What Do I Need to Set Up First on Substack?

If you’ve just joined Substack and you’re staring at the dashboard wondering where to begin, you’re in the right place.

Substack doesn’t break if you click the wrong thing — but it also doesn’t clearly tell you what actually matters first. That’s what creates the overwhelm.

You’re not behind: Substack just doesn’t explain the order

Most new users assume they should start by:

  • writing a post
  • turning on paid subscriptions
  • worrying about growth or Notes

That’s not wrong, it’s just out of sequence.

Before any of that, there are a few foundational pieces that quietly affect everything else you do on Substack.

Getting those in place first makes the platform feel calmer, clearer, and easier to use.

What’s actually happening when you join Substack

When you create a Substack account, you’re setting up two things at the same time — even though Substack doesn’t clearly separate them:

  • Your profile (you as a person)
  • Your publication (the thing people subscribe to)

Around those, there are a handful of basic settings that shape:

  • how people understand what you’re publishing
  • what new subscribers experience
  • how confident you feel moving forward

Substack assumes you’ll “figure this out as you go.”
Most people would rather not.

Common mistakes (and why they happen)

If you’re feeling stuck, it’s usually because of one of these… all very normal:

  • Jumping straight into writing before anything else is set up
  • Leaving the About page blank (or writing it like a bio)
  • Not realizing welcome emails exist until later
  • Thinking you’ll “fix the basics later”

None of these break your Substack, but they do make things feel messier than they need to be.

What to set up first (high-level, no tech stress)

Before worrying about posts, growth, or paid options, focus on these four things:

  1. Your publication name and short description
    This helps people understand what they’re subscribing to.
  2. Your About page
    This isn’t about you. It’s about helping the reader know they’re in the right place.
  3. Your welcome emails
    These quietly set expectations and guide new subscribers, even if you never touch them again.
  4. Your profile basics
    Enough information so people understand who’s behind the publication.

You don’t need to perfect these. You just need them in place.

Once they are, everything else becomes easier to approach.

You don’t have to figure this out alone

If you’d like calm, step-by-step guidance as you learn Substack — without hype, pressure, or growth promises — you’re welcome to join the Substack Coach Community.

I share practical explanations, tutorials, and reassurance for people who want to use Substack well and feel confident doing it.

⬇️ Subscribe below to get started ⬇️
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This is simply support, clarity, and help when you need it.