Ten ways to promote your Substack that aren’t posting on Twitter, LinkedIn, Reddit, Facebook, or any other social media platform:
Go to in-person events, like conferences and industry parties, and tell people about your Substack in person. Use an online service to make a t-shirt with the name and URL of your Substack on it, and wear it!
Contact another Substack writer whose work you enjoy and pitch them on running one of your posts as a guest post. They may appreciate the break!
Appear on podcasts. Up-and-coming podcasters are always looking for guests; you don’t have to be a celebrity or company founder. I tweeted that I was willing to be a guest on any podcast, and got invited on five podcasts in the next few months after that!
Interview somebody notable and respected in the topic or field you cover. They’ll usually promote your interview through their own channels. Example: interviews top investors in his Sunday’s Idea Brunch publication.
Socialize in Writer Office Hours to discover and befriend other Substack writers who have adjacent audiences to yours. They may recommend you, or become collaborators.
Get in a commenting habit. Subscribe to other Substacks, and make relevant, thoughtful comments under their posts. The name of your Substack appears beside your comment, and readers can subscribe to you with one click.
Put a link to your Substack, with a call-to-action to subscribe, in your email signature.
Create a print version of your Substack and hand it out. This works great if you attend a large event like a convention.
Pitch yourself as a speaker at a local event, such as a TEDx, and mention your Substack as part of your presentation. You could even set up a Special Offer (via your Settings page) to give a discount to only people who attend that presentation.
Don’t hide your light under a bushel. Email everybody you know and let them know you have a Substack and would love for them to subscribe!