How to Automatically Convert Substack Notes to Instagram Posts with Make.com
Most creators waste hours manually repurposing content across platforms. This Make.com workflow turns your Substack notes into Instagram-ready videos and images while you sleep - complete with AI-generated visuals, automatic posting, and platform-specific formatting that boosted one creator's Pinterest views by 1,650%.
The Content Repurposing Challenge
Content creators face a universal problem: you spend hours crafting valuable Substack notes, only to have them disappear into the void after publication. Meanwhile, your Instagram sits dormant because you don't have time to manually reformat content for different platforms.
This workflow solves three critical pain points:
- Time waste: Manually converting long-form notes to social snippets can take 30-45 minutes per post
- Inconsistency: Irregular posting schedules hurt algorithm visibility
- Platform fatigue: Maintaining multiple content formats drains creative energy
Real-world impact: One creator using this automation went from posting 1-2 times weekly to daily Instagram content while actually reducing their workload.
Workflow Overview
The system comprises two main workflows running in Make.com, each handling a different content transformation approach:
Workflow 1: Video Creation
- Pulls latest Substack notes via Creative Hub app
- Filters to ensure only actual notes (not newsletters) proceed
- Generates short videos using Blotato with custom templates
- Posts to Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts
Workflow 2: Image Generation
- Takes the same Substack notes
- Uses Gemini Nano Banana Pro to create branded images
- Uploads to Google Drive for storage
- Distributes to Instagram feed and Pinterest
Key innovation: The system runs six parallel versions of these workflows to create varied content styles from the same source material, ensuring your social feeds don't look repetitive.
Step 1: Video Creation Process
The video workflow transforms text notes into engaging short-form videos perfect for Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. Here's how it works:
Template Setup
Using Canva, create a simple background image with your brand colors and logo. This serves as the visual foundation for all generated videos.
Content Processing
The workflow:
- Uploads your background template to Blotato
- Selects the "minimalist style" video template
- Dynamically inserts your latest Substack note as the text content
- Adds your branding as a watermark
Pro tip: Add a 45-second delay after video generation to ensure Blotato has enough time to process before attempting to post.
Step 2: AI Image Generation
For static content, the workflow leverages Gemini AI to create visually striking images from your notes:
Prompt Engineering
The system uses detailed prompts to ensure brand-consistent imagery:
- "Filter minimalist edition" for clean, professional looks
- "Pink money pearls edition" for feminine/glamorous styles
- "Stunning aesthetic edition" for artistic interpretations
Error Handling
A smart error-catching module prevents workflow failures when Gemini experiences high load, automatically skipping problematic generations without stopping the entire automation.
Visual variety: By rotating through different prompt styles, your Instagram feed maintains visual interest while keeping content production fully automated.
Cross-Platform Posting Strategy
The automation doesn't stop at content creation - it handles distribution too:
Platform-Specific Optimization
- Instagram: Square images for feed, vertical videos for Reels
- Pinterest: Vertical pins with keyword-rich descriptions
- YouTube Shorts: Ultra-short videos with AI-generated titles
Performance Tracking
The workflow includes optional modules to:
- Log which content performs best on each platform
- Adjust posting frequency based on engagement
- Highlight top-converting posts for potential paid promotion
Real results: One user saw Pinterest views jump from 200 to 3,500 monthly after implementing this system, with new subscribers coming directly from social platforms.
Results and Business Impact
This automation delivers measurable business benefits beyond just time savings:
Revenue impact: Several users report converting social media viewers into paid Substack subscribers, with one gaining a new paying member directly from Pinterest traffic.
Customization Options
The workflow is designed for easy adaptation to your brand needs:
Visual Styles
Create multiple Canva templates for different content types:
- Educational posts
- Promotional content
- Behind-the-scenes
- Quote graphics
Platform Mix
Easily add or remove platforms by:
- Duplicating the posting modules
- Connecting additional accounts
- Adjusting content formatting rules
Future-proofing: The modular design lets you add new AI tools (like DALL-E or Midjourney) as your needs evolve without rebuilding the entire workflow.
Watch the Full Tutorial
See the complete workflow in action, including how to set up the Blotato templates and configure the Gemini AI prompts for consistent brand imagery (jump to 4:30 for the key setup steps).
Key Takeaways
This automation proves you don't need to choose between quality and quantity in content marketing. By systematically repurposing your best Substack content, you can:
- Maintain an active social presence without constant creation
- Reach new audiences on platforms where your readers spend time
- Convert social engagement into newsletter subscribers
- Reclaim hours each week for high-value creative work
The bottom line: Smart automation turns your existing content into a perpetual audience-growth machine, letting you focus on what matters most - creating exceptional content for your subscribers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this topic
This workflow creates multiple content formats including Instagram-ready images, short videos (for Reels/Stories), Pinterest pins, and YouTube Shorts.
Each format uses your Substack note content but presents it differently with custom templates and AI-generated visuals.
- Instagram Feed: Square images with branded templates
- Reels/Stories: Short videos with animated text
- Pinterest: Vertical pins with keyword optimization
- YouTube Shorts: Ultra-short videos under 60 seconds
Based on creator reports, this automation saves 3-5 hours per week that would normally be spent manually repurposing content.
The system handles everything from content transformation to cross-platform posting while you focus on creating new Substack content.
- Saves 30-45 minutes per post
- Eliminates platform switching fatigue
- Maintains consistent posting schedule automatically
The core components are Make.com (for workflow automation), Blotato (for content generation and posting), Google Drive (for media storage), and Gemini AI (for image generation).
You'll also need accounts on the platforms you want to post to (Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube).
- Make.com account (free tier may suffice)
- Blotato subscription
- Google Drive for asset storage
- Gemini API access
Yes, the workflow includes multiple templates that create platform-optimized content.
For example, it generates square images for Instagram feed, vertical videos for Reels/Shorts, and landscape pins for Pinterest - all from the same Substack note but with different styling.
- Platform-specific aspect ratios
- Customizable color schemes
- Variable text formatting
The workflow includes quality control steps like content filters (to only process actual notes, not newsletters), AI prompt refinement (to maintain brand voice), and template testing (to ensure visual consistency).
You can review generated content before posting if desired.
- Automated content validation
- Brand style enforcement
- Optional human review steps
Users report 3-5x more social media posts per week, increased engagement (some seeing Pinterest views jump from 200 to 3,500 monthly), and new subscriber growth (including paid conversions) from expanded content distribution.
The automation helps creators maintain consistent visibility across platforms without increasing workload.
- Higher engagement rates
- More platform referrals
- Increased subscriber conversions
Absolutely. The workflow includes editable Canva templates for backgrounds and customizable AI prompts for image generation.
You can create multiple visual styles (like 'minimalist' or 'glitter aesthetic') that rotate automatically.
- Brand color customization
- Template variety options
- Style rotation schedules
GrowwStacks specializes in building custom content automation workflows tailored to your brand.
We can implement this exact Substack-to-social media system for you, including template design, AI prompt optimization, and platform configuration.
- Custom workflow setup
- Brand-specific templates
- Ongoing optimization
Ready to Automate Your Content Repurposing?
Every hour spent manually reformatting content is an hour not spent growing your audience. Let us build this exact automation for your Substack while you focus on creating.