How To Turn Substack Notes into X Posts

By Matt Giaro

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So you want to repurpose your content from Substack Notes to X Posts?

You’ve been creating those snappy, insightful Notes on Substack and wonder if they could find a second life on X (formerly Twitter).

But something’s holding you back.

Maybe you’re unsure if the formats are compatible…
Perhaps you’re worried about coming across as repetitive to followers who might see your content on both platforms…
Or maybe you’re simply overwhelmed by the thought of managing yet another content stream.

You’re not alone.

Many content creators leave value on the table by keeping their ideas siloed on a single platform.

Let’s see how to overcome that:

Why you should repurpose from Substack Notes to X Posts

X remains one of the most powerful platforms for thought leaders and experts to build authority.

With its massive user base and real-time nature, your ideas can spread far beyond your current audience.

The opportunity is significant.

X Posts can help you tap into entirely new networks through retweets, quotes, and the algorithm’s recommendations.

Because let’s face it:

You never really know what kind of content is going to resonate better on which platform.

I learned this lesson firsthand in 2020. I had created a series of YouTube videos about note-taking that weren’t getting much traction. On a whim, I decided to repurpose that content on Medium. The results shocked me—those repurposed ideas became the foundation for a profitable five-figure course and helped me add 3,000 email subscribers to my list in just 12 weeks. You can read more about that journey here.

Why did this work?

Different platforms have different audiences, algorithms, and consumption patterns.

Content that falls flat in one environment might find its perfect audience in another.

The main differences between Substack Notes and X Posts

Substack Notes are designed for a more dedicated audience who already know you.

The athmosphere on Substack Notes is also described as more friendly than on other platforms.

But let’s face it: the discovery on Substack ain’t as on X.

They allow for:

  • Up to 999 characters
  • The ability to include links, images, and mentions
  • A community-focused environment of subscribers

X Posts, on the other hand, are built for broader reach:

  • 280 characters (or up to 25,000 with X Blue)
  • More emphasis on shareable, standalone insights
  • Algorithmic distribution beyond your immediate followers
  • Greater focus on timely, conversation-starting content

Your Substack Notes audience is typically “warmer”—they’ve already opted into your content ecosystem.

X audiences might be encountering your ideas for the first time.

What makes a good X Post

The best X Posts typically have these characteristics:

  • Clarity and conciseness (even with expanded character limits, brevity wins)
  • A strong hook or surprising insight in the first sentence
  • Standalone value (readers shouldn’t need additional context)
  • Conversation starters (posed as questions or provocative statements)
  • Visual elements that enhance rather than replace the written content

For example, compare these two approaches:

Generic: “Here’s my new article about content repurposing.”

Effective: “I repurposed failed YouTube videos into Medium articles and made $37,219 in 90 days. Here’s the exact process I used (and why most people get it wrong)👇”

See the difference? The second creates curiosity, offers specific results, and promises valuable insights.

Build Your Swipe File Of Winning X Content

Don’t reinvent the wheel. The smartest way to create winning X content is to analyze what’s already performing well.

Start by finding 10-15 posts in your niche that have generated substantial engagement. Save them in a document or tool like Notion as reference points.

Pro insight: Focus on creators who are relatively new to success on X but getting exceptional engagement. Unlike established influencers who can get traction on almost anything, these up-and-comers have to create genuinely compelling content to break through. Their strategies are more likely to work for you as a smaller account.

Yes, this requires some upfront work. But understanding the patterns of successful content will save you countless hours of trial and error.

Download my free templates of winning X Posts here.

Simple workflow to turn Substack Notes to X Posts

Okay, so now that you have these insights 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 post on Substack Notes, automation tools can instantly transform that content into an X-friendly format. No duplicate effort required.

You can create automations that utilize specific prompts to save your time. For instance, using a tool like n8n, Make, or Zapier, you can set up a workflow that:

1. Detects when you publish a new Substack Note

2. Sends the content to ChatGPT or another AI with a prompt like:

“Transform this Substack Note into an engaging X Post of 280 characters that maintains the core message but optimizes for broader reach. Add relevant hashtags if appropriate.”

3. Sends the transformed content to a scheduling tool like Buffer or directly to X

This simple automation can turn a 300-character Substack Note into a perfectly formatted X Post in seconds, formatted exactly how you want it.

Stop leaving your best ideas trapped on a single platform. Your knowledge deserves to reach more people, and smart repurposing is the fastest path to growth.

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