For a long time, I wondered why some writers receive three times more attention than others, even though the quality of their writing is not that different.
The truth is very simple: some manage to push the algorithm, while others simply rely on being discovered on their own.
Let me tell you something: until you start appearing in the Notes feed every day, you will continue to be part of the vicious cycle where nothing happens.
Minimal notifications, minimal reactions, minimal engagement.
Does that sound familiar?
If posts used to be what drove the algorithm on Substack, then in 2026 it has become clear that Notes are what increase your visibility and activity in the eyes of the algorithm.
The formula is clear: publishing a Note + replying to a comment.
You don’t need to spend hours reading AI articles that tell you how you can grow your audience in just three easy steps. You don’t need to constantly ask ChatGPT what the best growth strategy is.
The only thing required of you is to be consistent with what you publish - whether it is a Note, a post, or even a prompt in your publication’s chat.
Every single one of these things has equal weight when the ultimate goal is to reach the right people.
We often give up exactly when we don’t see results, but we forget that everything requires not only time, but also patience:
Time - you have it.
Patience? You will learn to build it, together with consistency.
Visibility on Substack is not a myth, but it is for those who are not afraid to be consistent. Those who are not afraid to give up when faced with the first difficulty.
For the first time, I had the opportunity to discover more than 35 stories filled with life experience, as well as fiction stories that shook me to my core. I never imagined that someone would trust me to such an extent, and yet, more than 100 people have now participated since the beginning of the project.
And do you know why?
Because they believe that visibility is not simply a myth.
They believe that their stories deserve to reach the right place.
They believe in the readers who are somewhere out there, just waiting to discover them.
I always say this, but I’ll say it again now: we are not just writers - we are readers, too.
Start by reading other people’s stories and commenting on them. Engage not only with your own audience, but with someone else’s audience, too.
At the beginning of my Substack journey, I spent more than 4–5 hours reading other people’s stories whenever my schedule allowed for it. Exactly because I believe that this is how you begin to get noticed - this is how you build connections with the people around you.
That is exactly why I encourage everyone who decides to get the fifth issue of the magazine to subscribe to those writers whose work resonates with them.
It doesn’t take much to start building relationships with others on the platform. And you never know whose words might act as medicine for you until you discover them yourself.
🔦If you want your writing to reach the right audience, join Not Exactly Ana as a paid subscriber and become part of the Visibility Project. Now is the perfect time to join the new edition because there are still spots available.
JOIN THE SUBSTACK VISIBILITY PROJECT
(button works better from the web page)
If you have any additional questions, you can always message me - I’m here for you.
I would also like to give special thanks to the participants in this project:
Motherhood and Marketing Sal Gallaher Author Sinem HALLI Nikkie - How to Eat a Dinosaur Haide Wall Giesbrecht Johnathon Haney Camea Franklin Daney, EA Philip Cole Elam Dan Ackers Sheila Balgobin Refractions of Light Kathleen | The Reading Rebel Harriette Richard, Ph.D. Amelia Amber Talarico WritingWithWater Alexandra Bianco In Midstory... Lady Starlight*** Jessica Renner Theresa Greene PsychiatRick Marlene Judnefera Rasayon Pioggia Benedetta Alice Maiorana Amanda Jones TJ Farnum Juliana S. Cassandra Stark Oli Trollgora The In- Between Club Angelaura Jewell LIMINAL BRITAIN
These are conversations with me where we’ll map out your Substack journey together so you can achieve the results you’re aiming for.
If you’d like me to share my experience with you and show you how to apply it to your own Substack, join by clicking the button below and choosing the 1:1 Substack Session plan, or feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions.
I’m planning to launch a podcast for Not Exactly Ana .That’s why I decided to start saving for a camera to finally bring this project to life. So if you’ve ever wanted to support me with a “coffee,” know that this is what I’m currently saving for - and what I’m planning to invest in.
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