Sparkle on Substack (Claire Venus)

Save this post to listen to later if you’d like. There are no fancy jingles - it’s just me having a chat with myself (and hopefully with you) about my journey here and what my plans for this space are.

I’d love to hear from you on what brought YOU to Substack in the comments.

Sending sparkles for the rest of your Sunday ahead!

Claire x

PS - If you want to jump into creative co-working this week or on 31st Aug all the details are here and the zoom link is behind the paywall.

The recording will be posted within 24hours (or so) after the call for paid subs.

PPS - Podcasts will be released every other weekend. You can read more about this space on my welcome or about pages.

🎙✨

I can’t tell you what an honour it was to interview online creative entrepreneur Leonie Dawson.

They are quite simply the most congruent person I’ve ever met and I don’t say that lightly - the internet can be a confusing place!

We chat here for 50 minutes (Australia to UK) about Leonie’s incredible journey with creativity and her online business, creative flow, personal practise, showing up online and so so much more.

Leonie doesn’t have Substack but you can head to their website for ALL the gifts and to learn more about them.

In a nutshell, the reason I was so so happy that timing worked out for them to be my first guest was for a few reasons;

* They have a mailing list of over 50k and have been blogging and loving the internet since 2004!

* I’ve been learning with Leonie for 3 years now and they have propelled my confidence in my creativity, helped me with money stories see my business to a new way - I’m forever grateful.

* Leonie is VERY unique in her approach to showing up and sharing online and that’s why I’ve chosen to share this episode with you here. She doesn’t have Substack but that’s kind of the point.

* They work 10 hours a week and in our recent coaching call together they reminded me that working part time isn’t an excuse not to grow your business. I’m working on that!

There’s a 20 year history of blogging, direct source to the universe, creative flow and a ridiculously generous sharing of her gifts.

The reason I wanted to share this interview with you here and right now is because I think Leonie is to creative businesses what Substack is to us writers and creatives - generous beyond limit!

It’s a rare and beautiful thing!

Here is the timestamped overview to give you an indication of the content in our podcast call/ interview together;

[00:01:48] Talking sh*t on the Internet, goal workbooks, courses.

[00:05:51] Started first blog in 2004, obsessed with writing.

[00:08:10] Art journaling in school and the permission slip that led to blogging.

[00:11:35] Permission to create, escaping social media “rules”.

[00:15:17] Beautiful journaling during pandemic brought so much joy and insight.

[00:21:14] The How to - scheduled time, prioritise tasks, and recycle content.

[00:24:01] Fuelling business and enjoying life.

[00:28:47] Being enchanted by early message boards, blogging success.

[00:34:09] Finding ease in authenticity, online struggles. Gratitude.

[00:37:16] Boundaries online - keeping family private and no sharing personal struggles.

[00:38:51] Being open about therapy and personal struggles.

[00:42:57] Podcast: No editing, jingle, preparation, topic. Just me.

[00:48:57] Grateful for insight, magic, beautiful conversation and community.

If you’d like to read our transcript it’s here or if you’re reading on desktop you’ll see a tab to open it. If you’d like to watch our video on youtube it’s here.

Hope you enjoy this episode and it give you lots of space to own your unique creative path and sparkle up your Substack!

Find Leonie online.

Find Claire online.

"I got a deeper connection with more people who were using the Substack platform very deeply, quite quickly. And that meant that they were very supportive of my work and my journey because they got to know me for me."

Claire Venus

Hi! If you’re new here I’m Claire. I’m an Engagement Consultant and Mentor for the Arts and Heritage sector and I write Creatively Conscious here on Substack.

I also teach creatives who also like to write how to use the platform over atSparkle on Substack. I live under dark skies on the Northumberland Coast with my family and 6 pet chickens.

✨Thanks for listening and for supporting Sparkle on Substack. ✨

I’m not trying to be over vulnerable or over apologise here but I am on a journey here with you and my podcasts are shaped and informed by what you’d like to see/ hear so do let me know what’s helpful as you sparkle up your Substacks!

I’ll level with you - my inner critic is AWFUL to me about my podcasting.

Some days I think I’d rather not do it but it’s an up-level to show up and I know they resonate so here I am.

I know to get better at it I just have to keep showing up, keep learning, keep working with experts so that’s what I’m doing.

I’m not BRILLIANT at podcasting (yet) but one day I could be and this is why I’m sharing my journey in real time with you.

I’ve done a lot of work to get to this point and not feel like I want to pull it all down - we all have our path to walk. More on that here.

In service, I bring you my second Sparkle on Substack episode and thank-you for your support!

I’ve made the transcript of this podcast in Substack ‘s new transcript software and I can confirm like most things they make it’s EXCELLENT. Pretty accurate with my North East accent!!

In some other clever software I’ve made some time stamped chapters for you;

[00:01:45] Goals informed by experience, multiple Substack publications.

[00:08:42] Simplifying content, focusing on single posts.

[00:20:09] Three publications honour different parts of me, as a creative, as an engagement consultant, mum and businesswoman, connecting with others in real time.

[00:24:57] Strong connections and outreach build Substack success.

[00:27:18] Substack promoted my work, gained subscribers, expanded presence.

[00:29:41] Slow growth, positive response to publication.

✨

If you are a member here at Sparkle on Substack, you can listen/ watch 3 guest podcasts too ahead of them being released early October. I have Writers at Work with Sarah Fay , Sarah Raad and Leonie Dawson as my first guests!!

To watch the podcast episode above in youtube with screen sharing, click here.

See you next time and please feel free to ask more questions on growth below…

Claire x

Show Note Mentions

* Keris Stainton over at The Ladybird Purse - there’s currently a special offer for 3 months of her membership for free - click here. (expires end of Sept).

* My other publications; Creatively Conscious and Company of Two with Laura Oldfield

* Paid communities I recommend to hone your writing work here; Writers at Work with Sarah Fay and Hi Friend with Cait Flanders

* My Linked in group for Substack writers.

✨

“Substack has brought back a feeling of possibility.

There are so many like minded, lovely people out there that I've never, ever come across on a single other platform in all the years of being on them. And suddenly I've come on Substack and they're all here, and it's like, wow, this is really nice."

Sarah Raad

🎙✨

Sarah Raad is a creative coach and mentor who specialises in working with creative women in small businesses.

As a coach, she focuses on both the mindset and strategic aspects of their businesses. Sarah's clients include a wide range of creative professionals such as illustrators, jewellery designers, garden designers, branding experts, and fellow coaches.

She helps them explore their potential, redefine what is possible for their businesses, and guides them in areas such as pricing, products, marketing, visibility, and income generation. Sarah also conducts group coaching sessions in addition to individual coaching.

I am proud to call Sarah Raad a friend.

Sarah took my Substack masterclass back in March and we voice noted endlessly about how to make Substack work as part of our business eco-systems. It’s not easy but it is possible for service providers - we are right to ask questions first before getting starry eyed over the lovli-ness of Substack. We both worked in the cultural sector in the same city; Sarah in marketing and me in festivals and events and yet we never met in person until earlier this year! Sarah has a no nonsense approach to Substack, to marketing and to business - I’ve learnt so much from her.

Podcast overview…

Here is the timestamped overview to give you an indication of the content in our podcast call/ interview together;

[00:00:40] Coaching creative women, focusing on mindset.

[00:04:07] Cultural organisations need transparent spending. Marketing obstacles are often self-imposed.

[00:08:05] Social media gives us a platform. Important to know audience; build networks. Marketing is essential for small businesses.

[00:11:06] Focus, consistency, and co-creation on social media.

[00:15:26] Social media noise deafening, moved to Substack.

[00:18:08] Substack is interesting, unlike social media.

[00:22:13] Lost in Instagram echo chamber, limited reach. Substack offers deeper connection, talent showcase.

[00:29:16] Self-expression and the impact of likes. Supportive community on Substack. Spaciousness and generosity in sharing content.

[00:33:19] Substack Notes fosters thoughtful and interesting content.

[00:35:53] Stay true to your community, embrace Substack.

[00:40:38] Platforms like Substack allow users to build a mailing list, unlike Instagram or Twitter where followers have little value. It's important to focus on building a list for monetisation.

[00:44:30] Substack offers diverse platforms without algorithmic issues.

[00:49:16] Membership growth plans, evergreen content creation. Nice community.

[00:51:39] Substack: A beacon of inspiration and generosity

[00:54:51] Substack needs balance in user strategy, encourage readers.

If you’d like to read our transcript it’s here or if you’re reading on desktop you’ll see a tab to open it. If you’d like to watch our video recording, it’s here.

Hope you enjoy this episode and it give you lots of space to own your unique creative path and sparkle up your Substack!

Find Sarah online. She currently has ONE space in her group coaching programme if you jump in now.  Here’s the scoop; Believe & Achieve is a group programme which combines weekly group coaching, 1:1 Voxer coaching, co working and quarterly goal setting sessions to keep you on track with achieving your goals and also supporting your mindset to believe that you can! www.sarahraad.com/believe-achieve

Find Claire online.

“Choose Substack, make it your Creative Home”

Sarah Fay

🎙✨

A week earlier than planned and in place of your usual Friday email - what a treat we have today!!

Welcome to a new episode of Sparkle on Substack with me Claire Venus

"Sparkle on Substack" exists to give you the tools and permission to come to Substack as your unique and beautiful self. You can listen to episodes on Apple Podcasts or right here in Substack.

In today's episode, we are talk about the unique voice of your work on Substack with Sarah Fay. Sarah is an incredible writer and in my opinion a Substack guru! She has two Substack publications;

Cured the Memoir by Sarah Fay and Writers at Work with Sarah Fay

Sarah shares her honest experiences and insights into the intricacies of the platform, highlighting the various ways writers can find success and recognition.

From discussing the art of curation to the importance of community-building and self-publicity, Sarah delves into the keys to making a Substack publication thrive.

She also tackles the integration of commercial offerings with Substack and the unique opportunities it provides for artists and writers alike.

Ready for an insightful and inspiring conversation. Join us as we explore the transformative power of Substack and its impact on the creative industry.

"What Substack offers you don’t get anywhere else. And suddenly there's this platform that is so generous to us that was set up by Chris Best and Hamish Mackenzie for writers to make a living, they are taking a cut so we can make a living versus medium, which is the opposite."— Sarah Fay

Here is the timestamped overview to give you an indication of the content in our podcast call/ interview together;

[00:04:14] Substack offers writers opportunities to make a living, sell books, and own their audience. It provides a platform to teach and learn about writing.

[00:09:40] Substack provides a space for writers to grow.

[00:15:34] Balancing writing time, value, income, and authenticity.

[00:22:54] Substack, curation, successful writers, memoir, mental health.

[00:31:21] "Pathological and Cured: My Story of Illness and Recovery"

[00:36:10] Substack allows serialised memoirs to spur change.

[00:40:47] Love memoir as a medium for self-discovery.

[00:45:22] Substack emphasises competing with oneself, offering various services.

[00:50:23] Love long form, but serve subscribers better.

[00:57:16] Artists using Substack for writing and promotion.

[01:06:07] Exploring book proposal, excited for interviews. Mental health, writing community, Substack struggles.

[01:08:08] Testing the waters with creative Substack posts, expanding into Sparkle and Substack, aiming for bestseller status, YouTube tutorials, potential for Substack to benefit young writers.

[01:13:54] Choose Substack, make it your creative home.

If you’d like to read our transcript or if you’re reading on desktop you’ll see a tab to open it. If you’d like to watch our video it’s here;

Hope you enjoy this episode and it give you lots of space to own your unique creative path and sparkle up your Substack! As always we’d love to know what you think! ✨

Find Sarah Fay online.

Find Claire online.

Welcome back to another episode of Sparkle on Substack, hosted by Claire Venus!

FIRSTLY - thank-you SO much for supporting my work and being part of the community here on Sparkle.

In today's episode titled "The Growth Episode,"we go on a journey of my recent “successes” and deep into some personal reflections on the platform.

I’m sharing the joy and excitement of reaching 1000 subscribers on Sparkle on Substack and how it felt WILDLY different from my previous experience to hitting the same milestone on my first publication Creatively Conscious.

I also discuss the hybrid nature of Substack, where readers engage both through email and the Substack app and the power of social media in celebrating success and milestones.

There’s a TOP TIP at the end of this episode and the video with screen share and captions is here. You can view the transcript on Substack desktop.

Listen to the other episodes of Sparkle on Substack in the collection here.

✨

Thank-you all so much for being here and supporting my work! Let’s sparkle on Substack!

Claire x

"I actually want this (Substack) to be something that other people truly do see themselves in. Like, it's outside of me. Yes, I'm managing it, and I'll still write stories, including personal stories, but it's not just about me. It's more about topics that I have personal experience with."

Cait Flanders

✨

Welcome back to the Sparkle on Substack podcast where we explore what it means to be creatives who also write.

In this episode, I’m joined by Cait Flanders , a super talented writer, author and editor behind the newly renamed Substack publication Explore Within by Cait Flanders

Cait takes us on a journey through the evolution of her publication here on Substack (and what came before) and shares incredibly generous insight along the way.

It was a JOY to spend time with her at the end of summer… I feel like I also got a beautiful mentoring session as part of the pod recording too. I adore her approach as you can tell and I think you will too!

In this episode...

We dive into Cait’s decision to change the name of Substack from Hi Friend to Explore Within, and the profound implications it has on the content she creates and the community she fosters.

As Cait explores the direction of her publication, she reflects on a previous job as a managing editor and how it influenced her approach to working with writers.

I loved hearing Cait share her vision of creating a publication that resonates with others, encouraging them to see themselves reflected within its pages.

Cait also delves into the challenges of managing contact methods and cutting off social media platforms to alleviate burnout and focus on her writing projects. We chat about our (sometimes complex) relationship with ‘Substack Notes’ too.

I loved hearing more about Cait's past experiences, including the release of her first book, "The Year of Less," and the impact it had on managing ‘presence’ online. I quiz Cait on online boundaries, managing viral energy and “versions” of ourselves online.

You can buy Cait’s BRILLIANT books wherever you are in the world via her website.

Timestamped Podcast Overview

Thanks a.i 😉

00:01:06 Author Cait Flanders, known for "The Year of Less," shares her journey of minimalism and personal finance through books and blogs.

00:03:08 Stopped blogging, felt burnt out, missed writing. Substack fit the bill.

00:10:22 SUPER Proud of my old blog and book.

00:14:00 Book launch was intense, felt vulnerable.

00:18:31 Trying to find the right balance and frequency for journaling sessions.

00:21:08 Shifting focus to community on Substack.

00:27:37 Embrace personal creative process, speak out.

00:30:29 Title changed from Hi Friend to Explore Within. Expand focus beyond personal blog. Prompt for writers to share their explorations.

00:35:00 Nuanced invite to be present and authentic.

00:40:59 Writing blog, had guest writers, busy life, growth, collaborative experience, managing editor, handling pitches.

00:46:42 Reduced contact options, improved focus on writing.

00:49:52 People had mixed feelings about Notes. There's filtering and notifications, unlike social media. Some left the platform due to difficulty.

00:54:00 Having no plans, but enjoying the journey.

00:56:11 Seeking a proper business that fulfils creatively.

Watch our chat over on my YouTube channel

Subscribe to my youtube to receive podcast and free video tutorial content before anyone else.

Would love to hear what you think of our chat and what it sparks for you?

Claire (and Cait)

xx

PS - The piece I mention that woke me up demanding to be written at 3.30am one morning…

"And now I realise that that was the best education I ever could have got in how to write and how to be a writer."

Tamzin Merivale

Morning Everyone!

Oh wow you guys are in for SUCH a treat with this podcast. 🍬

I’ve had a go another go at editing and decided it’s not for me - it’s fine but I’d rather not do it so although a good experiment, I’m so relieved to have found someone who loves the work I do here and can edit podcasts - yay! ✨ This whole podcast has been an experiment; I wanted to record 12 episodes, I wanted to learn about the whole process of podcasting, dance with it’s needs and wants, I wanted to model it for you. If you are considering using audio on Substack, this one’s for you;

✨

Onwards…

Back in November ‘23, I spoke with Tamzin about art, taking our time and intuitive writing and art work… We chatted about the new dimension Substack has enabled in her work, visuals that stop us in our tracks, monetising and hosting membership here. We talk about giving our work space and time to thrive and how deflating that has felt over on IG.

Creative breath and our life force

I realised as I recorded with Tamzin that I felt tired. Not tired of conversations like this one, no this was wholly energising.

No - I’m tired of plugging into a sector that asks us to burn ourselves out in the name of art and participatory delivery. That’s why I pivoted my work from real life to online.

Sitting with Tamsin gave me so much insight into the world of her gentle and soulful creativity it felt like sweet medicine to me.

Re-listening to this conversation 8 weeks later has spurred me on to keep doing the work to support as many creatives as I can through this platform. It’s my driver but in that I need more down time because the online world is WILD. Just yesterday someone sent me a ridiculous email I deleted after wondering if I should reply… guys I’m not used to it! 😳

To diversify our income using Substack as perhaps our first step (?) into entrepreneurial work is a bold choice. One we’re all at the vanguard of and modelling to each other generously in real time.

Sharing generosity in it all is so important to me. Please know if you are in financial hardship and need a subscription to Sparkle on Substack it’s yours - no questions asked. The exchange; belief that my work can hold you to make a change for yourself and impact others positively in the world and a promise to pay it forward when you can.

Meet Tamzin

Tamzin Merivale is an intuitive artist, writer and creative mentor. In creating her unique Soul Sign Energy Portraits, Tamzin guides her clients through an immersive experience to unearth their powerful selves, their incomparable light, their impact and their strength. Her writing gives readers tools and insights to release their struggles and live a life that feels expansive, free and aligned. Tamzin's mission is to hold space for greater empathy and understanding, as these are the true enemies of prejudice, judgment and discrimination.

Follow Tamzin on instagram.

Read more about her soul portraits

Transitioning from the squares of instagram to the expansive canvas of Substack

"And that can feel really awkward that we have to keep repeating it and say it again and say, this is who I am. This is what I offer, this is what I do. But I think that's one trap I see with people on Substack is that they're just writing and writing and writing and writing and writing, and that's great, go for it. But I think publishing, especially if you don't have a huge following anyway, publishing 20 to 30 minutes reads, people aren't going to engage with that."

Here’s your timestamped overview;

00:00 Unique portrait work captures women's inner power.

03:27 Cherishing personal stories, especially from resilient women.

07:08 Excitement for Instagram faded, switched to Substack.

10:14 Substack community fosters collaboration and appreciation.

13:15 Substack offers freedom for authentic expression, creatively.

16:17 Artists struggle with defining success on social media.

20:08 Disappointed by losing swipe up feature.

25:26 Substack writing on well-being and psychology exploration.

28:14 Substack writing process leads to creative growth.

31:56 Letting go of weights and floating up.

35:15 Discovering passion through soul portraits and sales.

37:43 Finding inspiration, exploring shadows, staying connected.

41:32 Emotionally moving digital capture project about friendship.

45:43 Embracing energy, simplicity, and client focus.

46:55 Offering workshops, free posts, and paid content.

51:10 Continuous journey of growth and self-awareness.

53:17 Embrace refining work and avoiding overwriting.

* Read the transcript (except I’m sorry about the Welsh) 👀

* Watch our convo on Youtube

I’d love you to pop back and let Tamzin and I know what this conversation sparked for you.

We’ll meet you in the comments.

Thanks as always for being here and supporting my work here at Sparkle on Substack.

Claire

✨

Hi all,

I’m bringing you another ‘Stay Creative on Substack’ post. There are a couple of others here in my Substack Growth Tips tag if you fancy a read. I ran out of head space to write them because Substack moves SO quickly so there’ll be more seasonal now I think.

I’m testing the inbuilt video feature today. There’s also a transcript for this video if you’d prefer to read?

I’ve had the video function for a while but didn’t use it as it was too tricky to set previews. I currently don’t share any video in-front of the paywall. I set that creative boundary for myself so I could feel more relaxed here. Make of that what you will… 🙉

This video was recorded on zoom because I trust it 98% and when you run your business in school hours trust on tech is important. So many times I’ve been wrapping up a video when my husband David Venus is headed back from the school run. Little footsteps skip up the stairs, I press upload to youtube and we’re done!

Once I have my videos saved in zoom I pop them into YouTube as unlisted links so I can share with my guests more easily. YouTube also plugs in captions. Substack does not. If you want to watch this video with captions, email me and I’ll send you the link.

Today, I also uploaded my zoom video into the Substack video player/ editor as a test for you!

The video uploaded FAST and I also switched on the transcript button so you can read our chat if you prefer.

Video - it’s not new, what’s the fuss?

There have been some fair and tricky chats in Notes about video and how we all feel regarding Substack’s announcement of video.

Some conversations about why we feel the way we do, our nervous systems and permission. Some conversations about the broader intention of Substack… growth and style.

I’m going to link a couple here if you want to join in… the concern is (mainly) about autoplay.

And one lovely one for balance from the lovely guys at Feasts and Fables

My thoughts are nuanced. I will say; I do not do well with autoplay and it is BAD for the environment, it’s bad for our nervous systems and it changes our user experience.

Long term, we’ve gone from being able to sit with words in our own space and at our own pace to being utterly bombarded with video across multiple platforms. Remember we are still inherently tribal, we just want to connect.

Here on Substack we got chance to remember what it was like to be able to sit with words again. Have thoughts, join gentle conversations round the camp fire.

The choice we make to use Substack is one of our own and I hope you will make space to consider what’s right for you when it comes to video and not be influenced by what others are doing.

So to our video test!

I recorded with my friend and podcast host over at Company of Two Laura.

You can head to Laura’s Substack over at Destination: Balance?

We delve into Laura’s decision to rebrand and re-title her Substack, her content overview, ideas for going paid and providing paid for content and her new podcast. It’s very exciting. I hope you enjoy the conversation.

Here are the options the video editor gave me.

NB you can opt out of pulling your video through your RSS podcast feed. Thanks Sarah Fay for confirming how; it’s just before you hit post! I can’t remember who was asking but there you go…

✨

✨

✨

So video, what do you think? Will you use it? Do you think it will bring more creators over?

I’d love to chat to you about it.

Claire x

✨

"My Substack; The Unraveled Heart is not a standalone business. This is an extra piece of my entire ecosystem. My main job is teaching creative courses online. That’s my number one job. So my Substack at the moment is supporting that a little bit, but I almost want to nurture that as an integral piece of the ecosystem."

Hi all,

How’s your Saturday going? ✨

I’m back with another jam packed episode of Sparkle on Substack and I will be straight up with you that I have run out of time and patience scheduling space for edits and I just needed this one out in the world!!

🍯 💖

Podcasting Process

I want to model what is going on for me in real time in bringing a podcast to life.

I can’t dance with perfectionism when it comes to creativity. Well I could, but he’s a mesmerising type and I’m not hear for Greek Mythology.

I’m here to be of service SO this episode is without music and an intro/ out-tro. It’s our conversation as it was and I’m SO cool with it.

