The 5 Best Decisions I Made To Grow My Writing Business on Substack

Lessons after 6 years, 500+ posts, and a whole new publishing strategy.

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When I started writing online in 2018, I had no idea what I was doing.

I had no audience, no monetization strategy, and no prior writing experience—only a desire to write, publish, and see what might happen.

Fast forward to today: I’ve reached millions of readers, built a Bestselling Substack publication in record time, and am helping thousands of new writers grow their audience and income every year.

Looking back, there were a few pivotal decisions that made all the difference in my journey. Some were strategic. Some were intuitive. All of them have stood the test of time—especially now that we’ve shifted fully to Substack as our main platform.

Here are the five decisions that helped me grow my writing business:

1. I Never Assumed I Was “Done”

The biggest trap I see new (and even experienced) writers fall into is thinking they’ve cracked the code. That one viral post, one big month, or one client will solve everything.

It won’t.

Growth is never a straight line, and writing online is a never-ending skill. Even now, after publishing 500+ articles and many more newsletters, I can find ways to improve every single one of them.

I’ve only been able to grow sustainably—especially now on Substack—because I never stopped learning.

I kept asking questions, testing new formats, studying other writers, and challenging myself to do better.

Substack rewards consistency, curiosity, and clarity—not ego.

Celebrate your wins, but don’t coast on them. Every platform evolves. Every audience shifts. Keep your mindset in “learning mode,” especially when you’re growing fast.

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2. I Started an Email List Before I Felt Ready

Most writers wait too long to build their list.

I did the opposite and started my first email list when I only had a handful of readers.

At the time, it felt premature. But that list quickly became the foundation of everything else: product sales, coaching offers, partnerships, and long-term connections with readers.

Substack makes this 10x easier because you can start your email list—your Substack publication—with no technical difficulties or upfront investment.

Just build your list and audience here for the first 6-12 months and see if you need a proper email marketing tool like Kit later on.

An email list is not optional—it’s your direct line to the people who want to hear from you.

Don’t wait until you feel “ready.” Start today, even if only a few people are listening.

And if you’re starting from scratch, do it on Substack: No setup headaches. No tech overwhelm. Just write, publish, and start growing.

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3. I Held the Vision But Stayed Flexible With the Plan

When I started, I didn’t know where writing would take me. I just knew I wanted freedom, flexibility, and the ability to build something on my own terms.

That vision never changed—but the tools, platforms, and strategies have.

We didn’t plan to build a Substack publication in 2024. But after seeing how well it aligned with our values, our audience, and our style—we went all in. Now it’s the heart of our business.

Goals are great. Vision is powerful. But attachment to how you think things should work can hold you back.

Hold the vision. Let go of the path. The “right” platform might look different tomorrow. Focus on your values and stay nimble enough to follow what works.

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4. I Prioritized Conversations Over Content Volume

One of the biggest mindset shifts I had after moving to Substack was realizing that growth doesn’t come from publishing more—it comes from creating conversations.

It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that you need to publish multiple times a week to stay relevant. But if your posts aren’t creating a two-way dialogue—through comments, replies, Notes, or Chat—you’re missing the opportunity to build trust and connection.

On Substack, the most powerful metric isn’t views.

It’s response.

When readers feel seen, heard, and involved, they’re more likely to subscribe, share your work, and become long-term supporters.

Don’t just ask yourself, “What should I post this week?” Ask, “What conversation do I want to start?”

Use Substack Notes, end-of-post questions, and Chat threads to invite your readers to join thoughtful conversations.

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5. I Made My Paid Tier an Easy Yes

One of the fastest ways we grew our paid subscriber base on Write • Build • Scale was by making the value of the paid tier impossible to ignore.

We didn’t just offer “exclusive content.”

We offer tangible outcomes—learning tracks, workshops, strategy breakdowns, and behind-the-scenes content designed to help readers grow faster.

We also keep the barrier low: clear pricing, flexible monthly or annual options, and occasional bonuses or discounts for early subscribers. And we talk about our paid offer confidently because we know exactly why upgrading is a smart investment for our readers.

If you want people to pay, show them what they’re paying for. Make your offer clear, compelling, and outcome-driven.

And don’t be afraid to remind your readers what’s waiting for them when they upgrade.

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Final Thoughts

Looking back, none of these decisions felt groundbreaking at the time. They were small, intuitive, and sometimes uncomfortable—but all deeply aligned with how I wanted to build my business.

If you’re early in your writing journey (or rethinking your strategy), let me leave you with this:

• You don’t need to know everything to get started.

• You don’t need a big audience to create a tangible impact.

• You don’t need fancy tools to build momentum.

What you need is clarity, consistency, and the willingness to evolve.

And if you're not sure where to start, publishing on Substack is still one of the smartest first steps you can take.

We’ve built a system that works, and we teach it every week with the content we publish at Write • Build • Scale to help you share your voice, expertise, and message with more people around the globe.

We’re just getting started—and if you’re reading this, so are you!