47 Hidden Growth Tactics Behind Successful Substacks
The real reason some newsletters grow 10x faster isn't what you think (and it's not about better writing)
"How many subscribers do you have?"
I used to hate this question.
Because while everyone else was sharing their explosive growth metrics and celebration screenshots, I was stuck at ~100 subscribers. For six straight months.
You know what's worse than slow growth? Watching newsletters that launched months after yours zoom past your numbers within weeks. Each notification of a new subscriber quickly followed by an unsubscribe. A digital treadmill of disappointment.
And sure, I was doing everything "right":
Posting consistently every week
Writing detailed, value-packed posts
Building in public
Engaging on LinkedIn
Following every "growth hack" I could find
Yet somehow, my best content was getting lost in the void of 1.2 million other Substacks.
Then something interesting happened.
After one particularly frustrating day of checking my stats (again), I decided to try something different. Instead of looking for more tactics and "growth hacks," I started studying what was actually working.
Not the surface-level stuff everyone talks about. I went deeper:
Analyzed hundreds of viral Substack posts
Studied the hidden patterns of fast-growing newsletters
Tested unconventional growth strategies
Tracked what drives real subscriber growth in 2025
The result?
I went from 100 to 4,500 subscribers in 6 months. But more importantly, I discovered something interesting:
There's a clear pattern behind newsletters that seem to "effortlessly" grow. A pattern that has nothing to do with writing quality, consistency, or even audience size.
Today, I'm sharing every strategy that actually moved the needle. No fluff. No theory. Just proven tactics you can implement today.
Let's start with the approach that tripled my subscriber growth in the first 30 days (it's not what you think)...
1. The "Last Paragraph Promise"
I accidentally discovered this when I forgot to end a post properly. Instead of a typical call-to-action, I wrote: "Next week, I'm sharing why everything we believe about newsletter growth might be wrong. Including the massive mistake I've been making for 6 months."
My open rate for the next issue? 74% compared to my usual 34%.
Now I end every post with a specific preview of what's coming next. Not just "stay tuned" – but an actual snippet that makes readers think "I need to see that."
2. Write Titles That Make People Stop
Here's the simple framework I use:
Instead of: "How to Grow Your Newsletter"
Write: "The Weird Thing About Newsletter Growth"
Instead of: "Tips for More Subscribers"
Write: "Why Unsubscribes Might Be Good Actually"
See the difference? The second version makes you stop and think "wait, what?"
3. The Comment Section Hack
This one's dead simple. At the end of your post, write: "Here's my take: [your opinion on the topic]. But I might be wrong. What's your experience been?"
That's it. I went from 2-3 comments per post to 15-20 using this exact line.
4. Turn Your Analytics into Content
This is my favorite because it's so easy. Once a month, I share a screenshot of my Substack stats – both the wins and the losses. I add three bullet points:
What worked
What failed
What I'm trying next
These behind-the-scenes posts consistently get shared more than my advice posts. People love seeing real numbers.
5. The "Write This Not That" Method
Stop writing posts with generic titles like:
"5 Ways to Write Better"
"How to Get More Subscribers"
"Tips for Newsletter Growth"
Instead, use this format: "I Tried [Common Advice] for 30 Days. Here's What Actually Worked."
Example: "I Tried Every Newsletter Growth Hack for 30 Days. Here's What Actually Worked."
6. Make Your Post Shareable
Here's what I do now: In every post, I include one line that's specifically designed to be shared. I put it in its own paragraph. I even highlight it in yellow.
Like this:
The biggest newsletter growth mistake isn't poor writing or inconsistency – it's following advice from people who got big in 2021.
Feel free to steal that format. It works because it makes people look smart when they share it.
7. Start With a Story (Not Advice)
Instead of opening with tips, start with a specific moment. Here's my template:
"Last [timeframe], I was [relatable situation]. You know, that moment when [common pain point]."
Example: "Last Tuesday, I stared at my open rates and almost quit my newsletter. You know, that moment when you wonder if anyone actually cares about what you're writing?"
These openings get 3x more reads than advice-first posts.
