Master Substack Video Posts: Full Tutorial & Optimization Tips | Indie's Tech Tips #011

How to create native video posts on Substack, highlighting features like ad-free hosting, automatic podcast/RSS generation, and SEO benefits

In this tutorial, Indie, publisher of over 2500 posts on Substack over the past 4 years, teaches you how to create native video posts hosted on Substack. The goal is to help you master the tool & leverage the power of the Substack mobile app and referral network, using videos (which are also indexable web pages with search engines).

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Key steps include customizing thumbnails (either via upload, AI, or frame selection) and leveraging auto-generated transcripts/clips, or generating your own captioned clips using the AI-generated transcript.

The tutorial emphasizes:

Uploading videos (no clear duration limits)

Adding titles/subtitles and custom thumbnails (manual/AI options)

Formatting companion blog content (headers, links, embeds)

Critical settings: Audience selection ("Everyone" vs paid), comment permissions, and podcast/RSS inclusion

Referral link integration (e.g., Restream, Rumble)
Scheduling pitfalls (default 24-hr delay adjustment)
Critical settings are also covered:
setting audience access to "Everyone"
configuring RSS feeds for podcasts
assigning tags/categories
optimizing SEO via editable post URLs (slugs)

The video post emails subscribers with a preview, hosts content ad-free, and creates shareable social media assets.

The goal: maximize Substack’s tools for discoverable, multi-platform content.

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