Craft Substack newsletter posts optimized for engagement, open rates, and subscriber growth. Use when writing headlines/subject lines, structuring posts, crafting hooks, writing teasers for next issues, or adapting content between newsletter and Notes. Includes email-first optimization, the cliff-hanger technique, SEO integration, and Spanish-language patterns.
/plugin marketplace add chekos/bns-marketplace/plugin install chekos-tdd-growth-tdd-growth@chekos/bns-marketplaceThis skill inherits all available tools. When active, it can use any tool Claude has access to.
references/REFERENCES.mdSubstack is primarily email. Every design decision should optimize for:
Your subject line = your post title. It determines everything.
Studies show 7 words hit the sweet spot between too short and too long. Aim for 30-50 characters to fit mobile screens.
Curiosity Gap:
"The mistake everyone makes with [topic]"
"Why [common belief] is wrong"
"I finally figured out [thing]"
Value-Forward:
"How to [achieve result] in [timeframe]"
"[Number] ways to [accomplish goal]"
"The complete guide to [topic]"
Story Hook:
"What happened when I [did thing]"
"I almost gave up on [thing]. Then..."
"The day everything changed"
Direct/Clear:
"[Topic]: What you need to know"
"Your weekly [topic] update"
"[Specific thing] explained"
Available for publications with 200+ subscribers. Substack tests two titles with a portion of your list, then sends the winner to the rest.
| Open Rate | Assessment |
|---|---|
| 70%+ | Exceptional |
| 50%+ | Great (platform average) |
| 40%+ | Good, solid engagement |
| 30%+ | Needs improvement |
| <20% | Deliverability or relevance issues |
Caveat: Apple Mail Privacy Protection inflates open rates. Focus on click-through rates and replies for accurate signals.
TITLE (Subject Line)
↓
SUBTITLE (Preview text — first 40-90 chars visible)
↓
HOOK (First 1-2 paragraphs — stops the scroll)
↓
BODY (The value — structured, scannable)
↓
TEASER (Cliffhanger for next issue)
↓
CTA (What you want them to do)
80% of readers never get past the headline. Your hook determines if they read the body.
Hook Strategies:
Start with the payoff
Open with story
Provocative question
Bold statement
Common mistake: Your best hook is often buried 3-5 paragraphs in. During revision, ask: "Where does this get interesting?"
For Scanners (Most Readers):
Formatting Best Practices:
One creator accidentally discovered that ending posts with specific previews of upcoming content increased their next issue's open rate from 34% to 74%.
Instead of:
See you next week!
Do this:
Next week: I'm breaking down the exact system I used to
[achieve result] — including the template I use every day.
You won't want to miss this one.
Coming next [day]:
→ [Specific, compelling preview of content]
→ [What they'll learn or get]
→ [Why it matters to them]
Make sure you don't miss it.
This creates anticipation and primes subscribers to open.
Notes and newsletters serve different purposes:
| Newsletter | Notes |
|---|---|
| Deep value | Quick visibility |
| Builds trust | Builds reach |
| 1-3x per week | 1-3x per day |
| Long-form | Snackable |
| Email-first | Feed-first |
Newsletter → Notes:
Notes → Newsletter:
Substack posts can rank on Google. For tacosdedatos (educational content), this matters.
Target long-tail keywords
Keyword placement
Connect Google Search Console
Evergreen vs Timely
Headline Style:
"Cómo [lograr resultado] con [herramienta]"
"La guía completa de [tema] en español"
"[Número] errores que cometes con [tema]"
"Lo que nadie te dice sobre [tema]"
Hook Style:
Directo al grano. Sin rodeos.
[Primera oración impactante que establece el tema]
En este newsletter vamos a ver:
→ [Punto 1]
→ [Punto 2]
→ [Punto 3]
Closing Style:
La próxima semana:
Vamos a profundizar en [tema específico] — incluyendo
[algo concreto y valioso].
Nos vemos el [día].
— [Nombre]
The most-opened email you'll ever send.
Subject: Bienvenido/a a tacosdedatos
[1-2 sentence personal greeting]
[What they can expect: frequency, topics]
[1 specific CTA — reply, read this post, etc.]
[Brief upgrade mention if applicable]
[Sign-off]
Before publishing:
## Pre-Publish Checklist
### Title/Subject Line
- [ ] Under 50 characters / 7 words
- [ ] Clear value or curiosity hook
- [ ] Would I open this?
### Subtitle/Preview
- [ ] First 40-90 chars compelling
- [ ] Expands on title, doesn't repeat
### Hook (First 1-2 paragraphs)
- [ ] Immediately engaging
- [ ] Best hook not buried
- [ ] Clear what post is about
### Body
- [ ] Short paragraphs
- [ ] Subheadings for scanning
- [ ] Mobile-friendly formatting
- [ ] Key points bolded
### Teaser (End)
- [ ] Specific preview of next issue
- [ ] Creates anticipation
### CTA
- [ ] Clear next step
- [ ] Upgrade mention (if appropriate)
### SEO (if applicable)
- [ ] Keyword in title
- [ ] Keyword in first paragraph
- [ ] Descriptive subtitle
When crafting Substack posts:
## Newsletter Post: [Topic]
### Title (Subject Line)
[Under 50 chars, 7 words]
### Subtitle (Preview Text)
[First 40-90 chars will show in inbox]
### Hook
[Opening 1-2 paragraphs]
### Body Outline
- [Section 1]
- [Section 2]
- [Section 3]
### Teaser for Next Issue
[Specific, compelling preview]
### CTA
[What you want readers to do]
### Specs
- **Word count**: [Target]
- **Reading time**: [X minutes]
- **SEO keywords**: [If applicable]
- **Publish day**: [Optimal day]
### Notes Version
[Snackable version for Notes feed]
For algorithm research, source links, and detailed tactics, see references/REFERENCES.md.
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