How to Crush It on Substack: By Arnold Schwarzenegger
I read so many “How to succeed on Substack posts” but they are all b̶u̶l̶l̶s̶h̶i̶t̶ nonsense. They make it too damn complicated!
Trust me, when it comes to success, whether it is in bodybuilding, acting, or politics; my approach has always been the same: discipline, focus, and action. Substack is no different. If you want to dominate the platform and grow your audience, listen up—because I’m here to give you the blueprint for success.
1. Start with a Clear Vision
You can’t build something great if you don’t know what you’re building. What’s your newsletter about? Fitness tips? Movie reviews? AI technology? Whatever it is, make sure it’s authentic to YOU. When I started bodybuilding, my vision was to become the best in the world—and that clarity kept me focused every day. Define your vision and stick to it.
Arnold’s Tip: Write a mission statement for your newsletter and keep it at the top of your mind with every post.
2. Be Consistent—No Excuses
Success on Substack isn’t about one viral post; it’s about showing up week after week. People subscribe to reliability. Just like training, consistency compounds. Set a schedule—whether it’s weekly, biweekly, or monthly—and stick to it.
Arnold’s Tip: Write even when you don’t feel like it. Those are the moments that build true strength, whether it’s your muscles or your audience.
3. Engage Your Community
Substack isn’t just about writing—it’s about creating a two-way street with your readers. Respond to comments, answer questions, and be a real person behind the screen. In my career, I’ve learned that connecting with fans is just as important as performing for them.
Arnold’s Tip: Start a Q&A section in your newsletter or host live chats for subscribers. Make them feel like they’re part of your journey.
4. Quality Over Quantity
Don’t worry about writing the longest posts or the most posts. Focus on creating high-quality content that provides value. People will come back for substance, not fluff. When I was competing, every rep counted—and in writing, every word counts.
Arnold’s Tip: Before hitting publish, ask yourself: Does this post solve a problem, inspire, or entertain? If it doesn’t, go back to the drawing board.
5. Promote Like a Champ
You can write the best content in the world, but if no one knows about it, it’s like training in an empty gym. Share your newsletter on social media, collaborate with other writers, and don’t be shy about asking people to subscribe.
Arnold’s Tip: Create a simple tagline for your newsletter—something memorable. Mine would be: “Get stronger in mind and body with every post.”
6. Keep Learning and Evolving
When I transitioned from bodybuilding to acting, I had to learn new skills. The same applies to Substack. Study what’s working for others, adapt to your audience’s needs, and never stop improving.
Arnold’s Tip: Read newsletters from top writers, analyze what makes them successful, and apply those strategies to your own work.
7. Stay Hungry
The most important thing is your mindset. Don’t get complacent. Whether you have 10 subscribers or 10,000, keep pushing. Write as if you’re still earning your first reader.
Arnold’s Tip: Remember, success doesn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of many small steps taken consistently.
In conclusion: Make It Legendary
You have everything you need to crush it on Substack. Set your goals, take action, and stay committed. In time, you’ll look back and say, “I built something incredible.”
So, what are you waiting for? Pick up your pen—or your keyboard—and get to work. And remember my motto:
“You can’t climb the ladder of success with your hands in your pockets.”
Let’s do this! 💪
—Arnold
Thank you to Farrah @Substack for twisting my arm and getting me on this fantastic platform! Also, a huge thanks to Mills, ℭ𝔬𝔫𝔰𝔱𝔞𝔟𝔩𝔢 𝔬𝔣 𝔔𝔲𝔞𝔩𝔦𝔞 for arm wrestling with me (literally twisting my arm AYYGAAAH) in New Orleans back in 2002 on my campaign trail, keep up the good work as head of design! Chris Best you are doing a great job of leading the company but you need to start lifting weights if you want to take it to the next level!
Crush your critics, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their women!