How to Structure Your Substack Articles for Maximum Impact
6 Easy-to-Follow Article Structures to Streamline Your Writing Process
Hey Guys!
I've been writing my whole life—just like all of us.
From learning letters to crafting sentences and essays, we were always guided. But in the real world, with so many platforms, most of us have No mentors.
We are on our own.
With no prior online writing experience, I grew to 375 subscribers and 600 followers organically in just months—just by picking up tips, recognizing patterns, and figuring out what works.
To save you time, here’s what I’ve learned about structuring your articles.
Structuring your article well can make the difference between a reader who stays engaged and one who clicks away.
Different structures work for different types of content, and choosing the right one depends on your goals and writing style.
Here are six effective article structures you can use:
1. Problem-Then-Solution
If your genre falls under education or self-improvement, this structure is highly effective.
How It Works
You present a problem to your readers—something they deal with, or better yet, something they might not even be fully aware of. This naturally grabs attention because people are wired to seek solutions. Once they’re hooked, you offer the solution.
Example: A Narrative Approach
At first, writing felt easy. You had ideas, inspiration, and the rush of getting your thoughts onto the page. But then, days passed. Weeks. The excitement wore off. You stared at the blank screen, willing yourself to write, but nothing came.
You tried to push through—waiting for motivation, forcing words onto the page. But it didn’t feel the same. Writing started to feel like work, and slowly, you stopped showing up.
Here’s the truth: Consistency in writing isn’t about motivation. It’s about building a system that keeps you going even when motivation fades.
Why It Works
✅ Creates an emotional pull by addressing pain points
✅ Keeps readers engaged as they search for answers
✅ Positions you as a helpful and insightful writer
Tips for Using This Structure
Identify a common struggle within your niche.
Instead of directly stating the problem, paint a picture—make the reader feel it.
Offer a clear, actionable solution that are attainable.
This structure works especially well for how-to guides and problem-solving articles.
2. Story-Then-Lesson
One thing you’ll notice on Substack?
People love storytelling.
How It Works
You begin with a personal story or a relatable anecdote, then extract the lesson from it. This makes your writing feel authentic and human, creating a deeper connection with your audience.
Why It Works
✅ Personal and relatable – Readers connect with real experiences
✅ Emotional impact – Stories make lessons memorable
✅ Engagement boost – Readers stay interested to see the resolution
Example
A year ago, I almost quit writing. No one was reading my posts. Every time I hit "publish," it felt like I was shouting into the void. No comments, no likes, no shares—just silence. I started questioning if I was wasting my time.
But then, I made one small change—I stopped waiting for readers to come to me and started engaging with other writers daily. I left thoughtful comments, replied to newsletters I enjoyed, and joined discussions.
Within a month, everything shifted. Writers I admired started noticing me. Some replied, others subscribed, and soon, my posts weren’t just being read—they were being shared. That small shift turned everything around.
If you love writing personal essays, this is a great structure to use.
3. The Inverted Pyramid
I was a news writer during my school days, and one structure that was taught to us was this: You start with a general idea, covering everything important upfront, then gradually distill it down to the details.
How It Works
This approach comes from journalism, where the goal is to give readers the most critical information first.
You start with the main point—the essential takeaway—then add supporting details and context as you go. This is especially useful for online writing, where readers are always in a rush.
People want to know right away what your piece will cover, so this structure saves them time and keeps them engaged.
However, one challenge with this structure is keeping the reader engaged once you’ve already delivered the main point. That’s where strategic re-hooking comes in.
Tips for Using This Structure
Give readers the most valuable information upfront. Since you’re starting with the core message, ensure it’s clear and impactful.
Always renew their attention as they read. Since you’ve given them the best part early on, you must keep them engaged throughout.
Each new paragraph, subheading, or section should re-hook them. Use an intriguing statement, bold claim, or thought-provoking question to maintain engagement.
Make the details worth their time. Once you’ve captured interest, provide insights, examples, or context that deepen their understanding.
Why It Works
✅ Ideal for articles where readers need quick, valuable insights
✅ Effective for busy audiences—they get the main takeaway fast
✅ Helps retain readers—grabs attention before they lose interest
Example
Want to grow your Substack? Here’s the short answer: Engage daily. Comment on 10 posts, restack at least 2, and post your own notes consistently. Now, let’s break down why this works.
This approach ensures even skim-readers get the core message before they move on.
All my content is currently free, but if you’d like to support my work, you can buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi! ☕✨ Every bit helps me keep creating. Thank you! 💛
4. The Pyramid (Opposite of Inverted Pyramid)
This structure flips the previous one—you start small and build up.
How It Works
You begin with a tiny, intriguing detail—something that piques curiosity. Then, you slowly expand the idea, revealing the bigger picture.
Why It Works
✅ Creates suspense—Readers are drawn in, eager to see where it’s going
✅ Encourages deeper reading—They stick around to uncover the full meaning
✅ Great for thought-provoking essays
Example
It started with a single comment.
I replied, then another writer joined in. Soon, a full conversation was unfolding. That one comment turned into a new friendship and even a collaboration.
And that’s when I realized: Engagement on Substack isn’t just about numbers—it’s about relationships.
This structure keeps readers curious and invested.
5. Make It Fun (Poetic or Rhythmic Writing)
Not all articles need to be rigidly structured—some thrive on flow and rhythm.
How It Works
You write in a way that feels effortless to read, almost like poetry. Short sentences. Line breaks. A natural cadence that makes it impossible to stop reading.
Why It Works
✅ Feels smooth and easy to digest
✅ Creates a strong emotional impact
✅ Makes your writing more unique
Example
Big goals take time.
But time is tricky.
It’s hard to grasp realistically.
Most of the time, you either believe you have too much of it—
So much that there’s no need to rush—
Or you feel like you have none at all, drowning in everything you have to do.
When you think you have too much time, you slow down.
You move lazily through your days, letting tasks slide.
You convince yourself there’s no rush.
You wait.
And wait.
And wait.
If you’ve read my previous post, you’ll recognize this—it’s exactly what I used in the first half.
This type of structure is especially effective for personal reflections, motivational writing, or philosophical musings. It makes reading feel effortless—like gliding.
6. The Layered Approach (Combining Multiple Structures for Depth)
Some of the best articles don’t rely on just one structure—they layer different elements to create a rich, engaging experience. This approach blends storytelling, data, and actionable insights, making the article both compelling and useful.
Creativity has no limits—you can always mix and match the structures presented above to create something entirely new.
Poll Break! 🎭
Also, I am planning on launching a series on building habits.
It will include several tools and articles that provide a step-by-step guide to mastering the skill of acquiring new habits. The goal is to ease into the process, addressing the common issue of taking on too much at once—which often leads to burnout and, eventually, quitting.
This series will focus on making habit-building sustainable and manageable.
Going back…
Choosing the Right Structure for Your Content
Your article’s structure should match your topic, audience, and writing style to maximize impact.
While the methods in this article work exceptionally well for educational, self-improvement, and informative content, different genres call for different approaches.
Here’s how I decide (bear in mind that my general category is education):
🔹 Writing a step-by-step guide? → Use the Problem-Then-Solution structure to clearly outline a common struggle and provide a straightforward, actionable fix.
📝 Example: “Struggling to stay consistent with writing? Here’s how to make it effortless.”
🔹 Sharing a personal experience with a lesson? → The Story-Then-Lesson approach works best. Start with a compelling anecdote before revealing the key takeaway.
📝 Example: “I almost quit writing—until I discovered this one mindset shift.”
🔹 Explaining a complex topic quickly? → Use the Inverted Pyramid, placing the most important information upfront before adding supporting details.
📝 Example: “Want to improve your writing? The #1 rule: clarity over complexity.”
🔹 Building suspense or leading to a powerful conclusion? → Try The Pyramid, where you gradually build up information to reach an impactful insight.
📝 Example: “The hidden reason why some writers succeed—and others don’t.”
🔹 Writing something fun, poetic, or engaging? → Use Make It Fun, incorporating rhythm, humor, or a conversational tone to keep readers entertained.
📝 Example: “Writing is like dating—you need to keep them interested.”
🔹 Covering a topic that needs depth and variety? → Use The Layered Approach, mixing different structures to balance storytelling, data, and actionable insights.
📝 Example: “The psychology of motivation + a step-by-step system for writing consistently.”
At the end of the day, the best structure is the one that enhances your message, keeps readers engaged, and feels natural to your writing style.
Final Thoughts
There’s no single "best" structure—it all depends on what you're writing and how you want readers to experience it.
Experiment, mix structures, and find what works best for you.
✨ Try this: Next time you write an article, consciously choose a structure before you begin. See how it changes the way you write and engage with readers!
Which structure do you naturally gravitate toward? Let me know in the comments! 😊
All my content is currently free, but if you’d like to support my work, you can buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi! ☕✨ Every bit helps me keep creating. Thank you! 💛
That is all for today! Wishing you all a great week ahead! Thank you so much for reading up until here! 😊
Thanks so much for the restack, @Ashley Being Bookish! I really appreciate it! 😊✨
thanks for sharing...this is super useful! I just write what and how it comes to my mind, never thought about a structure...