How to Go Live with the Substack App

Getting started is easier than you think

Going live on Substack has become one of the platform's most engaging features, allowing creators to connect with their audience in real-time. Whether you're hosting a Q&A session, sharing breaking news, or simply wanting to build a stronger community, Substack's live streaming feature through the mobile app makes it incredibly easy to broadcast directly to your subscribers.

In a recap of the video, I'll walk you through every step of the process, from setting up your live stream to managing the post-broadcast options.

Getting Started: Accessing the Live Feature

To begin your live streaming journey on Substack, open the Substack app on your mobile device. You can be on any tab – your home page, publications, or settings – it doesn't matter which one you're currently viewing.

You may need to have 10 subscribers before you will be able to go live, but I am sure you can find 10.

Step 1: Initiate a New Live Stream

Look for the plus (+) button in the lower right corner of your screen and tap it. This will open a menu with several content creation options.

Step 2: Select "Go Live"

From the menu that appears, select the "Go Live" option. This will take you to the live stream setup page, where you can configure your broadcast settings.

Once you've selected "Go Live," you'll see a setup screen with several important options to customize your broadcast:

Title and Audience Selection

• Add a Title: Give your live stream a descriptive title that will help your audience understand what to expect

• Choose Your Audience: If you have multiple publications, you can select which audience you want to broadcast to

• Email Notifications: Toggle whether you want an email notification sent to your subscriber list about the upcoming live stream

Scheduling Your Live Stream

One of Substack's standout features is the ability to schedule live streams well in advance. By tapping on the "when you want to go live" option, you can:

• Schedule anywhere from 15 minutes to three months in advance

• This is particularly advantageous compared to other platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn, which typically only allow scheduling up to seven days ahead

• Scheduled streams will automatically send email notifications to subscribers and app notifications

• Subscribers can add the event to their calendars with a direct link to join when you go live

Camera and Audio Features

Before going live, you have several technical options to optimize your broadcast:

• Camera Controls

  • Front/Back Camera Toggle: Switch between your front-facing and rear-facing camera using the circular button

  • Camera On/Off: You can disable video entirely while keeping audio active – your avatar will display instead of video feed

  • Real-time Switching: All camera controls work during the live broadcast, giving you flexibility to change your setup mid-stream

• Audio Settings

  • Microphone Mute: Toggle your microphone on and off as needed

  • Wide Spectrum Audio: Enable this feature if you plan to play music during your broadcast for better audio quality

  • Standard Audio: For regular talking, the standard audio setting works perfectly

• Collaboration Features: Inviting Co-hosts

  • Substack's live streaming supports multiple participants, making it perfect for interviews, panel discussions, or collaborative content:

• Pre-broadcast Invitations

  • Before going live, you can invite co-hosts to join your stream

  • Simply search for the person(s) on Subtack, choose and send the invitation(s)

• Live Invitations

  • During the broadcast, you can invite viewers to join as co-hosts

  • Invited participants need to have the Substack app and be active users

  • This feature enables spontaneous conversations and audience participation

Step 3: Going Live: The Broadcasting Experience

When you're ready to broadcast, hit the "Go Live" button. Here's what happens:

Automatic Notifications

• Substack sends notifications to your subscribers within the app

• If enabled, email notifications go out to your subscriber list

• You'll see real-time viewer counts and participant names

Interactive Features During Live Streaming

• Live Chat: Viewers can comment in real-time, and you'll see messages appear on your screen

• Heart Reactions: Both you and the viewers can send heart reactions

• Share Options: Generate and share links to your live stream across other platforms

• Viewer Engagement: See exactly who's watching and interact with them by name

Real-time Controls

All the setup features remain available during your broadcast:

• Switch between front and back cameras

• Turn video on/off while maintaining audio

• Mute/unmute your microphone

• Invite new co-hosts mid-stream

Step 4: Post-Broadcast Options: Maximizing Your Content

After ending your live stream, Substack provides several options to repurpose your content:

Your live stream is automatically processed and can be:

• Saved as a Draft: This allows you to edit and polish the content before publishing

• Sent as Email: Automatically distributes to your subscriber list

• YouTube Integration: While available, this feature may need some refinement, I have not had success with this yet, so I have the draft sent to the web, where it is a draft on the publication I went live on.

Content Repurposing

• Automatic Clips: Substack generates social media clips from your live stream

• Full Video Access: Download or embed the complete recording

• Blog Post Integration: Use the recording alongside written content for comprehensive posts. That is what I did here, plus I integrated the livestream in with screenshots in the video for better explanation.

Technical Considerations and Tips

Internet Connection

• WiFi Recommended: For best quality, use a stable WiFi connection

• Cellular Backup: The app works on cellular data, but test your connection strength first

• Hotspot Option: Consider mobile hotspots for outdoor or remote broadcasting

Equipment Recommendations

• External Microphone: For improved audio quality, consider using an external microphone. Check out my Dealcaster YouTube, where we have several video demos of mics to choose from based on your preferences and budget

• Stable Setup: Ensure your phone is properly positioned before going live. Consider a gimble or tripod.

• Good Lighting**: Natural light or proper lighting setup improves video quality significantly

Best Practices for Successful Live Streaming

Preparation

1. Test Your Setup: Do a quick test run to familiarize yourself with the controls

2. Plan Your Content: Have a rough outline of what you want to cover

3. Promote in Advance: Use the scheduling feature to build anticipation

4. Engage Your Audience: Respond to comments and use viewers' names when possible

During the Stream

1. Monitor Comments: Keep an eye on the chat for questions and engagement

2. Use Camera Features: Don't hesitate to switch between front and back cameras for variety

3. Keep Energy High: Live streaming rewards authenticity and energy

4. Technical Backup: Know how to quickly address common issues like audio problems

After the Stream

1. Save as Draft First: This gives you editing control before final publication or in the case of a quick popup live, you don’t need to publish at all!

2. Create Follow-up Content: Use the automatic clips for social media promotion

3. Engage with Comments: Respond to any questions or comments that came in during the live stream or even consider that for future topics for content

Conclusion

Substack's live streaming feature through their mobile app offers creators a powerful tool for real-time audience engagement. With its intuitive interface, advanced scheduling capabilities, and robust post-broadcast options, it provides everything needed for professional-quality live streaming.

The ability to schedule up to three months in advance, invite co-hosts on the fly, and automatically generate repurposable content makes Substack's live feature particularly attractive for content creators looking to build stronger community connections.

Whether you're a seasoned broadcaster or new to live streaming, Substack's app-based approach removes technical barriers while providing professional features that help you create engaging, interactive content for your audience.

Ready to go live? Open your Substack app, hit that plus button, and start connecting with your audience in real-time. The platform's user-friendly approach means you'll be broadcasting like a pro in no time.

Let me know when you go live, would love to see what you are creating!