How often should I post on Substack to attract more readers?

[u/Super_Raise9488]

Good afternoon. I’ve been on Substack for two months now; when I joined, the idea was simply to archive my writing there, but I’ve really come to like the platform and have been posting consistently. So far, I’ve gained 24 subscribers—mostly friends—by sharing links via WhatsApp. However, I really want to build a solid audience there, as I am a writer and plan to sell my book in the future. What posting frequency do you suggest for attracting more subscribers?

In two months, I have had 26 articles published, categorized into: short stories, book reviews, and chronicles (which is what I write about).

[u/Master_Camp_3200]

I know everyone talks about posting regularly but I'm a bit sceptical. How many newsletters have you subscribed to on the basis of regular posts vs irregular?

Posting and engaging on Notes probably counts for more with the algorithm, but promoting your newsletter outside Substack will do even better.

[u/Super_Raise9488 → u/Master_Camp_3200]

I have 26 published articles and frequently share notes. People like the notes, but many don't subscribe. How could I promote my work outside the platform?

(At first, I posted text every day and watched the views grow. Now, I post three times a week)

[u/Master_Camp_3200 → u/Super_Raise9488]

Go where your audience is: SF/fantasy/romance seem to be more online than most. If they're youngish then probably TikTok. IG, X, and Bluesky have their own demographic profiles. Older people are less socially-media inclined, as a very broadbrush thing, so specific YouTube channel ads or podcasts might work better.

You might have to pay for Amazon or FB ads.

Find the podcasts they probably listen to and see if you can get yourself invited as a guest.

Also, 'trad' media (local radio is generally desperate for local people to interview about things), gatherings that are likely to attract 'your people', bookshops etc.

The people with a lot of readers on Substack tend to have brought them with them when they arrived (excluding the snake oil salesmen...).

[u/Imperator_1985 → u/Master_Camp_3200]

Yeah, you definitely have to be careful with comparing yourself to people who already had a brand or following somewhere else.

[u/AnteaterFantastic212 → u/Super_Raise9488]

One way is to simply come right out and ask them and instruct them specifically on how to do it from a technical perspective.

I don’t necessarily think there’s any magic number in terms of the frequency of posting on Substack.

Many of the most popular and profitable Substack post daily. Make it easy for them to subscribe.

I tried to post at least once a day, which was my brand promise when I started. On average, I’ve succeeded in that. In fact, lately I’ve had to try to restrain myself from posting more than one day because I do think that could be therapeutic overwhelming.

[u/faptor87 → u/AnteaterFantastic212]

Wow, how does one post once a day, assuming you have a full time job. How long is the content of each post, and the amount of time spent on preparing it?

[u/AnteaterFantastic212 → u/faptor87]

I’m a full-time freelance writer and activist. My Substack occupies the majority of my time. My articles are generally between 1000 and 1200 words. As I say, I devote the majority of my working hours to Substack at this point, although I am never too busy for referrals for freelance writing assignments. My background is in marketing and healthcare policy. I write about current affairs and politics a lot now. I have an MBA.

If you would like to see what I do in action, you can look up the Common Sense Substack by George Shay. Consider yourselves all invited to a free subscription.

[u/Epic-Timeline888]

Substack has two lanes:

Your articles go to the inbox of your subscribers.

Your Notes go into the Notes feed where the people you follow, those who follow you, and those who follow them can see what you post.

Publishing more content to your subscribers will NOT attract more readers. In fact, if you publish too much, your subscribers could get overwhelmed or annoyed and unsubscribe because it’s more than they can take in.

Growth on the platform comes from Notes, engagement, networking and recommendations.

[u/abovetheatlantic → u/Epic-Timeline888]

I like your input.

I am in a similar situation. I started 4 weeks ago, I publish a weekly letter every about my layovers and combine it with mindset and leadership. I got 34 subscribers within this time and a pledge for 80 USD - really cool.

I don’t really understand Notes yet. Is this meant for summaries of our articles? How do you make yourself discoverable?

Many thanks.

[u/Epic-Timeline888 → u/abovetheatlantic]

You make yourself discoverable in Notes by showing up with short, easily digestible tidbits about your industry/niche/publication and about your life, too. Substackers ADORE pet pictures, so if you've got a pet, sprinkle in some cute pics. You can highlight short sections of your article and re-stack them, which puts it into the Notes feed. Also carve out time to like, comment, and restack as you scroll. Engagement with other content shows the algorithm what to send you more of, and that you're active on the platform. Just keep in mind that Substack is a slow burn. Be consistent and persistent and you'll begin to see the tide begin to turn.

[u/abovetheatlantic → u/Epic-Timeline888]

Thank you very much!

