Listen to the interview first because these two make branding heart-filled to even the most branding-averse, cynical people. It’s not branding; it’s visual storytelling. Sara Tasker and Keeley Rees are the force behind The Substack Soiree. When Substack started pivoting slightly (very slightly) away from being solely a platform “for great writing” to an “economic engine for culture,” Sara and Keeley brought their combined gifts to the platform: Sara's kind of magic in growing online audiences and running a business that doesn’t burn you out with Keeley’s professional experience in storytelling, copywriting, brand design.
I remember when you were a branding skeptic! I love great branding and visuals. Mostly because I wish I could actually create them and do it myself. I'm glad to see you've softened your stance and embraced it--lightly! Interesting to hear more of their back stories. I just remember when they first joined and offered those branding kits. I still can't figure out how to use Canva, but one can dream!
Ohh you three together, dream team 🥰 I loved the Substack Soirée course and the community is still supporting each other! And Sarah‘s community is incredible too 🌟
Thank you Sarah. I find many Stacks needlessly busy. I just want to cleanly and easily access the writing. I struggle with glitz, but maybe it's just me.
I hear you Richard. I find it distracting to have all the intro writings about the persons newsletter and much prefer to just be right in it. At the same time my social media used brain got adapted to italic/bold alternating and everything I read, let’s say Sharon Blackie for example, I enjoy the simplicity of just text. Brings me relaxation, no stress, and somehow more spaciousness and time to sink into the words. Instead of looking for headlines and underlined important sentences. I really get to practice this for myself, and notice that I use still way much spacing and trying to make it visually appealing
Haha of course not, and thank you Richard! You honestly helped me to come back to my priorities and wish to grow /learn when it comes to developing my voice and style. I can get distracted by what is trendy or seems to be a must have. And your comment reminded me that not everyone wants the same and its best to trust our own lane - and I wanted to let you know that it’s definitely not just you that doesn’t like the glitzyness :)
It was so wonderful to chat with you Sarah! What a fun interview. Hope to speak again soon. 🫶🏻
I remember when you were a branding skeptic! I love great branding and visuals. Mostly because I wish I could actually create them and do it myself. I'm glad to see you've softened your stance and embraced it--lightly! Interesting to hear more of their back stories. I just remember when they first joined and offered those branding kits. I still can't figure out how to use Canva, but one can dream!
Ohh you three together, dream team 🥰 I loved the Substack Soirée course and the community is still supporting each other! And Sarah‘s community is incredible too 🌟
I’m a Substack Soiree graduate and would highly recommend! (Ok now I am off to listen)
Thank you Sarah. I find many Stacks needlessly busy. I just want to cleanly and easily access the writing. I struggle with glitz, but maybe it's just me.
I hear you Richard. I find it distracting to have all the intro writings about the persons newsletter and much prefer to just be right in it. At the same time my social media used brain got adapted to italic/bold alternating and everything I read, let’s say Sharon Blackie for example, I enjoy the simplicity of just text. Brings me relaxation, no stress, and somehow more spaciousness and time to sink into the words. Instead of looking for headlines and underlined important sentences. I really get to practice this for myself, and notice that I use still way much spacing and trying to make it visually appealing
Thanks Laura. Of course I wasn't referring to YOUR substack : ) which is awesome
Haha of course not, and thank you Richard! You honestly helped me to come back to my priorities and wish to grow /learn when it comes to developing my voice and style. I can get distracted by what is trendy or seems to be a must have. And your comment reminded me that not everyone wants the same and its best to trust our own lane - and I wanted to let you know that it’s definitely not just you that doesn’t like the glitzyness :)