The Real Reason Your Notes Flop (And the Copywriting Trick That Fixes It)
Want More Subscribers? Stop Posting Like a Hobbyist and Start Opening Loops
Here’s what most writers are doing on Notes (wrong):
Sharing random quotes.
Talking about their personal life.
Dropping “New post is live!” links and hoping someone cares.
Spoiler alert: no one cares.
Notes are not mini-blogs. They’re also not X or LinkedIn posts. And they’re definitely not a dumping ground for your post-promo crumbs.
They’re a growth loop.
They’re the top of your funnel.
They’re how strangers find you without even looking.
But only if you use them right.
Write Notes Like a Copywriter, Not a Hobbyist
There are only three types of Notes that consistently drive subscriber growth. Each one serves a purpose, and each one opens a loop in the reader’s mind that only your newsletter can close.
Here they are:
1. Spark Curiosity
You’re not trying to inform. You’re trying to intrigue.
Example:
You can start with something like this:
“I once tripled my email list because of a single typo. Here’s what happened…”
That’s not a story. That’s bait. But not a click bait.
The right kind of bait.
It gets the click, builds interest, and opens a question that your newsletter answers.
Ask yourself:
What question does this open?
How does my post or product answer it?
Now you’ve got a real strategy.
2. Celebrate Your Wins
We don’t trust perfect people. We trust real ones with proof.
Post your subscriber milestones, lessons learned, even little wins like “I just scheduled my 10th weekly post in a row.”
Why?
Because it makes your journey visible.
Because people want to follow momentum.
Because you’re building relatability and status at the same time.
People don’t want a guru. They want a guide who’s a few steps ahead.
Example:
Writers are also humans. Whatever your niche is, this works.
3. Tease Your Paywalled Content
No one pays for something they don’t want.
So… make them want it.
Drop snippets.
Ask provocative questions.
End on the paywall cliffhangers.
Example:
Hint: use my custom GPT to put your Note ideas into four viral posts.
You’re not begging for a sub.
You’re showing the value of what’s behind the wall.
That’s how you turn Notes into money.
Here’s my system:
Use Notes to attract free subscribers.
Use Posts to convert them into paying ones.
That’s the game.
And you can’t half-play it.
So if you’re staring at your screen wondering why your subscriber count looks like a desert, check your Notes.
Because that’s where the party starts.
You just have to stop writing like you’re hoping someone finds you…
and start writing like someone who knows exactly what they’re building.
Bottom line
Notes aren’t bonus content. They’re your billboard.
Curiosity builds attention. Paywalls build income.
Want more subscribers? Write Notes that start the conversation.
Want more paid subscribers? Write Posts that finish it.
Now go tweak your Note game like your newsletter business depends on it. Because it does.
Stay Unplugged!
Yana
P.S. Grow your email list with 300 to 900 new subscribers per month working just 15 minutes per day (even if you’re just starting on Substack).
👉 Find my story along with a dozen other stories from creators who built their own path to consistent $10k+ months through newsletters, courses, communities, consulting, and more, in this FREE 10k Secrets Book!
Kickstart Your Substack Growth:
Get a FREE 10-Day Substack crash course to grow your first 1000 subscribers
Join the One and Only Substack Quest to build a high-converting Substack
Work with me to get your Substack up and growing
Save Tons of Time! Use My Custom GPTs:
The Title Generator that gives me headlines that stop the scroll
The Notes Writer that writes Viral Notes, bringing me hundreds of subs
The Writer Pro that turns my Notes into >90% human drafts (here’s the free version).
Become an Affiliate:
Earn 30% from each sale. Apply here (I approve everyone).