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Growth idea action plan

Substack new-reader survey in the welcome sequence

Keep the new-reader survey or an explicit reply ask inside the welcome sequence so the first email learns why the person subscribed before the second email starts guessing.

rare tacticfree budget

Why this can grow a startup

The first welcome email is usually the cheapest moment to learn intent. Substack bakes that into the default flow by including the new-reader survey in untouched free and paid welcome templates, then its own guidance goes further and suggests asking readers to reply or take a survey about why they signed up. That turns onboarding into research. Instead of inferring motivation from opens alone, the publication can collect language, use cases, and upgrade cues while attention is still fresh.

Company example

Substack says the New Reader survey is included by default in unedited free and paid welcome emails, and recommends asking readers to reply with why they signed up or to take a survey.

Source and metric

Source: Substack Support: How do I set up welcome emails on Substack?

The New Reader survey is included by default in Substack's free and paid welcome-email templates until the publisher edits them.

EmailResearchSubstacksubstackreader researchwelcome emailintent capture
GrowthDex operator note

When to use it

Use this when Email, Research, Substack is relevant to substack, reader research, welcome email and you can run a bounded test with a free budget.

When not to use it

Do not use it as a substitute for customer evidence, a clear owner, or a measurable stop condition. Local platform rules and market behavior still need checking.

Founder checklist

  1. Read Substack Support: How do I set up welcome emails on Substack? and identify what is directly supported.
  2. Choose one channel context: Email, Research, Substack.
  3. Define the test around The New Reader survey is included by default in Substack's free and paid welcome-email templates until the publisher edits them..
  4. Set an owner, evidence window, and stop condition before launch.

Explore the context

Product-Led GrowthEmailResearchSubstack

Related tactics

Substack welcome email matches the entry path

Write different welcome emails for free, paid, imported, and founding subscribers so the first inbox message reflects how the reader arrived instead of treating every signup like the same job.

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Adjacent-product onboarding email loop

Use your main product's onboarding emails to introduce one adjacent tool or feature that solves a near-term follow-on job for new users.

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Churned subscriber win-back as hidden growth lever

Systematically re-engage past subscribers with targeted campaigns because one in four new sign-ups in SaaS are actually returning users.

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Concierge migration service to eliminate switching friction (ConvertKit method)

Offer a free, hands-on migration service that moves prospects off competitor platforms and onto yours, removing the single biggest barrier to switching.

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Consistent newsletter as retention and expansion engine

Publish a regular email newsletter with product tips, use cases, and insights to drive 3–4x better retention and expansion revenue than non-newsletter peers.

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Creator-to-reader-to-creator ecosystem loop (Substack model)

Writers bring their existing audience to the platform, some readers become writers themselves, and each new writer brings another audience — creating a self-expanding content ecosystem.

rareCommunities, Email
Advisory bridge

Apply this with an operator

Choose product surfaces that compound distribution without hiding weak activation or retention.

Work with Ian