"My newsletter really started growing after I adopted a consistent schedule and format while doubling down on my commitment to create the newsletter I’d want to read—rather than trying to please others."
100% YES to this! Consistency has been a huge part of growth for me as well. Writing something I'd like to read had made that ride much more fun.
I found that being consistent also just FELT better. When I committed to every Monday at 11 am, the daily debate over what to do next just ended. It was a huge relief!
Yep, I second this. It's so important to stick to a schedule, but also — and probs most importantly — just writing about what you are actually genuinely interested in. Otherwise why expect others to care if you don't?
Yes, I'm trying (and for now even manage) to keep a very consistent schedule. I think that works. Also a +1 to the writing the newsletter I'd want to read. Oh, and about Kevin here above: he also writes a newsletter I like to read. Highly recommend it :)
Yay, Anne!! CAFE ANNE is like a wonky grown-up version of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood and I will always sing it’s praises! When my husband hears me chuckle out loud and asks me what I’m laughing at, about two thirds of the time it’s CAFE ANNE. Also--love hearing from a successful Substacker that didn’t come in with a huge following.
Cafe Anne is like a very cool under the radar super secret coffee shop full of the coolest people who are also somehow super nice and welcoming and each have the most amazing stories to tell. All curated by the great Anne Kadet, friend, inspiration, and all around great human who also knows a ton about coffee and tea and every other thing in the coffee shop somehow.
Excited to watch it grow more and more and more. Congrats Anne!!
Everybody, Alex is one of my two Substack accountability buddies—along with Jane Radcliffe who writes the "Beyond" newsletter. We set goals every week by email, and check in on our progress, and commiserate. We also have a monthly Zoom call. I met them both in the "Grow" program over the summer. I recommend EVERYONE get Substack accountability buddies. It really helps!!
Hi Arjan! I no longer set goals for growth as that is not something that is under my control. I try to pick one or two actions I can take every week to improve the newsletter or my habits.
This week, for example, my goal is to add two pages to my home page menu—a theme song page and a statement of values page.
Last week, my goal was to figure out whether or not to participate in Substack Boost.
The week before that, it was to write out my CAFÉ ANNE values statement.
Sometimes the goal has to do with trying a new promotional strategy, or reaching out to another newsletter writer with whom I'd like to collaborate.
I try to pick just one or two goals every week so I don't get overwhelmed.
First of all: from this article here it really sounds like your substack is wonderful. I love the beauty of the "ordinary", the things that seem like a one person's absurdity, but are in fact priceless gems. I don't live in (or near) New York, but next time I visit, I will use your newsletter as a guide.
The goals sound really useful. Now I understand why I might need an accountability buddy. Thanks for your kind explanation.
I just subscribed to Anne's Substack after we interacted on last week's recommendation thread. I read one of her posts and was completely charmed by it! Definitely a unique, fun publication.
I agree Reddit can be BRUTAL! Most of my posts sink like a stone, as Ben put it, or get removed by a moderator. But I've had three instances where a post caught on—which made the other 90% that were misses worth it.
I don't do anything special, though maybe I should. I just post the link to the relevant subreddit and cross my fingers.
“...an opinion-free, politics-free, controversy-free zone of fun.”
THEM: “That’ll never sell.”
ANNE: “Hold my NyQuil Chicken and watch.”
Seriously, I love CAFE ANNE. Anne connects with her readers, and that makes all the difference. She makes me want to travel to NYC to meet some of the people she interviews and places she writes about. Her posts inspire me to write what I want and to keep my voice authentic, and my goodness the laughs! They are the words you read aloud at gatherings to get everyone laughing.
Anne, I probably already said it, but you're an inspiration! And I really appreciate the way you approach monetization. If I ever decide to go paid, I'll most likely follow your example and keep all content free for all.
Another great thing about Anne’s newsletter is that she really engages with her readers’ comments (as exhibited in this thread). The comments section really feels like a buzzy cafe.
I really like the point about writing a newsletter that you'd want to read. I do my best to follow that advice, and whenever I feel that I'm staying true to that maxim, I really do see positive results in terms of growth.
Thank you Anne. You already know I love you and your newsletter, but this interview was particularly helpful as I've just "gone paid". Especially this: "...doubling down on my commitment to create the newsletter I’d want to read—rather than trying to please others." I mean, I *know* this is the way to go, but am I always remembering to do it? Thanks again.
Yes I agree it is VERY hard to avoid just doing more of what seems to work and vibe with readers.
But the whole point is that I get to have fun with this and do it my way. If not, I might as well get a real job where other people tell me what to do all day long (which I may have to do if this + freelance writing doesn't pan out.)
Such helpful advice, Anne. I especially found your experience with comment and subscribe buttons helpful. I’ve heard that putting that everywhere is the conventional wisdom but it annoys me as a reader so why would I do it as a writer? Thanks for calling that out!
