# 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.

- Canonical HTML: https://growth.iangoh.com/growth-ideas/substack-new-reader-survey-in-the-welcome-sequence/
- Source: [support.substack.com](https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/24034796625428-How-do-I-set-up-welcome-emails-on-Substack)
- GrowthDex source hub: [Substack Support: How do I set up welcome emails on Substack?](/sources/substack-support-how-do-i-set-up-welcome-emails-on-substack-support-subs/)
- Last checked: 2026-06-06T14:20:00Z
- Rarity: rare
- Budget: free
- Channels: Email, Research, Substack
- Stages: substack, reader research, welcome email, intent capture


## Why this can grow

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.

## Ian's take

From scaling consumer platforms across MENA and Southeast Asia, my default is to distrust growth work that only looks good in a slide. Email still works when it reads like one person noticed one real thing. If the message could be sent to anyone, it usually works on nobody. I would make the first line specific enough that the right reader knows it was meant for them. I would run it small enough to learn quickly, then only scale the parts that real users repeat, save, reply to, or buy from. For this tactic, I would watch one clear growth signal before putting more time or budget behind it.

## Action plan

1. Define one narrow startup segment where substack new-reader survey in the welcome sequence can create a measurable lift.
2. Turn the tactic into one offer, page, campaign, or workflow for the Email and Research channel.
3. Use the evidence from support.substack.com to set the first version of the message, format, and audience.
4. Launch a small test for 7 to 14 days with one success metric: one measurable growth signal.
5. Review the result, keep the winning message, remove weak variants, and turn the learning into a repeatable growth playbook.

## Source-backed 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.

## Adjacent tactics in the same lane

- [Substack welcome email matches the entry path](/growth-ideas/substack-welcome-email-matches-the-entry-path/) - same source, 2 shared channels, 2 shared stages
- [Substack recommendations in subscribe flow, homepage, and digest](/growth-ideas/substack-recommendations-in-subscribe-flow-homepage-and-digest/) - 2 shared channels
- [Substack skip-button copy lets browsers say not yet](/growth-ideas/substack-skip-button-copy-lets-browsers-say-not-yet/) - 1 shared channel, 1 shared stage
- [Substack subscriber count hidden until social proof is real](/growth-ideas/substack-subscriber-count-hidden-until-social-proof-is-real/) - 1 shared channel, 1 shared stage

## Read GrowthDex essays

Browse the plain-English essay index at [GrowthDex Blog](/blog/).

## Related GrowthDex essays

- [The Substack welcome path should not end at the subscribe box](/blog/the-substack-welcome-path-should-not-end-at-the-subscribe-box/) - email, conversion, community-led growth

## Advisory

If you want help turning this into a working growth system, Ian Goh offers advisory at https://iangoh.com/advisory.