My Brutally Honest Review of Substack After 6 Months
The real pros and cons after growing 7,000+ subscribers in just 6 months
Quick Update to My Substack Community: I’ve decided to postpone opening up my paid subscription for a few more weeks. I realized I was feeling the pressure to “go paid” and wasn’t staying true to my core message. I talk a bit more about this later in this post.
However, I’m still holding my upcoming Substack “Growth Secrets” Workshop. I’ll just open it up like normal for my audience, not just paid subscribers. This Workshop will deep dive into the strategy I’ve been using to grow from Zero to 7000+ subscribers in a little over 6 months.
The workshop will be on-demand to access on Tues April 15th, but you’ll be able to sign-up starting tomorrow (Tues April 8th) and save your spot.
I won’t be holding anything back in this Workshop! I’ll share exactly what I’ve been doing to grow, including how you can wake up to “new subscriber” notifications each & every morning.
My Honest 6-Month Review of Substack
I have a confession to make.
I've spent the last few years building a 100K+ audience on LinkedIn. I've written hundreds of posts, grown a following, and built a business primarily through that platform.
But Substack? That was a whole different beast.
Six months ago, I decided to diversify beyond LinkedIn and launched my Substack newsletter. I had the advantage of an existing audience, sure, but I had no idea if those followers would actually make the jump to a completely different platform.
The results surprised me in ways I never expected.
Within six months, I've grown to over 7,000+ subscribers. Honestly, most of those didn’t come from LinkedIn.
My posts are getting genuine engagement—not just courtesy likes or algorithm-driven visibility. I'm building real relationships with readers and fellow writers in a way that feels fundamentally different from my LinkedIn experience.
Most surprising of all? I'm having fun again. The joy of creating content has returned after years of feeling like I was constantly chasing algorithm changes and fighting for visibility.
Was it all sunshine and rainbows? Absolutely not.
There were weeks of doubt. Posts that completely flopped. Moments when I questioned if I was approaching this platform all wrong. And plenty of times when I nearly gave up trying to figure out Substack's ecosystem.
That's why I wanted to write this brutally honest review of my Substack experience. Not to sell you on some magical growth hack. Not to present a highlight reel of successes. But to give you the unfiltered truth about what it's really like to build on this platform—even when you already have an audience elsewhere.
Because the reality is, most people who start newsletters fail. They publish a few posts, get discouraged by the lack of immediate traction, and quietly abandon their Substack. I've seen it happen dozens of times—even to people with substantial audiences on other platforms.
The newsletter graveyard is filled with brilliant writers who had important things to say but couldn't navigate the unique challenges of building an audience in this space.
I nearly became one of them, despite my LinkedIn advantage.
What saved me wasn't just leveraging my existing audience (though that helped). It was understanding the fundamental truths about this platform that nobody seems to talk about.
So, whether you're just starting your Substack journey or you're wondering why your existing publication isn't gaining traction, I hope my experience—both the good and the bad—can save you some time and heartache.
Let's dive into what I've learned after six months, thousands of subscribers, and more mistakes than I can count.
The Creator's Dilemma
Let me paint a picture that might feel familiar.
You're scrolling through your phone, watching other creators crush it online. Their Instagram reels getting thousands of views. Their Twitter threads going viral. Their YouTube channels monetizing.
Meanwhile, you're stuck in a job that drains your soul a little more each day. The endless Zoom calls. The politics. The feeling that you're building someone else's dream instead of your own.
You know you have something valuable to share. Expertise you've built. Lessons you've learned the hard way. Stories that could help others avoid the mistakes you've made.
But where do you even start?
Instagram's algorithm seems to change every other week. Twitter feels like shouting into a hurricane. TikTok requires you to dance (or at least that's what it feels like). YouTube demands expensive equipment and editing skills.
I spent years on this hamster wheel with LinkedIn.
Yes, I built a substantial following there. But it wasn't without constant frustration. The algorithm shifts. The engagement games. The feeling that I was always one update away from becoming invisible.
The worst part? None of it felt completely authentic.
Even on LinkedIn, where I found considerable success, I was constantly aware of what the algorithm favored. I wasn't always creating content I deeply cared about. I was creating content the algorithms rewarded. Dancing for the digital overlords, hoping they'd throw me a bone.
