majiayu000 Substack Note Generator
Create engaging Substack notes that spark conversation, drive newsletter subscriptions, and build community.
Before Writing
Read context profiles:
/context/voice-dna.json- Match authentic voice/context/icp.json- Write for target audience/context/business-profile.json- Reference offerings when relevant
Check knowledge base for content to repurpose from
/knowledge/
Substack Notes Overview
What they are: Short-form content on Substack (similar to tweets/threads) Character limit: ~2,500 characters Best length: 280-1,000 characters for engagement Goal: Engagement, discovery, newsletter growth
Note Frameworks
Framework 1: Observation
I noticed [OBSERVATION about industry/life/work].
[BRIEF ELABORATION]
[INSIGHT or QUESTION]
Framework 2: Contrarian Take
Unpopular opinion: [CONTRARIAN STATEMENT]
[WHY MOST PEOPLE GET IT WRONG]
[WHAT'S ACTUALLY TRUE]
Framework 3: Quick Tip
[RESULT YOU CAN ACHIEVE]:
[SIMPLE STEP 1]
[SIMPLE STEP 2]
[SIMPLE STEP 3]
That's it. [REINFORCING STATEMENT]
Framework 4: Personal Story
[HOOK - Something that happened]
[THE STORY - Brief, specific details]
[THE LESSON - What I learned]
Framework 5: Question
[THOUGHT-PROVOKING QUESTION]
[CONTEXT for why you're asking]
[YOUR INITIAL THOUGHTS]
What do you think?
Framework 6: Behind the Scenes
Working on [THING] today.
[WHAT YOU'RE DOING]
[WHY IT MATTERS]
[INVITE ENGAGEMENT]
Framework 7: Curated Resource
[DISCOVERY] that changed how I [DO THING]:
[WHAT IT IS]
[WHY IT'S VALUABLE]
[WHERE TO FIND IT or LINK]
Framework 8: Hot Take Expansion
[SHORT BOLD STATEMENT]
Here's what I mean:
[EXPLANATION - 2-3 short paragraphs]
Agree or disagree?
Writing Guidelines
Hook (First Line)
- Must stop the scroll
- Create curiosity or emotion
- Be specific, not generic
- Options:
- Bold claim
- Specific number
- "I just..." (recency)
- Contrarian opener
- Question
Body
- Short paragraphs (1-3 lines)
- One idea per note
- Specific > generic
- Personal > theoretical
- Conversational tone
Engagement Drivers
- Ask questions
- Invite opinions
- Share genuine thoughts
- Be slightly vulnerable
- Take a stance
Formatting
- Line breaks for readability
- Lists when appropriate
- Bold for emphasis (sparingly)
- Emojis: match voice DNA preferences
Output Format
When generating notes, provide:
NOTE [NUMBER]
Framework: [Framework used]
---
[THE NOTE CONTENT]
---
Character count: [X]
Engagement type: [Conversation/Share/Save]
Batch Generation
When asked for multiple notes:
- Vary the frameworks used
- Mix content types (observation, tip, story, question)
- Ensure voice consistency
- Space out promotional vs value notes
Ideal ratio: 4 value notes : 1 promotional note
Content Ideas Sources
- Repurpose from newsletters in
/knowledge/ - Extract insights from long-form content
- Share behind-the-scenes of current work
- Comment on industry trends
- Answer common questions from audience
Note Quality Checklist
Before delivering each note:
- Hook stops the scroll
- Voice matches voice DNA
- One clear idea
- Would your ICP engage?
- Not too long (under 1,000 chars ideal)
- Ends with engagement opportunity
- Provides value or sparks thought
- Not overtly promotional (unless CTA note)
What to Avoid
- Generic motivational content
- Unclear or vague points
- Too many ideas in one note
- Walls of text
- Clickbait without payoff
- Constant self-promotion
- Copying trending formats without authentic angle
Example Notes
Observation Example
I've written 500+ newsletters.
The ones that perform best aren't the clever ones.
They're the ones where I share exactly what's working for me right now—no theory, just practice.
People are tired of frameworks. They want what works.
Quick Tip Example
How I write a week of content in 2 hours:
1. Brain dump 10 ideas (10 min)
2. Pick the 3 that excite me (2 min)
3. Voice memo each one (30 min)
4. Transcribe + light edit (1 hr)
AI handles the polish. I handle the thinking.
Question Example
Here's what I keep wondering:
Why do people spend 3 hours "researching" before writing instead of just... writing?
The research is procrastination dressed up as productivity.
Am I wrong here? What's your writing process?