this is super useful, thank you Sarah. I wonder, would you offer any different advice to those of us who mostly write posts that provide a service to readers, rather than an opinion on a topic - eg: weekly recipes, as in my case? Thanks
I really appreciate being mentioned in such excellent company. And, Sarah, I really appreciate the peculiar character of YOUR advise - with me you have always been practical and encouraging without ever making me feel like an amateur. You have also been so helpful in getting me to treasure why I wanted to write in the first place. I think that holding that as a guidepost has been so helpful and I am forever grateful for your help and your wisdom.
Thanks Sarah, an interesting read. I can certainly do the obsession bit!
My blink and you’ve missed it moment came last October when The Weekender opened with one of my photos that had unexpectedly picked up traction on Notes. A couple of thoughts: I gained more subscribers from the Note than from being featured; perhaps it’s different if they showcase your written content. And if I hadn’t been subscribed to the old Substack Reads, I would have been none the wiser—no notification, no badge—so do make sure you are subscribed and read it. It was however a thrill at the time.
Sarah, wonderfully informative post, as always. You model what you teach. "Quality, quality, quality" is an echo from our one-on-ones that guides each stage of my workflow. Beyond the Comfort Zone was featured about a month after you and I first met. . . . Thank you.
And thank you for including me amongst such wonderful company.
Yes I was featured in 2023. It was exhilarating and completely unexpected. I was getting emails for every subscriber and had to turn it off. Atypical Kids, Mindful Parents: https://katelynch.substack.com/
Thanks so much for the mention, Sarah! I’m honored to be here, alongside such brilliant writers. I had a few hundred subscribers, having started with zero five months prior to getting my badge, in March 2024. I had no idea what was happening when I woke up to see my email flooded with new subscribers. Everything you’ve said here, along with the advice you’ve given me in one-on-ones, is spot-on. Two things I’d like to add: Prioritize your health. Use Notes wisely. Treat them as you would a post. I had one note that got more than 12K likes and about 150 new subscribers. Another one is still in fairly wide circulation with more than 4.3K likes and 60 new subscribers. P.S. Shoutout to Joshua: I love Inner Life! I posted there this morning, at Mary L Tabor’s invitation. A great honor. My Substack is Writer, interrupted: https://maryroblyn.substack.com Thanks!
Thanks for this post. These are great tips. My Substack was featured in 2023. When I got featured I was asked to recommend three Substacks, and one of them got featured the next week. There might also be a recommending component to being featured.
At the time I didn’t even know what being featured was, and I was investigating why I was suddenly getting a rush of subscribers before I found a note from Substack saying I’d been featured. At the time I had about 700 subscribers.
My Substack is Send My Love to Anyone—a hybrid personal newsletter and lit journal on all things writing.
Hi Sarah, thank you for the tips. I actually got featured in the old Substack Reads weekend post (and my badge!) back in 2023 when, similar to you, I had a few hundred subscribers. I can definitely resonate with what you say about the growth from being a featured publication! I gained around a thousand subscribers practically overnight. I'm glad you've spoken about Quality on your post; I think it's so easy to believe there are hacks to getting seen, but in the end it comes down to being consistent and putting out your best work.
Lovely company, Sarah. Thanks for mentioning me. I've never tried the workflow you mention, but it's a great way of moving from "door shut" writing to a "door open" version, thinking about how the piece serves readers and not just me.
One thing I've mulled over the years and that you and I have discussed is the particular challenge of amassing a heterogenous readership over the years. Each reader was initially drawn by a different piece with a different emphasis, and so I still find it difficult (since I didn't start with a clear "lane," but have cast about to find my way) to know how best to serve the eclectic group I've attracted. In that case, I usually default to satisfying my own curiosity and sensibility, but I appreciate your nudge to keep thinking about others and what they might need.
Thank you for this! I am new to Substack and didn’t know much about featured Substacks. Your tips are helpful!
Wise insight and guidance as usual. Thanks Sarah!
This = great idea
"talk out your post to a friend or yourself. (I use Voice Memos.)"
this is super useful, thank you Sarah. I wonder, would you offer any different advice to those of us who mostly write posts that provide a service to readers, rather than an opinion on a topic - eg: weekly recipes, as in my case? Thanks
Fascinating read! I’m Harrison, an ex fine dining line cook. My stack "The Secret Ingredient" adapts hit restaurant recipes for easy home cooking.
check us out:
https://thesecretingredient.substack.com
I really appreciate being mentioned in such excellent company. And, Sarah, I really appreciate the peculiar character of YOUR advise - with me you have always been practical and encouraging without ever making me feel like an amateur. You have also been so helpful in getting me to treasure why I wanted to write in the first place. I think that holding that as a guidepost has been so helpful and I am forever grateful for your help and your wisdom.
