We invited Carissa Potter, who writes Bad at Keeping Secrets, to share insights on cultivating intimacy through her essays and interviews while being disciplined with deadlines and writing through hard moments.
Great piece, I agree it's so important to truly throw yourself into your work. All the best writers share this in common. It seems that it's a skill you learn over time though, understanding when and how to use your writing to truly express yourself. I'm still definitely learning how to do it - like all things it takes practice!
Our calling to be a writer does not make us qualified for it in the first place. It just means we are going to walk and leave no stone unturned to be the one.
Agreed .. "does not make us qualified for it in the first place". Also I am not a writer. I mean rather not be classified as one. However, this ecosystem of Substack provides the same market conditions, competition, favoring mediocrity, feel-good and easy pop text. Maybe it's not even the right place, written or unwritten.
All the best writers share this in common? Which writers are you referring to? Not the cloned vendors of mediocrity here on Substack. All the real worthy writers never bothered with this form of market competition and capitalism. As for practice, it works better with or without any real commitment to earn money.
Thanks Carissa - excellent advice! Your philosophy really resonates with me and I look forward to reading your material. As a - just beginning writer on Substack - it’s wonderful to see how folks have grown on Substack. I also work best with deadlines 😂
Thanks for sharing your process Carissa - amazing stuff! I wonder how you put word about your newsletter out in its initial days? It seems daunting without a large social presence. I'd appreciate your input on this, thanks!
I will admit - I dont think I would have any sign-ups if I didnt have them from IG. I was lucky to have that resource. BUT the advice I would give would be to start recommending people. And connecting with other writers. It is helpful for everyone if you recommend people authentically. I get so many sign-ups from recommendations - almost more than IG these days. AND I love supporting the people I believe in. It makes me feel good.
Thank you Carissa! Your writing and insights all hit the nail on the head as it were. I’m motivated to write a historical play and have the specific topic in mind but find I can’t start and get flooded with ideas. I’m going to be traveling and spending time alone soon in October and hope some magic happens then.
I hope the magic happens for you too! It always reminds me of this Chuck Close (I am not a fan of his really but whatever) “Amateurs look for inspiration; the rest of us just get up and go to work.” For me, if I don't show up, I just eat popcorn. Which is also fine - I dont want to be down on popcorn...
Great piece. It's a piece that teaches about consistency. It"s a piece that tells about the reward coming from throwing one's self into the work at hand. It is a piece that instructs on the need to share one's work everywhere. When a writer shares his or her work everywhere, rewards come from the consistency and the sharing and throwing one's soul into piece. Thanks for your invaluable insights.
In terms of sharing your work everywhere, I would be curious to hear, in due course, the impact on readership of being featured by Substack, and whether this is something to aim (lobby?) for at the right time. :-)
Gary, thanks for the kind words - When I did this interview, I felt lucky they asked - but then once it was posted, I got like 800 new signups. SO it was AMAZING exposure for me. Perhaps I shouldn't share these things... If I would have known this, I might have tried to say something profound...
Great article, especially the part about reaching out for interviews on famous ppl. We're looking to start an interview series, so its greatly appreciated.
OMG! HOW did you get that many subscribers so fast?? It has taken me since the beginning of June to get to 20! What am I doing wrong? Or at least what are you doing that I am clearly not!
Becky, you are def not doing anything wrong. The ONLY reason I have that many followers is because I have a large IG following. I posted on IG that I was starting a substack OVER and OVER again. Oh and also I post regularly... I think that is helpful. I find that if I dont post when I say I am going to post, I lose people. I hope this is helpful. Give yourself some credit for showing up - whatever that looks like. I also asked if Substack could keep my numbers hidden. They argued that it was good to post them for transparency. I see both points. I am kinda a compare and despair person - I didn't want anyone to think that they were not "doing" enough when they saw my numbers - I also feel this way when I see people doing way better than I am. In the end, I also believe in transparency, so we posted them.
Love this piece! I’m curious, Carissa, what your advice would be when reaching out to interview potential subjects if we’re just starting out on Substack and haven’t quite built a substantial following yet. When you say, “Keep the first email short and put what’s in it for the person you want to interview at the forefront”, how do you suggest phrasing “what’s in it” for that interviewee?
I try to think about it from their perspective - I am basically asking them for a favor. What would they need in return to make it worth their time? I think I personally have leveraged people with books coming out. They need as much advertising as possible around the book release date for data, and sometimes that alone is enough for someone to talk to you. I also buy their book.
thanks for sharing yourself, Carissa. one thing that discouraged me was that you had so many more non-paying subscribers than paying ones. has that impacted you and how are you dealing with it?
