Afleveringen
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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
💕
It’s the last day to get the EARLY BIRD bonuses in our kickstarter campaign, More here;
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe -
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.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe -
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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“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…
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe -
"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
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe -
"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
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe -
"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 - [email protected]
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."
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe -
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
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe -
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.✨
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe -
"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.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe -
"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
✨
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe -
"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.
✨
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe -
"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
✨
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe -
"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. 💖
✨
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe -
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
✨
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe -
"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. 💖
✨
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe -
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
✨
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe -
"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…
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe -
“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.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe -
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
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe -
“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.
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