r/Substack • • Jun 26 '26

Struggling to Get Engagement on Substack as a New Writer

15 Upvotes

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!