Let's Help Each Other Gain Traction on Notes

A few notes on Notes and a February Notes Share Thread

When I sent out a survey to Midstackers last month, the most frequent struggle and confusion that respondents cited — in addition to determining a paid content strategy — was about Notes.

• “My biggest challenge is related to the time commitments in constantly trying to engage in Notes.”

• “What exactly is the purpose of Notes? Help!”

• “In one post to Notes, I gained over 500 new subscribers. Since then, my Notes and posts seem to fade quickly. Why?!”

I hear you. I do.

Unlike many others, I’m not going to claim that I know the simple formula or blueprint for writing a viral Note. (It’s unreal to me how many Substack marketers claim to know how to “crack the code” on using Notes effectively and have blueprints to sell you.)

I only have a few basic observations based on my research and my own interactions.

1. Use storytelling. Take the reader on a (short) journey about something meaningful that happened to you.

2. Use simple language and be authentic. Write like you’re talking to a family member or friend.

3. Once in awhile, say something bold or surprising. Try out new ideas that are on your mind.

4. Pay attention to formatting so that your Note is easy to skim and read. Use a lot of white space, bold or italics on important words or phrases, and bullet points.

5. Ask readers to respond. Invite people to respond with a question.

6. Engage with others’ Notes. Find several writers whose Notes you admire and interact with their Notes.

7. Make recommendations. Write Notes about posts, writers, books, or articles you admire.

Photo by Patrick Perkins on Unsplash

Here are a few examples of these observations from midlife writers whose Notes I love:

(Notice that none of these are examples of “viral Notes.” I chose them because these writers show how consistent and thoughtful interaction on Notes can help build a community for your writing.)

• This is a great example from Andrea Hoffmann of What are the Chances? of a Note that introduces herself and invites readers to her community.

• Another midlife Substacker whose Notes I love is Lisa-Marie Cabrelli, Ph.D. of Call for Heroines. She has truly built a community on Notes, engages regularly with her own posts and others’, and regularly recommends other writers and posters.

• One of the most beautiful storytellers on Notes is Rachel Macy Stafford of Rachel's Treehouse. Her Notes are often quite long (I’ve included an excerpt of one here), are always beautifully written, and are a welcome respite of kindness and hope.

• Beth Kempton’s Notes are models of not only shouting out and engaging with other writers generously and authentically but also her readers.

If you’d like to learn more from midlife Substackers about their Notes strategy, join us for tomorrow’s (February 21st at 1 p.m. ET) Show and Tell Midstack Meetup. In our Zoom call, several Midstackers will share their journeys on Substack, including how they’re using Notes to grow their audience.

Let’s help each other gain a little traction on Notes.

Share one of your own Notes in the comments. Write a short introduction to the Note, telling us what it’s about.

Then like, comment, or restack another Midstacker’s Note.

You could also tell us about other Substackers whose Notes you follow and enjoy and why.