How I Built an Audience from Zero When Everyone Said I'd Fail
And how long it takes to see results on Substack
Most people quit before they ever truly begin. Not because they lack talent, but because they can't survive the quiet months when it feels like nobody's listening.
I remember those first three months on Substack like they were yesterday. Each post felt like a message in a bottle thrown into an endless digital ocean. Some days, I was convinced I was writing to absolutely no one - not even my mom was reading.
But here's what most creators won't tell you: Those silent months are your real training ground.
I went from writing into the nothingness (picture on the left when I started), to now getting lots of traction on my notes (picture on the right).
Let me share with you what has helped me overcome those lonely first months to break through the “beginner’s hell”.
And what I recommend for those who have to be their own strongest believers.
When nobody else believes in you.
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.
From Zero to Hundreds: My Substack Transformation
When I started, my subscriber count was embarrassingly low. We're talking single digits. Most people would look at those numbers and think, "What's the point?" But I decided to treat it like an experiment. A challenge to myself: Could I show up consistently, even when it seemed like the world wasn't paying attention?
Three months in, something shifted. It wasn't dramatic. No viral moment. Just two paid subscribers on the same day - a tiny signal that someone, somewhere, saw value in my words.
My strategy was brutally simple: Focus on building a free subscriber base. Don't chase paid subscriptions. Create content that genuinely helps people. Show up, even when it feels like you're talking to yourself.
My growth projection (currently) looks like this:
3 months → your first 100 subscribers
6 months → your first 1,000 subscribers
1 year → your first 10,000 subscribers.
While it took me 3 months to get to my first 100 subscribers, I now get 100 subscribers a day. It’s simple compound effects. And they will work for you, too.
But those numbers mean nothing if you don't persist through the initial resistance.
Most creators get discouraged and quit in the first 3-6 months. They see low engagement and assume it means failure. But what they're really experiencing is the universal test of any creative journey: Can you believe in yourself when no one else does?
Your job isn't to go viral. Your job is to keep showing up. To refine your voice. To provide consistent value. To trust that your audience will find you if you remain authentic and persistent.
I didn't have a magic formula.
I just refused to quit. I wrote about what excited me. I shared genuine experiences. I treated each post like a conversation with a friend, not a performance for massive crowds.
My recommendation for the tough beginnings
Months 1-3: Focus 100% on building a FREE subscriber base
Do NOT obsess over subscriptions
Aim to reach 200-300 free subscribers first before thinking about a paid strategy
Create content that provides genuine value
The creators who succeed aren't the most talented. They're the ones who can sit with discomfort. Who can write when it feels like nobody's reading. Who understand that building an audience is a marathon, not a sprint.
Practical Survival Tactics
Write about what genuinely excites you & share personal stories and insights
Engage with your tiny (but mighty) audience
Respond to comments
Don't compare your beginning to someone else's middle!
The Non-Negotiables
Show up consistently
Stay authentic
Provide value
Be patient with yourself
So if you're in those first tough months - feeling invisible, wondering if it's worth it - this is your reminder: Keep going. Your future audience is out there, waiting to discover you.
Your only job right now? Show up. Stay curious. Be patient with yourself.
‼️ Join me next week in my “Beat Procrastination Bootcamp”
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!
Simple Daily Prompts - Know what to write each day
Easy Progress Tracking - Watch your word count grow
Supportive Slack Community - Never write alone again
If this post was helpful, feel free to comment, like, engage - it really helps.
Seen my FREE subscriber chat? We help each other grow and connect.
"Can you believe in yourself when no one else does?" And "the ones who can sit with discomfort." 🥇
This is a nice reminder to not compare the start of my journey to other people's middle, or even other people's start.