THere are some great questions to ask yourself here, but there's one missing. One thing I learned writing for work in the public service is to ask yourself the question "how does this make my readers feel?" and "what do you want your readers to feel?". That might seem like a strange question for a bureaucrat, but it's actually so important. I lot of people in my area - technical experts - stuffed their writing with words that they felt made them look smarter, but confused their readers - effectively making them feel stupid. So I set myself the goal that anyone reading my writing would feel smart. This has carried through to my Substack. I've asked one of the people who reviews my articles before publication to tell me if there's any sentence that she has to read twice - because you don't feel smart if you have to re-read something to understand it.
Hey, Melanie, that's so smart! To be helpful and empathetic to your reader. Heartfelt thanks from all of us! There's one more question to ask ourselves, though,,, May I suggest? What does it make my reader do?
Jenny, I am 84 and love Substack. I occasionally write under my real name, Sandy Savin. More frequently, I add my thoughts in comments to other writers' submissions. But I am also a newcomer to Substack and find some of it difficult. Often, when I'm in the middle of a comment, it suddenly disappears with my having no clue as to how or why it vanishes. Like you, I'd love some help for those of us who did not grow up in the digital age.
I read six Sub stacks a day, but subscribe to around 20.
But I frequently delete posts, due to subject overlap--so I read 6-10 a day. (Yes, I'm retired.)
Comments do get read, but not a lot. It is really sweet to learn an "aha!" from in the comments, and even sweeter to have helped someone else have an "aha!"
I hope you will continue to comment, and I believe it is important to, sometimes.
There is just one Sub stack that I am almost religious about reading everyone's comments, and responding to, until about the 800 comments level.
I like that you double space, and that also ensures that you'll be read--along with not writing a dissertation:)
Well that isn’t much good then. But it's worth asking or watching vids. I'm no wizz and have been writing something & its alm9st post ready & then poof. Gone.
It's happened a few times and a few not all have reappeared. Not always. Grandkids would be handy if you have any. ?
I'm not sure if there's a word count maximum per post here? 'Somewhere' I've noticed a # below what you're writing in red & that just shows 'x' # of too many letters. If that's the case, back it up and continue the rest in a new post. 1 of 2 or 1 of 5 or what's needed. Asking substack might help. For all I know stuff like that is covered in one of their videos?
That's a good idea Jenny. I know they have some vids on 'how to's'. If you try a few of those it might help. Or ask Substack help desk. Ask people here can get you some answers. Most folks don't mind at all.
It’s helps to be amused sometimes and take a break from navel-gazing. If we’re constantly griping about what we cannot do, the fun dries up and we’re left with a shriveled orange and no juice!
I hear yah on that one. Almost any single thing I'm doing i have to do in baby steps. If frustration kicks in I have to switch out to a different task. Best to catch it before the ugh zone too. Has to be fun preferably.
Jenny, I am taking a look at your substack based on this reply! I am slightly younger than you and am contemplating starting my own substack. (By the way, "substack" has been changed each time to "substance" - completely involuntarily! - by a very intrusive autocorrect. Who asked it?!)
So this is how I decided to start my homework. Since I'm not sure if I'm hitting the mark with my current subscribers, I decided to reach out and ask them. It doesn't get to the question of who my readers are, nor does it really address why I write what I write, but if people respond then at least I will have some feedback as I continue to think about what my newsletter is and what it could become.
If anyone wants to "steal" this concept for their own newsletters, that is fine by me. :)
I wish there were a way to “reissue” an email for a post. As a publication grows, it would be great to be able to email legacy content that’s “new to you”, for newer signups.
As far as I know, since you are locked out of emailing once you have blasted a post, the only way to send an email again would be to delete and recreate a post, a dangerous and undesirable thing to do, especially regarding already-earned stats. Any thoughts? Thanks.
