The 5 Simple Actions That Brought Me 1,355 New Subscribers in Just 30 Days
Breaking down exactly how I transformed my Substack growth and what's coming next
Just 6 months ago, I was stuck.
My Substack was growing at a snail's pace. I'd post content, watch it disappear into the void, and wonder what I was doing wrong.
Sound familiar?
I remember spending hours crafting what I thought were perfect newsletters, only to see minimal engagement and even fewer new subscribers.
It was frustrating, confusing, and honestly made me question if this whole Substack thing was even worth it.
Fast forward to last month: 1,355 new subscribers in a single month.
And the best part? I didn't kill myself doing it.
No endless content creation marathons. No expensive promotion campaigns. No sacrificing my sanity for growth.
So, what changed? Let me break down the exact actions that transformed my Substack from stagnant to thriving.
The 5 Actions That Transformed My Substack
Last month was a good month for growth. I saw a few big boosts, which is always fun to see. However, I want to remind us that going "viral" isn't a sustainable approach. I'd rather see slow, steady daily growth than short bursts.
I’d rather see 5 new subscribers every single day than random bursts of 100+ subscribers and Zero the next day.
So, while I did see a few of those short bursts last month, it's not the norm…nor should it be our objective.
1. I Started Using Substack Tags More Strategically
My first mistake was treating tags as an afterthought—something I'd quickly add before hitting publish.
Big mistake.
Tags are your discoverability engine on Substack. They're how readers find your content when browsing topics they care about.
I started researching which tags my Substack posts should be using and which they shouldn’t. Then, I strategically try different tag combinations to see the results. I began limiting myself to 3-4 highly relevant tags per post rather than using random ones hoping something would stick.
The shift was dramatic. Posts that previously reached dozens now reached hundreds. One of my post’s using the right combination of tags still brings in new subscribers daily.
Remember: It's not about using the most popular tags—it's about using the right tags for your specific content and audience.
2. I Committed to Consistency (2-3 Quality Posts Weekly)
Consistency isn't sexy, but it works.
My current rhythm:
2-3 substantial newsletter posts weekly
Quality over quantity—never publishing just to hit a number
Each post designed with sharability as a primary metric
But here's the thing—I didn't just focus on quantity. Each post had to be "click and share worthy." I asked myself before publishing: "Would someone feel compelled to send this to a friend?"
If the answer was no, I didn't publish it.
When I first started posting consistently with this quality filter, nothing happened immediately. But little by little, I noticed:
My average post views steadily increased
More readers began sharing my work without prompting
Subscriber count started climbing daily instead of weekly
Think of it like compound interest for your content. Each high-quality, consistent post builds on the foundation of the previous ones. The more consistently you show up, the more consistently your audience grows.
3. I Applied the 80/20 Rule Ruthlessly
This was perhaps the biggest game-changer.
I analyzed everything I was doing to grow my Substack and realized I was spending 80% of my time on activities that generated only 20% of my results.
So, I flipped the script.
I cut out things that were "good" but not great:
Creating graphics for every single post (minimal impact on shares)
Writing longer posts just for the sake of length
Promoting on platforms with low conversion rates
And I doubled down on what truly moved the needle:
Crafting magnetic titles (I now spend 20 minutes just on titles)
Focusing on genuinely helpful, actionable content
Engaging deeply with commenters (more on this next)
The result? I slashed my work hours while doubling my results. That's the magic of the 80/20 principle when applied correctly.
I also follow my “Energy” 80/20 rule. If I notice something is draining my energy day after day, I cut it. I’d rather do the tasks that I enjoy and cut the ones (or delegate) that don’t.
4. I Created Meaningful Community Engagement
This was a revelation.
I stopped thinking about subscribers as numbers and started treating them as community members.
How? By:
Hosting weekly Notes Boosts in my Chat
Ending posts with thought-provoking questions that sparked discussion
Creating dedicated threads where readers could connect with each other
Highlighting community members and their wins in my posts
I get some pushback on this approach at times. "You're spending too much time in comments," people tell me. But they're missing the bigger picture.
Community compounds in interesting ways. When readers feel genuinely connected, they become advocates who naturally share your work with others.
I've watched people who found my Substack just two months ago become my most vocal promoters—simply because they felt seen and included.
I also write specific types of Substack Notes that encourages people to introduce themselves, connect with others, and get their work seen.
5. I Became Committed to Substack Notes
Notes aren't just a feature—they're a growth machine when used correctly.
I committed to publishing Notes consistently, but with a strategic approach. Instead of random thoughts, I focused on three specific types of Notes (which I'll reveal in my workshop, more on that below).
