Have questions about publishing, growing, or going paid on Substack?
The Substack team, and your fellow writers, are here to help! Our team will answer questions and share insights with you in the comments today from 10 a.m.–11 a.m. PT / 1 p.m.–2 p.m. ET. We encourage writers to stick around after the hour and continue the conversation together.
Updates from the Substack team:
Introducing reader surveys. Easily create and embed surveys directly into any post to ask your readers questions and collect insights. To get started, we encourage you to add a survey to your welcome email to get to know new subscribers. Learn more.
The power of audio. Days after launching the audio version of Letters from an American, where
reads her daily letters to subscribers, it climbed to the #2 podcast in the U.S. Reading your posts as voiceovers is a simple way to dip your toe into audio and reap the benefits of publishing on Substack while distributing to podcast players everywhere. Learn more.
Office Hours housekeeping. At the end of the month, we’re closing Office Hours as we know it. But this isn’t goodbye! You can expect us to direct the energy we put into these weekly threads into other spaces for writers to connect. Learn more.
Got questions about Substack or feedback about a feature or tool? You’re in the right place! Leave a comment in this thread.
Even when I'm late to office hours I appreciate that other writers are still willing to engage with my comments, even when I'm telling someone 'wow, keep doing what you're doing!'. You've fostered a great community for writers and I swear one day I will catch one of these live lol!
Also, I’ve seen a lot of questions about how to do things on Substack, here are some of my fav resources, other than googling my questions and it usually brings me to Substack’s Q&A.
If anyone's still kicking here, I'd love to add another one of my insidery newbie pieces to this thread (with my insights from a year at this, monetizing, growing, making it your own and more). Hope it helps someone! https://sleepyhollowink.substack.com/p/hack-your-substack-10-tips
Late to the party here -- I'm so sad office hours is dead, I decided to keep haunting old ones I missed ;)
We're sisters in subscriber counts - I'm at 331 - so pretty close. I appreciate these resources and thought I'd throw in one of my own: I usually write weird essays on all sorts of things that catch my fancy in the moment, but this time I did an insider one on places where you can list your newsletter outside of Substack to get more eyeballs - https://sleepyhollowink.substack.com/p/newsletter-listings. Hope that helps someone!
This is really helpful, thanks Mika. I’ve noticed that joining conversations with likeminded groups of readers has helped naturally grown my followers by a few people here and there too :)
Agreed! Even when the subject of what I'm writing about is grief, I begin to have fun once I've emotionally processed the event, especially after getting a first draft on the page, all that's left is to pay respect to the subject matter through my writing and make sure it comes through for the reader clear enough. That whole process, for me anyway, is pretty fun.
I was feeling this same way and recently read and followed the book "How to Break Up With Your Phone." It was the best digital detox I've done after years of just fiddling around with the idea while knowing my device addiction was pulling me further in. I hope you can find the same relief! <3
What if your being forced to have your phone on u at all times take selfies when the app sends you a notification to do so and if you don't you could have going to jail. Not that's not all the apps notifications sound is so high pitch and annoying it's causing mental health conditions
I have been there (and it’s usually after I’ve had a “digital bender” (when I stayed up waaay too late on my phone) and I’m tired, feeling frustrated and shame because I have no willpower, again!).
I have roller coaster days, sometimes I have to ride it and hope that next day is better.
I try my best to get a better night’s sleep, try and speak a bit nicer to myself and maybe get a change of scenery.
It can also help to talk to a friend or counsellor if this is going on for a while.
Also, release the pressure if you can. If it’s coming from you, try and reset the expectations you’re putting on yourself. If it’s from someone else, I wonder if there are some changes that could be made so you can have a little reprieve.
All the best Bethel. I saw you’re other message about how you’re struggling, but thought I would answer this one. xx
Our minds are wild and wonderful things, but sometimes they can be quite mean. I’m sure you’re a great person, and you tell that mind of yours to give you a break. 😊
Just leaping in here to say thank you, Katie, to you and the team, for these Office Hours meetups. Thanks for your wisdom, your kindness and your skill at stepping in where it's needed. Looking forward to seeing what you're cooking up next!
Want to echo the sentiment as well. Thank you Katie and the team! When I first started substack it was pretty overwhelming and now I feel like I've gotten hang of the ebb and flow of everything, which makes this experience much more fun, as writing should be.
If you want to make friends here, I would recommend you not use Office Hours for blatant promotional spamming. Respond to add value, thanks, or appreciation, or just to chat. Not to repeat those 4 words all over the board. Thanks!
What Mike said! Thank you from me, too, Katie, Bailey and everyone at Substack who tirelessly gave up their time to coach, guide, motivate and uplift us here, week after week. Thursdays won't be the same without Office Hours. Grateful for every piece of advice and for every writer I've met here, it's been invaluable.
✏️ Hey everyone, I started writing on Medium about a week ago on top of my weekly Substack. Its been an interesting experience thus far but the time commitment to be active on both platforms has been exhausting. Anyone else here write on both Medium and Substack and if so, any words of wisdom or experiences to share? Thanks!
More power to you. I find substack, not exhausting per say, but quite a handful with how many new features that are being added, which I'm more than thankful for. I could not imagine trying to juggle another platform like this.
Thanks Daniel. It helps that I love writing in all its formats but yeah it has been a lot. Finding some ways to connect them and cut down a bit on output, but I am not totally certain if I will stick with Medium long term.
It's definitely okay you give yourself a break from one to focus on the other, just to echo the sentiment of other answers, way less chance of burn out.
Write here, copy and paste to Medium. The income from Substack is static; X amount per paid subscriber. Medium income is subject to the whims of the ever-changing algorithms and will drive you insane. Take whatever you can get at Medium but focus on Substack.
Thanks for the advice! I was enjoying Medium but once I realized that many publication editors would edit my work without even telling me, I was somewhat turned off. Re-posting is a good idea though. Seems hard to get any traction there without using the publication system
I’ve been on a roll with deleting accounts I no longer use - that included Medium, Quora, and Asana this week :) It’s refreshing to focus on the ones that are working for me and to close off the idea that I “should” be using other platforms just because at one point I gave them a shot.
THIS <3 I've been re-reading "Essentialism" and it has been hitting my head and my heart. Rejecting the pressure to spread myself too thin online is totally in line.
I was on Medium before Susbtack. Now I just post teaser posts to by Substack posts whenever I can and see what happens. I am not a fan of their business model. As a reader I want to read what I want, not be limited to 3 or 5 posts per platform. Anyways...
I'm not sure I know of this model you speak of. As I understood it, there is a flat fee for all members that unlocks the paywall for every article, no?
Flat fee per month is what I meant, yes. You mentioned being limited to 3 or 5 posts which is what confused me as the monthly membership unlocks all posts, I believe.
On medium I am limited to what I can read for free unless I pay the membership fee per month. I’m allowed 3 or 5 free premium reads before I have to pay. On substack, all content is free to read unless the publication locks it. There is a significant difference in both models. Medium is charging me, the reader, a platform fee while substack leaves that control to individual publication owners. The latter allows more free content for readers because most substack authors provide more free content than paid.
I am on both too but use this one more. Medium has some qualities that substack lacks but then substack is way more user friendly! I think best thing is to stick with one and give it your full attention instead if splitting time between two. Also quality of writing is different!
That's the same advice people have given me as well. Giving one platform your full attention is also better in terms of growth; otherwise each platform will only grow at half the rate. Maybe keep Medium as a "side hustle" ;)
🧠 I have managed to grow my followers to over 100K by following the strategies in this post. If you are new on Substack and looking for a structured strategy to follow, then all you need is this:
It is 1:28 ET... but Substack Office Hours email from today told me the Office Hours happened 2 hrs ago?! Was the email incorrect re: the ET schedule... did it take place at 11 AM ET today... not 1PM ET time??. HELP! YEs there is no clear way to connect...
I am subscribed to On Substack (the stack that puts these out) and on (most) Thursday mornings I get an email titled something like 'Weekly Office Hours" which has the link to come here. As far as I know there isn't anything to join outside of doing that; you just show up and engage in the forums. Emojis--good question, I am on a laptop and just copy/paste them because they don't show up when I am typing. Best of luck!
I am 46 and I am still amazed that I can talk to someone in a different time zone :)
In the North of Portugal there is a small village that is half Portuguese and half Spanish - and they have to specifiy the time zone to schedule dinner :)
Hey, thanks for the response. I don't want to drive you crazy, but your answer sparks another question:
Direct Messages are direct to whom: To the Systrem Operator of a site, to a particular person who posted on a pariticuilar site. Obviously, you need not answer this.
youre sending a message directly to a person you want to communicate with personally without everyone else seeing the message. like putting a letter directly in someone's mailbox
Thanks in big part to all I learned here in these gatherings. My biggest takeaway from these Office Hours is that you learn things here that you never thought to ask about.
Most of us are not making our living here, so relax, have fun, and let your joy show through in every word of your writing. Do not let it become a chore. When you write with joy and passion, your readers can feel it. That is what makes it work. 😁
Congrats on 100 subscribers! I'm new and only have a small fraction of that which makes sense. I'm wondering, did you start offering paid subscriptions prior to hitting that? Or after?
My mouse pointer hovered over the link to your substack and that displayed your subject matter. My mother contracted metastatic breast cancer and died before reaching her 52nd birthday. This was in 1974.
