Substack Expert
Parameters
| Parameter |
Description |
Default |
topic |
Subject or draft content to work with |
Infer from the conversation |
goal |
Primary objective: format, seo, growth, monetize |
format + seo if unspecified |
language |
Output language |
Match the user's message language |
Workflow
1. Clarify Scope
Identify which goals apply (formatting, SEO, growth, monetization) and confirm the topic. If the request is ambiguous, default to producing SEO metadata and a formatted structure outline simultaneously.
2. Visual Formatting
- Structure content with
Heading 1, Heading 2, and Heading 3 to improve readability and facilitate search-engine crawling.
- Apply the centering and styling techniques described in
references/formatting-best-practices.md.
- Insert native engagement tools (Subscribe button, polls, Leave a comment) at natural breakpoints in the post.
3. SEO and Metadata
Produce the following fields for every post:
- Title: 40–60 characters. Use clear modifiers, keywords, and authority signals (e.g., "Tested", "Complete Guide"). Avoid vague or clickbait phrasing.
- URL Slug: 3–5 main keywords only, no auto-generated numbers, no dates (keeps the post evergreen). Example:
/substack-seo-strategy.
- Meta Description: 155–160 characters, includes the primary keyword and an implicit call to action.
- Image Alt Text: Describe the image for accessibility; incorporate article keywords organically.
Consult references/seo-output-example.md for a worked example.
4. Growth Strategies
- Substack Notes: Publish short snippets derived from the post to Notes immediately after publishing. Leave authentic comments on related publications to build name recognition.
- Recommendations rotation: Review Analytics monthly to identify which partner newsletters drive inbound traffic. Rotate recommended partners every 30–60 days to maintain reciprocal growth.
5. Monetization (Free → Paid Conversion)
- Tease & Convert: Publish the core article freely, but gate a utility bonus (template, spreadsheet, prompt set, audio) behind the paywall. Prove value before asking for payment.
- VIP outreach: In the Dashboard, filter subscribers by engagement score (4–5 stars), then send a targeted direct message offering a special rate or exclusive invite to the paid tier.
- Welcome email: Customize the automated welcome email to introduce the author, set publishing cadence expectations, and link to the three best existing articles. Never leave the platform default.
- Homepage taxonomy: Group posts into Tags (equivalent to newspaper sections) and add them to the navigation bar via Website Themes for advanced content discovery.
Quality Checklist
Before delivering output, verify:
1---2name: substack-expert3description: This skill should be used when creating, formatting, or optimizing content for a Substack newsletter. Covers post structure, SEO metadata (titles, slugs, meta descriptions), native engagement features (Notes, Polls, Chat), monetization tactics, and free-to-paid conversion strategies.4---56# Substack Expert78## Parameters910| Parameter | Description | Default |11|---------------|--------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------|12| `topic` | Subject or draft content to work with | Infer from the conversation |13| `goal` | Primary objective: `format`, `seo`, `growth`, `monetize` | `format` + `seo` if unspecified |14| `language` | Output language | Match the user's message language |1516## Workflow1718### 1. Clarify Scope1920Identify which goals apply (formatting, SEO, growth, monetization) and confirm the topic. If the request is ambiguous, default to producing SEO metadata and a formatted structure outline simultaneously.2122### 2. Visual Formatting2324- Structure content with `Heading 1`, `Heading 2`, and `Heading 3` to improve readability and facilitate search-engine crawling.25- Apply the centering and styling techniques described in `references/formatting-best-practices.md`.26- Insert native engagement tools (Subscribe button, polls, Leave a comment) at natural breakpoints in the post.2728### 3. SEO and Metadata2930Produce the following fields for every post:3132- **Title**: 40–60 characters. Use clear modifiers, keywords, and authority signals (e.g., "Tested", "Complete Guide"). Avoid vague or clickbait phrasing.33- **URL Slug**: 3–5 main keywords only, no auto-generated numbers, no dates (keeps the post evergreen). Example: `/substack-seo-strategy`.34- **Meta Description**: 155–160 characters, includes the primary keyword and an implicit call to action.35- **Image Alt Text**: Describe the image for accessibility; incorporate article keywords organically.3637Consult `references/seo-output-example.md` for a worked example.3839### 4. Growth Strategies4041- **Substack Notes**: Publish short snippets derived from the post to Notes immediately after publishing. Leave authentic comments on related publications to build name recognition.42- **Recommendations rotation**: Review Analytics monthly to identify which partner newsletters drive inbound traffic. Rotate recommended partners every 30–60 days to maintain reciprocal growth.4344### 5. Monetization (Free → Paid Conversion)4546- **Tease & Convert**: Publish the core article freely, but gate a utility bonus (template, spreadsheet, prompt set, audio) behind the paywall. Prove value before asking for payment.47- **VIP outreach**: In the Dashboard, filter subscribers by engagement score (4–5 stars), then send a targeted direct message offering a special rate or exclusive invite to the paid tier.48- **Welcome email**: Customize the automated welcome email to introduce the author, set publishing cadence expectations, and link to the three best existing articles. Never leave the platform default.49- **Homepage taxonomy**: Group posts into Tags (equivalent to newspaper sections) and add them to the navigation bar via *Website Themes* for advanced content discovery.5051## Quality Checklist5253Before delivering output, verify:5455- [ ] Title is 40–60 characters and contains the primary keyword.56- [ ] URL slug has 3–5 words, no numbers, no dates.57- [ ] Meta description is 155–160 characters with a keyword and implicit CTA.58- [ ] All images have alt text.59- [ ] Subject line (if applicable) is under 50 characters and free of spam triggers.60- [ ] At least one native engagement element (button, poll, or comment prompt) is included.61- [ ] Paywall placement follows the Tease & Convert model (not a mid-sentence cut).62- [ ] Welcome email customization is recommended if the post is the first in a new publication.
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