8. Smart Platform Strategies That Actually Work
The "Go Where Your Readers Are" Method Look, everyone says "be on Twitter." But here's what actually works in 2025:
LinkedIn:
Post 2-3 key insights from your latest newsletter
Add "Full breakdown in my newsletter [link]"
Respond to every comment within 2 hours Real result: LinkedIn now brings me 40-50 subscribers per post
Reddit:
Find 3-4 subreddits where your audience hangs out
Share genuine insights (no self-promotion)
Only link your newsletter when someone asks I got 200+ subscribers last month just from thoughtful Reddit comments
9. Cross-Promotion That Doesn't Feel Sleazy
Stop asking for random guest post swaps. Instead, try my "Value First" approach:
Find 3 newsletters slightly bigger than yours
Subscribe and genuinely engage for 2-3 weeks
Send them this exact email:
"Hey [name], Loved your piece about [specific topic]. Actually shared it with my readers last week because [specific reason].
Would you be open to a 15-minute chat about potentially doing a recommendation swap? My newsletter has [X] subscribers, and I think our audiences would complement each other well.
No pressure at all if not!"
Success rate: 6 out of 10 usually say yes.
10. The Substack Features Nobody Uses Right
Notes Strategy: Don't just post random thoughts. Instead:
Share one key insight from your latest post
Add "Full breakdown in latest issue [link]"
Do this 3 times per week, different times Result: 30-40 new subscribers weekly from Notes alone
Recommendations: Here's what works better than random recommendations:
Pick 3 newsletters you genuinely read
Write a specific, detailed reason why you love each
Message the writers telling them you recommended them
They usually return the favor without asking.
Going Live on Substack:
Partner with another writer in your niche
Pick a controversial topic you disagree on
Promote it as a friendly debate My last live session brought in 300 new subscribers
11. The Podcast Growth Loop
Instead of pitching yourself as a guest, do this:
Find podcasts where your target readers listen
Send them this message:
"Hey [name], Been a listener since [specific episode]. Actually implemented your advice about [topic] and [specific result].
I'd love to share my experience on your show and break down how your advice helped me [achieve specific outcome].
I write a newsletter about [topic] with [X] subscribers, and I'd be happy to promote the episode to my audience."
Success rate: About 30% respond positively.
12. The Referral Program That Works
Don't just activate Substack's referral program. Do this:
Create special content just for referrers
Add a leaderboard to each post
Shout out top referrers in your posts
My referral program brings in 50-70 new subscribers monthly using this approach.
13. The "Newsletter Stack" That Actually Converts
Most people's newsletter structure is killing their growth. Here's what I do instead:
Free Newsletter:
One weekly deep dive
One "Behind the Numbers" post monthly
One "Reader Success Story" monthly Result: 67% of free subscribers stick around longer than 3 months
Paid Newsletter ($7/month):
Weekly "What's Working Now" breakdown
Monthly group calls
Access to my swipe file
It’s a good idea to keep most of your content free. Then, offer special additional resources and community for anyone who wants to become a paid sub.
14. Community Building That Scales
Stop trying to be everywhere. Instead, focus on these three things:
The Comment Section Strategy
Every time someone comments:
Reply within 2 hours
Ask them a follow-up question
Tag them in relevant future posts Result: Commenters are 3x more likely to become paid subscribers
Live Office Hours Once a month
Try hosting a “live” in the Substack app:
Review one subscriber's newsletter
Answer growth questions
Share what's working right now Average attendance: 40-50 people (these subscribers rarely churn)
The "Celebration Thread" Every Friday
Create a thread asking: "What's your biggest newsletter win this week?"
People love sharing their wins. More importantly, it creates a supportive community that markets itself.
15. The "Memory Hook" Method
Here's something I accidentally discovered while studying viral posts. Newsletters that stick in people's minds do this one thing differently:
They create memorable concepts with unique names.
Instead of saying "comment on other newsletters," I started calling it "The Breadcrumb Strategy" - leaving valuable insights across Substack that lead back to your newsletter.
My engagement tripled.
16. The Live Teardown Method
Here's an idea I’ve seen other writers do that leads to big growth. Try going live on Substack and review one subscriber's newsletter in real-time. Break down their:
Welcome page
Latest posts
Email sequences
Growth opportunities
Not only does this provide massive value, but each featured subscriber becomes a loyal advocate, sharing every post I publish.
