Substack Expert

Community

fabricioctelles

substack-expert

This skill should be used when creating, formatting, or optimizing content for a Substack newsletter. Covers post structure, SEO metadata (titles, slugs, meta descriptions), native engagement features (Notes, Polls, Chat), monetization tactics, and free-to-paid conversion strategies.

Overview

Publisher	fabricioctelles
Repository	`skills`
Skill name	`substack-expert`
Stars	87
Forks	7
Bundled files	2
License	Apache-2.0
Links	Skill source Repository Homepage

Markdown instructions
A SKILL.md file the model loads on demand, so it only costs tokens when a request actually matches.
Works with any LLM
AI skills are plain Markdown, not provider-specific code, so this works with GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model.
2 bundled files
Scripts, templates, and references the model can read while it works. Files are read-only and never executed.
Open source
Published by fabricioctelles on GitHub. Read the source before you install it.

Installation

Install the Substack Expert AI skill in TypingMind to use it with any LLM, or drop it into another agent that reads SKILL.md.

Install in TypingMind

TypingMind installs a skill straight from its GitHub folder — it reads SKILL.md, bundles the resource files, and stores the result locally.

Open the app and go to Plugins → Skills.
Choose "Install from GitHub".
Paste the skill folder URL below and confirm.
Enable the skill in any chat where you want it available.

Plugins → Skills → Add skill → From GitHub URL, then paste the folder URL and press Continue.

Install in another agent

Any agent that reads the Agent Skills format can use this skill — copy the folder into that agent's skills directory.

Claude Code — .claude/skills

git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/fabricioctelles/skills.git /tmp/skills
mkdir -p .claude/skills
cp -r /tmp/skills/skills/substack-expert .claude/skills/substack-expert

Restart Claude Code after copying so it picks up the new skill.

Use it in TypingMind

Enable Substack Expert in any TypingMind chat and the model takes it from there. Its name and description sit in the system prompt, and the moment a request matches, the model loads the full instructions itself — you never invoke it by hand, and it costs no tokens until it is actually used.

The model loads Substack Expert on its own as soon as a request matches it.

Works with any AI model

AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so Substack Expert is not tied to the model it was written for. Install it once in TypingMind and use it with GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama, or a local model you run yourself — all on your own API keys.

Loaded only when it is needed
The system prompt carries just the name and description. The instructions are fetched on the first matching request, so an idle skill costs nothing.
Switch models mid-chat
Because the skill is instructions rather than code, changing model does not break it — the next model reads the same SKILL.md.

Skill instructions

This is the SKILL.md content the model loads. Read it before installing — a skill is instructions your model will follow.

Substack Expert

Parameters

Parameter	Description	Default
`topic`	Subject or draft content to work with	Infer from the conversation
`goal`	Primary objective: `format`, `seo`, `growth`, `monetize`	`format` + `seo` if unspecified
`language`	Output language	Match the user's message language

Workflow

1. Clarify Scope

Identify which goals apply (formatting, SEO, growth, monetization) and confirm the topic. If the request is ambiguous, default to producing SEO metadata and a formatted structure outline simultaneously.

2. Visual Formatting

Structure content with Heading 1, Heading 2, and Heading 3 to improve readability and facilitate search-engine crawling.
Apply the centering and styling techniques described in references/formatting-best-practices.md.
Insert native engagement tools (Subscribe button, polls, Leave a comment) at natural breakpoints in the post.

3. SEO and Metadata

Produce the following fields for every post:

Title: 40–60 characters. Use clear modifiers, keywords, and authority signals (e.g., "Tested", "Complete Guide"). Avoid vague or clickbait phrasing.
URL Slug: 3–5 main keywords only, no auto-generated numbers, no dates (keeps the post evergreen). Example: /substack-seo-strategy.
Meta Description: 155–160 characters, includes the primary keyword and an implicit call to action.
Image Alt Text: Describe the image for accessibility; incorporate article keywords organically.

Consult references/seo-output-example.md for a worked example.

4. Growth Strategies

Substack Notes: Publish short snippets derived from the post to Notes immediately after publishing. Leave authentic comments on related publications to build name recognition.
Recommendations rotation: Review Analytics monthly to identify which partner newsletters drive inbound traffic. Rotate recommended partners every 30–60 days to maintain reciprocal growth.

5. Monetization (Free → Paid Conversion)

Tease & Convert: Publish the core article freely, but gate a utility bonus (template, spreadsheet, prompt set, audio) behind the paywall. Prove value before asking for payment.
VIP outreach: In the Dashboard, filter subscribers by engagement score (4–5 stars), then send a targeted direct message offering a special rate or exclusive invite to the paid tier.
Welcome email: Customize the automated welcome email to introduce the author, set publishing cadence expectations, and link to the three best existing articles. Never leave the platform default.
Homepage taxonomy: Group posts into Tags (equivalent to newspaper sections) and add them to the navigation bar via Website Themes for advanced content discovery.

Quality Checklist

Before delivering output, verify:

Title is 40–60 characters and contains the primary keyword.
URL slug has 3–5 words, no numbers, no dates.
Meta description is 155–160 characters with a keyword and implicit CTA.
All images have alt text.
Subject line (if applicable) is under 50 characters and free of spam triggers.
At least one native engagement element (button, poll, or comment prompt) is included.
Paywall placement follows the Tease & Convert model (not a mid-sentence cut).
Welcome email customization is recommended if the post is the first in a new publication.

Bundled files

The model reads these on demand while the skill is loaded. They are exposed as readable files and are never executed.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Substack Expert AI skill do?

Why use Substack Expert on TypingMind?

Because you install it once and use it with any model. Substack Expert is plain Markdown rather than provider-specific code, so the same skill runs on GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model — and you can switch model mid-chat without it breaking. TypingMind runs on your own API keys, so you pay providers directly instead of a per-seat subscription, and your skills and chats stay in your own storage.

How do I install Substack Expert in TypingMind?

Open Plugins → Skills → Install from GitHub in TypingMind and paste https://github.com/fabricioctelles/skills/tree/main/skills/substack-expert. TypingMind reads its SKILL.md and bundles its files and installs it as a skill you can enable per chat.

Which AI models can use Substack Expert?

Any model you connect in TypingMind. AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and local models can all load this skill when a request matches it.

How many AI models can I use with Substack Expert?

As many as you like. As long as a model supports skills, you can use Substack Expert with it — GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama and more — all on TypingMind with your own API keys.

Is the Substack Expert AI skill free?

Yes. It is published on GitHub by fabricioctelles under the Apache-2.0 license. You only pay your own AI provider for the tokens you use.

What are AI skills?

An AI skill is a reusable instruction bundle that teaches an AI model how to do one specific task. It follows the open Agent Skills format: a SKILL.md file with a name and description, plus any scripts, templates or reference files the model may need. The model reads the instructions only when your request matches the skill, so an installed skill costs nothing until it is used.

How are AI skills different from plugins or MCP servers?

A plugin or MCP server gives a model new tools to call — code that runs somewhere and returns a result. An AI skill gives the model knowledge and process instead: how to approach a task, which steps to follow, what good output looks like. Skills are plain Markdown, so they need no server, no API key and no runtime, and they work with any model.

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Overview

Installation

Install in TypingMind

Install in another agent

Use it in TypingMind

Works with any AI model

Skill instructions

Substack Expert

Parameters

Workflow

1. Clarify Scope

2. Visual Formatting

3. SEO and Metadata

4. Growth Strategies

5. Monetization (Free → Paid Conversion)

Quality Checklist

Bundled files

Frequently asked questions

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