Chapter 1: The Hard Truth About Substack Growth (And Why You Need a Niche)
Subject: Your Substack Isn't Growing? Let's Fix That.
Welcome to the first chapter of our journey into growing your Substack newsletter. If you're pouring your heart into writing but seeing subscriber numbers crawl (or stagnate), you're not alone. Let's tackle the foundational reasons why this happens and set the stage for real growth.
The Invisibility Problem
The single biggest reason most Substacks fail to grow is simple: no one knows they exist.
Think about it. You're a new voice, potentially writing incredible content, but you're entering a vast ocean of existing newsletters, blogs, social media feeds, and countless other demands on people's attention. As a new writer, you're not just competing with other newsletters; you're competing with everything.
The old "build it and they will come" mentality? It doesn't work here. Simply hitting 'publish' and hoping for the best is like whispering your deepest thoughts into a hurricane. You need a strategy to be found.
The "Everything to Everyone" Trap
Another common pitfall is writing without a clear focus. It's tempting to cover a broad range of topics you find interesting, hoping to cast a wide net. Unfortunately, this usually backfires.
Trying to be everything to everyone often means you end up being nothing specific to anyone. Readers subscribe when they see a clear value proposition, a specific problem you solve, or a distinct perspective you offer. A scattered approach dilutes your message and makes it hard for potential subscribers to understand why they should commit their limited inbox space and attention to you.
Slow growth is often a symptom of a newsletter that lacks a defined niche.
The Solution Mindset
People don't just subscribe to newsletters; they subscribe to solutions. They subscribe because they believe your content will help them:
Solve a specific problem (e.g., "How do I grow my Substack?")
Learn a new skill (e.g., "Mastering landscape photography")
Stay informed about a particular industry (e.g., "The future of AI in healthcare")
Gain a unique perspective on a topic they care about (e.g., "Stoicism for modern life")
Feel connected to a community or entertained in a specific way.
Before you write another word, ask yourself: What problem am I solving for my ideal reader? What unique value am I offering? Give them a compelling, undeniable reason to hit that subscribe button.
This Week's Action:
Honest Assessment: Look at your Substack. Is it immediately clear who it's for and what problem it solves or value it provides?
Refine Your Focus: If your niche is fuzzy, spend time this week defining it. Who is your ideal reader? What are their specific challenges or interests that you can address better than anyone else?
Don't worry if it feels daunting – defining your niche is the crucial first step. As we'll explore next week, the saying holds true: the riches are in the niches.
Until next week, keep measuring your words,
Tom Kane
The Measured Word