Some of my YouTube subs got a sneak peak this week and of course my members here on Sparkle get everything first but I don’t want to hide anything away for too long. It’s all about balance and this one is such a CRACKER!

I adored the conversation with Susannah and I was delighted she booked herself into my calendar for this chat. I was nervous to meet her (hello online biz newbie)! but I needn’t have been, she instantly put me at ease and I just adored getting to know her more.

Introducing Susannah

Susannah Conway – author, business owner, teacher, writer, Substacker, and an all-around creative powerhouse turning the internet into her canvas since 2006.

You can read and subscribe to her Substack here;

Susannah has just launched her Unravel your Year journalling workbook. She’s been making these and putting them out in the world for over a decade. I wanted to give you guys the head’s up because it’s SUCH a powerful and beautiful end of year practise. I just got mine printed with doxdirect.

You can also join her in two end of the year workshops.

Susannah joined me to spill the tea on why she didn't move her HUGE 30k+ email family over to Substack, preferring instead to cultivate a fresh and intimate circle of (4,592) subscribers and counting.

🫖

🎙️"If I say, right, every month, I'm going to make you a podcast, and then that next month, I don't want to do it for whatever reason that traps me. And then I either can't do it, won't do it, feel resentful about it, all these feelings that I shouldn't have about making a quick audio."

She's fiercely open-hearted about her work. We'll get the lowdown on her love for photography, the ins and outs of navigating the perimenopause galaxy, and how sprinkling a little design magic can totally transform your work and hold your readers here on Substack.

It’s such a vibrant world of creative living, getting bold and raw about midlife adventures, and diving deep into the twists and turns of neurodivergence.

Susannah Conway, my online muse who is reshaping how we think about creative work, connection, and well, just doing you in an expansive online world we’re all invited to share in.

Ready to get your sparkle on? Let's go! Come back and chat here when you’ve listened?

Claire

x

PS - If you enjoy the episode please leave me a 5star review on Apple Podcasts so others can find my podcast there too. 💖

✨

WELCOME back to Sparkle on Substack. After a slight hiatus, I’m bring some more episodes of the podcast back. These episodes aren’t edited - they are a more casual affair. Hope you enjoy! I’ve got a couple of episodes planned but let me know who you’d like to hear from on the pod this year? I’d love to know - I love chatting with folks about their Substack journey.

✨

In episode 9, I’m joined for an epic chat by Russell Nohelty. I am a HUGE fan of Russell’s work. I met him on Substack notes and I joked (but it’s true) I need to print his writing out and grab my pink highlighter to digest all the good stuff.

He’s truly a wizard when it comes to the business of being an author and is doing great things here on Substack.

There are 40 ish hours to go to back his latest kickstarter campaign… 💨

Russell Nohelty is a seasoned creative entrepreneur

His work has continuously evolved to help authors not just thrive financially but also fortify their careers on rock-solid foundations. His journey in nurturing creative talent began in earnest with the launch of his project, The Complete Creative, which ran from 2016 to 2020. Featuring a 200-episode podcast, this venture offered insights and resources for burgeoning creatives.

Russell carried forward the wisdom garnered from the Complete Creative into his subsequent endeavour; The Author Stack.

Here, he meticulously curated his extensive knowledge on author growth, aiming to provide a structured blueprint for success in the literary world.

Central to Russell's philosophy are the five pillars of building a creative career:

* crafting exceptional work

* mastering sales techniques

* growing a dedicated audience

* excelling at live events

* and launching products with efficacy.

He believes these pillars are indispensable for any author wishing to leave a lasting imprint in the industry.

In collaboration with Monica Leonelle, his business partner and a fellow advocate for author empowerment, they have crafted 'Direct Sales Mastery for Authors,' a comprehensive guide now premiering on Kickstarter (2 days left to support), encapsulating proven strategies and actionable advice for authors eager to take control of their sales and elevate their careers.

This initiative is yet another testament to Russell Nohelty's unwavering commitment to fostering a vibrant, self-sustaining community of successful authors.

You can find Russell Nohelty right here on Substack!

✨ Russell's Top Tips for Creators:

* The art of branding: Learn to attract and grow your audience with intentional branding decisions.

* The significance of being "recommendable" - understand the pivotal role of share-ability in your work's success.

* Finding balance with paywalls: Insider advice on what content stays free and what goes behind a paywall.

🧙‍♀️

Have a question about how we use Substack?

We’l love to know what you thought of this episode; let me know in the comments?

Do hop over to our shared FAQ on Substack post which is the partner post for this episode. The comments are still open and there’s a wealth of information there.

If you’d like to watch the video of this recording it’s here.

Sending sparkles for your day ahead and thanks for listening!

Claire

✨

"Substack is such an incredible model for writers. I started putting out my Wednesday personal essay on here as well as a Monday kind of business coachy email. And then I launched a podcast called Home..."

Annie Ridout

Hi all,

Good morning! ✨

I’m back with another jam packed episode of Sparkle on Substack and I will be straight up with you that I’m between podcast editors and I can’t get to grips with the hyper focus I need for garage band so I’m just putting this one out and revisiting all that editing space with a fresh take in Spring.

🍯 💖

Introducing ✨ Annie Ridout.

Annie is a London based author of three books, journalist, ghostwriter, poet, life coach. She’s passionate about Substack and work/ life balance. She’s ambitious and grounded. I know you are going to be super interested in her journey. Annie holds space for people to gather. Forced out of work in early motherhood, she set up a wildly successful platform for parents called ‘The Early Hour’

I adored the conversation with Annie and I was delighted she made the time to speak with me. We explored managing energy online, boundaries, opportunities, the evolving publishing landscape and balancing free/ paid for content here.

As authors and writers, it can be challenging to navigate the industry and find opportunities and it was brilliant to hear Annie share her experience of securing a book deal and the unique journeys to get there with each book.

You can read and subscribe to Annie’s Substack here;

* The Freelance Mum

* Shy

* Raise your SQ

Substack offers immediate publishing opportunities and there’s magic in that and so so much opportunity for us, for all of us no matter where we are in our journey.

https://annieridout.substack.com/

https://annieridout.com/

https://www.instagram.com/annieridout/

Ready to get your sparkle on?

Let's go! Come back and chat here when you’ve listened? I’d love to know what you think and what chimes for you in service, opportunity and creativity?

Claire

PS - If you enjoy the episode please leave me a 5star review on Apple Podcasts so others can find my podcast there too. 💖

✨

"I would like to say that like if you were to imagine social media being completely neutral, it's not good, it's not bad, it's not right, it's not wrong, it's not overwhelming, it's not draining, it's not super exciting, it's nothing right, it's just completely neutral."

Kat River

Hi all,

How’s your day going? ✨

I’m so delighted I’ve found a new podcast editor - yay!! I want to model what is going on for me in real time in throwing perfectionism out of the window and bringing a podcast to life. It’s our conversation live and the way it was and I’m SO cool with it. I have two more episodes coming to wrap up Season One of Sparkle on Substack! Do other people do 14 episode seasons? I’m not sure but that’s what’s felt GOOD and right for me!

🍯 💖

In January I interviewed Kat River with a live audience.

I wanted to talk to Kat about her thoughts on seemingly effortless blend of using Substack Notes and Instagram to promote her writing work here on Substack.

We dive into mindset, some practical tips and some of our personal experiences. Kat has grown an Instagram profile of 45k followers, is a Substack ‘bestseller’ and a beautifully generous community space holder. There is success woven in between the public posts and that looks like life wholeheartedly conscious with our families offline.

This is our values connect.

Our conversation might polarise your thoughts and we’re here for it - it has to feel good and true for you.

One thing we know is ONLY good things happen if you bring your best and most generous authentic self to the human to human connection possible via the portals of the socials. But yes it’s a conscious game and one we can play by our own unique rules within a vortex of invitations! My point is we CHOOSE when to pick it up and when to put it down.

📱✨

My ai software gave me a tonne of questions I could pose with this podcast episode - I loved these four and so I’m sharing those with you…

* How do our beliefs about social media platforms shape our experiences and behaviours online?

* How has Substack changed the game for creators and writers who are looking for a more fulfilling platform for genuine connections and in-depth content?

* Kat suggests unique ways to engage with subscribers on Substack. How important is interactivity in building a loyal readership, and what strategies can be employed to boost it?

* Can you lean into the dichotomy of online persona versus real-life interactions? What role does authenticity play in effective personal branding and audience engagement?

✨

About Kat

Kat is multidimensional woman with a thousand faces, passions, secret interests and not so secret interests. Though more practically, an Australian creative, living in the Noosa Hinterland of QLD Australia with her husband Tully, and her two littles… and six chickens. Hattie, Elma, Daisy, Maple, Orange and FluffyMello.

Here’s what she says on the invitation to her work;

Over at Kat River, you’re invited to join our thriving symposium for the Mothers, the Mystics and the Makers.

We explore soulful business, creativity, motherhood, philosophy and more as we find our rhythm between mothering and making. Your lap of luxury in the form of weekly essays, A delicious interview series, recommendation and celebration posts, guest posts, soon to be online workshops and more.

Read this if you want to feel into being in this space; "An open letter to mother creatives"I write with a flavour of curiosity, exploration and dancing with you into optimism.

✨

On understanding Instagram's True Nature: "Most people think Instagram is a community app. And then when they go there and they don't immediately get the community, they're wondering what's wrong. It's a marketing app, first and foremost."

Here’s the transcript from our live podcast recording ‘Social Media Rules Don’t Apply’ - I’m so sorry about the Welsh though? 🤷🏽‍♀️ Substack any clue?

You can read and subscribe to Kat’s Substack community here;

Ready to get your sparkle on?

Social Media - you blinding prism of a topic - let's go!

Come back and chat here when you’ve listened?

Claire

x

PS - If you enjoy the episode please leave me a 5star review on Apple Podcasts so others can find my podcast there too. 💖. (this one is just for members but will be out to the wider world SOON!)

PPS - Oh and I wanted my members to be the first to know my zoom 1-2-1s are BACK for a limited time - I’m booking 11 clients ONLY between April - June and that’s it this year. To secure a spot head here. This is a new and unique offer to write an online strategy with me which includes your Substack.

Payment plans are available and this offer isn’t available on my website or any where else. I’ve turned 9 people away in my email this month alone because I wanted to offer my slots here first with LOVE. If you’re ready to work together 1-2-1 head over and book your space.

✨

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."

Eleanor Roosevelt.

Hi all,

WELCOME if you’re new here. I’m Claire and I write Creatively Conscious , co-host theCompany of Two community and teach Substack here at Sparkle on Substack. I live on the Northumberland Coast with my husband, two children and 5 pet chickens. As the ground is warming up outside, I’m planting new seeds and observing those that have self seeded from our work over the past eight years here. A reminder that our creative projects can take time and that in other cases, some colourful bursts are gone as quickly as they arrived.

🌱

I wanted to record a podcast episode for you to wrap up SEASON ONE of Sparkle on Substack the podcast. I’ve been on a steep learning curve with podcasting. I LOVE it as an art form and I’m so excited that it’s had way over 12k downloads… 🤩

This episode is an honest share of my ‘test and adjust’ strategy for growing my membership here. I feel slightly wobbly about it but my moto is;

If I can support and inspire just one person I’m doing a good job.

I am DELIGHTED to have you all here whether you’ve subscribed and share my work or if you’re a member of the Sparkle Gang. Doing this work with you is pure joy!

I hope this episode is of service to you and I’d love to discuss it further in the comments. if you have questions.