This is the creator's dilemma in 2025 – we all know we should be building on platforms we own, creating content that truly matters. Yet we keep getting sucked back into the social media treadmill because it promises quick dopamine hits and the illusion of growth.
I tried it all:
Creating "valuable" carousel posts on Instagram (crickets)
Threading on Twitter (you guessed it, crickets)
Making long-form YouTube videos that took days to create and edit (the loudest crickets of all)
Each time, I'd follow the "expert" advice. Use the right hashtags. Post at the optimal times. Create the type of content the platform supposedly favored.
And each time, I'd get the same result: a handful of courtesy engagements followed by the sound of my content disappearing into the algorithmic abyss.
Meanwhile, my inbox overflowed with courses promising to help me "crack the code" of each platform.
The truth? These platforms are designed to keep you dependent. To make you feel like you're always one tactic away from breaking through. To keep you creating free content that keeps users on their sites so they can sell ads.
That's why I decided to try something different with Substack. To focus on building something I actually owned. To create content on my terms, not an algorithm's.
And while it hasn't been perfect (more on that later), it's been the first platform where I've been able to build a substantial audience without compromising my sanity or self-respect.
But before I dive into what's working, let's talk about why most people who try Substack fail to gain any real traction.
THE PROS: What I Love About Substack After 6 Months
After six months of building on this platform, I've discovered some genuine advantages that make Substack stand out from the crowded creator landscape. Here are the aspects I've come to appreciate most:
Pro #1: Quality-Focused Community
Substack is full of smart, talented writers. You can't fake content here or put out half-baked posts. People will see through it right away.
This might sound intimidating, but it's actually refreshing. After years on platforms that reward shallow, algorithm-friendly content, I've found that Substack demands—and rewards—depth.
I need to really put quality content out there and invest my time into writing well. The posts that perform best on Substack are thoughtful, nuanced, and genuinely valuable—not just engineered to grab attention.
The result? A readership that's engaged in a completely different way. My readers here don't just scroll and like; they read, think, and respond with substance. The comments sections on my posts often contain insights as valuable as the original content.
Pro #2: Growth Tools That Actually Work
Substack has a surprising array of tools designed specifically to help writers grow their audience—tools that feel refreshingly genuine compared to the pay-to-play approach of most social platforms.
The Recommendations feature has been a game-changer for me. I've gained over 1,000+ new subscribers through Recommendations alone. When you recommend other newsletters to your readers, those writers often reciprocate, creating a natural growth ecosystem.
Cross-promotion is another powerful tool I've leveraged extensively. By partnering with other writers whose audiences overlap with mine but aren't direct competitors, I've been able to tap into established readerships and grow my subscriber base.
What I appreciate most is that these growth mechanisms feel honest. They're not about gaming an algorithm or paying for visibility—they're about genuine connection and value exchange.
Pro #3: Substack Notes is a Growth Engine
Substack Notes has become one of my favorite places to hang out online. It's a refreshing alternative to Twitter/X or LinkedIn.
Unlike those platforms, Notes doesn't feel like a status competition or engagement theater. It's a space where writers actually connect, share ideas, and build relationships.
I've been testing out what types of Notes perform best for the last 6 months. The data is clear: thoughtful, unique perspectives consistently outperform generic "value" content.
Some of my best-performing Notes have been simple observations about the creator economy, honest reflections on my journey, or quick frameworks that help fellow writers.
The key is consistency. I post 2-3 Notes daily, experiment with different formats, and engage genuinely with others' content. This approach has brought in hundreds of new subscribers who might never have found my newsletter otherwise.
Pro #4: The Power of Community and Collaboration
Building a Substack community is a game-changer for growth. Being a writer can be a lonely experience; however, writing together is better.
I've found that most people on Substack are open to community and being a supportive place, supporting each others' writing and growth.
My weekly Notes Boosts in Chat have become a cornerstone of my community-building strategy. Writers share their recent content, offer feedback, and support each other's work. These sessions not only drive engagement but create genuine connections that extend beyond the platform.
What's fascinating is how this community approach creates a positive feedback loop. The more you support others, the more they support you. It's not a zero-sum game where one writer's success comes at another's expense.
