Many smart writers don't want to use X formerly Twitter anymore.
They feel frustrated about what's been going on.
That’s why they join Substack and the new ‘Twitter for writers’, as I call it.
I also quit writing on X and am now happy sharing my thoughts on Substack Notes, get in contact with interesting people around the world, connect and engage.
Solopreneur and indie fiction author
joined Substack in 2019, and as many can relate, was just there.He focused on Twitter and spent 2022 growing his following on Twitter by showing up every day.
He started with three followers and ended up with 16,000. Now, 20,500.
He became a renter because you don’t own your following on social media.
On Substack where you can own your audience, he was just flailing around and didn't see real growth.
Then, his audience growth shot upwards.
In less than two months, he gained over 1,400 subscribers.
His newsletter turned him from a renter into an owner.
BONKERS, isn't it?
And look how many likes, restacks and how much engagement he gets. These are just a few examples of many. In 2024, he had lots of stories with more than 2,000 likes and lots of restacks (shares).
David Went from Flailing Around to 16,000+ Subscribers Using Substack Notes
David started making regular use of the Notes feature, the new ‘Twitter for writers’.
Notes is Substack’s internal social media network dedicated to short form.
It’s for writers and authors who are sick and tired of, well,… social media.
How does that come together?
Well, it’s social media like in the good old days.
It's ad free
It helps you discover new writers
It helps you and your writing get discovered by others
In my opinion, Substack Notes is definitely a viable X (formerly Twitter) competitor and alternative.
Maybe that’s one of the reasons Elon Musk doesn’t show Substack posts as embed anymore. He even wanted to buy Substack.
In April 2025, Substack Notes will Celebrate it’s Second Birthday!
I know Notes has changed the lives of so many people.
Although baby Substack still has to wait some more months until it turns two, I’d love to celebrate this awesome social media network and its network effects in the next posts, videos and this podcast with you.
David and I Agree…
The strength of Notes lies in the community and the network effects.
We discovered so many great authors through Notes that I could identify with very well.
As you might now, I love short form posts. (As a busy part-time creating mom, every day I share one easy digestible short post on Medium.) It’s the perfect place for me.
You’re ill-advised if you play the subscribe-for-subscribe or subscribe-unsubscribe game some influencers recommend at the moment.
There Are Four Types of Substack Writers
Those who…
don’t know about Substack’s Notes feature
don’t capitalize on it
write a handful of posts and then think their posts don’t get tracion, suck or it’s worthless to be there
don’t “get” it
My tip: Don’t sleep on Substack’s Notes feature because (besides Substack Recommendations) it’s a powerful internal growth engine.
Grab you favourite beverage 🧋and listen to today’s podcast episode.
Enjoy!
🥳Invitation to The Substack Notes Kickstarter Bootcamp 2025 with David Mcllroy
Starting at March 3, David and I are leading you through a private 5-Day LIVE Bootcamp designed to help you (FINALLY) kickstart your Substack Notes journey.
✅March 3-7, 2pm EST, 5× 90min + 5 implementation days and BONUS sessions
🥳ROCKSTAR SESSION with bootcampers who have gone before you (and went viral!) and alumni sharing insights about Substack Notes!
🚀Substack Notes Kickstarter BOOST Challenges
🥳6 BONUSES! I’m not kidding…
See you inside!
P.S. I was the first to interview David last year on Substack Notes. He inspired me to keep using it (although I never went viral the way he did). I’m now at 11,000 subscribers, earning $33,000 ARR and have 114,000 monthly views (most are coming from network effects). It’s so worthwhile and I know many are missing out on using this wonderful social media network. It’s the best I’ve ever been on. So join us and the other bootcampers. Let’s connect, collab and grow together.
P.P.S. Substack is growing sooooo fast, so does baby Substack Notes.
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