Season Two of the podcast will launch next month and I’m so delighted to share new guests and some solo episodes with you. The rest of the episodes are here if you missed any. You can also listen on Apple Podcasts and leave me rating and review there if you’ve enjoyed listening. Thank you to you all for your support and to all of my guests in season one - it’s been a TOTAL delight.

💕

Leonie Dawson, Sarah Raad, Cait Flanders , Sarah Fay, writer, Tamzin, Annie Ridout, Laura Oldfield ,Kat River, Susannah Conway, Russell Nohelty and Gabrielle Treanor

💕

You can read the transcript of this podcast here or watch my YouTube video below…

Timestamped overview…

00:00 Trusting co-creation, offering opportunities, balancing needs.

04:40 Substack process was clunky but a learning experience.

07:54 Free online courses adapted to evolving platforms.

11:21 Non-time-sensitive offer, experiment with free trials.

15:47 Raised prices for community access…

18:34 Goal of 250 members reached, aiming now for 1000 in a soulful, sustainable way.

21:10 Paid posts for members, separate from subscribers.

23:53 Membership benefits and sales strategies discussed.

✨

Remember - if you’re keen to grow a membership/ your paid subs here I have a suite of focussed resources which is already helping people to do that work. It’s on SPECIAL offer here until the end of March. Substack works SO hard to help us grow in the background. I can’t stress enough how easeful the journey feels when you are in congruence with your creative voice here. Substack is a a new engine for culture, all creatives are welcome! We are making it work on our terms and transforming our working lives and income streams in the process.

Sending sparkles to you all and thanks again for listening, it means the world to me.

Claire

✨

PS - If you are still trying to figure out your Substack publication and your home here, I have a page with lots of FREE helpful links for beginners.

I’m also hosting a LIVE masterclass ‘Get Creative on Substack’ on 15 March at 12noon GMT (replay available) which you can purchase here or simply join as a paid member to access it live or on replay for free. It’s for people who are new to Substack or want to step out of overwhelm and are excited to try a renewed creative way to be here.

"If you take off 8 hours for the recommended amount of sleep we're supposed to have, 1% of your waking day is ten minutes. And so the book is filled with experiments of ideas of how you can take care of your well being and your mental and emotional well being in just ten minutes a day to make it as doable as possible."

Morning Everyone!

I’m back with episode 12 of the Sparkle on Substack podcast. I can’t quite believe I’ve recorded 12 episodes in 6 months but here we are.

I have two more to share and the season is complete.

This whole podcast season has been an experiment. Originally, I wanted to record 12 episodes, I wanted to learn about the whole process of podcasting, dance with it’s needs and wants, I wanted to model it for you.

If you are considering using audio on Substack, this one’s for you. I’d also really recommend tuning into Laura Oldfield’s work she’s the podcast QUEEN!

✨

Leaning into wellness…

A few week back, I spoke with Gabrielle Treanor who has a BEAUTIFUL book out in the world. Gabrielle’s book is called ‘The 1% Wellness Experiment’ and it published just before Christmas here in the UK.

It’s on pre-order in the US and and Canada and will be out end of Feb ‘24.

Gabrielle has shown up on Substack for a whole month in Substack Notes to promote her book. I was super keen to find out from her how it’s all felt and is feeling heading towards the USA launch.

I loved re-connecting with Gabrielle and I got all the juice on HOW she got her book deal.

I know this topic crops up a lot and so I’ll give you a sneak that for those of you convincing yourself it’s to do with huge online followings you’ll be pleasantly surprised. ✨

Sharing generosity in it all is so important to me. Please know if you are in financial hardship and need a subscription to Sparkle on Substack it’s yours - no questions asked. The exchange; belief that my work can hold you to make a change for yourself and impact others positively in the world and a promise to pay it forward when you can.

Meet Gabrielle

Gabrielle says;

I help overthinking, overdoing women who always put everyone else first and themselves last. They've had enough of feeling stressed, exhausted, unappreciated, resentful and guilty for feeling that way.

I help you feel like you can breathe again, to get back your spark, to have time and space, healthier relationships and more fun. I create a compassionate, non-judgemental space (as described by my clients) to gently explore what’s keeping you stuck in this place and how to move forward, along with practical tools and actions to live the calmer, happier, more peaceful life you dream of.

Here’s your timestamped podcast overview;

00:00 Claire Venus welcomes Gabrielle to talk about books.

03:33 Internet empowerment, new creativity and well-being.

07:33 Book: "The 1% Wellness Experiment" - 10-minute daily well-being practices.

11:55 Excitement for book release and individual wellness.

15:15 Embrace ten minutes of mind wandering freely.

19:56 Fear of unknown thoughts, but embrace them.

24:03 Repetitive crafting soothes mind, brings peace.

26:12 Embracing daily walks for mental well-being.

32:35 Joined Substack, a compelling platform for writing.

33:15 Substack: Hosting newsletters and reaching new audience.

37:34 Book published, daily posts on Instagram notes.

42:43 Wellness is crucial for creatives and life.

44:07 Contacted by editors on Instagram, offered book deal.

48:33 Embracing new experiences for personal and creative growth.

52:14 Balancing commitment to Substack with current capacity.

56:18 Well-researched, sophisticated content that promotes calm.

58:42 Creating a haven for people is important.

"So a few years ago, I was contacted by two different commissioning editors around the same time on Instagram, through Instagram, in that that's where they had found me, first of all."

Other links

* Make and Mend Festival

* Watch our convo on Youtube (with captions).

* Read the transcript.

* Follow Gabrielle on instagram.

* Buy her book

I’d love you to pop back and let Gabrielle Treanor and I know what this conversation sparked for you.

We’ll meet you in the comments?

Thanks as always for being here and supporting my work here at Sparkle on Substack.

Claire

✨

Hi all

I’m delighted to drop in two BRAND new PODCAST episodes…

This is my brief intro to the season celebrating two years on Substack and 7k subscribers. 🤩 ✨

To celebrate the podcast re-launch I’m offering 35% off when you join us a paid subscriber (member) for one year.

In this episode I recap on how my Substack publications have shaped and evolved over time. I also hone in on the recent trend of overwhelm and the move toward clarity on this platform. I talk about ‘calls to action’ and creating posts and honing a publication that’s right for us.

Watch the podcast here so you can see me walk through the three publications I host here…

Links/ spaces I mention;

* Creatively Conscious on Substack

* Sparkle on Substack

* Company of Two on Substack

* Culture Northumberland on Substack

* The Sound Circle by Laura Oldfield

* Money Mindset on Substack

* Join us this month in the Sparkle on Substack membership.

Thanks so much to Kerry Hinns for the super edits! ✨ My first guest episode with Natalie Lue drops TOMORROW afternoon. It’s a smasher! ✨

How lovely it is that we can write a poem... about the feelings we have about this sparkly space... online... together... making it all up as we go along. ✨

I'm not thinking about my neighbour down the street, but here on Substack, because of how it's designed, you do think about those type of things.

And at the moment, I think that the balance has maybe tipped because Substack has obviously got to sell itself and what’s ‘working’.

But it's like, ok let’s figure out, how I can be here and make this work for me?

Natalie Lue

It was a joy to reconnect with Natalie Lue for the podcast. Natalie is a BRILLIANT writer and writes On Knowing Yourself here on Substack.

Natalie and I met in 2019 at a brilliant event called Make and Mend Festival. I’m linking here and the lovely Clare Albans has a hand in organising if you want to connect in with their work.

Natalie’s career has been one of dedication and determination. She’s not afraid to tackle the tough stuff.

A ‘blogger’ for over 20 years and has gone down research rabbit holes many of us would be scared to even peek down. Natalie has brought new and important light to the tougher subjects.

She’s a published author, artist and podcaster and an all round amazing human. I’m honoured she made the time to impart some of her wisdom here… I’m really looking forward to your thoughts on our chat.

Her podcast The Baggage Reclaim Sessions saw Natalie record 278 podcasts. Listening to her depth of understanding of how the online world ‘works’ brought deep comfort to me.

"I'll be frank and I'll be honest, but I do it with compassion and with boundaries in the sense of I'm not going to tell a story and make myself out to be the hero, certainly not intentionally."

Natalie Lue

Places to connect with Natalie online;

* https://natalielue.com/

* https://www.instagram.com/natlue/

* https://www.baggagereclaim.co.uk/the-baggage-reclaim-sessions-podcast/

If you’d like to watch our conversation with captions feel free to do that here;

00:00 Helping people reclaim themselves from emotional baggage.

09:30 Pride in past work and personal growth.

12:31 Revelations about personal life and boundaries.

18:06 Acknowledging vulnerability, shame, and overcoming judgment.

23:14 Acknowledge natural storytelling, intention, and resonance online.

28:50 Excitement about writing platform and valuing creativity.

37:32 Challenges with paid subscriptions, improved discoverability.

38:38 Substack community shift leads to online work.

43:49 Scheduling content to reduce mental strain.

54:02 Substack's design may not suit everyone.

58:16 Self-published author found success but wanted more.

01:04:03 Navigating creativity, self-expression, and publishing challenges.

01:11:09 Recognize the value in sharing creative work.

01:12:33 Substack encourages paywalls, sparks creative reflections.

✨

I’ll leave you with a quote Natalie opened with; “Who are the people you are seeking to serve and what is the change you’re seeking to make?” Seth Goodin

"We're in this really fast paced environment now where we're multitasking x100. When I look back to what my mum and my grandmother had on their shoulders and I look at the role that we have today I think it's because we know no different.

We've got these go faster stripes going, more, more, more. More input from the moment we wake up to the moment we're going to bed and I just worry about the state of our mental health moving forward.”

Tanya Lynch

Tanya and I met at the very start of both of our journeys on Substack in Spring 2022. I remember her original publication so well and the warmth of her connection.

I leant into her storytelling and we’ve stayed connected.

I was fascinated to learn more about Tanya’s Rage on a Page journalling work and retreats. We also talked about her process with Substack and I know you are all going to connect deeply with this episode.

While I’m here please do consider leaving me a 5⭐️ review on Apple Podcasts - it means the world to me and will mean that more folks can find the podcast off Substack. As you know this podcast is a passion project and I’m sharing everything I learn with you along the way.

There are limited spaces for Tanya’s popular Ease Retreats in 2024. Work with authors such as Emma Gannon, Stacey Heale and Clover Stroud in intimate rural settings capturing life affirming pockets of stolen time and tranforming your connection to creativity.

Writers retreats with brilliant authors in the tranquility of the UK Countryside:

"I do try and get as many people to Wales, to Cardiff or Pembrokeshire, because it is so beautiful."— Tanya Lynch

Places to connect with Tanya online;

* https://www.easeretreats.com/about

* https://www.instagram.com/easeretreats/

* Contact Tanya for retreat details - hello@easeretreats.com

If you’d like to watch our conversation from my coat cupboard (!) with captions feel free to do that here and subscribe to my YouTube channel while you’re there?

"I think the difference between Instagram and Substack is … we're all in cars on the motorway. With Instagram, traffic is always flowing.

If there's a queue, you may see, oh, there's a familiar face, or you'll go through a town and you'll see someone familiar.

But with Substack, it's almost like you've gone to a drive through movie and everybody's there to watch and participate in the same event. And you can see each other and there's a big warm glow and you maybe get out and have a chat and have a drink. There’s time."

Timestamped overview

00:00 Organising writing retreats with well-known authors.

03:48 Discussing goal setting, writing, and inspiration through Substack.

08:14 Empower women through 30-day word journaling.

11:54 Women find warmth and joy in play.

13:07 Space for self-expression, connection, and community.

18:34 Struggling with puppy challenges, seeking advice and understanding.

