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Transcript

Kick-off party! Questions answered: May Notes Boost Challenge

Notes, mental health, and how to go viral

Notes Boost Challenge

  • (00:00:22) Introduction to the Notes Boost Challenge

    • Created when Substack introduced notes

    • Notes is now 2 years old and offers phenomenal growth potential

  • (00:01:21) Purpose of the Notes Boost Challenge

    • Created to connect Substack writers with each other

    • Helps writers gain visibility through engagement

    • Not about frequency but quality of engagement

  • (00:03:11) How the Notes Boost Challenge works

    • Writers share notes in comments

    • Others can boost notes they genuinely like

    • Creates community and connection between writers

  • (00:04:05) Mental health considerations

    • Emphasis on keeping Notes a mentally healthy space

    • Recommendation to limit time in the main notes feed

    • Notes Boost helps avoid toxic aspects of social media

  • (00:06:01) Participation process

    • Post your note in the comments

    • Others find and boost notes they genuinely like

    • Will separate into categories (culture, health, literature, etc.)

  • (00:07:32) Timing of Notes Boost

    • Emails go out at 9 AM daily

    • Being early increases traction

    • Will add afternoon boost at 2 PM (everything closes at 5 PM)

  • (00:09:49) Types of notes that get traction

    • Tweet-like short posts

    • Facebook-style life updates

    • Instagram-style photos with captions

    • Longer text-only posts with a story/narrative

    • Avoid links in posts

  • (00:14:13) SEO in notes

    • Using keywords helps visibility

    • Search for your topic to see what works

    • Curate your feed for better experience

  • (00:16:44) Importance of authentic voice

    • Don't use AI - readers can tell

    • Voice and tone are what AI can't duplicate

    • Personal stories and authentic voice get traction

  • (00:18:01) Growth potential

    • Example of client gaining 5,000 subscribers from one note

    • Email lists are valuable assets for authors

  • (00:20:59) Export your subscribers monthly

    • Critical safety tip after someone accidentally deleted their Substack

    • Export CSV files regularly to protect your subscriber list

  • (00:22:54) Time management advice

    • Don't engage with notes constantly

    • Just be in Notes Boost once a day during the 21-day challenge

    • Takes about an hour a day to participate meaningfully

  • (00:36:33) Final tips

    • Post an "introduce yourself to Substack" note

    • The challenge runs for 21 days, then you get time off

    • Take advantage of the growth opportunity while it lasts