Most people have no idea how to actually grow on Substack. They follow generic advice, hoping something sticks.
But the truth is, there are hidden tactics that barely anyone talks about—strategies buried in the corners of the internet.
I used these to go from 0 to 1,000 subscribers in just 50 days.
But I didn’t do it alone.
One person who played a huge role in my growth was Yana G.Y. Her insights on newsletter strategy, audience-building, and monetization pushed me to think differently. We recommended each other’s newsletters, exchanged strategies, and supported each other’s growth. That kind of collaboration is invaluable, and it helped me reach more readers faster than I ever could have alone.
Here’s exactly how I did it.
The Secret That Changed Everything: Distribution First, Writing Second
Most people assume writing a great newsletter is step one. Wrong. If nobody sees your work, it doesn’t matter how good it is.
Instead, I spent 80% of my time getting my newsletter in front of new people before worrying about perfection. Here’s how:
I manually reached out to people who might find my content useful—yes, real DMs, not spam.
I engaged with other Substack newsletters, leaving thoughtful comments that drew people to my work.
I optimized my Substack for discoverability, using clear titles and descriptions that made people want to click.
If you only focus on writing and expect people to find you, you’ll be waiting forever.
The Power of Recommendations: The Hidden Growth Engine
One of Substack’s most powerful (and underrated) features is Recommendations.
It’s a built-in system where other writers can recommend your newsletter to their audience.
This creates free, high-quality subscribers who are already interested in your content.
How I made the most of it:
I actively recommended newsletters I genuinely liked. Many returned the favor.
I built relationships with other writers and asked for mutual recommendations.
I optimized my content to keep new readers hooked, ensuring they stayed subscribed after discovering me.
This alone can bring in hundreds of subscribers without you lifting a finger.
I got hundreds of subscribers from recommendations:
The Underground Tactic That Made My Substack Grow Fast
Here’s something you won’t hear anywhere else: Comment hijacking.
Instead of trying to go viral on my own, I strategically commented on big Substack newsletters.
I found newsletters where my target audience was hanging out.
I left insightful, value-packed comments that made people curious about my newsletter.
I subtly included a link when it made sense, without spamming.
This method alone drove hundreds of subscribers for free. And almost nobody does it.
How to Make Subscribers Actually Pay You
Growing a list is one thing—getting paid subscribers is another. Here’s what worked for me:
A time-sensitive, high-value discount. Instead of saying “Subscribe for $5/month,” I offered 75% off forever.
I created FOMO by showing social proof. Every time someone upgraded, I shared it (without revealing private info). This made people think, “I don’t want to miss out.”
I treated free subscribers like VIPs. Most people neglect their free list. I did the opposite—I sent them insanely valuable insights, which made them feel obligated to upgrade just to support me.
Why Most People Fail (And How to Avoid It)
Most newsletters die out because they focus on the wrong things.
They write long, fluffy content nobody cares about. I kept my emails short, sharp, and packed with value.
They rely only on Substack’s network. I actively brought in traffic from outside.
They don’t sell properly. I made paying a no-brainer with the right offers and urgency.
The Results?
In just 50 days:
1,000+ subscribers
Lots of paid members
A fast-growing, engaged audience
No paid ads. No gimmicks. Just real strategies that actually work.
If you’re serious about growing on Substack, focus on getting eyeballs first, leveraging recommendations, and using underground tactics like comment hijacking. Then, make subscribing so easy that people can’t say no.
Use these steps, stay consistent, and watch your audience explode.
Solid tips. We are implementing these into our newsletter right now.
Great post!