Substack Opens Access to Livestreaming

While preparing for my Podfest talk — “Substack for Video Podcasting: The Fastest Platform to Grow and Monetize Your Content” — a notification popped up on my phone that immediately caught my attention. Substack had just announced that its livestreaming feature is now available to any publisher with at least 10 subscribers (free or paid). Until recently, this feature was reserved for select, high-profile creators.

This change levels the playing field, giving independent creators, authors, and journalists the same tools as major publishers to engage their audiences in real-time.

In this episode of the BrandStack Podcast, recorded live on Substack using their new livestreaming feature, I share:

* How easy it is to set up and join a livestream using the Substack mobile app.

* The unique benefits livestreaming on Substack offers to content creators.

* Why livestreaming is a game changer for building stronger connections with your audience.

What Makes Substack Livestreams Stand Out?

One standout feature of going live on Substack is the instant email notification sent to your entire subscriber list when a livestream begins. This ensures your audience knows about your broadcast in real-time, increasing the chances they’ll tune in.

Substack also recommends scheduling livestreams to alert your community ahead of time. While I haven’t tested the scheduling feature yet, it’s on my to-do list as I explore the platform further.

A big thanks to Angela Yuriko Smith of Authortunities for joining me on camera during the livestream to test out the feature. Her insights and presence added so much to the discussion.

Quick Tip for Creators

For this livestream, I used my iPhone’s built-in microphone because I wasn’t sure how well external mics or mobile interfaces would integrate with the app, especially when hosting a guest. It worked well enough, but I plan to experiment with external audio gear in future streams.

Watch, Listen, and Learn

Catch the full replay of the livestream or listen to the audio version, both are located at the top of the page. Whether you're an experienced podcaster or exploring video for the first time, Substack’s new livestreaming tool is worth checking out.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments or reply to this email. Do you plan to livestream on Substack?

Best,Ross

P.S. If you are attending Podfest, I will be exploring audio and video on Substack during my talk on Thursday at 2:30pm in Peninsula 5.