Two Cool New Substack Updates!

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 FREEWALLFollow up articles/ resources * https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/50834026608916-How-to-connect-Substack-to-your-AI-Assistant * https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/54386371692052-How-do-I-add-a-freewall-to-my-Substack-postWant 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.1. Freewalls (00:28 to 08:00)* 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