I know Substack probably won't see this, but I'd love it if we could customize our CTA with the subscribe button and not have to manually re-write it each time. In other words, change the default wording that comes with the subscribe with caption button. Adding the subscribe with caption button is so easy, but revising it each and every time to say what I want to say gets tedious, so I often don't.
I use the opportunity to write a new one each time that fits with the content of my post. It's actually kind of fun coming up with a custom message every week.
One thing you can do is create a post template and duplicate it to drafts. I use this for my disclaimer and CTAs. I never thought of it for the Subscribe with caption until now.
I have a static one, but I find myself revising sometimes based on my post. Also, in 2025, I'm going to revise all (most?) of my static button and info content so it doesn't get stale. Looking for pithy ideas. You can change the "static" message in your dashboard settings.
Ambre if you're talking about editing the CTA on the subscribe button, just add the button with the default CTA, mouse over the default words, click to see your cursor, then type new words.
This is brilliant! I've wanted to do this but using italics will help. So many people read my newsletter say they like it but don't subscribe. I don't think they know they need to!
Discovered same thing. I put 5 posts in my only publication, then got sidetracked and never paid any attention to these buttons. I assumed that everyone knew that these posts were actually email newsletters that they can be subscribed to.
This is great advice Karen. Substack even prompts us to insert a subscribe CTA before each newsletter sends. We should totally be using the opportunity every time.
I love the idea of coming back after the subscriber email goes out to add the CTA above the fold for newcomers. That solves the repetition problem for current subscribers.
Okay, this CTA idea is brilliant. I recently noticed that I have over a hundred more followers than subscribers and feel some type of way about that… my substack is free- why not subscribe?
I will update my next letter on Tuesday with CTA and see what goes down!
If you are trying to emulate Ray's call to action he didn't do anything special with widens or formatting, just started the body of the email with a 'Subscribe with caption' button and used itallics for the 'caption', then put an image underneath.
Hi Karen - thanks for the reply! Great idea in this post, BTW. In my most recent post I included the Subscribe with Caption and when I did that Substack added it, but I cannot format the text above the button. I can edit the text and add Italics but I cannot widen the margins. It is like the formatting is fixed. Not sure what I am doing incorrectly. I thought it was the Pull Quote above it was carrying over but I tried it in the middle of my post and had the same problem. Confusing.
Me again, Ed. I just realised what you meant, about formatting, I think. Thanks to Tara, who pointed out that the Double Es CTA wasn't created using a Subscribe with Caption button. So sorry, my mistake.
It looks like Ray made his CTA using normal italicised text then added a 'subscribe' (only) button underneath. That's how come it goes the whole width of the page.
Ah hah! That makes sense! I spent a lot of time trying to change the formatting with no success. The combination you mentioned I can do! To me it is less obtrusive with the wider margins and a few lines compared to centered taking up a lot of space on the screen. Very helpful! Thanks to Tara too!
Hi Ed, yes the formatting is fixed and can't be fiddled with. This is so that it looks okay on all the different email reading platforms, app and website. If you need technical help with buttons and things you can book a call with me, or try Substack's built in chat-bot. https://karencherry.gumroad.com/l/help-with-Substack-2024
Now I understand why people do this, duh! Thank you! I like the example you gave because it's short and sweet. When people a long CTA above their newsletters, I ignore it.
I've had a similar approach for my first 17 issues or so, and then I've droped it. Now I'm considering bringing it back, maybe refresh the style and message a little bit 😅.
I know Substack probably won't see this, but I'd love it if we could customize our CTA with the subscribe button and not have to manually re-write it each time. In other words, change the default wording that comes with the subscribe with caption button. Adding the subscribe with caption button is so easy, but revising it each and every time to say what I want to say gets tedious, so I often don't.
I use the opportunity to write a new one each time that fits with the content of my post. It's actually kind of fun coming up with a custom message every week.
One thing you can do is create a post template and duplicate it to drafts. I use this for my disclaimer and CTAs. I never thought of it for the Subscribe with caption until now.
I have a static one, but I find myself revising sometimes based on my post. Also, in 2025, I'm going to revise all (most?) of my static button and info content so it doesn't get stale. Looking for pithy ideas. You can change the "static" message in your dashboard settings.
Where? I am absolutely losing my mind trying to figure this out! I changed it once, hate it, but can't figure out how to re-edit it!
