Why I’m Back on Substack

Changing Your Mind as a Writer, Trusting the Work, and Choosing the Right Home

If you’ve been a reader for a while, you already know that my relationship with blogging and newsletter platforms has been a winding journey. Today I want to bring you fully up to speed — where I’ve been, what I learned, and why I’m back here on Substack again, with clarity, intention, and curiosity.

I returned in the summer of 2025, and I’ve been having some great discussions with my paid writing community about the move, so I’m sharing more here.

I’m always learning and willing to change. This article addresses a few things:

• Why the back and forth (website —> Substack —> website —> Substack)

• What I’d do today if I were starting a blog

• Why I’m all in on Substack over any other platform

First, A Quick Timeline

🌀 2012–2023: I blogged consistently on my own website — building a body of work that evolved with me as a writer and coach. My domains changed as my business did: barefootessence (my first food blog), jacquelinefisch.com (my author site, fractional CCO services, and speaking), then I created a new blog at theintuitivewritingschool.com where my coaching and group programs live. Newsletters came from Mailchimp.
✍️ 2023: I stopped writing on my blog and started writing on Substack, drawn to its simplicity and the way it felt like a publishing home for essays, ideas, and connection. Got rid of Mailchimp for newsletters. I enabled paid subscriptions early on. Original announcement.
🏡 2024: I returned to my blog (which lives on Squarespace) — wanting control and ownership, and to drive more traffic there — and tried Squarespace’s email system for newsletters. I was not impressed.
⚡️ 2025 (now): I’m back on Substack — because my instincts are telling me this is the right space for the writing I’m called to share next. For now, I’m not adding paid subscriptions. I have lots of thoughts on this.

You might be wondering …

• What I did with 11 years of blog content

• What I’m doing with my website’s blog today

• Does this ruin SEO (Search Engine Optimization)?

I’ll answer all these in a second. For now …

Part of Being a Writer (and Human) — Changing Your Mind

I used to feel bad about changing my mind. Until my husband said to me one day, “The best part about having a mind is changing it.” Alright. I’m down with that. P.S. He’s a Pisces.

If there’s one thing you take from this article, it’s this:

You don’t have to stick with a platform just because you picked it once. And you definitely don’t owe anyone an explanation for evolving as a writer.

I love pulling back the curtain and sharing what I’m learning. My high-touch writing community sees my drafts and WIPs (works in progress) all the time. Seeing real-time examples is the best way to relate and decide for yourself.

I’ve written about this evolution before — mentioning that platforms like Substack and personal blogs each have their pros and cons and that what felt right once isn’t necessarily what’s right now.

Writing changes you.

Writers grow.

The way we want to show up grows, too.

There’s freedom in recognizing that your platform is not your purpose — your writing is.

What I’ve Learned Along the Way

Here are three of the biggest takeaways from my journey across platforms:

1. Start where you can start

Platforms like Substack make publishing easy — no website to set up, no domain needed, no separate email service, no technical headaches. That’s huge when your goal is simply to get writing out into the world. It lets you focus on craft first. Substack is also free to use.

2. Your writing changes as you do

A website offers complete ownership and control. Substack offers community and discoverability. These are both important, and depending on why you write, it’s more about what serves you best in this season.

3. It’s okay to come back

Returning to Substack wasn’t a step backward, and I have no regrets about leaving for a year. It’s a reflection of what feels aligned now. Especially after my Facebook and Instagram accounts were shut down for two months.

If I Were Starting Fresh Today…

Honestly? I’d start on Substack.

Here’s why:

• Zero friction to start — you can begin writing immediately without tech overhead. You can publish your first article the same day you set up your Substack.

• Built-in readership tools — Substack has audience features, commenting, and visibility that make connections easier.

• It feels like a writer’s home — a place that centers your words first, long-form content, and not SEO or site design. These are the main reasons why I’m all in on Substack today. I’ve curated a nourishing experience (even with Notes) that works for me. More on this in a future article.

Starting on Substack doesn’t mean you’re boxed in forever — you can always export your mailing list, link to a separate site, or evolve your content strategy as you grow.

Probably thinking about changing my mind …

Now, if you run a business, let’s get to the questions you might be asking:

Q1. What will you do with old blog posts? Republish or replicate them?

I have A LOT of blogs on my website. I have no idea how many there are, but the oldest entry is from 2012.

