➔ All You Need to Know as A Substack-Rookie and Make the Most of Reading on Substack
Why Substack Is Amazing for Readers, How to Find the Best Newsletters on Substack, Making the Most of Your Substack Subscription, and Why Substack Is Changing the Reading Experience
I am writing this for all SUBSTACK-ROOKIES who stumbled upon Substack the same way I did
1. Why Substack Is Amazing for Readers
Substack is a fantastic platform for readers who love discovering unique and high-quality content directly from writers, creators, and experts. The best part? You get to subscribe to newsletters that genuinely match your interests, whether about personal development, tech, art, storytelling, or niche topics you won't find anywhere else.
What makes Substack unique is how personal it feels. You're not just reading a random article; you're receiving content straight from the writer’s heart, often in your inbox. Many newsletters are free, but some offer paid subscriptions for exclusive content, allowing you to support your favorite writers directly.
I have written about how I ended up on Substack myself—check this one out after you’re done reading here:
Another great thing is that you’re in complete control. You choose what to subscribe to, so your inbox is filled with only what you care about. Substack keeps everything well-organized—no ads, no distractions, just pure, high-quality content.
Suppose you enjoy engaging with writers or other readers. Many newsletters offer community features, such as comments or discussions, so you can join the conversation and connect with like-minded people.
I started in January 2025, and I did not offer a chat to my readers because getting everything organized was - how can I put it? Consuming. I wanted well-written posts, articles, and a well-organized newsletter site with designed pictures. But yes, a chat adds up to a caring community. Any chat in a writer’s community here on Substack outshines any random exchange on another social media platform.
In short, Substack is an absolute win for readers: it’s personal, customizable, and full of amazing voices waiting to be discovered.
2. How to Find the Best Newsletters on Substack
With thousands of newsletters available, finding the perfect ones for you might seem overwhelming. Here’s how to curate your ideal reading list:
Use Substack’s Discovery Feature – Browse trending and recommended newsletters based on your interests. You can also search for Notes (Substack refers to it as short-form writing similar to microblogging). You can search on your desktop as well as the Substack app.
Image by Substack 
Search by Keywords – Look for specific topics like productivity, mental health, entrepreneurship, or digital marketing.
Search by keyword or by category. Check Writer Profiles – Many established journalists, thought leaders and independent creators have moved to Substack. For example, I found
this way:
Follow Recommendations—Many writers suggest other great newsletters in their issues, so pay attention to their links.
1. I recommend other writers, and
2. I send out a newsletter dedicated to other writers' work every week.
Explore Free & Paid Content—Try free versions before committing to a paid subscription. Usually, a one-year subscription is cheaper than a monthly payment, but I subscribed to a Substack newsletter for one month to learn more about it and then committed to a whole year because I loved the value I got.
You can check my subscription offer here.
3. Making the Most of Your Substack Subscription
Once you’ve subscribed to your favorite newsletters, maximize your reading experience by:
Customizing Notifications—Add email settings to receive updates as often as possible. Go to your desktop, click the right, and enter your account. Click on Manage subscription, scroll down, and you can change anything under Notifications.
Engaging with Writers – Leave comments, ask questions, and interact with the community.
Saving & Organizing – Use bookmarks or labels in your email to categorize your favorite pieces.
Sharing Valuable Content – If you love a newsletter, share it with friends or on social media to support independent writers. Check this one out:
4. Why Substack Is Changing the Reading Experience—Less Noise and More Depth
Unlike traditional blogging platforms or social media, Substack is revolutionizing how we consume written content. With algorithm-free feeds, a direct connection to writers, and a focus on long-form, meaningful writing, digital publishing is shaping the future.
For readers, this means less noise and more depth, allowing them to enjoy high-quality articles tailored to their interests. Whether they're looking for daily inspiration, industry insights, or in-depth journalism, Substack provides a clutter-free, ad-free, and distraction-free reading experience.
So, if you’re tired of doom-scrolling and algorithm-driven content, try Substack and explore a new way of engaging with thoughtful, high-value writing.
5. Why You Should Consider Paying for Your Favorite Newsletters
How often have you read something online that truly moved you, made you think, or changed your day? Now, imagine what it means to the writer who created it.
Most writers earn nearly nothing, even when their work is valuable and time-consuming. Paid subscriptions on Substack are often their only way to keep going — free from ads, clicks, and algorithms.
By subscribing, you unlock bonus content and become part of the writer’s community. You help make sure that thoughtful, independent voices stay alive online.
Think of it as a coffee for your favorite writer—but one who inspires you weekly.
Read my newsletter directly on the Substack app:
Cheers,
SILKE KRISTIN ❁
✳ be bold. take charge. embrace life. by ❁SILKE KRISTIN JUELICH❁
This is useful! Thanks for taking the time to put it together. I'm saving as a resource to share as needed 😀
So useful, Silke! Thanks for doing this!