From 0 to 1,000 Subscribers: My Exact Strategy & 5 Growth Hacks
For all my Substack newbies out there
Most people are shocked by this:
It took me 3 months to get 100 free subscribers
Another 3 months to get me to 1,000 free subscribers
Another 3 months I’m getting 100 subscribers per DAY.
You can see the trend. Compound effects are real.
But you know what the problem is? 90% of people will never reach this rapid growth phase. Because to get there you need to have the consistency to work through the valley of death.
The first three months are horrible and I wished I would have had some kind of community to write together with.
And I know, many of you want the same!
That’s why here you get my final reminder to join this fantastic bootcamp:
Beat procrastination in April. Together.
In this bootcamp, you'll get:
Weekly Group Calls - Stay accountable with Monday check-in calls (10 am ET) and Friday check-out calls (3pm ET); no worries if you cannot make the call!
Easy Progress Tracking - Watch your word count grow
Supportive Slack Community - Never write alone again
We are going to have so much fun!
If you're just getting started on Substack, this is the perfect chance to ask any questions and set yourself up for success.
Besides finding accountability bodies and joining writing groups, there are a few other steps I would recommend for Substack growth and getting to your first 1,000 subscribers.
Let’s jump in.
Do you know my friend
? He writes and is doing a fantastic job bringing people together on here. Check him out:Want to lead, think, and write without the clichés? Join Matt at Beyond Platitudes, where he challenges assumptions and makes clarity louder than noise.
How to Actually Grow Your Substack
When it comes to content, this is what I would recommend and has been working well for me. Always remember that this is YOUR journey and you need to adjust it to whatever is possible and feels right.
Posts: Write 2 deep-dive posts weekly
Make them genuinely helpful
Solve real problems
Tell compelling stories
Notes: Drop 2 quick daily notes
Instant thoughts
Behind-the-scenes glimpses
Raw, unfiltered insights
Engagement: Comment 10 times daily
Be generous with your knowledge
Add value everywhere
Build real connections
I launched my Substack last May with no following whatsoever. Within six months, I became a Substack Bestseller and began earning a living from my writing. If you're ready to start earning from your writing in 2025, let’s explore the fast-track steps together.
#5 Growth Hack Tips
Those hacks can help you stand out amongst the crowd and actually make a difference in your Substack journey.
#1 Free Subscriber Email
Update the free welcome email that feels like a letter from a friend
Share your mission
Reveal why they'll love reading you
Give them something immediately useful
#2 New Subscriber Approach
Send a personalized DM
Ask one interesting question
Make them feel seen
This is what I say:
#3 SEO Quick Wins
Use clear, searchable titles
Write descriptions that hook readers
Link between your own posts
Make content easy to discover → use the build-int SEO function. If you write a post, click on settings in the lower right corner, scroll down and adjust the SEO descriptions there.
#4 Community Building
Run polls in your posts
Get audience insights
Make people feel involved
#5 Start your Group Chat early
I wish I would have started mine earlier. Your chat can be your biggest community tool. Use it to help people feel less alone.
Ask people to join your chat via DMs, place it in your menue on your publication and add it at the end of your post.
Final advice: Trust the process. Create value. Stay human.
Seen my FREE subscriber chat? We help each other grow and connect.
Loved your tips esp. the second one. Thank you Claudia.
Really helpful.. thanks for sharing this.