20:03 Memoir about raising dogs, finding companionship, business.

25:48 Retreats and big achievements can feel anticlimactic.

26:46 Embracing change and self-care brings peace.

30:44 Retreats focus on intimacy, rest, and fine-tuning.

35:26 Gorgeous content, challenging for writers on Substack.

38:54 Networking challenges in rural living, seeking support.

41:31 Creating mental images to explain malapropisms. Instagram vs Substack traffic metaphor.

43:22 Promoting travel to Wales and Oxfordshire countryside.

✨

I’ll leave you with a quote from Tanya; "I've got 100,000 tales to tell, and it's all beautiful things to talk about."

"The more personal I am, the more specific I am about my life, the more other people can see aspects of their own life reflected there.”

Clover Stroud

I was delighted to grab an hour this week with best selling memoir author Clover Stroud in the midst of her fourth book launch.

I wanted to talk with Clover about her writing craft, her recent wildly successful Substack launch and her upcoming book.

I ADORE Clover’s writing and I know lots of you will already be connected.

Her books and words are life affirming and show me the thread of fragility that runs through us all. Storytelling that unites us, feelings that ground us.

Clover’s words show us what’s real in our hearts. She gives us a zoom out button to press. We can feel impossibly small and also see the enormity of everything we adore in full technicolour all at once. When I read her work, gentle reassurance runs through my cells. It’s everything I need.

Clover’s 4th memoir, The Giant on the Skyline is about home, where we find it and how we connect to it within ourselves. The book is out on 8th May (next week)!!

“Home is a concept that has obsessed me since I was very small and homesickness is one of the emotions I can identify earliest as a child.”

Clover Stroud

Do pop over and subscribe to Clover’s incredible writing here on Substack and consider being a paid subscriber to receive her weekly essays;

There are 2 more days to save 35% on an annual subscription here at Sparkle on Substack

🎙️ Timestamped podcast overview

00:00 Enthusiasm for book writing and the editing process.

04:03 Creating a secure and beautiful home for family.

07:57 Generous and unique storytelling on Instagram.

10:59 Passionate about Substack, evolving and expanding options.

13:22 Adjusting to new country life: complex and overwhelming.

18:37 Professional commitment and disappointment in subscriber culture.

22:46 Attention spans shortening, challenge in holding readers.

25:38 Writers find freedom in Substack's simplicity.

27:05 Aspiring to write, creativity, curiosity, and book promotions.

32:04 Growing interest in newsletters among publishers.

36:30 Setting up paywall for podcast, building community.

39:40 Husband describes intense memoir retreat experience.

41:27 Writing is becoming more creative.

45:44 Facing adversities, searching for unreachable mother, motherhood adventures.

48:31 Writing the books I needed to read.

51:21 Memoir is real, emotional truth is key.

53:53 Emotional appreciation for awakening and sharing gifts.

57:14 Encouraging Clover's beautiful work in future.

“Clover Stroud is a force of nature and a woman who is fearless in the face of life and death. A fearless explorer of the human heart, and a writer of incomparable grace and passion”. Elizabeth Gilbert

“I am earth meets sky... soul meets strategy.”

Lauren Barber

Hi all

Welcome back to another episode of Sparkle on Substack, the podcast!

It’s a delight to be here and to tell you my humble little podcast just hit 20k downloads here on Substack. They are an excellent host by the way!! 🎉

If you want to learn more simply head over to the search bar in my publication and type in ‘podcast’ and you’ll find some related articles.

In this episode, I chat with Lauren mainly about Substack and how it fits in our online home..

Lauren Barber is a delight truly. A magical being and space holder and a creative in heart and action.

I could talk to Lauren about creativity and creative process all day. She’s also an incredible space holder for matrescence, brand storytelling and human design. All of which I’ve commissioned her for.

"I feel like the words land differently in Substack. Like they are received and they're received with love."

“I feel like it is rebellious to claim ourselves as whole and to show up in our work and actually say, you know what, these are the multiple pieces of me and I'm not going to keep them separate because I don’t feel like a whole person when I've got something over here and something over here."

"I have lots of pieces I want to write, but I have to wait till that whoosh of energy comes before it's time to write."

"My feeling is that my writing, in its purity, is not paywalled content. I'm not sure how I feel about paywalls, if I'm honest."— Lauren Barber

Here on Substack, Lauren writes Held. By Lauren Barber. An open and honest place for those traversing the path of womanhood, motherhood and sacred business, to arrive, rest, to be seen.

Timestamps for this episode;

04:01 Started Substack for writing about motherhood experiences.

07:51 Authentic, honest writing creates sacred community space.

11:04 Writing with freedom and deep reflection on Substack.

15:36 Embracing diverse women's experiences through all stages.

18:51 Two-year journey questioning social media and connection.

20:11 Seeking unity and acceptance in human experience.

25:27 Waiting for energy, using human design daily.

28:54 Creatively conscious, designing wholehearted living, questioning work.

33:07 Content behind paywall differs, open for 2 weeks.

37:29 Email enhances connection, design, and accessibility.

38:33 Balanced support and connection through launching programs.

42:56 Connection led to creative collaboration for London event.

47:18 Exciting online connections lead to new opportunities.

50:04 Lauren's work has been transformative for me.

51:29 Serendipitous connection, met online after coincidental event.

You can also watch our conversation on YouTube if you’d prefer and please do subscribe while you’re there as I tend to premier these conversations a few days earlier than releasing the podcast so you can be first to watch…

You can subscribe to Lauren right here on Substack or over on Instagram

✨ Also, if you are quick, you can meet Lauren Barber and Lyndsay Kaldor in The Rose Garden (online) this summer solstice (next week). More here…

"I like to have a plan, but remaining flexible to respond to what my audience is enjoying,"— Molly Ella

Earlier this year I caught up with the wonderful Molly Ella over at Slow Scottish Stories. I connected with Molly early on my Substack journey and have read her pieces almost every week. She has a weekly posting schedule where she explores themes of slow, frugal living, Scottish highland life and reading for pleasure. She has a wonderful tone of invitation to her readers and it’s been a joy to watch her stick to her boundaries and grow joyfully here.

Molly has an audience of over 50k on her YouTube channel and if you pop over there you’ll soon see why. Molly’s content and videos give you the permission to exhale, to slow down, to know you will be held by her words, stories and visuals.

In her own words; “Slow Scottish Stories is a publication designed to help you slow down and celebrate everything that make’s you YOU”.

Molly is a full time content creator, living in a Tiny Home, nestled in the Scottish Highlands.

A slow living fanatic and proof that, if you really want to, you can reject the hustle culture and live the life YOU desire.

Molly's Substack is a breath of fresh air in a noisy world. I love her take on slow living, especially living in her tiny home in the Scottish Highlands! 🤍 Simple & Calm

Molly entered the digital world with a passion for creating content that resonated with her audience.

Initially, she utilised Instagram as a platform to showcase her lifestyle and thoughts, but as she sought to focus more on her writing, she realised a shift was necessary. In 2021, Molly repositioned her Instagram to specifically highlight her blog, which proved to be a significant turning point as her followers rapidly increased.

Embracing the momentum, Molly expanded her online presence in the spring of 2022 by launching a YouTube channel, allowing her to engage with her audience through a different medium. She then managed a trifecta of platforms: her original blog, her rebranded Instagram, and her fresh YouTube presence, juggling content creation across all three.

However, by August 2022, Molly recognised that her dedication to Instagram was impeding her ability to write—the craft she held dearest. Balancing a full-time job alongside her online endeavours only amplified this challenge, leading to a decision to reallocate her time and energy. She made the bold move to depart from Instagram, a choice that allowed her to revive her blog after weeks, even months, of inactivity.

In the same month she stepped back from Instagram, Molly launched her Substack, a subscription-based platform perfect for nurturing her first love of writing without the intense demands of daily social media engagement.

Though she bid farewell to Instagram, she maintained her YouTube channel, balancing her passion for writing with visual storytelling for her growing audience.

Molly's journey reflects a creator mindful of her time, dedicated to her craft, and adaptive to the changing landscapes of online content creation. She’s a Substack ‘bestseller’ with over 100 paid subscribers to her publication.

"My Substack and particularly my members will be my priority going forwards. And that's mostly linked back to the fact that I've always thought long term writing is my main passion. I think it's probably underestimated, at least I underestimated how much time it takes just to respond to comments.

And I found already quite a lot, because I'm like, oh, these people are paying now, they need me to respond to them."

Molly Ella

Molly online;

Website - https://www.hippyhighlandliving.com/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@hippyhighlandliving

Etsy shop - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SlowScottishStore

Tee mill shop (organic merch) - https://hippy-highland-living.teemill.com/

Membership via Substack -

Watch on YouTube with captions

Popping in to tell you more about the BRAND NEW course I’m SO excited to deliver!

This course combined two years of my creative expertise distilled down for you into a series of 10 minute tutorial drops.

Live calls optional, replays available. Let’s elevate our Substacks into BEAUTIFUL digital magazines we are proud of?

Join us?

Grab your early bird spot here.

Course replay will be available to 💎 Diamond Members after delivery. More on your exclusive invite to Diamond Membership here, don’t miss the chance to get strategic launch and conversion support for ONE WHOLE YEAR if you join before 1st September.

"When I set up the Heiter Society, I wanted something for myself where I felt less alone, also in my business."

Kiki

"Yes, to some extent, Heiter is definitely slow living, but it is still beautiful."

Kiki

I’m thrilled to bring you another exciting episode of Sparkle on Substack the podcast.

Kiki and I dive deep into creative processes, the importance of branding, and all things related to building joyful, engaging communities online.

🎧 **Episode Highlights:**

1. **Mailing List Moves:** Claire Venus shares her experience of moving her extensive Mailchimp list to her Podia course platform and how she manages to keep her community informed and engaged across multiple platforms. If you're juggling different mailing lists, this segment is a goldmine of practical tips!

2. **Flow desk Insights:** Get inspired by her rundown of the platform's features.

3. **Formatting Magic on Substack:** For all you content creators out there, Claire provides a detailed demonstration of formatting options on Substack—think centralised quotes, headers, images, and seamless video embeds.

4. **Branding Brilliance:** The dynamics of maintaining a consistent brand presence are thoroughly explored. Claire highlights the significance of colours, logos, and pinned posts in creating a cohesive aesthetic.

5. **Editorial Shifts:** Claire discusses her decision to shift from heavy topics to lighter content and seeks input on this editorial journey. What are your thoughts on this shift? Let us know!

6. **Kiki’s Strengths and Collaborations:** Kiki talks about her passion for fashion, storytelling, and her partnerships with design agencies to craft a sustainable magazine. Plus, discover how she’s integrated support roles like sub-editors and virtual assistants to elevate her projects.

7. **Community and Support:** The episode sheds light on various community-building strategies, including Kiki’s use of holistic life coaches and therapists for meditation sessions and book clubs. Claire also shares details of her upcoming masterclass on transitioning Instagram content to Substack.

8. **Navigating Substack:** Together, Kiki and Claire explore the ins and outs of Substack, demonstrating its social media integration, writer profiles, and publication features. Get insights on how you can optimise the platform for your creative ventures.

🌟 **Exclusive Sneak Peek:** Claire reveals some exciting news about upcoming targeted guest posts on joyful growth and monetisation on Substack. Plus, Kiki gives a shout-out to pre-orders for Heiter’s print issue two, "Homecoming," with a deadline at the end of June. Don’t miss your chance to get this beautiful issue!

📌 **Community Engagement:** Concerned about relying too heavily on Substack? Claire reassures with insights on data ownership and maintaining control over your email list. Also, discover different ways to engage your community, both on and off Substack.