Ambre if you're talking about editing the CTA on the subscribe button, just add the button with the default CTA, mouse over the default words, click to see your cursor, then type new words.
So there's no way to edit the master default words?
there's no way to make your own custom 'default' if that's what you mean. But you can edit each time you use the Subscribe with CTA button
I made custom default, if you are talking about the Subscribe with Caption or the Share/Share with Caption buttons. You can customize the default. Try following this tutorial: https://pau1.substack.com/p/stackhacks-customize-call-to-action
Try this tutorial: https://pau1.substack.com/p/stackhacks-customize-call-to-action
If you still have questions, I'll try to help.
Yes Karen!! Let’s say it louder so they hear us!!
same here, Karen
I second that idea. After reading Karen's post I added a CTA to each of my posts and encountered the same problem.
Yess. This has been my issue too. It is a hassle for me to retype it over again
This is brilliant! I've wanted to do this but using italics will help. So many people read my newsletter say they like it but don't subscribe. I don't think they know they need to!
Discovered same thing. I put 5 posts in my only publication, then got sidetracked and never paid any attention to these buttons. I assumed that everyone knew that these posts were actually email newsletters that they can be subscribed to.
Great advice! And I’ve already put your suggestions from our consulting call into practice. Thank you!
Simple stuff, but killer effective 👌🏼
Thanks so much! The most obvious staring me in the face... I use that space consistently, but never with a CTA. Got it there now!
This is great advice Karen. Substack even prompts us to insert a subscribe CTA before each newsletter sends. We should totally be using the opportunity every time.
I did this in my early days and then moved away from it, but I’m bringing it back. Thanks for the reminder!
I love the idea of coming back after the subscriber email goes out to add the CTA above the fold for newcomers. That solves the repetition problem for current subscribers.
Good idea
Yes, I like this too. I’m on it!
Okay, this CTA idea is brilliant. I recently noticed that I have over a hundred more followers than subscribers and feel some type of way about that… my substack is free- why not subscribe?
I will update my next letter on Tuesday with CTA and see what goes down!
Thank you for sharing your wisdom here 🙏
Very useful, Karen. But I wish there was a way to permanently change the text on the Subscribe with caption button
Thank you. This is such a simple thing to do.
This is helpful information! I haven't used CTA features yet. It's nice to know what's effective.
Great post Karen , as usual. I tried this but cannot format the text or widen the margins above the email field. What am I missing?
I'm not sure I understand your question, Paul?
If you are trying to emulate Ray's call to action he didn't do anything special with widens or formatting, just started the body of the email with a 'Subscribe with caption' button and used itallics for the 'caption', then put an image underneath.
Hi Karen - thanks for the reply! Great idea in this post, BTW. In my most recent post I included the Subscribe with Caption and when I did that Substack added it, but I cannot format the text above the button. I can edit the text and add Italics but I cannot widen the margins. It is like the formatting is fixed. Not sure what I am doing incorrectly. I thought it was the Pull Quote above it was carrying over but I tried it in the middle of my post and had the same problem. Confusing.
Me again, Ed. I just realised what you meant, about formatting, I think. Thanks to Tara, who pointed out that the Double Es CTA wasn't created using a Subscribe with Caption button. So sorry, my mistake.
It looks like Ray made his CTA using normal italicised text then added a 'subscribe' (only) button underneath. That's how come it goes the whole width of the page.
Ah hah! That makes sense! I spent a lot of time trying to change the formatting with no success. The combination you mentioned I can do! To me it is less obtrusive with the wider margins and a few lines compared to centered taking up a lot of space on the screen. Very helpful! Thanks to Tara too!
I 100% agree with you, Ed.
Thank you for this! I was confused as well. It looks much better (and takes up way less space) to do it Ray’s way.
Hi Ed, yes the formatting is fixed and can't be fiddled with. This is so that it looks okay on all the different email reading platforms, app and website. If you need technical help with buttons and things you can book a call with me, or try Substack's built in chat-bot. https://karencherry.gumroad.com/l/help-with-Substack-2024
Now I understand why people do this, duh! Thank you! I like the example you gave because it's short and sweet. When people a long CTA above their newsletters, I ignore it.
I've had a similar approach for my first 17 issues or so, and then I've droped it. Now I'm considering bringing it back, maybe refresh the style and message a little bit 😅.
see, I'm a shy person and I don't want to annoy people with subscribe now! messages all the time.
but I guess I have to :)