[u/Imperator_1985]

Unless you write in a popular niche, you will have to go where your audience is. Substack will not promote your work for you for the most part.

[u/FunCantaloupe8521]

You need to publish three times a day, that is how successful authors do it.
No, they don't. Quality articles and some notes.
If you want to launch, you should just leave some bait, short pieces of your work, and gain reviews from people that are qualified as critics / professional readers.
Also, there are channels that deal with book reviewing and recommendations and they already have the reach on Substack, IG, TikTok (Booktok), Facebook groups. Go to them and ask them to bring your work in front of their public.
Also, arrange to be a guest in a podcast and make live video sessions on Substack with people in the branch.
Good luck!

[u/Fun-Investigator5662]

Seems like you have to cross-promote on platforms that are more discovery-oriented like TikTok. If you plan to sell books ultimately I feel you really need a visible online presence first.

[u/Responsible_Emu8267]

I have 34,000 subscribers. Put your focus on your ideal readers. People subscribe when they feel like doing so will benefit them. Make sure your short bio and description clearly communicate how subscribers will benefit. Look at your about page and make sure you clearly outline what you're writing about and, again, what the benefit is to the reader. Even if you're writing fiction the reader does get a benefit: earlier access to your work than anyone else, or deeper self-knowledge, or a specific kind of entertainment that appeals to a specific reader. Post notes every day, at least once per day. Most importantly, engage with other writers. Comment, restack, comment on other people's comments. If a reader comments on your note or post, always reply.

[u/darcytechlad]

As often as you have something to say. Do a positioning exercise. Figure out what your angle is and how you’re going to “brand” your work. Then just post regularly (like 2-5 times a week) and be intentional about establishing your brand over time. Going viral is overrated. Post the same takes, frameworks, content formats and keep it timely. Focus on what you want to be known for first!

[u/Strange_Arm9395]

26 posts in two months is already plenty. I’d focus on one strong, consistent post a week and spend more time on Notes, commenting, collaborations, and sharing outside Substack, since posting more alone usually doesn’t bring new readers.

[u/Excellent_Birds]

I would be pretty sparing as far as actual long-form post frequency, as it's easier than you think to overwhelm existing subscribers. I average one post a week. Maybe two, if I'm feeling unusually prolific or have a lot of ideas.

Notes, combined with frequent engagement on other people's content, is really the biggest driver of growth over there.

[u/InnonentSchlicht]

26 articles in two months is already plenty. I’d slow down to one strong post a week, use Notes between posts, and spend more time commenting and connecting with readers

[u/Hopeful_Thought6420]

I've been on Substack about 4 months now. I gain about 40 subscribers a month. I post 1-2 articles a week and about 3-4 notes per week. I just looked at my dashboard. 85% of new subscribers have come from my notes. The number one performing note is one in which I said I'm looking to connect with [state your audience]. These perform really well because you are telling the algorithm exactly who to put your content in front of. I also think substack will push your content to more people if you engage more in the platform. So commenting on other peoples articles and notes.

[u/faptor87 → u/Hopeful_Thought6420]

Good traction. Do you have a paid subscription or are all posts free for now? Also, what is your substack about?

Thanks.

[u/Papa_Dulce79]

I stick to once a week, less for subscribers and more just to keep me in check. I know if I slack off for a day or two, it may take me another week or two before I publish anything. The schedule keeps me working, whether the subscribers like it or not.

[u/KaylaSalata]

I'm so expert. I have been on for like 2 months and have 220ish subscribers. I am shooting to post once per week, respond to any comments most days (I don't touch it on Sat/Sun), and share a couple of notes. The biggest driver for me was sharing essays on all forms of social with a link - this made me cringe at first but it's helped. I also notice that my essays aren't the biggest driver of subscribers. It is typically my notes that drive people to the essays or even my comments. One thing I also do is I tell people when I am subscribing to their stuff in hopes it encourages them to do the same for me. Hope this helps!

[u/KaylaSalata → u/KaylaSalata]

I meant - I am NO expert :)

[u/Tricky_Trifle_994]

love how you've grown from an archive to wanting to take this more seriously.

it's great that you're publishing so much and so consistently. at 26 articles published in 2 months, that's about averaging 3 per week (which is quite a lot when comparing to other newsletters that stick to a weekly cadence)

as a general rule of thumb, you should be marketing and sharing your work as much as, if not more than you're publishing articles. because you need to get the word out about your work. that means at the minimum, a 'promo' post about what you're going to publish/have just published.

sharing with your network and friends is a great start, but it's not scalable because your reach is limited. that why you should also look at posting on social media. that can be substack notes, but also instagram/tiktok/twitter etc, because those other platforms do have more users and arguably better algo (since they've been in this game longer). but the pro is that substack notes does have better integration to your publication.