouTube directly is fairly easy for my channel right now, even though I'm far from being a YouTube pro. But we're not sending people from YouTube directly to Substack. Instead, we're sending them to our freebies on Kit because that's a stronger call to action that converts better.
So, if you were to do YouTube videos, I wouldn't just say something like "subscribe to my publication," but I would use a freebie that actually gets them excited about subscribing. You can even deliver that freebie in your free subscriber welcome email.
Nevertheless, the bottom line is that running a proper YouTube channel is a significant time investment. So I would only really consider it if you're also excited about the idea of doing video and leveraging it on other channels as well. If you look at our publication for example, every single YouTube video I produce also goes out as a Substack post with the video being embedded. So it's really a double win for us.
I'm a paid subscriber of Write Build Scale publication. I want to be a paid subscriber of Smarter Substack publication too.
Great explanation! 👏🏻 Thank you so much, Sinem! I became a paid subscriber of Write build scale after watching your YouTube videos. It was no brainer. :) So it totally makes sense that strategy.
So much value in one post for anyone looking to grow!
I'm glad this was useful, Jess! :)
Looks like you guys are really ahead of the curve when it comes to Substack. Everything is so right-on! Thanks for sharing!
Sinem, I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this really thorough breakdown. You were touching on some platforms that I'm intimately familiar with, like podcasting and YouTube, but you're doing such a great job of tying it all together. I'm excited to dig in more on what you're doing. Really, really appreciate the insights.
Oh thank you so much! Truly appreciate the feedback! :)
How many posts should we write weekly/ monthly as a beginner?
I would aim for a minimum of one per week to make sure you are getting enough repetition in and can learn quickly.
Thank you.
This is everything and more, your so smart and organised!
I need to be more organised.
Clear breakdown as always and I’m super excited to see the Smarter Substack publication grow. I am also curious how you use kit in conjunction with YouTube and Substack. Like what are the automations behind the scenes to capture email address addresses from Substack subscribers, the different types of sequences in kit versus Substack, and that behind the scenes strategy of how to leverage the Substack posts (that get emailed) plus the nurturing campaigns out of kit, and how that all works together without being all over your subscribers inboxes too much.
Im working on my X channel. Currently have other socials but focusing on platform at a time. Recently started on Substack. Can we use videos, posts, threads just like other socials?
I literally cover that in the article lol
Thanks for sharing. Are notes also useful for LinkedIn audience?