💬 Join the Conversation

We’re eager to hear your thoughts on this episode! How do you manage your editorial decisions and branding across platforms?

What are your tips for maintaining consistency and engagement with your community?

Kiki/ Heiter online

https://www.heitermagazine.com

Sparkle on Substack, the podcast is supported by my Diamond Members. You can find out more about them and support their work here.

“Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.”

Arthur Ashe

It was an absolute JOY to connect with David Speed for my podcast a couple of months back. David and I were at the podcast recording of Creative Coffee by Emma Gannon when she interviewed Farrah @Substack in London and I know both of them will be delighted we made this connection if they see this post.

Connection - now there’s a word I overuse but honestly it makes everything possible.

When we met he was pretty new to Substack and enjoying bedding in. Just after I spoke with David, he put out this piece which I loved. Well to be honest I love all of his writing; it’s sophisticated, honest and there’s NO snake oil;

Speaker Bio

David Speed is a multi-disciplinary artist whose current focus is neon painting.

The artist is fascinated by light and shadow and creates work that plays with that drama. David enjoys painting huge murals but is equally happy painting canvas. He relishes the challenge of painting on a small scale using spray paint and pushing the limitations of what is achievable in that medium.

In the early 2000’s David was training to be a primary school teacher while balancing a mostly illegal graffiti career. Frustrated at the school system, he realised that by creating art, mentoring artists and now; podcasting, he could help many more people get in touch with their creativity.

"If you are an artist, or a creative, or a writer or a dancer, and you read, this is marketing, there's so many, your brain will kick ideas in a totally different way than if you're in the marketing space."

David Speed

Timestamped Overview

00:00 From street art to renowned collaborative success.

10:24 Started podcast with no experience; everyone agreed.

15:48 Be mindful of influences and digital noise.

20:14 Building career through influential conversations and a podcast.

26:23 Art-infused Liverpool city tour and Instagram insights

31:32 Artists explore voice and space in new ways.

36:28 1000 true fans theory vital for creatives.

40:54 Passionate about creating and supporting art transparently.

42:58 Real art impacts people beyond social media.

52:53 Encouraging people to make the most of life.

56:34 Paints strangers from submitted photos for street art.

59:05 Innovations happen when humans have creative freedom.

Find David Speed online

🌍 https://www.davidspeed.uk/about

On instagram;

On tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@davidspeeduk

Creative Rebels (the podcast on You Tube) - https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeRebels

"I didn't really want to celebrate people that have already been celebrated. So I started this project called be Neon, where there's a form on my website where you can upload an image, and I will paint you in the street."

David Speed

Other links/ ideas we mentioned;

“Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can. You've got to get to the stage in life where going for it is more important than winning or losing. One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.” Arthur Ashe

🥰 1000 True Fans - https://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/

📖 Seth Godin - This is Marketing - https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/This-Is-Marketing-by-Seth-Godin/9780241370148

✨

Your take on this conversation…

💬 We’d love to chat to you more in the comments about the important topics we brought to light in the podcast. There is so much in here about success and commitment and everything we do to make our creative careers work.

Sparkle on Substack is sponsored by my Diamond Members. Thanks to them for supporting me so I can make time to have these conversations and bring them to life in the world. You can read more about them and their work here.

💎

It was a JOY to meet my pal Suzy Walker for the Sparkle on Substack podcast.

Suzy talks to us about ‘starting from scratch’, making the most of our presence online and following your heart even when it tells you to leap!

Suzy is a coach (once named one of the top ten in the UK) and former Editor-in-Chief of Psychologies magazine.

She’s been privileged to have interviewed some of the best self-development greats in the world, from Oprah to Brené Brown, and loves finding tools, books, and experts that support us in making our own leaps in life.

When I met Suzy, my entire life and the way I was building it felt more possible. She told me; “Claire look at this, you are living it.” And I felt that. Those moments where friends, colleagues, new pals really see you - it’s like a lightening bolt. Suzy is my lightening bolt of confirmation often. At the time, two things were true; I was living it and my husband was very sick and I was very scared.

Later in our friendship, we met for coffee and I was telling her my goals for Sparkle on Substack and my hope for replacing income from a tricky commissioned project. She looked at me again and said - £350 a month? You can do that. And again I realised yes, yes I can. The income arrived in a flash and I let go of that tricky comissioner.

“You can build your own creative universe on Substack. It’s like heaven and you can also earn money. I can’t believe it.”

Suzy Walker

Here’s Suzy Walker in her own words;

The Heart Leap newsletter is about tools, ideas, and people who help us make a leap in thinking so we feel inspired and uplifted rather than trapped, stuck, and downhearted.

It’s for writers who want to write and get their books out into the world but who find writing a hard slog but don’t want to give up the dream. Think of Heart Leap as your very own cosy writing nook.

Heart Leap is also for people starting again, literally or metaphorically. I’ve just left a big job and my life in London to start again in the wilds of Northumberland, so I’m right here beside you.

For paid subscribers, we have the Heart Leap Club, which has monthly self-development workshops with brilliant experts and weekly writing hours where you get to hang out with writers for two hours a week and get your books and blogs finished.

(Here’s me by my magic tree on a hill, which overlooks a fairy tale castle and whispers ideas and grants wishes.)

“Live a life that makes your heart leap”

Suzy Walker

Timeline

00:00 Loving work, overwhelmed but in growth phase.

04:06 Transitioned from busy London to peaceful Northumberland.

08:23 Substack offers new freedom for creators.

12:41 Substack fosters creativity and kindness in business.

14:32 Sustainable, joyful approach to consumer education.

17:09 Excited to collaborate on self development portal.

20:30 Substack offers collaboration and networking opportunities.

25:35 Honing in on sophisticated editing process.

26:56 Finding audience interest through experimentation and response.

30:14 You are kind, reassuring, and trustworthy.

34:22 Prioritising safety and giving oneself grace.

38:05 Podcasting allows for diverse and engaging content.

39:21 Juliet Thomas turns play into successful novel.

44:19 Positive impact of memoir serializations on sales.

48:16 Embracing neurodiversity, simplicity, and pursuing dreams.

49:45 Balancing digital consumption for a clearer mind.

52:35 Finding a space for uplift and joy.

More connects

* Weekly writing sessions -

https://heartleap.substack.com/p/room-to-write

* Suzy on Instagram

* Buy the Heart Leap necklace!!

* Join the Heart Leap community.

* Juliet Thomas at Under the Trees

* Alnwick Story Fest website - 28 Feb - 2 March 2025 - see you there!!

Also in this episode

* The Rejection Palace - Open Call

We’d LOVE to hear from you in the comments!

Claire and Suzy Walker

💕

Thank you to my WONDERFUL 💎 Diamond Members for sponsoring season 2 of the podcast.

“This idea that we are playing a game that we never really know the rules for, and I think that's a feeling that many people have, like thinking about the algorithm and how often should you post and should you do reels and should you do whatever. That feeling made me feel really bad, and I'm just happy that I don't have to deal with that anymore."— Astrid Bracke

This episode is supported by my Diamond Members here on Substack. You’ll find links to their publications at the end.

It’s the VERY last day to upgrade if you want 1-2-1 support from me for a whole year.

💎 My Sparkle on Substack Diamond Membership is closing until January 2025 and I won’t be offering the 1-2-1 dm perk in the same way again. It will also go up in price. Here are the benefits you unlock immediately including two courses and complimentary podcast sponsorship to help grow your Substack.

💎

WELCOME BACK TO Sparkle on Substack the podcast! Conversations with creatives who use Substack and make it make sense for them.

Astrid Bracke is a dedicated mentor for small business owners, freelancers, and creatives, championing a slower, gentler approach to business that remains financially rewarding. She aims to help professionals break away from the constant hustle and productivity hacks, nurturing their emotional and mental well-being while ensuring profitability. Astrid supports her clients through personalised one-to-one mentoring and innovative group programs like "Marketing Without Social Media and “Substack for Small Businesses”

Additionally, she offers a mini-course on Substack tailored for small business owners and curates a Substack newsletter, which includes a paid segment, providing continuous support and insights for those aspiring to create a balanced and successful business.

“And then in October 2021, I fell ill with severe clinical depression. And at that point, I'd actually just decided to take a three week break from Instagram because I just launched a digital product. But with the depression, that break just extended itself for, I think, about five or six months before I started thinking again about, oh, right, there's this thing called Instagram."— Astrid Bracke

🌐 Episode Highlights:

1. Journey to Selling Products and Services: Claire opened up about her experience transitioning from word-of-mouth promotions to actively selling her offerings. She addresses the common challenge many face – the difficulty of promoting paid services and the risk of giving away too much value for free.

2. Clarity in Communication: Both Claire and Astrid emphasise the importance of clear communication. With readers often missing key messages due to short attention spans, it's crucial to consistently remind your audience about what you offer.

3. The Power of Connection: Astrid highlights how she nurtures a sense of community through her Substack, "female owned," and her website astridbracke.com. Monthly discussion threads, accountability clubs, and new features for collaboration are just a few of the ways she fosters connections.

4. Managing Notifications and Boundaries: Substack is a fantastic creative outlet, but managing notifications can be overwhelming. Claire and Astrid share their strategies for maintaining a healthy balance between personal and business use of the platform.

5. Doing Business Differently: Astrid's approach to business – slow, gentle, and profitable – resonates deeply. Her one-on-one mentoring and group programs, like the marketing without social media initiative, offer a refreshing alternative to traditional business strategies.

6. Overcoming Social Media Challenges: After experiencing clinical depression, Astrid took a hiatus from Instagram and discovered other effective marketing avenues. Her journey inspires many who feel pressured by the constant presence required on social media platforms.

7. Free Resources and Upcoming Courses: Astrid's plan to create more free resources for her subscribers in the coming year is something to look forward to. Plus, don't miss the upcoming relaunch of her self-paced mini course for small business owners, freelancers, and creatives, focusing on using Substack for business growth.

✨

"If we have a scale on which one to one mentoring is, the most intense way in which I can support people or intensive rather then the newsletter here is at the other end of the scale."— Astrid Bracke

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Balancing work, motherhood, and self-care.

05:15 Challenges of social media and online focus.

09:51 Feeling relieved to leave social media challenges.

12:58 Questioning value of social media; prioritizing happiness.

15:05 Newsletter supports small business owners and freelancers.

18:26 Substack takes time, learning, and patience.

21:33 Using Substack for business and marketing strategies.

24:33 Thinking creatively about creative outlets on Substack.

26:49 Using Substack blurs personal and business boundaries.

32:41 Focusing on nurturing community, fostering growth.

33:35 Community building, mini podcasts, and new features.

38:45 Encouraging sharing and selling to make money.

40:57 Balancing self-employment and selling products.

44:03 Expressing appreciation for connection and collaboration.

Thank you to my Diamond Members who make my work on the podcast possible and help pay for my time and professional edits by Kerry Hinns.

✨ Diamond Sponsors 💎

Alice Kuipers from Confessions & Coffee

Amanda B. Hinton from The Editing Spectrum

Amy Ray from The Meandering Muse

Caroline Donahue from Book Alchemy | Website

Catherine Rayner from Catherine Rayner Studio - behind the scenes... | Website

Catherine Wilde - SoulCareMom from Soul Care Mom with Catherine Wilde | Website

Danusia Malina-Derben from Parents Who Think | Website

Gray Jordan from Gray Jordan: Spellbound by Colour | Website

Gill Moakes from It's a People Thing | Website

Jan Fortune from Alchemical wonderings with Jan Elisabeth | Website

Jennifer Murphy from The Celtic Creatives | Website

Jo Taylor from Seeds, Weeds and Wildflowers

Layla O'Mara from beauty & bone | Instagram

Louise Edington from Cosmic Owl | Website

Louise Tilbrook from Everyday Knitter | Website

Nicole Lawrence from Re:birth with Nicole Lawrence | Website

Ruth Cooper-Dickson from Coffee with Coops | Instagram

Steph Wright from in the arena | Instagram

Tuğba Avci from as slow as possible

Zoe Gardiner from Postpartum Matters CIC | Website

"How Paywalls Protect Personal Stories: "People pay, not because it's clickbait, because that's just not for everybody. That part of what they're saying, they only want to share it intimately with people who are part of their inner circle and bought in."

