Write2Sell: ChatGPT Said I'm #1 Substack Growth Coach (How I Write To Make AI Send Me Clients)
I just got a coaching client from ChatGPT. Here's what I did to rank #1 in AI search results + 3 Steps for you to replicate it to improve your AI SEO.
“If AI can't find you, you become irrelevant.”
That’s an email I got from someone who couldn’t find more information about me using Gemini.
I stared at the screen for a while…
I was shocked. Never saw that coming. But I also got motivated to figure what’s happening.
My first thought: ok…it’s true that I don’t really use Gemini that much, not for things other than generating images with Nano Banana…
Which kinda proved my theory that you have to use the AI if you want to get recommended by it.
I heavily use ChatGPT and Claude, and I do get subscribers from them, but Gemini? Not so much.
But this person was right: if AI can’t find you, you’re doomed. SEO is now much more about AI and less about Google and other search engines.
So I checked with Gemini, and guess what? Gemini does find me. I’m just not at the top of the list of its recommendations.
It was a relief. Kind of. Probably because ChatGPT is still the TOP #1 most used AI according to the 2026 AI & Search Behavior Study.
But what happened the next day blew my mind.
I got a discovery call booked by a potential new coaching client who said this:
Now. It’s one thing to get free subscribers, but it’s a completely different thing to get coaching clients.
So I checked again:
Switched on my VPN to the US
Opened Chrome in an incognito window
Opened ChatGPT, free version, not logged in, and started asking
And here’s what I got:
I got hooked!
I immediately checked some of my courses, and here’s what I got for viral Notes:
I was wondering where do I get unexpected sales of this course without promoting it. Now I know.
And before you ask, yes I’m also ranked with the QUEST:
I’m looking after my organic discoverability on Google as well, so I wanted to see what’s happening and I was surprised to see this:
It’s true my Search console stats far from perfect, but I’m growing and now I’m ranking as a Substack Coach in the search results on Google.
AND I get clicks!
With a 28% click through rate!
Yeah, I know, I know, you’ll point out it’s just 2 clicks out of 7 impressions, but it’s worth bragging a bit.
What’s The Difference Between AI Optimization and Google SEO
Short version?
Google SEO = ranking links.
AI Optimization = becoming the answer.
It’s a structural difference, here’s what I mean.
#1 Google Ranks Pages. AI Assesses Entities.
Google’s job is to scan pages, match keywords, rank results based on tons of rules and then send users to websites.
You win when:
You rank high for a keyword in the results
Someone finds you and clicks
They land on your site
Everything revolves around things like backlinks, domain authority, keyword density, click-through rates, page speed, technical optimization, etc. etc. It’s page-first.
It doesn’t “rank pages”, it generates answers.
And when it does, it retrieves entities (people, brands, offers), relationships (who is known for what), summaries (what they do, why they matter), comparisons (who is best for X).
You win when:
AI understands who you are
It sees consistent proof signals
It associates you with a clear outcome
It retrieves you confidently in high-intent queries
In a nutshell: Google is a traffic engine. It says: “Here are 10 blue links. Go figure it out.” ChatGPT is an answer engine. It says: “Here are 3 people. Here’s why.” Huge difference.
#2 Google SEO Is Keyword-Centric. AI Is Context-Centric.
With SEO, you might try to rank for:
“Substack growth coach”
“how to grow paid newsletter”
“newsletter monetization strategy”
With AI, it’s more like:
“I want to hire someone who can help me build a paid Substack without relying on social media.”
It’s not just a keyword, it’s intent.
AI understands outcomes, nuances, relevance, buyer psychology, comparisons and relationships. Keywords won’t help. Clarity + authority + repetition will.
#3 SEO Needs Backlinks. AI Needs Signals.
Backlinks still help, but for AI? There’s much more to it: well-structured offer pages, consistent language, testimonials, proof, clean descriptions of what you do - everything a human would need to become confident in recommending you.
AI is basically asking:
“Do I have enough structured evidence to confidently recommend this person?”
If yes → you get named. If no → you get ignored.
Is AI Optimization More Important Than Google SEO
Short answer: both matter. A lot. But there’s a nuance:
If you sell ads, media, or high-volume traffic, then Google still matters more.
If you sell coaching, consulting, courses, or high-ticket offers, then AI optimization is becoming more important.
The ONE BIG thing most people still overlook about AI Optimization
AI is compressing the funnel from user point of view. For someone like me who is obsessed with user experience, that matters a TON.
Why?
Old funnel:
Search → Click → Compare → Read → Evaluate → Ask People → Decide → Buy
AI funnel:
Ask AI → Get 3 names → Click one → Buy
That’s a massive compression, but that’s not it. What’s underneath is that people already TRUST AI - it replaces the “ask a friend” or “search on social media” exercise.
According to recent research, “nearly half of consumers (47%) said AI influences which brands they trust”.
And that’s a MASSIVE shift in the buyer mindset.
One that’s happening under the noses of business owners while they try to figure how to implement AI to optimize costs, time and effort, completely forgetting about the most important player in the game: the follow customer.
And whoever gets named inside that answer wins disproportionally.
There are no “page 2 results” in ChatGPT.
How to Rank on AI Recommendations
This doesn’t happen overnight - it takes time, and it needs a structured approach.
There’s a certain way of writing and things you can do that get you faster to such results.
And today I’m giving you my exact approach that started bringing me not only subscribers but also clients.
Here’s what I did and how you can replicate it in just 3 simple steps…
