Episode Details

Haide Wall Giesbrecht is a Registered Clinical Counselor (RCC), writer, and educator. Her work spans professional therapy, neurodivergent advocacy, and reflections on self-directed learning and personal growth.

Creative & Educational Work

* Substack & Blogging: She is the author of the Substack Encouragement Along the Journey, where she writes about grief, growth, parenting, and “becoming.” Her writing often reflects her personal experiences as a therapist, mother, and first-generation immigrant.

* Self-Directed Education: A longtime homeschooling and “unschooling” parent, Haide is an advocate for Self-Directed Education (SDE). She recently collaborated with Katy Purviance to discuss leaving conventional schooling behind and trusting children as learners.

Talking Points: How to Succeed on Substack

1. Clarity Before Content

* Know exactly who you are speaking to

* Be clear on what transformation you provide

* Write with purpose, not just to post

If your message isn’t clear, your growth won’t be either.

2. Consistency Builds Trust

* Show up regularly (weekly minimum)

* Keep your voice and themes aligned

* Let people know what to expect from you

People don’t subscribe to one post; they subscribe to consistency.

3. Depth Over Volume

* Don’t chase quantity, focus on quality

* Write pieces that make people think, feel, or act

* Give insight, not just information

One strong post will outperform five forgettable ones.

4. Write Like You Speak

* Be direct

* Be human

* Be clear

If it sounds like everyone else, it won’t stand out.

5. Build a Signature Voice

* Use repeatable language (your pillars, your phrases)

* Create a recognizable structure

* Let your audience know it’s you without seeing your name

Familiarity builds authority.

6. Focus on Connection, Not Just Growth

* Write to your audience—not at them

* Invite reflection

* Create an emotional connection

People stay where they feel seen.

7. Make Every Post Useful

Each piece should do at least one of the following:

* Shift perspective

* Provide clarity

* Offer direction

If it doesn’t help them move, it won’t keep them.

8. Use Calls to Thought (Not Just Calls to Action)

* Ask questions that make people pause

* Encourage reflection, not just clicks

Engagement comes from thinking, not pushing.

9. Don’t Overcomplicate Monetization

* Focus on value first

* Build trust before asking for payment

* Paid content should go deeper, not just be “more.”

People pay for insight they can’t get anywhere else.

10. Leverage Your Ecosystem

* Share your Substack across LinkedIn, email, and other platforms

* Repurpose your insights

* Bring your audience with you

Substack doesn’t grow in isolation.

11. Build a Rhythm (Not Random Posting)

Example:

* Weekly insight

* Monthly deep dive

* Occasional personal reflection

Predictability builds retention.

12. Stay in Your Lane (This Is Critical)

* Don’t try to cover everything

* Stay anchored in your message and pillars

* Le