20 Substack Cheat Codes That Top Creators Don't Want You to Know
Content Is Dead. This Is What Kills It (And Saves Your Substack)
Hey there, fellow creators!
Let's get honest about making your Substack stand out.
These aren't your typical boring tips—these secrets will help you connect with readers and make your newsletter something people can't wait to open.
Your newsletter isn't Just Words—it's a Story. Think of your newsletter like a TV show that keeps people returning for more. Take my friend Sarah, who writes about climate change. Instead of just throwing out random facts, she tells a continuous story about how real people fight to save our planet. Each newsletter is like a new episode that keeps readers hooked.
Get Inside Your Readers' Heads. Stop thinking about readers as just numbers. Try to understand what keeps them up at night. My buddy Jake runs a career newsletter and doesn't just give generic advice. He talks directly about those moments of doubt, those secret fears about being stuck in a job that doesn't matter. People love that he gets them.
Be Crazy Generous Here's a wild idea. Give away your best stuff for free. Most people hold back, but the creators who succeed are the ones who aren't afraid to share everything. A tech writer I know shares insider reports that most consultants would charge thousands for. And you know what? People trust him completely.
Create Your Little Community. Forget trying to please everyone. Instead, create a super-tight group of people who get each other. A cooking newsletter I love does this ideally—they have special groups for midnight bakers, vegan experimenters, and street food fanatics. It's like a secret club.
Throw out the Scheduling Rulebook. Don't post just to post. Write when you're truly inspired. A true crime writer I follow only sends out an issue when she has a mind-blowing breakthrough. People go crazy waiting for each newsletter.
Be Real but Strategic. Please share your personal stories, but do it smartly. A mental health writer I follow doesn't just dump her problems on readers. She shares her journey in a way that helps people feel more vigorous.
Challenge People (Nicely). Don't just tell people what they want to hear. A political newsletter I read constantly makes me think differently—not by being aggressive, but by showing angles I've never considered.
Make Readers Part of the Story. Let your readers help create the content. A travel writer I know lets subscribers vote on where she'll investigate next. It's like they're all exploring together.
Show Yourself Learning. You don't need to be the ultimate expert. Show people you're learning, too. A tech trends writer does this brilliantly—inviting readers to explore new technologies alongside him.
Give an Emotional Payoff. Every newsletter should make people feel something. A personal growth writer I follow doesn't just give advice—she makes you feel like you can change your life.
Keep It Surprising and Throw in unexpected connections. A culture newsletter I love will suddenly connect a movie review to a profound philosophical idea. It keeps things interesting.
Speak to Different Types of People. Recognize that people think differently. A money advice newsletter I read doesn't just give generic tips—it speaks to different types of people. Are you a "play it safe" person or a risk-taker? They've got advice for everyone.
Challenge People (Gently). Push people to think a little deeper. A philosophy newsletter does this by presenting ideas that make you go, "Hmm, I never thought about it like that."
Connect the Dots. Show how today's stories connect to bigger human experiences. A current events newsletter I love doesn't just report news—it shows how today's stories fit into larger human narratives.
Be a Bit Mysterious. Don't explain everything. A leadership newsletter I read uses storytelling and metaphors that make you think and interpret.
Show Your Work. Be open about how you're figuring things out. A marketing insights writer shares her entire research process—failures and all.
Dig Deeper. Don't just scratch the surface. A relationships newsletter I love explores the hidden emotional stuff we all feel but don't talk about.
Embrace Complexity. Show that life isn't black and white. A social science newsletter does this by showing how human experiences are wonderfully complicated.
Connect to Bigger Ideas. Don't just write in isolation. Show how your ideas connect to more significant movements and thought processes.
And, finally, a Bonus: Be Transparent. Once in a while, explain how and why you're doing what you're doing.
People love seeing behind the scenes.
Your Substack newsletter isn't just words on a screen. It's a living, breathing conversation with real people.
Cheering you on,
Anshul
P.S. Which of these ideas got you excited? Hit reply and let me know!
I love it when a reader actually requests me to write about something in particular. Many of the issues we face are not just unique to us.