Twelve Newsletter Questions I’m Asked All the Time — Answered
I started writing on Substack in November 2020—back when it was still bare-bones.
It had limited features, and felt more like a blogger’s experiment than a publishing platform.
No fancy analytics. No Notes. No leaderboard to feed your fragile ego.
A very few people knew about it.
But something about it clicked. I kept showing up, writing week after week, treating it like my personal writing gym.
And watched it quietly evolved into a powerhouse. It’s now a full-fledged publishing, community-building, and business tool for creators like us.
If you’re new here, first—welcome.
Second—breathe.
I know you have a head full of questions. (“How often should I post?” “Do I need a niche?” “What even is a Note?”)
You’re not alone. I’ve been asked these many times. So I made a list. Here are a dozen of them—answered, to get you started.
No fluff. No jargon. Just the good stuff I wish someone had told me.
1. Can anyone grow a newsletter on Substack?
Yes. But it depends—on what you want from it.
Are you here to share your musings with five close friends? Or do you want to teach what comes easily to you and build a business around it? Maybe you’re here to change the world, one newsletter at a time.
Whatever your goal, growth requires clarity (on what you offer), consistency (in showing up), and courage (to keep going when no one’s clapping).
And yes, some old-fashioned effort. Substack won’t grow itself. But if you do the work, it’s more than possible. It’s powerful.
2. How do I choose my newsletter niche?
Start with what you actually know—lived experience beats recycled theory any day.
Now ask: What are people already asking you about? What do they come to you for? That’s the curiosity sweet spot.
Then—and this part’s crucial—make sure it’s something you can write about without needing a stiff drink and ChatGPT.
Your niche lives where your expertise, your readers’ interest, and your sanity overlap.
It doesn’t have to be groundbreaking. Just grounded. In you. In your story. In your voice.
That’s what makes it resonate. That’s what makes it yours.
3. How often should I publish?
Once a week. That’s the magic number. It keeps you top-of-mind without making you hate your keyboard.
Any less, and people forget you exist. Any more, and you risk sounding like a needy ex. Recently, I cranked it up to five issues a week—big mistake. My readers couldn’t keep up, and honestly, neither could I.
Now I stick to three: two for my paid subscribers (we’re deep in the 90-Day Write-Grow-Monetize Program) and one for my free list.
It’s manageable, meaningful, and most importantly—sustainable. Because burnt-out writers don’t build thriving newsletters.
If inspiration strikes (or you’re procrastinating laundry), drop a quick Note midweek. But don’t overcommit.
Consistency beats frequency. Pick a rhythm you can stick to even on bad hair days and low-energy Mondays.
Your future self—and your readers—will thank you.
If you’ve been nodding along, scribbling notes, or muttering “I needed this” under your breath—consider becoming a paid subscriber.
You’ll get access to the full 90-Day Write-Grow-Monetize Program, exclusive deep-dive issues, behind-the-scenes strategies, and a front-row seat to how I’m building this business one word at a time.
4. What’s the difference between a Post and a Note?
Posts are your big, polished pieces—the essays, tutorials, stories. The ones that land in inboxes and make people say, “I needed this.”
Notes are the casual cousins. Quick thoughts. Observations. Links. Memes, even. They live on your Substack feed and behave like social media without the algorithm drama.
Use Posts to teach, inspire, and build trust. Use Notes to show up, share what’s on your mind, and remind people there’s a real human behind the writing.
You need both.
5. Is Substack enough — or do I need to post on other social media too?
Substack is your cozy home. It’s where the magic happens. But no one will show up for tea if no one knows your house exists.
Social media is the highway that leads people to your door. Pick one platform—LinkedIn, Instagram, X, whatever doesn’t drain your soul—and use it to share snippets, Notes, or behind-the-scenes.
Don’t try to be everywhere. Just be discoverable.
The goal? Build on social, deepen on Substack.
That’s how you grow without burning out.
6. How long should each issue be?
Long enough to say something meaningful. Short enough not to trigger skimming fatigue.
If it can’t be read while someone’s tea is steeping (about 3–5 minutes), it better be so good they forget the kettle was ever boiling.
Aim for 500–1000 words. That’s the sweet spot. Enough to teach, share a story, or spark a shift—without overwhelming anyone.
Remember, your job isn’t to say everything. It’s to say one thing clearly enough that it sticks.
Leave them full—but wanting more.
Need help figuring out what to write—and how to keep it short, sharp, and irresistible?
Join the Write-Grow-Monetize Program for step-by-step system, templates, prompts, and real-life examples that make writing your next issue feel like a breeze.
7. What tools do I need to get started?
You don’t need a tech stack that rivals SpaceX.
You need Substack, a decent headshot (no party pics, please), and a one-liner that tells people what you write and why they should care.
In addition, I have the following 5 to support everything else:
Gmail to connect, reply, and stalk my own newsletter like a reader.
Canva for simple, beautiful graphics (and to feel like a designer without the meltdown).
Notion and Google Docs to plan my content and keep ideas from vanishing mid-shower.
Calendly if when for booking coaching and coffee calls.
Zoom for face-to-face sessions, workshops, or Book Launch parties!
Oh, and one more thing: a willingness to actually use them.
8. Should I build a custom website too?
Not unless you love tech headaches.
Substack already gives you a clean site, blog, and landing pages.
Use what’s there. Keep it simple. Write first, obsess over branding later. A pretty website means nothing if you’ve got zero content and tumbleweeds for traffic.
9. What should I do with each newsletter after I send it?
Don’t let it die in someone’s inbox.
One newsletter = five new content pieces.
Chop it up for social posts, threads, carousels, even a short video.
Squeeze every drop of value out of it. Work once, shine everywhere. That’s how smart creators stay visible without burning out.
Want help turning one idea into five content pieces? Paid subscribers get access to my Repurposing Made Simple cheat sheet—plus behind-the-scenes examples of how I do it every week.
Save time. Get seen. Stay sane.
10. How do I grow my subscriber numbers?
Write things worth sharing. Then actually share them—on social media, in communities, with friends. Ask your readers to forward your newsletter if it helped them.
Use Notes to stay visible. Repurpose posts into snackable content.
And most importantly—be consistent.
Growth doesn’t come from one viral hit. It comes from showing up, building trust, and making your readers feel like you’re writing just for them.
You grow by being useful, human, and impossible to ignore.
11. How do I stand out from all the AI-generated noise?
Be gloriously human. Share stories only you can tell.
Have a take. Show your face. Embrace your weird. AI can fake grammar, not soul.
Your quirks, scars, and lived experience are your superpower. Don’t polish them out—put them front and centre. That’s what makes people stick around.
12. What makes a Substack newsletter actually work?
It’s not luck. Or fancy design. Or writing like a New Yorker columnist.
What works is a clear promise—what your newsletter is about and for whom. A consistent voice that feels like a trusted friend. And content that either solves a real problem or makes someone feel less alone. Bonus points if it does both.
When people know what to expect, and you deliver it with heart, they stick around.
Do that well—week after week—and growth becomes steady. Revenue follows. And suddenly, your little newsletter isn’t so little anymore.
That’s all from me today.
As always, thanks for reading.
Great list, Neera. I need to focus on my repurposing. I know how. Just need to start.
💎