How to NOT Name Your Substack (Unless You Want to Stay Invisible Forever)
When I started my newsletter, I almost made the dumbest mistake ever.
I didn’t think about the name.
I was too busy overthinking everything else:
❌ What if I run out of things to write about?
❌ What if no one subscribes?
❌ What if this flops and I look like an idiot?
So when it came time to actually name the thing, I was exhausted and just wanted to hit publish.
And that’s how so many newsletters end up with names like:
Letters from [Insert Name Here]
Thoughts & Musings
The [Your Name] Newsletter
You know what these names have in common?
Nobody knows what the heck they’re about.
And if people don’t know what your newsletter is about instantly, they won’t click. They won’t subscribe. And they definitely won’t pay.
The Brutal Truth About Naming Your Newsletter
Your newsletter name isn’t for you.
It’s for the strangers who have never heard of you but might be interested in what you write.
Here’s a quick test you can run right away.
Go to the homepage in the search tab and pretend you are your ideal subscriber. What keywords would you search for?
Is your newsletter appearing in that search?
If it’s not, keep reading.
So if your name doesn’t:
✅ Tell them what they’re getting
✅ Make them curious enough to click
✅ Sound like something they actually want to read
…it’s working against you.
And trust me, no amount of “promotion” will save a bad name.
Here’s How You Get It Right
You have two paths when naming your newsletter:
Be Obvious (What’s in it for them?)
History of Women – You know what you’re getting. No guessing.
AI Disruptor – Clearly about AI and innovation.
The Growth Playbook – Sounds like actionable strategies.
Be Niche-Driven (Who is this for?)
Alpha Men – Speaks to a specific type of reader.
The Environmentalist – Appeals to people who care about sustainability.
Oldster Magazine – Instantly connects with an older demographic.
Bad names make people scroll past.
Great names make people click.
The Name Test (Use This Before You Hit Publish)
Before you commit to a name, ask yourself:
✅ If a random person saw this, would they know what it’s about?
✅ Does it make someone curious enough to click?
✅ Would YOU subscribe if you saw this in a list of newsletters?
If the answer is no—back to the drawing board.
Because here’s the hard truth:
- If your name sucks, everything else gets harder.
- If your name is great, growth becomes effortless.
How I Cracked the Code on Monetizing My Newsletter
Truth is, the name is just the beginning.
What really separates successful newsletters from the ones that never take off?
Positioning, content strategy, and monetization.
Most people get stuck because they think growing a newsletter = “getting more subscribers.”
That’s not how you make real money.
I’ve made six figures this quarter alone from my newsletter.
Not from luck.
Not from clickbait.
But from repeatable strategies that turn readers into paying subscribers, sponsors, and clients.
And now, I’m teaching everything inside a LIVE mastermind, for 3 days, March 5-7:
💰 Monetizing Your Newsletter: The Ultimate Playbook
This isn’t a generic “how to use Substack” workshop.
This is the exact system I use to make six figures from my newsletter.
✅ How to optimize your page, name, offer, and content so people WANT to buy
✅ How to attract sponsors & negotiate high-value brand deals
✅ How to build paid memberships that actually scale
✅ How to create irresistible group coaching & high-ticket offers
✅ How to turn your newsletter into a magnet for multiple revenue streams
📅 3 days, 2-hour live sessions, all recorded for lifetime access
💰 $97 one-time, 50% off for How We Grow paid members (scroll down for your 50% off if you’re a paid member)
🔥 PLUS: Exclusive chance to dry test Substackulous (before anyone else)
If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or like your newsletter isn’t making the money it should—this is for you.
Drop a 🔥 YES below if you’re in. Let’s make your newsletter unignorable. 🚀
Grab your seat at 50% here if you’re a paid member of How We Grow: