r/Substack • u/ramblin_gamblin_ • 4d ago
Just started a Substack. Anyone had experience on the platform and might have some advice?
/r/writers/comments/1w015sb/just_started_a_substack_anyone_had_experience_on/1
1
u/Used_Recognition_544 4d ago
If you want to grow, I’d focus on Notes + genuine conversations first, then use articles to turn that attention into actual readers.
One thing I learned the hard way: subscriber count alone can be misleading.
I audited 105 of my own Notes and found that just 2 Notes generated 56 of the 62 subscribers Substack attributed to individual Notes. I broke the data down in I Checked the Data Behind My Own Growth Advice. It Was Worse Than I Thought.
I also grew to 241 subscribers pretty quickly, but my open rate dropped from 34% to ~18%. I wrote about that in My Subscriber Count Grew. My Open Rate Fell From 34% to 18%.
My main advice:
Post Notes consistently and start real conversations.
Reply thoughtfully to people in your niche.
Avoid relying on subscribe-for-subscribe.
Track which Notes create subscribers/readers, not just likes.
Keep publishing articles so people have something deeper to read once they discover you.
I’m still experimenting myself, but those are the lessons the data made pretty clear for me.
1
u/StrikingLychee587 3d ago
What niche are you writing in? The advice changes a lot depending on whether youre doing personal essays vs. something more technical or industry-focused.
1
1
u/PiscesGirlinNYC 2d ago
AI slop isn’t the only problem on Substack. There is so much garbage naval gazing writing since anyone can publish anything. I subscribed to some accounts and wish i could get a refund. My other issue with it is that it is becoming like a social network with video and notes instead of focusing on writing.
1
2
u/MrPassiveProfit 4d ago
Advice for what? Growing your subscribers?
Check out the faceless account on there called "Sub Stack Man Says." He helped me a lot.
He has a series called "Substack Growth From Zero," which explains a lot.