The collaborative nature of Substack stands in stark contrast to the competitive atmosphere on many other platforms. Here, rising tides really do lift all boats.
These four advantages have made Substack a uniquely rewarding platform for me. But it's not all perfect. Let's talk about the challenges and limitations I've encountered along the way.
THE CONS: The Hard Truths About Substack Nobody Talks About
While I've found considerable success on Substack, it hasn't been without challenges. Here are the honest drawbacks I've encountered that most people don't talk about:
Con #1: The Paid Subscription Pressure
There's a lot of pressure to "go paid." Honest moment: I was about to turn on my paid subscriptions, but it just didn't feel right. After thinking on this for a bit, I realized I was only doing this because I see everyone else doing it. If you've been reading my content for long, you know I prefer creating digital products to monetize over paid subscriptions.
There's nothing wrong with turning on paid subscriptions. After all, that's the entire purpose of Substack: to help writers monetize their newsletters. But I don't think you should do it just because you see everyone else doing it. If it feels right….then do it. If you're just doing it because you feel pressured, maybe think again.
The constant showcase of writers announcing their paid tiers can create a subtle but persistent expectation that this is the only "right" way to build on this platform. I've found this pressure can push writers into monetization models that don't align with their strengths or audience needs.
Con #2: Discovery Limitations
Substack could have some more features to help you get noticed within their platform. Yes, there is the Recommendations Feature and Substack Notes (which are both good), but wouldn't it be nice if there was more of a feed (like Medium has) to discover new writers and content?
The current discovery system heavily favors established newsletters, creating a challenging environment for newcomers without existing audiences. I was fortunate to bring some of my LinkedIn following in the beginning, but I've watched many talented writers struggle to gain initial traction despite producing excellent content.
Finding your tribe here takes deliberate effort and strategy—it rarely happens organically through the platform's discovery features alone.
Con #3: Email Functionality Gaps
Lastly, I wish Substack had more features with email. I understand they're not trying to be an email service provider, and that's ok. But it would be nice if we could set up more of a welcome sequence or other features to use email. We need to leverage both Substack and another email provider (like I use Flo Desk) to get full experience with Substack and email.
This creates unnecessary complexity for serious newsletter operators. The inability to segment subscribers, create automated sequences, or perform basic email marketing functions within Substack forces many writers to maintain parallel systems—adding cost, complexity, and potential subscriber confusion.
Con #4: The Publication Startup Curve
What nobody tells you about Substack is just how steep the initial growth curve can be. Even with my LinkedIn audience to jumpstart things, I found the first 500 subscribers to be brutally difficult to acquire.
The platform doesn't offer much help during this critical phase. Your posts barely register in recommendations. Your Notes struggle for visibility. You're essentially building in a vacuum until you reach a certain threshold of subscribers and engagement.
This "cold start" problem is why so many potentially great newsletters fail before they gain traction. Without an existing audience or a deliberate growth strategy, the silence can be deafening during those first few months.
Con #5: Monetization Pressure vs. Reality
Substack's marketing heavily features success stories of writers making thousands monthly from paid subscriptions. These outliers create unrealistic expectations about how quickly and easily most writers can monetize.
The reality? Monetization takes time, and the conversion rates from free to paid subscribers are typically much lower than the highlight reels suggest. I've seen writers abandon promising newsletters because their initial paid conversion rates didn't match these inflated expectations.
What worked for me was diversifying my revenue streams from day one rather than relying solely on the subscription model. But this requires thinking beyond Substack's built-in monetization tools.
These challenges aren't reasons to avoid Substack—far from it. But understanding them upfront allows you to build a more realistic strategy that works with the platform's limitations rather than against them.
The question becomes: Given these advantages and challenges, what's the most effective path forward? That's exactly what I'll address next.
There’s Hope: Our Path Forward
After six months of testing, tweaking, and occasionally failing spectacularly, I've developed a system that consistently delivers results. Things look good & bright folks. We’re going to be ok here.
Let me share what I've learned about building a thriving newsletter on Substack.
Focus on What Actually Works
The path to Substack success isn't about following generic advice. It's about understanding the unique dynamics of this platform and leveraging them to your advantage.
