One of the best ways to learn what works on Substack is by studying real publications, especially the ones that are growing fast.
That’s exactly what we did in our latest paid member-only workshop.
We took a close look at three fast-growing publications from our Substack System students (
, , and ) to identify what they’re doing right, what makes their publication stand out, and what you can apply to your own Substack immediately.Below are the top five takeaways from this live workshop.
#1: Clear Positioning Makes Growth 10x Easier
The first thing all three students had in common? Their publication has a very clear positioning.
Sue helps people build unshakable self-confidence.
Mac helps men overcome porn addiction.
Yordan writes for data engineers looking to improve their careers and productivity.
None of them are vague or generic. They’re laser-focused. And that makes it incredibly easy for potential subscribers to say, “This is for me.”
If you’re trying to write for “everyone,” you end up writing for no one.
Instead, get crystal clear: Who do you write for? What problem do you help them solve? What outcome can they expect?
#2: Show Your Face, Build More Trust
Here’s another big one: every student we reviewed had real personality in their publication. And that makes a huge difference.
Sue is constantly showing up on live streams, doing collaborations, and sharing videos where you can actually hear her voice and see her face.
Mac’s Notes and about page are filled with personal photos, and he speaks openly about his own struggles and transformation.
Yordan shows up as a real human and shares multiple photos of himself on his publication
When people can see you, hear you, and connect with you, they’re way more likely to subscribe—and eventually pay.
So, here’s how you can add more personality to your Substack:
Add a clear photo of yourself to your Substack profile
Add a clear photo of yourself and a personal description to your about page
Show up in livestreams or videos, even if it’s just once a month
Show more of your personal life (e.g. travels, hobbies, daily life) in your Notes
Let your readers hear your voice (livestreaming, podcasting, videos)
#3: Consistency Builds Superfans
All three Substack System students we reviewed are ridiculously consistent with publishing—especially with Notes.
Sue, for example, published multiple Notes per day. Some are quick quotes, some are personal reflections—but all of them create touchpoints with her audience.
And those consistent touchpoints build:
Trust
Familiarity
Top-of-mind awareness
Over time, this leads to superfans who are way more likely to subscribe, upgrade to paid, or even hire you for coaching.
Even one short Note a day can do more for your growth than one perfect long-form post every 2 - 3 weeks.
#4: Design Matters (More Than You Think)
All three students have clean, well-structured homepages that guide the reader through their publication.
Yordan’s homepage is especially strong:
He leads with his most popular posts
He has clear sections based on his three content pillars
He includes CTAs and subscribe buttons throughout
Design isn’t about being flashy. It’s about helping people find what they came for—and making it easy for them to stay.
That’s why it’s key to organize your homepage around your main content topics.
#5: The About Page Is a Missed Opportunity (For Most Creators)
Mac, Yordan, and Sue all have great ‘about’ pages, complete with clear headshots, a personal story, and a breakdown of what subscribers will get.
But we’ve reviewed dozens of publications lately, and most about pages are clearly treated like an afterthought. And that’s a big mistake.
Your about page is where you can turn strangers into subscribers, and subscribers into superfans.
So, make it personal. Make it compelling. And most importantly, make it clear what your publication is about and why someone should care.
Do You Want To Become The Next Success Story?
Are you looking to grow your audience and income on Substack, but do you sometimes feel stuck, unsure of what to focus on, or overwhelmed with all the features?
Then Substack System is for you.
It’s a step-by-step program specifically designed to help you:
Kickstart your publication and set it up the right way
Consistently attract new readers (who actually love your work)
Build an irresistible paid tier, so you grow your list of paid subscribers (and build an extra income stream)
And much more…
Here’s what some of our Substack System students said:
When you join Substack System, you’ll get a lot more than just video lessons.
We've created all the resources you need so you can easily take action on what you learn - and succeed as quickly as possible:
💬 Weekly Group Coaching Sessions: Join us for three months of live coaching sessions, where all your questions will be answered
📖 The Substack Bestseller Case Study: Learn how we've built a Bestselling Substack publication with 100+ paid subscribers in less than 60 days
🚀 Substack Expert Interview Series: We interviewed 10+ top Substack writers to uncover their best strategies for growth, writing, and monetization
🛠️ Substack Operation System: Your personalized toolbox full of plug-and-play frameworks and templates to succeed on Substack
👥 3-Months Of Private Community Access: You'll be supported by your coaches and an active community of like-minded creators
✅ Yes, I Want To Learn More About Substack System
But keep in mind, enrollment to Substack System closes this Thursday (May 22nd). So if you want to join, take action before the doors close.
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