Substack Growth 

Foundations

Course

 

The only way to get, engage, and convert subscribers in 2026

 

SAVE MY SPOT

"The best Substack course—hands down.

 

I wasn't getting much traction; the step-by-step approach made so much sense of the wealth of potentially confusing options on Substack. Excellent, backed by data from Sarah's clients. Now I feel confident to relaunch."

—Marie-Elizabeth Mali, Sex, Death & Cash

Substack has never been busier or noisier. 

Most Substacks aren't profitable.

 

They don't attract engaged subscribers or grow.

 

Because most Substacks are generic and utterly forgettable.

The top Substacks—the ones with engagement and staying power—are unique. 

 

 They look and sound like no one else. 

They take us to a place no one else can.

They've built the foundation needed for real growth. 

In this course, I take you through my proven Substack Growth Framework to help you build the foundation you need.

This is the same framework I reserve for my private clients:

 

Kate Hill increased her revenue from $21,000 to $26,000 in just 6 weeks.

 

Jeannine Ouellete’s paid subscriptions (at $50/year) increased from 560 to 953 in 70 days.

My Substack DNA Growth Framework has helped 1000+ clients:

  • Double and triple and quadruple and 10x their subscribers
  • Substantially increase their revenue
  • Attract the attention of literary agents and editors
  • Build six-figure incomes
  • Build engaged communities of loyal readers

My clients also include:

  • CNN political analyst Kirsten Powers and former CNN commentator Chris Cizzila
  • Influencer Ajiri Aki
  • Publisher’s Weekly editor, poet, and entrepreneur Maya Popa
  • Bestselling author and entrepreneur Joy Sullivan
  • Author, podcaster, and viral TED speaker Sarah Knight
  • Publisher, podcaster, and bestselling author Zibby Owens
  • Activist and founder Shannon Watts
  • Organizations like Five Things I’ve Learned, Resolute Square, and NPR

May 1, 8, 15 & 29

No class Memorial Day weekend

12-3 PM CT

If you don't know me...

I'm Sarah Fay

Substack Growth Strategist
Founder and CEO Substack Writers at Work
PhD, MA, MFA

 

I started on Substack nearly half a decade ago and fell in love with the platform. It was so different from other platforms. It felt like someplace real, something I could make my own. 

My agent introduced me to Substack’s Head of Writer Relations, who helped me understand Substack’s inner workings. I immediately wanted to help people like you use Substack to achieve all your goals. Substack set me up to see private clients.

I’ve since become the world’s leading Substack Growth Strategist and Founder and CEO of Substack Writers at Work—a top-10 Substack and community of 36,000 Substack writers and creators and thousands of paid subscribers. 

I've taught creative writing for 20 years in MFA programs at Northwestern University, The University of Iowa, and more.

I pour all of my experience into the Substack Growth Foundations Course, including my proven Substack DNA Growth Framework™️, to help you achieve your Substack goals.

Early enrollment pricing ends 4/23

$1085
$985

Save $100

SAVE MY SPOT

You’ll leave confident and clear about your Substack

 

and why people should must subscribe. 

"Highly recommend.

Substack's infrastructure is confusing. Sarah Fay simplifies it. This class saved me hours of trial and error."

—Christine Destrempes, Unconditioned

In this 4-week course, I take you through my proven Substack DNA Growth Framework:

WEEK 1

Get the clarity and confidence to build the Substack you want

  • Discover your Substack DNA, i.e., what makes your Substack you and unlike any other
  • Identify which of the 5 types of Substacks you are
  • Take advantage of Substack's organic traffic and discoverability by making that identity clear
  • Write a short description that encapsulates your Substack and a bio that tells potential subscribers who you are in just 26 words
  • Make sure your title passes the Substack Title Check
  • Navigate the Substack ecosystem in a way that finally makes sense
  • Get step-by-step guidance on the tech you need to know (and what you don't)
WEEK 2

Communicate your Substack's value

  • Write your About page to convert using the About page template I typically reserve for my private clients, one that reflects who you are and connects with potential subscribers
  • Get feedback from your fellow Substack writers and creators, so you know what resonates and what needs to be clarified
  • Learn from the best: Receive personalized branding guidance from Substack design icon Nan Tepper to build a distinctive Substack homepage and profile page that competes with the top publications
  • Navigate the Substack dashboard, customization tools, and features without the overwhelm
WEEK 3

Map your Substack Paid Strategy

  • Sketch an editorial calendar that allows you to express yourself and share your best work
  • Choose from one of Substack's 3 paid subscription models
  • Understand the 9 things people pay for and decide which your Substack offers
  • Learn from the best: Get an exclusive training in authentic marketing with marketing guru Brenda Lynch—for those who want to earn an income but "hate" selling
WEEK 4

Launch (or relaunch) with your personal 30-day growth strategy

  • Unlock Notes (Substack's primary growth engine), including the 4 types of Notes that go viral and my expert guidance on how the Notes algorithm works
  • Tap into the Substack network of writers and creators, including collaborations and recommendations
  • Write Substack welcome emails that encourage engagement and encourage people to upgrade
  • Create your hero post (the post that matters most, and the one most Substack writers neglect)
  • Get my step-by-step Substack launch/relaunch plan and your 30-day growth strategy

+ Guest expert: Substack design icon Nan Tepper

Nan will help you design your Substack so that it expresses you and competes with the top Substacks, i.e., makes you feel and look like a pro.

 

+ Guest expert: Marketing guru Brenda Lynch

Brenda will take you step-by-step through the authentic marketing framework to get paid subscribers without feeling like you're selling your soul.

 

This Is For You If...

  • You're new to Substack
or 
  • You've been on for awhile and aren't getting traction

Limited early enrollment pricing ends 4/23...

SAVE MY SPOT

Fridays: May 1, 8, 15 & 29

No class Memorial Day weekend

12-3 PM CT

Limited space available

"This course is a must!

I went from feeling uncertain to confidently creating content that connects and converts. I have a clear strategy to engage readers, drive conversions, and position my newsletter as a powerful platform for impact, all while staying true to my voice."

–Imran Waheed, Unscripted with Marni Battista

"Substack felt overwhelming before. This course made it possible for me to actually launch my Substack. I've gone from knowing nada to being able to grow a Substack. "

—Ann Hemplemann, Being on Earth

"I was struggling with despair at having to master yet another platform. I have such a better idea now of what I'm doing and why and can get started with clarity."

—Joelle Hann, The Book Doctor Is In