I Almost Quit Substack. Then I Discovered These Hidden Features

The tools that transformed my writing game.

Anshul Kumar

Apr 30, 2025

When I started writing on Substack, I felt like I was yelling into the void.

No comments. No feedback. Just me, my thoughts, and the chirping sound of zero notifications.

It was disheartening.

I had content and stories, but I didn’t know how to use Substack like I did the pros.

Then I stumbled upon a few game-changers. Credit goes to folks like

Kristina God

Jari Roomer

and

Nicolas Cole

, who not only taught me how to write better, but also how to publish smarter.

These aren’t the usual “write consistently” tips. These are hidden-in-plain-sight Substack features that, when used well, can help you grow, connect, and turn silent readers into raving fans.

So, here’s my cheat sheet, along with real use cases and why each one matters.

1. Welcome Emails: The Digital Handshake That Builds Trust

What it is: A customizable email that goes out the moment someone subscribes—free or paid.

Why it matters: This is your one shot to say, “Hey, I’m glad you’re here,” and tell your new reader what to expect. You get to set the tone and give them a nudge to explore more of your content.

Use case:
I used to ignore this. My welcome email tells readers about my story, links to my most-loved post, and encourages replies.

The result?

I started seeing real human responses, and some of those conversations turned into loyal paid subscribers.

👉 How to activate: Go to your Substack Dashboard → Settings → Welcome Email.

2. Recommendations: The “Secret Sauce” of Organic Growth

What it is: A built-in feature that allows you to recommend other Substacks—and receive recommendations in return.

Why it matters: This is not social media clout-chasing. It’s how you build community and get discovered by readers of similar writers.

Use case:
After a coaching call with Jari Roomer, I added five recommended newsletters that I genuinely read and love. Within two weeks, two of them recommended me back, so my subscriber count got a gentle boost without paying for ads.

Where to find it: Dashboard → Recommendations → Add recommendations.
💡 Pro tip: Add a personal note to your recommendations. “I read this every Sunday with my coffee” goes a long way.

3. Reader Segments: Speak to the Right Crowd

What it is: Substack automatically tags your readers into segments—Free, Paid, Founding, etc.

Why it matters: Not all readers are at the same stage. Some need nurturing, others are your superfans. You can write directly to each group, building relevance and retention.

Use case:
When I launched a behind-the-paywall post, I wrote a short preview email only to free readers, inviting them to upgrade. That email alone converted 3% of my list to paid.

How to use: When writing a post or email, click on “Send to…” and choose the segment.

4. “Lead Magnet” via Free Download

What it is: Offering a free resource (PDF, guide, template) in exchange for an email sign-up.

Why it matters: People love value. If you give them something helpful upfront, they're more likely to stay. Substack doesn’t make this easy natively, but there’s a workaround.

Use case:
I will be creating a one-page “Morning Productivity Ritual” PDF. I will use ConvertKit to gate it behind an email opt-in and route new subscribers to Substack via Zapier.

Nerdy? Yes.

Effective? Absolutely.

Tools needed: ConvertKit or Beehiiv (for landing page) + Zapier → Substack.

5. Stats Deep Dive: Look Beyond Vanity Metrics

What it is: Substack offers a clean dashboard showing open rates, clicks, subscriber sources, and more.

Why it matters: Writing is art. Growing is data. Knowing which posts got love (and from where) tells you what to double down on.

Use case:
I noticed that posts tagged under “time management” consistently had higher engagement. That insight helped me rebrand part of my newsletter around practical productivity hacks.

Guess what?

Open rates jumped from 38% to 46%.

Where to find: Dashboard → Stats → Post details.

6. Notes: The Twitter Alternative You’re Sleeping On

What it is: Substack’s short-form post format—like Twitter, but built for writers.

Why it matters: It’s organic, reaches new audiences, and doesn’t depend on algorithms. Plus, readers can discover you through Notes even if they’ve never heard of you.

Use case:
I post short blurbs three times a week: a behind-the-scenes thought, a quote I loved, or a teaser of an upcoming post. It’s like mini-content marketing—lightweight but effective.

Where to post: Click “Notes” from the Substack sidebar.

7. Paywall Break: Tease Before You Please

What it is: You can place a “read more” break anywhere in your post, turning part of it into paywalled content.

Why it matters: It’s your sales funnel. You give value upfront, then invite people to upgrade for the rest. This is better than locking the whole thing from the start.

Use case:
In my “3-Minute Focus Habit” post, I shared the what and why for free but kept the actionable steps and a printable template behind a paywall. The preview was widely shared. The rest? For paying readers only.

How to insert: Use the "Insert paywall" button in the editor.

BONUS: Repost Old Content—Smartly

What it is: Your best posts can get buried. But you can resurface them using Notes, emails, or even re-publishing with fresh intros.

Why it matters: You don’t always need new content. You need new eyes on your best content.

Use case:
Every 8 weeks, I reshare one of my favorite posts through Notes or a curated digest. It sparks new engagement every time.

Final Thoughts

Substack is not just a place to dump your thoughts. It’s a publishing powerhouse if you use its gears correctly.

When I started, I thought excellent writing alone would carry me.

Now I know: writing gets you noticed, but thoughtful publishing builds a loyal tribe. So explore these features, play around with them, and make them yours.

And hey, if you’re feeling stuck, remember: I was right there too.