How I Boosted My Substack by 7,000% in Under 3 Years Stress-Free

Substack, a dynamic newsletter and social platform, has emerged as a popular choice for online creators. It offers an ideal space for building an audience, generating income, and connecting with communities. With over five million paid subscribers, it’s an attractive platform for both individuals and brands. My personal journey on Substack, focusing on how I grew my readership by 7,000% without burning out, highlights these opportunities.

My name is Alex Lewis, and since joining Substack in December 2022, my newsletter, Feels Like Home, has flourished. With over 3,500 subscribers and 20,000 monthly reads, it’s a space where I explore topics like music and culture. Here’s how I achieved this growth and maintained my passion.

Passion-Driven Content Creation

Writing about topics I genuinely enjoy has been instrumental in keeping my Substack engaging and authentic. Whether it’s discussing NBA basketball or healthy masculinity, my content resonates with both familiar and new audiences alike. As creator Ana Calin advises, authenticity attracts engagement.

Embrace Your Existing Audience

Utilizing email to reach my established audience maximizes visibility. Initially, I relied on social media like Instagram and LinkedIn, but direct emails have driven significantly more traffic. Seth Werkheiser highlights the importance of direct audience connection, which Substack enables, reducing reliance on unpredictable social media algorithms.

Focus on Quality over Quantity

Content quality outweighs sheer volume. I’ve learned that consistent, thoughtful posts foster reader loyalty more than frequent publishing. Substack creator Sarah Fay emphasizes the importance of engagement over posting frequency, allowing me to balance quality content with my full-time commitments.

Learn from the Best

Drawing inspiration from fellow writers like Hunter Harris has been invaluable. Austin Kleon’s concept of “stealing like an artist” helped shape my publication’s unique voice while leveraging established structures. This approach fosters creativity while maintaining originality.

Explore with Playfulness

Experimentation has been key to my Substack experience. From interviews with musicians to collaborative series, embracing flexibility has kept my content fresh and engaging. Robert Monson’s advice to allow creativity without perfection resonates deeply, ensuring my content remains vibrant and relatable.

Leverage Substack’s Features

The platform’s tools, such as Notes and Recommendations, significantly boost reach. They contributed to most of my subscriber growth by facilitating engagement and connections. Substack offers a complete ecosystem to nurture creativity and audience interaction.

Consistent Outreach Beyond Substack

Sharing content outside of Substack, like on Twitter, rapidly increased visibility and engagement. Andy Adams notes the synergy between Instagram and Substack, highlighting the power of cross-platform promotion to reach wider audiences.

Persistence Pays Off

While overnight success is rare, staying committed has yielded substantial growth in my Substack journey. Mika’s perspective on focusing on the writing journey rather than just numbers resonated throughout my experience. This passion-driven approach ensures continued engagement and inspiration.

Crafting a Substack that balances growth and sustainability without burnout requires passion, strategy, and persistence. Ready to learn more? Click Here For More Marketing tips and strategies.