What if I told you I'm starting completely from scratch on a platform I swore I'd never touch?
I'm talking about going from zero subscribers, zero content, zero presence to building something meaningful in just 30 days. And I'm doing it all because of an experiment that could change how we think about the creator economy.
The platform? Substack. And yes, I know what you're thinking - "Nicky, you're a video creator. Why are you messing with a writing platform?"
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Here's why this matters, and why you might want to pay attention.
The Truth
When I first heard about Substack, I instantly wrote it off.
Another newsletter platform? I'm already doing video content, social media, courses. The last thing I need is to add writing to my plate.
But recent changes on the platform started catching my attention. Features that made me realize I might have been looking at this all wrong.
You see, I'm constantly experimenting with new platforms and strategies because that's how we stay ahead in this creator game. But starting over? That's terrifying. All that work building an audience elsewhere, just to go back to zero?
If this experiment fails, I've wasted 30 days I could have spent growing my existing platforms. But if it works? I might have found the missing piece in my creator strategy.
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And then I noticed this...
You Can Get Paid?
You can monetize from day one. Not after you hit 1,000 - 10k subscribers. Not after you prove yourself to an algorithm. Day One.
Not only that:
They have a creator fund.
A 90/10 revenue split (90% to creators).
Full control of your audience: meaning when someone subscribes, you actually get their email.
It's not algorithm-dependent like Instagram or TikTok.
So I have a plan...
My 30-Day Substack Strategy
Instead of diving in blindly, I created a system. Here's the exact framework I'm using, and you can steal this for any new platform:
Step 1: Set Clear Boundaries and Expectations
Don't just say "I'm going to try this platform." Get specific.
My commitment: 30 days, no more, no less.
My schedule: 2-3 notes (their version of social posts) daily, plus 1-2 long-form articles weekly.
My success metrics: Growth rate, engagement quality, and whether I'm reaching new audiences or just moving existing ones.
Your action: Before you start any new platform, define your time commitment, posting schedule, and success metrics. Write them down.
Step 2: Find Your Voice on the Platform First
This is where most people mess up. They try to replicate what works elsewhere instead of understanding the platform's unique culture.
What I'm doing: I spent a day or two scoping out the platform, firgured out the features people are putting energy too and just went in. I reduced how I consume and just created before the imposter syndrome kicked in. I focus more on the platforms then the creator because I don't want to be influenced how I write/create on the platform.
Your action: Before you post anything, spend 2-3 days studying the platform and what features are the creators putting energy on.
Step 3: Create Platform-Specific Content
Substack isn't just about newsletters anymore. They have:
Notes (like Twitter/X posts)
Long-form articles
Audio posts
Video content
Lives
My approach: I'm treating it like an all-in-one platform, not just a writing tool.
Your action: Map out all the content formats available on your chosen platform. Don't just stick to what you know, experiment with everything.
Step 4: Build Your Analysis System
This is the step most creators skip, and it's why they never know if a platform is actually working.
My tracking method:
Weekly growth numbers
Engagement rates by content type
Audience quality (new vs. existing followers)
Personal energy levels (am I excited or drained?)
Time investment vs. results
Your action: Create a simple spreadsheet to track these metrics weekly. Set calendar reminders to actually fill it out
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Qt the end of 30 days, I'm asking myself two critical questions:
The Feeling Test: Am I energized or exhausted? Does this still excite me or has it become a chore?
The Data Test: What do the numbers tell me? Growth rate, engagement quality, audience development
But here's what I didn't expect, the community aspect is insane.
I'm seeing creators build genuine relationships here in ways that feel impossible on other platforms. It's like the early days of social media before everything became about vanity metrics.
So here are my results in pretty much 5 days... this is just the begining and I feel really good about this platform.
This week, I want to give you my complete AI Storytelling system. I found the best frameworks for viral storytelling and all you have to do is plug in some of your videos in so the AI can be trained in your voice. Shoutout to Poppy AI because it allowed me to create a template for you so you don't have to recreate it yourself.
We outside and speaking at Investfest this year... PULL UP and use my code NICKYIF25 at investfest.comโ
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So you already know you have to email me back about your biggest takeaway from this week's Content Corner take a screenshot and tag me in your stories (or Threads/Substack) so I know you liked this week's content. If not, I'll see you next Friday. Same time, same corner.
I'll Holla,
Nicky S
P.S. Whenever you are ready, here's how I can help you
Watch my YouTube channel for full tutorials and walk-throughs on content tips, AI, and brand strategy that go beyond this newsletter.