The Truth About Substack Growth (Before We Get Tactical)

**Substack does not reward “good writing.”**

It rewards *clear positioning, consistency, and distribution*.

Plenty of brilliant writers publish into the void because they assume quality magically attracts readers. Meanwhile, someone with half the prose skill but a clear angle and consistent output builds a five-figure subscriber list.

Before worrying about growth hacks, referrals, or notes, you need to understand this:

> **Your job is not to write well. Your job is to make subscribing feel obvious.**

This guide will show you how to do that—without pretending you’re a “creator,” begging on Twitter, or burning out after three months.

Pick a Sharp Angle (Or You’ll Stay Invisible)

That’s not positioning—that’s a diary.

Instead, ask yourself this one uncomfortable question:

Who is this for, and why should they care right now?”

Great Substack angles usually fit this formula: 

*I help [specific person] think more clearly about [specific problem] through [specific lens].**

* “Clear thinking for founders who hate hustle culture.”

* “Weekly breakdowns of internet business models.”

* “Psychology-backed advice for people who overthink everything.”

* “Short, tactical essays for writers trying to make money online.”

These aren’t broad topics. They’re **identity statements**.

When someone reads your Substack description, they should think:

If you’re struggling here, don’t panic. A simple trick:

* What do they *actually* have in common?

* Who would be disappointed if you stopped writing?

Design a Substack That Converts (Most People Don’t)

Most people who visit your Substack will **not** read a full post.

* Decide whether to subscribe in under 60 seconds

So your Substack needs to **sell without feeling salesy**.

Your About Page (This Matters More Than You Think)

Your About page should answer three questions quickly:

3. **Why subscribe instead of just reading one post?**

* One clear opening sentence (“This is a newsletter about…”)

* 3–5 bullet points of what readers will get

* A short personal note about why you write it

On Substack, **titles do 80% of the work**.

* Spark curiosity without being clickbait

* Sound like something a real person would say

* “Why Most Smart People Stay Stuck.”

* “I Tried Writing Every Day for 30 Days—Here’s What Happened.”

* “The Quiet Skill That Makes People Trust You.”

If your titles sound like academic papers, you’re leaving subscribers on the table.

Here’s the boring truth that actually grows newsletters:

Biweekly beats “whenever I feel inspired.”

…they start building your writing into their routine. That’s when growth compounds.

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How to Grow A Substack

A practical, conversational, step-by-step playbook)

The Truth About Substack Growth (Before We Get Tactical)

Let’s start by killing a myth.

**Substack does not reward “good writing.”**



How to Grow A Substack

A practical, conversational, step-by-step playbook)

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Jonathan Mandel

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How to Grow A Substack

A practical, conversational, step-by-step playbook)

This is an Exclusive Story for supporters of .css-13w9qce-Text{display:inline-block;color:var(--text-accent);}Jonathan Mandel

About the Creator

Jonathan Mandel

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Working To Find Work

This is an Exclusive Story for supporters of Jonathan Mandel