Reflecting on My First 50 Subscribers: Lessons Learned and the Road Ahead
When I launched my Substack, I wasn’t completely sure what to expect. Would people care about what I had to say? Would my writing resonate with the audience I was hoping to reach?
In just a little over a week, I’m celebrating my first 50 subscribers, a milestone that feels both humbling and motivating.
While this is just the beginning of a much larger journey, reaching this point has taught me valuable lessons about connecting with an audience. I want to share those insights with other authors who are starting out and invite advice from those who are further along in their journey. After all, building a community is as much about learning as it is about teaching.
What I’ve Learned So Far
1. Clarity of Purpose Drives Connection
From the outset, I knew my Substack wasn’t for everyone. My goal was to write for founders, startup teams, and venture capitalists. People navigating the high-stakes world of entrepreneurship and innovation. By staying laser-focused on this niche, I am attempting to create content and resources that speaks directly to their challenges and needs
The takeaway? Don’t try to appeal to everyone. Instead, focus on serving a specific group of people exceptionally well. When your audience feels like you’re writing for them, they’re more likely to engage and share your work.
2. Consistency Builds Trust
One of the biggest challenges for any writer is showing up consistently—especially when life gets busy or inspiration runs dry. But I’ve discovered that sticking to a regular publishing schedule (even if it’s just once a week) builds Trust with readers. It signals that you’re committed to providing value over the long term, not just when it’s convenient. In the fist week I have been posting more than once a day, in builing out my platform content.
This has meant planning topics in advance and carving out dedicated time each week and to write. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it when subscribers tell me they look forward to my posts landing in their inboxes. and tehy keep coming back.
3. Authenticity Is Magnetic
Authenticity stands out in a world full of polished marketing messages and corporate jargon. Some of my most well-received posts have been the ones where I shared personal stories or admitted what I didn’t know. Readers appreciate honesty—they want to connect with a real person, not just another “expert” dispensing advice from a pedestal.
This doesn’t mean oversharing or being unprofessional; it means writing in a way that feels true to who you are and what you believe.
4. Engagement Is a Two-Way Street
I’ve learned that writing isn’t just about broadcasting your ideas—it’s about starting conversations. When readers comment on my posts or reply to my emails, I make it a point to respond thoughtfully. These interactions deepen relationships and provide valuable insights into what my audience cares most.
If you’re starting out, don’t undervalue the potency of engaging with your readers one-on-one. It might not scale forever, but in the early days, it’s one of the best ways to build loyalty and learn what resonates.
5. Share Your Work Relentlessly
Hitting “publish” is only half the battle—the other half ensures people see your work. This has meant sharing my Substack on LinkedIn (where many founders and VCs hang out), joining relevant online communities, and asking subscribers to forward posts they find valuable to others in their network.
Self-promotion often feels uncomfortable at first, but if you believe in the value of what you’re creating, sharing it widely isn’t selfish; it’s necessary. You have to get the message out. This is what I found the most difficult.
What I Still Need to Learn
While I’m proud of reaching 50 subscribers, I know there’s still so much more for me to learn:
How do I better reach my target audience? While LinkedIn has been helpful, I’m curious about other strategies authors use to connect with founders, startup teams, and VCs.
How do I grow sustainably? As subscriber numbers increase, how can I maintain the personal connection that has been so important in these early days?
What content formats resonate most? Are there untapped opportunities—like podcasts or videos—that could help me engage more deeply with my audience?
I’d love to hear from other authors: What growth strategies have worked for you? How do you offset authenticity with scalability as your audience increases? And how do you guarantee your content stays fresh and relevant over time?
A Call for Collaboration
This journey has taught me that writing isn’t a solo endeavour but a collaborative process between author and audience (and sometimes between authors). I'd love to hear from you if you’re a seasoned Substack creator or even someone with insights into reaching founders and startup teams.
Whether it’s advice on growing an audience or feedback on improving my content, your input would mean the world to me as I continue building this platform.
Final Thoughts
Reaching 50 subscribers is only the beginning, filling me with gratitude and excitement for what’s ahead. To those who have already subscribed, thank you for trusting me with your time and attention. To those considering starting their own Substack, go for it—you’ll learn more than you ever expected along the way.
And finally, to other authors: let’s learn from each other. Together, we can figure out how to reach more people, create more value, and make our voices heard in an increasingly noisy world.
I hope you enjoyed this article.
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