This was a great breakdown—clear, actionable, and motivating. What stood out most is how much this strategy revolves around consistency, community, and clarity. I’ve been treating my Substack more like a personal project, but this post made me rethink the importance of structure—especially organizing content pillars and making it easy for readers to navigate.
I also appreciate the human-centered approach. So much of online growth feels like a numbers game, but this reinforces that real engagement and supporting others is the real driver. Recommendations, restacks, and meaningful interactions create momentum in a way that algorithms can’t replicate.
Also, the cadence tip is a game-changer. I’ve struggled with consistency in the past, but framing it as a promise to the audience (rather than just a task for myself) shifts the mindset completely. Definitely taking some of these strategies and applying them—minus the croissants (but I respect the metaphor!). Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you Anton and I’m so happy this was helpful.
If you like the approach of balancing strategy and human connection, check out my section “Substack Accelerator” with other Posts, videos and webinars.
100% growth comes from connection and investing some time every day to comment, support others and build relationships goes a long way.
Also, you inspired me when I read that you started writing when you were unemployed. I recently pulled the plug on a big project. I am now exploring what my next step will be and I am very much attracted to writing and publishing my knowledge online. Your post has really inspired me. Thank you so much!
Thank you for sharing your insightful strategy and making it a source of inspiration for aspiring writers. I admire your organization for making your content so accessible to your subscribers.
It’s tricky to keep things easily accessible once you start having hundreds of pieces of content, so every now and then I do a “digital clean up” and reorganize my Substack Sections.
Veronica, this is excellent! I will keep this as a reference for how to do what I need to do:) I will restack it for the case that someone missed it. Thanks!
I appreciate the good suggestions, thank you. 2 questions. 1. I have not had success in scheduling a post. When I try to do that, I only see an active button that says "Send to everyone in a few seconds". 2. Do you recommend also sharing a post as a note when you publish it? Thanks in advance!
Very interesting Veronica, thank you 😊 Curious about what you said about LinkedIn, if you don't share external link. Do you only use the custom button feature to point to your substack? 🤔
Unfortunately, no. My LinkedIn reach is nearly zero 🤷🏻♂️ I only get a dozen impressions (which makes me want to throw the towel on this network). Most of my substack engagement comes from recommendations, notes, and posts. Recommendations are really a powerful tool here. I'd only argue that I feel like some people accept the recommendation "by default" when subscribing to someone else. Are they then really reading my content, not sure :)
LinkedIn is totally random: I used to have more reach when I had less followers - go figure.
Agree re Recommendations, it's great to boost the numbers but my open rate goes down every month so I guess many of them don't even realize they are subscribing :(
Exactly. I know some people are getting sponsors, if that ever happens to me I'd think about removing inactive readers (yet another tool substack is offering for free ^^) to increase opening rate and engagement stats. Ps:i love eating AND baking croissants 🥐 ^^
I like your mindset, 'You can steal my Substack strategy but you can't steal my croissants.' This reminded me of a baker who shows and shares his recipes, the strategy he used to grow from a garage baker to a full on bakery, giving jobs to many and helping the local wheat growers to sustain organically. Many ask him why he shares his recipes, is he not scared of loosing his business? He replies that they might have his secrets but people must be diligent like him to get where he is now and he is happy if someone uses his recipes and ideas to be successful.
I believe you are being generous by sharing your secrets of success. I may have your lemon seed but may not harvest anything if I don't plant in a right soil, fertilize, water and prune it in seasons of pruning. I am new in Substack. I have worked as a volunteer social worker for over 35 years and impacted many lives. I am hoping to do the same by my writing. I am writing a parenting book and planning a history based novel soon. Thank you for sharing your lemon seeds with the world. Blessings.
Thank you very much for this information! I am new to Substack and wanted to challenge myself to create and write consistently. My mindset was just to start messy and post as I come up with ideas, and your post was very helpful in helping me come up with my own strategy as I start.
Great information, and croissants too? Yummy! You've inspired and convinced me that I can succeed on this new-to-me platform. Thank you.
This was a great breakdown—clear, actionable, and motivating. What stood out most is how much this strategy revolves around consistency, community, and clarity. I’ve been treating my Substack more like a personal project, but this post made me rethink the importance of structure—especially organizing content pillars and making it easy for readers to navigate.
I also appreciate the human-centered approach. So much of online growth feels like a numbers game, but this reinforces that real engagement and supporting others is the real driver. Recommendations, restacks, and meaningful interactions create momentum in a way that algorithms can’t replicate.
Also, the cadence tip is a game-changer. I’ve struggled with consistency in the past, but framing it as a promise to the audience (rather than just a task for myself) shifts the mindset completely. Definitely taking some of these strategies and applying them—minus the croissants (but I respect the metaphor!). Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you Anton and I’m so happy this was helpful.
If you like the approach of balancing strategy and human connection, check out my section “Substack Accelerator” with other Posts, videos and webinars.
100% growth comes from connection and investing some time every day to comment, support others and build relationships goes a long way.
