It may be time to...Style Your Stack!

And learn the ins & outs of navigating that ever-changing backend. Change your look.

Hi, all! I’ve been designing the look of many stacks here on the platform for more than a year. In that time, I’ve worked with over 60 clients. Maybe I can help you, too.

I decided to move my Style Your Stack site to The Next Write Thing, because so many of you who read my essays are also publishing their own writing here. Many of you have seen examples of my work right here, but might not know that this is my other full-time job!

I’ve also just launched my new creative project, Wham! Bam! Thank You Slam! So I’ve been creating all over the place and I’m on fire! And running two stacks will be more efficient for me right now.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me.

Here’s some info:

So, you want to write on Substack? Do you know where to start? There are so many elements involved in creating a forward-facing, effective newsletter. Especially when it comes to creating design elements and setting up your new writing/publishing home––your individual newsletter.

Substack is many things to many people, but for some, setting it up is challenging, sometimes downright dumbfounding, and on the whole, not especially intuitive. And things are always changing, and sometimes, it’s challenging to stay on top of all of it!

It takes some time to get accustomed to the tech end of things, especially if you’re unfamiliar or uncomfortable with using the platform. Some folks just aren’t techy, nor do they need to be. There are ways to have it all. I can help with that.

You might have a few questions. Here are a selection of the many that have come up for my clients.

Q: What kind of logo should I make? Do I even need one, Nan?

Nan says: Yes, you do. It can be simple, yet iconic. Bold and memorable. People will come to equate your brand with you and your stack. See examples here.

Q: A wordmark? What’s a wordmark? Oh, that’s a wordmark? Some of the wordmarks I’ve seen are tiny and unreadable. I don’t want that, do I?

Nan says: No, you certainly don’t want something that’s tiny and unreadable, but you might want a wordmark that reflects your personal style, features a favorite color or font, and pops way more than Substack’s default version of your newsletter’s title. Color and style make a difference. Styling is another tool to help your personality, your voice shine through.

Q: Do I really want a photo of myself on my welcome page or on my About page?

Nan says: You might! A personal touch is important. Readers appreciate it. It can make them feel more connected to your writing––and to you––in a sweet, and hopefully not stalky way!

Q: Is my “About” page that important?

Nan says: You bet it is. What will you offer a potential subscriber, paid or free? Why are you writing on Substack? Who are you? What do you want your readers to know? It’s a place to say hello, let readers know what they can expect, tell them about your subscription rates, and what they’ll get for the level they choose. You can let them know if there are extra perks for upgrading to paid status. Your “About” page is the place to do it.

Q: Stripe? What’s Stripe? It’s the platform we use to process payments and receive payouts. Maybe you’re thinking “I won’t turn on “accept payments,” the whole process seems too complicated, too intimidating. I hate doing this kind of thing!”

Nan says: Nonsense! You deserve to be paid. I’ll guide you through all of it, it’s completely doable–– if not a little annoying at moments––but once it’s done, it’s done. There’s something sort of thrilling each time I get an email from Stripe saying they’re going to deposit $3.61 in my checking account on Tuesday. Or $14.70 on a Friday. I feel so seen, so cared about, and sooooo rich!

Q: “Oh, Nan, how do I make this thing work?” you plead, trying to resist pulling your hair out by the roots. “I feel like all I do is go around and around in circles! It doesn’t make sense!”

Nan says: Fret no longer, my dears! I’m here for you. You very well could be going around in circles. There are answers, and that’s where I come in. I’ll teach you how to get it done. Or I’ll do it for you, if that’s what you prefer. And sometimes, just sometimes, I’ll have a momentary blip, and forget where things are, too. And sometimes, it’s not us, it’s Substack making changes and not telling us about them. That happens, too. Tsk, tsk.

See more about the services I offer.