The Best Subscriber Hooks To Grow (On Substack)

Discover the most effective subscriber hooks to attract both free and paid subscribers. These proven tactics have helped us convert hundreds into paying subscribers.

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Growing your Substack newsletter can feel like an uphill battle—especially in the beginning, when you’re writing for a tiny audience and competing for attention.

But with the right strategy, going from 0 to 75,000 subscribers in just 12 months is possible.

In this edition, we’ll break down the exact subscriber hooks that consistently convert - bringing in both free readers and, more importantly, paying ones.

Here’s how to make it happen 👇

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Write great content

It almost goes without saying: if you create authentic, high-quality content, you'll attract a loyal audience willing to support your work. But great content isn’t just well-written - it needs to engage.

Here’s how to make it stand out:

• Use strong visuals. Beautiful graphics can elevate your work and boost shareability. Tools like Figma and Canva make it easy to create eye-catching designs.

• Don’t oversell. If your goal is to attract paying subscribers or customers, keep the pitch subtle. Coming on too strong too early can turn people away.

• Be timely and shareable. Topical content - especially when tied to trending conversations - has a much higher chance of spreading organically.

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Positioning your newsletter

As your newsletter grows, it's important to think strategically about how you position it. Are you the go-to source for the latest trends in tech? A sharp voice on culture? Clear positioning helps you attract the right audience - and keep them.

Once you’ve defined your niche, you can start thinking about the types of hooks that resonate and convert new subscribers.

Here are a few key questions to consider:

• Are you building a side project or a full-fledged business?
  Your goals will shape your tone, cadence, and long-term strategy.

• Is your newsletter name working for you?
  It’s completely fine to rebrand. Choose a name you can grow with - and ideally, secure the domain to match.

• How often will you publish?
  Find a sustainable rhythm - not too often, not too infrequent. Every send will bring a few unsubscribes, but also, if you’re doing it right, new readers too.

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Include CTA buttons

Throughout your newsletter, make sure to include 2–4 clear calls to action (CTAs) to encourage readers to engage with your content. These CTAs can help grow your audience and build community.

Here are a few to include:

• Subscribe – Include this at least twice in each issue to capture new readers who may have been forwarded your post.

• Share – Make it easy for readers to share your newsletter with their network.

• Comment – Invite feedback or discussion to boost engagement and create a sense of community.

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Use the likes of Substack Notes and LinkedIn to land new subscribers

Creating great content is only the first step - your work needs to be strong enough that potential subscribers want to opt in. But after you hit publish, the real distribution begins.

Repurpose your content into short, engaging posts across platforms like Substack Notes and LinkedIn. Include the visuals you’ve designed in Figma or Canva to make your posts stand out.

Here are a few effective strategies to consider:

• Use Substack Notes daily. Share thought-provoking ideas, unique takes, or behind-the-scenes glimpses to spark conversation.

• Involve others. Tag people, reference their work, and invite them into the conversation.

• Cross-promote other creators. Highlight valuable posts from other newsletters - building goodwill and expanding your reach.

• Think beyond the page. Always ask yourself: How can I drive more people to my newsletter? One idea: launch a podcast to grow your audience across formats.

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Paid subscribers: Time sensitive

These hooks have helped us land hundreds of paid subscribers. It’s a no brainer to subscribe - this is exactly what has worked for us.

(P.S. By becoming a paid subscriber, we’ll also add you to our Substack community made up of 50+ creators). It’s the place to learn and be!