I took a 2-month break and came back to a viral note

Now it's your turn.

Dear 5-Star Reader,

You know who you are—my absolute favourite kind of subscribers.

Something interesting is happening, and I had to share it with you.

Here's what happened: I took a 2-month break from Substack Notes (vacation, life, the occasional existential nap). Came back. Wrote a few Notes.

And boom—Note #11 is going viral.

You can read it here!

I have never had this many likes or comments before.

Well, except for this one, about 10 months ago, which gained me 35 new subscribers.

And this one, three months before that, which gained me 39 new subscribers.

This made me wonder—how many of you are sitting on viral-worthy Notes without ever tapping that “Post” button?

Let’s fix that.

At the start of 2025, I launched a challenge—to write two Notes a day for 30 days. None of those Notes went viral, but they did something better: they brought consistent visibility and 5–6 new subscribers to my publication every single day.

Even better? They helped me build the habit of showing up and posting Notes daily.

Ah, the magic of accountability.

So, I’m starting another challenge.

Join my 30-Day Notes Challenge from

Start Date: 1 June, 2025
Goal: Write 2 Notes a day (less than 100 words each)
Result: More visibility. More follows. And maybe, just maybe, your own little viral moment.

Cost: $0

Are you in?

Doing the 30-Day Notes Challenge?

Great. Let’s get you started with:

10 Note ideas that spark visibility (and sometimes virality)

1. One Big Idea in One Line
   Template: “What if the real reason you’re stuck is [counterintuitive truth]?”
   

2. Spicy Opinions
   Template: “Unpopular opinion: [thing everyone does] is actually a waste of time.”
   

3. Mini Confessions
   Template: “I once [embarrassing or weird thing you did]… and it actually worked.”
   

4. Micro-Wisdom from Your Niche
   Template: “People overcomplicate [niche topic]. Here's how I explain it to my dog:”
   

5. What You Wish Someone Told You
   Template: “No one told me that [thing you learned the hard way]—so I’m telling you now.”
   

6. Your Rule-Breaking Moment
   Template: “Everyone says do [X]. I did [Y]. Here's what happened.”
   

7. One-Line Pep Talk
   Template: “You don’t need to [thing that stresses people out]. You need to [simple next step].”
   

8. Quirky Analogy
   Template: “Launching a newsletter is like hosting a BBQ. You invite 50 people. 3 show up. One brings salad.”
   

9. Pain Points with a Twist
   Template: “You want to write a book. You also want to rewatch every season of Downton Abbey. I see you.”
   

10. Tiny Story. Big Punchline.
    Template: “Today I wrote 37 words, cleaned the microwave, and called it a win. The writer's life is glamorous.”

Want more ideas, this post by

Veronica Llorca-Smith

is really good:

• 18 Ways To Write Engaging Notes on Substack (And Prove You Are Not A Bot

Need in-dept notes analysis and ideas, get it from these posts by

Tom Kuegler

who seems to be doing PhD. on Substack Notes:

• I Analyzed 80+ Viral Substack Notes — Here's Exactly What Makes Them Explode

• I Analyzed 600+ Notes. Here's 25 Lessons That Will Help Your Notes Perform Better

These two posts are worth the annual membership to Tom’s publication The Writing Long Game.

Some tips:

• Show your face now and then. Selfies = engagement.

• Notes under 100 words perform better.

• Be a human, not a billboard.

• Engage with other Notes.

Now About the challenge:

I'll be writing my two Notes daily alongside you—expect mild chaos, moderate wisdom, and occasional brilliance.

If you're in:

• Let me know in the comments.

• I’ll start a chat thread each day of the challenge.

• Post the link to your Note in that day’s thread.

• Comment on other participants’ Notes.

• Let’s grow together!

See you in the Author Circle Chat.

Cheering you on,
That’s all from me today.

As always, thanks for reading.