How I Grew by 800+ Substack Subscribers in 60 Days (& How You Can, Too)

Substack is a ground-floor opportunity & a wild ride; let's buckle up and go!

Nov 21, 2024

*Upcoming* Six-Figure Substack Growth Masterclass 🚀

Ready to grow on Substack in 2025? I’m opening up the doors to my upcoming Masterclass where I’ll share a step-by-step blueprint for growing & monetizing your Substack. You’ll leave with an actionable plan to grow 10X on Substack in the next 60 days.

Space is limited, so click the button below if you’d like to grab a seat 👇

Six-Figure Substack Growth Masterclass

Substack has been a wild ride the last few months.

Honestly, I wasn’t expected much. Many of you know that my main platform is LinkedIn, which I love. (You either love LinkedIn, or you hated it. I get it.)

I toyed around with the idea of starting a YouTube channel to branch out. I even bought a tripod and some cool, fancy new video gadgets.

…then I realized something pretty important. I hate making videos. 😄

One day a friend of mine said, “Wes, if you wanted to do YouTube, you’d be doing it by now. Why not just stick with what you’re good at?” What I’m good at is writing.

I decided to revive my Substack and stick with my strengths. And, I’m so glad I did. After growing by 800+ new subscribers the last 60 days, I’ve been floored by the growth here.

And no, I didn't spend a dime on ads or use any sketchy tactics.

In fact, I’m going to show you the practice way of building your Substack. It doesn’t take hours and hours a day (I promise).

Why do I talk so much about Substack growth?

I’ve been called a “Subhacker.” It took it as a compliment, but I don’t think it was meant that way.

Here’s the thing…most people would love to make a part-time or full-time income from their writing and content. But the reality is many never make a penny.

There are so many talented writers & content creators who end up quitting because they can’t justify the effort (without income). You hear the advice “just write and people will come” and I want to cringe.

If you can take just 1-2 of my “growth tips” below and build a sustainable writing/content operation, why would I not be a “Subhacker?” I want to see you grow and want to see you make money.

Want to know the best part?

These aren't just random subscribers over the last 60 days. They're engaged readers who actually open my emails and engage with my content. Today, I'm pulling back the curtain to show you exactly how I did it.

The Growth Game Has Changed

Let's be real - growing on Substack in 2024 is different than it was even a year ago. The platform has evolved and so have the strategies that actually work.

When I first started, I made the mistake many do: trying to write perfect, long-form articles and hoping they'd magically find an audience. Spoiler alert: they didn't.

But then I discovered what really moves the needle. Let me break it down for you.

My 5-Part Growth Framework (That Actually Works)

1. The Notes Strategy: Your Daily Growth Engine

Remember when Instagram first introduced Stories? Everyone thought they were just a Snapchat ripoff. Now? They're essential. That's exactly what's happening with Substack Notes.

Here's my approach:

Post 1-2 Notes every day
Vary them between short and long
Focus on starting conversations, not monologues
Mix personal insights with industry observations

It’s really that simple. Notes right now is a ground-floor opportunity. If you show up and write/engage on Notes, it will pay you back a very nice ROI.

Pro tip: Your Notes don't need to be groundbreaking. Share what you're learning, thinking about, or questioning. Authenticity beats perfection.

Engaging with others on Notes is just as important as writing the Note itself. After you post you Note, take 5-10 minutes to go engage with other Notes with a “like” and thoughtful comment. This engagement will go a long way to building your Substack community.

2. The LinkedIn Leverage Play

LinkedIn has been my secret weapon. But here's the thing - I'm not just randomly posting content. I'm strategic about it.

I don’t mention Substack in my LinkedIn posts. I share posts that are viral and proven to get engagement (and grow followers). Once followers are in my ecosystem, some will join my regular email list, and some will subscribe to my LinkedIn newsletters. It’s via email and the LinkedIn newsletter that I link back to Substack.

My formula:

Write 2-3 short LinkedIn newsletters weekly
Always link back to my “hero posts” on Substack
Focus on storytelling, not just information
Engage with comments within the first hour of posting

Add a CTA at the bottom of each LinkedIn newsletter linking back to my hero posts on Substack. Write something like “want more help now? Check out one of my most popular posts on Substack to read more now.” This logically ties your LinkedIn audience to your Substack.

What are “hero posts?” They’re your long, very informative and best performing Substack posts.

These are the types of posts you “pin” to the top of your Substack, so everyone will see them. Link back to one of these posts in your LinkedIn newsletters because you know people will love them & subscribe.

3. The Collaboration Compound Effect

This is the strategy nobody talks about, but it's been pure gold. I actively reach out to other Substackers in my niche.

The process:

Find writers with similar audience sizes
Engage with their content genuinely first
Propose specific collaboration ideas
Support each other through Substack's recommendation system
Share wins and learnings openly

Substack has been a very collaborative community, which I love. Most people are open to connecting and collaborating with you. Building this “tribe” is a great way to grow your community.

Reality check: Not everyone will respond, and that's okay. Focus on quality connections over quantity.

Substack offers a “recommendation” feature where someone’s new subscribers will be recommended to subscriber to your Substack, too. Nearly 300 of my recent subscribers in the last 60 days have come from recommendations alone.

4. The 80/20 Consistency Rule

Here's what most growth advice gets wrong: they tell you to be 100% consistent. That's not realistic (or necessary).

My approach:

Stick to my posting schedule 80% of the time
Take intentional breaks (take off for a day)
Batch create content when I'm feeling inspired
Use templates to speed up creation
Focus on progress, not perfection

It’s similar to starting and sticking to a diet. You’ll never stick to that diet 100% of the time, and that’s ok. Trying to be 100% consistent will lead to burnout. Focus on being consistent 80% of the time, and you’ll see major results.

Personal note: I missed a total of three days of posting last month. Guess what? My growth didn't tank. Consistency matters, but perfection doesn't.

5. Strategic Platform Synergy

Think of your content like seeds - you want to plant them in fertile ground. I selectively share my Substack content across other platforms:

My process:

Share occasional updates with my email list
Post in relevant Facebook Groups when it adds value
Cross-post top-performing content to Medium
Never spam or over-promote
Track which channels drive engaged subscribers

Key insight: Focus on platforms where you already have an audience or natural alignment.

The Results Speak Themselves

In the last 60 days:

800+ new subscribers
38 to 42% average email open rate
8 to 12% click-through rate

…and many subscribers become students in my paid masterclasses. My last masterclass had 50+ new students from Substack and my upcoming Substack Growth masterclass is already on track to sell out.

Your Action Plan for the Next 60 Days

1. Week 1-2:

Set up your Notes strategy
Create your content calendar
Identify 10 potential collaborators

2. Week 3-4:

Start your LinkedIn newsletter
Reach out to 3 potential collaborators
Establish your posting rhythm

3. Week 5-6:

Analyze what's working
Double down on successful formats
Start cross-platform sharing

4. Week 7-8:

Scale what works
Cut what doesn't
Optimize your workflow

The Truth About Substack Growth

Here's what I've learned: Growing on Substack isn't about hacks or shortcuts. It's about showing up consistently, providing value, and building genuine connections.

The strategies I've shared work because they focus on sustainable growth. No tricks, no gimmicks - just proven methods that build real audience engagement.

Take the Next Step: Substack Growth Masterclass

Want to keep growing? I’m opening up my next Six-Figure Substack Growth Masterclass which will be available to access (on demand) on Tuesday Nov 26^th.

This Masterclass will be breaking down my step-by-step action plan for boosting your Substack growth AND learning how to monetize beyond only paid subscriptions.

If you’re ready to make 2025 the Year of Substack Growth, I’d love for you to check out the masterclass. Just click the button below and see if it’s a good fit: