How to Write (A Good) Substack Newsletter with AI

Everyone’s talking about starting a Substack newsletter.

And honestly? Most of them sound exactly the same.

Generic topics. Boring insights. Zero personality.

Why? Because they’re trying to pump out content faster than a caffeinated squirrel.

Here’s what nobody’s telling you: AI can help you create engaging newsletters that actually sound like YOU – without spending hours staring at a blank screen.

Why Substack newsletters are a goldmine right now

Newsletters aren’t just another content format. They’re your direct line to people’s inboxes.

Think about it:

No algorithm changes to worry about.
No social media drama.
No fighting for attention with cat videos.

Just you, your expertise, and readers who actually want to hear from you.

Unlike social media posts that disappear into the void, newsletters build a loyal, engaged audience that grows over time. And here’s the kicker: Substack makes it dead simple to monetize that audience when you’re ready.

Some creators are making $10,000+ monthly from their newsletters. Others use them to sell courses, coaching, or consulting services. The possibilities are endless.

How AI can help you write better newsletters

Let me bust a myth right now: AI won’t replace your voice. It’s like having a super-smart writing assistant who never gets tired.

Here’s what AI can actually do for your newsletter:

Generate killer headlines that make people click
Research trending topics in your niche
Outline your posts in seconds
Polish your writing for clarity
Turn your rough ideas into engaging stories

But here’s what it won’t do: Create that special sauce that makes your newsletter unique. That comes from you – your experiences, your insights, your way of seeing the world.

What makes a newsletter worth reading?

Ever wonder why some newsletters get devoured instantly while others collect digital dust?

The secret isn’t fancy writing or complex ideas.

It’s about solving ONE specific problem or delivering ONE clear insight in each issue.

The best newsletters follow this simple formula:

They grab attention with a relevant problem or desire
They share a unique perspective or solution
They make it actionable with specific steps or examples

That’s it. No fluff. No trying to be everything to everyone.

Finding your newsletter’s North Star

Before you even think about firing up AI, you need to nail down your main idea.

This is where most people mess up. They try to cover everything under the sun, and their newsletter ends up being about nothing.

Here’s how to find your focus:

Ask yourself: What ONE thing do I want to be known for?
What problem am I uniquely qualified to solve?
What conversations am I already having with people in my field?

Use Perplexity or ChatGPT with Search to validate your idea. Look for:

Common questions in your niche
Pain points people are discussing
Gaps in existing newsletters

Crafting A Compelling Substack Newsletter Outline with AI

Your newsletter’s outline is like a GPS for your writing. Without it, you’ll end up taking random detours that lose your readers’ attention.

But here’s the thing: Most people overcomplicate their outlines.

They try to stuff everything they know into a single newsletter. Then wonder why their subscribers aren’t engaging.

Let me show you how to use AI to create outlines that keep readers hooked.

Here’s the framework you can use:

Hook (Problem or Desire)

Start with what keeps your readers up at night
Or what they desperately want to achieve
Make it specific and relatable

Promise (What they’ll learn)

One clear takeaway
Why it matters right now
What makes your take unique

Story or Example

Personal experience
Client case study
Real-world application

Main Content (The Meat)

One core idea
2-3 supporting points
Specific examples for each

Action Step

One thing they can do today
Make it dead simple
Clear expected outcome

Using AI to Generate Your Outline

Here’s the exact prompt I use with Claude or ChatGPT:

Create a newsletter outline about [TOPIC] for [TARGET AUDIENCE].
They struggle with [MAIN PROBLEM].
They want to achieve [DESIRED OUTCOME].

Include:
1. An attention-grabbing hook
2. A clear promise
3. Space for a relevant story
4. 2-3 main teaching points
5. One actionable takeaway

Make it conversational but professional.

Pro Tips for Better Outlines

Start with Research

Use Perplexity to find trending topics
Look for common questions in your niche
Check what other newsletters aren’t covering

Keep It Focused

One main idea per newsletter
Cut anything that doesn’t support your core message
When in doubt, save it for next week

Add Personality Points

Mark spots for personal stories
Note where examples should go
Plan transitions in your voice

Example: Before vs After

Before (Too Broad):

Topic: Digital Marketing
- What is digital marketing
- Types of digital marketing
- Best practices
- Tools to use
- Case studies
- Tips and tricks

After (Focused & Engaging):

Topic: Why Your Email List Is Dead (And How to Revive It)

Hook: 
- Industry average open rates dropping below 15%
- What this means for your business

Promise:
- Double your open rates in 30 days
- Without changing your email platform

Story:
- How I resurrected a 10k subscriber list
- Key turning point discovery

Main Points:
1. The hidden reason subscribers ignore you
2. The 3-second subject line test
3. The perfect time to send (backed by data)

Action Step:
- The 5-minute audit template

Common Outline Mistakes to Avoid

Trying to Cover Too Much

Stick to one main idea
Save other topics for future issues

No Clear Action Step

Always end with something doable
Make it specific and measurable

Missing the “Why Now” Factor

Connect to current trends
Show urgency without hype

Remember: Your outline is a promise to your readers. Make it specific, make it actionable, and most importantly, make it worth their time.

Use AI to generate the structure, but inject your unique insights and experiences. That’s what turns a good outline into a great newsletter.

Best AI tools for newsletter writing

Not all AI tools are created equal. Here are the ones worth your time:

Claude (Best for long-form writing)

Excellent at maintaining consistent tone
Great at detailed explanations
Can handle nuanced topics well

ChatGPT (Best for brainstorming)

Amazing for headline generation
Good at quick outlines
Great for rephrasing and editing

Pro Tips for better results:

Always specify your target audience
Feed it examples of writing you love
Use it for research with tools like Perplexity or DeepSeek

Creating your first draft with AI

Your first draft won’t be perfect. And that’s exactly how it should be.

Here’s a prompt template that works wonders:

Write a newsletter about [TOPIC] for [TARGET AUDIENCE].
Key points to cover:
- [MAIN INSIGHT]
- [SUPPORTING POINT 1]
- [SUPPORTING POINT 2]
- [ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAY]

Tone: Conversational but knowledgeable, like talking to a smart friend
Length: 800-1000 words

Let the AI generate a draft, but don’t hit send yet. Let it breathe for at least a few hours.

Review, Edit, Refine: Making it yours

This is where the magic happens. AI gives you the clay; you shape it into art.

Your human touch matters in:

Adding personal stories and examples
Injecting your unique personality
Fact-checking all claims
Simplifying complex explanations

Remember: Clear beats clever every time.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Challenge 1: “My AI drafts sound too robotic”

Solution: Start with bullet points of what you want to say, then let AI expand them. Add your personal stories and examples afterward.

Challenge 2: “I’m struggling with consistency”

Solution: Create a simple template for your newsletters. Same structure, different content. AI can help maintain this structure while you focus on the insights.

Challenge 3: “I run out of ideas”

Solution: Use AI to analyze successful newsletters in your niche. Look for patterns in what works. Create a content calendar based on these insights.

The bottom line

Starting a newsletter doesn’t have to be overwhelming. AI can handle the heavy lifting while you focus on what matters: sharing your unique insights with the world.

Remember: Your readers don’t care how you create your newsletter. They care about the value they get from it.

So stop overthinking it. Use AI as your writing partner, not your replacement. And most importantly? Just start. Your future readers are waiting