For SEO purposes, you don’t want to replicate your old blogs on Substack. It confuses search engines — unless you add canonical code to the original blog, but then, what’s the point? Having the same article in two places doesn’t double your reach.

My business websites are home to my offers, coaching, books, and speaking.

For old blogs on my website:

• Added Substack Opt-In forms around my website. This was tedious because I had forms linked to Mailchimp, Squarespace, or Podia email (the three other platforms I’ve used) in many places, including in articles.

• New Substack articles might link to old articles from my website.

• I refresh 3-5 of them each month, focusing on the ones that are already getting clicked on from search traffic.

• If I have a completely fresh take on an old blog, I’ll rewrite it, completely expand, and give it a new title and publish on Substack

Q2. I’m not sure about my business yet. Should I start writing on Substack?

If I weren’t sure what kind of business I was starting, I’d start writing on Substack. You can easily link to your services if they live elsewhere. Even if you never start a business, you can keep writing on Substack.

Q3. Should I move to Substack?

I can’t tell you what to do. I share what I’m doing, the reasons behind it, and insights from my coaching and mentoring clients. You can decide for yourself … and change your mind later. It’s OK!

So many people are worried about choosing “wrong.” There’s no wrong move. You can always change.

Q4. What if I have courses and services on another platform?

My courses, community, and coaching offer pages all live on my website. I currently use Squarespace to manage my writing community and deliver courses. In the past, I used Podia. You can link to your courses and services in your articles, About section, and feature them on your Substack site.

Q5. Can you send separate emails from a blog post? I.e., when you want to promote something?

Yes, but how I use Substack is different from how I did email marketing with MailChimp and Podia. First, I appreciate that on Substack the blog IS the email (double-duty!).

You can still write a weekly newsletter on Substack. It can have edition numbers or seasons.

I’ll occasionally send a last call email when I have a time-sensitive program about to start. These won’t appear in your articles.

This month, I plan to write a monthly roundup that will read more like a newsletter than a standalone article, but it will live as an article. Because I have a podcast, am the co-host of another, sometimes promote certain offers, and want to share about books I’m reading and products I’m loving.

Q6. What about SEO on your website? Doesn’t a blog help this?

• Yes, a blog helps SEO. My SEO has consistently grown year after year since I invested in it. Last year, I had a session with Mariah Magazine — her stuff is gold. She also chatted with me on the How Women Write Podcast.

• If I were starting from scratch with a business website and a Substack, I’d write 3-6 pillar posts for my website and update them at least once a year.

• For several years, I’ve been using Missinglettr, a tool that shares snippets of your content and shares across social platforms on an evergreen schedule. This generates a few hundred clicks a month, while search generates thousands. So, I may not keep this tool forever.
  
  Today, I also use Missinglettr to share new Substack pieces.
  
  Currently, Missinglettr sends links to my Facebook business page (most clicks come from here), X, and my LinkedIn business page (which, by far, produces the worst results, but the business page exists for other reasons — that’s a whole LinkedIn masterclass. Depending on your business, I recommend having a personal LinkedIn profile).

• You can get found in search with many other SEO strategies. I didn’t invest in SEO for several years into my business, and I quickly brought in six figures. My business was and still is supported by relationships. As a service-based business owner or freelancer, your relationships land you clients, not SEO.

Your Writing Journey Is Yours

If there’s one thing I want you to remember, it’s this: You don’t need to have your platform figured out forever. You only need to show up where you are right now — and take the next “write” step forward. ;)

Thank you for being here. I’m so glad you’re reading.

Here’s to the next chapter — wherever it takes us.

💛 If you’re navigating your own questions about where, how, and even when to publish, I’d love to invite you into my writing community.

Inside, you’ll get access to my real drafts (members have my newest book), works-in-progress, and an ongoing conversation about building a sustainable writer’s home — without rushing or locking yourself into decisions you can’t change. We also write together live at least once a week.

I’m also hosting a live Getting Started on Substack workshop on January 27, where I’ll share what I’ve learned from moving between platforms, what I’d do if I were starting today, and how to choose a strategy that actually supports your writing. You’ll see behind the scenes of my Substack.

If this season has you rethinking your relationship to your work, you’re welcome here.

Join the community and save your seat for the workshop.

This is a high-touch, writer-first space for writers who are ready to invest in their work.

Like this practical piece? Here are some more just like this:

And some that are less practical, and more philosophical or poetic: