Why Notes Are the #1 Growth Engine on Substack
How I revived my Substack after 4 years of silence with just one note.
For a long time, I ignored Notes.
When Substack introduced them, I did what a lot of creators did: nodded politely, scrolled past, and went back to crafting my long-form issues in peace.
My publication had been lying dormant for nearly four years. I’d kept posting newsletters here and there, but let’s be honest—they weren’t reaching anyone new. My subscriber count was stuck. My energy was stuck. And some days, I wondered if the only people reading were my cat and maybe a kind stranger in Wisconsin.
Then one day, I decided to stop overthinking and start experimenting.
No big goals. No elaborate content calendar. Just one small commitment:
“I’ll write 2 Notes a day for 30 days.”
No strategy. No expectations. Just a nudge to show up.
The first few Notes were awkward. One got a few likes and a couple of comments from people who already knew me.
But then came Note #7.
It was simple. A short story about how I retired early to follow my dream of writing. No bells, no whistles—just truth, typed fast and posted without fuss.
That Note went viral.
I got:
1,400+ likes
190 comments
63 reposts
350+ new subscribers
in a matter of days.
That one moment jumpstarted everything. Not just my subscriber count, but my momentum. My belief. My joy.
Suddenly, I wasn’t just publishing into the void. I was having conversations. Building relationships. Watching my list grow in real time, after years of stagnant silence.
And all it took was showing up, one Note at a time.
This article is about how Notes can do that for you too.
Let’s break it down.
When a Note resonates, it can go viral—and bring in a flood of new subscribers.
But even when it doesn’t? Notes still quietly work in the background, drawing in a steady stream of readers.
That’s because Notes aren’t just for sharing bite-sized ideas.
They’re a visibility engine, a networking tool, and a shortcut to community and collaboration—all rolled into one.
And now, with the Notes Search feature, the game has changed again.
Discovery is no longer left to chance. People are actively searching for your topics—and Notes are how they find you.
In this post, I’ll show you exactly why Notes are the #1 growth engine on Substack—and how to use them strategically to grow your audience, increase engagement, and build momentum.
Let’s dive in.
1. Notes is a creator’s Marketplace.
Want to know who else is writing in your niche? Head to Notes.
Want to know whom to collaborate with? Head to Notes.
Want to know more about a topic? Head to Notes.
Substack Notes, unlike other social media platforms, are built for creators, not consumers. On X (Twitter), LinkedIn, or other platforms, most people are consumers. On Substack, most people are creators.
They are looking for creators like them to connect with.
Every like, comment, or repost you get isn’t just vanity—it’s potential.
It could lead to:
A co-promotion: recommendations, bundles, shoutouts
A co-creation: guest issues, interviews, co-authored pieces
A co-learning opportunity: feedback swaps, masterminds, creative partnerships
Think of Notes as the hallway at a writing conference—except no one cares if you’re in pyjamas.
2. Notes makes networking natural.
Want to pitch a big-name creator for a collab?
A cold DM usually ends up cold and dead.
But if you’ve been showing up in their Notes—cheering them on, adding thoughtful comments, riffing on their ideas—you’re no longer a stranger. You’re familiar. Trusted. Part of their creative world.
Notes lets you “date before you propose.”
Or at least connect before you suggest a joint issue or bundle swap.
4. Notes supercharge collaboration.
Most of us start solo: one voice, one vision, one laptop.
But creators who thrive long-term tend to team up. Because:
Collaboration boosts consistency
Collaboration multiplies creativity
Collaboration expands reach
Look at startup founders, academic journals, bestselling co-authors—the best ideas rarely grow in isolation.
Substack knows this. Notes Search is the infrastructure that makes collaboration easier and faster.
5. Notes Help You Find Your People.
Yes, you can search Notes now.
This is gold.
Here’s how to use it:
Brainstorm 5–10 keywords in your niche. (Think: book writing, digital products, creative business, self-publishing, newsletter growth)
Head to substack.com and type in a keyword.
Click the gray “Notes” bubble just below the search bar.
Scroll through the results.
Leave thoughtful comments. Add value. Follow the people whose Notes resonate.
And post your own Notes around those topics.
So when people click your name, they find your brilliant brain right there, thinking out loud and drawing them in.
Many writers inside Author Circle are already using 90-Day Write Grow Monetize program to build momentum, grow their audience, and stay consistent.
This month, we’re focusing on growth—with live Skill Sessions, accountability, and practical strategies that actually work.
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I'm currently running a 30-Day July Notes Challenge inside the Author Circle Chat and you’re invited to join that.
If you’d love some encouragement, accountability, and mutual support, I’ve put together a list of Author Circle community members who are active on Notes.
Come connect, comment, and cheer each other on.
That’s all from me today.
As always, thanks for reading.
I love Notes! and I agree, they make connecting to other writers so easy
Thanks Neera. I'm uncertain about the efficacy of notes. Posting more feels like social media without the interaction or feedback - silence in a void. I've been on this platform for 18 months, writing my weekly newsletters and have 60 subscribers. I'm on the fence about continuing here, the integration of my newsletters here with my website once it's built, and whether to continue with Substack or move to fully on my website. It's a conundrum! Definitely no viral notes thus far. 🤣