My mother was brilliant. She had two Master's degrees. One in English Literature and the other in Speech Language Pathology. Had she not devoted herself to raising me, she surely would have had a PhD in Literature. Fluent in French, Spanish, Latin and Greek she was an enormous help to her son, me, who was primarily a jock at a very competitive high school.
I think that a SubStack column would have been right up her alley. I hope that the joy I perceive that she would have derived from composing posts is present in you.
There is so much "advice" out there, most of it good. Write regularly. Speak to your readers. My personal advice is to write as personally as your subject matter allows. Have a conversation with your readers. And have some fun with it. Let your joy and passion show through and your readers will feel it and respond. If you are reaching them, they will subscribe, share, and help spread the word.
Agree about learning things we never thought to ask about! We also get to see what ideas the administrators seem willing to take under consideration and pass on to the tech team. Thanks!
Just started and we're loving the experience and hopeful to gain a following. Substack is the only platform I've tried in recent history that "just works." And works very well. Allowing us creative type to just do what we do: make stuff.
Perfectly put: substack 'just works'. I couldn't believe how easy it all was once you get into the groove of things. I regret not creating one sooner. Thankfully I'm making up for lost time.
Appreciate that! You are right, Substack "just works". It's easy and the interface seems to help me process my thoughts as I'm writing. Remember to keep the joy in your writing as you move forward.
David, I really like your post. Great perspective. I have been on Substack for a little over a year and I have 86 subs! I shared this with my son and told him that Kareem Abdul Jabbar is my model at 110,000+ subs. His response, "You better work on your sky hook." Yes, some of us don't have a sky hook like the great Kareem, but we have tales to tell and Substack is a great way to tell them. The best to you as you go for 200!
That's great Roger! And thanks. Love the story on your sky hook. Just remember to keep the joy in your writing and let that and your passion become your hook. The numbers will come if readers feel all that in your writing. Best to you as well.
Relax. Don't worry about the numbers. Approach each story with joy and passion. Make it personal if you can. And laugh a few times while you're writing.
My number one tip would be think about a cadence you think you can achieve and scale back one notch from there.
This leaves you within what you re capable of. You’ll have time to refine your posts to push up quality and give you the headspace to build relationships with people on the platform.
So if you think you can do two posts a week, commit to one.
Sound advice! Thank you. More time to edit, after getting a first draft down, really just reminded me how much I like the process of editing and letting a piece simmer between writing and then publishing it.
That's amazing advice. On so many other channels (like Tik Tok and IG), the priority is quantity over quality. When writing and sharing vulnerably, quality seems so much more important.
Your point about other social media platforms prioritizing 'quantity over quality' is correct. I almost fell into that trap my first week on substack where I was just publishing stuff multiple times a day and I didn't have time to check if the quality was up to snuff. No longer doing that and the work, and myself, has time to breathe.
I would love to have you on For My Sake - as a reader and as a creator (I am starting my podcast!)! We can connect further - if you would like to co-create, send me an email on ourtribeheals@gmail.com
A lot of people here are missing the point. In this case, the Substack mods ask us to use 'emojis' purely as a filing device. It allows them to sort posts at a glance and — most importantly — identify right away which posts they need to answer directly. If you can't be bothered to do something so modest for the sake of being helpful, that's up to you. But... you're not being helpful.
If they called them something other than emojis — say, 'symbols' — would you feel differently? Would you object to cutting and pasting a symbol into your post just to help the Substack mods sort through posts, so that they can be more efficient in helping people? My point is that 'emoji' here is somewhat misleading. They're not meant to function in the way that you seem to dislike, as substitutes for words. They're quick visual references to help the mods, nothing more. It seems to be missing the point to refuse to do that on principle when they're just asking you to use a symbol that is called an emoji purely as a technical description because it helps them serve us more efficiently.
Notes on Substack are like short-form posts that you can share with your subscribers and the wider Substack community. Here's a quick rundown on how they work:
1. You can write and publish Notes directly from the Home tab on the web or the Substack app.
2. Notes can include posts, links, images, quotes, and comments.
3. They're public and will show up in the Home feed of your subscribers and on your Substack profile.
4. While you can't paywall a Note, you can choose who gets to reply to it – everyone or just your paid subscribers.
Katie, can you please explain how to share Notes with the wider Substack community? Or, more specifically, how to send a Note ONLY to other Substack writers? I've been trying to find information on this for quite some time but, perhaps, I'm just missing something. Thank you!!
Notes is essentially the same as Twitter/X. When you post something it is technically viewable by everyone who is also using Notes, but people who are Following you are more likely to see it... 😎
That's strange. It came up as a Like on my Activity, but it doesn't seem to be showing here. It does that sometimes and things take a while to catch up. The Comments disappeared completely last week and then appeared again the next day! My content is all Free on here, so you don't have to pay to Comment or Chat or anything like that... 😎
I've never held such strong convictions about emoji's in my life....
I think of them as modern extensions of the 26-letter alphabet. Emoji's are no less and no more "soulless" than the letter "L" or the ampersand symbol.
Humans have always communicated via symbology which was what the alphabet essentially is.
My guess is that you're dismayed by the lack of expressive communication in the digitalsphere, and yes, I feel your pain.
Emoji are not exactly like letters but they're essential when communicating online just like our facial expressions and gestures are essential when we communicate face to face. We don't just speak in words and sentences. Communication is a lot more than that :)
Every once in a while I forget that tone/nuance don’t exist online, and I step on a rake. I’m not a fan of them either, but find them useful to convey a message/idea the way I intended.
I applaud you for not using emojis or emicons. Those smiley faces invariably make me think of elementary school which I hated, what with all the cutesy florishes, designs and pictorial bs that seemed the province of little girls in pinafores.
Language and words is my bag. Learn to master the Engligh language and leave the cutesy pictorials to toddlers. (Sorry if I seem to be in a bitchy mood)
It's a very useful feature on here, yes. And it will probably become even more useful as a place to meet people and discuss things once Office Hours is gone... 😎
I used to think like that about emoticons, and I still use them sparingly, but I wouldn't call them soulless. Sometimes the text itself just isn't enough of an indicator of the emotion behind it. An emoticon can give clarity.
I'll never use them in a piece or anything professional, but in a text or a comment? Yeah, here and there.
Emicons will never replace words in my world. Each to their own. I have hand written a diary for 50 years; most are A4 per day. People are forgetting how to even hand write.
Emojis are simply a way to express emotions when writing online. When we talk to people in person we have gestures and facial expressions and we underestimate their significance for communication. When we text we don't have those, so that's what emojis are for :)
They are a form of 'robotising' us; removing human emotions. They are utterly soulless. The 'Smiley' image from the 'rave' scene introduced them along with robot boom-boom noise they call music. They remind me of torture and Guantanamo Bay.
🟧 -I plan on publishing a science paper here on substack rather than in a normal science journal and I would like the readers to have an opportunity to donate whatever amount they see fit, without having to subscribe. There is a pledge option but, in my opinion, it is essentially a subscription because there isn't an option for a one time pledge. How can I offer a reader an option to make a single donation for whatever amount they choose? (emoji added)
I plan on publishing a science paper here on substack rather than in a normal science journal and I would like the readers to have an opportunity to donate whatever amount they see fit, without having to subscribe. There is a pledge option but, in my opinion, it is essentially a subscription because there isn't an option for a one time pledge. How can I offer a reader an option to make a single donation for whatever amount they choose?
🟧 I read about Substack Originals video content, but I can’t seem to find it. I am a new Substacker getting ready to publish the first episode of an original video series, so I’d love to view what has been posted to Originals.
HI: where is my previous substack, related to pj.marie @ yahoo? ANd HOW come there has been of mixe with another email address??? This mess happened july 4, 2024 at 11 AM!!!
Thank you, I'm just starting with my writings on literature. My question is how to find Spanish-speaking spaces or Spanish content. It's challenging to position myself in Latin America because the focus seems to be on another continent. Or is it not? Any advice on Spanish content?
i will pay an honest person to help me create something on substack too confusing for me e-mail me and will answer everyone who writes me on this substack eric n kemer e-mail tortoise1234567@yahoo.com
🟧 I got a message that one of my readers donated $80 even though my substack is not monetized. Is there a way to collect this money, and not make my stack "pay to play"? How do I collect the money???
🟧 I originally moved both of my podcasts to my home page, but then learned about Sections and put one of the podcasts into a Section. I have thoroughly confused myself. I want all my subscribers to be notified when I post a new episode of either podcast. And I want to get my podcasts on Apple, etc. of course. I am thinking that using Sections for one of the podcasts was a mistake. How would I get rid of that Section if I go that route?
Also, I am having difficulty finding an RSS feed URL on my home page where both podcasts appear, while there is an easy RSS feed URL on the Butterfly Arose podcast section. Is that a reason to have both appear on separate sections? I. E. will that make life easier for me or not?
If I go with the separate Sections idea does that mean both podcasts can still appear on the home page, or does that confuse things?
🟧 Hi Substack! I keep reading and hearing about how Substack is different from other platforms and their algorithms. Now one thing that doesn't seem to be different trying to start out on here is the frustration of just not being seen. Like at all. I do like the overall look and feel on here and I'm starting to find some nice content - I just don't think I am willing to invest all the energy again in writing and posting into empty space.
