How to Grow a Substack Community with Rachel Lipson and Erin Shetron

Thinking about starting a Substack, or already writing there and wondering how to grow? Aransas Savas sits down with two women who know the platform from both sides: Rachel Lipson, founder of Blue Balloon Songwriting School and writer of a top 40 travel newsletter on Substack called The Point, and Erin Shetron, a Substack strategist and the writer behind Frequent Criers Club, who has worked with more than 100 Substack writers across 10 countries. You will hear how Rachel started her newsletter in a hotel room on Thanksgiving with no plan, why the welcome page is one of the most overlooked pages on Substack, how a lead magnet can double as your welcome email, how Substack Notes, recommendations, and simple replies build community, and how to decide what to charge for a paid subscription. They also get honest about money. Paid subscriptions are only one of the ways Rachel's newsletter earns. If you are a woman over 40 building a creative practice, a business, or a second act through writing, this is a practical and encouraging place to start. What You'll Learn: -How to start a Substack with no plan · Why Rachel launched on a whim, and how to make a brand-new publication look established -Substack welcome page tips · The page Erin fixes in nearly every audit, and what belongs on it -Substack lead magnet ideas · How a free guide became Rachel's welcome email and a way to bring in subscribers from other platforms -How to use Substack Notes · Why you do not have to post every day, and how thoughtful comments build community -How to build community on Substack · Recommendations, DMs, and replying to the emails you love -How much to charge for a Substack subscription · Erin's rule: what feels comfortable, plus a little more -How to make money on Substack beyond paid subscriptions · Rachel on affiliate revenue and partnerships Key Timestamps: 0:00 · Welcome and what Substack is 9:28 · How Rachel started a newsletter with no plan 14:42 · The welcome page Erin fixes in every audit 25:11 · How Erin and Rachel use Substack Notes 33:53 · Recommendations, DMs, and replying to emails 43:38 · Money: paid tiers and what to charge 52:23 · Rachel on affiliate revenue and other income 59:04 · Closing advice from Erin and Rachel  Key Takeaways: For new Substack writers: Publish a few posts without emailing them so your page does not look empty when your first email goes out. For writers who want to grow a Substack: Visit your own welcome page as a stranger would, and put a line at the top of every post saying who you are. For women over 40 building a creative practice: You will not feel ready. Start anyway. For writers ready to monetize: Starting at $5 a month or $50 a year is fine, and paid subscriptions are only one income stream. "Most people, if they wait until they're ready, they've missed the boat." Rachel Lipson Resources and Links: Rachel Lipson: https://substack.com/@thepoint Erin Shetron: Frequent Criers Club on Substack https://erinshetron.substack.com/  | Website: https://www.erinshetron.com/ About Rachel Lipson: Rachel founded Blue Balloon Songwriting School in 2008, now a network of 75+ teachers serving hundreds of students a week. She writes a top 40 travel newsletter on Substack about traveling with points and miles, featured in The New York Times, New York magazine, and Condé Nast. About Erin Shetron: Erin is a Substack strategist and the writer behind Frequent Criers Club. A former marketing director at EdTech and e-commerce startups, she has worked with more than 100 Substack writers across 10 countries. About Your Host: Aransas Savas is a leadership and wellbeing coach who helps women over 40 navigate midlife transitions, career changes, and second-act reinvention. With 20+ years in behavioral research and work with companies like Disney, Weight Watchers, and Best Buy, she hosts The Uplifters Podcast, a Signal Award winner. Her book, Courage Capital, is forthcoming from Hachette in 2027. Connect with Aransas: Instagram: @aransas_savas Podcast Instagram: @the_uplifters_podcast TikTok: @theuplifterspodcast Facebook: Aransas Savas Website: theuplifterspodcast.com YouTube: @theuplifterspodcast LinkedIn: Aransas Savas Keywords: how to grow a Substack, how to start a Substack, Substack for beginners, Substack tips for writers, Substack welcome page, Substack lead magnet, Substack Notes strategy, how to use Substack Notes, Substack recommendations, how to monetize a Substack, Substack paid subscriptions, how much to charge on Substack, Substack audit, Substack strategist, newsletter for women over 40, build a creative practice after 40, starting a newsletter in midlife, women writers over 40, Substack community, grow a newsletter without social media Get full access to The Uplifters at www.theuplifterspodcast.com/subscribe