The LinkedIn-Substack Growth Engine: Building a Thriving Substack with LinkedIn

Want More Now? ??

If you're looking to dive into more strategies and insights around growing on LinkedIn & Substack, you might want to check out this recent post on Substack. ??

>> The LinkedIn-Substack Flywheel Post <<

The Path to LinkedIn > Substack Synergy

Early 2024, I was staring at my Substack dashboard – 147 subscribers and growth that had practically flatlined. Today, its late 2024 and that number sits at nearly 2700.

The catalyst? A systematic approach to LinkedIn that transformed my entire content strategy.

Most Substack writers think distributing content means spraying links across every social platform. I did too, until I noticed something peculiar in my analytics: 80% of my engaged subscribers were coming from LinkedIn, even though it represented only 20% of my posting effort.

This realization led to a hypothesis:

What if I stopped treating LinkedIn as just another distribution channel and instead built a deliberate bridge between platforms?

The Growth Engine

The strategy I developed centers on understanding how LinkedIn's professional audience intersects with Substack's subscriber model. Here's what I discovered through three months of testing:

LinkedIn users who convert to Substack subscribers share three characteristics:

1. They're actively seeking industry insights
2. They value long-form analysis and writing
3. They're willing to invest in professional development

This insight fundamentally changed my approach to content creation.

The Hero Substack Post Strategy

Instead of churning out post after post and getting crickets in response, I decided to write a few “hero posts” that I would share on LinkedIn regularly.

I pinned this “hero post” on my Substack so it’s the first thing people see. Next, I write LinkedIn newsletters with quick insights about different topics within my niche.

Instead of linking to a new Substack post in each newsletter, I link only to my “hero posts.” This shows:

• Authority because new subscribers see lots of likes & comments
• Allows me to leverage my best content over and over (long-term)
• Funnels new subscribers into my email sequences (that lead to paid products)

My LinkedIn > Hero Post Strategy

This is my overall simple strategy to leverage LinkedIn for growing my Substack:

Step 1:

I use daily LinkedIn posts to mostly grow my followers. I use viral media that gets a lot of eyeballs and a lot of engagement. Some will become subscribers to my private email list. Some will automatically subscribe to my LinkedIn newsletters (I have 2).

Step 2:

I leverage my LinkedIn newsletter to share quick insights around my niche. Most people open these within their email inbox, so I try to keep the pretty short. These LinkedIn newsletters then link to my Substack “hero posts.”

Step 3:

Once they land on my Substack, many will convert to Substack subscribers and get my welcome email. The welcome email will have a link to my “hero posts” and funnel subscribers back to my main content.

Step 4:

My “hero posts” will provide a lead magnet (like a template or free five-day email class). That lead magnet links to a 3-to-5 day email sequence that onboards subscribers, builds trust, and sells a digital product.

Critical Success Factors

Through this process, I've identified four elements that drive sustainable growth:

1.?Consistency in Value Delivery

Each LinkedIn post must stand alone as valuable content, independent of the newsletter promotion.

2. Strategic Timing

Publishing newsletters during peak times when people tend to be on the app or open emails.

3. Narrative Continuity

Each piece of content builds upon previous discussions, creating a compelling reason to subscribe.

4. Community Investment

The comments section becomes a testing ground for newsletter topics and a recruitment tool for new subscribers.

Why this System Works

The beauty of this system is that it works in spite of an algorithm. Because LinkedIn newsletters are sent to all my subscribers via email and app notifications, I don’t have to worry about my posts “going viral.” ?

I’m able to leverage LinkedIn to grow my Substack subscribers, where I also don’t have to massage an algorithm. I have a direct line to my audience and can send emails to communicate with them anytime I like.

Next Steps

If you're looking to implement this strategy, start here:

1. Write 2 to 3 “hero posts” and pin the best one on your Substack
2. Set up your LinkedIn newsletter and choose 5-10 things to write about
3. Link your best “hero post” in each one of your LinkedIn newsletters
4. Write a Substack “welcome email” that sends subscribers back to “hero posts”

Bonus: Set up a free lead magnet on your hero posts and a 5-day welcome sequence; create something simple to sell between $10 to $50 and start making daily automatic sales

A Note on Sustainability

This growth engine works because it's built on genuine value exchange rather than growth hacks or tricks. It's about creating a sustainable ecosystem where your LinkedIn presence naturally feeds your Substack newsletter growth, which in turn strengthens your authority.

Question – What do you think about this LinkedIn>Substack Growth Engine? Is it something you would like to implement yourself? Drop any questions in the comments below

Want More Now? ??

If you're looking to dive into more strategies and insights around growing on LinkedIn & Substack, you might want to check out this recent post on Substack. ??

>> The LinkedIn-Substack Flywheel Post <<