And I do see a lot of accounts that seem to have been deserted after trying for a while
Couldn't there be a kind of Blackboard where newbies get a chance to pin a Note or a comment or anything and actually be SEEN? At least for once?
🧠 my Substack is my favourite creative outlet, so gaining followers is actually less important to me than the writing process. That being said, I’ve found that joining conversations with likeminded audiences from other Substacks has helped organic follower growth (slowly, but surely)!
I'll be sorry to see these posts go. They've been a wonderful source of information directly from the source. Thanks for all you've done to help us grow our communities.
✏️ I've just come to the conclusion that worrying about getting traffic and engagement greatly affects my focus on putting out great content. Should we just believe that sooner or later good content reaches its readers? or should we put some deliberate effort on reaching more people? I'd be glad to hear any suggestions about this.
I'm haunting old office hours here, but yes, I think just do the work at the early stages. I wrote an email to everyone in my regular gmail contacts and shared my newsletter with them and that's how I got my earliest and often most supportive readers (at the last the ones who paid like Aunt Barbara ;) Then I found a few compatable Substackers and commented on their posts, grew into collaborations. Notes gives me zero traction - NO one likes my stuff there; but office hours was always good to find a few more folks to friend. Sigh. But the onus really is on doing the good work and the people will trickle in. I also created this small resource to list yourself elsewhere - https://sleepyhollowink.substack.com/p/newsletter-listings. Hope that helps!
I’m an artist newbie and just posted my second Substack. I will be sure to tune in, because I am loving how supportive and fun it is being here. Thank you.
🟧 I wrote a 40 Vol. Journal to release. How can I plan to have them proofread, printed as PDFs and distributed to various institutions.
Individuals don’t want that work, though large organizations, nonprofit libraries, are interested in it as a traditional Journal to renew Yearly. What can I do with the project. As a professional author, what is in the best interest of one of the large publishers- think big five.
I would like to start writing in substack and have been writing for a while off someone else’s like comments and etc. But I would like to create one of my own. If there is help please send info to jamesu54@gmail.com
🟧 Comment: it would help if you posted notification about Office Hours the day BEFORE it is to happen. I have noticed it so many times and it was for the day before, because you notify me after I've stopped being on the computer for the day.
I haven't managed to visit many of the office hours, but sad to see it go. Hopefully whatever is planned next is even better 😉 interesting to see discussion about slow subscriber growth. I've been posting for two years now and only just passed 100, after a long period on much lower numbers. Preseverance is key I think. Enjoying every moment of it 😃
I have a Download offer as I am an advertiser of installusd, PPI downloads offer, top rates, let try, you must be happy to see our rates and daily payment, please come and chat.
✏️ Fellow Writers, if you write or read a substack on meditation, spirituality etc, can you recommend your favourites. I'd love to read what other writers are writing in this space!
A HOPE-FILLED PLEA FOR THE ENDORSEMENT OF A CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY
The vast majority of scientists now believe the Earth is within a five-year window which will tilt the planet into an irreversible cataclysmic extinction collapse unless dramatic action is taken NOW. Many believe we are in that slide now and that it may be too late for any effective mitigation.
We, of the Heart Mind Alliance (.com) do not believe it is too late. Everywhere throughout the nation we hear the same opinions expressed by the majority of the voters of this land. We, the People, are the experts on what we want for our health, the air, our water, the soil and energy; for our children and their children unto the Seventh Generation. But we have no direct voice. We only have the power to chose among those who promise to speak on our behalf and who have most often responded, not to the mandates of the People, but those of the profit-driven military industries, national and transnational corporations.
We now have the instrument to document securely every person's vote with private block-chain ledgers for verifying not only that a vote was counted but also counted correctly. The “We the People” block-chain-secured voting system has now been launched and is receiving votes on the First Question, the essential first step to fulfilling our nation's original founding intention of a government of, by and for the People: A declaration of the majority will of the People of the United States for a Constitutional Democracy in which the People become our own representatives. The following will be integral to such a majority opinion:
Once this Declaration of Inter-dependence is documented and established and our public officials swear allegiance to respond to the majority will as the administrators of the public will, the following majority-supported mandates, to list a few (Request the full text of “The Great Mandate,” the MoveOn.org campaign of the Heart Mind Alliance at heartmindalliance@gmail.com), will be voted on and effective solutions mandated of our public servants will be found through open and transparent deliberation and submitted for national vote to reverse the planet's slide towards extinction:
1. All agribusiness will become regenerative, organic and locally-based. Land confiscated by predatory agribusinesses' transgenic and genetically modified pollen infiltration will be regenerated and returned to local control wherever in the world the soil has been killed.
2. Climate change will begin a reversal within two years through subsidized mandated subsoil plowing (Key Line Plow), holistic livestock management (Savory method), agricultural carbon positive “waste” cooking fuel production and many more successfully proven methods to draw down CO2 from the atmosphere.
3. International peace-keeping will be entrusted to international peace-keeping organizations and the more than 750 US military bases worldwide will be gradually shut down to free trillions of dollars and bring thousands of our daughters and sons home to reconstruct our nation's infrastructure, prime our schools, health facilities and to decontaminate our nation's air, soil and waters.
4. Our health care system will become one of universal health care where all will be cared for.
Founder and president of the Heart Mind Alliance (.com) which has created the block-chain secured direct vote website now taking votes on the First Question before the nation: wethepeople.directvotedemocracy.com
Producer of the documentary "Bolivia Beyond Belief" (on You Tube) regarding the Bolivian Democratic Revolution I witnessed while living in Bolivia from 2005 to 2008
Initiated as an Andean Cosmovision Amauta
After working in 20 countries in community development: created a You Tube channel with 132 videos of the most successful appropriate technologies I learned of: "Community-based Appropriate Technologies"
Founder of Colorado's San Luis Valley Solar Energy Association and Alamosa Childrens' School
Founder of the Rio Arriba Bioregional Council and the Espanola Valley Community Council, New Mexico
Author of I Am: A Journey Through Times and Spaces and the book The Great Mandate (available via Kindle)
✏️ Hi there! I’m new to Substack - about to reach 400 subscribers. I’m currently putting out one newsletter a week on Saturday - wondering if a weekday would be better? I’m also planning on adding a second weekly post, wondering which day would be best. TIA for any tips!
I'm around the same subscriber count and I also tend to do Saturday. In my case, I have to avoid weekday posting since it might like to my dayjob like I'm doing it during my work hours. So weekends it is, and that's fine! Whatever keeps you regular is good.
Hi and welcome! It's best just to go with whatever works for you and your schedule. Some people say midweek is good for posts, as people tend to be busy at the start and the end of the week, but people have more free time at the weekend so you're probably already doing things right. If you're getting good engagement on the opens and the reads then Saturday is probably perfect for you... 😎
Hi Chris! Thank you so much -- I'm getting a fairly good open rate I think, around 55-60%, so I'll stick with Saturday, and consider a weekday for the second post.
They say around 40-50% is about the average for the open rates on here - so you're doing very well! I think a weekday would be great for the second post to space things out a bit, yes. Best of luck with it... 😎
One more reminder, if I may, before this resource closes down — please open up the telephone number verification procedure to non- U.S. format telephone numbers. Or enable a payment processor other than Stripe. You’ve seen this request repeatedly from me and others, because nothing has been done about it. So you have a dysfunctional payment system that is guaranteed to fail. Is that what everyone wants? No? Then change it!
Hi folks! We're new to Substack so apologies if this question has been answered before. Can paid subscribers use payment methods that aren't a credit card - e.g. PayPal or debit card etc? And if so, how do I change this in our settings? Would love to give folks the option of multiple payment options. Thanks heaps!
Welcome to the site! People have been asking for multiple payment options for a while, but at the moment the main one available is credit card through Stripe. You can also pay directly through a bank in some countries, I believe, via Direct Debit and other methods. There's no PayPal yet. The reader will be presented with the options that are available to them when they choose to buy a paid Subscription, if you have that setting activated and have set a price and so on... 😎
✏️📁- Please someone should tell me about how this Suspack works and how I can earn. Am an Author, I write novels. I don't really know how this Suspack thing works.
Substack is primarily a Newsletter platform, where you can send things out to a list of Subscribers. Those Newsletters will also be posted to your page here on the website for others to read who are perhaps not Subscribers yet, but may like to be in the future. The best thing to do at first is just start writing and getting some work out there. Interact with as many people as you can on here and grow your readership. This is a great platform for Fiction. I've been posting stories here myself for about five months now. Best of luck to you... 😎
I'm having a hard time just trying to find out how to get started with a first post. Where is the Substack Q&A section you mention? How can I get in touch with a support person who actually knows something about the app?
Everything you post and send out as a Newsletter is available on your page on the Substack website. It should all be there for you to browse through. You can type the address of your publication in directly or access it through your Profile... 😎
🟧 I am a 70+ year old writer of poetry who has just published a new book and would love to increase my readership. I love reading articles on Substack. How do I go about creating my own Substack site with a poem a week?
