1. Substack has gone mainstream. The rules have changed. What worked in 2024 and early 2025 doesn’t work today!

2. Collaborations are now a must.

3. Embrace multi-format content. Visual content is no longer optional.

4. Live video is the new growth engine. Substack is now a video and multimedia growth platform that also has newsletters (and that used to specialize in these). If you’re focusing on written content exclusively or primarily, you’re off-base.

5. You can grow by doubling down on Substack Notes. Spend 20 minutes per day writing Notes.

6. Make offers daily.

7. Repost like crazy, including your own content. Substack's algorithm is tuned to prioritize reposts.

CORRECTION: Do whatever the hell you want. Pursue your own ends by your own means. Maybe having nothing to do with “growth” or “engagement.” Maybe at Substack, maybe elsewhere. Maybe outside the inferno of online platforms and the internet altogether.