The results have been fun:
One Note brought in 75+ subscribers in 48 hours
A series of Notes over a weekend resulted in 200+ new subs
My Notes engagement rate has been very consistent
How? I stopped writing random Notes. I focus on 3 specific types of Notes that almost always get good engagement.
Notes allow you to reach beyond your current audience in ways your regular posts can't. They're like little ambassadors for your Substack that can go viral with the right approach.
So, What's Next? Growth Experiments for April
While last month's growth was great, I'm not stopping there. I'm not silly enough to believe every month will be this good. (Maybe it'll be better, maybe it'll be less…).
However, I think it's important to keep trying new things, cutting what doesn't work, and doubling down on what does. Here's what I'm experimenting with next:
Medium Expansion
I'm planning to repurpose some of my best-performing Substack content on Medium, with clear calls-to-action back to my newsletter. Several writers in my niche have used this as an effective discovery channel.
(PS: If you have Medium tips, I'd love to hear them in the comments.)
LinkedIn Revamp
I'm completely shifting my LinkedIn approach. While my viral videos have performed well, I'm going to experiment with more personal branding posts and authentic storytelling. I’ll still use the viral videos, but adding a new type of posts, too.
The goal is to build a deeper connection with my LinkedIn audience rather than just capturing attention. I suspect this might bring fewer but higher-quality subscribers who are truly aligned with my message.
Referral Program Launch
I'm finally implementing Substack's referral program! This will incentivize current subscribers to share my newsletter by offering tiered rewards.
This is Substack’s program to incentivize sharing someone’s Substack. I’ll offer some helpful stuff to anyone who shares my Substack with their audience.
I've seen several newsletters explode using this strategy, and I'm excited to see how it performs for Escape the Cubicle.
Weekly “Live” Sessions
Don't hold me to this quite yet, but I plan on launching weekly live sessions every Friday for "Subscriber Office Hours." These casual 30-minute sessions will give subscribers direct access to ask questions and connect with me in real-time.
I believe these will deepen engagement with existing subscribers, plus the replay clips could serve as powerful growth content on other platforms.
What's Coming Next for Escape the Cubicle
Beyond my growth experiments, there are some exciting developments launching this month.
Introducing: My Paid Subscription (“Substack Growth Squad”)
I'm thrilled to announce that tomorrow I'm opening the doors to my paid subscription: Substack Growth Squad.
Inside this community, you'll get:
Monthly workshops on growing and monetizing your newsletter
Direct feedback on your content and growth strategies
Access to a private community of serious Substack writers
New Weekly Notes Template (every Monday) & other helpful templates
The first workshop will be "Substack Growth Secrets: How to grow your newsletter 24/7 (even while you sleep)" where I'll reveal the exact systems I use to attract subscribers continuously.
Space will be limited to ensure I can provide personal attention to every member, so keep an eye on your inbox tomorrow for all the details.
If you'd like first access to this community, comment "growth squad" below and I'll be sure you're on the list.
📌 Want Helping Growing with Substack Notes Now? Join the “Notes Growth Workshop”
If you're tired of posting Notes that disappear into the void...
If you're ready to build genuine connections with other Substackers...
If you want to tap into one of the most powerful growth tools on Substack...
If you can't wait until next week for the new workshop and want to master Substack Notes right away, I've got you covered.
I've reopened my “10+ Subscribers a Day: Notes Growth Workshop” where I reveal the 3 main types of Notes that consistently bring in subscribers and exactly how to craft them for maximum impact.
In this Workshop, I share exactly how I’ve been growing by 10-30+ subscribers everyday by writing strategic Substack Notes.
This workshop has helped hundreds of writers unlock the true potential of Notes, and it could do the same for you. If you’re ready to start growing on Notes (my biggest growth driver…), join the Workshop below:
A Personal Note
On a completely different note—last month's Substack growth helped me finally pay off the last of my student loans!
There's something profoundly satisfying about building a newsletter that not only helps others but also creates the freedom to achieve personal financial goals. Three months ago, this seemed impossible, but persistence pays off in unexpected ways.
Here's to your Substack success in 2025, whatever that looks like for you.
If you found this post helpful, I'd love if you'd share it with one person who's growing their Substack. And if you have questions about any of these strategies, drop them in the comments below—I read and respond to everyone.
My immediate goals are to start getting real engagement in my chat, and reaching 100 subscribers.
Congratulations on paying off the last of your student loans! That must feel amazing. Thank you for sharing all that you do. Please include me in more information for the growth squad.