What I'd do differently if I started my Substack today:

I'd post Notes from day one. I waited months before I started using Notes consistently, and that was a mistake. Notes are the fastest way to build discovery on Substack. They're low-pressure, high-impact, and they convert. Start posting them immediately — even if you have 10 subscribers.

I'd understand that free content is what drives paid subscribers. Don't put all your value behind the paywall. Your free posts need to be good enough that people want more. Give generously in public, and the right readers will upgrade when they're ready.

I'd treat it like the job from the start. For too long, I treated Substack like a hobby I'd get to "eventually." The shift happened when I made it the priority. Consistent publishing schedule, showing up in Notes daily, collaborating with other publications. It compounds.

I'd engage more with other writers. Substack is community, and being an ACTIVE member pays off. Commenting on other newsletters, sharing work I love, building relationships. That's where the real growth happens. I wish I'd started doing this sooner.

I'd trust the process. Growth isn't linear. Some weeks you'll gain 100 subscribers. Some weeks, five. Keep showing up. The consistency is what builds trust, and trust is what builds a business.

If you're just starting, or thinking about starting, don't wait. Start messy and start small. Just start 🫶🏽