Substack is a popular platform for creating and distributing newsletters, and one of its key features is the ability to customize the banners, headers, and footers of your emails. Headers can be an effective driver of new subscriptions from those who came to the post beyond the inbox. Writers use them as a chance to remind readers what the publication is about, and prompt new readers to subscribe in case the post was forwarded to them from a friend.
Creating a header for all posts on Substack can help establish a consistent brand identity and make your newsletters more visually appealing to your readers. Substack provides a wealth of styling tools to add polish and personality to your posts. Keeping your post formatting consistent is a general principle to keep in mind while structuring and formatting a post. For example, use the same illustration style or same headers in each post.
Incorporating visual content into your header can also help engage your audience and make your newsletter stand out. However, it’s important to keep in mind the technical aspects of header creation, such as the recommended image size and format. Analyzing header performance can also provide insights into what resonates with your audience and how to improve your newsletter’s visual appeal. Updating your header periodically can also keep your newsletter fresh and engaging for your readers.
Key Takeaways
- Substack headers can be an effective driver of new subscriptions and help establish a consistent brand identity.
- Incorporating visual content and keeping technical aspects in mind can improve the visual appeal of your newsletter.
- Analyzing header performance and updating your header periodically can provide insights into what resonates with your audience and keep your newsletter fresh.
What Is Substack?
Substack is a platform that allows writers to create and distribute their own newsletters. It was founded in 2017 by Chris Best, Hamish McKenzie, and Jairaj Sethi, and has since grown in popularity.
Origins of Substack
Chris Best, one of the co-founders of Substack, previously worked at Instacart and co-founded Kik Interactive. Hamish McKenzie, another co-founder, is a former journalist and author. Jairaj Sethi, the third co-founder, previously worked at Stripe. Together, they created Substack with the goal of providing a simple and accessible platform for writers to share their work with their audience.
Substack’s Business Model
Substack’s business model is based on a freemium model. Writers can use the platform for free, but Substack takes a 10% cut of any revenue generated from paid subscriptions. This allows writers to monetize their work while still retaining control of their content and audience. Substack also offers a range of tools and features to help writers grow their audience and engage with their readers, including customizable headers and footers for all posts.
Overall, Substack has become a popular platform for writers looking to build their own brand and connect with their audience. With its user-friendly interface and range of features, it offers a compelling option for anyone looking to start their own newsletter.
Creating Your Substack Header
When it comes to creating a header for your Substack posts, there are a few design principles to keep in mind. First, your header should be visually appealing and consistent with your brand identity. This means using colors, fonts, and imagery that align with your overall aesthetic.
Design Principles
Second, your header should be easy to read and understand. This means using clear and concise language, and avoiding clutter or excessive decoration. Remember that your header is meant to grab your reader’s attention and entice them to read on, so keep it simple and to the point.
Header Dimensions
When it comes to the dimensions of your header, Substack recommends a height of 150px or less. This ensures that your header doesn’t take up too much space on the page, and allows your content to take center stage. In terms of width, your header should be no wider than the content area of your post, which is typically around 700-800px.
Using Logos and Branding
Finally, consider incorporating your logo or other branding elements into your header. This can help to establish your brand identity and make your posts more recognizable to your readers. Just be sure to keep your logo or branding elements in proportion to the rest of your header, and avoid overcrowding or overwhelming your readers with too many design elements.
In summary, when creating your Substack header, focus on creating a visually appealing and easy-to-read design that aligns with your brand identity. Keep your dimensions in mind, and consider incorporating your logo or other branding elements to make your posts more recognizable. By following these tips, you can create a header that grabs your reader’s attention and sets the tone for your post.
Best Practices for Substack Headers
When creating a header for Substack posts, there are several best practices to keep in mind. By following these guidelines, writers can create headers that are consistent, visually appealing, and accessible to all readers.
Consistency Across Posts
Consistency is key when it comes to Substack headers. Writers should aim to create a consistent look and feel across all of their posts, using the same font, color scheme, and layout. This helps readers easily recognize the author and the publication, and creates a cohesive brand identity.
Visual Hierarchy
Headers should also be designed with visual hierarchy in mind. This means that the most important information should be emphasized and placed at the top of the header. Writers can achieve this by using larger font sizes, bold or italic text, and contrasting colors.
Accessibility Considerations
Finally, writers should consider accessibility when designing their Substack headers. This means ensuring that the header is easy to read and understand for all readers, including those with visual impairments. Writers can achieve this by using high contrast colors, avoiding small font sizes, and providing alternative text for images.
By following these best practices, writers can create headers that are not only visually appealing, but also consistent and accessible to all readers.
Incorporating Visual Content
One way to make a Substack header stand out is by incorporating visual content. This can include images, graphics, or even videos. Visual content can help draw readers in and make your newsletter more visually appealing.
Choosing Images
When choosing images for your Substack header, it’s important to consider the message you want to convey and the overall theme of your newsletter. The image should be relevant to the content of your newsletter and should complement the written text.