Welcome! You already have a Substack attached to your Profile that has been created for you when you joined, so you can use that. All you need to do is go into 'Dashboard' at the top of your Profile and start creating things. If you go into the 'Settings' first you can pick a new name for your Substack publication, if you'd like to, and write a little bit about what you're going to be doing on here. Then you can go to 'Create New Post' and start writing. There are lots of support pages and articles on here to walk you through it more fully, but those are the basic steps. Have fun with it and good luck... 😎
Tried all that. It would be nice if SS had an online 'users manual' well-organized in order of how writers might actually interact with the app. For example: 'Getting Started' as a first section--answering questions like how does one transfer an essay written on MS Word to the SS app. And then, where does it go in the app?
Yes, that can be tricky to copy things over - I've had issues with that myself. It's something to do with the formatting on here, it doesn't like the formatting on Word and won't maintain it. I've found the best thing to do when that happens, is copy and paste it to Notepad first, because the format on that is much simpler, and then to Substack and that works fine. Alternatively, you can just type it into Substack as a Draft, and bypass Word entirely. Good luck with it... 😎
This is such a beginner question but I AM a beginner! I have a draft on my substack and I'm ready to publish it. Google says click on the Publish button but that doesn't appear on my draft page.
I'd so appreciate some help from yor fellow writers. Appeals to the Substack team have gone unanswered.
Yes, it's just a case of pressing the 'Continue' button at the top where you're creating the Draft and then clicking the 'Send To Everyone Now' at the bottom of the next page. That will send it to your Subscribers and also post it to your publication page on the website. You can also send a Preview to yourself first if you want to check everything is displaying correctly, and you do that by clicking 'Preview' at the top of where you're creating the Draft and then 'Send Test Email'. Good luck with it all... 😎
Everyone has a story to tell and experiences to share that are of value. You may surprise yourself. The best thing to do is start writing and getting your words out there and see where the journey takes you. Have fun with it... 😎
Absolutely. And telling that story and sharing those experiences could be incredibly valuable and meaningful to others. It could be exactly what someone has been longing to read... 😎
It can be tricky to get to grips with everything at first, but there's lots of Help available and lots of Tutorials in the Support section. It is primarily a Newsletter platform, where you create posts to send out to your Subscribers via Email. These posts also appear on your publication page here on the website for others to see. The most important thing is to get writing and see where the journey takes you. Good luck with it... 😎
You really need to use the Substack website, ideally on a PC or Laptop, if you want to write on here - that's where you're going to find all the tools to help you. The app is more for reading and browsing other publications and commenting and things. You could also access the Substack website via the phone browser to write if you don't have access to a PC or Laptop. The website is where Substack is really going to come alive for you and where you can get the most out of it as a writer. Good luck... 😎
✏️ I'm not certain if that question is possible., but could someone review my Substack and share their impressions from an initial glance? Also, if someone could provide a few quick tips, that would be great. I've come across an insightful piece titled "From Zero to 100,000," which I'm currently exploring.
I'm not certain if I can ask this, but could someone review my Substack and share your impressions from an initial glance? Also, if someone could provide a few quick tips, that would be great. I've come across an insightful piece titled "From Zero to 100,000," which I'm currently exploring :)
To help organize the conversation, please use one of the following emojis when you start a new comment.
🧠 - when sharing strategy or advice for fellow writers
✏️ - when asking questions or seeking feedback from fellow writers
🟧 - when asking a question you hope the Substack team can help answer
Use your emoji keyboard or simply copy and paste the emoji at the beginning of your comment.
🧠 Many thanks for the splendid advice.
Even when I'm late to office hours I appreciate that other writers are still willing to engage with my comments, even when I'm telling someone 'wow, keep doing what you're doing!'. You've fostered a great community for writers and I swear one day I will catch one of these live lol!
I’m going to miss Office Hours, but look forward to seeing what else comes!
🧠 - I know it can seem frustrating when your growth seems to be crawling along. I can definitely relate, I sat with 7 subscribers for 8 months!
I’m now at almost 300 and having a ball!
I wrote a bit more about this in my post: “What to do if you’re not growing as fast as others” (it’s part of my monthly Substack diaries series ☺️) https://musingsbymika.substack.com/p/substack-diaries-what-do-you-do-if)
Also, I’ve seen a lot of questions about how to do things on Substack, here are some of my fav resources, other than googling my questions and it usually brings me to Substack’s Q&A.
I’m a visual learner, so Simon K Jones’ video is helpful: https://simonkjones.substack.com/p/what-actually-is-substack
Also Claire Venus’ YouTube series is great: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxH_TD-j6nOUOFxltrwW0-0dJ2lUxg7nJ&si=8LBvT1IIT7zDJ-6F
If anyone's still kicking here, I'd love to add another one of my insidery newbie pieces to this thread (with my insights from a year at this, monetizing, growing, making it your own and more). Hope it helps someone! https://sleepyhollowink.substack.com/p/hack-your-substack-10-tips
Late to the party here -- I'm so sad office hours is dead, I decided to keep haunting old ones I missed ;)
We're sisters in subscriber counts - I'm at 331 - so pretty close. I appreciate these resources and thought I'd throw in one of my own: I usually write weird essays on all sorts of things that catch my fancy in the moment, but this time I did an insider one on places where you can list your newsletter outside of Substack to get more eyeballs - https://sleepyhollowink.substack.com/p/newsletter-listings. Hope that helps someone!
Oooo interesting!! Thanks, I’ll check it out. (Love the haunting 👻)
Thank you! I am JUST getting started, so these resources are so helpful! <3
Hey Meghan! Welcome to Substack! I hope you have a tonne of fun here! I expanded on the resources if it’s helpful: https://musingsbymika.substack.com/p/free-resources-for-substack-newbies. It includes a link to help with branding on Substack.
Thank you Mika, these were all very helpful! I'll be bookmarking these and coming back to them when I feel stuck in that rut.
This is really helpful, thanks Mika. I’ve noticed that joining conversations with likeminded groups of readers has helped naturally grown my followers by a few people here and there too :)
Thanks for the links Mika. I'm still learning, only been on Substack since beginning of January.
Feel free to stop by and introduce yourself in this thread called “find your tribe” that I put up today: https://musingsbymika.substack.com/p/want-to-play-find-your-tribe/comments
That’s so exciting. It’s a lot of fun! Welcome!
a great reminder to find the joy in writing.
Agreed! Even when the subject of what I'm writing about is grief, I begin to have fun once I've emotionally processed the event, especially after getting a first draft on the page, all that's left is to pay respect to the subject matter through my writing and make sure it comes through for the reader clear enough. That whole process, for me anyway, is pretty fun.
✏️-overwhelmed mind.Tired of the pressure and lack of control of my device and life.
I was feeling this same way and recently read and followed the book "How to Break Up With Your Phone." It was the best digital detox I've done after years of just fiddling around with the idea while knowing my device addiction was pulling me further in. I hope you can find the same relief! <3
I legally can't if I could I would leave this place wondering the woods and being one with the earth
What if your being forced to have your phone on u at all times take selfies when the app sends you a notification to do so and if you don't you could have going to jail. Not that's not all the apps notifications sound is so high pitch and annoying it's causing mental health conditions
📵!🧠 💯!💕My🌎!🙏🏼!
Hey Bethel
I’m so sorry you’re having a hard time right now.
I have been there (and it’s usually after I’ve had a “digital bender” (when I stayed up waaay too late on my phone) and I’m tired, feeling frustrated and shame because I have no willpower, again!).
I have roller coaster days, sometimes I have to ride it and hope that next day is better.
I try my best to get a better night’s sleep, try and speak a bit nicer to myself and maybe get a change of scenery.
It can also help to talk to a friend or counsellor if this is going on for a while.
Also, release the pressure if you can. If it’s coming from you, try and reset the expectations you’re putting on yourself. If it’s from someone else, I wonder if there are some changes that could be made so you can have a little reprieve.
All the best Bethel. I saw you’re other message about how you’re struggling, but thought I would answer this one. xx
Thanks for responding & I'll try applying your advice.
I just read this, it might be helpful: https://open.substack.com/pub/rosetyler/p/disillusionment-the-new-normal?r=iv86x&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Our minds are wild and wonderful things, but sometimes they can be quite mean. I’m sure you’re a great person, and you tell that mind of yours to give you a break. 😊
Just leaping in here to say thank you, Katie, to you and the team, for these Office Hours meetups. Thanks for your wisdom, your kindness and your skill at stepping in where it's needed. Looking forward to seeing what you're cooking up next!
Want to echo the sentiment as well. Thank you Katie and the team! When I first started substack it was pretty overwhelming and now I feel like I've gotten hang of the ebb and flow of everything, which makes this experience much more fun, as writing should be.
Let me second that thank you to Katie and team! I've already noticed that new "Chat" feature on the dashboard which I'll try out soon!
Check out Sports Square!
If you want to make friends here, I would recommend you not use Office Hours for blatant promotional spamming. Respond to add value, thanks, or appreciation, or just to chat. Not to repeat those 4 words all over the board. Thanks!
What is that? Thx
Sports newsletter, but even if you don't like sports, you should subscribe.
Was this reply written by your "friend abusing your computer", Smayan?
What Mike said! Thank you from me, too, Katie, Bailey and everyone at Substack who tirelessly gave up their time to coach, guide, motivate and uplift us here, week after week. Thursdays won't be the same without Office Hours. Grateful for every piece of advice and for every writer I've met here, it's been invaluable.
