As a PCV, fulfilling the Third Goal of bringing the world back home can seem daunting at first. How can you capture this life-changing experience to share with friends and family? One awesome idea is to start a PC blog powered by Substack.com. It provides you with free tools to publish your stories. And you have your own newsletter built in.
With Substack, you can start writing your blog right away. You can document your host country highlights, cultural learnings, volunteer projects, and experiences. With an integrated newsletter you can send updates right to your supporters’ inboxes. Now they can journey along during your service. You can be sure your stories will reach interested readers!
Why Choose Substack for Your PC Blog?
Posting on Substack is free. It works well for newsletters. You get tools to send email updates. You can have a blog and newsletter together. So easy! It’s simple to start, so you can begin writing right away!
Substack keeps the design simple so you can focus on writing. They don’t have many options for changing the look. This puts the focus on your words. You can change the background color, button color, font and layout. But there’s only one theme. The goal is to make writing easy, not overwhelm with design choices.
Tips for an Engaging PC Blog on Substack
Sharing your story helps you meet the 3rd goal. But only if people read your blog! You need to make your posts fun to read. Remember, you are writing for your readers.
1. Share intriguing cultural stories and observations
There are two simple ways to present interesting material for your readers. First, you can write in a timeline fashion, giving snippets of your life on a daily basis. Or second, where you can write a post based on a theme or event. Keep ideas or thoughts short and to the point. And let pictures help you tell more of the story.
2. Post compelling photos from your host community
Why do so many PCVs forget to include more photos in their blog posts? Pictures capture what might be difficult to convey in words. They supplement your writing. They give it more clarity because the reader can see what you are describing. You’re giving them the back story. And Substack even gives you an option for a gallery. This way your reading isn’t scrolling down through a photo dump.
3. Write regular newsletter updates to keep readers engaged
Writing on a regular schedule helps both you and the readers. The readers grow in anticipation when they know a new post will be coming soon. But a regular schedule also helps you discipline yourself to write. This is important when you don’t particularly want to.
4. Enable comments to allow reader discussions
The easiest way to keep readers is to allow communication to flow both ways. You not only want them to comment, but you should give them a ‘reason’, like a call-to-action to do so. And then you must keep the conversation going. Thank people for their comments. Answer any questions they have. By continuing the conversation you make a real human-to-human connection. And that is invaluable with this kind of media.
5. Promote Your PC Blog for Greatest Impact
Again, if you want to “to help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans”, then you need to get the word out. There are many ways to do this, and some even Substack can help you with. Here are a few:
- follow and comment on other PCV blogs, especially those on Substack
- post your URL in places people will see, like under your email signature
- encourage readers by using a subscribe or share button
- post updates on social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc)
- take advantage of the Substack referral program!
- use Substack ‘media assets’ to share on social media
- make sure every aspect of your Substack is complete and compelling
- make a Substack podcast of your material
- collaborate with other PCV bloggers, especially those in your cohort
- But the most important thing is to take the time to write well thought out articles that your readers want to read.
By following these tips, you can make a great blog on Substack. Share cultural stories, add photos, write on a regular schedule, promote your work, and engage readers. This will help you meet the Peace Corps goal. You can bring your world back home through your blog.
Leveraging the Blog and Newsletter Format
Substack delivers your blog posts right to your readers’ inboxes. This automatically sends your content to them. It helps build real relationships with your audience. This will help your subscriber base grow.
Use the blog for longform stories, reflections, or journal entries
- Use the blog for long stories, reflections, and journal entries.
- Link to blog posts from your newsletters.
This lets your subscribers know there’s more content to explore. It connects your blog and newsletter.
Post shorter updates, previews, and announcements in the newsletter
Writing short updates in your newsletter makes it easy to read. Use snippets, previews and announcements. This lets readers pick what they want to read more. It shows you respect their time. Readers will stay loyal when you give them short bits to read. Keep your newsletter short and simple.
Make your PC blog into audio podcasts
Substack lets you turn blog posts into podcast episodes. Use your laptop microphone or a phone mic to read your post out loud. This makes a podcast your readers can listen to. You could make your most popular posts into podcasts. Or record stories you think people will like hearing. Podcasting lets more people enjoy your blog their way. And it lets you reuse your writing in a new way.
Send newsletter posts on a regular schedule for reader habits
Sending your newsletter on a regular schedule builds excitement. Readers will look forward to your next post. An irregular schedule doesn’t build that happy feeling. Pick a schedule that’s good for you and your readers. Monthly is a nice place to start. Ask your audience what schedule they like through a poll (easy to do on Substack). Having a steady newsletter schedule keeps your readers wanting more.
Fulfilling the 3rd Goal with Your Substack PC Blog
Using Substack makes sharing your Peace Corps stories easy. The simple website lets you focus on your service and what you want to say. Many volunteer blogs stop after a few months. But Substack’s tools can help you keep writing for 27 months. And keep sharing your view even when you get back home. Using Substack helps you meet the goal of bringing your world back home through your blog.
Bringing it Home
Making a fun blog as a Peace Corps volunteer can be hard. It may feel like no one wants to read your stories. But tools like Substack can help. It makes sharing easy with its blog and newsletter. You can post photos, updates, and tales from your service. These will keep your readers excited for more.
You can write long blog articles. And send short newsletters too. Using tips like clear writing, promoting your work, and allowing comments will make your blog super engaging. And most important, Substack lets you keep blogging for 27 months. And then, you can share your view even when back home. This helps you meet the Peace Corps Third Goal.
Important links to get you started at Substack.com
- Substack.com
- Setting up your Substack for the first time
- Substack.com Resources
- “Peace Corps” blogs on Substack.com
- WanderingTheWorld.substack.com (monthly newsletter)
- Tales from Armenia (weekly blog)
- PCV Tales from Armenia (weekly podcast)
