# Substack Notes Templates

**PUBLICATION:**
The Strategy Snack (Marketing for startup founders)

**GOAL:**
Grow subscribers, build engagement, establish expertise

**VOICE:**
Helpful, direct, occasionally irreverent

---

## NOTE TYPE 1: NEWSLETTER TEASER

Promote your latest or upcoming newsletter post.

### Teaser Version 1: Hook + Value

```
Just published: The 3 marketing channels I'd focus on if I was starting a startup today.

Spoiler: It's not what most "marketing gurus" tell you.

I spent 15 years watching startups waste money on the wrong channels. Here's what actually works when you have more ambition than budget.

[Link to post]
```

**Character Count:** 298

**Why This Works:**
- Clear topic (3 marketing channels)
- Contrarian hook (not what gurus say)
- Credibility (15 years)
- Target audience clear (startups, limited budget)

---

### Teaser Version 2: Problem + Promise

```
Most startup marketing advice is written for companies with money.

But what if you have $1,000/month (or less) and no marketing team?

This week's Strategy Snack breaks down exactly how I'd spend a tiny marketing budget for maximum impact. No theory—just what actually works.

→ Link in bio or click below
```

**Character Count:** 306

**Why This Works:**
- Identifies reader pain point
- Specific scenario ($1,000/month)
- Promise of practical value
- "No theory" resonates with doers

---

### Teaser Version 3: Curiosity Gap

```
I made a $50,000 marketing mistake at my first startup.

It taught me more than any course or book ever could.

Wrote about it this week—including what I'd do differently and how you can avoid the same trap.

[Read: The Expensive Lesson That Changed How I Think About Marketing]
```

**Character Count:** 281

**Why This Works:**
- Story hook (expensive mistake)
- Vulnerability builds trust
- Clear learning promise
- Specific post title creates curiosity

---

## NOTE TYPE 2: STANDALONE INSIGHT

Value without linking to anything—builds authority.

### Insight Version 1: Hot Take

```
Unpopular opinion:

Startups don't have a marketing problem. They have a clarity problem.

If you can't explain what you do and why it matters in one sentence, no amount of "marketing" will save you.

Fix the message first. Then worry about channels.
```

**Character Count:** 252

**Why This Works:**
- "Unpopular opinion" stops scroll
- Contrarian framing
- Simple, actionable truth
- No link = feels generous, not promotional

---

### Insight Version 2: Quick Tip

```
Startup marketing tip that costs $0:

Email your last 10 customers and ask: "What almost stopped you from buying?"

Their answers are your marketing gold. Address those objections everywhere—website, ads, sales calls.

Done in 30 minutes. Impact lasts forever.
```

**Character Count:** 276

**Why This Works:**
- Free and fast = irresistible
- Specific action (email 10 customers)
- Specific question to ask
- Clear outcome promise

---

### Insight Version 3: Framework/Mental Model

```
The 10-5-1 rule for startup marketing:

10 ideas → Test them quickly
5 show any promise → Double down
1 actually works → Go all in

Most founders skip to "go all in" on their first idea.

That's why most startup marketing fails.
```

**Character Count:** 235

**Why This Works:**
- Memorable framework (10-5-1)
- Simple, visual structure
- Common mistake identified
- Makes reader feel smarter

---

## NOTE TYPE 3: ENGAGEMENT/QUESTION

Start conversations, learn from audience, boost visibility.

### Question Version 1: Simple Poll

```
Honest question for founders:

What's your biggest marketing challenge right now?

A) I don't know where to start
B) I'm doing stuff but it's not working
C) I know what works but can't scale it
D) Something else (drop in comments)

Genuinely curious—your answers help me write better content.
```

**Character Count:** 303

**Why This Works:**
- Structured options = easy to engage
- Covers common scenarios
- Honest about why you're asking
- Drives comments

---

### Question Version 2: Experience Share

```
Quick question for the founders here:

What's one marketing channel that actually worked for your startup?

I'll go first: For us, it was surprisingly LinkedIn organic. Posted daily for 6 months, built a small audience, and it became our #1 lead source.

Your turn—what worked for you?
```

**Character Count:** 303

**Why This Works:**
- You answer first (models behavior)
- Specific example with result
- Invites others to share
- Creates valuable thread

---

### Question Version 3: Hot Take Response

```
Saw someone say "SEO is dead for startups" today.

Hard disagree.

SEO isn't dead—it's just harder and takes longer than people want.

But when it works, it's the closest thing to "free traffic" that actually exists.

Am I wrong? What's your take on SEO in 2024?
```

**Character Count:** 274

**Why This Works:**
- References current conversation
- Clear stance (hard disagree)
- Nuanced position
- Invites debate

---

## NOTE TYPE 4: BEHIND THE SCENES

Humanize yourself, build personal connection.

### BTS Version 1: Process Reveal

```
How I write The Strategy Snack:

1. Monday: Brain dump on topic (ugly first draft)
2. Tuesday morning: Rewrite ruthlessly (cut 50%)
3. Tuesday afternoon: Edit for "snackability"
4. Tuesday 6am: Hit publish, panic slightly

No fancy system. Just showing up every week.

Writers—what's your process?
```

**Character Count:** 315

**Why This Works:**
- Shows real process (relatable)
- Self-deprecating humor (panic slightly)
- Ends with question
- Other writers will engage

---

### BTS Version 2: Honest Update

```
Honest update:

The Strategy Snack just crossed 2,000 subscribers.

Took 8 months. Some weeks I wanted to quit. Some posts got 12 likes. I questioned everything multiple times.

But I kept showing up, and here we are.

If you're building something and feeling invisible—keep going. Consistency compounds.

Thank you to everyone who reads, shares, and replies. You make this worth doing.
```

**Character Count:** 390

**Why This Works:**
- Real numbers (2,000, 8 months)
- Vulnerability (wanted to quit)
- Encouragement for others
- Gratitude

---

### BTS Version 3: Personal Moment

```
Random personal update:

I'm writing this from a coffee shop because my home office felt suffocating today.

Sometimes the best productivity hack is just... leaving.

Anyone else have a "I need to escape my desk" day? Where do you go?
```

**Character Count:** 242

**Why This Works:**
- Relatable moment
- Not about "content" at all
- Shows you're human
- Easy to respond to

---

## NOTE TYPE 5: REPOST/EVERGREEN

Reshare older content that's still valuable.

### Repost Version 1: Context + Link

```
I wrote this 6 months ago and it's still my most-read post:

"The Landing Page Framework That Actually Converts"

If you're building landing pages and not getting signups, this might help.

Still relevant, still actionable, still free.

[Link]
```

**Character Count:** 244

**Why This Works:**
- Social proof (most-read)
- Evergreen topic
- Clear who it's for
- Acknowledges it's older

---

### Repost Version 2: New Angle

```
Getting lots of questions about landing pages lately.

Reminder that I wrote a whole breakdown on this:

→ The one metric that actually matters
→ The 5-second test your page needs to pass
→ Real examples from startups that converted

Free for all subscribers. Link below if you missed it.
```

**Character Count:** 289

**Why This Works:**
- Ties to current interest
- Specific value points
- Feels helpful, not self-promotional

---

## NOTE TYPE 6: RECOMMENDATIONS

Recommend other creators—builds relationships and community.

### Recommendation Version 1

```
Substack recommendation:

If you're interested in startup fundraising, @FounderFinance is excellent.

They break down term sheets, investor psychology, and fundraising strategy in a way that actually makes sense.

I'm not affiliated—just genuinely find it useful. Worth a subscribe.
```

**Character Count:** 285

**Why This Works:**
- Specific niche match
- Clear what the publication covers
- Disclaimer adds credibility
- Genuine endorsement tone

---

## NOTES POSTING SCHEDULE

| Day | Note Type | Goal |
|-----|-----------|------|
| Monday | Newsletter teaser or tip | Start week strong |
| Tuesday | Post-publish teaser | Drive to new post |
| Wednesday | Standalone insight | Build authority |
| Thursday | Engagement question | Start conversations |
| Friday | Lighter/personal | End week human |
| Weekend | Optional repost or BTS | Stay visible |

**Minimum:** 3-4 Notes per week
**Ideal:** 5-7 Notes per week
**Maximum:** 2-3 per day (don't spam)

---

## NOTES BEST PRACTICES

### Do:
| Practice | Why It Works |
|----------|-------------|
| Post consistently | Algorithm rewards regularity |
| Engage with replies | Builds community, boosts visibility |
| Like and reply to other creators | They'll reciprocate, expands reach |
| Mix promotional and value posts | Pure promo gets ignored |
| Use line breaks | Easier to read |
| End with questions | Drives comments |
| Tag relevant creators | When genuinely relevant |

### Don't:
| Avoid | Why |
|-------|-----|
| Only posting links to your stuff | Looks spammy |
| Posting 10x per day | Annoying, unfollowed |
| Being negative about other creators | Bad look, small world |
| Pure self-promotion | No one cares |
| Ignoring replies | Kills engagement |
| Only posting on publish days | Miss daily discovery |

---

## NOTES LENGTH GUIDE

| Length | Characters | Best For |
|--------|------------|----------|
| Short | Under 150 | Quick thoughts, questions |
| Medium | 150-300 | Most notes, good balance |
| Long | 300-500 | Stories, frameworks, teasers |
| Very Long | 500+ | Use sparingly, needs strong hook |

**Sweet Spot:** 200-300 characters

**Note:** No hard character limit on Substack Notes, but shorter usually performs better.

---

## NOTES FOR NEWSLETTER GROWTH

### The Funnel:
```
Notes (Reach new people)
    ↓
Profile (They check you out)
    ↓
About Page (They learn more)
    ↓
Free Subscribe (They join list)
    ↓
Newsletter (They get value)
    ↓
Paid Subscribe (Some convert)
```

### Growth Tactics:

| Tactic | How To Do It |
|--------|-------------|
| Teaser on publish day | Note linking to new post |
| Standalone value daily | Tips/insights without links |
| Engage with bigger creators | Thoughtful replies to their Notes |
| Cross-promote in threads | When genuinely relevant |
| Pin best Note to profile | First thing new visitors see |
| Follow people in your niche | Many will follow back |

---

## NOTES HOOK FORMULAS

| Formula | Example |
|---------|--------|
| Unpopular opinion: [Take] | Unpopular opinion: SEO isn't dead for startups |
| The [X] that [outcome] | The marketing mistake that cost me $50K |
| Most [audience] [problem]. Here's why: | Most founders waste their marketing budget. Here's why: |
| Just published: [Topic] | Just published: How to build landing pages that convert |
| Question for [audience]: | Question for founders: What's your biggest marketing challenge? |
| Honest [thing]: | Honest update: This newsletter hit 2,000 subscribers |
| [Number] [things] I learned about [topic] | 3 things I learned about startup marketing |

---

## ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES

### Get More Replies:
- End every Note with a question
- Ask for specific opinions (not vague)
- Respond to every reply quickly
- Ask follow-up questions to commenters

### Get More Restacks:
- Share unique insights not found elsewhere
- Create memorable frameworks
- Be quotable (short, punchy lines)
- Give credit generously

### Get More Follows:
- Post valuable Notes consistently
- Engage on other creators' Notes daily
- Have compelling profile/About page
- Be genuinely helpful, not promotional

---

## COMMON NOTES MISTAKES

| Mistake | Impact | Fix |
|---------|--------|-----|
| Only posting newsletter links | Looks like spam | Mix with standalone value |
| Inconsistent posting | Algorithm forgets you | Post 4-5x per week minimum |
| Not engaging with others | Miss reciprocal reach | Comment on others daily |
| Too long | Scroll past | Keep under 300 chars usually |
| No personality | Forgettable | Show your voice |
| Ignoring replies | Kills community | Reply to everyone |
| Being too salesy | Instant unfollow | Lead with value always |