In the Substack guidance rabbit hole looking for a POV on exactly this. Having doubled year over year, I have so much content that has never seen the light of day for majority of my readers. Unsure how to upcycle it…
For goodness' sake. Our culture now encourages everyone to be "a star," "a model," "an influencer," and now "a writer." It's great to have an alternative to mainstream media, especially now, but not everyone's thoughts are worth reading—or publishing.
I write on Substack to present a different worldview on today's world. Peace instead of war. Substack is a great resource for many topics. My message overall is that cooperation with others and other cultures, not critical competitition, is what leads to personal progress in all these life interests.
THere are some great questions to ask yourself here, but there's one missing. One thing I learned writing for work in the public service is to ask yourself the question "how does this make my readers feel?" and "what do you want your readers to feel?". That might seem like a strange question for a bureaucrat, but it's actually so important. I lot of people in my area - technical experts - stuffed their writing with words that they felt made them look smarter, but confused their readers - effectively making them feel stupid. So I set myself the goal that anyone reading my writing would feel smart. This has carried through to my Substack. I've asked one of the people who reviews my articles before publication to tell me if there's any sentence that she has to read twice - because you don't feel smart if you have to re-read something to understand it.
I work as a copywriter, and so many clients reply to this question with "I want them to feel inspired!" To break it down further, you could ask:
1) What do your readers KNOW (or what do you want them to know) that they didn't know before?
2) What can they DO (or what do you want them to be able to do) that they couldn't before?
3) What do they FEEL (or what do you want them to feel) that they didn't before?
Hope this helps!
Brilliant perspective and affirmation for me that I am on the right track! Phew :)
Excellent points, your #2 is identical with the point I made myself. You must be a great copywriter because you think like a fiction writer!
Ughhhhh
I thought it was me. I did not know that was the feeling I was feeling - stupid. I have to look back and see if I wrote that way, wow, thanks!
Write what you feel. You don't have to be an academic to do this.
that's a good point!
Hey, Melanie, that's so smart! To be helpful and empathetic to your reader. Heartfelt thanks from all of us! There's one more question to ask ourselves, though,,, May I suggest? What does it make my reader do?
Very helpful reminder… ‘anyone ready g my writing would feel smart’ .. and do-able w a few friendly readers (ex officio editors)
YOUb should write what you feel. FINISH
I am old 75yrs old.
I cannot take in all this.
I will write what I want on my substack page........if people don't like it they don't have to read it.
Some old people in the world are wise and we never had the internet.
How about making an easy format for substack elderly?
Jenny, I am 84 and love Substack. I occasionally write under my real name, Sandy Savin. More frequently, I add my thoughts in comments to other writers' submissions. But I am also a newcomer to Substack and find some of it difficult. Often, when I'm in the middle of a comment, it suddenly disappears with my having no clue as to how or why it vanishes. Like you, I'd love some help for those of us who did not grow up in the digital age.
I STILL do not know what I doing really.
Mostly I just write comments in Notes but I don't think anyone reads them!
I find the 'help' on here worth than useless.
Good luck.
I read six Sub stacks a day, but subscribe to around 20.
But I frequently delete posts, due to subject overlap--so I read 6-10 a day. (Yes, I'm retired.)
Comments do get read, but not a lot. It is really sweet to learn an "aha!" from in the comments, and even sweeter to have helped someone else have an "aha!"
I hope you will continue to comment, and I believe it is important to, sometimes.
There is just one Sub stack that I am almost religious about reading everyone's comments, and responding to, until about the 800 comments level.
I like that you double space, and that also ensures that you'll be read--along with not writing a dissertation:)
Well that isn’t much good then. But it's worth asking or watching vids. I'm no wizz and have been writing something & its alm9st post ready & then poof. Gone.
It's happened a few times and a few not all have reappeared. Not always. Grandkids would be handy if you have any. ?
Compose your reply elsewhere on your device, edit it, copy paste it to where you want it.
I find that helps. All the best to ya's and ask peeps here too.
Forming a group right here might be a really good place to start from.
