Substack creators often ponder whether they can send their content directly to subscribers’ emails without the post living on the site. This approach can be beneficial for distributing exclusive content or for ensuring that subscribers receive personal updates that aren’t intended for public viewing. While Substack is primarily designed to function as a newsletter tool where posts are both emailed to subscribers and archived on the site’s platform, there are practical ways to manage content visibility.
One might consider creating a post that targets subscribers’ inboxes as a way to foster a more intimate connection and deliver exclusive value. There are techniques to email content without it being publicly accessible on the Substack site, such as limiting the audience or managing post-publication visibility. However, creators should be mindful that making content email-only could affect the discoverability of their work through search engines and social sharing, which are typically important for growing an audience.
Choosing the right method to reach out to readers involves understanding the implications and tools provided by Substack. Creators have options such as selecting who can view the posts and who can comment, which can help tailor the distribution of written work. It is essential for creators to weigh their options for dissemination to align with their content strategy and subscriber engagement goals.
Understanding Substack’s Email-Only Feature
Substack offers a feature that allows writers to send posts directly to their subscribers’ email inboxes without these posts appearing on the Substack publication or archives. This email-only option ensures the content is exclusive to the email recipients. Writers may utilize this tool to distribute specific content, such as exclusive updates or personalized messages that are meant only for their subscribers’ eyes.
To employ this feature, one navigates to their Substack Subscribers tab and selects the Filter function. This action allows the writer to sort the email list and target the desired audience for the email-only content. After the audience is selected, the writer composes the email and sends it directly to the chosen subscribers.
Substack users appreciate this feature for the flexibility it offers in terms of content distribution. It enables content creators to keep certain information limited to their email audience, providing an added level of exclusivity and direct engagement with their reader base. Such emails are a way to maintain a closer relationship with subscribers, giving them content that’s not publicly available.
Preparing Your Substack Post for Email-Only Delivery
When an author wants to send a Substack post strictly as an email to their subscribers, without posting it to their Substack site, they need to follow a specific set of steps. This ensures the content is exclusive to the subscriber’s inbox. Here’s how to prepare a Substack post for email-only delivery.
First, the author should create the post as usual within the Substack dashboard. They must carefully craft the content, keeping in mind that it will be consumed directly via email. It’s essential for the message to be clear and engaging, as it will not be accompanied by the website’s layout and design elements.
Then, before publishing, they must navigate to the sending options for the post. Typically, there’s a checkbox labeled “Send via email and Substack app inbox”. However, instead of publishing the post in the traditional manner—which would simultaneously send the email and create a web version—the author can use the direct email feature in the subscriber dashboard. This allows them to send out targeted emails without creating an associated post on their Substack page.
To finalize, the author selects their intended recipients. This can be the entire subscriber list, or a filtered selection. Attention to detail is crucial to ensure the right audience is chosen. After confirming their selection, they proceed to send the post out as an email to these subscribers. This function is ideal for exclusive content or important updates that the author prefers to keep off their public Substack feed.
Sending Your Post Via Email on Substack
Substack provides its users with the flexibility to send their posts directly to subscribers’ emails. One can issue content to their audience without making it live on their Substack page. This method is particularly useful for exclusive updates or tailored messages intended for a select group of subscribers.
To send a post via email only, a user should simply create a new post in the usual way within the Substack editor. However, instead of publishing this post to the Substack feed, they select the option to distribute the post directly to their subscribers’ email inboxes. It’s essential to ensure the post is not inadvertently published on the public Substack feed unless intended.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to send an email to a targeted group of subscribers:
- Navigate to the Subscribers tab and access the All Subscribers section.
- Use the Filter feature to refine the list based on subscription status or other criteria.
- Craft the content using the Substack editor.
- When ready to send, use the Direct Email function to send the created content to the chosen audience.
It’s important to note that these direct emails will not appear as posts on the public archive of a user’s Substack page. This approach maintains the exclusiveness of the content for email recipients.
Best Practices for Email-Only Posts
When creating email-only posts on Substack, publishers should prioritize content clarity and subscriber engagement. They should craft their messages with a direct and personal tone, as email-only posts can nurture a closer relationship with their audience.
Content Exclusivity: Publishers ought to offer content that adds unique value for their email subscribers. This can include behind-the-scenes insights, personal narratives, or early access to information.
- Ensure confidentiality: Mark content as email-only to prevent it from being posted publicly.
- Tailor the message: Align the email’s content with subscribers’ expectations and interests.
Technical Considerations: Before sending an email, the publisher should use Substack’s editor to compose their message and confirm the intended recipients.
- Select the appropriate audience segment (e.g., paid subscribers).
- Review the content for clarity and concision.
- Use the ‘Send Test’ feature to preview the email before distribution.
Subscriber Interaction: Email-only posts can serve as an interactive tool. Publishers may encourage subscribers to reply directly to emails, fostering a dialogue.
- Invite feedback: Ask subscribers for their opinions or stories related to the email’s topic.
- Clarify the potential for interaction: Make it clear that responses are welcomed and valued.
By following these practices, a publisher can effectively engage their audience through exclusive, well-crafted emails that cater to the interests of their subscribers.
Troubleshooting Common Issues with Email-Only Posts
When subscribers don’t receive email-only posts, the sender can check a few common areas. Often, the issue is with email filters. Email Filters and Whitelisting: Ensure that the sending address, typically [subdomain]@substack.com, is whitelisted by your subscribers. Adding this email to their contacts can resolve the problem.
Additionally, issues might stem from the targeting settings. Targeting Settings: When sending an email from the subscriber dashboard, the sender should confirm they have selected the correct group of subscribers. This avoids unintentional exclusion of certain subscribers.
If readers report missing emails after a post is sent, the problem could relate to content visibility. Content Visibility Checks: A sender must check to ensure the post was indeed sent as an email and not just posted to the Substack publication without emailing. This can happen if they forget to select the email option.