In 2024, when everyone is competing for attention, we creators need a platform that allows us to connect with their audience in a more meaningful and direct way.

Substack has increasingly filled this gap in recent years.

A platform that’s changed the game for writers and content creators by giving them the tools to publish newsletters that reach their audience without interference from algorithms. For free.

But Substack isn’t just about long-form newsletters; it has also introduced a feature called Substack Notes that’s quickly becoming a must-use tool for creators.

Let’s dive into what Substack Notes is, explore its benefits, and explain why it shapes up to be the next big thing for Substack.

What Is Substack Notes?

Substack Notes is a essentially a way to share short posts, like tweets on Twitter.

It’s great for more frequent updates with subscribers and the wider Substack community.

I think of it as a blend between Twitter and a blog, but with the added benefit of being directly integrated into your Substack newsletter.

This means you can share quick thoughts, interesting links, updates on your work, or even ask questions to your audience, all without the need to draft a full newsletter.

What sets Substack Notes apart from other microblogging platforms is that it’s designed with writers and creators in mind. There’s no need to worry about how an algorithm will treat your post because the impact of algorithms is low compared to other social media networks.

You posts mainly reach people who follow or subscribe to you.

This keeps the focus on quality interactions rather than chasing likes, shares, or retweets.

Plus, since it’s part of the Substack ecosystem, anything you post on Notes can drive more people to subscribe to your newsletter, giving you a more engaged and invested audience.

The Benefits of Using Substack Notes

1. Boosting Audience Engagement

One of the biggest challenges we creators face is keeping our audience engaged between newsletter issues.

One weekly issue leaves a lot of time in between. But daily issue might overwhelm people quickly.

Substack Notes solves this by offering a way to stay connected with your readers on a more frequent basis.

Instead of waiting for your next newsletter to drop, you can use Notes to share thoughts, insights, or updates that keep your audience tuned in.

This kind of regular interaction can make your subscribers feel more connected to you, fostering a stronger sense of community.

Notes also allow your audience to respond, comment, and engage in conversations. This interaction helps build a more loyal following, as subscribers are not just passive readers but active participants in your content.

Over time, this engagement can turn casual readers into dedicated fans who are more likely to share your work, support your efforts, and stick around for the long haul.

2. Simplifying Content Creation

Creating long-form content can be time-consuming, and sometimes you have ideas or updates that don’t require a full newsletter.

This is where Substack Notes shines.

It gives you the flexibility to share smaller pieces of content that might otherwise go unused. Whether it’s a quick reaction to a news event, a thought-provoking quote, or a recommendation, you can post it on Notes without the pressure of having to turn it into a comprehensive article.

This flexibility means you can keep a steady flow of content without feeling like you have to write a mini-essay every time you want to communicate with your audience.

And because Notes are integrated with your newsletter, even these shorter updates can help drive engagement and keep your audience interested in what you have to say.

3. Enhancing Networking and Collaboration

Substack Notes isn’t just a tool for connecting with your audience; it’s also a great way to network with other creators.

By interacting with other writers’ Notes, sharing their work, or commenting on their posts, you can build relationships within the Substack community.

Substack also released direct messages and integrated those into Notes which makes one on one conversations even easier.

These connections can lead to collaborations, guest posts, cross-posts, or even joint newsletters, all of which can expand your reach and introduce your work to new audiences.

For new or smaller creators, this is especially valuable. Engaging with more established writers can help you gain visibility and credibility within the community, making it easier to grow your subscriber base.

Plus, since Substack is a platform built around content creators, these interactions often feel more genuine and less transactional than they might on larger social media platforms.

4. Maintaining Control Over Your Content

One of the most appealing aspects of Substack is the control it gives creators over their content.

Unlike traditional social media platforms, where you’re at the mercy of algorithms and changing rules, Substack Notes ensures that your posts go directly to your subscribers.

How Substack Notes Stands Out

What makes Substack Notes unique is that it’s designed specifically for writers and content creators who value quality over quantity.

