I Tested 3 Substack Notes Strategies Perfect for Introverts (and My Subscriber Count Exploded)
"Just make a TikTok," they said.
"You need to be on camera," they insisted.
"No one reads anymore," they warned.
For months, I believed them.
I bought the ring light. Set up the tripod. Practiced talking to my phone like it was a person. Downloaded all the video editing apps.
And I hated every second of it.
Each time I hit record, my mind went blank. Each time I watched the playback, I cringed. Each time I tried to be "high energy" for the algorithm, it drained my actual energy for days.
What if the internet wasn't built for people like us?
That question haunted me as I watched creator after creator build massive audiences through personality-driven content while I struggled to show my face on Instagram.
Then I discovered Substack Notes.
Not another failed social platform. Not another place where introverts don't belong.
But a genuine haven for those of us who think deeply, write carefully, and prefer our ideas to do the talking.
Within 30 days of implementing a strategic Notes approach designed specifically for introverts, I gained over 200 new subscribers. Just from Notes. Just from being myself.
No dancing required.
Why Substack Is an Introvert's Paradise
Substack has a not-so-secret advantage that most people completely overlook.
It's a writer's platform. Not a performer's platform.
This changes everything about how growth happens here. It's not about viral dances or controversial hot takes. It's about thoughtful ideas that make people stop and think.
When someone discovers you through Substack Notes, they're not discovering your personality – they're discovering your ideas. This creates a different kind of connection that doesn't require you to be "on" all the time.
Here's why introverts thrive here:
Written communication plays to introvert strengths.
We process internally before speaking.
We think carefully about our words.
We go deep rather than wide.
The platform rewards depth over noise. Notes that make people think consistently outperform shallow content designed just to grab attention.
There's no need to perform. Your words stand on their own without the need for perfect lighting, a charismatic personality, or clever editing.
One writer I know gained 500+ subscribers in three months without ever showing his face. Another built a 6-figure newsletter business while working from her quiet home office, rarely speaking publicly.
This isn't just possible – it's becoming the norm.
The 3 Notes Strategies That Grew My Subscriber Count
When I first discovered Substack Notes, I was skeptical. It looked like just another social feed in a world already full of noise.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
Notes isn't Twitter. It isn't TikTok. It's a completely different ecosystem with its own unique culture – one that actually rewards introverted tendencies.
I decided to run an experiment: test three specific Notes strategies designed for introverts and track the results.
The outcome blew me away. I gained 10-15 new subscribers daily using approaches that felt natural and energizing rather than draining.
Here are the three strategies that worked:
1. The Community Note
This is where introverts can shine as connectors without having to be the center of attention. These Notes create spaces for others to share and connect, positioning you as the host rather than the star.
Example:
Substack is at 5M paid newsletters, and we haven't even hit the tipping point yet.
If you've already started writing here, you're in the top 2% and ahead of the trend.
Introduce yourself below and drop a link to your Substack 👇🏼
I'd love to check it out and recommend some new writers.
Let's keep growing together.
These notes consistently brought in 5-8 new subscribers each. Why? Because they provided value to writers while simultaneously building goodwill with my peers. The writers I mentioned often reshared these Notes, expanding my reach without requiring self-promotion.
2. The Reflection Note
As an introvert, I've always processed experiences deeply and thoughtfully. I turned this into an advantage by sharing honest reflections that resonated with other writers on similar journeys.
Example:
I almost quit Substack. Because I felt like nobody was reading.
Then, I got a DM that said, "Your advice helped me get started. I read everything you write."
That message meant everything to me. Now, when I write I think about that one person.
I decided I'm not writing to go viral. I'm writing for impact.
These vulnerable Notes consistently outperformed my "advice" content because they created genuine connection. They showed that I understood the emotional journey of building a newsletter - the doubts, the discouragement, and the small victories that keep us going.
3. The Encouragement Note
Introverts often notice what others miss - the subtle patterns, the quiet persistence, the unseen efforts. I channeled this natural observation skill into Notes that recognized and celebrated the quiet contributors in our community.
Example:
There's a trend of tiny Substacks with mighty impact right now.
The Moms writing with kids at school.
Dad's editing posts on a lunch break.
Weekends setting up homepages.
Brainstorming post ideas after hours.
It's OK to use a day job to pay the bills while we build our dreams.
Watch out. These new writers with tiny Substacks are about to blow up.
