28 Comments
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Rafa Páez's avatar

As you demonstrated, commenting on others is a good strategy. It just takes time to write high quality comments. Thanks for sharing!

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Sean Mize's avatar

You are right, Rafa, it does take time! I'm working on a strategy where you can partner with other writers to get subscribers faster than just commenting!

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Tamy Faierman M.D.'s avatar

agree. Rafa. I realize what I'm enjoying about Substack is the real connection I'm creating with my subscribers. They're coming on to my page because we have interacted and share common interests. So though it makes the process of building a platform a bit longer, the people you have are truly interested, they're not bots or just #s. So I guess it comes down to what your intention is?? Mine is connection, and I'm willing to wait of the #s to come

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Sean Mize's avatar

Tamy,the cool thing is when you build it for connection, those people stick with you a long time. I have clients and followers who have followed me from platform to platform for 15 years . .

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Tamy Faierman M.D.'s avatar

Exactly 👌🏻

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Rafa Páez's avatar

Yes! That's so true! Those real connections stick!

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Ismayil Valiyev's avatar

It really takes time and practise to write quality comments. I am currently working it. :)

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Yana G.Y.'s avatar

It’s a good idea but I don’t find it working at that magnitude (50 out of 1000). Using Notes and Recs is the best way to grow for me currently

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Sean Mize's avatar

yes, these are in Notes . . . how many subscribers are you getting a day now?

forgive me, new platform - what are Recs?

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Yana G.Y.'s avatar

I have between 5 and 30 daily varying based on many factors, including my activity. Recs - I meant recommendations :)

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Gunnar Habitz's avatar

Nothing beats real life relationships built online except when then meeting in real life

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Sean Mize's avatar

so true, and over time, they become seasoned just like in real life

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Mike Watson's avatar

Aw man. I thought your heart was because you liked my posts!

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Sean Mize's avatar

I love your posts!!! I wish there were a 'saw it, glad we are in this together' symbol, lol!

thanks for commenting!!

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Mike Watson's avatar

Ha it's all good! I appreciate it either way. Happy new year!

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earl adkins's avatar

That sounds doable .... commenting on comments ... Happy New Year Sean

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Sean Mize's avatar

that's what I've been doing primarily, plus likes and follows

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Gracian's Guide's avatar

Moving from mindless commenting to building real partnerships is a smart, sustainable way to grow. Long-term success comes from authentic connections, not quick wins. Appreciate you sharing this insight!

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Sean Mize's avatar

you're welcome, there's a synergistic effect that happens when authors follow you, because then their restacks of your work go to their audience

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Codrut Turcanu's avatar

Cross promos is how I built most of my lists into the 12k optins. Since 2005, when I got full time marketing online. Been playing the game since Nov 1999 though.

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Sean Mize's avatar

That's a big way that I got my subscribers in 2007 - 2008, for sure!

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Roman Balzan's avatar

Sean, I’m reading through all your stuff, and every post feels like a masterclass in sustainable growth strategies.

Your guest post strategy is making me rethink my approach. Do you have any tips for finding the right Substack publications to reach out to, especially for someone just starting out with a smaller subscriber base?

Thanks again for sharing these actionable insights—this is the kind of perspective that keeps me motivated!

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Sean Mize's avatar

Reaching out is a bit of work, as it's harder to find a list of the smaller ones.

One thing you can do is start with your notes, a lot of the folks using notes are trying to grow, and those tend to be the smaller ones.

You can meet people, then subscribe, then note the ones they are recommending.

And then ask THEM who they suggest you reach out to.

You could post a note to that effect as well, if you have a following

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Adler Hsieh's avatar

Completely agreed. Keep finding new publications and articles to comment is effective but time-consuming. It takes you away from the actual work: creating valuable content!

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Finn Tropy's avatar

I have commented a bit, but after creating the Substack Scheduled Notes Chrome extension and posting 60+ monthly notes, my newsletter traffic and subscriber count have exploded.

See the numbers here: https://finntropy.substack.com/p/how-often-should-you-publish-notes

Posting more Notes is my strategy for 2025.

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Tabitha Spears's avatar

I have been on this platform for a week. People are reading my posts but are not liking them or commenting on them let alone subscribers. Hopefully commenting on notes and posts will help.

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The Finance Blueprint's avatar

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Ismayil Valiyev's avatar

Very useful thanks for sharing. I like your style!

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