Check out Sports Square!
This is not the way, Smayan.
Sorry man! My friend was abusing my computer.
✏️ Hey everyone, I started writing on Medium about a week ago on top of my weekly Substack. Its been an interesting experience thus far but the time commitment to be active on both platforms has been exhausting. Anyone else here write on both Medium and Substack and if so, any words of wisdom or experiences to share? Thanks!
More power to you. I find substack, not exhausting per say, but quite a handful with how many new features that are being added, which I'm more than thankful for. I could not imagine trying to juggle another platform like this.
Thanks Daniel. It helps that I love writing in all its formats but yeah it has been a lot. Finding some ways to connect them and cut down a bit on output, but I am not totally certain if I will stick with Medium long term.
It's definitely okay you give yourself a break from one to focus on the other, just to echo the sentiment of other answers, way less chance of burn out.
Write here, copy and paste to Medium. The income from Substack is static; X amount per paid subscriber. Medium income is subject to the whims of the ever-changing algorithms and will drive you insane. Take whatever you can get at Medium but focus on Substack.
This is great, targeted information to help me understand the difference between the two platforms! Thanks for sharing and clarifying.
Thanks for the advice! I was enjoying Medium but once I realized that many publication editors would edit my work without even telling me, I was somewhat turned off. Re-posting is a good idea though. Seems hard to get any traction there without using the publication system
I’ve been on a roll with deleting accounts I no longer use - that included Medium, Quora, and Asana this week :) It’s refreshing to focus on the ones that are working for me and to close off the idea that I “should” be using other platforms just because at one point I gave them a shot.
THIS <3 I've been re-reading "Essentialism" and it has been hitting my head and my heart. Rejecting the pressure to spread myself too thin online is totally in line.
Nice that is a great feeling! And great advice.
I was on Medium before Susbtack. Now I just post teaser posts to by Substack posts whenever I can and see what happens. I am not a fan of their business model. As a reader I want to read what I want, not be limited to 3 or 5 posts per platform. Anyways...
I'm not sure I know of this model you speak of. As I understood it, there is a flat fee for all members that unlocks the paywall for every article, no?
On Medium, I am not aware of a flat fee. Last I checked it was a $5/mo membership minimum for reading posts.
Flat fee per month is what I meant, yes. You mentioned being limited to 3 or 5 posts which is what confused me as the monthly membership unlocks all posts, I believe.
On medium I am limited to what I can read for free unless I pay the membership fee per month. I’m allowed 3 or 5 free premium reads before I have to pay. On substack, all content is free to read unless the publication locks it. There is a significant difference in both models. Medium is charging me, the reader, a platform fee while substack leaves that control to individual publication owners. The latter allows more free content for readers because most substack authors provide more free content than paid.
I take my hat off to you. Hard enough to maintain focus on just one platform!
My words of wisdom are: Just focus on one. It will only become more exhausting the more you do this. 😊
I am starting to think you are right.
Check out Sports Square!
I am on both too but use this one more. Medium has some qualities that substack lacks but then substack is way more user friendly! I think best thing is to stick with one and give it your full attention instead if splitting time between two. Also quality of writing is different!
Check out Sports Square!
That's the same advice people have given me as well. Giving one platform your full attention is also better in terms of growth; otherwise each platform will only grow at half the rate. Maybe keep Medium as a "side hustle" ;)
🧠 I have managed to grow my followers to over 100K by following the strategies in this post. If you are new on Substack and looking for a structured strategy to follow, then all you need is this:
https://open.substack.com/pub/raisini/p/from-zero-to-100000-subscribers-the?r=aegif&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
Impressive, thank you!
Brand new to Substack, so I'll be diving in to this! Thanks for paying it forward and sharing your learnings! <3
So many nuggets! I need to go give some attention to my Substack page design for starters. Thanks!
An enjoyable read, thanks for sharing!
Nutrient Rich content you provided here! Thank you!!
❤️❤️🥃
Thank you for this.
💯🥃
🔥🔥🔥
🔥🔥
Sorry for the dumb question, but how do you join the Office Hours session? And where are the emojis you mention? Thanks, Katie.
Hey, you join it just by being here and commenting, like you did.
People drop in at random times (like me, because I'm in Aus and never get here whilst it's "active"), but the comments remain to scroll through.
re: emojis, I only learnt this recently but on PC at least it's "Windos Key + full stop" to bring up a menu.
It is 1:28 ET... but Substack Office Hours email from today told me the Office Hours happened 2 hrs ago?! Was the email incorrect re: the ET schedule... did it take place at 11 AM ET today... not 1PM ET time??. HELP! YEs there is no clear way to connect...
Hi! I'm in the desktop and I just copy/paste the emojis that are on the pinned comment.
And I think this is it - this thread is office hours - otherwise I am looking in the wrong place ;)
I am subscribed to On Substack (the stack that puts these out) and on (most) Thursday mornings I get an email titled something like 'Weekly Office Hours" which has the link to come here. As far as I know there isn't anything to join outside of doing that; you just show up and engage in the forums. Emojis--good question, I am on a laptop and just copy/paste them because they don't show up when I am typing. Best of luck!
For me is 6 p.m.!
My apologies, should have specified that's morning in Pacific time, thanks!
I am 46 and I am still amazed that I can talk to someone in a different time zone :)
In the North of Portugal there is a small village that is half Portuguese and half Spanish - and they have to specifiy the time zone to schedule dinner :)
Totally! Its truly amazing yet most take it for granted. Would love to visit Portugal one day.
thanks for this question Wayne. i have the same one.
Me too!
same
🟧 Hello, I heard DMs are coming to platform... any idea when they'll rollout to desktop web and mobile app?
Check out Sports Square!
Finally! lol :)
Coming very soon :)
Check out Sports Square!
Holy crap, we're going to sliding into each other's DMs?!?
Reminds me of the Fight Club penguin: “sliiiiiide” ... but, yes, that's what I heard...
Oooh love the reference.
Please enlighten this techno Neanderthal: What are DMs
Check out Sports Square!
Direct Messages. It's the only social media acronym I know :)
Hey, thanks for the response. I don't want to drive you crazy, but your answer sparks another question:
Direct Messages are direct to whom: To the Systrem Operator of a site, to a particular person who posted on a pariticuilar site. Obviously, you need not answer this.
Supposedly between you and the other person so no one else sees message.
youre sending a message directly to a person you want to communicate with personally without everyone else seeing the message. like putting a letter directly in someone's mailbox
to a particular user as opposed to Notes or posts where it is to lots of people...
🧠 I have hit 100 Subscribers!
Thanks in big part to all I learned here in these gatherings. My biggest takeaway from these Office Hours is that you learn things here that you never thought to ask about.
Most of us are not making our living here, so relax, have fun, and let your joy show through in every word of your writing. Do not let it become a chore. When you write with joy and passion, your readers can feel it. That is what makes it work. 😁
Great going! 🕺🏼🎶
Cool! Great start to another Monday😉🎶
Congratulations on big hundred! Sound advice one should follow no matter how far along one is in their growth journey. Thank you!
Congratulations!
Congrats David! A great milestone. Great advice, too.
Congrats on 100 subscribers! I'm new and only have a small fraction of that which makes sense. I'm wondering, did you start offering paid subscriptions prior to hitting that? Or after?
Check out Sports Square!
Spamming the discussion board is not the way to make friends here. Try talking with us instead and have a conversation.
It's really annoying and not motivating me to check it out AT ALL.
Congratulations! I am going on four months and 43 subscribers.
I hope to make a 100 subscribers celebratory post before the first year :)
Thanks!!! Just remember to focus on the joy of your writing, not the numbers. If your heart comes through in your writing, the following will come.
My mouse pointer hovered over the link to your substack and that displayed your subject matter. My mother contracted metastatic breast cancer and died before reaching her 52nd birthday. This was in 1974.
My mother was brilliant. She had two Master's degrees. One in English Literature and the other in Speech Language Pathology. Had she not devoted herself to raising me, she surely would have had a PhD in Literature. Fluent in French, Spanish, Latin and Greek she was an enormous help to her son, me, who was primarily a jock at a very competitive high school.
I think that a SubStack column would have been right up her alley. I hope that the joy I perceive that she would have derived from composing posts is present in you.
Thank you so much for this. I find great joy in writing, it is my happy place! Your mother sounds like a wonderful woman.
✏️ That's amazing! I'm struggling with growing my following right now. Would love any tips you have to share.
There is so much "advice" out there, most of it good. Write regularly. Speak to your readers. My personal advice is to write as personally as your subject matter allows. Have a conversation with your readers. And have some fun with it. Let your joy and passion show through and your readers will feel it and respond. If you are reaching them, they will subscribe, share, and help spread the word.
Check out Sports Square!
Smayan. This thread is not for blatant promotional spamming. Thanks!
If it’s helpful, I do a monthly Substack with all my tips (I call it my Substack diaries 😄)
This one is called “What to do if you’re not growing as fast as others” (it’s my ode to Substack newbies ☺️) https://musingsbymika.substack.com/p/substack-diaries-what-do-you-do-if
And this one is called “How the heck did I jump from 27 to 180 subscribers?!”
https://musingsbymika.substack.com/p/substack-diaries-27-to-180-in-a-month
All the best Elana!!
