Set-Up Substack
Here’s how to set up Substack and get started in the chat:
Basic Set-Up
Create an account using this link: https://substack.com/signup (note: if you have been gifted a paid subscription, please use the email that the gift was sent to).
Optional: Set up a profile. You don’t need to worry about creating a fancy profile for yourself on the app (unless that’s something that you want to do). Whether or not you share a photo of yourself is entirely up to you.
Decide how you want to use Substack. You have two options: download the Substack app and/or use the desktop version of the platform.
Use the App: Download the app on your phone to RECEIVE REAL TIME notifications of new threads or comments on your thread. Here’s where to find the app: https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/4474289102228-Where-can-I-find-the-Substack-app
Set your notification settings, which can be done by:
Clicking your profile picture (in the top right corner of the app’s homepage)
Clicking on the settings symbol (which looks like a gear) in the bottom right corner of the drop-down menu (that comes up when you click your profile picture)
Clicking “Notifications”
Clicking “Chat & DM”
Use the Desktop Version: On the desktop, you will NOT RECEIVE any notifications, which means you’ll need to check the chat at least once a week on your own accord. Here’s the link to the chat if you choose this option: alanamirror.substack.com/chat
Chat Set-Up
Read Community Chat for This Wonderful World click here * This is important because it includes the guidelines that make the chat feel supportive and safe.
Find the chat
On desktop: Click the talk-box symbol on the left of the homepage.
Scroll to find “This Wonderful World” in the list.
Here’s a direct link to the chat that can be used to access the chat directly: alanamirror.substack.com/chat (you need to be signed in to Substack to use this link)
On the app: Click the talk-box symbol at the bottom of the homepage. Scroll to find “This Wonderful World” in the list. Click on it.
Create your first thread (a “thread” is the name that Substack has given posts within the chat). Try it out:
What to post: share a short introduction of yourself by posting:
a photo of something in nature that says something about you PLUS
a phrase, sentence, short story or short poem that speaks to how that part of nature is a reflection of you (this is a no-pressure creation that simply gives us a sense of you and lets you practice using the chat functions. No masterpiece needed).
How to post:
On the app: at the bottom of the chat screen, there is a space that says “Start a New Thread”. Use the “+” sign to the left of the typing box to add a photo or video to whatever you type. Click the blue arrow in the box to send.
On the desktop: click the button “Start a New Thread” at the bottom of the chat. Click the photo or video icon at the bottom left of the pop-up to add a picture of video to your new thread. Click “send”.
Comment on someone else’s thread
On the app: at the bottom of each thread, it says “Leave a reply”. Simply click there
On the desktop: hover over the thread, and an arrow will appear to the right of it. Click on the arrow.
Now that you’re set up, here’s your next steps:
Gather Your Gear click here
Choose Your Nature Adventure click here
Read the Intro Adventure Itinerary click here