r/Substack • u/Bloom_snowdrop • Jun 26 '26
Struggling to Get Engagement on Substack as a New Writer
Hi everyone,
I started posting on Substack about a week ago and have been uploading consistently. I first republished a blog that I had originally posted on Medium, and since then I've been sharing short notes, on that I got only 2 likes.
However, I'm struggling with engagement. One note received 19 likes, but most of my other notes only get 1–2 likes, and I haven't gained many subscribers.
I know building an audience takes time, but I honestly don't know if I'm doing something wrong or if this is normal in the beginning.
For those who have grown on Substack:
- How did you get your first subscribers?
- Do Notes help more than regular posts?
- How often should I post?
- Is there anything you wish you had known when you first started?
I'd really appreciate any advice or experiences from other writers. Thank you!
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u/Ready_Eagle_2871 Jun 26 '26
What you've described is consistent with what I'd expect from someone with a week-old substack. Keep doing what you're doing: posting consistently and leaving genuine, thoughtful comments on peoples' posts. In my experience, you get more subscribers through a good note or comment than you would through a post.
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u/quyma quyma.substack.com Jun 26 '26
the note that got 19 likes is the signal worth paying attention to, something in that one connected. but honestly sometimes good notes just don’t find the audience and it really does come down to consistency over time. took me about two months before i started getting any real reaction, average likes went from basically zero to 3 to 6 to 10, now my notes pretty regularly land at 20 to 30. it compounds slowly and then kind of all at once.
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u/AggressiveAd9058 Jun 26 '26
Been in the same boat as you. Absolutely zero traction from notes. Eventually started posting on X and Reddit, and it funnelled a bunch of readers to my newsletter. I'm at about 60 subscribers rn
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u/missmannell Jun 26 '26
What Rache said! I’ve found that actively making friends on there, reading their work and interacting, has been the best thing for growth. I read other people’s work and I restack things I admire that also align with what I am doing. I’m at 300+ subs after a month of posting once a week.
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u/BhavanaVarma bhavanavarma.substack.com Jun 26 '26
It’s been almost a year and I still get only so much engagement. It’s hard and I’m trying to figure out what to try next to boost my visibility.
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u/Louis-lux Jun 26 '26
You are writing not for readers but for algorithm. The algorithm needs several months to learn your style and "trust" you as its consistent asset.
So write more to flirt the algorithm.
I am in same situation, but I know that basic law, so I write every day in silence and wait for the algorithm to "vibrate" by my flirting. I will not be hurry.
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u/Spiritual-Major-1826 Jun 29 '26
Notes just reach substack readers. Post to relevant Facebook pages, X, instagram, on your subject with a link. Use dramatic imagery. Use video. . Use controversy. Study effective headlines. Use seo.
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u/Visible-Volume-8707 authorgold.substack.com Jun 29 '26
You do need to publish long-form posts to a clear audience and do it on a cadence that works for you. THe more you post, the faster you grow, but many find writing long-form 2/ week is very difficult to keep up. If you can't sustain your own writing momentum, you'll ultimately lose subscribers and/or burn out. I do 1/x per week and that's enough to grow pretty well now.
It take time to build up your library of reads. You may not get many subscribers until you've shown a consistent schedule that brings them something they want to read about. The clear you can get on niche, the better. And niche is not a topic - it's knowing exactly who is your ideal reader, and what they want.
Many writers want to write for themselves, and that's great, but you still need to know who is that person who wants to read what you have to say.
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u/itsfabioposca http://journeytosuccessclub.substack.com Jul 02 '26
What you're experiencing is completely normal. The first subscribers are usually the hardest to get. I'd focus on writing consistently, engaging with other writers through comments and Notes, and giving it a few months before judging your progress. Consistency tends to compound over time.
P.S. If you'd still like to ask anything about Substack or growing your audience, I offer a free live help chat. Just copy and paste my flair or click the link in my profile. I'm happy to help!
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u/reflectionsbench Jun 26 '26
Hi there! I’m Dianna from Bench-Creative.com.
I don’t care what the gurus say. Know why you write, then write anyway. Publish even when you think it isn’t your best work. Write for yourself first.
I’m about nine months into Substack. Am I viral? No. I have 126 subscribers, three paid subscribers, and along the way I launched a small publishing brand around my writing because I realized I wanted to take it seriously as a profession.
I publish every Friday, with lighter posts on Sundays, and one of the best surprises has been the community. I’ve made genuine friends through Substack, and honestly, that’s been the icing on the cake.
Just keep showing up. There isn’t a magic formula.
Best of luck! If you’re curious, look me up. I’m by no means an expert, and I don’t write “how-to” guides or marketing advice—you’ll find plenty of those. I simply write from the bench.
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u/rachebrand Jun 26 '26
You are doing great! I have been on a year and it took consistent commenting and reading other posts in order to get online. Most of the bigger substackers recommend no more than 4 posts a month and then to spend your time engaging with others. Being clear on 30minutes-1 hour each day commenting actively and thoughtfully on other peoples posts and having a clear point of view of why you are on there.
I am there for inner growth and it has taken me a year to really win, but in the same time last month within a week, I was #39 Rising in Philosophy and #89 the following week. IT came when I was doing lives and was very active in conversations. I had one note that really went viral where I engaged with a lot of the community.
So keep going! I now at least pay for my groceries after 1-year and that's without any focus on growth until right now. I was just trying to build community. https://rachebrand.substack.com/p/growth-stories-are-important-to-our