I have two Substacks: mulembeonline.com and my main one,

They are very different, and I thought I would share some insights on them.

Mulembe Online is a Substack. I started by capturing stories on the ground from the villages of Western Kenya, where I’m originally from—a local journalism substack if you will.

This blog/newsletter reached the 100 subscriber milestone in December 2023 (I’m now at 170) almost 100% through SEO search and organic acquisition, which has blown my mind.

I have done very little promotion for it. I do have a YouTube but just a couple of videos that I barely promote on social media. Just consistent updates from the writers on the ground who send me stories.

Meanwhile, my “main” Substack, my creative outlet and baby, Sand and Seed, has about 46 subscribers, which have been mainly through the app and hard-won.

So, just to encourage everyone, there are several ways to grow your Substack if that’s your goal, and sometimes the things you promote the least surprise you.