This is SO helpful, thank you!
Agree about learning things we never thought to ask about! We also get to see what ideas the administrators seem willing to take under consideration and pass on to the tech team. Thanks!
Check out Sports Square!
Congratulations!
Check out Sports Square!
Thanks!
Congrats!
Thanks for the morning dose of positivity!
Just started and we're loving the experience and hopeful to gain a following. Substack is the only platform I've tried in recent history that "just works." And works very well. Allowing us creative type to just do what we do: make stuff.
Look forward to reading your work.
Perfectly put: substack 'just works'. I couldn't believe how easy it all was once you get into the groove of things. I regret not creating one sooner. Thankfully I'm making up for lost time.
Appreciate that! You are right, Substack "just works". It's easy and the interface seems to help me process my thoughts as I'm writing. Remember to keep the joy in your writing as you move forward.
Check out Sports Square!
David, I really like your post. Great perspective. I have been on Substack for a little over a year and I have 86 subs! I shared this with my son and told him that Kareem Abdul Jabbar is my model at 110,000+ subs. His response, "You better work on your sky hook." Yes, some of us don't have a sky hook like the great Kareem, but we have tales to tell and Substack is a great way to tell them. The best to you as you go for 200!
That's great Roger! And thanks. Love the story on your sky hook. Just remember to keep the joy in your writing and let that and your passion become your hook. The numbers will come if readers feel all that in your writing. Best to you as well.
86 is amazing! Congrats.
Congratulations. It’s a great place to meet people too. Many of those people I’m still contact with and would even say are friends.
Just hit 1000 subscribers. Lesson I’ve learned is to play the long game and don’t burn out!
Any tips on not burning out?
Relax. Don't worry about the numbers. Approach each story with joy and passion. Make it personal if you can. And laugh a few times while you're writing.
all good points. If you're not having fun, no one else will want to read it either.
Hi Julia.
My number one tip would be think about a cadence you think you can achieve and scale back one notch from there.
This leaves you within what you re capable of. You’ll have time to refine your posts to push up quality and give you the headspace to build relationships with people on the platform.
So if you think you can do two posts a week, commit to one.
Sound advice! Thank you. More time to edit, after getting a first draft down, really just reminded me how much I like the process of editing and letting a piece simmer between writing and then publishing it.
That's amazing advice. On so many other channels (like Tik Tok and IG), the priority is quantity over quality. When writing and sharing vulnerably, quality seems so much more important.
Your point about other social media platforms prioritizing 'quantity over quality' is correct. I almost fell into that trap my first week on substack where I was just publishing stuff multiple times a day and I didn't have time to check if the quality was up to snuff. No longer doing that and the work, and myself, has time to breathe.
Yesss, congratulations, Martin!
How long did it take you to reach 1000? Just trying to be realistic about what “long game” translates to. Thanks!
Took me about 6 years to reach 1,000. 😀 But now things are picking up!
Hi. I started in august 2022. Reached 100 subscribers after 3 months and then accelerated from there. Current growth is 130 in the last 30 days. 😁
thanks for the encouraging insight!
Congrats on 100! I'm halfway there!
+1 and so am I!
That's awesome! Maybe I can help!
I would love to have you on For My Sake - as a reader and as a creator (I am starting my podcast!)! We can connect further - if you would like to co-create, send me an email on ourtribeheals@gmail.com
I emailed you!
I have never used an emoji or emicon in my life and have no intention of starting. They are soulless.
How do 'Notes' work? That would be useful to know.
I am an IT bimbo. I do not carry a 'smart' phone. I work with a laptop on my desk.
A lot of people here are missing the point. In this case, the Substack mods ask us to use 'emojis' purely as a filing device. It allows them to sort posts at a glance and — most importantly — identify right away which posts they need to answer directly. If you can't be bothered to do something so modest for the sake of being helpful, that's up to you. But... you're not being helpful.
Indeed, avoiding 'emojis' my choice to be bothered with or not. Forgive me if you perceive my being unhelpful, but I loathe them.
If they called them something other than emojis — say, 'symbols' — would you feel differently? Would you object to cutting and pasting a symbol into your post just to help the Substack mods sort through posts, so that they can be more efficient in helping people? My point is that 'emoji' here is somewhat misleading. They're not meant to function in the way that you seem to dislike, as substitutes for words. They're quick visual references to help the mods, nothing more. It seems to be missing the point to refuse to do that on principle when they're just asking you to use a symbol that is called an emoji purely as a technical description because it helps them serve us more efficiently.
You do not get it. You probably wore a face nappy during covid1984.
Do go and listen to some drum & bass & convince yourself it's music.
No, I don't do emojis nor emicons.
I have today successfully used 'Notes' because someone kindly explained using words.
Hi Ned,
I use notes for very brief updates of economic data on my Substack
Example: https://www.brinkeradvisor.com/notes
I understand.
What I don't understand is how, where is it? It's always easy when you know how. Thanks for the relatively sensible response.
Easiest is when you read a post/blog and you comment then tick the box that has also on notes next to it.
Thank you. I will look out for that.
On the Substack iOS app or the homepage “Explore” section there is an Orange circle with a plus sign in it.
I do not use any emojis in my Notes, I think.
You can type in notes from the comfort of your laptop-on-a-desk, it is on the main page.
You can read other's notes, comment, write your own.
Hey Ned,
Notes on Substack are like short-form posts that you can share with your subscribers and the wider Substack community. Here's a quick rundown on how they work:
1. You can write and publish Notes directly from the Home tab on the web or the Substack app.
2. Notes can include posts, links, images, quotes, and comments.
3. They're public and will show up in the Home feed of your subscribers and on your Substack profile.
4. While you can't paywall a Note, you can choose who gets to reply to it – everyone or just your paid subscribers.
Learn more: https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/14564821756308-Getting-started-on-Substack-Notes#01GX4JY9MXEWDDE0X0T6Q75DB0
Katie, can you please explain how to share Notes with the wider Substack community? Or, more specifically, how to send a Note ONLY to other Substack writers? I've been trying to find information on this for quite some time but, perhaps, I'm just missing something. Thank you!!
Notes is essentially the same as Twitter/X. When you post something it is technically viewable by everyone who is also using Notes, but people who are Following you are more likely to see it... 😎
I can't seem to like your comment, is that because you only let paid subscribers participate in your chats?
That's strange. It came up as a Like on my Activity, but it doesn't seem to be showing here. It does that sometimes and things take a while to catch up. The Comments disappeared completely last week and then appeared again the next day! My content is all Free on here, so you don't have to pay to Comment or Chat or anything like that... 😎
Thank you Katie.
I'll look for the 'Notes directly from the Home tab'
At the Home page. I can't see Notes. Oh well....
😂☕🫖🔥😊👍🤓🤩😬😶👀😵🪦
🤣
Hilarious. Emicons attempting sarcasm to an Englishman. Obviously, all a tendency to illiteracy, Ama, c'est la vie.
Best of luck to you, Ned. 👍
I've never held such strong convictions about emoji's in my life....
I think of them as modern extensions of the 26-letter alphabet. Emoji's are no less and no more "soulless" than the letter "L" or the ampersand symbol.
Humans have always communicated via symbology which was what the alphabet essentially is.
My guess is that you're dismayed by the lack of expressive communication in the digitalsphere, and yes, I feel your pain.
Emoji are not exactly like letters but they're essential when communicating online just like our facial expressions and gestures are essential when we communicate face to face. We don't just speak in words and sentences. Communication is a lot more than that :)
Hieroglyphs
Thnx for expanding my thinking about Substacking… I’m a phone typist.. very arduous when I’m thinking a lot!
Every once in a while I forget that tone/nuance don’t exist online, and I step on a rake. I’m not a fan of them either, but find them useful to convey a message/idea the way I intended.
I applaud you for not using emojis or emicons. Those smiley faces invariably make me think of elementary school which I hated, what with all the cutesy florishes, designs and pictorial bs that seemed the province of little girls in pinafores.
Language and words is my bag. Learn to master the Engligh language and leave the cutesy pictorials to toddlers. (Sorry if I seem to be in a bitchy mood)
Notes is like a social network, useful for interacting with and meeting new publishers.
It's a very useful feature on here, yes. And it will probably become even more useful as a place to meet people and discuss things once Office Hours is gone... 😎
I used to think like that about emoticons, and I still use them sparingly, but I wouldn't call them soulless. Sometimes the text itself just isn't enough of an indicator of the emotion behind it. An emoticon can give clarity.
I'll never use them in a piece or anything professional, but in a text or a comment? Yeah, here and there.
Emicons will never replace words in my world. Each to their own. I have hand written a diary for 50 years; most are A4 per day. People are forgetting how to even hand write.
I’m A Southpaw. Do You Still Handwrite?
https://nedpamphilon.substack.com/p/im-a-southpaw-do-you-still-handwrite
Emicons & emojis are simply a no-go. I have a visceral loathing for them.
Emojis are simply a way to express emotions when writing online. When we talk to people in person we have gestures and facial expressions and we underestimate their significance for communication. When we text we don't have those, so that's what emojis are for :)
You may think so.
They are a form of 'robotising' us; removing human emotions. They are utterly soulless. The 'Smiley' image from the 'rave' scene introduced them along with robot boom-boom noise they call music. They remind me of torture and Guantanamo Bay.