Linda @ Substack

I was delighted to meet with Linda @ Substack this week to chat all things Substack.

Linda is a dedicated member of the writer partnerships team at Substack and has been on the staff team since 2021. Widely recognised for her active presence on Substack Notes, Linda's primary role involves engaging with potential new Substack users in the finance category. 🤓 💰

I was SO excited to speak with her for sooo many reasons. The main one? Because she works and supports folks outside of my eco chamber and that’s where as an avid reader and an observer of Substack, I learn the most.

She focuses on attracting individuals who can bring unique content and an audience to the platform and has a genuine passion (like me) for Substack's capabilities.

Linda strongly believes in Substack's potential for individuals starting from scratch, as she's witnessed many success stories firsthand. Alongside her team, she is committed to fostering open dialogues and providing valuable insights to help new users thrive. She’s eager to share her knowledge and experiences with the community, contributing to the growth and success of Substack as a whole.

✨

If you’re short on time, I asked cast magic to summarise the lessons, thanks to Adam Ming for the suggestion of adding take aways for those who need them.

Here are 10 Substack lessons from Linda

1. **Jump Right In**

Over-preparation can hinder starting. Embrace imperfection and create now.

2. **Embrace the Blank Page**

Substack’s design simplicity encourages unique and personal approach. You don’t have to look for a cookie cut out.

3. **From Twitter to Substack**

Move from fleeting social media content to permanent, engaging Substack archives and bring your audience.

4. **Video Strengths**

Utilise video content for deeper, more personal connections with your audience.

5. **Community Support**

Engage and uplift fellow Substack users through workshops and subscriber chats.

6. **Utilise Headers and Footers**

Customise email headers and footers to consistently communicate and engage with readers. Lean into thinking about the messages you want to set for free and paid subs…

7. **Consider Pricing Wisely**

To avoid over thinking, start with common pricing models ($5/month, $50/year), and be prepared to adjust based on value.

8. **Leverage Recommendations**

Substack's recommendation tool helps expand reach and break reader echo chambers.

9. **Exploit Machine Learning**

Discoverability on Substack enhanced through advanced content recommendations over fixed categories.

10. **Sustainable Growth**

Avoid burnout with sustainable posting schedules and clear, value-driven pricing strategies for the long term.

Sparkle on Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Writer recruiter for Substack, sharing insights today.

09:15 Substack only profits if writers profit first.

13:12 Substack empowers creators with innovative, user-friendly tools.

16:11 Just start creating content on Substack now.

23:12 Unsubscribes are inevitable in email marketing efforts.

31:04 Team created categories; now observe user behaviour.

32:06 Modernly categorising using machine learning, not drop downs.

39:16 Balancing day job and monetising creative efforts on Substack.

45:27 Sustainable writing schedules can improve long-term success.

52:00 Excited, committed to diamond membership's annual model.

56:52 Paywall restricts access to intimate, personal content.

01:00:34 Nudge yourself out of your echo chamber.

✨

📙 Book Recommendations

Struggling with public speaking in your videos or podcasts?

Check out "How to Own the Room" by Viv Groskop — a fantastic resource for overcoming those jitters and enhancing your communication skills.

Seth Godin - all his books!

Kevin Kelly - 1000 True Fans

🟧 Other Substacks mentioned…

See you in the comments? I’d LOVE to know what you think of this one.

Claire

💫

Thank you to my WONDERFUL 💎 Diamond Members for sponsoring season 2 of the podcast.

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.

✨

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

WELCOME back to Sparkle on Substack, the podcast. You can listen to this wherever on Substack or wherever you get your podcasts.

My second guest for Season 3 is the wonderful Emma Simpson. We recorded this episode back in September and I can hardly believe it’s been four months.

I first met the delightful Emma Simpson at Alnwick Story Fest this time last year actually. Since then, we have stayed in touch, met in London and cheer-leaded each other’s work from a far.

If you want to join us for tea and cake at this year’s Alnwick Story Fest, drop me an email. I’m excited to be meeting up with some fellow writers. Tickets are here. Emma and I are both speaking at the festival which takes place 2/3 March.

One of the things I love about Emma’s Substack publication is that it’s eclectic. It’s refreshing, unpredictable and she writes longer stories I want to snuggle up with.

Emma is headed towards 1000 readers and I’d love to help her get there ahead of her book publication date in March. Subscribe below for the good stuff!

Emma in her own words

I am a wild swimmer and life-long hobbyist writer specialising in narrative non-fiction. Having spent a couple of decades being distracted by a career as an air traffic controller and experiencing two life-wrenching events, I rediscovered my pen and my passion for storytelling at the same time as discovering how transformational cold-water swimming was for my health, wellbeing, and sense of connection with the world. Trained in coaching psychology, I have combined my years as an observer of human behaviour in high stress environments with my love for listening to people’s tales around the shores of a lake; mug of steaming hot tea in hand. I hold these stories with great care and trust as I reflect on the great oral storytelling traditions of our past.

My current book is an exploration into the primal powers of femininity and water; with stories gathered from around the world that demonstrate the power of connection and humanity in an increasingly crazy society. Future offerings include tales from Ireland, the land of my ancestry, and a collection of soul stories showcasing the astonishing beauty and simplicity of people’s actions in the everyday.

* Pre-Order Breaking Waves on Amazon

* Pre-Order Breaking Waves at Waterstones 

* Emma’s website 

* You might also enjoy these articles on lifting the lid on the book publication process. It’s truly fascinating!!

Watch on YouTube

Timestamped overview

00:00 From Air Traffic Control to Writing

06:12 Extraordinary Marathon Swimmer's Profound Moments

15:01 Wild Swimming: Community and Connection

17:39 The Great Unplugging

24:57 Social Media's Impact on Behaviour

30:20 Writing to Connect and Heal

35:08 Community Connections and Unexpected Success

39:23 "Embracing PR and Book Festivals"

48:25 Agent Feedback on Book Proposal

49:53 Agent Decision and Personal Connection

57:29 "Creative Influence and Recognition"

01:00:54 "Connecting with Creative Muses"

01:05:26 Emma Simpson's Literary 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)

🎙️💫

"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

✨

"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).

✨ 🎙️ ✨

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.

“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

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.

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…

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…

✨

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

✨

PS - Here’s some more on recommendations and how to use them here on Substack…

✨

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.

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.

✨

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

✨

HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

Thank you Caroline Ferguson, Alexa Juanita Jordan, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.

Here’s an example of what I mean where you have to select all emails filtered. Mine says 680 because I added everyone who is free and clicked more than one link in the last 30 days.

Well this was an ABSOLUTE treat. Seth and I have clocked each other’s Notes for a little while and I was delighted he was up for a chat about socials/ social media on Substack and all the rest.

My top tip for you is to understand what you do in service to your readers by emailing them from Substack. Then the rest of the strategy of ‘being online’ for growth, personal development and fun can follow.

Thank you Andy Adams, Jo Hutton, Diamond-Michael Scott, marine eyes, Cruda, and many others for tuning into my live video with Seth Werkheiser! Join me for my next live video in the app.

If this video sparks anything for you then we’d love to hear from you in the comments.

Let’s Sparkle on Substack!

Claire and Seth

✨

PS - Members, we met this morning and spent an hour looking at deepening connection with your readers through Substack Chat - here’s your replay and the post is open for further creative thought and chat.

You are welcome to join us here at Sparkle on Substack on a 14 day free trial over the holidays. Expires 31st December.

Did you open your Christmas gift yet? There’s a FREE planner inside.

Take time to create a Substack Publication with Ease

I’m so excited to co host an IN PERSON this retreat with Tanya Lynch next year (2025) in Oxfordshire. There are still spots available but we do expect it to sell out.

It was lush to re-connect with Tanya on a Substack Live a couple of weeks back. I’m sharing the recording for those of you who missed it. We chatted about mini writers retreats in our homes and the Substack rollercoaster, the importance of connection with like minded people and taking the time to power down to power back up.

Come retreat with us, connect to your creative essence, re-centre your goals for Substack for the year and paint the picture of your vision.

Vouchers are available for loved ones AND you have the opportunity to snag early bird pricing until 31st December. Payments Plans available too.

More details - https://www.easeretreats.com/retreats

🐥 EARLY BIRD price until 31st December 2024.

The wonderful Tanya’s Substack publication and community where you can get more intel about her author/ creativity retreats then meet other’s who search for ease and become entwined with it too;

Listen to Tanya Lynch and Toni Jones podcast - these ladies met here at Sparkle on Substack which blows my mind and fills me with gratitude for their beautiful work.

https://shelfhelpclub.substack.com/podcast

✨

Members - you can pop the 2025 dates in your calendar and the LUMA links are live for our January goal setting and visioning classes. Here’s everything you need to SPARKLE on Substack in 2025

Right back to beach walks and box sets.

Go well this season and see you all soon,

Claire

✨

PS - there won’t be a January sale here but I am re-opening the monthly payment subscription option for 3 days starting tomorrow. Access the A-Z library of tutorials, join our January goal setting classes and join our members chat.

PPS - The Business of your Substack - my 3 month long mastermind is open for enrolments. If you have a creative business and love Substack it’s for you.

Thank you Christopher Pepper, Allegra Chapman, Katie Andraski, Susan Kuenzi, Amber Horrox, and many others for tuning into my live video with Russell Nohelty! Join me for my next live video in the app.

If you have questions on anything we talk about in our publication celebration, drop them below and we’ll circle back after the holidays.

Claire and Russell

“I wanted to create a space that was there for people all year round. Substack gave me the platform for Soul Circle to land.” Beth Kempton

WELCOME back to the Sparkle on Substack podcast everyone. Thank you for being here.

This is the space for in depth conversation about how creatives are bringing themselves and their beautiful work to this platform. I am wrapping up the second season of this podcast which is sponsored by the first wave of my Diamond Members. Thank you to everyone who listens and comments. It means the world to me to know these stories are reaching you across the globe.

⭐️ If you are able to leave me a 5 star rating and review, I’d be OVER the moon. This simple act of a few clicks will help more people find my work and make space for me to commit time to make more podcasts. ✨

Today’s guest is the wonderful Beth Kempton who is a best selling author and fellow Substack writer. Beth’s work has been instrumental to my journey of self and creative expression as you’ll hear. I’m delighted to share these words with you.

"I'm going to write essays about things I want to write and to people who want to read them, and I'm not going to charge for them because as soon as I charge, I will feel I have a commitment to writing an essay however many times a month." Beth Kempton

✨

Beth Kempton is the bestselling author of six non-fiction books including Wabi Sabi, The Way of the Fearless Writer and Kokoro. Her books have been recommended by the likes of TIME Magazine, Psychologies and Vogue, and translated into nearly 30 languages. Beth is one of the most popular British authors on Substack, where she has more than 30,000 subscribers and hosts a beautiful community of writers from around the world, called SoulCircle.

https://bethkempton.com/

📖 Buy Beth’s books.

