Maryan, I'm attempting to use the SEO. I don't understand the slug, where should that go? And, if I do it incorrectly how might it screw up the publishing?
Slug is old newspaper person slang for a very short descriptive line of text. In this case, you don't do anything with the slug. It's a default that Substack distills from your title. Example --story title is "Writer-Shaming — Who the Heck Decided We Should Write for Free?" The platform's automation assigns a URL like, Substack.com/your pub/write for free because Substack intuits "write for free" as likely keywords. The only control you have is to write titles with very logical keyword phrases that describe your story.
Another informative, helpful post. I have saved to refer to again and again. I do want to say that I'm sorry you had an unsettling post here. I'm seeing more of those posted on some of the most helpful people's work. Such a shame.
Thank you Maryan, great post. You say Substack defaults to using your post title as the URL slug and the H1 meta heading. My question is "Can I change these subsequent to posting, eg for older posts, and if so what are the steps to be taken?
Good. Happy to help. Using your name isn't all bad, in fact it can be good if your name is identified with what you do. As you build your presence, use your name everywhere as if it were a brand name. Keep going!
the custom domain is a bit of a pain in the butt. If Substack fails to issue a security certificate (it's free) when you register your custom, you will get an error page when you try to reach the domain. After a week of agony, we have unwound the problem and found a guaranteed solution. So reach out if you have any trouble. I had no issue with Pen2Profit domain, but Inkspired was a cluster mess. Yes, you will be happier with the custom to represent your pub. As I understand it, pay the $50 once and you can change the domain anytime without additional charge. Good luck.
Thanks for chiming in. Sounds like you might not have understood the post. NOpe, not making a profit, just covering expenses. I do this because I want to make the journey easier for other writers. I've been at this for 50 years and I'm thinking your feed may be filling up with stuff, but not stuff that's proven and actionable. I appreciate your candor. YOu sound frustrated, if I can help, DM me. I don't really understand this, "Good luck eating another social media. Good luck with ai overviews killing click-through rates." I'm thinking click-through rates don't impact your success on Substack, but I have been wrong before. Be well.
Wow!!! Okay, one step at a time. I had no idea how important this was (is).
So my original name was Paanprintables, which actually did have something to do with digital printables. Now I write about artistically aging, and if I understand it on a surface level, this is where I need to pay the $50 and have it changed. I'll do a deep dive into this article, wow, timely advice!!! Thank you!!
Thanks for these tips. Much of it is news to me. Unfortunately, I used my name for my identity. Not ready to change it yet, but I understand what you're saying.
I loved the tips about the SEO changes we can make. I also constantly forget to link my articles. I'm making a list from your article.
I wrote this one because a member of our SubS community said she really didn't understand SEO and knew she needed to, though she wasn't excited about the prospect. I figured I could offer tips less complicated than the deep-dive SEO advice. It's easier this way and it works well.
I've been cultivating a writing habit for a few years now and am just beginning to delve into the more strategic approaches toward connecting all my content.
Thanks for the tips, Maryan. I haven't been changing the SEO description here at all. Total space job. I do it almost all the time on Medium, and it has never even occurred to me to do it here. Doh! Thanks for all the useful other tips, too.
Thank you very much for your careful reading and for taking time to give me a clear picture of how my writing is coming across. You are worth your weight in gold. I work very hard to tick all the boxes you express in this comment. I refuse to waste people's time with bogus BS. You've motivated me to keep working. Headed over to see your stack.
Maryan, I'm attempting to use the SEO. I don't understand the slug, where should that go? And, if I do it incorrectly how might it screw up the publishing?
Slug is old newspaper person slang for a very short descriptive line of text. In this case, you don't do anything with the slug. It's a default that Substack distills from your title. Example --story title is "Writer-Shaming — Who the Heck Decided We Should Write for Free?" The platform's automation assigns a URL like, Substack.com/your pub/write for free because Substack intuits "write for free" as likely keywords. The only control you have is to write titles with very logical keyword phrases that describe your story.
Okay, thanks. I did try the SEO this week. I think I did it right. Next up, alt images.
Thanks Mimi! Posts that disagree with me don't upset me ever. They often set me on a quest to check and make sure I haven't strayed from my path.
Another informative, helpful post. I have saved to refer to again and again. I do want to say that I'm sorry you had an unsettling post here. I'm seeing more of those posted on some of the most helpful people's work. Such a shame.
Thank you Maryan, great post. You say Substack defaults to using your post title as the URL slug and the H1 meta heading. My question is "Can I change these subsequent to posting, eg for older posts, and if so what are the steps to be taken?
Good. Happy to help. Using your name isn't all bad, in fact it can be good if your name is identified with what you do. As you build your presence, use your name everywhere as if it were a brand name. Keep going!
the custom domain is a bit of a pain in the butt. If Substack fails to issue a security certificate (it's free) when you register your custom, you will get an error page when you try to reach the domain. After a week of agony, we have unwound the problem and found a guaranteed solution. So reach out if you have any trouble. I had no issue with Pen2Profit domain, but Inkspired was a cluster mess. Yes, you will be happier with the custom to represent your pub. As I understand it, pay the $50 once and you can change the domain anytime without additional charge. Good luck.
Thanks for chiming in. Sounds like you might not have understood the post. NOpe, not making a profit, just covering expenses. I do this because I want to make the journey easier for other writers. I've been at this for 50 years and I'm thinking your feed may be filling up with stuff, but not stuff that's proven and actionable. I appreciate your candor. YOu sound frustrated, if I can help, DM me. I don't really understand this, "Good luck eating another social media. Good luck with ai overviews killing click-through rates." I'm thinking click-through rates don't impact your success on Substack, but I have been wrong before. Be well.
This is all relevant if you are here to make profit from telling/ teaching/ showing people how to write.
Our feeds are now filling up with this stuff.
Good luck eating another social media.
Good luck with ai overviews killing click through rates.
Good luck
Wow!!! Okay, one step at a time. I had no idea how important this was (is).
So my original name was Paanprintables, which actually did have something to do with digital printables. Now I write about artistically aging, and if I understand it on a surface level, this is where I need to pay the $50 and have it changed. I'll do a deep dive into this article, wow, timely advice!!! Thank you!!
Thanks for these tips. Much of it is news to me. Unfortunately, I used my name for my identity. Not ready to change it yet, but I understand what you're saying.
I loved the tips about the SEO changes we can make. I also constantly forget to link my articles. I'm making a list from your article.
I wrote this one because a member of our SubS community said she really didn't understand SEO and knew she needed to, though she wasn't excited about the prospect. I figured I could offer tips less complicated than the deep-dive SEO advice. It's easier this way and it works well.
Thanks, Mike. Try them out!
🔥 Excellent tips for improving the chances of our content being found faster - and by more people.
I've been cultivating a writing habit for a few years now and am just beginning to delve into the more strategic approaches toward connecting all my content.
About time! Thanks so much, Maryan!
Thanks for the tips, Maryan. I haven't been changing the SEO description here at all. Total space job. I do it almost all the time on Medium, and it has never even occurred to me to do it here. Doh! Thanks for all the useful other tips, too.
Thank you very much for your careful reading and for taking time to give me a clear picture of how my writing is coming across. You are worth your weight in gold. I work very hard to tick all the boxes you express in this comment. I refuse to waste people's time with bogus BS. You've motivated me to keep working. Headed over to see your stack.
Great post, Maryan, thank you. I am also navigating my way over to Substack, but i have not written any story yet. Your article is helpful, thank you.
Welcome to Substack :) --I'm having a satisfying time here. Much less angst. I followed you--eager to see your first post.