The same thing I want to do. 3 yrs younger
Jenny, write like a lover!
I can't do this because like Sandy below after a couple of sentences my words get cut off!
Jenny, Jenny, Jenny, try this:
Compose your reply elsewhere on your device, edit it, copy paste it to where you want it.
I find that helps. All the best to ya's and ask peeps here too.
I'm not sure if there's a word count maximum per post here? 'Somewhere' I've noticed a # below what you're writing in red & that just shows 'x' # of too many letters. If that's the case, back it up and continue the rest in a new post. 1 of 2 or 1 of 5 or what's needed. Asking substack might help. For all I know stuff like that is covered in one of their videos?
That's a good idea Jenny. I know they have some vids on 'how to's'. If you try a few of those it might help. Or ask Substack help desk. Ask people here can get you some answers. Most folks don't mind at all.
It’s helps to be amused sometimes and take a break from navel-gazing. If we’re constantly griping about what we cannot do, the fun dries up and we’re left with a shriveled orange and no juice!
I hear yah on that one. Almost any single thing I'm doing i have to do in baby steps. If frustration kicks in I have to switch out to a different task. Best to catch it before the ugh zone too. Has to be fun preferably.
Jenny, I am taking a look at your substack based on this reply! I am slightly younger than you and am contemplating starting my own substack. (By the way, "substack" has been changed each time to "substance" - completely involuntarily! - by a very intrusive autocorrect. Who asked it?!)
Why do you have to? Not being a jerk just not sure why one would feel they have to? [°¿°]
So this is how I decided to start my homework. Since I'm not sure if I'm hitting the mark with my current subscribers, I decided to reach out and ask them. It doesn't get to the question of who my readers are, nor does it really address why I write what I write, but if people respond then at least I will have some feedback as I continue to think about what my newsletter is and what it could become.
If anyone wants to "steal" this concept for their own newsletters, that is fine by me. :)
https://storycauldron.substack.com/p/what-would-you-like-to-read
Thanks for sharing. I'm just getting started and may try this!
Sounds good to me so I'd spend time here somewhat regularly. Me likey. Cheers.
Thank you for this resources and your generosity in sharing!
I was a welder and now im attempting this...lots of insight in this piece for someone like me
Tripper. Write what you feel. I always wanted to study welding.
My Substack page is called, "Write Like a Lover!" I'd love to see your contri one day!
I appreciate the re-cap--thank you-s!
Thanks! I can never quite read my own notes, so very helpful
thank you Substack
This is really helpful.
Fantastic recap, thank you!
Very helpful questions. And actionable insights. Thanks for threading whole thing out.
Had to miss it live yesterday and appreciate this recap very much. Thank you and see you next week!
I wish there were a way to “reissue” an email for a post. As a publication grows, it would be great to be able to email legacy content that’s “new to you”, for newer signups.
As far as I know, since you are locked out of emailing once you have blasted a post, the only way to send an email again would be to delete and recreate a post, a dangerous and undesirable thing to do, especially regarding already-earned stats. Any thoughts? Thanks.
In the Substack guidance rabbit hole looking for a POV on exactly this. Having doubled year over year, I have so much content that has never seen the light of day for majority of my readers. Unsure how to upcycle it…
Spot-on, @mattklein926339 and @Ricktastrophe
So, composing a piece rn, the personal pronouns of "me" "I" "my" "myself" someone was using became a bit much. heavy sigh...
It was started before the session yesterday, and when re-read, those things discussed became glaringly obvious. Ugh.
Forget this shit...just write.
For goodness' sake. Our culture now encourages everyone to be "a star," "a model," "an influencer," and now "a writer." It's great to have an alternative to mainstream media, especially now, but not everyone's thoughts are worth reading—or publishing.
I write on Substack to present a different worldview on today's world. Peace instead of war. Substack is a great resource for many topics. My message overall is that cooperation with others and other cultures, not critical competitition, is what leads to personal progress in all these life interests.
Great work here, as usual!