This could work for any niche. Just choose a topic that’s relevant to your audience.
17. Trending Topics
Think about what’s trending or in the news right now and write something about this. For example, recently everyone’s been talking about the recent Tik Tok ban.
Write a post around how this applies to your niche? This works for Notes, too. Please love to jump in and engage around a topic that’s top of mind for everyone.
The timely relevance combined with niche-specific insights drives massive sharing.
18. The "Borrowed Credibility" Technique
Instead of just interviewing successful newsletter writers (yawn), I ask them to share their biggest mistake. Then I write a post breaking down what went wrong and how to avoid it.
These posts spread like wildfire because they combine name recognition with genuine vulnerability.
19. Content Remixes That Work
Take your best-performing post from the last six months. Now rewrite it from the completely opposite perspective. I took my popular post "How to Grow Fast" and wrote "Why Growing Too Fast Almost Killed My Newsletter."
If you need help, use Chat GPT or Claude and ask them to rewrite this post with a fresh perspective. Just use this for brainstorming purposes and edit it to make it your own.
You might be surprised that the new rewritten post could outperform the original one.
20. The Documentation Strategy
Start documenting something unique about your newsletter journey. Or whatever it most relevant to your niche.
For example, if you’re a finance writer, you could record every dollar you spend for a month and write a breakdown. Share the good, the bad, and what you could do to improve and cut out expenses. Offer a challenge for your readers on how they can track their own spending and start a new budget.
21. The Clarity Framework
Think about how you end your posts. Start ending every post with three specific questions:
What will you implement first?
What's stopping you?
What help do you need?
The responses have become a goldmine for understanding what my readers actually need, not what I think they need.
22. Ask for Restacks & Shares
You might be surprised that just adding a CTA asking your audience to share your posts will greatly boost restacks. It seems obvious that if readers like it, they’re share it.
But, sometimes we just need to be reminded and asked. If you let people know that shares help you build your audience, most people will want to help.
23. The Alternative Platform Focus
Everyone's fighting for attention on Twitter and LinkedIn. Meanwhile, I found a goldmine on Reddit. In specific subreddits like r/Entrepreneur and r/digitalnomad, I share detailed breakdowns of my newsletter journey.
What are new and upcoming platforms? Think about platforms where you can have a bigger slice of the pie.
Choose you platform and focus on growing there, driving traffic to your Substack.
24. Get Some Publicity
Getting mentions in the media might be easier than you think. There used to be a site called “Help a Reporter Out” where you’ve answer reporters’ questions and potentially be featured in their article.
That site did shut down, but there’s other alternatives with the same concept, like Collectively.us. Do a bit of research to find where you could add your two cents and possibly get a mention and drive free traffic to your Substack.
25. Instagram Carousels
Everyone overlooks Instagram, but here's what's working: Turn your main post insights into simple carousel slides. Use lots of white space, one key point per slide, and always end with your newsletter link. My last carousel brought in 124 new subscribers in two days.
26. The YouTube Short-Form Secret
You don't need to be a video creator. Take your best newsletter insights and record a simple 60-second video sharing one key point. Add captions, speak naturally, and point people to your newsletter for the full breakdown. I'm getting 30-40 subscribers per video with minimal effort.
Pro tip: New AI apps are perfect for this. You can use AI generated clips and create a new video to upload in a matter of minutes.
27. The Alternative LinkedIn Approach
Forget posting your entire article. Instead, share the story of why you wrote it. Example: "I spent 3 months studying why some newsletters grow faster than others. Here's what surprised me most..." Then link to your newsletter. Personal stories perform better than direct content shares.
28. Leveraging LinkedIn Newsletters
Almost nobody does this. And I mean nobody. Personally, I write a few LinkedIn newsletters per week with little teasers of my Substack. I don’t just copy and paste my Substack content over to LinkedIn.
I’ll write a short LinkedIn newsletter that’s around my niche’s general theme and topic. For example, it might be “Why Every Creator Needs to Start a Newsletter in 2025.” Then, I’ll link in that LinkedIn newsletter to my Substack.
I’ll then ask Claude or Chat GPT to rewrite this for me in a fresh new way. The next time, I’ll write this same type of LinkedIn newsletter but with a fresh take. It works.
29. The "Podcast Comment" Strategy
Find podcasts in your niche and leave thoughtful comments on their YouTube videos or Spotify episodes. Share how you implemented their advice and link to your related newsletter issue. This brings highly engaged subscribers because they're already interested in your topic.
30. The "Expert Quote" Technique
Reach out to 5-10 experts in your field with one specific question. Turn their answers into a post. They'll usually share it with their audience because you've featured them. One round of this brought me 300+ new subscribers.
31. Community Participation
Join 2-3 active communities (Facebook Groups, Discord servers, Slack channels) related to your topic. Spend 15 minutes daily answering questions. Don't promote - just be helpful. Add your newsletter link to your profile. I get steady subscriber growth just from being genuinely helpful.
I’m in several of these Facebook groups. Very often, posts will come up where it organically makes sense for me to give a tip or my input. I’ll usually mention that “I talk more about this over on my Substack.” Many people will start asking you to give a link to your Substack and that’s a new subscriber.
32. The "Shared Resources" Approach
Partner with another newsletter to create a valuable resource together - like a template, spreadsheet, or guide. Both promote it to your audiences. The shared effort brings better results than solo promotion.
33. The "Complementary Topics" Strategy
Find newsletters that serve your audience but don't compete directly. Example: If you write about personal finance, partner with productivity newsletters. Their readers likely want financial advice too.
34. Mini-Mastermind Groups
Create a small group of 4-5 newsletter writers in different niches. Meet monthly to share what's working. Each person promotes one group member's newsletter every month. The regular cross-promotion creates steady growth for everyone.
35. The Medium Strategy No One's Talking About
Most writers make the same mistake on Medium: They just republish their newsletter posts. That's leaving money on the table. Here's what to do instead…
First, the foundation: Medium readers are different from newsletter subscribers. They want immediate value, not ongoing relationships. So you need to adjust your approach.
Here's the exact system:
Take your latest newsletter post and flip the format. Instead of "How to Grow Your Newsletter," write "Why Your Newsletter Isn't Growing." Medium loves slightly controversial takes.
Add this crucial line at the end of your first paragraph: "This is a condensed version of my latest newsletter issue. If you want the full breakdown with examples, templates, and step-by-step instructions, you can find it here [link]."
The Psychology Behind This: Medium readers want to know what they're missing. By telling them upfront that this is just a preview, you create natural curiosity.
36. The Pinterest Strategy
Here's something nobody's doing: Creating "insight pins" from your newsletter content.
I’ve seen others turning key insights into simple, visually appealing pins with step-by-step tips. They're bringing in a completely different audience - and these subscribers are highly engaged.
37. Audio Snippets That Convert
Forget long-form podcasting. Record 2-minute audio versions of your best insights and share them on X and LinkedIn.
Just talking casually about your biggest newsletter takeaways. These voice notes feel personal and drive surprising subscriber growth.
38. The Local Business Connection
Try reaching out to 10 local coffee shops and offering to feature them in my newsletter in exchange for putting my QR code on their community board. You could get steady local subscriber growth - and these subscribers often become my most engaged community members.
Don’t overlook the power of your own community.
39. Quora Deep Dives
Find the most-asked questions in your niche on Quora. Write detailed, helpful answers. Include one relevant link to a newsletter issue that dives deeper. My last Quora answer brought in 85 subscribers who actually read my content.
You can even use ChatGPT to help you draft answers to these questions more quickly and just edit them for your own voice and style.
40. The Conference Bio Hack
Speaking at events? Running workshops? Here's what works better than asking people to subscribe: Create a special welcome page just for event attendees. Share behind-the-scenes content from your talk. Watch your subscriber rate grow.
41. The "Borrowed Audience" Approach
Instead of starting a podcast, become a great podcast guest. But here's the twist: Create a special welcome page for each podcast appearance with resources mentioned in the episode. Conversion rates are 3x higher than generic landing pages.
I follow Liz Wilcox, creator of the Email Marketing Membership, and this has been her #1 strategy for email list growth for years.
42. Guest Posts & Cross-Promoting
Reach out to another Substack writer in a similar or supporting niche. Ask if they’d like to go guest post swaps. You’ll post on their Substack and they’ll post on yours. Add a subscribe button to the guest writer’s Substack.
Another feature that Substack offers is “cross-promoting.” You can simply cross-promote another writer’s best post, and all of your subscribers will get it. They can do it for you, too. This is an easier alternative to writing a new guest post.
43. The Screenshot Method
When readers share wins from implementing your advice, ask if you can share their screenshots. Create a "Wall of Wins" page. Social proof that actually drives subscriptions.
This is social proof and boosts your credibility.
44. The Tutorial Flip
Instead of writing how-to guides, create "behind-the-scenes" breakdowns. Show exactly how you write your newsletter, how you promote it, how you handle admin tasks. These practical glimpses perform surprisingly well.
Or write a BTS edition for whatever your niche is. Add pictures or video. Show your workspace. People love to see what’s going on behind the curtain.
45. Email Signature Network
Create an email signature that actually converts. Not just "Subscribe to my newsletter" but "Read my latest piece on [intriguing topic]." Add this to your personal email, work email, and ask your biggest supporters to do the same.
This is a great way to let friends, family, and colleagues know about your newsletters.
46. Cross-Industry Learning Sessions
Partner with newsletter writers in completely different industries. Share growth tactics that work in your niche, learn from theirs. These unexpected collaborations often lead to creative growth strategies and new subscriber sources.
47. Partner with Newsletter Bundle Groups
Remember those newsletter bundles gaining popularity? Reach out to bundle curators and pitch your newsletter for inclusion. Even a one-month feature can bring hundreds of targeted subscribers.
Focus on bundles in adjacent niches where your content adds unique value.
48. Create a "Best Of" Compilation
Reach out to top writers in your space. Ask permission to feature their best post of the year in a mega-compilation. Most will share it with their audience, bringing new subscribers who appreciate curated quality.
The Path Forward
Look, growing a newsletter in 2025 isn't about following the same tired advice everyone else is sharing. It's not about posting more frequently, writing longer posts, or spending hours on X or LinkedIn.
It's about being strategic. Understanding what actually drives subscriber growth. And most importantly - implementing systems that work while you sleep.
I've shared 47 proven strategies with you today. Some might seem counterintuitive. Others might challenge what you believe about newsletter growth. That's good. Because what worked in 2020 isn't working now.
The question is: What will you implement first?
If you're serious about growing your newsletter, you have two options:
1. Take these strategies and start implementing them one by one. Test what works for your audience. Adjust as needed. It's a solid approach that will get you results over time.
2. Join my Six-Figure Substack Growth Masterclass where I'll show you my complete system to grow consistently. This is the class I wish I had a year ago, so I could avoid all the mistakes and share all the growth strategies I learned along the way.
Substack can be tough to grow on your own. That's exactly why I created the Substack Growth Masterclass. It's a comprehensive system that shows you:
The exact "Narrative Bridge" template I use for viral posts
How to create "share tension" in any topic
The distribution system that amplifies every post
My complete swipe file of high-converting headlines
Whether you join the masterclass or not, remember this: The path to Substack growth isn't about copying what worked for someone else. It's about understanding the underlying patterns that drive content sharing, then adapting them to your unique voice and audience.
📌 Need help to get started? The Six-Figure Substack Growth Masterclass
If you need help TODAY, I get it. I have a solution for you: I’ve reopened doors to my Six-Figure Substack Growth Masterclass for the next few days only.
In the masterclass, I break down the exact strategy and roadmap I’ve used to grow from Zero to 3,300+ subscribers in less than 6 months. I also explain the monetization strategy I mentioned in this post that’s bringing in $3K to $5K+ per month (with daily sales).
If you’d like to get access to the masterclass before it’s taken down, just click the button below, and I’ll see you on the other side:
Man, Wes, this is another gem! I will definitely save this post to refer back to and cross-post it to my subscribers. I think this would be very beneficial to them.
Wow! You share SO MUCH VALUE! Thanks for your in depth insights.