How to Grow Your Substack Without Losing Your Voice
Write with heart, grow with purpose — and build a newsletter that actually feels like you.
I started my Substack like most people do — with zero subscribers, a bit of hope, and a messy Google Doc full of half-written ideas.
At first, I was just excited to hit “publish.” But that buzz faded fast. I wanted growth. I wanted readers. I wanted to know that my words were actually reaching someone.
So, like any curious writer, I started looking around. Everyone seemed to have a shortcut. Write like this. Post every day. Use this tool. Optimize that subject line.
It all sounded smart — until it started to feel like I wasn’t writing for people anymore. I was writing for numbers.
This article is about how I pulled myself out of that loop. It’s about growing your Substack without selling out. It’s for anyone who wants a bigger audience but doesn’t want to lose their soul in the process.
Let’s get into it.
The Temptation to Automate Everything
We live in a world that celebrates shortcuts. Especially online.
There’s always a new app or course promising faster growth, better hooks, or smarter strategies. And honestly, some of them do work — in the short term.
I remember one week I tried writing headlines like a robot. They were packed with power words and perfect structure. But when I reread them? They didn’t sound like me at all.
They got clicks. But they didn’t connect.
That’s when I realized something: You can trick people into opening an email, but you can’t trick them into caring.
What Actually Works (and Feels Right)
After that phase, I stripped everything back.
I stopped trying to write like a growth hacker and started writing like a human again. The kind who stumbles over their thoughts, but means every word.
I focused on:
Clarity over cleverness: saying what I meant, even if it wasn’t flashy.
Consistency: showing up once a week, even if I had just 12 readers.
Curiosity: writing what I wanted to explore, not what I thought would trend.
Funny enough — that’s when people started replying. Not just with “great post,” but with paragraphs. Real conversations.
That’s when I knew I was on the right track.
The Tools That Help (But Don’t Take Over)
I’m not against using tools — not at all. I just think they should support your writing, not replace it.
Here’s what’s helped me:
Outlining first: I scribble a messy outline before writing. It saves me from rambling.
Writing fast, editing slow: I draft quickly without judgment, then take my time refining.
Dedicated writing hours: I protect a few hours each week like sacred time. No scrolling. No tweaking fonts. Just writing.
These little habits added up. They helped me stay grounded while still getting things done.
Finding (and Keeping) Your Voice
Your voice is your edge. It’s the one thing no tool, template, or tactic can replicate.
I used to think I had to sound more “professional.” Now, I just write how I talk. I include weird metaphors. I share odd stories. I let my personality leak into the page.
Some posts that I thought were “too personal” turned out to be my most shared.
Turns out, people don’t want polished. They want real.
Growth Without Gimmicks
I didn’t run ads. I didn’t cold-DM strangers. I didn’t play algorithm games.
Instead, I grew my list by:
Telling stories people could relate to
Cross-promoting with other Substack writers I admire
Posting snippets of my writing on social media with a link to subscribe
No clickbait. No funnels. Just honest writing, shared with people who might care.
Was it slow? Yes. But it was solid. The kind of growth that sticks around.
Final Thoughts
Growing on Substack can be messy, slow, and discouraging at times. But if you’re writing from a place of honesty — and showing up consistently — you’re already doing better than most.
You don’t need to be everywhere. You don’t need to chase every trend. You just need to care about what you’re writing.
That’s what keeps your voice alive.
And that’s what readers will keep coming back for.
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