318: Why collaboration beats algorithm gaming every time (with Jari Roomer)

Season 3, episode 18 is here!

My friend Jari Roomer from Write Build Scale joined me for a conversation about the most powerful growth lever on Substack.

We talked about why collaboration matters more than ever, how to approach other creators without feeling awkward, and the specific strategies that brought us thousands of subscribers without spending a dime on ads.

What we covered:

- Why collaborations are the antidote to publishing in the void, and how they make the entire Substack journey more enjoyable while getting your work in front of audiences that already want what you offer

- The guest posting approach that creates evergreen pathways for discovery months after you publish, turning one piece of content into a long-term subscriber magnet that keeps working while you sleep

- Newsletter recommendations as the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it growth strategy, how Jari gained over 8,000 subscribers in 2025 from recommendations alone, and why most creators hesitate to reach out when it’s actually a win-win scenario

- Going live on Substack as the collaboration format that builds the deepest connections, lets your audience see you’re a real person when things go wrong, and makes it easier for introverts who can share the talking with a guest

- The exact DM approach that gets more yes responses to collaboration requests, including why you should offer multiple collaboration options and how to make it as easy as possible for someone to say yes

- How to use AI as a ghostwriting tool rather than a crutch by recording 30-minute voice memos of your thoughts and stories, then letting AI handle the actual writing process while keeping your authentic voice intact

- The ladder strategy for linking posts that guides readers to take the next step up rather than sending them sideways through your archive, and why fewer links actually create more conversions than overwhelming people with options

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedavidmcilroy.substack.com/subscribe