It’s also important to choose high-quality images that are visually appealing and professional-looking. This can help establish your brand identity and make your newsletter stand out from the crowd.
Image Rights and Usage
When using images in your Substack header, it’s important to consider the rights and usage of the images. Make sure you have the proper rights and permissions to use the images, and give credit to the original source if necessary.
Using images without proper permission can lead to legal issues and damage your reputation. It’s always better to err on the side of caution and make sure you have the proper rights and permissions before using any images in your Substack header.
Engaging Your Audience
When it comes to running a successful Substack, engaging your audience is key. Here are some tips for writing compelling titles and using taglines effectively.
Writing Compelling Titles
The title of your Substack post is the first thing that readers will see, so it’s important to make it compelling. Here are some tips for writing great titles:
- Keep it short and sweet: Aim for titles that are no longer than 10 words. This will make them easier to read and remember.
- Use strong verbs: Verbs like “discover,” “learn,” and “explore” can help make your titles more engaging.
- Be specific: Titles that are specific and to the point tend to perform better than vague ones.
- Use numbers: Titles with numbers tend to perform better than those without. For example, “5 Tips for Writing Better Substack Posts.”
Using Taglines Effectively
Taglines can be a great way to give readers a quick idea of what your Substack is all about. Here are some tips for using taglines effectively:
- Keep it short: Your tagline should be no longer than a sentence or two.
- Be clear: Your tagline should give readers a clear idea of what they can expect from your Substack.
- Use keywords: Incorporating keywords related to your Substack’s niche can help attract the right audience.
- Be creative: Your tagline is an opportunity to show off your personality and brand, so don’t be afraid to get creative with it.
By following these tips, you can create titles and taglines that will help engage your audience and keep them coming back for more.
Technical Aspects of Header Creation
Header File Formats
When creating a header for Substack, it’s important to consider the file format. The most common file formats for headers are JPEG and PNG. While both formats are widely accepted, PNG is generally preferred due to its transparency capabilities. This allows for a more seamless integration of the header into the overall design of the newsletter.
In addition, it’s important to consider the dimensions of the header file. Substack recommends a header size of 1200 x 400 pixels, with a maximum file size of 2 MB. It’s important to keep in mind that larger file sizes can negatively impact load times, which can lead to a poor user experience.
Optimizing for Load Times
Load times are a crucial aspect of website design, and this is no different for Substack newsletters. A slow-loading newsletter can lead to frustration for readers and can ultimately impact subscriber retention rates. To optimize load times, it’s important to consider the file size of the header image.
One way to reduce the file size of the header image is to compress it. There are a variety of online tools available that can compress header images without sacrificing quality. Additionally, it’s important to consider the use of image formats that are optimized for web use, such as WebP.
By considering the technical aspects of header creation, Substack users can create headers that not only look great but also provide a seamless user experience.
Analyzing Header Performance
A/B Testing Headers
One way to optimize the performance of the Substack header for all posts is to conduct A/B testing. This involves testing two different headers against each other to determine which one performs better. The goal of A/B testing is to identify the header that generates the most engagement and conversions from readers.
To conduct A/B testing, publishers can create two different headers and use them for different posts. They can then track the performance of each header using analytics tools and compare the results. By analyzing the data, publishers can determine which header is more effective in engaging readers and driving subscriptions.
Header Analytics Tools
To analyze the performance of the Substack header for all posts, publishers can use various analytics tools. These tools can provide insights into how readers interact with the header, how it affects engagement and conversions, and how it can be optimized for better performance.
Some popular header analytics tools include Google Analytics, Mixpanel, and Segment. These tools can track metrics such as pageviews, click-through rates, bounce rates, and conversion rates. By analyzing these metrics, publishers can gain a better understanding of how their headers are performing and identify areas for improvement.
In conclusion, analyzing the performance of the Substack header for all posts is critical for optimizing engagement and conversions. By conducting A/B testing and using analytics tools, publishers can identify the most effective header design and improve its performance over time.
Updating Your Header
When it comes to Substack headers, it’s important to keep them fresh and relevant. Here are a few tips for updating your header.
When to Redesign
Headers should be updated periodically to keep your newsletter looking fresh and engaging. A redesign may be necessary if your branding has changed, or if you’re looking to highlight a new feature or promotion. Consider updating your header every few months to keep your newsletter looking current.
Maintaining Brand Identity
When redesigning your header, it’s important to maintain your brand identity. Use colors and fonts that are consistent with your brand, and consider incorporating your logo into the design. This will help to reinforce your brand identity and make your newsletter more recognizable to your readers.
Consider using a table to showcase different design options and their corresponding color schemes. This can help you to visualize how different design elements will work together and ensure that your header is consistent with your brand.
In summary, updating your Substack header is an important part of maintaining a fresh and engaging newsletter. By keeping your branding consistent and incorporating new design elements, you can keep your newsletter looking current and engaging for your readers.