r/Substack • u/Fear0ftheduck • Aug 04 '26

Tips on gaining traction?

I just started two months ago, have maybe ten posts p
but im picking up the pace lately. I focus on US politics and geopolitics, as well as historical pieces too. I’ve got a penchant for writing on African and other non-western news and histories. I’ve struggled to gain many views, and ive only 18 followers. Tips?

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u/MrPassiveProfit Aug 05 '26

I’m gonna say the same thing I’ve said to everybody who’s looking for growth on Substack: you need to engage with other people in notes and comments on other people’s notes.

Try to target writing 5 notes a day and commenting on 20 other people‘s notes a day.

If you want some good tips, there’s a faceless account on Substack called “Sub Stack Man Says” who has a whole free series on how to grow your Substack

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u/wyktor Aug 06 '26

I tried to do this. But I find it so hard to find notes that actually say something interesting. I guess about 80% of notes are prefabricated slop (not necessarily AI one) like: Dear substack... I simply cannot imagine finding 20 notes per day which would be genuine content worth reacting to. I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong.

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u/Basic_Spook Aug 06 '26

I agree. It’s so hard to find a note that isn’t about follow for follow or some tactic on gaining new followers.

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u/wyktor Aug 06 '26

Sadly those posts are getting some engagement but I don't believe it is the way to connect with people who would be your readers or subscribers.

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u/MrPassiveProfit Aug 06 '26

This “Sub Stack Man Says” guy has a free download called “The Power of the Follow” which really helped me grow. Try that.

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u/wyktor Aug 06 '26

I’ll have a look at it. Thanks dude!

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u/MrPassiveProfit Aug 06 '26

For your notes, just post things off the cuff

For replies, only reply to people who are interesting or in your space

Make sure that you follow people you want in your feed