Reginaldo Osnildo
Learn how to organize your local news content on Substack with clear sections and categories that keep your readers engaged and coming back.
Hey there, Reginaldo Osnildo here!
Now that your Substack site is set up, let’s talk about something really important that most people overlook: how you organize your content.
If your layout is messy, readers won’t stick around. But if it’s clear, well-structured, and easy to navigate? You’ve got yourself a loyal audience who’ll keep coming back—and maybe even become paying subscribers.
In this article, I’ll walk you through how to structure your Substack like a real news site so your local audience gets the best possible reading experience.
1. Start With a Clear Homepage
Your homepage is the front door to your local newsroom.Here’s what to include right up front:
- Your latest or featured posts
- A "Subscribe" button (make it pop!)
- Brief intros to your core content categories
- Maybe a banner with your site mission or tagline
Keep it clean and scroll-friendly.If your readers can instantly understand what your site is about, they’re more likely to explore.
2. Create Core Content Categories
Your readers are local. They want to find what matters to them, fast.
Start with 4–6 essential categories. Here are some great starter ideas:
- Politics: Local decisions, elections, public policy
- Culture & Entertainment: Events, artists, things to do
- Sports: From high school championships to weekend soccer
- Public Safety: Police updates, weather alerts, health info
- Community News: Feel-good stories, small biz features, local milestones
Add more over time—but don’t overwhelm your audience right out of the gate.
3. Use Subcategories When Needed
Got a lot of content in one section? Break it down with subcategories.
For example:
- Under Politics: Elections, Education Policy, City Council
- Under Culture: Music, Theater, Food & Drink
- Under Sports: Youth Leagues, High School, Local Heroes
This makes it easier for readers to dive deeper into what interests them—without feeling lost.
4. Pin Essential Pages to Your Menu
Substack lets you create a top menu. Use it wisely!
Here’s what to include:
- Home
- About: Who you are, your mission, why this site matters
- Contact: Email, tips, story suggestions
- Archives: Easy access to past posts
- Subscribe: Big and bold, please
Bonus: If you’re running a special series or covering a major local event (e.g. local elections or a festival), pin that too!
5. Highlight Breaking or Featured Stories
Use the "featured post" option to pin urgent updates or top stories.
Ideas:
- Election results
- School closures
- Community emergencies
- Exclusive interviews
- In-depth investigative reports
A featured section shows your site is active, relevant, and essential to your local audience.
6. Make the Archive Your Secret Weapon
Substack automatically creates a post archive by date.But here’s how to boost it:
- Add tags to every post (e.g. politics, sports, event)
- Mention the date or season in post titles (e.g. “Summer 2025 Events”)
- Include links to related articles at the end of each post
This increases time-on-site, and more time = more trust = more subscribers.
7. Balance Long and Short Posts
You don’t always need to write 1,000-word pieces. Mix it up!
- Quick Updates: Alerts, briefs, bulletins
- Long-Reads: Investigations, interviews, opinion columns
- Visual Posts: Photo galleries, charts, infographics
- Reader Polls: Ask for feedback, spark engagement
Substack supports all of it—and your audience will appreciate the variety.
8. Use Images, But Use Them Right
Good images = more engagement.But don’t overdo it!
Best practices:
- Always use high-quality visuals
- Add captions and credits
- Use infographics for stats and election coverage
- Limit to 1–3 images per post for clean readability
Tools like Canva, Unsplash, and Pexels can help you find or create great images—even if you’re not a designer.
9. Keep Structure Consistent
As your site grows, things can get messy. That’s why you need structure standards:
- Same formatting for titles, subtitles, image placement
- Always include a CTA (“Read More,” “Subscribe,” “Share”)
- Periodically review categories—drop what’s not working, expand what is
- Keep “About” and “Contact” pages updated
Consistency builds trust. It’s what turns random readers into subscribers.
Ready to Build a Stronger, Smarter News Site?
If this helped you get clearer on how to structure your Substack like a true local news hub, imagine what you’ll get from the full playbook.
I’ve created a full e-book that walks you through everything—setup, structure, monetization, content planning, and growth.
Grab your copy of:👉 Local Journalism on Substack: How to Create a Low-Cost, Monetizable News Site and Newsletter Network
Whether you’re just starting out or ready to level up, this book will save you months of trial and error.
Let’s build a local news site your community can count on!