10 Little-Known Substack Features That Will Transform How You Write and Grow
A few tips I've learned that can help you!
10 Hidden Substack Features Every Writer Should Know (And How to Use Them to Grow & Monetize)
Substack is more than just a newsletter platform. It’s a powerful tool for writers to build an audience, generate income, and create a thriving writing business. But beyond the noticeable features, there are hidden gems that can help you grow faster, increase engagement, and monetize smarter.
Here are 10 little-known secrets about Substack that can transform your newsletter into a full-fledged business (or whatever you want it to be).
💥 Shout-out to my exclusive advertising sponsor, the always-free Booklinker (universal book links—so helpful!), and the paid tool, GeniusLinks. I love both💥 (affiliate link).
First, decide this: what’s your why? I share tips, successes, challenges, and news. My goal here is to connect, inform, and share my expertise. If my writing doesn’t fit into those categories, I reevaluate and move forward.
1. Import Your Email List (Even Without an Existing Newsletter)
📌 How to import your email list to Substack
If you’ve built an audience elsewhere (Mailchimp, ConvertKit, or even a personal spreadsheet), you can import it directly into Substack.
This saves time and lets you start with a built-in audience instead of growing from scratch.
Unlike other platforms, Substack doesn’t charge for the size of an email list, so you can import your entire subscriber list for free.
As you grow on other platforms/services, they charge you for your list size. Not here.
You can publish your backlist of newsletters or blog posts from elsewhere without sending it to your entire email list (who may have already read it previously). More here.
2. Use Substack’s Built-In Recommendation System
📌 How Substack recommendations work
Substack's built-in recommendation feature is one of the most underrated growth hacks.
When you recommend another newsletter, your subscribers see it; when other writers recommend you, you get free exposure to their audience.
Set up mutual recommendations with other writers in your niche for an easy traffic boost.
3. Monetize With or Without Paywalls
Even if you don’t want to charge for subscriptions, you can still make money on Substack in other ways if you choose:
Offer sponsored posts by partnering with brands - e.g., Booklinker is my exclusive advertising sponsor (and it’s a great FREE universal linking tool for all authors).
Use affiliate marketing to recommend books, courses, or tools you love (just be transparent about it).
4. Take Advantage of Substack’s SEO Power
📌 SEO tips for Substack newsletters
Unlike social media posts that disappear in feeds or appear in private emails, Substack posts rank well in Google searches.
Use SEO-friendly headlines with searchable keywords.
Optimize your newsletter URL with relevant keywords instead of random numbers.
Add internal links to past Substack posts to increase engagement.
Want to learn how I switched? Read this article ⬇️
Boost Your Open Rates and Engagement: Effortlessly Switch from Mailchimp to Substack
Improving your open rates and views on Substack compared to Mailchimp (or any other email service) depends on several factors, including how you engage with your audience, the type of content you produce, and how well you leverage the platform's features.
5. Add a Custom Domain for Stronger Branding
📌 How to connect a custom domain
Instead of using yourname.substack.com, you can connect your own website domain (e.g., yourname.com).
This makes your newsletter look more professional.
Your brand becomes memorable and easier to market.
6. Publish Podcasts and Videos Directly on Substack
Did you know Substack supports native podcasting and video embeds?
You can record and publish audio episodes without a separate podcast host.
Embed YouTube videos directly into your newsletter.
Perfect for writers who want to add voice, storytelling, or interviews to their content.
NEW! Audio-only spaces are now an option as well! More here.
(As of this writing, the option is only on mobile, and so far, only on iOS.)
7. Boost Engagement with Substack Chat
Substack Chat (think DMs or PMs) is an underused tool that acts like a private social media space inside your newsletter.
Share quick updates, thoughts, polls, or behind-the-scenes content.
Encourage discussions & conversations without competing with social media noise.
Like any social media, refrain from the ‘hard sell,’ in chat.
8. Use Substack Notes & Why It's Helpful for Writers
📌 How to use Substack Notes to grow
Substack Notes is a microblogging feature within Substack that allows you to share short-form content, thoughts, links, and updates with your audience. Think of it as a blend of Twitter and a newsletter feed, specifically for writers and readers, without the scary overlords.
Great for short-form content:
Share quick insights, hot takes, or snippets from your writing.
Engage your audience with polls, questions, or writing prompts.
Post behind-the-scenes updates about your creative process.
9. Use Guest Posts & Cross-Promotions to Grow Faster
📌 How to collaborate with other writers on Substack
One of the fastest ways to grow your Substack audience is through guest posting and cross-promotions.
Reach out to other writers in your niche and offer to swap guest posts.
This exposes your work to a new audience and brings in subscribers organically.
10. Make Your Substack Feel Like a Blog (Better Navigation & Layouts)
📌 How to customize your Substack
If you want your Substack to look and function like a blog, you can:
Use categories & tags to organize content.
Optimize your layout and design to highlight key posts.
Treat your newsletter like a long-form content hub, not just an email blast.
Use These Substack Secrets to…
✅ Grow your audience faster (recommendations, guest posts, SEO)
✅ Monetize beyond paid subscriptions (sponsorships, tips, digital products)
✅ Engage readers more deeply (Chat, Notes, podcasts, video content)
✅ Turn your newsletter into a full-scale business (if that’s the goal, or at least a little side hustle…)
🚀 Want more tips? Drop a comment below. 👇
Help For You
I don’t do a ton of ‘self-promotion,’ especially here, but several writers have asked where to purchase my books, which I wrote especially for authors. Below are the links to buy them. I’d love your thoughts!
Spaces
I’ve put my monthly #BookMarketingChat X Audio Space on hold for the summer, but will be back in the fall-ish with a major glow-up! Stay tuned to this space for more.
Maybe it will be here on Substack with the new audio-only option mentioned above. Thoughts?
Happy writing!
I'm so excited to keep following you over here! Thank you so much for all that you do, Rachel!
This is gold for a new project I'm doing and moving on to substack. Thanks, Rachel!!