Connect on Instagram

Beth’s courses over at Do what you Love

🌀

Timestamped overview (ai)

00:00 Entrepreneurial mother inspired by her two daughters.

08:52 Grief and solace through a comforting book.

13:46 Sharing stories helps others feel less alone.

16:30 Proud of impactful art, mixed reception, self-acceptance.

23:31 Creating a supportive, judgment-free writing community.

26:15 Magical decision-making, writing, and community on Substack.

32:31 Soul Circle: Private writing community on Substack.

37:19 Clarifying resources and support for overwhelmed newcomers.

47:55 Struggling to promote Substack due to Instagram blocks.

51:22 Invest early in professional design for branding materials.

57:53 Christmas: Magic, overwhelm, exhaustion, financial frustration, opportunity.

01:01:48 Excited about managing multiple Substack energies properly.

01:04:07 Annual preparation, separate free substack, potential fundraising.

🎥 Watch our chat on YouTube…

Other mentions

* The essay I wrote about Lee’s passing, we reference;

* Laura Pashby’s book - Chasing Fog.

* Calm Christmas

"I'm going to stay plugged into the Internet at large for a longer time, then I am going to have to be mindful of when the Orcs want to pop up, when I can have a cup of tea with the Dwarves and when I can just sit and chill and watch Wicked with my little selection box."

Hi Sparklers,

I hope 2024 wrapped up beautifully for you and you have some notes next to your reflections and thoughts about your directions?

As we usher in 2025, I'm thrilled to share some reflections, exciting plans, and a sprinkle of gratitude with you.

Reflecting on a Transformative 2024

2024 was a year packed with expansion, turbulence, and profound lessons. I felt like I was living in dual realities at times.

Whether it was supporting our vibrant Substack community, receiving heartwarming feedback, or navigating the nuances of online presence, the year was richly complex.

One invaluable lesson from 2024 for us all is the importance of protecting our peace amidst the fast-paced digital world. Let's carry this wisdom forward, ensuring our creative journeys are both fulfilling and balanced?

What's Sparkling for members in 2025?

✨ Goal Setting Session:

Members - we're kickstarting the year with our goal-setting session on Monday at 9:30 AM UK time. If you haven't yet downloaded the free Substack Planner here you go.

Print it out and bring it along—or simply grab some big pieces of paper. Excited to dive into my brilliant systems with you!

✨ Five-Year Visioning Plan:

Also in January - we'll embark on crafting our five-year vision, with Substack being a key component for many of us. Whether your Substack is a major part of your plan or a smaller element, all are welcome. Let's dream big together?

✨ Practical Workshops:

In February, we'll focus on deepening connections with our readers and building a robust community around our publication. We also have the brilliant Amanda B. Hinton popping in to talk with Diamond Members on data and how to use it to help inform our curation.

✨ Personalised Guidance:

The window is open in chat to submit your specific tutorial requests! Substack can change quickly, and I aim to stay responsive to your needs throughout the year.

✨ Community Hot Seats:

We'll be integrating more hot seat sessions during our calls, giving you the stage and fostering collaboration among our Sparklers. The Friday Writers’ Room on Slack will continue to be your imaginative sanctuary and space to chat about lunch. 🤣

FOR EVERYONE…

✨ Upcoming Events:

Mark your calendars! I'll be speaking at Alnwick Story Fest on March 3rd and the Writer MBA Conference in New Orleans later in March. In May I have a day long creative retreat in partnership with Tanya Lynch at Ease Retreats.

Shoutouts and Gratitude

A big thank you to Russell Nohelty for our incredible collaboration on "How to Build a World Class Substack" and to Beth Kempton for her inspiring mentorship. And, of course, endless gratitude to my husband for being my constant source of support—and tea. ☕️

To our wonderful Sparkle on Substack community, thank you for your unwavering enthusiasm and dedication. You are the heartbeat of this journey.

So, let’s step gently onto the Yellow Brick Road of 2025 with a heart full of dreams, a vision clear and expansive, and a community ready to sparkle brighter than ever.

📅 Event Recap:

Online

* Goal Setting Session:

Monday, 9:30 AM UK time

* Five-Year Visioning Plan:

In Person events this year…

Alnwick Story Fest , Northumberland, UK:

* Sunday 3rd March

Tickets - https://alnwickstoryfest.com/. You can also catch Emma Simpson and Juliet Thomas there. Should I organise an official Substack meet up again or does someone else want to? You get a mention from Substack if you do!

Writer MBA Conference, New Orleans, USA:

* 19-22 March.

Tickets here. https://writermba.com/

Substack with EASE Retreat

* Friday 9 May

More here https://www.easeretreats.com/retreats

Download the digital Sparkle on Substack Planner here and print your copy.

Here's to a year of joyful, sustainable growth and creativity. Let’s make 2025 our most magical year yet!

With love and sparkles,

Claire

P.S. - There’ll be less threads this year but feel free to reach out in the Substack chat with any questions, requests, or just to say hello. We're all here for you!

Happy Friday all,

I was so excited to connect with fellow creative mum Charlie Swift who I met (I think) on instagram some years back…

This was an impromptu live as Charlie shared with me she’d like to try a Substack Live in our members call and her word/ phrase of the year is ‘Show Up’ so here we are… Beautiful things happen online every single day. Here’s you invite to see more of them and less of the things that fry your nervous system.

In our Substack live, Charlie shared more about her creative process, her work, self expression, expression. We also delve into her ‘viral moment’ on IG and our relationships with platforms (IG and Substack plus the others that ‘work’ for us).

We go deep into online literacy including ‘being’ online, present, authentic, editing or curating ourselves and leaning into our feelings on that. We also share more on how we make our unique creative and business eco systems work.

You might like to connect and listen to Charlie’s podcast over here too;

Other things/ links/ classes we mentioned;

* Abstain or Moderate? with Gretchen Reuben

* Substack with Ease retreat

* Laura Pashby and her retreat here

* Your Creative and Content Eco-System class - it’s free join us live or catch the replay in a couple of weeks.

* Write your Book with us this year in 12 Chapters Club

* The reel with the hair.

* Sign up for visioning class next week (Sparkle members) -

* Charlie’s website to book mentoring with her.

We’d love to continue this conversation in the comments if you fancy it over the weekend and into next week,

Claire and Charlie

✨

"Your publication is its own beautiful little garden, a little terrarium that you can keep safe and you can nurture your audience and connect to your subscribers and readers."

Sparklers!

You can build and grow joyfully and sustainably without burn out here.

Fancy a little creative boost as to how you show up? Need some insight into how to refresh your joyful growth strategy for Substack and beyond?

Join us for my 7 Day Joyful Growth (on Substack) challenge next week!?

Subscribe here - (it’s a whole separate Substack) to make sure you are clear on where to find everything. We run for 7 days.

This is for you if… you already understand Substack and have yours set up with under 3000 readers. It will be expansive in the best most considered way.

You don’t have to attend anything live. You can come to the posts when it feels right for you. There’ll be chat support too.

It’s perfect timing if you are craving;

A Clear(er) Path – Instead of feeling stuck or overwhelmed, you’ll get a step-by-step process to follow that becomes a holistic and person centred creative practise that sticks.

Fresh Inspiration – Looking for prompts, ideas, and strategies that make writing, showing up and growing feel exciting again? I’ve got you.

Gentle Accountability blended with community and connection – Knowing others are on the same journey makes you more likely to show up and take action. There’s a lovely gang gathering with 250 signed up so far. This won’t be a big noisy, busy challenge.

Results to celebrate Without Burnout – Always and forever.

Watch the video above or listen in your podcast app to see/ hear more and a quick joyful growth tip. This tip will help you connect with what your readers LOVE, how your work can drives new readers.

You’ll also see me share openly how I did a dance with my own scheduling to grow my newsletter giving my readers something that I knew that they'd be excited about.

Questions? I’m all ears.

It’s not about ticking off a list of “to-dos” or hammering yourself with extra things - it’s more about how joyful growth can and should feel as you build your publication (almost) effortlessly.

If you’re short on time don’t worry - the challenge is meant to be experienced AND implemented in less than 20 minutes each day. Come to it in your own time. New daily posts delivered each day right to your inbox/ app.

Yay! Sign up here ⬇️

Let’s work out what joyful growth really means to you long term.

See you there folks,

Claire

✨

PS - the challenge is totally free but will close and go behind a paywall at the end of Feb.

PPS - if you want to share use this referral link because there are some FANTASTIC prizes up for grabs if you do.

Don’t forget Sparkle on Substack the membership is having a price rise to reflect the value of the archive and take into account new fees I have to pay. To get in at the current pricing and stay there for as long as you stay hit upgrade before 3rd April. Do it now if you’ve been thinking about it? I promise you will ADORE it here.

Hi Sparklers,

I wanted to record a little something to address two new Substack features that have been rolled out…

Enjoy my eight minute take from my cottage office here on the Northumberland coast on…

* The Rising Star Leaderboards

* The new writer bio layout…

If you’d prefer to watch you can do that here…

Two beautiful opportunities for you in May …

* (ONLINE) Join our Growth to Bestseller Challenge…

b. (IRL) - I’d also love for you to join us for Substack for Ease Day Retreat with Tanya Lynch on 9 May 2025 in Oxfordshire. Here’s more info on that. If you’d like to meet on zoom this Friday to learn more, hit reply to this email and I’ll send you the link

Let me know any questions you have or thoughts on the new Substack features in the comments below…

Sending sparkles and a HUGE permission slip for you to ignore leaderboards if you like and do your best work in connection to your readers.

Claire

✨

PS - Go deeper - explore Substack’s article on leaderboards - https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/5999320475412-What-are-Substack-leaderboards

and mine and Russell Nohelty hugely popular post and take on them too -

Connecting on on the display changes to our bios and what we should do about it. Thanks for coming along to my live. It was lovely to see some of you!!

Cx

Eeeeeeek I made a NEW thing.

I hope you like it.

This first pep talk is free and inspired by two brilliant women and congruently authentic voices; Selina Barker who does a regular BRILLIANT pep talk for her members over at Another Way with Selina Barker and Caroline Donahue who drops into her membership this way and shares her truth.

This pep talk is free to all and the rest of these regular calls to action will be paywalled for members.

I’d love to know what it sparks for you as we head deep into Spring and all her colours.

Sending SO many sparkles for your week ahead,

Claire

✨

PS - Ooo members can catch the replay and better understand how to stack your value here on Substack in our hour long class. Don’t forget you can also meet your fellow sparklers anytime in chat or over in our topical chat threads.

My Growth to Bestseller Challenge is coming 1-5 May, join us here. Grab your ticket today for just £101 and join 130 others building towards their ‘bestselling’ Substack vision in joyful, sustainable ways. I can’t wait to support you to set the strategy to magnestise the Substack and audience of your dreams.

The word Intention in Latin means purpose.

WELCOME to another day in the Substack universe. I hope you had a nice weekend?

Thanks SO much for your warm reception on last week’s note. You are all so lush and I cannot believe of 1000 of you listened… it’s a joy to do this work…

This one ended a little abruptly as I could hear my daughter coming up the stairs to the studio…

So it’s about creative practise and making friends with ours.

It’s really comes down to walking the sands of two paths…

* Following the nudges and understanding what the container you are being called to show up inside of.

* Being in direct comms with your most embodied vision.

Both paths are the right path, one is more expansive and easier than the other…

Let me know where you think you are in the comments?

Have a GREAT week on Substack folks,

Claire

✨

Early bird closes TOMORROW on my signature course. This one is such a beautiful way to spend time, get organised and create an irresistible online home on Substack.

PS - Listen to this if you fancy a Monday morning BOOST!!