Substack Long-Form Post Creator

Combine these 5 patterns into an easy-to-follow format

We've covered the 10 Magical Ways to expand any topic before, but today, we’ll focus on 5 of those patterns and show you how to use the 1/3/1 Writing Technique to write a clear, concise Substack newsletter that's easy to follow.

These 5 patterns will help you effortlessly write a long-form Substack post so it flows smoothly and keeps readers engaged to the end.

Let’s dive in.

1. The Mistake Pattern

In 1977, Stanford Professor Dr. Albert Bandura's social learning theory explained that people are more likely to follow advice when they see you've learned from your own mistakes.

In a long-form Substack newsletter, sharing your mistakes makes you relatable and credible. When readers see that you’ve been where they are, they’re more likely to trust your insights—and keep reading.

Here’s how this pattern works using the 1/3/1 Writing Technique:

Start with one clear sentence to introduce the point, follow with three supporting sentences, and end with a single sentence that wraps it up.

For a mistake it looks like this:

1. State the mistake

2. Describe the negative impact of the mistake

3. Explain why it leads to problems

4. Connect it to the reader’s pain

5. Tell the reader how to avoid it

Now, even if you’ve “been there done that,” the reader may still be skeptical of what you have to say—which is where the next pattern comes in.

2. The Statistic Pattern

People are naturally drawn to concrete proof.

Statistics give you instant (borrowed) credibility. Especially in subjective areas like writing, where advice can feel arbitrary. A statistic isn’t just your opinion, it’s a proven fact, backed by evidence. This adds more weight to your message and makes it harder to dismiss.

Here’s how it works:

Again we use 1/3/1.

1. Start with a shocking statistic

2. Highlight the significance of the statistic

3. Explain why this data matters to the reader

4. Show how it affects the reader’s situation

5. Tell the reader what to do based on the data

For example:

Now, once your reader believes you, then you can answer their next question, “Ok. What am I supposed to do?”

3. The Steps Pattern

This pattern works because people naturally look for direction once they understand the problem.

By providing step-by-step guidance, you show that not only do you understand the issue, but you also know exactly how to solve it. The key here is to be simple and specific. Don’t overwhelm the reader with too many options or complicated instructions. Each step should feel like progress.

Here’s how it works:

1. Start by summarizing the steps the reader will take

2. Explain the first step

3. Explain the second step

4. Explain the third step

5. Tell the reader what to do next

For example:

Once your reader knows what to do, they’ll want to know why it works.

4. The Reasons Why Pattern

Without the “why,” your steps feel empty, which leaves the reader unsure of the benefits and less likely to follow through.

Here’s how it works:

1. Start by stating the main claim

2. Present the first reason why it’s true

3. Follow up with the second reason

4. Add a third reason to reinforce the point

5. Wrap it up by summarizing the key takeaway

For example:

Now, to take this one step further, follow up with a real-life example or story.

5. The Story / Relatable Example Pattern

Stories and examples help your readers see how your advice plays out in real life.

When you show that your advice works in practice, not just in theory, it makes your guidance easier to follow. People relate to real experiences. Because they can see themselves in the story, making the steps feel more actionable and the outcomes more achievable.

Here’s how it works:

1. Start with a short story or example

2. Explain the lesson or takeaway from the story

3. Show how the story relates to your reader’s situation

4. Connect the lesson to an action the reader can take

5. Tell the reader what they should do based on the story

For example:

“Cool, I have all these patterns, but now what do I do?”

Well, you could…

• Sit down with your topic

• Put yourself in your reader's shoes

• Decide what your reader needs to hear from you

• And use each pattern as a template to follow as you write

Or... you could streamline the whole process with ChatGPT.

By feeding these patterns into a prompt, you can generate clear, structured post at AI speed—which is 100x faster than a human.

Here’s how to bring it all together in one go: