The Two Big Shifts That Will Transform Your Newsletter in 2025

I remember exactly where I was when I nearly “quit” my newsletter.

Sitting at my laptop late one night last year, staring at my Substack stats, wondering if anyone was actually reading. After months of consistent writing, I had a small group of subscribers (mostly family and friends who felt obligated to sign up), and engagement was practically non-existent.

I was doing everything the "experts" said to do. Writing consistently. Sharing what I thought was valuable content. Promoting on social media. Yet something wasn't clicking.

That night in 2023, I closed my laptop and gave up on the whole thing.

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The Turning Point

But earlier this year in 2024, burnt out from endless client work and coaching calls, I decided to give my newsletter one last shot. Only this time, I made two fundamental shifts in my approach that changed everything.

These shifts transformed my newsletter from a ghost town into a thriving community with over 3,700 engaged subscribers, consistent 35-40% open rates, and daily product sales. The best part? It happened in less than 6 months.

Let me share what changed.

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Shift #1: Stop Writing, Start Solving

The first realization hit me during a coaching call. A client was asking me the same questions I'd written about in my newsletter. Yet despite having subscribed, they hadn't connected the dots between their problems and my solutions.

That's when it clicked: I wasn't really solving problems. I was just writing content.

I started asking myself one question before every post: "What specific problem am I solving here?"

My overall newsletter needed to solve one big problem: helping creators escape the time-for-money trap. Then each post needed to solve a smaller piece of that puzzle.

This shift was subtle but powerful. Instead of thinking, "What should I write about?" I started thinking, "What struggles are my readers facing today?"

The results were immediate. Open rates jumped. Comments increased. People started sharing posts with their friends.

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Shift #2: Build a Real Community

The second shift happened by accident.

One day, feeling particularly vulnerable, I ended a post with a simple question: "Has anyone else struggled with this? Share your experience in the comments."

I expected crickets. Instead, something magical happened.

People started sharing their stories. Raw, honest experiences about their own struggles. Others jumped in to offer support and suggestions. Conversations sprouted up in the comments.

I can’t tell you how good I felt in that moment. That was the first time I thought “maybe this newsletter might actually work…”

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This wasn't just engagement – it was connection.

So, I leaned into it:

• Started hosting monthly "Ask Me Anything" sessions

• Created a private Facebook group for subscribers

• Used Substack's Chat feature for daily conversations

• Made it a point to reply to every comment and DM

Suddenly, my newsletter wasn't just another Substack – it was a community. People weren't just reading; they were participating, connecting, supporting each other.

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The Real Impact

These shifts didn't just grow my numbers. They created something far more valuable: trust.

When I launched my first digital product, I didn't need aggressive marketing tactics. I had spent months genuinely helping people and building real relationships.

The response was overwhelming. Not just in sales, but in messages like this one I received last week:

"Your newsletter is the only one I actually look forward to reading. It feels like you're reading my mind and solving my exact problems. Plus, the community you've built here is incredible."

Or this from a masterclass student:

“Hey Wes. I just purchased your Substack Masterclass. I wanna say thank you for putting this together, sharing it, and making it accessible. This was the best, most concise explanation of how to scale and monetize a newsletter I’ve ever come across. Keep up the great work.”

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Looking Ahead to 2025

As we move into 2025, the newsletter space is getting crowded. But here's the truth: Most creators are still doing it wrong. They're focused on growth hacks and viral posts instead of solving real problems and building real connections.

This is why you have a big opportunity this year to grow. Instead of just writing another post, start digging deep into your audience’s problems. This is your time to get this thing right, and I believe you can do it.

I promise you by making this one simple shift, you’ll immediately stand out from the sea of Substacks. The creators who will thrive aren't just building subscriber lists – they're building problem-solving communities.

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Your Next Steps

If you're just starting out or struggling to gain traction with your newsletter, start with these two questions:

1. What's the ONE big problem your newsletter solves?

2. How can you turn your next post into a conversation?

The answers will guide everything else.

For those ready to fast-track this journey, I'm opening spots for my Six-Figure Substack Growth Masterclass (see below).

But whether you join the masterclass or not, remember this: Your expertise can change lives, but only if you build a community around it.

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📌 Need help to get started? The Six-Figure Substack Growth Masterclass

If you need help TODAY, I get it. I have a solution for you: I’ve reopened doors to my Six-Figure Substack Growth Masterclass for a few more days at a discount.

In the masterclass, I break down the exact strategy and roadmap I’ve used to grow from Zero to 3,700+ subscribers in less than 6 months. I also explain the monetization strategy I mentioned in this post that’s bringing in $3K to $5K+ per month (with daily sales).

If you’d like to get access to the masterclass before it’s taken down, just click the button below, and I’ll see you on the other side 👇

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Question: Which of these shifts stood out to you the most? Which one could you start implementing in your next post? Drop a comment and start the conversation 👇

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📌 PS - If you found this post helpful, would you please consider restacking it and sharing it with your audience?

This spreads the word and keeps me writing content that will help you grow your Substack and “escape the cubicle” life. 🙏