At least that’s how it is right now. Like all social media, Notes can also be misued.

To make sure that won’t happen, here are some ideas:

1. A Focus on Quality Interactions

On Substack Notes, the emphasis is on genuine conversations.

Without the noise and distraction of ads or trending topics, your Notes can stand out to the people who are truly interested in what you have to say.

This focus on quality over quantity makes Substack Notes a great place for creators who want to build deeper relationships with their audience rather than just accumulating followers.

If we all try to keep it that way.

2. Integration with Your Newsletter

Another way Substack Notes stands out is its seamless integration with your existing newsletter.

Everything you post on Notes can complement the longer content you share in your newsletter, creating a cohesive experience for your subscribers.

This integration means that each Note you post has the potential to increase engagement with your newsletter, whether by drawing in new subscribers or encouraging existing ones to read more of your content.

It’s much better than sharing your issues on Twitter.

3. Flexibility in Content Sharing

Substack Notes also offers flexibility in how you share your content. Whether you want to share a quick thought, a link to an interesting article, or even a preview of an upcoming newsletter, Notes gives you the freedom to communicate with your audience in whatever way makes the most sense for you.

This flexibility makes it easier to keep your audience engaged without the pressure of constantly producing long-form content.

You can add formatted text (bold, italic, underlined), quotes, links, media, and more. Twitter/X is much more restrictive (unless you pay for it).

Best Practices for Using Substack Notes

To get the most out of Substack Notes, it might be helpful to approach it with a strategy.

Here are some tips to help you make the most of this feature:

1. Keep It Relevant and Valuable

While Notes allows for shorter, more frequent posts, still keep what you’re sharing valuable to your audience.

Whether it’s a quick thought, a useful link, or an update on your work, make sure each Note offers something of interest to your subscribers. This will help you build trust and keep your audience engaged.

2. Encourage Interaction

One of the best ways to use Notes is to encourage your audience to engage with your posts.

Ask questions, invite feedback, or start discussions around the topics you’re sharing.

This not only boosts engagement but also helps you learn more about your audience and what they’re interested in.

And it usually works much better than asking for engagement in a newsletter issue via mail.

3. Be Consistent

Yeah, that one comes in every post…

Like any content platform, consistency is key.

Regularly posting on Notes can help you stay top-of-mind for your subscribers and keep them engaged between newsletters.

However, consistency doesn’t mean you have to post every day, multiple times per day; find a schedule that works for you and stick to it.

4. Use Notes to Complement Your Newsletter

Think of Notes as a way to enhance the content you’re already sharing in your newsletter.

Use it to provide additional context, share behind-the-scenes insights, or preview upcoming topics.

This will help create a more immersive experience for your subscribers and encourage them to stay engaged with your content.

I, for example, finish my weekly newsletter issues with a section called “Something to think about” where I directly embed a Note with a quote or something meaningful.

Challenges and Considerations

While Substack Notes offers many benefits, it’s not without its challenges.

For one, since it’s tied to the Substack platform, it might not have the same reach as more established social media networks.

That means it comes with less baggage as well, though.

For those who are already invested in building a community on Substack, the benefits outweigh the cons, in my eyes. At least right now.

But Substack Notes is quickly growing and with that growth, misuse and shady behavior is coming to the platform.

Simple money making techniques, ads (hidden as tips), affiliate marketing, and more.

It’s not all bad. We want to make our money. But it’d be sad to see Substack Notes become Twitter 2.0. X has failed many of us. It failed me. I much prefer Notes.

The Bottom Line

Substack Notes is a powerful tool that can help you engage with your Substack audience in new and meaningful ways.

Whether you’re looking to share more frequent updates, build a stronger community, or simply make your content creation process more flexible, Notes is the ideal companion.

By taking advantage of this feature, you can enhance your Substack experience and grow your subscriber base with relative ease.

Take advantage of it as long as you can!