Get with the program.
Bye bye Todd.
🟧 -I plan on publishing a science paper here on substack rather than in a normal science journal and I would like the readers to have an opportunity to donate whatever amount they see fit, without having to subscribe. There is a pledge option but, in my opinion, it is essentially a subscription because there isn't an option for a one time pledge. How can I offer a reader an option to make a single donation for whatever amount they choose? (emoji added)
I plan on publishing a science paper here on substack rather than in a normal science journal and I would like the readers to have an opportunity to donate whatever amount they see fit, without having to subscribe. There is a pledge option but, in my opinion, it is essentially a subscription because there isn't an option for a one time pledge. How can I offer a reader an option to make a single donation for whatever amount they choose?
🟧 I read about Substack Originals video content, but I can’t seem to find it. I am a new Substacker getting ready to publish the first episode of an original video series, so I’d love to view what has been posted to Originals.
✏️ how can I get in touch with technical support for Substack account issues?
HI: where is my previous substack, related to pj.marie @ yahoo? ANd HOW come there has been of mixe with another email address??? This mess happened july 4, 2024 at 11 AM!!!
Thank you, I'm just starting with my writings on literature. My question is how to find Spanish-speaking spaces or Spanish content. It's challenging to position myself in Latin America because the focus seems to be on another continent. Or is it not? Any advice on Spanish content?
✏️ How do you promote your substack? I already had a list and share it in my social media. What else do you do to keep it growing?
✏️
i will pay an honest person to help me create something on substack too confusing for me e-mail me and will answer everyone who writes me on this substack eric n kemer e-mail tortoise1234567@yahoo.com
🟧 I got a message that one of my readers donated $80 even though my substack is not monetized. Is there a way to collect this money, and not make my stack "pay to play"? How do I collect the money???
🟧 I originally moved both of my podcasts to my home page, but then learned about Sections and put one of the podcasts into a Section. I have thoroughly confused myself. I want all my subscribers to be notified when I post a new episode of either podcast. And I want to get my podcasts on Apple, etc. of course. I am thinking that using Sections for one of the podcasts was a mistake. How would I get rid of that Section if I go that route?
Also, I am having difficulty finding an RSS feed URL on my home page where both podcasts appear, while there is an easy RSS feed URL on the Butterfly Arose podcast section. Is that a reason to have both appear on separate sections? I. E. will that make life easier for me or not?
If I go with the separate Sections idea does that mean both podcasts can still appear on the home page, or does that confuse things?
🟧 Hi Substack! I keep reading and hearing about how Substack is different from other platforms and their algorithms. Now one thing that doesn't seem to be different trying to start out on here is the frustration of just not being seen. Like at all. I do like the overall look and feel on here and I'm starting to find some nice content - I just don't think I am willing to invest all the energy again in writing and posting into empty space.
And I do see a lot of accounts that seem to have been deserted after trying for a while
Couldn't there be a kind of Blackboard where newbies get a chance to pin a Note or a comment or anything and actually be SEEN? At least for once?
I appreciate the comments here. Seems like substack is a OJT.
I have an account but have never posted my own offer, only commented on others. How do I get started with my own posts?
🟧 I’d love to suggest a “Branch” Duet style feature for authors on Substack who invite readers to participate in prompts, contests, or encourage branching off their writing. Anyone else interested in this? https://open.substack.com/pub/vanmiranda/p/branches-what-could-interactive-writing
🧠 my Substack is my favourite creative outlet, so gaining followers is actually less important to me than the writing process. That being said, I’ve found that joining conversations with likeminded audiences from other Substacks has helped organic follower growth (slowly, but surely)!
I'll be sorry to see these posts go. They've been a wonderful source of information directly from the source. Thanks for all you've done to help us grow our communities.
What do we write about
Don't have clue on how this works
I'm quite new to Substack so apologies if I'm using it incorrectly!
🟧 - What is the best way for connecting with communities who have similar writing interests? I find the search function a bit confusing.
🟧 - What are some Substack "faux pas" that new writers here should be aware of?
✏️ Any visual artists on here? I'm looking for kinship in this new venture!
Oh my gosh, this was yesterday! Lots to learn....
✏️ I've just come to the conclusion that worrying about getting traffic and engagement greatly affects my focus on putting out great content. Should we just believe that sooner or later good content reaches its readers? or should we put some deliberate effort on reaching more people? I'd be glad to hear any suggestions about this.
I'm haunting old office hours here, but yes, I think just do the work at the early stages. I wrote an email to everyone in my regular gmail contacts and shared my newsletter with them and that's how I got my earliest and often most supportive readers (at the last the ones who paid like Aunt Barbara ;) Then I found a few compatable Substackers and commented on their posts, grew into collaborations. Notes gives me zero traction - NO one likes my stuff there; but office hours was always good to find a few more folks to friend. Sigh. But the onus really is on doing the good work and the people will trickle in. I also created this small resource to list yourself elsewhere - https://sleepyhollowink.substack.com/p/newsletter-listings. Hope that helps!
I’m an artist newbie and just posted my second Substack. I will be sure to tune in, because I am loving how supportive and fun it is being here. Thank you.
https://open.substack.com/pub/loiskeller/p/valentines-days-to-remember?r=9ktre&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
I'm here! Learning alot.
🟧 I wrote a 40 Vol. Journal to release. How can I plan to have them proofread, printed as PDFs and distributed to various institutions.
Individuals don’t want that work, though large organizations, nonprofit libraries, are interested in it as a traditional Journal to renew Yearly. What can I do with the project. As a professional author, what is in the best interest of one of the large publishers- think big five.
Thanks for the welcome!
I would like to start writing in substack and have been writing for a while off someone else’s like comments and etc. But I would like to create one of my own. If there is help please send info to jamesu54@gmail.com
🟧 Comment: it would help if you posted notification about Office Hours the day BEFORE it is to happen. I have noticed it so many times and it was for the day before, because you notify me after I've stopped being on the computer for the day.
I haven't managed to visit many of the office hours, but sad to see it go. Hopefully whatever is planned next is even better 😉 interesting to see discussion about slow subscriber growth. I've been posting for two years now and only just passed 100, after a long period on much lower numbers. Preseverance is key I think. Enjoying every moment of it 😃
The rain doesn’ t stop long enough for my shoes to dry .. and today after weeks of mostly rain and medium chill 55-60 - my feet are PEELING…
…even starting w dry socks & different dry shoes doesn’t correct this new reality…
Trench foot .. in 2024 .. Somehow feels in tune w Washington politics..
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✏️ Fellow Writers, if you write or read a substack on meditation, spirituality etc, can you recommend your favourites. I'd love to read what other writers are writing in this space!
Thank you VERY kindly, Mika. you must remember your first days exploring substack. I hope the service team offered assistance then.
I'll keep your references, they are sure to be useful to me in the future.
A HOPE-FILLED PLEA FOR THE ENDORSEMENT OF A CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY
The vast majority of scientists now believe the Earth is within a five-year window which will tilt the planet into an irreversible cataclysmic extinction collapse unless dramatic action is taken NOW. Many believe we are in that slide now and that it may be too late for any effective mitigation.
We, of the Heart Mind Alliance (.com) do not believe it is too late. Everywhere throughout the nation we hear the same opinions expressed by the majority of the voters of this land. We, the People, are the experts on what we want for our health, the air, our water, the soil and energy; for our children and their children unto the Seventh Generation. But we have no direct voice. We only have the power to chose among those who promise to speak on our behalf and who have most often responded, not to the mandates of the People, but those of the profit-driven military industries, national and transnational corporations.
We now have the instrument to document securely every person's vote with private block-chain ledgers for verifying not only that a vote was counted but also counted correctly. The “We the People” block-chain-secured voting system has now been launched and is receiving votes on the First Question, the essential first step to fulfilling our nation's original founding intention of a government of, by and for the People: A declaration of the majority will of the People of the United States for a Constitutional Democracy in which the People become our own representatives. The following will be integral to such a majority opinion:
Once this Declaration of Inter-dependence is documented and established and our public officials swear allegiance to respond to the majority will as the administrators of the public will, the following majority-supported mandates, to list a few (Request the full text of “The Great Mandate,” the MoveOn.org campaign of the Heart Mind Alliance at heartmindalliance@gmail.com), will be voted on and effective solutions mandated of our public servants will be found through open and transparent deliberation and submitted for national vote to reverse the planet's slide towards extinction:
1. All agribusiness will become regenerative, organic and locally-based. Land confiscated by predatory agribusinesses' transgenic and genetically modified pollen infiltration will be regenerated and returned to local control wherever in the world the soil has been killed.
2. Climate change will begin a reversal within two years through subsidized mandated subsoil plowing (Key Line Plow), holistic livestock management (Savory method), agricultural carbon positive “waste” cooking fuel production and many more successfully proven methods to draw down CO2 from the atmosphere.
3. International peace-keeping will be entrusted to international peace-keeping organizations and the more than 750 US military bases worldwide will be gradually shut down to free trillions of dollars and bring thousands of our daughters and sons home to reconstruct our nation's infrastructure, prime our schools, health facilities and to decontaminate our nation's air, soil and waters.
