Why I Stopped Waiting to Feel 'Ready' to Start My Newsletter
How overcoming imposter syndrome and starting 'not ready' led to 3,400 subscribers and daily sales
"Who am I to start a newsletter?"
I stared at my blank Substack page, cursor blinking. That inner voice wouldn't stop:
"You don't have anything original to say."
"Nobody's going to read this."
"There are already successful people doing this."
"What if people think I'm just another wannabe creator?"
Sound familiar?
Even the most talented and successful Substack writers have faced imposter syndrome. It’s almost like a rite of passage.
The Breaking Point
Here's the thing about waiting to feel ready: you'll be waiting forever.
I know, because I spent months:
Reading other successful newsletters
Taking course after course
Planning the "perfect" content strategy
Consuming endless YouTube videos about newsletter growth
Making lists of "someday" topics
Waiting for that magical moment when I'd feel qualified or inspired
But that moment never came. Instead, I watched from the sidelines as others built thriving newsletters, thinking, "I'll start when I have more experience."
The truth? I was using "not feeling ready" as a shield to protect myself from potential failure.
The Permission Slip I Needed
One random Tuesday, while doom-scrolling through LinkedIn, I read something that changed everything. Someone asked Stephen King how to become a writer, and he said: "You don't need permission to write. You just write."
It hit me like a ton of bricks: I was waiting for permission that would never come.
The successful Substack writers I admired? They didn't start because they felt ready. They became ready because they started.
So, I did something terrifying: I started anyway.
Not with a bang. Not with a viral post. Just with one simple post about my journey.
What Happened Next Surprised Me
Instead of crickets, something interesting happened:
A few people resonated with my story. Then a few more. Each small win gave me confidence to keep going.
One comment particularly stuck with me: "Thank you for putting into words what I've been feeling."
That's when I realized: My "not feeling ready" story was exactly what others needed to hear.
I stopped trying to be perfect and just focused on the next step:
Write one post
Share one insight
Help one person
Take one more step
The results shocked me:
In less than 6 months, I’ve grown:
From Zero to 3,400+ Substack subscribers
Consistent 3-5K monthly from digital products
Daily sales without pushing paid subscriptions
A growing community of like-minded creators
On track for six figures in 2025
And the best part? I started making money from Day 1 (instead of waiting months for paid subscriptions to build up). I created a simple e-book that I sold right away, instead of putting my best content behind a paywall.
The Simple Truth About Starting
Here's what I've learned: Success isn't about feeling ready. It's about being willing to be not-quite-ready but showing up anyway.
Think about it like learning to swim:
You can read every book about swimming
Watch every YouTube video imaginable
Buy the perfect swimsuit
Study proper technique
Plan your training schedule
But at some point, you have to get in the water.
And here's the thing about water: it holds you up better than you think.
The Reality of Building in Public
Let me pull back the curtain on what "not feeling ready" really looks like:
My first post? Took me 6 hours to write.
Second post? 5 hours.
Third post? 4 hours.
Now? I can write a solid post in 60 minutes because I've built the muscle.
But more importantly, I learned that perfectionism is the enemy of progress.
Some of my "worst" posts (ones I almost didn't publish) got the best responses. Why? Because they were real. Authentic. Unpolished.
The 80% Rule That Changed Everything
Want to know the most liberating thing I've discovered?
You only need to show up 80% of the time to win.
That means:
It's okay to have off days
It's okay to write "bad" posts
It's okay to miss occasionally
It's okay to change your mind
It's okay to pivot your strategy
Because consistency beats perfection every single time. Take the pressure off.
Think about it: Would you rather…
Have 10 "perfect" posts that took months to create
Or 100 "good enough" posts that actually helped people?
I chose the latter, and it changed everything.
The Unexpected Benefits of Starting "Not Ready"
Here's what nobody tells you about starting before you feel ready:
1. You Build Real Authority
When you document your journey from the beginning:
People relate to your struggles
They trust your wins because they watched you earn them
Your early followers become your biggest supporters
2. You Learn What Works
Instead of theorizing about what might work:
You get real feedback
You discover what resonates
You build actual relationships
You create products people want to buy
3. You Develop Your Voice
Rather than copying others:
You find your unique perspective
You discover what makes you different
You build genuine connections
You attract your ideal audience
A Quick Win You Can Implement Today
The secret isn't talent, luck, or even expertise.
It's simply this: Take the next step. Then the next. Then the next.
Let me give you something you can use right now to get started. I call this the "First Post Framework" – it's exactly what I used to write my first newsletter post, and it works every time:
1. Start With a Story
Open with a specific moment when you faced a challenge. For example:
"Last Tuesday, I stared at my computer screen, wondering if I was making a huge mistake..."
2. Share What You Tried
List 2-3 things you did to solve your problem. Be honest about what didn't work.
3. Share What Finally Worked
Explain the solution you discovered, even if it's simple.
4. End With an Invitation
Ask your readers a question about their own experience.
Try it right now. Open Substack and write your first post using this template. Don't overthink it – just fill in the blanks and hit publish.
Remember: Your first post doesn't need to be perfect. It just needs to exist.
Your Next Step: Substack Growth Bootcamp
I’m excited to announce that I’ll be putting together a Substack Growth Bootcamp in January. It’s going to be a close-knit group of Substack writers who are ready to kick-off their growth in 2025 together.
I’ve learned that people grow within community. Sometimes we need that extra little push to help keep us accountable to our growth goals. Be on the lookout to sign up on the waitlist for January’s Bootcamp. Excited!
Need Help Now? 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 this week only.
In the masterclass, I break down the exact strategy and roadmap I’ve used to grow from Zero to 3,400+ 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:
P.S. Remember: Every successful newsletter creator you admire started exactly where you are – not quite ready, but willing to take that first step. The only difference? They started anyway.
Ready to take your first step? The Six-Figure Substack Growth Masterclass is open for enrollment this week. Let me show you how to build your newsletter the smart way – with consistent growth and real income from Day 1.
This resonated with me as I am constantly trying to learn new things. The funny thing is I have a CPA, and passed the Certified Management Accountant and Certified Financial Manager exams, but still don't feel ready. It's time to put things out there and learn as I go.
This is great advice, many thanks. I’ve saved the post for regular reference!