Let’s talk about a Substack feature that we use every single day.
This feature alone has brought us more than 10,000 new subscribers to Write • Build • Scale.
The feature I’m talking about?
Substack Notes.
You’ve probably seen Notes before, heard how powerful they are, and you might even be publishing them already.
Regardless of where you’re at, in today’s podcast episode, I’ll break down:
Why Notes work so well
How we actually use Notes to grow
The biggest mistake writers make with them
And a simple framework to get traction fast
Let’s dive in.
What Substack Notes Actually Are
Substack Notes are short-form pieces of content.
They are not your articles.
Your articles are long-form (usually between 800 and 2,000 words).
They go straight to your email subscribers.
Notes don’t.
Notes live in the Notes feed on mobile and desktop, and they behave more like a social feed.
When you post a Note:
Your subscribers are likely to see it (but not guaranteed)
People who follow your profile are likely to see it (but not guaranteed)
And if it gets good engagement from your existing audience, the algorithm will distribute it more widely and show it to people who don’t know you yet
That last part is key.
Substack will distribute your Notes beyond your existing audience, and that’s exactly how we brought in 10,000+ new subscribers.
Not from one viral post, but from consistent daily Notes.
Substack Notes Simplified Is Now LIVE! 🟠
Substack Notes Simplified teaches you exactly how to write Notes that drive engagement, grow your subscriber list, and turn casual readers into superfans.
This brand-new course is for you if:
You’ve been posting Substack Notes and feel like you’re shouting into the void...
You’ve been avoiding Notes altogether because you don’t know what to say...
You watch other creators grow with simple Notes and wonder, “what am I missing?!”
👉 Click Here To Learn More About Substack Notes Simplified
Here’s what you get inside Substack Notes Simplified:
→ The complete step-by-step system to master Notes
→ 90 copy-paste templates so you never stare at a blank screen
→ 30 days access to our private community + live coaching sessions
→ 30-day WriteStack trial to schedule and track your Notes
No more guessing. No more posting into the void.
Just a clear, step-by-step system to help you write highly engaging Notes.
Why Notes Are So Powerful
Notes do two things extremely well:
They help you reach new people (leading to new subscribers)
They deepen the connection with your existing audience
This makes Notes one of the most powerful features on Substack.
If you write a good Note, the Substack algorithm will show it to a bunch of new people who might be interested.
This brings your message directly in front of 100s or 1000s of new people, of which some will check out your profile (or publication), and hit subscribe.
But aside from bringing in new subscribers to your publication, Notes are great for building a deeper connection with your existing audience.
If you only publish long-form once or twice per week, you only have one or two touchpoints with your audience per week.
But with Notes, you can have daily touchpoints with them.
Short ones. But daily.
Every day, your audience will see your name, your message, your face, your insights, and your stories.
Over time, that builds familiarity - which builds a connection where people know, like, and trust you.
This turns casual readers into superfans, paid subscribers, or paying customers.
This makes Notes a powerhouse for growth and retention.
The Biggest Mistake Writers Make With Notes
Most people approach Notes with a long-form writing mindset.
That’s the mistake.
Notes are short-form. And short-form writing plays by different rules.
Let me put it like this:
Your long-form article is the main meal.
Your Note is the snack.
The snack is not there to replace the meal.
It’s there to spark interest.
So stop trying to write essays, tell a huge story, or teach everything in one single Note.
That’s what your articles are for.
Notes should be:
Short
Clear
One idea
One insight
Easy to scan
To-the-point
Remember, Notes are consumed in a feed where the starting point is to capture someone’s attention.
If your Note looks like a boring block of text, most people will scroll straight past it.
So, make sure to follow essential short-form writing principles, such as:
Attractive formatting
Lots of whitespace
Highlight parts in bold or italics
Use bulletpoints or “→” lists
Use the occasional emoji 😃
Write a strong hook (your first sentence)
Use simple words
Write short sentences
How Often Should You Publish Notes?
We recommend at least one Note per day.
That gives you:
Daily touchpoints
Daily growth opportunities
Personally, I publish at least three Notes per day.
One in the morning.
One in the afternoon.
One in the evening.
Three feels like the sweet spot to me.
But consistency matters more than volume.
Seven Notes in one day and then silence for three days doesn’t work as well as steadily posting every day.
Substack seems to reward consistency, so prioritize that.
The 10-5-1 Rule (To Escape the Void)
You can write the most valuable Note in the world, but if no one sees it, you’re stuck posting into the void.
That’s where the 10-5-1 Rule comes in.
For every Note you publish:
Like 10 Notes from other creators
Leave 5 thoughtful comments on other Notes
Send 1 DM to a creator you haven’t connected with yet
Do this daily.
Now you’re not just publishing, you’re actively putting your name out there.
People start recognizing you, they’ll check out your profile, and many will start to engage back.
That initial engagement and extra visibility are essential to get your Notes out of the void - and distribute them more widely on Substack.
Ready to Start Leveraging The Power of Substack Notes?
Click the link below to learn more about Substack Notes Simplified:
👉 Learn More About Substack Notes Simplified
By the end of this course, you’ll know exactly how to write Substack Notes that drive engagement, grow your audience, and turn readers into superfans.
Even if you’re completely new to Substack…
Even if you’ve never published a Note before…
And even if you’ve never received more than a few likes on your Notes…