4. Our health care system will become one of universal health care where all will be cared for.
And many more. See the entire Great Mandate at our website www.heartmindalliance.com
Looking forward,
Bob Dunsmore
heartmindalliance@gmail.com
Founder and president of the Heart Mind Alliance (.com) which has created the block-chain secured direct vote website now taking votes on the First Question before the nation: wethepeople.directvotedemocracy.com
Producer of the documentary "Bolivia Beyond Belief" (on You Tube) regarding the Bolivian Democratic Revolution I witnessed while living in Bolivia from 2005 to 2008
Initiated as an Andean Cosmovision Amauta
After working in 20 countries in community development: created a You Tube channel with 132 videos of the most successful appropriate technologies I learned of: "Community-based Appropriate Technologies"
Founder of Colorado's San Luis Valley Solar Energy Association and Alamosa Childrens' School
Founder of the Rio Arriba Bioregional Council and the Espanola Valley Community Council, New Mexico
Author of I Am: A Journey Through Times and Spaces and the book The Great Mandate (available via Kindle)
Grandfather of three
Thanks, Douglas.
✏️ Hi there! I’m new to Substack - about to reach 400 subscribers. I’m currently putting out one newsletter a week on Saturday - wondering if a weekday would be better? I’m also planning on adding a second weekly post, wondering which day would be best. TIA for any tips!
I'm around the same subscriber count and I also tend to do Saturday. In my case, I have to avoid weekday posting since it might like to my dayjob like I'm doing it during my work hours. So weekends it is, and that's fine! Whatever keeps you regular is good.
Hi and welcome! It's best just to go with whatever works for you and your schedule. Some people say midweek is good for posts, as people tend to be busy at the start and the end of the week, but people have more free time at the weekend so you're probably already doing things right. If you're getting good engagement on the opens and the reads then Saturday is probably perfect for you... 😎
Hi Chris! Thank you so much -- I'm getting a fairly good open rate I think, around 55-60%, so I'll stick with Saturday, and consider a weekday for the second post.
They say around 40-50% is about the average for the open rates on here - so you're doing very well! I think a weekday would be great for the second post to space things out a bit, yes. Best of luck with it... 😎
That's great to hear! Thank you! 😊
One more reminder, if I may, before this resource closes down — please open up the telephone number verification procedure to non- U.S. format telephone numbers. Or enable a payment processor other than Stripe. You’ve seen this request repeatedly from me and others, because nothing has been done about it. So you have a dysfunctional payment system that is guaranteed to fail. Is that what everyone wants? No? Then change it!
Hi folks! We're new to Substack so apologies if this question has been answered before. Can paid subscribers use payment methods that aren't a credit card - e.g. PayPal or debit card etc? And if so, how do I change this in our settings? Would love to give folks the option of multiple payment options. Thanks heaps!
Welcome to the site! People have been asking for multiple payment options for a while, but at the moment the main one available is credit card through Stripe. You can also pay directly through a bank in some countries, I believe, via Direct Debit and other methods. There's no PayPal yet. The reader will be presented with the options that are available to them when they choose to buy a paid Subscription, if you have that setting activated and have set a price and so on... 😎
Thanks heaps!
✏️📁- Please someone should tell me about how this Suspack works and how I can earn. Am an Author, I write novels. I don't really know how this Suspack thing works.
Substack is primarily a Newsletter platform, where you can send things out to a list of Subscribers. Those Newsletters will also be posted to your page here on the website for others to read who are perhaps not Subscribers yet, but may like to be in the future. The best thing to do at first is just start writing and getting some work out there. Interact with as many people as you can on here and grow your readership. This is a great platform for Fiction. I've been posting stories here myself for about five months now. Best of luck to you... 😎
I usually go to google and ask the questions and it usually leads me to Substack’s Q&A section.
I’m a visual learner, so Simon K Jones’ video is helpful: https://simonkjones.substack.com/p/what-actually-is-substack
Also Claire Venus’ YouTube series is great: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxH_TD-j6nOUOFxltrwW0-0dJ2lUxg7nJ&si=8LBvT1IIT7zDJ-6F
I'm having a hard time just trying to find out how to get started with a first post. Where is the Substack Q&A section you mention? How can I get in touch with a support person who actually knows something about the app?
I'm looking for an easy access to articles I have published, so I do not end up repeating myself
Everything you post and send out as a Newsletter is available on your page on the Substack website. It should all be there for you to browse through. You can type the address of your publication in directly or access it through your Profile... 😎
🟧 I am a 70+ year old writer of poetry who has just published a new book and would love to increase my readership. I love reading articles on Substack. How do I go about creating my own Substack site with a poem a week?
Welcome! You already have a Substack attached to your Profile that has been created for you when you joined, so you can use that. All you need to do is go into 'Dashboard' at the top of your Profile and start creating things. If you go into the 'Settings' first you can pick a new name for your Substack publication, if you'd like to, and write a little bit about what you're going to be doing on here. Then you can go to 'Create New Post' and start writing. There are lots of support pages and articles on here to walk you through it more fully, but those are the basic steps. Have fun with it and good luck... 😎
Thanks
Tried all that. It would be nice if SS had an online 'users manual' well-organized in order of how writers might actually interact with the app. For example: 'Getting Started' as a first section--answering questions like how does one transfer an essay written on MS Word to the SS app. And then, where does it go in the app?
Yes, that can be tricky to copy things over - I've had issues with that myself. It's something to do with the formatting on here, it doesn't like the formatting on Word and won't maintain it. I've found the best thing to do when that happens, is copy and paste it to Notepad first, because the format on that is much simpler, and then to Substack and that works fine. Alternatively, you can just type it into Substack as a Draft, and bypass Word entirely. Good luck with it... 😎
I could try something I suppose.
I have published maybe 10 LTE of a political nature a few years ago!
This is such a beginner question but I AM a beginner! I have a draft on my substack and I'm ready to publish it. Google says click on the Publish button but that doesn't appear on my draft page.
I'd so appreciate some help from yor fellow writers. Appeals to the Substack team have gone unanswered.
My comments above exactly. I have had very bad experience with SS Support.
Yes, it's just a case of pressing the 'Continue' button at the top where you're creating the Draft and then clicking the 'Send To Everyone Now' at the bottom of the next page. That will send it to your Subscribers and also post it to your publication page on the website. You can also send a Preview to yourself first if you want to check everything is displaying correctly, and you do that by clicking 'Preview' at the top of where you're creating the Draft and then 'Send Test Email'. Good luck with it all... 😎
Bless you, Chris, for taking the time to reply. Thanks for the tip about doing the Preview first.
I'm most grateful!
You're very welcome. Have fun with it and best of luck to you with your publication... 😎
On your desk top, take a look at the top right and it should say “continue”
That should bring a bunch of options and then scroll to the bottom and it should say send to everyone or publish or something like that.
Here are some resources that might be helpful: :
I’m a visual learner, so Simon K Jones’ video is helpful: https://simonkjones.substack.com/p/what-actually-is-substack
Also Claire Venus’ YouTube series is great: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxH_TD-j6nOUOFxltrwW0-0dJ2lUxg7nJ&si=8LBvT1IIT7zDJ-6F
Very gracious! Thanks.
✏️ A paid subscriber asked if there is a way to turn off the automatic renewal and just send an email with renewal notice. Is it possible?
At 84 I don’t have a continuous subject to write about
Everyone has a story to tell and experiences to share that are of value. You may surprise yourself. The best thing to do is start writing and getting your words out there and see where the journey takes you. Have fun with it... 😎
Your life experiences are a continuous subject.
Absolutely. And telling that story and sharing those experiences could be incredibly valuable and meaningful to others. It could be exactly what someone has been longing to read... 😎
I agree!
I have no idea how substack works. Is there a primer available?
YES, YES. WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, AS A FIRST TIMER, WE NEED THIS BADLY!!
It can be tricky to get to grips with everything at first, but there's lots of Help available and lots of Tutorials in the Support section. It is primarily a Newsletter platform, where you create posts to send out to your Subscribers via Email. These posts also appear on your publication page here on the website for others to see. The most important thing is to get writing and see where the journey takes you. Good luck with it... 😎
Chris, thanks for advice, but we can't 'get writing' unless we know how to interact with the app!!
You really need to use the Substack website, ideally on a PC or Laptop, if you want to write on here - that's where you're going to find all the tools to help you. The app is more for reading and browsing other publications and commenting and things. You could also access the Substack website via the phone browser to write if you don't have access to a PC or Laptop. The website is where Substack is really going to come alive for you and where you can get the most out of it as a writer. Good luck... 😎
I’m a visual learner, so Simon K Jones’ video is helpful: https://simonkjones.substack.com/p/what-actually-is-substack
Also Claire Venus’ YouTube series is great: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxH_TD-j6nOUOFxltrwW0-0dJ2lUxg7nJ&si=8LBvT1IIT7zDJ-6F
✏️ I'm not certain if that question is possible., but could someone review my Substack and share their impressions from an initial glance? Also, if someone could provide a few quick tips, that would be great. I've come across an insightful piece titled "From Zero to 100,000," which I'm currently exploring.
I'm not certain if I can ask this, but could someone review my Substack and share your impressions from an initial glance? Also, if someone could provide a few quick tips, that would be great. I've come across an insightful piece titled "From Zero to 100,000," which I'm currently exploring :)