The 3 Types of Viral Substack Notes that Get Noticed
How I'm getting 10-30+ new subscribers daily with Notes (& how you can too)
"Another day, zero new subscribers.” Tell me if you’ve ever said these words to yourself? Especially in the early days of your newsletter?
Back when I relaunched my Substack, I had been writing consistently for months. Two posts per week, always high quality, always valuable. But my subscriber count was stuck at ~100 subscribers – mostly friends and family who subscribed out of pity.
The worst part? I was spending 3-4 hours crafting each "perfect" newsletter post that barely anyone was reading. All while watching other writers seemingly grow effortlessly.
Sound familiar?
Here's the thing: Most Substack writers are making the same mistake I was.
They're focusing all their energy on their newsletter posts while completely ignoring the most powerful growth lever Substack has given us: Notes.
Think about it: When was the last time you randomly discovered a great newsletter post from someone you don't follow? It rarely happens.
But Notes? They show up in your feed constantly. They're digestible. They're engaging. And most importantly – they're your secret weapon for consistent, daily growth.
After I cracked the code on Notes, everything changed:
From ~100 to 4,200+ subscribers in under 6 months
10-30 new subscribers joining daily
35-40% open rates on my newsletter
A thriving community of engaged writers
All without spending a dime on ads
Today, I'm going to break down the exact types of Notes that drove this growth. These aren't just theories – these are battle-tested templates that work in any niche.
The "Perfect Post" Trap
Before we dive in, let's address the biggest mistake I see Substack writers make: thinking they need to write perfect, long-form content every time they publish.
Here's why that's killing your growth:
Long posts take more longer to write
They're harder for new readers to discover
They don't encourage quick engagement
They don't build community naturally
You burn out trying to maintain quality
Your ideas stay stuck in drafts forever
Don’t get me wrong, you obviously need quality long-form posts. But they’re pointless to write if nobody finds them.
Notes solve all of these problems. They're quick to create, easy to discover, and built for engagement. But not all Notes are created equal.
The 3 Types of Substack Notes
After analyzing my highest-performing Notes (and those of other successful writers), I've identified three distinct types that consistently drive growth.
1. Introduction Notes: The Community Builders
Remember MySpace and how everyone would spend hours customizing their profile? There's something magical about introducing yourself online. Substack is no different.
Introduction Notes invite writers to join in the conversation and get their Substack out there. The best Intro Notes will encourage writers to share what they write about and then go follow & subscriber to others in the comments.
Here's an example of an Introduction Note that got me 50+ new subscribers in a single day:
Why this works:
Creates instant community
Gives everyone a chance to shine
Encourages natural cross-promotion
Works in ANY niche
Builds genuine connections
Creates a support network
Pro Tip: Be sure to get the conversation going and introduce yourself first in the comments. Be the first one to get things going.
2. Educational Notes: The Value Bombs
These are your "teach what you know" Notes. They're quick, actionable tips that provide immediate value. Or…they could be long Notes providing value. Try out both. Here's one that drove massive engagement:
Why this works:
Provides clear, actionable steps
Shows proof of results
Feels attainable yet impressive
Encourages hope and action
Builds credibility naturally
Creates "aha" moments
These types of Notes also help build your credibility. People want to learn from those who know what they’re talking about.
Pro Tip: Include one specific action step readers can take immediately. Everyone loves a “quick win.”
3. Inspirational Notes: The Momentum Builders
These are your emotional connection builders. They show vulnerability, share struggles, and inspire action. Here's one that resonated deeply:
Why this works:
Acknowledges common struggles
Creates emotional connection
Builds confidence
Encourages persistence
Shows you're human
Creates belonging
You want to appear relatable to your audience. Be authentic; share your struggles; be honest. Authenticity will help you connect.
Pro Tip: Inspirational Notes can also be graphics or quotes. Graphics stop the scroll and grab attention more quickly. Visuals can connect more easily with your audience.
The Power of Consistent Notes
Here's what happened when I committed to posting 2 Notes daily. I went from around ~100 subscribers to over 4,200+ in less than 6 months.
The growth compounds. But it's not just about quantity – it's about using the right type of Note at the right time.
Quick Win: Write Your First Viral Note (Right Now!)
Let's put this into action right now. I want you to write your first Introduction Note in the comments below using this proven template:
Simply fill in the bullet points with who you’re interested in connecting with on your Substack. These would be your ideal target audience.
Then, finish the Note with a phrase that starts with “If you’re passionate about… I’d love to connect!”
Try this Note out and watch what happens.
Want the Complete Notes System?
These Note templates are powerful, but they're just one piece of the puzzle. The real magic happens when you know:
Exactly when to post each type
How to combine them for maximum impact
Which metrics actually matter
How to turn Note readers into subscribers
The optimal posting frequency
The engagement triggers that work in any niche
…and have a tribe of other Substackers to engage with you and support.
Next week, I'm hosting my first-ever Six-Figure Substack Notes Challenge & Workshop where I'll break down my entire system for using Notes to grow your Substack to six figures.
If you're tired of writing into the void and ready to see real growth, join us by clicking the button below:
📌 Need Help with Growing on Substack Now?
If you need help NOW to grow your Substack, I get it. That’s why I’ve reopened my Six-Figure Substack Growth Masterclass for a few more days before it goes away.
Inside the class, I share the exact strategy I’ve used to grow my Substack from Zero to 4,300+ subscribers and a consistent $5k+ per month income in 6 months. You’ll also get access to our private community of 120+ students to act questions and support.
Personally, I’d recommend getting this Substack class now, so you’re ready for the Notes Challenge & Workshop next to grow.
If you’re ready to get serious about growing you Substack this year, click the button below and will see you on the other side:
P.S. Tomorrow I'm sharing my "20-Minutes Per Day Notes" strategy that consistently adds 10+ new subscribers daily. Stay tuned!
Thanks so much! I’m going to use this strategy right away!
Notes have grown my subscriber base as well. Go notes!