Why Substack's Top Writers Are Gaining 1000's of Subscribers from LinkedIn

How I finally turned my 100K LinkedIn followers into newsletter subscribers using better content (and the AI tool that made it possible)

Jul 01, 2025

Several months ago, I was starting at my LinkedIn analytics at 11 PM, trying to figure out why I have 100K+ followers but my Substack was still stuck around 500 subscribers.

Here I was with this big audience that trusts me, engages with my content, and shares my posts regularly. But when it comes to converting them into newsletter subscribers? ::Crickets::

It was driving me absolutely crazy.

I'd spent years building my LinkedIn presence. Posted consistently for months. Built genuine relationships. Even had posts go viral and bring in thousands of new followers.

But my Substack growth? Painfully slow.

That's when I had a realization: I had the audience, but I was completely missing the bridge.

The Problem Every Substack Writer with a LinkedIn Following Faces

Here's what I was doing wrong (and what I see 99% of creators still doing):

I'd write generic LinkedIn posts that got likes and comments, then wonder why nobody cared enough to subscribe to my newsletter.

I was creating content that was entertaining but not authoritative.

Engaging but not expertise-driven.

Viral but not valuable enough to make people think, "I need more of this in my inbox every week."

Meanwhile, I'm watching other creators with smaller LinkedIn audiences absolutely crushing it with Substack growth. Writers with 20K followers getting more subscribers than me. People who started way after me building more engaged communities.

The worst part? I knew I had valuable insights to share. I'd built a six-figure business. I'd helped thousands of people grow their careers. I had the expertise.

But my LinkedIn content wasn't reflecting that expertise in a way that made people want to subscribe to my newsletter.

I was stuck in this frustrating middle ground: too much follower count to ignore LinkedIn, but not enough conversion to make it worth the time I was spending on the platform.

Here's What Really Clicked for Me

I get it if LinkedIn feels like just another social media platform where you need to play games to get attention.

But here's the reframe that changed everything for me: LinkedIn isn't social media. It's where professionals go to level up.

Your newsletter's ideal subscribers aren't scrolling TikTok during their lunch break. They're not looking for entertainment on Instagram stories.
They're on LinkedIn, actively seeking content that will help them grow their business, advance their career, or solve real problems they're facing.

The people who follow you on LinkedIn are already in a learning mindset. They're already thinking about investing in themselves.

But here's the part I was missing: they need to see you as THE authority worth following, not just another person sharing random business tips.

The Content Quality Breakthrough That Changed Everything

About ten months ago, I discovered something that completely transformed my LinkedIn-to-Substack conversion rate.

I started using Taplio to help me create better, more strategic LinkedIn content.

Now, I know what you're thinking. "Another AI tool promising to solve all my problems?"

But here's what actually happened: instead of spending 30 minutes every morning trying to come up with something clever to post, I could focus on creating content that actually positioned me as an expert.

The difference was immediate and obvious.

Before: Random motivational quotes and surface-level business tips that got likes but didn't build authority.
After: Strategic, value-packed content that demonstrated real expertise and made people think, "This person knows what they're talking about. I want to learn more."

Within three weeks of upgrading my content quality, I noticed something incredible: my Substack subscribers from LinkedIn increased by 300%.

Not because I was posting more. Not because I suddenly got more followers.

Because the content I was creating finally matched the value I provide in my newsletter.

People would read my LinkedIn posts and think, "If this is the free content, imagine what the newsletter must be like."

That's the bridge I'd been missing.

Why Better LinkedIn Content = More Newsletter Subscribers

Here's the strategic insight that most creators miss:

Your LinkedIn content isn't just about getting engagement. It's about building the authority that makes people eager to hear from you regularly.

When someone sees consistently valuable LinkedIn content from you, they start to associate your name with solutions to their problems.

They begin to trust your expertise.
They start looking forward to your posts.

And eventually, they reach that tipping point where they think, "I don't want to miss anything this person shares. I should subscribe to their newsletter."

But this only works if your LinkedIn content demonstrates real expertise consistently.

One viral post won't do it. Random tips here and there won't build that authority.

You need a systematic approach to creating content that builds trust over time.

That's exactly what tools like Taplio help you achieve: consistent, high-quality content that positions you as the go-to expert in your space.

The Game-Changer: How Taplio Helped Me Write Content That Actually Converts

Let me be completely honest about what my LinkedIn content creation process looked like before Taplio:

Every morning, I'd sit down with a blank post and think, "What should I write about today?"

I'd scroll through my feed for inspiration, maybe see what was trending, and cobble together something that felt relevant.

Sometimes I'd spend 45 minutes writing a post that got 30-40 likes.

Other times I'd rush through something generic and wonder why nobody engaged.

It was inconsistent, time-consuming, and frankly, pretty mediocre.

But here's what changed everything: Taplio didn't just help me write faster. It helped me write strategically.

The Content Quality Transformation

Instead of random daily posts, Taplio helped me develop content pillars around my expertise. Instead of generic advice, I started creating posts that showcased specific frameworks I use.

Instead of hoping for engagement, I learned how to craft hooks that actually grab attention and lead to meaningful conversations.

The difference was like night and day.

Before Taplio: "Consistency is key to growing your business."
After Taplio: "I analyzed 50 successful newsletter creators and found they all follow this same 4-step content system. Here's exactly what they do differently..."

See the difference? The second version demonstrates expertise, provides specific value, and makes people want to know more.

Why AI-Assisted Content Actually Works for Authority Building

Here's something that surprised me: using AI didn't make my content less authentic. It made it more strategic.

Taplio helps me:

Turn my scattered expertise into clear, valuable frameworks
Craft hooks that actually make people stop scrolling
Structure posts for maximum readability and engagement
Maintain consistency even when I'm busy with other parts of my business
Optimize content for LinkedIn's algorithm without sacrificing value

The result? My posts started getting saved more, shared more, and most importantly, driving more people to my profile who were genuinely interested in learning from me.

The Compound Effect of Better Content

Once I started using Taplio consistently, something cool happened: my LinkedIn content began working like a funnel.

People would see one valuable post and check out my profile. They'd see weeks of consistently valuable content and think, "This person really knows what they're talking about."

Then they'd notice my newsletter link and subscribe because they didn't want to miss future insights.

This wasn't happening with one or two viral posts. It was happening consistently because every post demonstrated real expertise.

The Authority-Building Framework

Taplio helped me understand that great LinkedIn content follows a specific pattern:

Hook with a specific, intriguing promise
Share your unique insight or framework
Provide actionable value people can implement
End with engagement that continues the conversation

When you consistently follow this framework, people start seeing you as the go-to expert in your space. They begin associating your name with solutions to their problems.

That's when LinkedIn followers naturally become newsletter subscribers.

Why This Matters for Newsletter Growth

Here's the connection most creators miss: your LinkedIn content quality directly impacts your newsletter conversion rate.

If your LinkedIn posts are generic and forgettable, people won't see enough value to subscribe to your newsletter.

But when your LinkedIn content consistently demonstrates expertise and provides real value, people start thinking, "If this is what they share for free, imagine what I'd get in their newsletter."

That's the mindset shift that turns followers into subscribers.

Taplio helped me create content that builds that perception of expertise consistently, which became the bridge between my LinkedIn audience and my newsletter growth.

How I Finally Turned LinkedIn Followers into Substack Subscribers

Let me walk you through the exact system that took my conversion rate from painful to profitable:

Step 1: Audit Your Current LinkedIn-to-Newsletter Conversion

Most creators have no idea how their LinkedIn content is actually performing when it comes to driving newsletter subscriptions. I was definitely guilty of this.

Start by tracking exactly how many newsletter signups you get from LinkedIn each week. Look at which types of posts drive the most profile visits and link clicks.

You might be surprised by what's actually working (and what's just vanity metrics).

Step 2: Create Authority-Building Content That Makes People Want More

This is where everything changed for me. Instead of posting random business tips, I started creating content around specific frameworks and strategies I use in my business.

The key is showing your work, not just sharing conclusions.

Instead of: "Consistency is important for growing your business."
Try: "Here's the exact daily routine that helped me grow my newsletter from 0 to 9,000 subscribers in 9 months."

Tools like Taplio help you craft content that demonstrates expertise while staying engaging and shareable.

Step 3: Master the LinkedIn-to-Substack Funnel

Your LinkedIn profile needs to work as a bridge between your content and your newsletter. Most people completely ignore this step.

Update your headline to mention your newsletter. Add your Substack link to your featured section. Write an about section that connects your LinkedIn expertise to what people will get in your newsletter.

Every piece should work together to guide people toward subscribing.

Step 4: Scale Quality Content Consistently

Here's the truth: creating high-quality LinkedIn content every day is exhausting if you're doing it manually.

The most successful creators I know use tools to maintain consistency without burning out. They batch content creation, use frameworks for posts, and leverage AI to help with ideation and optimization.

This isn't about being lazy. It's about being strategic with your time so you can focus on the parts that require your unique expertise.

Step 5: Track What Actually Drives Subscriptions

Not all LinkedIn engagement is created equal. You need to know which content types, posting times, and topics drive actual newsletter signups.

I track everything: which posts drive the most profile visits, which lead to the most link clicks, and which ultimately convert to subscribers. Taplio also helps me with analytics, btw.

This data helps me double down on what works and stop wasting time on content that just gets likes but doesn't build my business.

You Already Have Everything You Need to Grow

I know it can feel overwhelming to think about optimizing yet another part of your content strategy.

But here's the encouraging truth: if you already have a LinkedIn following, you're 80% of the way there.

You don't need to start from scratch. You don't need to build a completely new audience.

You just need to bridge the gap between the value you provide on LinkedIn and the value you provide in your newsletter.

Most creators spend months or years trying to grow their newsletter from zero. You get to skip that entire struggle because you already have people who trust your expertise.

You just need to give them a compelling reason to want more of it delivered directly to their inbox.

The difference between creators who successfully convert their LinkedIn audience and those who don't isn't audience size. It's content quality and strategic positioning.

📌 Ready to Turn Your LinkedIn Following into Substack Subscribers?

Looking back, I wish I'd figured this out sooner.

I spent way too much time creating random LinkedIn content that entertained people but didn't build my business. I had 100K followers but was still struggling to grow my newsletter because I wasn't being strategic about the bridge between the two.

Everything changed when I started focusing on content quality and positioning myself as an authority worth following.

The tool that made the biggest difference? Taplio.

It helped me create LinkedIn content that actually demonstrates expertise instead of just getting engagement. Content that makes people think, "I need to follow this person's newsletter" instead of just hitting like and scrolling on.

Since using Taplio to improve my LinkedIn content quality, I've seen:

300% increase in Substack signups from LinkedIn
Higher engagement rates on posts that actually matter
More inbound opportunities from people who see me as an expert
Consistent daily subscriber growth without constantly promoting my newsletter

The best part? I'm spending less time creating content because I have systems and frameworks that work.

How You Can Try Taplio 30 Days for Only $1 (Use Code “WES1X1”)

I’ve worked out a special deal with Taplio for my Substack subscribers ONLY. You can click below and use the code “WES1X1” at checkout, and you can get ANY of the LinkedIn Taplio plans 30 Days for just $1:

Try Taplio 30 Days for $1

If you're tired of having a great LinkedIn following that doesn't translate to newsletter growth, Taplio might be exactly what you need to finally build that bridge.

It's not about posting more. It's about posting better.

And when you post better content consistently, your LinkedIn audience naturally becomes your newsletter audience.

Want the Complete System for Growing and Monetizing Your Newsletter?

While better LinkedIn content was the breakthrough that unlocked my subscriber growth, it was just one piece of a much bigger system. The full strategy that took me from 0 to 10,000+ subscribers and $5K+ monthly revenue includes:

✅ How to grow your newsletter with or without any social media (yes, it's completely possible)
✅ The content frameworks that keep subscribers engaged and eager for every email
✅ My exact monetization system that generates consistent revenue without paid subscriptions
✅ The psychology behind converting free readers into paying customers and coaching clients
✅ Step-by-step systems for scaling your newsletter into a full business

If you want the complete roadmap I used to build a profitable newsletter business, I've put everything into my Six-Figure Substack Growth Masterclass. Join 100’s of writers below:

Join the Substack Growth Masterclass

This isn't just theory from someone who's never actually grown a newsletter. This is the exact system I've used to go from complete beginner to 10,000+ subscribers and consistent monthly revenue—all while working less than I did when I was stuck doing one-on-one client calls all day.

Question: Are you using LinkedIn to help grow your Substack? Do you find it’s helping you grow?