In the crowded world of newsletter publishing, where creators constantly seek ways to stand out and grow their audience, a new initiative is taking a hands-on approach to community building. Substack Growth Mastermind, a weekly live program on the publishing platform Substack, is redefining how creators can collaborate to expand their reach. The program, produced by Soani Gunawan and co-hosted by Amy Chang and John Toomey, is not formally associated with Substack itself but leverages the platform's live features to create a working environment for attendees.
The core idea is simple: instead of passively watching experts talk, participants actively engage in activities that directly increase their followers and subscribers. "We noticed that most Substack Lives are a passive experience for people in the Chat," says Gunawan. "We wanted to improve upon that by making each Live a working opportunity for attendees to gain followers, subscribers, and in some cases clients." This shift from consumption to creation is central to the program's appeal. Chang adds, "Building in public during a Live is not only effective, but it's a fun social occasion, which allows members to see how fulfilling creating on Substack can be."
Each weekly show incorporates several interactive segments designed to foster growth. The program announces the latest SuperStacker Prizes, recognizing members who contributed the best Notes, Articles, Comments, or Restacks from the previous week. These awards incentivize the development of mini-skills that are often overlooked but are crucial for creator growth. During the live session, audience members submit their own Notes, which are then liked, commented on, and restacked by others, creating a dynamic exchange of ideas.
At least one audience-submitted Note becomes the focal point for a group mind mapping session using Ayoa.com. Participants can comment on and add to the mind map, which is later posted to the program's social media and website. Submissions that can serve as prompts for AI tools like Claude Artifact, GPT, Gemini Gem, or Perplexity Space and address one of the UN's 169 Sustainability Indicators can earn a Hero Award. This integration of AI and global goals adds a layer of purpose and innovation to the sessions.
The most insightful contributions are compiled into a draft press release before the program ends, giving attendees the chance to see their writing referenced by news publications within days. If time permits, the hosts conduct a mini-audit of an audience member's Substack publication, offering tailored advice for future growth. Occasionally, Substack Superstars are invited as guests, and evocative sentences from their Notes and Articles are used as AI prompts for the group mind maps.
The implications of this initiative extend beyond individual growth. The producers plan to incubate and nurture other writers who want to mount their own similar live programs. "We find that live video is the best way to get a potential audience to know, like, and trust you," says Chang. "And the way we do it makes it fun. So we want to support as many people as possible to conduct these types of shows for their own subscribers and clients. We want to build and promote a Substacker Live Network." This vision could lead to a decentralized network of live shows, each fostering community and growth.
Future plans include a weekly challenge that offers participants ways to build significant growth before the next program, where their achievements will be celebrated. A SuperStacker prize will be offered to creators who help another writer reach Bestseller status. For more information, visit https://substack.com/@growbyhelpingothers. To learn more about Substack, visit substack.com. Substack Growth Mastermind exists to help newsletter and blog creators build their presence through the power of swarm intelligence.
