The 30-minute daily routine that can transform your Substack in 30 Days

A simple, repeatable strategy to boost visibility, build trust, and spark genuine engagement.

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Yesterday, I shared this Note on Substack:

It’s based on the approach I took to initially grow my Substack audience from a few dozen to over 1,000 subscribers towards the end of 2023.

Back then, I really didn’t know what I was doing.

I just knew there was something different about Substack, and I wanted to connect with more of my fellow users on the platform.

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Most writers, I think, say they want to grow on Substack, but very few actually commit to making it happen.

Commitment, in this case, requires consistency.

There’s no silver bullet here. No trick, no hack. But there are systems.

If you follow the one I’ve shared above for just 30 minutes a day for 30 days, you’ll start to see genuine traction in your audience growth. It won’t be life-changing at that stage, but it’ll be the beginning of real momentum. And without momentum, you’ll find yourself running on the spot.

So, here’s what you can do to spark some audience growth momentum on Substack, right now.

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Why this works

Before we dive into this simple daily checklist, let’s talk about why this works so well:

First, visibility compounds. Every Note you share, every comment you leave, every post you interact with… all of it helps more people discover your work. They’re all little signposts pointing people to your profile, your publication, and whatever it is you’re offering.

Second, reciprocity is real. When you show up in other people’s comments, Notes, and Chat threads, a portion of other users who read your words will check out your profile and potentially subscribe to your publication. You can maximise the chances of this happening by following people, too.

Thirdly, consistency builds trust. When people see you consistently show up in their feed, you become familiar. That familiarity breeds trust, and that trust leads to connection.

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Your 30-minute daily Substack routine

So, here it is - your daily growth routine for Substack. It worked for me and it’ll work for you if you stick with it.

Repeat this every day for 30 days. Grab a cup of coffee, set a timer on your phone (or stick an episode of your favourite show on in the background), and start.

That’s all it takes.

1. Publish at least 3 Notes

• Vary the format: one Note might be a photo, one might be a quick thought you had in the shower, one might be a quote or list of suggested actions.

• In one Note, try asking a question or sharing something behind the scenes from your own writing journey. Encourage engagement.

• Keep them short and authentic. Notes thrive human connection, not polish. You can publish them all at once or spread them out using a scheduler.

2. Engage with at least 3 other Notes

Open up your Substack Home page. Scroll across to your preferred category. Browse through the Notes shown on your feed. Rick-click the ones you feel like you can add something to. Start with at least 3.

• Then, work your way through them. Leave a meaningful comment on each, something more than just “Great post!” Try to add value or ask a question (or both).

• Restack at least 1 of them and include a short comment with your take on the matter. Restacking without a comment is fine, but if you include your thoughts, it’s becomes a lot more valuable.

3. Read at least 1 full post from someone you follow

• Open the Explore or Subscriptions tab. Browse through the latest posts available. Choose something that resonates.

• Leave a comment that adds to the conversation and shows your appreciation. Don’t be afraid to read and reply to some other comments, too.

4. Comment in at least 1 Chat thread

• Pick a Chat thread in a publication you’re subscribed to.

• Drop in a thought, a tip, a question, an answer to the publisher’s question… anything that shows you’re there and you’re not just lurking (or trying to sell an unwanted Macbook).

Note: I’ve used the phrase “at least” every time here for a reason, because these are minimums. Some days you’ll do more, and that’s great. The more you engage, the more visible you become.

All that effort compounds over time.

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What you’ll gain by day 30

Most people won’t manage this. They’ll get bored or tired after the first week and drop off, and then they’ll complain that they can’t grow their audience.

Death. Taxes. People giving up quickly and complaining about it.

Honestly, if you stick with it, you will start to see real traction.

Here’s what you’re likely to notice:

• More engagement on your Notes (likes, comments, restacks)

• More people following you (especially if you follow them first)

• More email replies and post comments (especially if you invite them)

• A growing sense of confidence as a writer

And most importantly, a more active and connected Substack community around you.

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Make sure to track it

A quick tip to finish - make sure to track your progress.

You could be experiencing amazing growth and traction compared to how things were for you before and not realise it because you’re not keeping a record.

Try creating a simple daily tracker or checklist in Notion, a Google Doc, or even on a good ol’ fashioned piece of paper. Checking that little box each day builds a sense of progress (and gives you a sweet dopamine hit).

You’ll be shocked how powerful and addictive that is (in the best possible way).

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Want some help getting set up properly on Substack while you grow over the next 30 days? Grab my FREE 7-day email course, Substack Launchpad - you’ll get one email a day for 7 days to help build your confidence, consistency, and traction on Substack. 🚀

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Read next:

• Why your posts aren’t converting (and how to fix them fast)

• Why a paid Substack tier often isn’t enough (and what to add next)

• The simple $173 tech stack powering my entire solo writing business

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