Sparkle on Substack
Sparkle on Substack

Sparkle on Substack

Claire Venus

Overview
Episodes

Details

Stay Creative on Substack with tutorials, teaching, posts, threads, thoughts and tools. Special guest episodes with those who I massively respect and I know will help you sparkle up your Substack and find your true north on the platform! ✨

sparkleon.substack.com

Recent Episodes

The 💥 power of audio for Substack Growth with Lindsay Johnstone
OCT 27, 2024
The 💥 power of audio for Substack Growth with Lindsay Johnstone
<p><p>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."</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://substack.com/profile/110601128-lindsay-johnstone">Lindsay Johnstone</a> </p></p><p>From the archives and in celebration of Lindsay completing an incredible memoir serialisation project here on Substack, here is a wonderful episode on the<strong> POWER of audio on Substack</strong>. Lindsay is running a <strong>flash sale where you can access her serialised memoir ‘Held in Mind’ for the price of a hard back book. GO see!</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://substack.com/profile/110601128-lindsay-johnstone">Lindsay Johnstone</a> has been here in my membership here at <a target="_blank" href="https://open.substack.com/pub/sparkleon">Sparkle on Substack</a> 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. </p><p>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. 😬</p><p>With audio my publication keeps growing. This podcast has been downloaded almost 35k times. It blows my mind. <strong>As the platform gets busier, audio is the way to stay ahead of the curve! </strong></p><p>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. </p><p>If you want to join us live we start next Friday, I’m going to guide you every step of the way…</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.creativelyconscious.co.uk/video-podcasting-on-substack">More details here</a> on my LIVE course Perfectly Imperfect Podcasting. </p><p></p><p></p><p>Guest bio </p><p>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.</p><p>In autumn 2022, she ended a three-year psychotherapy journey asking, <strong>‘What now?’ </strong>and vowed she’d replace those thrice-weekly therapeutic hours with something, but wasn’t then sure quite what.</p><p><strong>Enter Substack…</strong></p><p>Follow Lindsay’s work on Substack over at <a target="_blank" href="https://open.substack.com/pub/lindsayjohnstone">What Now? with Lindsay Johnstone</a> or on Instagram; </p><p><strong>🎙️ Timeline</strong></p><p>00:00 Writer discusses work on Substack and books.</p><p>05:07 Substack became community and writing practice hub.</p><p>07:45 Connection turns comments into conversations, fostering community.</p><p>12:35 Loneliness-driven mental health epidemic needs deeper connections.</p><p>15:32 Audio storytelling enhances personal connection in publishing.</p><p>19:35 Episodes revised for better audio pacing, content.</p><p>21:55 Curating content creatively yields timely, impactful connections.</p><p>23:48 Teaching schedule, energy management, and consistent writing.</p><p>26:58 Creative evolution with Substack, community, and experimentation.</p><p>30:25 Guest authors connect with writers via Substack.</p><p>35:36 Holding space: connection, creativity, balance, wellbeing.</p><p>37:23 Substack voiceover improved; eager to try.</p><p>41:53 Voice notes on Substack built global connections.</p><p>45:19 Audio offers creators personal expression and accessibility.</p><p>47:47 Exploring audio snippets and diaries for creativity.</p><p>53:27 Recording helps refine writing; creative expression evolves.</p><p>54:53 Stopping recording; continuing chat with paid members.</p><p><p>This podcast is supported by <a target="_blank" href="https://sparkleon.substack.com/p/diamond-member-sponsors?r=506nf&#38;utm_campaign=post&#38;utm_medium=web&#38;triedRedirect=true">my Diamond Members </a>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. </p></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_2">sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe</a>
play-circle
56 MIN
Subscriber Retention on Substack with Lucy Werner
OCT 20, 2024
Subscriber Retention on Substack with Lucy Werner
<p>Just a reminder, it’s the last month to jump in as a monthly paid member to <strong>Sparkle on Substack.</strong> It’s currently £11 a month or £95 for the year. </p><p>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. </p><p>If your a current member your price will always stay the same. </p><p><p>✨</p></p><p><strong>Help </strong><a target="_blank" href="https://substack.com/profile/8820741-lucy-werner"><strong>Lucy Werner</strong></a><strong> meet her goal of reaching 500 paid members and upgrade to her membership with this </strong><a target="_blank" href="https://hypeyourself.substack.com/52e9d53d"><strong>special 30 day free trial. </strong></a></p><p><p><em>"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."</em></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://substack.com/profile/8820741-lucy-werner">Lucy Werner</a> </p></p><p>Want audio only? </p><p>It’s here;</p><p></p><p>AI Timestamped Overview </p><p>00:00 Transitioned from agency owner to teaching DIY PR.</p><p>03:54 Starting paid subscriptions is challenging but essential.</p><p>08:17 Needed time to join membership; later invested.</p><p>11:06 Unusual growth pattern influenced by pricing adjustments.</p><p>14:24 Volume strategy balances lower price with higher subscribers.</p><p>19:31 Adjusted pricing due to audience preferences and data.</p><p>21:07 Incredible story shared, emphasizes audience value clarity.</p><p>23:35 Lucy's genuine journey is highly relatable and human.</p><p>26:57 Networking in community fosters diverse support and learning.</p><p>33:34 Reached over 40,000 people, enjoyed the process.</p><p>35:35 Substack endorsement could've boosted book's popularity.</p><p>37:08 Always carry and promote your book creatively.</p><p>40:44 Contemplating final project launch before year's end.</p><p>44:25 Improving base tier to spur organic growth.</p><p>48:17 Expert: B2B data analysis and editorial skills combined.</p><p>49:56 We're all in service, evolving together constantly.</p><p>54:13 Never drastically reduce prices; honour initial supporters.</p><p>57:44 Join workshops to learn and grow your business.</p><p><p>How Data Analysis with <a target="_blank" href="https://substack.com/profile/7562263-amanda-b-hinton">Amanda B. Hinton</a> 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."</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://substack.com/profile/8820741-lucy-werner">Lucy Werner</a> </p></p><p>Watch on YouTube </p><p><strong>Find and follow Lucy online</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/lucywernerpr">https://www.instagram.com/lucywernerpr </a></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_2">sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe</a>
