Reginaldo Osnildo
Want to know what your readers actually want? Here’s how to run simple surveys that grow your Substack newsletter, improve content, and deepen engagement.
Hey again—Reginaldo Osnildo here!
Ever wonder what your readers really want from your newsletter?
- Which stories they like most?
- What days they prefer to read?
- Whether they’d pay for premium content or support your work?
Well, here’s the secret to finding out:
Just ask them.
Reader surveys are one of the most powerful tools you can use to:
- Improve your content
- Grow your audience
- Increase engagement
- Shape your monetization strategy
And the best part? You don’t need fancy software or a huge list. Just a few thoughtful questions.
Let me walk you through how to create, promote, and use simple reader surveys that make your local Substack better than ever.
1. Why Surveys Matter
You don’t need to guess what your audience wants. When you collect feedback, you:
- Build trust (“This newsletter actually listens”)
- Make smarter editorial decisions
- Boost open and click rates
- Increase support and loyalty
Surveys = clarity. And clarity leads to growth.
2. Choose Your Tool
You don’t need a big budget. These tools are perfect for Substack creators:
- Google Forms (free and easy)
- Typeform (clean interface)
- Tally (Substack-friendly)
- [Substack Notes or Polls] for super-simple questions
Just make sure your form is mobile-friendly and takes less than 2 minutes to complete.
3. Ask the Right Questions
Keep your survey short—5 to 7 questions max.
Mix multiple-choice and open-ended formats.
Here are some great starter questions:
- What do you enjoy most about this newsletter?
- What would you like to see more of?
- What topics matter most to you?
- How often do you read it?
- Would you support it financially (paid tier, donation, etc.)?
- What could I do to make this newsletter more useful to you?
Bonus: Ask for their first name and location (optional) to personalize future issues.
4. Offer an Incentive
Incentives = more responses.
Try:
- A shoutout in your newsletter
- A free local guide PDF
- Entry into a small giveaway (like a local gift card)
- Early access to your next story
Even a simple “Thanks for helping shape the future of this newsletter!” goes a long way.
5. Promote the Survey in Your Newsletter
Add a friendly CTA like:
“Hey—can I get 90 seconds of your time? I’m planning the next few issues and would love your feedback. It’s anonymous and super helpful!”
Include the link prominently and repeat it for 2–3 issues in a row.
You can also pin it in:
- Your Substack welcome email
- Your About page
- Your social bio
6. Analyze and Apply What You Learn
Once results come in:
- Look for trends (What topics come up most?)
- Identify pain points (Any confusion or dislikes?)
- Track interest in monetization (Are people ready to pay/support?)
Then take action:
- Adjust your content strategy
- Launch that new series or section
- Update your publishing day/time
- Test a paid tier if the demand is there!
Let your readers co-create the newsletter with you.
7. Share the Results
This builds major trust.
Write a short post or add a note in your next issue:
“Thanks to everyone who filled out the survey! Here’s what we learned—and how I’m adjusting the newsletter to serve you better.”
You can even show charts or word clouds if you’re feeling fancy!
Transparency = loyalty.
8. Repeat Every Few Months
Make surveying part of your rhythm:
- Do a major survey quarterly
- Include a one-question poll every month
- Use informal Q&As or comment threads as micro-feedback
This keeps your newsletter tuned to your audience’s evolving needs.
Want the Complete Blueprint to Build and Grow a Responsive Newsletter?
If this post got you excited about co-creating with your readers and building something people actually want, then grab my complete guide:
👉 Local Journalism on Substack: How to Create a Low-Cost, Monetizable News Site and Newsletter Network
Inside, you’ll get:
- Ready-to-use survey templates
- Content strategy based on real feedback
- Tools to boost open rates and retention
- Monetization models rooted in reader trust
- A 30-day plan to launch or relaunch your newsletter with clarity
Whether you’re just starting or looking to optimize, this book gives you everything you need to build a Substack that truly serves your community.