119 Comments

That was surprisingly helpful.

Expand full comment

Really useful read. I have the takeaways copied to my mobile phone notes. Thank you.

Expand full comment

I appreciated these tips!! Super helpful advice.

Expand full comment

Brava, Melinda! Thanks for all you’ve done for the writer community and sharing these strategies.

Expand full comment

I love these kinds of posts-interviews. Love hearing how other creators are building on Substack.

I’ve started a newsletter to help people navigate web3, crypto and personal growth:

https://open.substack.com/pub/growcrypto?r=1r6ngp&utm_medium=ios

So this is really appreciated ❤️❤️

Expand full comment

I wonder how many successful Substacks are *not* mainstream journalists defecting from newspapers like NYT.

Expand full comment

Great interview, love the topic of Melinda’s newsletter. I don’t have children myself but my brother has two and even an auntie needs some tips. It’s good to see a parenting newsletter grow and be financially sustainable. It gives me more hope for fiction.

Expand full comment
Feb 22Liked by Katie @ Substack

So so helpful and encouraging! Thank you so much.

Expand full comment
Feb 22Liked by Katie @ Substack

I was thinking of adding paid content to my newsletter in the not too distant future, so this is very encouraging to read. And well done, Melinda, on your hard-earned well-deserved success! 💕

Expand full comment

For someone growing a digital writing business from scratch (after walking away from 6-figure salary in Apr. '22) - I really appreciate these kinds of posts-interviews. Love hearing how other creators, writers, authors are building on Substack. :)

Expand full comment
Feb 22Liked by Bailey @ Substack

"Earlier this winter, I sent out a paid newsletter with a free preview in which I admitted that I didn’t really have a proper newsletter to share because I’d just stabbed myself in the eye with scissors."

Haha, this is awesome!

It sounds like Melinda puts so much thought and care into her reporting and writing, and provides a much needed service for her readers. Not surprising she's done so well. Very inspiring!

Expand full comment

This was a great read in particular seeing the steps and stats broken down into detail! It would be awesome the see the same kind of breakdown from a non-established writer, who went fro building a sub-stack audience to getting published.

Expand full comment

Very helpful. Thank you!

Expand full comment

Congratulations, Melinda! I have one question that wasn't asked: Do you expect any negative effects of renaming your newsletter? I curious about long-time readers who may have come to love seeing that title in their in-boxes. :)

Expand full comment

it always seems like the #1 key to success is to "get a wildly famous Substack to recommend you"

easier said than done

Expand full comment

So happy to see you in the Grow series, Melinda! I’m also a parenting writer, so your tips really resonate. I appreciate the clarity of your newsletter goals, and your mindful and deliberate approach to meeting them. Thank you for sharing so generously.

Expand full comment