Write • Build • Scale

We just launched our brand-new Substack publication, Smarter Substack.Subscribe to Smarter Substack: https://www.smartersubstack.com/The idea behind Smarter Substack is simple.It’s a one-stop newsletter that curates the best resources about Substack growth and monetization - from all kinds of different Substack experts.Subscribe to Smarter Substack: https://www.smartersubstack.com/We wanted to create one place on Substack where people can find the most relevant, useful, and trustworthy information about growing on Substack.Not just from us - but from dozens of different Substack creators.

If you’re serious about growing on Substack, there’s one feature you really can’t afford to ignore.And no, it has nothing to do with creating more content.And it definitely has nothing to do with shouting louder or promoting yourself 24/7.It’s pretty much a set-it-and-forget-it feature that runs quietly in the background, while bringing in 100s or even 1000s of new subscribers over time.(I know that sounds a bit too good to be true. But it’s very real.)I’m talking about Substack’s newsletter recommendation feature.You’ve probably seen it before.You might already be using it.But in my experience working with hundreds of Substack creators, this feature is still massively underused and undervalued.And that’s a missed opportunity.Listen to this episode to learn how to leverage the full power of Substack recommendations.

In this episode, I’m joined by Philip Hofmacer, and we dive deep into how he built his first online course, what he learned from generating multiple 6-figures with courses, and what he would do differently if he started from scratch today.🧰 Download Your Substack Starter Kit (Free): https://www.writebuildscale.com/podstarterkit/📙 Subscribe To Write • Build • Scale on Substack: https://writebuildscale.substack.com/In this value-packed episode, we covered:- How Philip accidentally stumbled into online courses (00:38)- Why first-time course creators often focus on the wrong things (03:05)- Why the mindset of “Published over perfect” and shipping fast is key (07:47)- How Philip’s first $1.36 payout set him up for multiple six figures in revenue later (10:29)- How Philip went from $1.36 to $5,200/month in just a few months (15:04)- Why building an email list would have made him 10x more money in the long run (22:36)- The most important question to answer before building your first online course (31:06)And much, much more…

In this episode of the WBS podcast, I’ll answer 21 of the most common questions we received about Substack.We’ll cover all sorts of questions, like:What should you focus on if you’re new to Substack?How often should you publish per week?How do I decide what to put behind the paywall?How long should an average Substack post be?How does Substack compare to other platforms like LinkedIn?Can you use Substack to sell your books and attract coaching clients?Is it smart to have multiple publications, or should you have only one?And much, much more…

In this episode, I’m joined by Benjamin Hies, and we break down how he turned his publication, Digital Citizen, into a Substack bestseller (with 100+ paid subscribers) and a thriving online business.If you want to learn how to attract more paid subscribers - and turn your publication into multiple sources of revenue - you’re going to love this episode.---- Benjamin is part of our private Substack coaching program. If you want to apply for private Substack coaching so we can personally help you grow and monetize your publication faster, click here: https://form.jotform.com/260063396621051(Limited spots available.)----Subscribe to Benjamin's publication here: https://www.clubcitizen.co/----Here’s exactly what we cover:- The biggest mistake Benjamin made on Substack: writing for “everyone” instead of one clear reader (02:52)- The curse of knowledge: why writing basic content often performs best (05:45)- How Benjamin became a Substack Bestseller in 8 months (12:20)- The exact content + pricing strategy that pushed him past 100 paid subscribers (13:37)- Why paid subscriptions are just the starting point of monetization, not the end goal (24:49)- How Benjamin added a $5,000 consulting offer to his Substack (26:22)- What new Substack creators who want to build a business on the platform should start doing (28:38)- Why Benjamin recommends being “impatient with actions, but patient with results” (29:45)And much, much more…

Amy Suto is a 4x author, founder of a 7-figure writing business, and the creator of the bestselling Substack publication, Make Writing Your Job. If you’re interested in learning how Amy built a best-selling Substack publication with 1,000+ paid subscribers - and nearly $200K in annual recurring revenue - this episode is for you.📚 Pre-Order Amy's New Book Here: https://www.amysuto.com/write-for-money-and-power📙 Follow Amy Suto on Substack: https://substack.com/@sutoscience📝 Subscribe To Make Writing Your Job: https://www.makewritingyourjob.com/-----🧰 Download Your Substack Starter Kit (Free): https://www.writebuildscale.com/podstarterkit/-----In this value-packed episode, we covered:- The simple question every creator must answer before they can grow paid subscribers (01:35)- Why her paid Substack isn’t “more articles,” but a full membership with tools, classes, and community (03:22)- The two Substack business models (broadcast vs community) and how to know which one fits you (04:02)- Why marketing doesn’t have to feel sleazy (05:30)- Why you should turn on paid subscriptions from day one - even with a tiny audience (09:09)- Why Substack is a powerful platform for freelancers, consultants, and writers (12:03)- The myth of the “starving artist,” and why writers need to reclaim money and power (22:30)- How to stop fearing critics, bad reviews, and hate comments (27:03)And much, much more…

