💡 How I Turned Notes Into a Subscriber Engine (and How You Can Benefit From It)

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know my thoughts on social media and growth.For a long time, Notes felt like just another feature. Post something, get some likes, move on. I didn’t see the potential.But then something changed.Join now my Notes to Subscribers January Growth Challenge by becoming a paid member and get access to weekly growth webinars, tools, notes boost and our community. Save your spot at 20% off with the annual plan forever and practically access it all at $9/month, paid annually.Just look at my last 30 days growth as a matter of “proof”All because of notes like these:Fast forward to today: 60% of my Substack growth now comes from Notes.I want the same for You!Here’s why Notes matter, how I turned them into a growth machine, and my best advice for turning your Notes into subscribers (paid ones, too).Why I’m All In on NotesHarsh truth: You don’t own your audience on social media.* You’re at the mercy of algorithms deciding who sees your content.* Even with over 33,000 subscribers, only a small fraction of my audience interacts with each post.* Notes? They’re direct, personal, and designed to build connections.With Notes, I’ve gained direct access to my readers—people who care enough to subscribe and engage.Here’s why Notes are my favorite growth tool:* They build trust. Each Note is a chance to share insights or start conversations.* They’re quick but impactful. Bite-sized content that gets results.* They’re perfect for testing ideas. Some of my best-performing posts started as Notes.Join now my Notes to Subscribers January Growth Challenge by becoming a paid member and get access to weekly growth webinars, tools, notes boost and our community. Save your spot at 20% off with the annual plan forever and practically access it all at $9/month, paid annually.How I Turned Notes Into a Subscriber Engine1️⃣ I Changed My ApproachAt first, I treated Notes like social media posts—quick thoughts and random musings.It didn’t work.Then I shifted to writing Notes with purpose:* Hooks that make people stop scrolling: “Why isn’t anyone talking about this?”* Questions that invite engagement: “What’s your biggest challenge with growing a Substack?”* Controversial takes that spark curiosity: “Most creators are doing this all wrong.”2️⃣ I Built a Notes CalendarConsistency without strategy is a waste of time. That’s why I created a system:* Growth Notes: Bold opinions and trending topics to grab attention.Example: “Your Substack isn’t too small to matter. Drop your link, and I’ll check it out!”* Educational Notes: Bite-sized insights that build authority.Example: “Your quietest readers are often your most loyal. Write for them, even when it feels like nobody’s watching.”* Entertaining Notes: Relatable, funny, or personal stories that connect.Example: “Confession: My first 10 Notes flopped. Here’s what changed.”This mix keeps my content fresh and engaging while growing my audience.You can still get access to The 3 Types of Notes webinar in which I breakdown all that it takes to write notes that drive growth + access to your working file + Bonuses.(all paid subscribers get free access to this and All weekly webinars + Bonuses. If you’re not yet ready to become a paid member, you can access it for just $37)3️⃣ I Made Notes About My Readers, Not MeYour audience doesn’t care about your random thoughts. They care about what’s in it for them.Here’s what worked:* Asking my readers what they’re struggling with and turning their responses into Notes.* Sharing stories they could see themselves in.* Writing Notes that solve small, specific problems.4️⃣ I Showed Up Daily (But Smarter)Notes are a long game. Showing up consistently—on Notes and in comments—builds relationships and keeps you top of mind.But here’s the key:* Engage meaningfully. Don’t just drop emojis; add value.* Focus on Notes that spark conversations, not just reactions.* Use Notes to direct readers to your long-form posts.5️⃣ I Focused on Conversions, Not LikesIt’s easy to get distracted by engagement numbers, but here’s the truth: Likes don’t pay the bills.What I tracked instead:* Engagement: Are people replying or sharing?* Conversions: Are Notes leading to new subscribers?* Momentum: Is my audience growing steadily over time?Some of my best-converting Notes had fewer than 10 likes but brought in dozens of subscribers.My Best Advice for Turning Notes Into SubscribersFocus on connection, not perfection.* Treat each Note as a way to serve your readers.* Write like you’re talking to a friend—be real, honest, and approachable.* Don’t overthink it; your audience values consistency and authenticity more than polished perfection.Your TurnWhat’s your biggest struggle with Notes? Or, what’s one tip that’s worked for you?Drop it in the comments—I’ll share my favorite responses next week.P.S. My January Growth Challenge is in full swing! We’re diving deep into turning Notes into a subscriber engine this month.👉 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit howwegrowtoday.substack.com/subscribe