These Notes validated the journey many writers were on, acknowledging their efforts when they might have felt invisible. The response was immediate and powerful - comments filled with people saying "this is exactly what I needed to hear today."
Results That Speak Volumes
The combined impact of these three simple strategies was remarkable:
Week 1: 26 new subscribers Week 2: 42 new subscribers
Week 3: 58 new subscribers Week 4: 65 new subscribers
Total after 30 days: 191 new subscribers
All from approaches that felt natural, sustainable, and aligned with my introverted tendencies.
No dancing on camera. No controversial hot takes. No exhausting networking. Just thoughtful ideas shared consistently in a way that felt authentic.
The Patience Game
Here's the truth most people won't tell you about growing on Substack as an introvert:
It might take a bit longer initially, but the foundation you build will be rock solid.
While extroverts might grab attention quickly with their personality, introverts often build more sustainable audience relationships based on the value of their ideas.
One writer I know spent six months posting daily Notes before seeing significant traction. Now she gains 20-30 new subscribers daily without changing her approach.
Another built to 500 subscribers within three months just by sharing thoughtful insights about his industry every single day.
The key in both cases? Patience and persistence.
Your growth flywheel as an introvert works like this:
Share valuable insights consistently → Attract like-minded thinkers → Generate meaningful conversations → Build genuine connections → Grow your audience organically → Reach more people with your ideas
Each step builds on the previous one, creating a self-reinforcing cycle that gets stronger over time.
But it only works if you give it time to develop.
The Daily Notes System That Changed Everything
The key to my success with Notes isn't just posting randomly whenever inspiration strikes. It's following a consistent, strategic routine that maximizes visibility and engagement.
Here's exactly what I do:
Every morning, I spend about 20-30 minutes creating three Notes - one for each of the day's prime engagement windows. I batch create them all at once while drinking my morning coffee, then schedule them to post throughout the day:
Morning Note: These are typically community-focused Notes that invite participation. They perform best when posted early when people are checking Substack before starting their day.
Afternoon Note: My midday Notes usually share quick insights or tips. This timing catches people during lunch breaks when they're briefly checking in.
Evening Note: Evening Notes tend to be more reflective or inspirational. They catch people when they're winding down and more likely to engage deeply.
I don't stress about creating perfect Notes. Each takes me less than 10 minutes to write. The key is consistency and strategic timing.
This routine has several massive benefits:
It ensures I'm consistently visible in the Notes ecosystem It catches different audience segments at different times It protects my creative energy for long-form newsletter writing It creates multiple daily opportunities for new reader discovery
What's most surprising is how little time this actually takes. In total, I spend about 30 minutes per day on Notes - and that 30 minutes drives more subscriber growth than all my other marketing efforts combined.
The Quiet Path Forward (for Introverts)
If you're an introvert on Substack, remember this:
You don't need to be loud to be heard. You don't need to perform to provide value. You don't need to be everywhere to build an audience.
You just need to share ideas worth sharing, consistently and thoughtfully.
That's the beauty of this platform. It rewards substance over style. Ideas over personality. Depth over noise.
So, while the rest of the world is chasing the latest social media trend, trying to be louder than the competition, you can build something sustainable and meaningful in your own quiet way.
Your introversion isn't a liability here. It's your superpower.
Use it wisely.
Ready to Grow Your Substack with Notes?
If you're ready to leverage your natural introvert strengths to grow your newsletter, I've created something special for you.
My “10+ Subscribers a Day” Notes Growth Workshop shows you exactly how to implement this system in your own newsletter - even if you're starting from zero subscribers.
The purpose of the workshop is exactly what it says: to help you start gaining 10+ subscribers a day by writing Notes.
(The Workshop is open until May 1st and then it will close down. When you join now, you get my new updated trainings included.)
Inside, you'll discover:
My complete system for gaining 10-30+ new subscribers daily through strategic Notes
Templates for all three high-performing Note types that work specifically for introverts
The simple tracking system that helps you optimize for your specific audience
Exactly how I built to 7500+ subscribers using these methods
You’ll also get my upcoming “How to Write Notes Faster with AI” training to speed up your writing process.
No dancing required. No personality needed. Just a proven system that works with your natural tendencies rather than against them. You can join 100’s of writers in the Workshop below:
Thanks for this very actionable as well as thoughtful post. One of the more resonant and helpful things this video-averse INFJ writer has come across recently.
As a new writer on Substack, I appreciate your advice, Wes. Your insights also seem relevant whether one is an introvert, an extrovert or an ambivert.