PS: who doesn’t like croissants?!? lol
Such a great post! With awesome clear steps. 😍
Also, you inspired me when I read that you started writing when you were unemployed. I recently pulled the plug on a big project. I am now exploring what my next step will be and I am very much attracted to writing and publishing my knowledge online. Your post has really inspired me. Thank you so much!
Thank you for sharing your insightful strategy and making it a source of inspiration for aspiring writers. I admire your organization for making your content so accessible to your subscribers.
Thank you, Dr Mehmet!
It’s tricky to keep things easily accessible once you start having hundreds of pieces of content, so every now and then I do a “digital clean up” and reorganize my Substack Sections.
Cheers!
Veronica, this is excellent! I will keep this as a reference for how to do what I need to do:) I will restack it for the case that someone missed it. Thanks!
Thank you Davor!
If you are interested, I have a Substack Accelerator Series in my publication dedicated to Substack growth.
Cheers!
Thanks Veronica. I will now go to the previous post you shared with me and implement everything you mentioned there.
Brilliant, Davor, let me know how you go.
All the best!
Very helpful article! Thank you for sharing. Now main question: is there any way I can still get a croissant?
Hahaha, zero chance 😂
That’s no in the subscription package.
Dang it 🤣
I appreciate the good suggestions, thank you. 2 questions. 1. I have not had success in scheduling a post. When I try to do that, I only see an active button that says "Send to everyone in a few seconds". 2. Do you recommend also sharing a post as a note when you publish it? Thanks in advance!
Hi Cheryl,
Let me give you some pointeres:
1. Go to settings and tick the schedule box underneath publish and pick the date and time.
2. Yes! I always restack my Post and also restack 1 good liner to create buzz.
Cheers!
Thank you, Veronica.
I love it 😍 thank you! But I don’t know how can I add my posts to sections!
You can add sections in Settings (Dashboard)
Once you have them, in your Post → Settings and you can choose Sections and Tags.
Thanks!
Very interesting Veronica, thank you 😊 Curious about what you said about LinkedIn, if you don't share external link. Do you only use the custom button feature to point to your substack? 🤔
Hi Sylvain,
Re LinkedIn, I usually try to avoid sharing links in the main post and add it in the comments (sometimes I add it but the reach dies).
As per the button, I use both the standard “subscribe” and custom ones.
Honestly, 95% of my growth is organic from within Substack so I now focus on Notes and engaging here.
Are you bringing readers from LinkedIn?
Unfortunately, no. My LinkedIn reach is nearly zero 🤷🏻♂️ I only get a dozen impressions (which makes me want to throw the towel on this network). Most of my substack engagement comes from recommendations, notes, and posts. Recommendations are really a powerful tool here. I'd only argue that I feel like some people accept the recommendation "by default" when subscribing to someone else. Are they then really reading my content, not sure :)
LinkedIn is totally random: I used to have more reach when I had less followers - go figure.
Agree re Recommendations, it's great to boost the numbers but my open rate goes down every month so I guess many of them don't even realize they are subscribing :(
Exactly. I know some people are getting sponsors, if that ever happens to me I'd think about removing inactive readers (yet another tool substack is offering for free ^^) to increase opening rate and engagement stats. Ps:i love eating AND baking croissants 🥐 ^^
I like your mindset, 'You can steal my Substack strategy but you can't steal my croissants.' This reminded me of a baker who shows and shares his recipes, the strategy he used to grow from a garage baker to a full on bakery, giving jobs to many and helping the local wheat growers to sustain organically. Many ask him why he shares his recipes, is he not scared of loosing his business? He replies that they might have his secrets but people must be diligent like him to get where he is now and he is happy if someone uses his recipes and ideas to be successful.
I believe you are being generous by sharing your secrets of success. I may have your lemon seed but may not harvest anything if I don't plant in a right soil, fertilize, water and prune it in seasons of pruning. I am new in Substack. I have worked as a volunteer social worker for over 35 years and impacted many lives. I am hoping to do the same by my writing. I am writing a parenting book and planning a history based novel soon. Thank you for sharing your lemon seeds with the world. Blessings.
Thank you Anima and I like to story of the baker.
I have learned that giving what you know is a win-win: you help others but it also helps you nurture a mindset of abundance.
When you share your recipe, you can bake a bigger pie ;)
Yes, you are right.
Love this guide on how to use Substack for growth. Very well explained with simplicity and clarity in mind.
Man, I wish Substack had a list function so I could save this!
Gasp! They do! 😃
But it's the croissants I really want 🥹
Thankyou for sharing your expertise!
Very valuable information, thanks Veronica.
and yes, being French i love croissants!
Ah tu es français, je m'en doutais bien.
J' ai habité en France et j' ai toujours étudié en français ;)
Merci beaucoup.
Thank you very much for this information! I am new to Substack and wanted to challenge myself to create and write consistently. My mindset was just to start messy and post as I come up with ideas, and your post was very helpful in helping me come up with my own strategy as I start.