Ryan, that's exactly what my thinking was. I noticed how annoying it was when an otherwise enjoyable read was interrupted by a big comment button. Why would I inflict that on others?
I like to think that the more enjoyable you can make the overall experience, the more of a halo effect it will have on your newsletter. People will have positive feelings toward it without consciously knowing why. At least that's the theory. And I'm sure there's still a lot I could do to improve on that front!
SO THRILLED to see Anne pop up here! I'm a huge fan and a paid subscriber, because there aren't many people who can make me smile on a Monday morning, and she manages to do it every single time. Plus I'm really invested in that rubber plant now. Congrats, Anne! Keep kicking butt!
It's great to see how others use Substack. I'm just starting out myself and am looking at doing something unusual - a fitness and health blog where I show older people how to recover their strength and health.
Not sure it will work and I definitely am not doing enough marketing or sharing. For example, I don't have an email list of 200 people to share my newsletter with. Anne got her start like this and it's great to note the events she went through after one year on Substack.
And I think the "wondering what the year ahead will bring "attitude will make the ride a lot more fun. A few times my own year one, I got very set on reaching certain goals and my level of enjoyment sank so fast. When I was more about, "Let's have fun and experiment and see what happens" everything felt so much lighter, and I usually noticed my stats suddenly improving as well.
"My newsletter really started growing after I adopted a consistent schedule and format while doubling down on my commitment to create the newsletter I’d want to read—rather than trying to please others."
100% YES to this! Consistency has been a huge part of growth for me as well. Writing something I'd like to read had made that ride much more fun.
:)
I found that being consistent also just FELT better. When I committed to every Monday at 11 am, the daily debate over what to do next just ended. It was a huge relief!
Yep, I second this. It's so important to stick to a schedule, but also — and probs most importantly — just writing about what you are actually genuinely interested in. Otherwise why expect others to care if you don't?
Yes, I'm trying (and for now even manage) to keep a very consistent schedule. I think that works. Also a +1 to the writing the newsletter I'd want to read. Oh, and about Kevin here above: he also writes a newsletter I like to read. Highly recommend it :)
Thank you!! 😀
Yay, Anne!! CAFE ANNE is like a wonky grown-up version of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood and I will always sing it’s praises! When my husband hears me chuckle out loud and asks me what I’m laughing at, about two thirds of the time it’s CAFE ANNE. Also--love hearing from a successful Substacker that didn’t come in with a huge following.
I love the Mr. Roger's Neighborhood comparison Samantha! Thank you!
Love this description!! That makes me so excited to read it!
Cafe Anne is like a very cool under the radar super secret coffee shop full of the coolest people who are also somehow super nice and welcoming and each have the most amazing stories to tell. All curated by the great Anne Kadet, friend, inspiration, and all around great human who also knows a ton about coffee and tea and every other thing in the coffee shop somehow.
Excited to watch it grow more and more and more. Congrats Anne!!
Thank you Friend Alex!
Everybody, Alex is one of my two Substack accountability buddies—along with Jane Radcliffe who writes the "Beyond" newsletter. We set goals every week by email, and check in on our progress, and commiserate. We also have a monthly Zoom call. I met them both in the "Grow" program over the summer. I recommend EVERYONE get Substack accountability buddies. It really helps!!
Sounds very good. What kind of goals are you setting? Do they have to do with growth or editorial development? Or....?
Hi Arjan! I no longer set goals for growth as that is not something that is under my control. I try to pick one or two actions I can take every week to improve the newsletter or my habits.
This week, for example, my goal is to add two pages to my home page menu—a theme song page and a statement of values page.
Last week, my goal was to figure out whether or not to participate in Substack Boost.
The week before that, it was to write out my CAFÉ ANNE values statement.
Sometimes the goal has to do with trying a new promotional strategy, or reaching out to another newsletter writer with whom I'd like to collaborate.
I try to pick just one or two goals every week so I don't get overwhelmed.
Hi Anne!
First of all: from this article here it really sounds like your substack is wonderful. I love the beauty of the "ordinary", the things that seem like a one person's absurdity, but are in fact priceless gems. I don't live in (or near) New York, but next time I visit, I will use your newsletter as a guide.
The goals sound really useful. Now I understand why I might need an accountability buddy. Thanks for your kind explanation.
Oh wonderful! Glad to be (maybe!) a little helpful!
Very!
I just subscribed to Anne's Substack after we interacted on last week's recommendation thread. I read one of her posts and was completely charmed by it! Definitely a unique, fun publication.
One of the best growth interviews you guys have done and right after this I’m heading over to Cafe Anne to subscribe!
Anne, I’ve thought about posting my work to Reddit but I fear it will feel spammy and people will hate it. How did you do it gracefully with effect?
