Outside the Mainstream: Establishing Your Brand on Substack, Clubhouse, and Threads

"No one knew me on LinkedIn. But one voice note on Clubhouse changed everything." That was the text message I received from another creator last month. The truth is — the digital world is rapidly changing. And if you're only showing up on Instagram or LinkedIn, you may be missing where your actual audience is gathering right now. Let's discuss the newcomers to the block: Substack, Clubhouse, and Threads — platforms which are not trends, but strategic moves for early adopters as well to stake a claim on. Why New Platforms Matter You don't have to be an influencer to have followers. In fact, being early to on-rising platforms serves you in three significant ways: Less Noise – Less creators = greater visibility. Fresh Audiences – Readers are looking for new voices to subscribe to. Platform Support – Creators who start early tend to get more algorithmic support. Let's go through each one and how you can use them well. Substack – Turn Your Voice into Authority Substack isn't just for journalists. It's for teachers, artists, and personal brand creators who want to write in long-form. What works on Substack? Thought leadership content Behind-the-scenes stories Tips, frameworks, and validated insights Substack growth tips: Use excellent titles that solve real issues Be consistent (weekly or fortnightly posts work best) Construct off-platform email lists Publish on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram Story Time: I previously wrote a brief Substack article titled "Why Personal Brands Fail." I copied it from a LinkedIn update. Within 72 hours, 60 people subscribed — all due to me expanding the tale and giving more value. Clubhouse – Establish Trust With Your Voice Others thought Clubhouse was dead, but its value remains highly present in specialized groups and live conversation. Why it matters: Your voice establishes trust faster than text. Live conversations create more personal connections. It's a fantastic place to try out ideas, pitch a product, or share insights. Intelligent ways to utilize Clubhouse: Join rooms that correspond to your expertise Regular sessions (Q&A or behind-the-scenes) Connect your Instagram or Twitter for follow-ups Turn your conversation into threads, blog posts, or carousels Quick Hack: Close the room by asking others to DM you for a free resource — this creates discussion and builds your list! Threads – Build a Personality-Driven Brand Threads is where value intersects with vibes. Less anxiety, more talk. What's working? Unfiltered, unvarnished opinions Day-in-the-life of your brand Short, impactful content that connects on an emotional level How to be heard on Threads: Write in an informal yet knowledgeable voice Tap into current conversations but connect them to your realm Ask questions to provoke response Reveal your personality! Example: A dev wrote, "I don't consume coffee, and I ship clean code. AMA." It got over 400 replies — why? Personality meets community. How to Tie It All Together If you're asking yourself which one do I start with? — here's the simplest answer: Choose the platform that most suits your authentic communication style. If you're a writer → Start with Substack If you like talking → Try Clubhouse If you're relaxed and talkative → Try Threads But on whichever platform, one thing remains true: Tell better stories. Because people do not follow brands. People follow people with a story they can relate to. Your Action Plan Choose ONE platform to focus on this week Create one content piece with a personal story Have a clear CTA (Call-To-Action) — ask them to respond, sign-up, or share Watch what works well, and do it again Ready to build where few are looking? The platforms are fresh, but the rules are timeless: value, consistency, and connection. Make your brand the sound they have been waiting to listen to.

Apr 19, 2025 - 07:46

"No one knew me on LinkedIn. But one voice note on Clubhouse changed everything."

That was the text message I received from another creator last month.

The truth is — the digital world is rapidly changing. And if you're only showing up on Instagram or LinkedIn, you may be missing where your actual audience is gathering right now.

Let's discuss the newcomers to the block: Substack, Clubhouse, and Threads — platforms which are not trends, but strategic moves for early adopters as well to stake a claim on.

Why New Platforms Matter
You don't have to be an influencer to have followers. In fact, being early to on-rising platforms serves you in three significant ways:

Less Noise – Less creators = greater visibility.

Fresh Audiences – Readers are looking for new voices to subscribe to.

Platform Support – Creators who start early tend to get more algorithmic support.

Let's go through each one and how you can use them well.

Substack – Turn Your Voice into Authority Substack isn't just for journalists. It's for teachers, artists, and personal brand creators who want to write in long-form.

What works on Substack?

Thought leadership content

Behind-the-scenes stories

Tips, frameworks, and validated insights

Substack growth tips:

Use excellent titles that solve real issues

Be consistent (weekly or fortnightly posts work best)

Construct off-platform email lists

Publish on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram

Story Time:
I previously wrote a brief Substack article titled "Why Personal Brands Fail." I copied it from a LinkedIn update. Within 72 hours, 60 people subscribed — all due to me expanding the tale and giving more value.

Clubhouse – Establish Trust With Your Voice Others thought Clubhouse was dead, but its value remains highly present in specialized groups and live conversation.

Why it matters:
Your voice establishes trust faster than text.

Live conversations create more personal connections.

It's a fantastic place to try out ideas, pitch a product, or share insights.

Intelligent ways to utilize Clubhouse:

Join rooms that correspond to your expertise

Regular sessions (Q&A or behind-the-scenes)

Connect your Instagram or Twitter for follow-ups

Turn your conversation into threads, blog posts, or carousels

Quick Hack:
Close the room by asking others to DM you for a free resource — this creates discussion and builds your list!

Threads – Build a Personality-Driven Brand Threads is where value intersects with vibes. Less anxiety, more talk.

What's working?

Unfiltered, unvarnished opinions

Day-in-the-life of your brand

Short, impactful content that connects on an emotional level

How to be heard on Threads:

Write in an informal yet knowledgeable voice

Tap into current conversations but connect them to your realm

Ask questions to provoke response

Reveal your personality!

Example:
A dev wrote, "I don't consume coffee, and I ship clean code. AMA."
It got over 400 replies — why? Personality meets community.

How to Tie It All Together
If you're asking yourself which one do I start with? — here's the simplest answer:

Choose the platform that most suits your authentic communication style.

If you're a writer → Start with Substack

If you like talking → Try Clubhouse

If you're relaxed and talkative → Try Threads

But on whichever platform, one thing remains true:

Tell better stories.
Because people do not follow brands. People follow people with a story they can relate to.

Your Action Plan
Choose ONE platform to focus on this week

Create one content piece with a personal story

Have a clear CTA (Call-To-Action) — ask them to respond, sign-up, or share
Watch what works well, and do it again
Ready to build where few are looking?
The platforms are fresh, but the rules are timeless: value, consistency, and connection.
Make your brand the sound they have been waiting to listen to.