Thanks Sarah, an interesting read. I can certainly do the obsession bit!
My blink and you’ve missed it moment came last October when The Weekender opened with one of my photos that had unexpectedly picked up traction on Notes. A couple of thoughts: I gained more subscribers from the Note than from being featured; perhaps it’s different if they showcase your written content. And if I hadn’t been subscribed to the old Substack Reads, I would have been none the wiser—no notification, no badge—so do make sure you are subscribed and read it. It was however a thrill at the time.
Still posting weekly and trying to keep the bar high for visual art and writing at https://michelagriffith.substack.com/.
Sarah, wonderfully informative post, as always. You model what you teach. "Quality, quality, quality" is an echo from our one-on-ones that guides each stage of my workflow. Beyond the Comfort Zone was featured about a month after you and I first met. . . . Thank you.
And thank you for including me amongst such wonderful company.
Yes I was featured in 2023. It was exhilarating and completely unexpected. I was getting emails for every subscriber and had to turn it off. Atypical Kids, Mindful Parents: https://katelynch.substack.com/
So cool, Kate!
thank you!
Thanks so much for the mention, Sarah! I’m honored to be here, alongside such brilliant writers. I had a few hundred subscribers, having started with zero five months prior to getting my badge, in March 2024. I had no idea what was happening when I woke up to see my email flooded with new subscribers. Everything you’ve said here, along with the advice you’ve given me in one-on-ones, is spot-on. Two things I’d like to add: Prioritize your health. Use Notes wisely. Treat them as you would a post. I had one note that got more than 12K likes and about 150 new subscribers. Another one is still in fairly wide circulation with more than 4.3K likes and 60 new subscribers. P.S. Shoutout to Joshua: I love Inner Life! I posted there this morning, at Mary L Tabor’s invitation. A great honor. My Substack is Writer, interrupted: https://maryroblyn.substack.com Thanks!
I remember when you were featured. That essay is so gorgeous. And this is such wise advice.
Thank you, Sarah! I learned everything from you.
Thanks for this post. These are great tips. My Substack was featured in 2023. When I got featured I was asked to recommend three Substacks, and one of them got featured the next week. There might also be a recommending component to being featured.
At the time I didn’t even know what being featured was, and I was investigating why I was suddenly getting a rush of subscribers before I found a note from Substack saying I’d been featured. At the time I had about 700 subscribers.
My Substack is Send My Love to Anyone—a hybrid personal newsletter and lit journal on all things writing.
https://open.substack.com/pub/sendmylovetoanyone
So cool, Kathryn. And so well deserved. I love that you were getting all these subscribers and didn't know why.
Hi Sarah, thank you for the tips. I actually got featured in the old Substack Reads weekend post (and my badge!) back in 2023 when, similar to you, I had a few hundred subscribers. I can definitely resonate with what you say about the growth from being a featured publication! I gained around a thousand subscribers practically overnight. I'm glad you've spoken about Quality on your post; I think it's so easy to believe there are hacks to getting seen, but in the end it comes down to being consistent and putting out your best work.
Amen. Your Substack is great, Kate. Love it.
Lovely company, Sarah. Thanks for mentioning me. I've never tried the workflow you mention, but it's a great way of moving from "door shut" writing to a "door open" version, thinking about how the piece serves readers and not just me.
One thing I've mulled over the years and that you and I have discussed is the particular challenge of amassing a heterogenous readership over the years. Each reader was initially drawn by a different piece with a different emphasis, and so I still find it difficult (since I didn't start with a clear "lane," but have cast about to find my way) to know how best to serve the eclectic group I've attracted. In that case, I usually default to satisfying my own curiosity and sensibility, but I appreciate your nudge to keep thinking about others and what they might need.
I think so much of it is leaning into your curiosity and sensibility. That's your particular character. That's quality.
Wise advice. One question: Is Substack still awarding "featured publication" badges? I haven't seen any for 2025. Has anyone?
I'm not sure. I've known a lot of people who've been featured but no badges.
Thanks for the advice and the mention!
Thanks, Sarah. This is helpful as I noodle over a new series.
Thank you. Doing my best!