GenStack Coterie Members-Only Private Community Channel.

I'm excited to introduce a new communication channel that will foster open discussions about growing your audience, boosting your online presence, and creating sustainable content across various platforms—be it blogs, newsletters, podcasts, or videos. This private Substack is designed specifically for you as a member and is viewable only to you and other members. This post is divided into 4 short parts with a guide below if you prefer to skip through or jump around while you read. They are:

Part 1: The GenStack Coterie Story

Part 2: What does GenStack Coterie mean for you?

Part 3: Membership

Part 1: The GenStack Coterie Story

Among the First

A group of courageous genealogists joined me in launching GenStack Coterie to strengthen our online presence. Our shared North Star guided this collaborative effort.

Origin

GenStack began as a way to highlight great genealogy posts for my subscribers. I believed—and still do—that your content matters and should be seen.

Growth

As GenStack expanded, I transformed it into a hub for genealogy and family history content, adding events and Sixteens. This evolution led me to explore how GenStack could best support genealogy authors and creators.

Evolution

While self-promotion is challenging, promoting others in genealogy became something I felt called to do. Our collective success means:

• More people discover genealogy.
• Great writing is shared.
• Family history is preserved—the reason I started this journey.

This inspired the creation of GenStack Coterie—a resilient, supportive membership that helps you stay committed even in tough times.

If you haven't joined Mission Genealogy, it's a fantastic space for discussing Substack, best practices, and genealogy techniques.

GenStack Coterie and Mission Genealogy complement each other. Mission Genealogy focuses on Substack and genealogy discussions, while GenStack Coterie is a private space for content creators to collaborate on audience engagement and growth strategies.

My Personal Why

Genealogy matters, and it’s frustrating when great content goes unseen. Making family history accessible isn’t just about preservation—it’s about connecting creators with engaged readers, listeners, and viewers. Meaningful dialogue builds a strong genealogy community, and I want to help foster those connections.

My North Star and Purpose

Preserving family history guides everything I do. I aim to support genealogy content creators by growing visibility, engagement, and community. Every GenStack post, note, restack, Library or Ancestor Digest addition, or social media update is designed to expand your reach and build our Family Historian community online.

Part 2: What does GenStack Coterie Membership mean for you?

Your Why, North Star, and Core Purpose

GenStack Coterie isn’t just about my vision—it’s about yours. Together, we’ll shape a collective mission that supports and elevates genealogy and family history creators.

Membership Focus: Direct Support – Strategies – Community

Direct Support

The GenStack Package

As a member, you'll receive hands-on support to grow your visibility and engagement:

• First 60 days: I’ll actively promote your posts, sharing them widely to boost exposure.
• Ongoing connections: Through restacks, comments, and recommendations, you’ll join a network of like-minded creators supporting each other’s growth.

1. GenStack Library

Your content—blog, newsletter, podcast, or video—will be featured in the GenStack Library, a curated collection of ad-free, high-quality genealogy and family history publications.

Why does this matter? Just as people browse a bookstore or library for great reads, being part of a trusted, content-rich space increases your visibility. The Library also creates backlinks to your work, helping improve search rankings and discoverability.

3. Strategic Visibility and Online Presence

Your work will be featured Above the Fold in GenStack Weekly, with direct links for greater exposure. You’ll also be eligible for a GenStack Featured spotlight—highlighting one member’s post in a podcast and newsletter each week.

In your first 60 days, I will:

• Restack and comment on your Substack content.
• Share your work in Notes on Substack.

Strategies

I share strategies for growing your audience and building sustainable systems. These insights will focus on practical ways to develop your reach and maintain consistency. Members with relevant expertise are also welcome to share strategies that align with the Coterie’s mission.

Community

Success in content creation thrives on collaboration, not competition. As a GenStack Coterie member, you’ll be part of a supportive group where your growth benefits everyone—and vice versa.

• Engagement matters: Restacks, comments, likes, and social shares help us all gain visibility.
• Real connections: Through chats and Zoom meetups, you’ll meet fellow creators, exchange ideas, and find opportunities to collaborate.

Membership Categories

• Immersive Support: - first 60 Days
• Continued Support: For as long as you’re a member

Guidelines for GenStack Weekly Roundup

The following is considered when including a GenStack Coterie Member’s content: