The Fastest Way to Improve Your Substack Notes And Go Viral
Introducing The NoteSmith
Notes is such a crapshoot.
You spend 30+ minutes writing what you think is a great Note, agonizing over every detail.
Is the hook strong enough to make someone stop scrolling?
Is it too long and people will bail halfway through?
Is it just... boring?
Then you hit publish and watch as another carefully crafted Note gets exactly 3 likes.
The mental guesswork is more agonizing than the writing itself.
Well, after dozens of hours of work, I’ve created an AI tool that takes care of that! I call it The NoteSmith, and it mimics my Notes feedback. It’s pretty freaking amazing. You can send in your Note draft to it and get tips to improve it within seconds.
If you want to try it out for free, sign up for it here.
You’ll be given 3 tokens (or 3 uses) for this tool.
If you want 50 tokens per month, become a paid subscriber to The Writing Long Game right here.
If you’re already a paid subscriber, scroll down to the bottom of this post for the link to get your 50 credits.
Here’s a video explaining how to sign up for The NoteSmith, how to use it, what it looks like, along with some example feedback.
NoteSmith Tutorial + Live Demo
Timestamps:
0:00 - Agenda for the call
2:50 - Overview of The NoteSmith and what it does
5:15 - How to use The NoteSmith
8:35 - Live demo with a draft of mine
20:51 - Live demo with 7 Note drafts from the audience
50:40 - Q/A Session
53:40 - What AI model was The NoteSmith trained on?
57:07 - Why The NoteSmith works perfectly with LinkedIn
58:30 - What’s the purpose for writing articles as opposed to Notes?
59:30 - How exactly do I use Notes to get more email subscribers?
1:05:30 - Will The NoteSmith learn our voice as we use it more?
used the NoteSmith to polish a 12,500 like Note
Here’s what she told me:
“I really like the NoteSmith so much - I feel like it is working with a colleague. I don't slavishly do what he (I think it's a he) tells me, but tweak and polish and between us it is always better. I have one Note that has over 12.5 likes!
We wrote it together so I don't give him all the credit, but he surely helped. Also he is making me a better Note writer. He has less to do than he used to.”
used the NoteSmith to edit this Note, which got 200+ likes
Here’s what she said:
I used Tom's NoteSmith yesterday to help me edit a 200 word personal story note I wrote. It helped me cut it down to 151 words, punch up the opening line, and rephrase the closing "lesson".
wrote this viral 1,700+ like Note with the help of The NoteSmith
Here’s what she wrote me as it was going viral:
“By the way, the note that I said last night had hardly any traction – it now has 218 likes, a tonne of comments and I’ve had 13 new subscribers today.
Some very heartfelt stuff from complete strangers. Really lovely.
It was refined with the Notesmith.”
used The NoteSmith to help edit this 100+ like Note she wrote
Another NoteSmith user got 400+ likes on their notes in total
Here’s a message I got from a NoteSmith user (and new paid subscriber) recently who wished to remain anonymous:
“I’m a seasoned, trad-published writer. Short form isn’t my thing, though I’ve been trying to get better at it ever since my early Twitter days.
These Notesmith-edited posts have been getting a ton more traction than my usual notes, and I feel it's lifted my whole profile in the algorithm.
That first one I wrote is now at 307 likes.
The second is at 68.
Yesterday's is at 98 likes.
Well worth £110 to get a year's worth of this kind of help, and I'm excited about what else you have in the pipeline.”
One NoteSmith User Is Getting 500+ Views Per Day Now
Here’s a message I got from a paid subscriber who had been using The NoteSmith to edit their Note drafts..
“Oh my! My notes are really fueling a growth swell right now, and I'm loving it. Plus an article-reading swell. Look at this! The earlier spikes are posts and in between, near-crickets. Now I'm getting traction on my articles all week long, even when I'm not publishing one.”
9 Benefits Of Using The NoteSmith
Picture this: It's 30 days from now.
You open Substack to find your latest Note has hit 200+ likes overnight. Your subscriber count is up by 27 since yesterday. A top writer in your niche just reposted your work with a glowing comment.
Writing Notes no longer feels like guesswork. You draft them in 15 minutes instead of 40, hit publish with confidence, and watch engagement climb consistently.
This isn't fantasy—it's exactly what happened to Teri (whose Note you saw above) after using The NoteSmith for just 1 day.
Here are the 9 specific ways The NoteSmith makes this transformation possible:
1. It Helps Writers Develop a Stronger Voice Over Time
Many AI tools focus on just fixing grammar or structure, but The NoteSmith actually helps people refine their unique writing style.
By consistently using it, writers naturally internalize what makes a Note compelling—so they get better at writing Notes even without AI.
2. It Removes the Fear of Hitting Publish
A lot of writers hesitate before posting because they’re unsure if their Note is “good enough.”
The NoteSmith gives you a second opinion instantly, which builds confidence and helps you post faster without second-guessing.
3. It’s Like a “Mini Writing Course” Built Into Every Edit
Every time someone submits a Note, they’re not just getting edits—they’re learning principles of great short-form writing, because The NoteSmith actively teaches you lessons.
Over time, this tool makes you a better writer, not just a better editor.
4. Great for Perfectionists Who Over-Edit
Many writers tinker with their Notes for too long, trying to get them perfect.
The NoteSmith breaks that perfectionism loop by offering clear, actionable improvements in seconds.
5. Saves Mental Energy & Reduces Decision Fatigue
Writing is hard. Editing is harder.
The NoteSmith automates the hardest part of the process—tightening up structure, cutting fluff, and improving flow—so that you can focus on ideas instead of endless revisions.
6. It’s Like Having a Professional Editor on Demand
If someone hired a writing coach to edit their Notes, they’d probably pay hundreds per month (my rate is $150 per hour).
This gives them similar high-quality feedback at a fraction of the cost.
They can now get expert-level feedback 50 times a month instead of waiting on an editor.
7. It Eliminates the “Blank Page Syndrome” for Short-Form Writers
Sometimes, the hardest part isn’t editing—it’s knowing where to start.
If someone throws a messy draft into The NoteSmith, they’ll instantly get a cleaned-up, more structured version that makes it easier to finalize and post.
8. It Gives You a Competitive Edge on Substack Notes
Many writers are winging it with their Notes, but this tool helps users refine their posts into engaging, high-impact content.
If someone wants to stand out in the Notes algorithm, they need sharp, engaging writing—this tool ensures they have that advantage.
9. Reduces the Learning Curve for Short-Form Success
If someone is new to Notes, LinkedIn, or X, they might struggle to adapt their writing style.
The NoteSmith guides them toward a format that works, so they don’t have to spend months figuring it out through trial and error.
9 Facts About ‘The NoteSmith’
Here are some things you’ll notice about The NoteSmith as you use it.
1. It sounds human
I wanted this to feel like you were talking to a digital version of Tom Kuegler. I iterated the prompt extensively to get the “voice” right. Yes, it’s a little awkward sometimes, but I think it gets the broad strokes right and makes you feel comfortable.
2. It’s encouraging
One thing my tool does is start the critique off with something it loved about your draft. Always. That was important to me. The constructive criticism isn’t intense either. It will never call you an idiot, it will instead gently suggest changes and encourage you like a caring coach.
3. It writes exceptional opening lines
Another thing you’ll notice is it’s a master of writing great opening lines. That was a priority for me. Most Notes die because their opening lines suck. I synthesized much of my opening line philosophy and translated it into detailed instructions that really knock it out of the park. I think you’ll be impressed.
4. It’s good at cutting the fluff
In true Tom Kuegler fashion, this tool is great at cutting the fluff from a Note draft. You’ll probably be delighted to watch it condense sentences, paragraphs, and bullet points down to their essential parts.
5. Overall, it’s just a fantastic writing coach
In general, this tool knows how to turn decent writing into great writing. It’s trained for Notes specifically, but you can take the writing tenants it espouses and incorporate it into your long form writing, too.
6. It’s not perfect
My goal for this tool was to get it so that 80% of its suggestions were on the money. Right now I’m closer to 100 percent than 80 percent. But just know that sometimes it misses important context, and that you, the author, should judge whether to implement the changes it suggests word for word, or to use its suggestions as a “jumping off point” to improve your Note. Either is acceptable!
7. It’s a little repetitive sometimes
Another thing you might notice is that it can be a little repetitive with the direction it gives. For example, it LOVES making sentences more concrete and less abstract. That’s because I love that as a writing coach. I see this as a strength, though. This tool helps you master foundational Notes principles.
The occasional repetitiveness of this tool is actually a positive—helping you internalize proven writing principles over time.
8. It works for all kinds of Notes
Typically Notes fall into one of two categories: stories or lessons. There are some people who love writing personal stories, and others who just want to give great advice. This tool gives story-based advice to “Story Notes” and lesson-based advice to “Lesson Notes.”
9. Do not have a conversation with it
Why? Well, because The NoteSmith’s got some crazy conspiracy theories, that’s why! No, in seriousness, it’s only designed to give you feedback on your Note drafts. Don’t try to have a conversation with it, because you will only lose tokens and waste your time.
How To Use ‘The NoteSmith’
Click here to sign up. After you do, you’ll be given 3 tokens (or 3 uses) for this tool. Here’s two very important things to remember:
ONLY respond to it with your Note draft. Don’t try to have a conversation with The NoteSmith, because you lose tokens every time you message it.
Copy, paste, and format your Note exactly how you’d format it on Substack. Use bullets, line breaks, and spacing exactly how you intend to on Substack.
After signing up, you should be all set.
Remember, paid subscribers get 50 uses per month for this tool. Upgrade here.
The NoteSmith Works For LinkedIn, X, and Facebook, Too
The NoteSmith is designed to help you write great short-form content on a variety of platforms! In my opinion, this tool can work great with:
LinkedIn (!) - This platform has the most harmony with The NoteSmith. I wrote short-form on LinkedIn for years and write my Notes with the exact same strategy.
Facebook - This platform also has great harmony with The NoteSmith.
X - This platform has somewhat less harmony with the NoteSmith, because X features very short content, but as long as you give it a shorter draft, it should work fine for X, too. Or you could use it to write threads!
I plan to update The NoteSmith in the future so you can prompt it to edit a Note, Tweet, LinkedIn post, or Facebook post specifically.
Folks Have Used The NoteSmith 3,000+ Times In Total
Since launch, people have used The NoteSmith over 3,000 times. We’re getting some rave reviews from users. Here’s a few more:
“I just downloaded the trial and threw in a note to test, incredible. 5 Stars. I don’t know how you got it to literally understand all of the context and provide such authentic feedback.”
-Tyler Scott
“I continue to be blown away by this Tom. I’ve been using your 5 openers for my notes. And when I put them in the Note Smith it always tells me what a great opener I have 8-) So it’s definitely being consistent with your approach. I really like the feedback it gives + the example of how I could apply the feedback. It feels flawless at this point as a user. I’m just waiting for the Blog Smith now!”
-Brad Didericksen
“I've tried this and it is brilliant. It has really sharpened up my Notes writing. I feel that I'm learning from it. The tool seems to tighten up your writing - just like any other editor would. Then you can agree or disagree whether you use all the suggested changes. I usually tweak a couple of the words or phrases before posting the note. And it talks to you in a kind, encouraging way - just like Tom!”
-Cali Bird
“But Tom, Isn’t AI Bad?”
Let’s talk about it! I wrote a post defending the use of AI as a writing assistant. If you want, read it right here.
In Defense Of Using AI As A Writing Assistant
Wow! Yesterday we had over 100 people try The NoteSmith for the first time. It was incredible! We got some amazing feedback.
Try The NoteSmith out 3 times by signing up right here.
If you want 50 tokens per month, become a paid subscriber to The Writing Long Game right here.
Thank you for listening.
And for those who tried the NoteSmith out, welcome to the future!
Tom Kuegler