play-circle
58 MIN
There are 1001 ways to use audio in your Substack...
OCT 9, 2024
There are 1001 ways to use audio in your Substack...
<p><p>"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."</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://substack.com/profile/253888798-hannah-harvey">Hannah Harvey</a> </p></p><p><strong>Afternoon sparklers, how are you?</strong></p><p>1001 ways you say - what a gift… let’s chat about the ways you could use audio in the comments!</p><p>BEFORE I get into it - I wanted to remind you that it’s the VERY last day to grab the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.creativelyconscious.co.uk/video-podcasting-on-substack">early bird price </a>on my NEW audio/ video podcasting course. </p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.creativelyconscious.co.uk/video-podcasting-on-substack"><strong>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. </strong></a><strong> </strong></p><p>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.</p><p><strong>I’ve got you! We start Friday 1st November. (</strong>I am not planning on running another live round but the course will be available to my Diamond Members in January). </p><p><p>✨ 🎙️ ✨</p></p><p>I have a BONUS mini video podcast episode for you today with my friend and fellow podcast host <a target="_blank" href="https://substack.com/profile/253888798-hannah-harvey">Hannah Harvey</a> 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. </p><p><p>"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." <strong>Hannah Harvey </strong></p></p><p><strong>Connect with </strong><a target="_blank" href="https://substack.com/profile/253888798-hannah-harvey"><strong>Hannah Harvey</strong></a><strong> </strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.hannahharvey.uk">https://www.hannahharvey.uk </a></p><p>Hannah’s just getting started on Substack so give her a follow/ subscribe? </p><p> 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.</p><p></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_2">sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe</a>
play-circle
22 MIN
Will Write for Money. Stories for Substack audiences with author Keris Fox
OCT 6, 2024
Will Write for Money. Stories for Substack audiences with author Keris Fox
<p>Just to steal in quickly before the show and tell you my BRAND new podcasting course is on EARLY BIRD sale until <strong>Wednesday.</strong> Join in in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.creativelyconscious.co.uk/video-podcasting-on-substack">Perfectly, Imperfect Podcasting</a> and make your podcasting dreams come true! <a target="_blank" href="https://sparkleon.substack.com/p/i-would-love-to-teach-you-how-to">More here. </a>It’s £220 right now or x2 payments of £110. (That’s USD $288 approx) </p><p><p>🎙️💫</p></p><p><p>"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."</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://substack.com/profile/215633-keris-fox">Keris Fox</a> </p></p><p><em>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 </em><a target="_blank" href="https://substack.com/profile/149435731-suzy-walker"><em>Suzy Walker</em></a><em> and we reached Substack bestseller (101 paid subs) at the same time back in October 2023. </em></p><p><em>It was in the heady days of growth where I thought everyone was my colleague and friend online - oh wait… </em></p><p><em>Anyway, </em><a target="_blank" href="https://substack.com/profile/215633-keris-fox"><em>Keris Fox</em></a><em> 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. </em></p><p><p>“Most books don’t earn out their advance, that’s the reality.” </p></p><p><strong>AUTHOR BIO - </strong>Keris Fox is the bestselling author of <strong>fourteen</strong> 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, <strong>The Harry Styles Effect</strong>, both a fandom memoir and celebration of Styles, will be published in March 2025. </p><p>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.</p><p><em>"The biggest advance I got a few years ago was £9000 for one book and I was delighted! </em></p><p><em>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."</em></p><p>Shop all the books over at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.kerisfox.com/">Keris </a>website. </p><p><strong>Timestamped overview</strong></p><p>00:00 UK book publishing industry busy with timelines.</p><p>07:16 Low advances, high royalties, successful book sales.</p><p>15:24 Marriage, financial independence, and the challenges.</p><p>16:23 Interviewing women across decades about money, experiences.</p><p>21:50 Challenges of managing finances with limited income.</p><p>29:34 Author reflects on book advances and upbringing.</p><p>35:52 Industry workers navigating economic decisions and emotions.</p><p>41:20 Free content, follow-ups, and expert interviews.</p><p>45:14 Link to Keris, compile articles, talk money.</p><p>51:04 Value proposition for paid content is crucial.</p><p>55:27 Author documents writing process and personal memories.</p><p>01:02:58 Building connections, feeling less alone in navigating.</p><p><strong>Other links we mentioned</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://bookouture.com/">https://bookouture.com/</a></p><p>The chocolate bear… </p><p>We hope you enjoy this episode and would love to hear from you in the comments.</p><p>Claire and Keris!</p><p><p>Thank you to my WONDERFUL 💎 <a target="_blank" href="https://open.substack.com/pub/sparkleon/p/diamond-member-sponsors?r=506nf&#38;utm_campaign=post&#38;utm_medium=web">Diamond Members</a> for sponsoring season 2 of the podcast. </p></p><p></p><p></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_2">sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe</a>
play-circle
67 MIN