In this final episode of the year, we broke down the biggest lessons we learned from growing the Write • Build • Scale publication to 1,000+ paid subscribers (and 29,000+ total subscribers) in 2025.🧰 Grab your FREE Substack Starter Kit: https://www.writebuildscale.com/podstarterkit/📙 Subscribe to Write • Build • Scale: https://writebuildscale.substack.com/ In this value-packed episode, we covered:- The biggest mistake beginners make with paid subscriptions (00:45)- The exact free vs paid content mix we follow (00:02:39)- Why we create a few “pillar posts” per year - and how they drive paid subscriber growth (05:30)- How one free post became our most profitable piece of content ever (07:23)- Why personal connection will matter more than ever in an AI-heavy future (11:05)- Why we treat our paid Substack as an entry-point offer, not the end of monetization (18:05)- How Substack is becoming an all-in-one creator platform heading into 2026 (28:24)- The Substack features we’re most excited about for next year (33:15)

In this week’s episode, I sat down with Derek Hughes from The Irresistible Writer to talk about how to turn your Substack into multiple streams of revenue (rather than relying on paid subscriptions alone).----🧰 Grab your FREE Substack Starter Kit: https://mwa.kit.com/podstarterkit----Follow Derek Hughes on Substack: https://substack.com/@derekhughesSubscribe To The Irresistible Writer: https://derekhughes.substack.com/Check Out The Irresistible Substack Agent (AI Tool): https://derekhughes.thrivecart.com/the-irresistible-substack-agent/----In this value-packed episode, we covered:- How Derek lost 95% of his Medium income overnight - and why that changed everything about his writing business (00:45)- Why he stopped building “perfect” digital products (04:34)- How to serve different types of buyers with the same knowledge (low-ticket → high-ticket) (06:44)- Why you should never build a big product before validating demand (and how Derek tests ideas fast) (12:37)- Why writing in a “saturated market” doesn’t matter if people trust you (17:15)- Why paid Substack subscriptions should be an entry point, not the end goal (33:28)- How Derek prices his paid Substack to maximize retention (34:23)

In this week’s episode, I sat down with Corey Fradin, who is the founder of Authrs.io - an agency that ghostwrites, markets, and publishes best-selling books for busy professionals.Interested in Working With Authrs.io? Book a Call Here: https://authrs.io/callInterested in writing for Authrs.io? Reach out to their Director of Fulfillment here: anthony@authrs.io (Experienced writers only.)----🧰 Grab your FREE Substack Starter Kit: https://mwa.kit.com/podstarterkit----In this value-packed episode, we covered:The biggest mistake first-time authors make (02:16)Why most books only sell a few hundred copies - and how to make sure your book sells more (03:17)How to choose the right book idea (04:10)The real economics of book sales on Amazon (08:12)Self-publishing vs traditional publishing - which one is better? (09:14)Why building an audience first makes traditional publishers almost irrelevant (13:02)How Corey and his co-founder grew Authors.io into a 7-figure business in under 3 years (24:31)And much, much more…

In this week’s episode, I sat down with Phil Powis and Carolina Wilke from Sacred Business Flow to talk about the subconscious patterns and beliefs that keep creators from building a profitable business that’s truly aligned with their values, identity, and lifestyle.🧰 Grab your FREE Substack Starter Kit: https://mwa.kit.com/podstarterkitConnect With Phil Powis & Carolina Wilke:Follow Phil Powis on Substack: https://substack.com/@sacredbusinessflowFollow Carolina Wilke on Substack: https://substack.com/@carolinawilkeSubscribe To ‘Sacred Business Flow’ on Substack: https://love.sacredbusinessflow.com/The Sacred Business Harmony Map Assessment: https://harmony.sacredbusinessflow.com/

Learn More About Mini-Course Accelerator:http://minicourseaccelerator.com/-----I’m convinced every coach, educator, expert, and Substack creator should have at least one mini-course in their online business.I say that because I’ve built my previous business - a productivity newsletter with 17,000+ subscribers - almost entirely on simple mini-courses (that generated multiple six-figures in revenue). So in this episode of the Write • Build • Scale podcast, we’re breaking down why mini-courses are the best digital product to create in 2026 - and exactly what to know before building yours.

In this week’s episode, I sat down with Philip Hofmacher to unpack the five biggest lessons we’ve learned from generating multiple six figures with our digital products.💻 Free Training: Turn Your Knowledge Into Income in 2026We’re hosting a live training where we reveal how you can turn your expertise into profitable digital products - so you can stop trading your time for money and start scaling your income in 2026. » Click here to reserve your seat for this free training.Timestamps:- Why teaching for free is the fastest way to actually make more sales (01:11)- The “7-hour rule” that shows how long it really takes someone to buy from you (02:17)- How to stop undervaluing your knowledge (and why people will happily pay for what you already know) (04:46)- Why short, actionable mini-courses sell better, get finished more often, and create loyal repeat buyers (12:11)- How to validate demand for your next digital product before you build it (19:16)- Your audience is already telling you what they want to buy - you just have to know what to look for (24:01)- The biggest mistake most creators make when launching digital products (00:31:04)

Paid subscriptions are often seen as the holy grail of monetization on Substack. And yes, paid subscriptions are amazing.As of this point, we have more than 900 paid subscribers, and we generate multiple 5-figures through paid subscriptions.But there’s a whole world of monetization possibilities beyond simply charging for your newsletter…🧰 Grab your FREE Substack Starter Kit: https://www.writebuildscale.com/podstarterkit/

In this week’s episode, I sat down with Brian Clark, serial entrepreneur and founder of the pioneering content marketing website Copyblogger (which he grew to 10s of millions in sales).Nowadays, with his newsletter Further, he helps Generation X navigate a new reality where the rules of work, money, and meaning have changed.🧰 Grab your FREE Substack Starter Kit: https://www.writebuildscale.com/podstarterkit/In this value-packed episode, we covered:- Why people over 50 are starting online businesses faster than ever before (00:05:14)- The smartest way to turn decades of experience into a profitable education-based business (00:10:03)- How to build offers your audience actually wants (00:18:11)- How to design a business that’s both profitable and location-independent (00:24:03)- Why you should build a lifestyle-first business instead of waiting for “retirement” to enjoy your freedom (00:27:30)- Why traditional employment is actually riskier than starting your own business (00:31:37)- How to build your online business on the side in just one hour a day (00:38:05)- How Substack’s ecosystem gives creators an edge most people overlook (00:41:36)- The #1 business lesson Brian wishes he’d learned sooner (00:47:28)And much, much more…Connect With Brian Clark:📙 ⁠Follow Brian Clark on Substack: https://substack.com/@thatbrianclark▶️ Subscribe To ‘Further’ on Substack: https://news.further.net/

In this week’s episode, I sat down with Luis and Rui Sousa, co-founders of The AI Break, a Substack newsletter that’s grown to more than 90,000 subscribers in under two years.The two brothers shared how they turned their side-project into a full-time business, combining paid ads, organic growth, and practical AI education.🧰 Grab your FREE Substack Starter Kit: https://www.writebuildscale.com/podstarterkit/We also covered:- Why paid ads became their biggest growth engine - and how they reinvested every dollar to scale (02:41)- How they monetize their newsletter through 3 powerful income streams (13:00)- Why the best way to sell your services might be to stop pitching them altogether (19:40)- The smart paywall strategy that converts free readers into paying subscribers (21:00)- How to start using AI if you’re feeling overwhelmed or intimidated by it (28:20)- How you can create high-quality content with AI - that actually sounds and feels like you (37:00)- Why you should start monetizing your knowledge right now - even if you only have 10 subscribers (01:00:45)And much, much more…Connect With Rui & Luis Sousa:📙 ⁠Follow Rui Sousa on Substack: https://substack.com/@ruisousa11💼 Follow Luis Sousa on Substack: https://substack.com/@luissousa28▶️ Subscribe To The AI Break Substack: https://theaibreak.substack.com/

In this week’s episode, I sat down with Michael Lim - a full-time solopreneur who scaled his one-person business past $30K/month.We talked about building a business around your skills, using leverage to scale, and how to stop overcomplicating the path to six figures.We also covered:The 3 P’s of starting a one-person business; how to turn your profession, pain, or passion into profit (00:02:41)Why any niche - no matter how weird - can scale to six figures a year (00:05:44)The exact step-by-step path to go from freelancer → consultant → digital product creator (00:11:07)How to use social media to validate your offers before you build them (00:20:27)The easiest way to add leverage: sell one offer at different price points (00:29:31)The mindset shift that helped Michael scale past $30K/month (00:40:08)And much, much more…Connect With Michael Lim:📙 ⁠Follow Michael Lim on Substack💼 Follow Michael Lim on LinkedIn▶️ Subscribe To Michael’s YouTube Channel💻 Visit Michael Lim’s Website

In this week’s episode, I sat down with Taylin John Simmonds - a former college teacher turned $500k a year content copywriter - to unpack how to start as a ghostwriter, land your first clients, and scale your income as a writer.Connect With Taylin John Simmonds:📙 ⁠Follow Taylin John Simmonds on Substack: https://substack.com/@taylinsimmonds💼 Follow Taylin John Simmonds on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylin-john-simmonds/✍️ Follow Taylin John Simmonds on X: https://x.com/TaylinSimmonds▶️ Subscribe To Taylin’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@taylinsimmonds 💻 Visit The Ghostlii Website: https://www.ghostlii.com/In this value-packed episode, we cover:- The surprising way he landed his first ghostwriting client (00:50)- How Taylin scaled from $3K/month to $40K/month in just four months (05:59)- The dark side of “fast success” (07:30)- How Taylin rebuilt his business to run without him (09:29)- The mindset that separates six-figure ghostwriters from those who give up (13:02)- The 3 types of leverage Taylin uses to scale his business without burning out (22:00)- The best online platforms for writers in 2025 and beyond (30:02)- The million-dollar advice Taylin got from a mentor - and how it changed his focus overnight (33:43)- The belief shift every new writer needs to make to start earning real money (40:00)And much, much more…

In this week’s episode, I sat down with psychologist and executive coach, Corey Wilks (Psy.D), to discuss how creators can navigate imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and limiting beliefs, so they can reach their full potential.With 16+ years of experience in psychology, Corey has worked with some of the top creators and communities in the world (like Ali Abdaal, David Perell, and Jay Clouse).Connect With Corey Wilks:📙 ⁠Follow Corey Wilks on Substack: https://substack.com/@coreywilkspsyd📧 Subscribe To The ‘Creator Alchemy’ Newsletter⁠: https://www.creatoralchemy.com🎤 Listen To The ‘Creator Alchemy’ Podcast: https://creator-alchemy.captivate.fm/listen💻 Visit Corey Wilks’ Website: https://coreywilkspsyd.com/Connect With Us:📙 Write • Build • Scale Substack: ⁠https://writebuildscale.substack.com/⁠▶️ Subscribe To YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@WriteBuildScalePodcast⭐ Free Substack Bestseller Guide: ⁠https://mwa.kit.com/substackbestsellerIn this value-packed episode, we cover:- How to deal with imposter syndrome - and why it’s actually a good sign (1:07)- The #1 mental shift for writers who struggle with perfectionism (10:12)- The 4 subconscious fears keeping you from success as a creator (13:19)- Why studying productivity hacks doesn’t matter if you don’t work on your mindset (20:00)- The most effective psychological technique to overcome procrastination (22:29)- Why you should give yourself permission to be great (39:02)And much, much more…

In this week’s episode, I’m sharing the step-by-step playbook to go from zero subscribers all the way to Substack Bestseller (100+ paid subscribers). This is the exact system we’ve followed at Write • Build • Scale, and it helped us grow our publication to 17,000+ subscribers and 750+ paid subscribers in just over a year.---Substack System Is Now Open For EnrollmentSubstack System is a step-by-step program designed to help you grow your audience and income on Substack - without the guesswork, overwhelm, or burnout.👉 Enroll at substacksystem.com In the 70+ actionable videos of this course, you’ll learn how to:Grow An Engaged Audience: Attract readers who truly appreciate your workCreate A Thriving Publication: Set your publication up for successWrite Viral Notes: Capture attention and drive subscriber growthBuild Your Paid Substack: Turn readers into paying subscribers every monthBoost Subscriber Growth: Use effective growth strategies to reach more readers with less effort👉 Enroll at substacksystem.com

Free Masterclass: Take Your Substack Growth To The Next LevelThis Thursday (October 2nd), we’ll host a live Substack Growth Masterclass where we share exactly how to grow your audience and income on Substack.This live masterclass is completely free to attend, so secure your seat now and set yourself up for success on Substack:https://go.writebuildscale.com/substackmasterclass----In this week’s episode, I sat down with Sinem Gunel, my co-founder at Write • Build • Scale, to talk about how she grew an online audience of 100,000+ by writing on Medium and Substack.In this value-packed episode, we cover:Why writing ‘consistently’ isn’t the right advice - and what you should focus on instead (01:06)The most important writing tip Sinem learned from publishing 150+ articles on Medium (03:54)What asset every online writer should have if they want to build a profitable writing business (12:08)Why focusing on one proven platform leads to faster growth than being “everywhere” or chasing the hottest social media platforms (15:04)How Sinem got over her limiting beliefs on monetization and realized she deserved to get paid for her work (18:54)What skills you’ll need to learn to make the shift from writer to business builder (23:00)How to move from “building an audience” to building a writing business that creates long-term freedom (28:55)And much, much more…