I agree Reddit can be BRUTAL! Most of my posts sink like a stone, as Ben put it, or get removed by a moderator. But I've had three instances where a post caught on—which made the other 90% that were misses worth it.
I don't do anything special, though maybe I should. I just post the link to the relevant subreddit and cross my fingers.
Nothing like a little persistence in both writing and promotion. Thanks, Anne!
I'm also curious about how to utilize Reddit. I tried sharing a new post there yesterday and it sank like a stone.
“...an opinion-free, politics-free, controversy-free zone of fun.”
THEM: “That’ll never sell.”
ANNE: “Hold my NyQuil Chicken and watch.”
Seriously, I love CAFE ANNE. Anne connects with her readers, and that makes all the difference. She makes me want to travel to NYC to meet some of the people she interviews and places she writes about. Her posts inspire me to write what I want and to keep my voice authentic, and my goodness the laughs! They are the words you read aloud at gatherings to get everyone laughing.
Yeah: opinion and politics free raised an eyebrow...in a good way
Oh that is so wonderful to hear. Thank you Holly! And you know I'm a big fan back at you!
Anne, I probably already said it, but you're an inspiration! And I really appreciate the way you approach monetization. If I ever decide to go paid, I'll most likely follow your example and keep all content free for all.
Thank you Oleg. You know I'm a big fan of Fictitious as well! Looking forward to the next report on your self-imposed literary gavage!
Another great thing about Anne’s newsletter is that she really engages with her readers’ comments (as exhibited in this thread). The comments section really feels like a buzzy cafe.
Great point, Jillian! Anne puts out great work AND she works hard to make the comments in her Cafe a really fun, welcoming place.
Thank you Jillian. Now I have to go walk the dog—haha!
This is the best compliment! Teach me your ways, Anne! 👏☕️
This insights are SO GOOD. I love Anne's newsletter, and so grateful she's sharing these insights.
Thank you Jason! New York Cartoons! I gotta check that out!
I really like the point about writing a newsletter that you'd want to read. I do my best to follow that advice, and whenever I feel that I'm staying true to that maxim, I really do see positive results in terms of growth.
Thank you Anne. You already know I love you and your newsletter, but this interview was particularly helpful as I've just "gone paid". Especially this: "...doubling down on my commitment to create the newsletter I’d want to read—rather than trying to please others." I mean, I *know* this is the way to go, but am I always remembering to do it? Thanks again.
Yes I agree it is VERY hard to avoid just doing more of what seems to work and vibe with readers.
But the whole point is that I get to have fun with this and do it my way. If not, I might as well get a real job where other people tell me what to do all day long (which I may have to do if this + freelance writing doesn't pan out.)
Precisely!
Cafe Anne: want NYC? Here's NYC! I don't live there, but do love to read about New York - and Cafe Anne is perfect.
And this is a great point: 'a disciplined, consistent format and publishing schedule' is the key to success.
Cafe Anne is one of my most favorite reads! I don't live in NY, but through her stories I get to pretend.
Such helpful advice, Anne. I especially found your experience with comment and subscribe buttons helpful. I’ve heard that putting that everywhere is the conventional wisdom but it annoys me as a reader so why would I do it as a writer? Thanks for calling that out!
Ryan, that's exactly what my thinking was. I noticed how annoying it was when an otherwise enjoyable read was interrupted by a big comment button. Why would I inflict that on others?
I like to think that the more enjoyable you can make the overall experience, the more of a halo effect it will have on your newsletter. People will have positive feelings toward it without consciously knowing why. At least that's the theory. And I'm sure there's still a lot I could do to improve on that front!
SO THRILLED to see Anne pop up here! I'm a huge fan and a paid subscriber, because there aren't many people who can make me smile on a Monday morning, and she manages to do it every single time. Plus I'm really invested in that rubber plant now. Congrats, Anne! Keep kicking butt!
Thank you Monica! Stay tuned for another rubber plant update this Monday. It's a doozy!
*GASP* A possible decapitation cliffhanger! I will be waiting by my Gmail!
It's great to see how others use Substack. I'm just starting out myself and am looking at doing something unusual - a fitness and health blog where I show older people how to recover their strength and health.
Not sure it will work and I definitely am not doing enough marketing or sharing. For example, I don't have an email list of 200 people to share my newsletter with. Anne got her start like this and it's great to note the events she went through after one year on Substack.
I wonder what the year ahead will bring for me.
What a great topic!
And I think the "wondering what the year ahead will bring "attitude will make the ride a lot more fun. A few times my own year one, I got very set on reaching certain goals and my level of enjoyment sank so fast. When I was more about, "Let's have fun and experiment and see what happens" everything felt so much lighter, and I usually noticed my stats suddenly improving as well.
Thanks for the encouragement. I'm sure I can help many people. I hope Substack is the avenue where this happens.