Totally. I just started doing content that was paywalled. I worry, "Why would anyone pay for my writing?" So I have been scared to create things and then put them behind paywalls. I am trying to get over this. But this is a really good point.
Thanks Matthew - this is just the way I did it. There is so much magic in all the ways people can try to make meaning - this way just worked for me :) Best of luck!
HI hi Matt, Thanks for taking the time to write - Could you expand on what you mean? Just curious if I understand correctly. I only recently started to do paid content. I had always just given everything for free (I don't want people to have to pay/I feel like I am not good enough). The paid options were there, but there was no incentive. I am definitely still testing and trying to figure this thing out.
To add some context, previously the expected conversation rate proclaimed by Substack was 5-10%. When I wasn't seeing that on my own newsletter, I started to question my own writing skills, and thinking that maybe I wasn't providing enough value. Your statistics seem to mirror what I was seeing, although you have a much bigger following, which is awesome!
It is a great piece of insight into the hard work that it takes to run, at least for you, Clarissa, a small business, which is what you are creating. Not just being a writer, but selling something of value to your free and paid subscribers.
I do have to take this comment to task, as I fundamentally disagree, as would most philosophers:
"I have been thinking a lot about silver linings and our American way of thinking: “Hard things make you strong.” I don’t agree. I would choose to not go through the hard stuff if I could."
We don't get an option out of difficulty; as a therapist, and working more immediately in other service-related fields, hardship is necessary for the formation of character. Without it, life wouldn't have meaning; where everything comes easy to people, they often don't appreciate the simple things or the graces that are abundant in their lives; they look down on others with contempt and condescension, and they're smaller people for it. Life is better with hardship; not that we should aspire to it, but recognize it for the force that it is to mould and grow us into better, stronger versions of the people we were. Without the hardships you had experienced, would you really be able to offer the insights that you have to your readers? ;-)
Ahhh yes, Rachael, totally agree with you in that hardship is necessary for the formation of character - I think for me, in this moment, silver linings have this pressure in them, to be happy. To not wish you could go back in time. To sometimes make up stories that I am better now, when clearly I am not. Letting go of having to turn everything into a win sets me free. This is one of my favorite topics right now, silver linings. I have a daughter with a terminal illness and sometimes re-framing things is helpful, and sometimes I just have to let things be what they are. It might be true that I might not have anything to offer other people if I had not had hardships, but we will never really know. I also agree that life is better with hardships - I think we understand and make meaning through contrast. I am a total enneagram 4. What are you? Also, you are the professional here, I am just talking about what works for me in this moment. I should have started there. Ha. Anyway, thanks for your thoughts! I enjoyed them. Very much.
Totally. This is a kinda joke but real in the sense that the data that sites give you is by location, age, and gender binary. The way that these sites and IG collect data, people have to opt into a gender. I think now there is an option to opt out but in the past there was not. It is fucked up - but the data says that the people who "subscribe" have checked "female" 89% of the time and 11% checked "male." There was not a panda option, sadly.
Hi Carrissa - you seem to have a super-successful personal brand, and I'm sure you've worked hard to create in all the right places. I notice @peopleiveloved has 752,000 followers on Instagram (bravo!), so I'm wondering if that was the well you drew from in accumulating your 16,659 free Substack subscriptions? Also, after reading a few of your posts, a thought (which obviously you can take or leave): as you're an artist and not a credentialed psychiatric/psychological counselor, should you include a disclaimer to that effect on some of your posts where you seem to drift into subtle therapeutic guidance/recommendations based on your own unique experiences or secondary Internet sources/creators? (and maybe you do this in your books and workshops). Your personal stories and vulnerability are very inspirational, but it's a slippery slope. What works for you may not work for someone else. (I'm a proud empath and HSP, btw.) I enjoyed your connections with Kimberley Wilson and trust her as a food/mind/nutrition source for advice given her own qualifications, which she clearly calls out on her About page https://www.kimberleywilson.co/about. Thank you for your work!
Great piece, I agree it's so important to truly throw yourself into your work. All the best writers share this in common. It seems that it's a skill you learn over time though, understanding when and how to use your writing to truly express yourself. I'm still definitely learning how to do it - like all things it takes practice!
Well put..
Our calling to be a writer does not make us qualified for it in the first place. It just means we are going to walk and leave no stone unturned to be the one.
Agreed .. "does not make us qualified for it in the first place". Also I am not a writer. I mean rather not be classified as one. However, this ecosystem of Substack provides the same market conditions, competition, favoring mediocrity, feel-good and easy pop text. Maybe it's not even the right place, written or unwritten.
All the best writers share this in common? Which writers are you referring to? Not the cloned vendors of mediocrity here on Substack. All the real worthy writers never bothered with this form of market competition and capitalism. As for practice, it works better with or without any real commitment to earn money.
Thanks Carissa - excellent advice! Your philosophy really resonates with me and I look forward to reading your material. As a - just beginning writer on Substack - it’s wonderful to see how folks have grown on Substack. I also work best with deadlines 😂
It feels great to connect with people who share the same vein..The writing Vein.
Thanks for sharing your process Carissa - amazing stuff! I wonder how you put word about your newsletter out in its initial days? It seems daunting without a large social presence. I'd appreciate your input on this, thanks!
I can immensely feel the words as Im all like a guest here.
"How" is not to be worried about when "What" has been figured out.
We just need to take steps and road map keeps becoming clear.
I will admit - I dont think I would have any sign-ups if I didnt have them from IG. I was lucky to have that resource. BUT the advice I would give would be to start recommending people. And connecting with other writers. It is helpful for everyone if you recommend people authentically. I get so many sign-ups from recommendations - almost more than IG these days. AND I love supporting the people I believe in. It makes me feel good.
This is such a fantastic way to build a community, congratulations on your growth!
Thank you Carissa! Your writing and insights all hit the nail on the head as it were. I’m motivated to write a historical play and have the specific topic in mind but find I can’t start and get flooded with ideas. I’m going to be traveling and spending time alone soon in October and hope some magic happens then.
I hope the magic happens for you too! It always reminds me of this Chuck Close (I am not a fan of his really but whatever) “Amateurs look for inspiration; the rest of us just get up and go to work.” For me, if I don't show up, I just eat popcorn. Which is also fine - I dont want to be down on popcorn...
Great piece. It's a piece that teaches about consistency. It"s a piece that tells about the reward coming from throwing one's self into the work at hand. It is a piece that instructs on the need to share one's work everywhere. When a writer shares his or her work everywhere, rewards come from the consistency and the sharing and throwing one's soul into piece. Thanks for your invaluable insights.
So well put.
It is like crazy dreams demand some crazy stuff.
In terms of sharing your work everywhere, I would be curious to hear, in due course, the impact on readership of being featured by Substack, and whether this is something to aim (lobby?) for at the right time. :-)
Gary, thanks for the kind words - When I did this interview, I felt lucky they asked - but then once it was posted, I got like 800 new signups. SO it was AMAZING exposure for me. Perhaps I shouldn't share these things... If I would have known this, I might have tried to say something profound...
Great article, especially the part about reaching out for interviews on famous ppl. We're looking to start an interview series, so its greatly appreciated.
We have some tips on how to write a cold email here that might be helpful! https://on.substack.com/i/39924671/build-your-support-network
OMG! HOW did you get that many subscribers so fast?? It has taken me since the beginning of June to get to 20! What am I doing wrong? Or at least what are you doing that I am clearly not!
Becky, you are def not doing anything wrong. The ONLY reason I have that many followers is because I have a large IG following. I posted on IG that I was starting a substack OVER and OVER again. Oh and also I post regularly... I think that is helpful. I find that if I dont post when I say I am going to post, I lose people. I hope this is helpful. Give yourself some credit for showing up - whatever that looks like. I also asked if Substack could keep my numbers hidden. They argued that it was good to post them for transparency. I see both points. I am kinda a compare and despair person - I didn't want anyone to think that they were not "doing" enough when they saw my numbers - I also feel this way when I see people doing way better than I am. In the end, I also believe in transparency, so we posted them.
Thanks Carissa! That helps a lot! I guess we just keep going!
Love this piece! I’m curious, Carissa, what your advice would be when reaching out to interview potential subjects if we’re just starting out on Substack and haven’t quite built a substantial following yet. When you say, “Keep the first email short and put what’s in it for the person you want to interview at the forefront”, how do you suggest phrasing “what’s in it” for that interviewee?
I try to think about it from their perspective - I am basically asking them for a favor. What would they need in return to make it worth their time? I think I personally have leveraged people with books coming out. They need as much advertising as possible around the book release date for data, and sometimes that alone is enough for someone to talk to you. I also buy their book.
We have some tips on how to write a cold email here that might be helpful! https://on.substack.com/i/39924671/build-your-support-network
Definitely helpful, thank you!
thanks for sharing yourself, Carissa. one thing that discouraged me was that you had so many more non-paying subscribers than paying ones. has that impacted you and how are you dealing with it?
Totally. I just started doing content that was paywalled. I worry, "Why would anyone pay for my writing?" So I have been scared to create things and then put them behind paywalls. I am trying to get over this. But this is a really good point.
Looking forward to real carissa potter who writes literacy,to share insights on cultivating intimacy,through
her essays and interviews while being disciplined,with many dead lines,it's a great learning experience,looking forward to reading her stories.
Thanks Matthew - this is just the way I did it. There is so much magic in all the ways people can try to make meaning - this way just worked for me :) Best of luck!
I appreciate this article, if for nothing else sharing a conversation rate to paid subscribers of ~1%.
Carissa is clearly meeting people's needs with her free subscriber base.
So if it is not the creator nor the content, then is it the environment? The tool?
Maybe I am missing something with Substack's model...
HI hi Matt, Thanks for taking the time to write - Could you expand on what you mean? Just curious if I understand correctly. I only recently started to do paid content. I had always just given everything for free (I don't want people to have to pay/I feel like I am not good enough). The paid options were there, but there was no incentive. I am definitely still testing and trying to figure this thing out.
Hi Carissa, thanks for responding.
To add some context, previously the expected conversation rate proclaimed by Substack was 5-10%. When I wasn't seeing that on my own newsletter, I started to question my own writing skills, and thinking that maybe I wasn't providing enough value. Your statistics seem to mirror what I was seeing, although you have a much bigger following, which is awesome!
I hope this clarifies. -Matt
I loved this advice, Carissa! I am new to substack and found this extremely helpful!
It is a great piece of insight into the hard work that it takes to run, at least for you, Clarissa, a small business, which is what you are creating. Not just being a writer, but selling something of value to your free and paid subscribers.
I do have to take this comment to task, as I fundamentally disagree, as would most philosophers:
"I have been thinking a lot about silver linings and our American way of thinking: “Hard things make you strong.” I don’t agree. I would choose to not go through the hard stuff if I could."
We don't get an option out of difficulty; as a therapist, and working more immediately in other service-related fields, hardship is necessary for the formation of character. Without it, life wouldn't have meaning; where everything comes easy to people, they often don't appreciate the simple things or the graces that are abundant in their lives; they look down on others with contempt and condescension, and they're smaller people for it. Life is better with hardship; not that we should aspire to it, but recognize it for the force that it is to mould and grow us into better, stronger versions of the people we were. Without the hardships you had experienced, would you really be able to offer the insights that you have to your readers? ;-)
Ahhh yes, Rachael, totally agree with you in that hardship is necessary for the formation of character - I think for me, in this moment, silver linings have this pressure in them, to be happy. To not wish you could go back in time. To sometimes make up stories that I am better now, when clearly I am not. Letting go of having to turn everything into a win sets me free. This is one of my favorite topics right now, silver linings. I have a daughter with a terminal illness and sometimes re-framing things is helpful, and sometimes I just have to let things be what they are. It might be true that I might not have anything to offer other people if I had not had hardships, but we will never really know. I also agree that life is better with hardships - I think we understand and make meaning through contrast. I am a total enneagram 4. What are you? Also, you are the professional here, I am just talking about what works for me in this moment. I should have started there. Ha. Anyway, thanks for your thoughts! I enjoyed them. Very much.
“coastal female-identifying beings”? WTF is this exactly? Sounds like a hard pass. I identify as a bisexual panda so...
Totally. This is a kinda joke but real in the sense that the data that sites give you is by location, age, and gender binary. The way that these sites and IG collect data, people have to opt into a gender. I think now there is an option to opt out but in the past there was not. It is fucked up - but the data says that the people who "subscribe" have checked "female" 89% of the time and 11% checked "male." There was not a panda option, sadly.
Hi Carrissa - you seem to have a super-successful personal brand, and I'm sure you've worked hard to create in all the right places. I notice @peopleiveloved has 752,000 followers on Instagram (bravo!), so I'm wondering if that was the well you drew from in accumulating your 16,659 free Substack subscriptions? Also, after reading a few of your posts, a thought (which obviously you can take or leave): as you're an artist and not a credentialed psychiatric/psychological counselor, should you include a disclaimer to that effect on some of your posts where you seem to drift into subtle therapeutic guidance/recommendations based on your own unique experiences or secondary Internet sources/creators? (and maybe you do this in your books and workshops). Your personal stories and vulnerability are very inspirational, but it's a slippery slope. What works for you may not work for someone else. (I'm a proud empath and HSP, btw.) I enjoyed your connections with Kimberley Wilson and trust her as a food/mind/nutrition source for advice given her own qualifications, which she clearly calls out on her About page https://www.kimberleywilson.co/about. Thank you for your work!
I do that from time to time - but adding this to my header right now. I think this is great feedback. Thanks Ashley.