ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Sorry for the sketchy video - I think the sound is good though…
Here’s the enhanced copy you can feel inspired by for your own freewalls.
Claire
✨
EXAMPLE FOR YOUR FREEWALLS
If you would like to subscribe for free to receive…
* For the archive of beautiful articles, past Substack education classes and curated resources
* Fortnightly emails on the topic of Substack education and joyful growth on and off Substack
* A community of like minded creatives who also write online - come chat with us!!
* A free set of beginner friendly Substack masterclasses classes delivered immediately in your welcome email!
You are so so welcome.
THEN INSERT FREEWALL
Follow up articles/ resources
Want to get to Substack bestseller more quickly? Run through my joyful growth to bestseller challenge here… JOYful Growth to Substack Bestseller Challenge 💫
Always here for your questions!!
Summary…
In short: Two new Substack features (free walls and the Substack connector for Claude), how to use them well, and an invitation into Sparkle on Substack.
* A free wall works like a paywall, but readers can keep reading for free once they subscribe with their email.
* Find it in the post editor under More, then Freewall. It’s still rolling out, and access seems mixed (some bestsellers don’t have it, some non-bestsellers do).
* Unlike a subscribe button, readers can’t scroll past it.
* Give real value above the wall, then tell readers clearly why to subscribe. Claire’s example reasons: your archive (“old gold”), emails on your topic, community, and a welcome gift delivered straight away.
* Speak to your ideal fit reader so subscribes are meaningful, not baited. Write it like you’re talking to a friend in a café.
2. Substack connector for Claude (08:02 to 12:00)
* Substack has released a connector for Claude, reportedly for bestsellers first.
* Claire uses it to ask questions of her data: paid churn, why people unsubscribe, seasonal dips, monthly vs annual vs founding members.
* Paired with the Podia connector, she can see her whole business ecosystem in one conversation.
* Her earlier beginner class on Substack and Claude (in the membership) covers downloading data and setting Claude up so it doesn’t make things up. A new class on the connector is coming.
3. Why it matters (12:00 to 13:00)
* Both features help you keep readers and understand your data, so decisions like pricing feel calmer and clearer.
4. Sparkle on Substack invitation (13:26 to 14:14)
* Archive of classes, masterclasses and tutorials, plus a supportive, low-noise community chat.
5. SEO note (14:30)
* Search engines can’t read past a free wall or paywall, so use the meta description in your post settings to describe each piece for search. More on this inside the membership.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe
