So you want to repurpose your content from Substack Notes to a full Substack Newsletter?
You’ve probably been hesitating because it feels like extra work. Or maybe you’re worried that simply expanding your Notes into articles might feel repetitive to your subscribers who’ve already seen the original content.
I get it. Creating fresh content for multiple platforms can feel like running on a never-ending treadmill.
But what if I told you that your Substack Notes could be the goldmine of ideas just waiting to be transformed into newsletter gold?
Why you should repurpose from Substack Notes to Substack Articles
Substack Notes are great for quick thoughts and engaging with the community. But Substack Newsletters allow you to go deeper, build stronger connections with readers, and ultimately generate more revenue through paid subscriptions.
The importance of repurposing content cannot be overstated, especially for experts trying to monetize their knowledge. Most content creators make the mistake of creating something once, publishing it once, and moving on.
Here’s the truth: you never really know what content is going to resonate on which platform.
Back in 2020, I created YouTube videos about note-taking that were getting decent views. On a whim, I decided to repurpose those ideas into Medium articles. That simple decision to repurpose led me to launch a profitable 5-figure course and add 3,000 email subscribers to my list in just 12 weeks. (You can read the full story here).
Why did this happen? Because different platforms attract different audiences with different consumption habits. The algorithm, timing, format, and context all influence how your content performs. Something that gets ignored as a Note might become your most successful newsletter when expanded with the right framing.
The main differences between Substack Notes and Substack Newsletters
Substack Notes are:
- Short-form (limited to 300 words)
- Casual and conversational
- Great for quick updates or observations
- More socially-oriented with replies and recirculation
- Perfect for testing ideas
Substack Newsletters are:
- Long-form (typically 800-2500 words)
- More structured and comprehensive
- Delivered directly to subscribers’ inboxes
- Better for monetization through paid subscriptions
- Designed for deeper analysis and storytelling
The key difference isn’t just length—it’s depth and delivery. Notes stay within the Substack ecosystem, while newsletters land in people’s inboxes, commanding more attention.
What makes a good Substack Newsletter
Great Substack newsletters aren’t just longer Notes—they deliver value that justifies the attention they ask for.
The best newsletters:
- Have a clear, compelling headline that promises specific value
- Open with a hook that immediately pulls readers in
- Include personal stories that illustrate broader points
- Offer practical takeaways readers can apply immediately
- Use subheadings and formatting to enhance readability
- End with a call-to-action that encourages engagement
For example, compare these approaches:
Substack Note: “Just realized most experts overthink their pricing strategy. Here’s a quick tip: price based on transformation, not information.”
Expanded Newsletter: “The Million-Dollar Pricing Mistake Most Experts Make (And How to Fix It)” — which then dives into specific pricing frameworks, case studies, and actionable templates.
Build Your Swipe File Of Winning Substack Newsletter Content
The best way to create compelling newsletters is to find examples that are already performing well. Each platform has its own unwritten rules and audience expectations.
PRO TIP: Look for creators who are relatively new to Substack but getting significant traction. The established newsletter giants can get away with strategies that might not work for smaller accounts because they’ve already built massive followings. New but successful creators give you a more realistic blueprint.
Begin by finding 5-10 newsletters in your niche that have high engagement rates. Save them in a dedicated folder and analyze:
- What headlines get the most opens?
- How do they structure their content?
- What topics generate the most comments?
- How do they transition from free to paid content?
Download my free templates of winning Substack newsletter formats here.
Simple workflow to turn Substack Notes into Substack Newsletters
Okay, so now that you’ve have these laid out…
You could either do this manually like a monkey.
Hire a VA that you need to train for weeks on Fiverr…
Or (my favorite way):
You could use AI and automation tools to make this process as smooth as butter.
Here’s an example:
As soon as you publish a Substack Note that gets strong engagement, you can automatically trigger a workflow to expand it into a newsletter draft.
You can create automations using tools like n8n, Make, or Zapier that monitor your Notes’ performance and help transform the successful ones.
Here’s a simple working workflow:
1. Use n8n to monitor your Substack Notes engagement (likes, replies)
2. When a Note crosses a threshold (e.g., 25+ likes), trigger an AI expansion
3. Feed the Note content to ChatGPT or Claude with a prompt like:
“Transform this Substack Note into a 1,000-word Substack newsletter. Keep the original insight but add:
– An engaging personal story opening
– 3 practical examples
– Actionable takeaways
– A call to action
Maintain my voice and style throughout.”
4. Send the expanded draft to your email for review and editing
5. Schedule or publish your new newsletter
This lets you focus on creating great seed ideas as Notes, and leverage automation to expand them based on actual audience feedback rather than guesswork.
Stop wasting time creating content that disappears into the void. Your best Notes deserve to become newsletters that reach more people, create deeper connections, and actually make you money.
For more tips on how to repurpose your content and grow your audience with less work, sign up for my free emails below: