Moving to Substack? 5 Must-Know Tips for a Smooth Transition
How to Seamlessly Import Your Email List to Substack
Hey Creator,
Today, I’m going to show you 5 tips for moving your contacts from another email platform to Substack seamlessly.
Switching platforms can feel overwhelming.
You don’t want to lose subscribers, mess up formatting, or miss out on key features.
But here’s the good news:
Substack makes importing your mailing list surprisingly simple. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make the move stress-free and effective.
Why This Matters
Migrating your list to Substack unlocks a ton of benefits:
Easy publishing: Substack’s platform is intuitive and made for creators like you.
Audience growth: Substack’s built-in discovery features can help you attract new readers.
Monetization: You can launch paid subscriptions without third-party tools.
Still, making the transition requires careful planning to avoid common pitfalls.
Unfortunately, many creators rush the process and hit roadblocks, such as:
Technical issues: Misformatted data can lead to failed imports or errors.
Subscriber confusion: Sudden changes without clear communication can alienate your audience.
Legal missteps: Moving emails without proper consent could violate GDPR or other privacy laws.
Content mismatch: If your new platform doesn’t align with subscriber expectations, engagement drops.
But here’s the thing: A smooth import is entirely possible when you take the right steps.
Here’s How to Import Your List to Substack
Step 1: Prep Your Mailing List
Why this matters:
A clean list ensures you avoid technical issues and comply with legal requirements.
How to do it:
Remove inactive or unengaged subscribers. Importing a clean list helps with deliverability.
Verify you have consent to email everyone on your list. For GDPR compliance, keep a record of how consent was obtained.
Export your list in a Substack-compatible format, such as CSV.
Step 2: Use Substack’s Import Tool
Where most go wrong:
Creators assume importing is as simple as uploading a file but skip critical settings.
What to do instead:
Go to your Substack dashboard, click "Settings," and find the "Import Email List" option.
Follow the prompts to upload your CSV file. Substack’s system will guide you through mapping columns correctly (e.g., name, email).
Double-check everything before confirming.
Pro Tip:
During the import, select whether to send a welcome email to new subscribers. This is a great opportunity to introduce your Substack and share your vision.
Step 3: Communicate the Transition
Why this is critical:
Subscribers don’t like surprises. Let them know what’s happening and why it benefits them.
How to do it:
Send an email from your current platform explaining the move and what they can expect (e.g., new features, no extra steps required).
Reassure them their data is safe and they can unsubscribe anytime.
Use this as an opportunity to build excitement about your Substack!
Example:
“When I moved to Substack, I emailed my audience (though a small list) about the benefits—like getting all my posts in one place and exclusive bonus content. Engagement soared because they felt included in the process.”
Step 4: Optimize Your Welcome Email
Why this works:
Your welcome email sets the tone for your relationship on Substack. Make it count.
What to include:
A warm introduction: Thank subscribers for joining you on Substack.
A clear value proposition: What content can they expect, and how often?
A call to action: Encourage them to explore your archive or share your Substack with friends.
Pro Tip:
Add a personal touch by sharing why you chose Substack. Stories build trust and connection.
Here is an inspiration you could use:
Why Substack Is Trending
Why you should care. The global creator economy is currently worth $191.55 billion. The creator economy is growing at a CAGR of 22.5% and is expected to hit $528.39 billion by 2030 according to Exploding Topic. The best position creators are the ones who will benefit. This year is the best time to start as more people are flooding into this opportunity.
Step 5: Monitor and Adjust
Why this matters:
Your first weeks on Substack are key to retaining subscribers and optimizing for growth.
How to do it:
Keep an eye on engagement metrics like open and click rates.
Experiment with content formats and publishing frequency to see what resonates.
Encourage feedback to make your Substack more valuable to your audience.
Quick Recap
Prep your mailing list by cleaning data and ensuring legal compliance.
Use Substack’s import tool and double-check settings.
Communicate the move clearly to your subscribers.
Optimize your welcome email to make a strong first impression.
Monitor engagement and adjust based on feedback.
Bottom line? Importing your list to Substack is an opportunity to reconnect with your audience, streamline your process, and grow your reach—all while keeping things simple.
Your Turn
Have you migrated your mailing list to Substack yet? Did you have any challenge? What should others look out for when migrating?—I’d love to know your thoughts.
Chat soon.
P.S. If you’ve enjoyed this, there are two ways to let me know:
Share this edition with a friend and inspire them to start creating the life they love today.
Recommend this publication to someone who might need it.
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Hey Philip, thanks for this insightful article. I'm wondering if you have any tips on how to migrate subscribers from Square to Substack. We've built a subscriber base of about 4,000 readers through Square, which is linked to our in-store sales system) and we'd love to move everyone over to Substack without ruffling any feathers.