This is great advice as starting out on Substack. I immediately implemented the CTA suggestion on my LinkedIn page (which refers back to my newsletter). Celebrating a few small wins this week. Thanks again
Yup. There's a reason that custom designed CTAs are one of my top sellers. It helps to stand out in a sea of average buttons lol. Especially on Substack where the buttons are soooooo meh 😂
Funny though, I do not practice what I preach and sell to others lol. My buttons are still so meh. I should change that.
I dont like CTA, because I dont wanna sound like ”do what I tell you to do”. 😩 (people always complaied in my younger years that i’m too bossy, for some reason.)
Love this post, thanks Veronica. Interesting how you have a different strategy for each platform. Great idea. I need to get a bit more organised with my strategy.
I needed this advice to consider how to juice up a CTA and just implemented it for "subscribers" on my jasonzguest.com.
Your advice reminds me of the cool discussion of "Jobs to be done" by the late Clayton Christianson. How can we all answer this question: What job is a person hiring you to do, if, let's say, they "subscribe" to your newsletter (or meet your key CTA)?
Some great advice in this. In a world where we’re all seeking that purchase or subscriber, we sometimes lose sight of how we respond to CTAs ourselves. Focusing on what you, personally, like and how it makes you feel when you see certain CTAs will help you understand what approach you need to take.
Beautiful piece here. I believe these strategies would help others grow and be successful because the tips are gold mine. Our CTA should be irresistible and it starts by bringing curiosity to our audience
You're spot on; less is more. The more clarity you are, the more you're understandable. Plus focusing on a community is a kind of social proòf and shows your impacts. Thanks for this👏
As you recommend, I'm trying to write an engaging CTA so it is not generic or boring. So far, the text I wrote is:
"This newsletter is a logbook in which I reflect on the central insights of my life journey and share the tools that have helped me shift my mindset.
If you're here, chances are your journey is similar. If you have also decided to adopt optimism as a philosophy of life, subscribe to the newsletter and let's walk the path together."
I would love to have your feedback if it is possible! Have a nice day!
Thank you for sharing and I'm super happy to share my feedback and tips.
- I love the element of community "walk the path together"
- The second part is very reader-centric, which is great.
Things for you to think about:
- This feels like the longer version: how can you streamline it?
- Make the text more concise and avoid repetition of words (newsletter for instance)
- The second part is stronger than the first one: you want to hook your readers from the first sentence "If optimism is your philosopy of life, subscribe and let's walk the path together."
Yes, you are right! Thanks a lot for such valuable feedback! I am looking at how to edit the welcome page so I can include this hook, but I can't find it. Do you have an article or tutorial about it?
This is great advice as starting out on Substack. I immediately implemented the CTA suggestion on my LinkedIn page (which refers back to my newsletter). Celebrating a few small wins this week. Thanks again
Some great thoughts in here. Essentially, give the viewer a reason to take your CTA
Thanks for sharing. The sexy part is good and the unsexy is tremendously relatable, which makes it even better 😊
Yup. There's a reason that custom designed CTAs are one of my top sellers. It helps to stand out in a sea of average buttons lol. Especially on Substack where the buttons are soooooo meh 😂
Funny though, I do not practice what I preach and sell to others lol. My buttons are still so meh. I should change that.
I've bookmarked this 📌. I'm sure I will need it soon.
Wohooo, let's rock those CTAs!
Loved it! And that article at the bottom is pure gold. Well done 👏👏👏
https://medium.com/a-smiling-world/how-i-got-a-book-deal-with-the-worlds-top-publisher-the-sexy-story-and-the-unsexy-one-5e2887724631
Thank you, Irina!
The non-sexy is the new sexy ;)
I dont like CTA, because I dont wanna sound like ”do what I tell you to do”. 😩 (people always complaied in my younger years that i’m too bossy, for some reason.)
Hahaha, they can sound bossy but you can also make it softer, like a subtle next step.
It doesn't have to be "sign up here NOW" 😅
Love this post, thanks Veronica. Interesting how you have a different strategy for each platform. Great idea. I need to get a bit more organised with my strategy.
Thanks Colin!
It's always good to "reorganize the closet" 😉
Thanks for sharing Veronica. I'm implementing these asap!🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
Fantastic, May, go get them 🔥
I needed this advice to consider how to juice up a CTA and just implemented it for "subscribers" on my jasonzguest.com.
Your advice reminds me of the cool discussion of "Jobs to be done" by the late Clayton Christianson. How can we all answer this question: What job is a person hiring you to do, if, let's say, they "subscribe" to your newsletter (or meet your key CTA)?
Thanks for a great read!
Awesome, Jason!
That was exactly my goal: inspire a discussion, a thought-provoking debate and helps us all raise our bar higher.
The CTA is a huge component in our writing yet very often it becomes an afterthought.
Thanks for sharing the point about "Jobs to be done," love it!
Some great advice in this. In a world where we’re all seeking that purchase or subscriber, we sometimes lose sight of how we respond to CTAs ourselves. Focusing on what you, personally, like and how it makes you feel when you see certain CTAs will help you understand what approach you need to take.
Beautiful piece here. I believe these strategies would help others grow and be successful because the tips are gold mine. Our CTA should be irresistible and it starts by bringing curiosity to our audience
Thank you, Precious!
You said it: make it irresistible and not an afterthought.
You're spot on; less is more. The more clarity you are, the more you're understandable. Plus focusing on a community is a kind of social proòf and shows your impacts. Thanks for this👏
Clarity always wins and the same applies to CTAs.
Give people one option: the one with the biggest impact.
Thanks, I've been wondering how to make mine better.
You are welcome, MaryClare!
Any tips you are going to implement?
This is such valuable info, thank you! 💛
You are welcome, Laia 🫶🏻
Thanks for these tips, they are exactly what I need today!!!
Fantastic!
Which tip are you going to try in your CTAs?
As you recommend, I'm trying to write an engaging CTA so it is not generic or boring. So far, the text I wrote is:
"This newsletter is a logbook in which I reflect on the central insights of my life journey and share the tools that have helped me shift my mindset.
If you're here, chances are your journey is similar. If you have also decided to adopt optimism as a philosophy of life, subscribe to the newsletter and let's walk the path together."
I would love to have your feedback if it is possible! Have a nice day!
Hi!
Thank you for sharing and I'm super happy to share my feedback and tips.
- I love the element of community "walk the path together"
- The second part is very reader-centric, which is great.
Things for you to think about:
- This feels like the longer version: how can you streamline it?
- Make the text more concise and avoid repetition of words (newsletter for instance)
- The second part is stronger than the first one: you want to hook your readers from the first sentence "If optimism is your philosopy of life, subscribe and let's walk the path together."
Less is more ;)
Keep refining it - you are on the right path!
Cheers
Yes, you are right! Thanks a lot for such valuable feedback! I am looking at how to edit the welcome page so I can include this hook, but I can't find it. Do you have an article or tutorial about it?
Hi,
You can find it in your publication Settings > Navigation.
Make sure you also update the short description of your Newsletter (also in Settings) with 1 sentence - short and sweet.
If you haven't, I shared my Substack strategy and the feedback was great because it's very practical:
https://veronicallorcasmith.substack.com/p/you-can-steal-my-substack-strategy