Here's what I've found consistently works:
1. Consistency Trumps Virality
Rather than chasing the perfect viral post, I've found that showing up consistently builds momentum over time. My approach is simple:
1-2 weekly newsletter posts (in-depth, thoughtful content)
2-3 Substack Notes daily (quick insights, conversation starters)
Weekly community touchpoints in Chat (Notes Boosts, Q&A sessions)
This rhythm creates multiple opportunities for discovery while maintaining a sustainable workload.
2. Build Your Ecosystem, Not Just Your Newsletter
The most successful Substacks aren't just publications—they're ecosystems. Mine includes:
Free newsletter (primary content)
Digital products (templates, frameworks, masterclasses)
Community engagement (Chat, Notes, cross-promotions)
Strategic partnerships (with complementary newsletters)
This diversified approach creates multiple paths for growth and monetization, reducing dependence on any single strategy.
3. Lead With Story, Not Just Information
The newsletters that truly resonate don't just deliver information—they tell compelling stories. Every post I publish now follows this structure:
Personal story or observation that hooks readers
Broader trend or insight that creates context
Specific strategies or frameworks readers can apply
Clear next steps that guide reader action
This narrative approach consistently outperforms purely informational content, even when the core insights are identical.
4. Community First, Growth Second
The counterintuitive truth I've discovered is that focusing on building community accelerates growth more effectively than pursuing growth directly.
When I shifted from asking "How can I get more subscribers?" to "How can I better serve my existing readers?" everything changed. Engagement increased. Word-of-mouth grew. And paradoxically, my subscriber growth accelerated.
The specific tactics that drive this community-first approach include:
Responding personally to every comment
Hosting weekly engagement opportunities in Chat
Featuring subscriber stories and insights
Creating spaces for readers to connect with each other
This shift from broadcast to community has been the single most powerful adjustment in my Substack strategy.
What I'm Doing Next
Now that I've established momentum, here's my focus for the next phase of growth:
Deepening reader relationships through more interactive content and community touchpoints
Creating higher-value digital products that solve specific, urgent problems for my audience
Building strategic partnerships with complementary newsletters to expand my reach
Testing new content formats that leverage Substack's evolving features
But most importantly, I'm staying true to what initially drew me to this platform: the opportunity to build genuine connections through valuable content, free from algorithm games and engagement theater.
The Real Secret to Substack Success
After all my testing and analysis, I've found that the real secret isn't about hacks or shortcuts. It's about something much more fundamental: creating genuine value for a specific audience.
The newsletters that thrive here focus relentlessly on solving real problems for their readers. They don't chase trends or mimic what's working for others. They develop a clear point of view and deliver consistent value through that lens.
That's exactly what I've tried to do with Escape the Cubicle—help people break free from traditional employment by building their own audiences and digital businesses.
This focused approach has allowed me to grow from zero to 7,000+ subscribers and build a business that generates $5K+ monthly—all while maintaining the freedom and flexibility I craved when escaping my own cubicle.
If you’re growing on Substack, what are your Pros & Cons? Let’s discuss in the comments 👇
📌 Want to Accelerate Your Own Substack Journey?
If you're serious about building your own newsletter and want to shortcut months of trial and error, I've documented my entire system in the Six-Figure Substack Growth Masterclass.
This isn't just theory—it's the exact blueprint I've used to grow from zero to 7,000+ subscribers in six months.
In the masterclass, I break down:
The content strategy that consistently drives new subscribers
The monetization system that generates $5K+ monthly
The growth techniques that work specifically on Substack
The tools and templates I use to create high-performing content
If you’re ready to grow on Substack, you can click & join below:
But whether you join the masterclass or not, remember this: your Substack success depends far more on your consistency and commitment than on any particular tactic or strategy.
The writers who thrive on Substack aren't necessarily the most talented or the most connected. They're the ones who show up reliably, create genuine value, and build real relationships with their readers.
That path is available to anyone willing to put in the work.
Thank you very much, Wes! I've only been on Substack for less than 20 days and found your article interesting and helpful. With all the pressure to arise, go forth, and conquer within social platforms, I appreciate how you are paying attention to building community, offering helpful advice, and providing encouragement no matter where a person is on their Substack journey. I wish you the very best on your life's journey, and thank you for taking the time, effort, and care to write and share this information. 💖
Love this and can so relate. Great post 👍