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My scientific work and longer essays will always be open to everybody. Subscribing to this blog isnβt like subscribing to TheNew York Times, where you pay a big, faceless corporation to lower the annoying paywall that surrounds their content. This is patronage; it's voting with your dollars for the kind of world you want to live in.Β
Writers find success structuring paid subscriptions in a variety of ways, from offering everything for free, to paywalling specific posts. In Adamβs case, heβs running a donation-based model with readers opting to pay in support of his research.
One tip for new writers that I didn't figure out at first is that you don't need to share the link to your newsletter when you comment here. Anyone can click on your picture to read it and the title of it automatically shows up next to your picture.
Also, Substack, the Blog On Steroids, is great about letting you know when writers who liked and commented on your post, so you can thank them and perhaps discuss their response when they comment.
Thank you! I am a big believer in the philosophy of win - win. In the long run, win - lose turns into lose-lose for social creatures like humans, who depend on the group for support and the free flow of ideas that are crucial for a democracy to function efficiently.
True...and yet making it obvious has helped me gain subs. Itβs a delicate game. You donβt want to sound too pushy or self-promote-y...but you do want to stand out.
Hi Vanessa - I just subscribed. Congrats on starting your newsletter! I publish 50 Things which is about trying something new every week so we may have a little bit of overlap:)
Hi Linda, thanks!! I just had a look and it seems as if you've been having some FUN! I just subscribed and look forward to getting and sharing ideas! :-)
It gets more exciting the more you do it. The team at Substack and the writers here are fully engaged and you will learn a lot - and have fun doing it.
That's great! You will love it here. Be sure to take advantage of all the resources Substack offers. But mostly, reach out to the other writers here and talk with them, comment on their posts, and just have a lot of fun!
It's going well. I do have several subscribers. My topic can be a bit heavy about psychology and healing so it's more about connecting with people who really resonate with personal growth and moving through challenging topics. I found having a schedule for posting helpful. I post my essay on Tues/Wed and then the audio/podcast version on Fridays. There's been considerable interest in the audio versions, which gives new life to the pieces. I look forward to seeing what you come up with. Good luck to you!
Oh that's a fresh idea. Is there a reason you don't post the written and the audio at the same time? I wouldn't have thought to do that. I like how you think!
I did put the audio into the essay when I started using this feature, a few weeks in I think. And then I got a new subscriber and he messaged me asking why he hadn't received the latest audio (since the 1x/wk posting had already happened so he missed the essay with the audio) and I thought I'd just split the week up, with essay on Tues and audio on Friday - then people can choose if they prefer the written or audio. And then new subscribers get something soon after signing up - build on that momentum. You can do both since it doesn't take long. I've found that trying new things at the beginning to see what works and the response I get from subscribers helps me tweak things. Don't be afraid to experiment until you find what works for you :)
I went down a rabbit hole with your work and subscribed! Love your art and writing! And you helped me discover another Substacker! Excited to see where you go with this :)
I am! Excited to get started on something I have been thinking about for a long time. My biggest question/concern is building an audience without a significant social media presence. Most of the Substacks I've seen be very successful have come from established authors or those with a large online following already. I have not been active on social media for years, and have only started playing with Mastodon to see if it will work for me in the last couple of months. Additionally, most of the subreddits in my niche do not allow self-promotion.
As a result, most of the common advice of "share it on you social media channels" doesn't make much of an impact for me. Are there any other platforms which could provide a good boost?
I have seen Mike Sowden, S. E. Reid and Holly Rabelais grow their subscribers list by engaging with and supporting folks on Writer Hours. I have had offers to collaborate from foks that I have engaged with via this service. Recent health issues have interfered with my writing time, but I now have a pacemaker that should prevent further stroke/heart attack issues and allow me to pursue these offers.
One might wonder if engaging with other writers will lead to recognition from a wider audience, but think of those subscribers as "ripples" that will open doors from *their* subsriber lists and you never know when your Substack post will land in the inbox of an "influencer," who can turn that ripple into a viral wave and introduce your writer to a much wider audience.
I write because I enjoy writing, but it feels good to offer and receive support in these often lonely early days of scant feedback from the outer world. We all have *something to say* and long to be heard.
I don't have data to back this up but while I believe that many successful Substack come from writers with large social media following, I still think there's a lot that don't. And it'd be disappointing otherwise because the Substack model is contrary to the social media/influencer game - I think lots of great writing surfaces on its own here, and while getting big bursts of subscribers at once may be difficult, a healthy growth is guaranteed if you put care into your product, because it'll reach those people who are interested :)
Remember that the internet is a global venue. The "long tail" of the Bell Curve might only represent a tiny percentage of all people/interests, but there can be a million potential readers in that small percentage and they have a tendency to form communities of their own.
I will say this with someone with a "moderate" social following (2500 on Twitter, 500ish on Instagram, 1000ish on LinkedIn, most of my subscriptions come from Substack.
I DO share them on those social platforms. I do the 'ole "click the link in bio" thing, and in the past 3 months got about 119 clicks to my Substack, and 20 sign ups (this a mix of direct from Twitter, IG, LinkedIn, and LinkTree)
Compared to Substack: 277 clicks, and 51 sign ups.
Make friends with other Substack folks in your niche (gotta be a ton of people writing about film and television). Subscribe to their newsletters. Leave thoughtful comments. Don't be CREEPY about it, of course. But if other people are writing about the same things, it'd make sense you could be friends.
Seconded. The Substack network is its own beast, and it can help you just as much as, if not more than, traditional social media. The folks who arrive with 20k twitter followers definitely have an initial leg up, no question, but the rest of us are finding great readers and friendships just by engaging inside the stackosphere. Read as many people as you can, comment whenever you have something to say, and look for any opportunity to help other writers. It all pays off.
Never had any luck from LinkedIn. I've only received 2 visits to my Substack. Maybe other people have had better success. If so , it's probably because they have a specific niche.
I'm not on social media either. Subscribe to newsletters you like. Comment and like them. Comment on Office Hours. And you'll get subscribers. That's how I do it.
Welcome! Be sure to update your About page. Gives folks (like me) who are just stopping by to get an idea of who you are and what you're about! And it's at least something "actionable" that you can sit down and bang out! haha
Seth is right, the About page is a potential subscriber's first ticket to us and needs to be attractive enough to a reader for them to subscribe. I've often been attracted to a publication, only to read their About description and become completely turned off by it because it portrayed the writer in a very negative light.
I don't think I have explored it fully, bits and pieces here and there. Aside from having a container for my essays, I haven't really done anything else with Substack. My next goal is to reach a larger audience and increase my subscriber base. I'm getting a little tired of social media, so I'm looking for new formats. I love some ideas that I've seen on this thread today.
For me it is the peace and quiet on this platform, it feels like home compared to the socials which i feel is just a bunch of noise. Like you, i'm tired of them too. The other thing is the freedom to express myself. Also, the writing community here is incredible. You've probably got a little taste of what that's like today, although today was pretty quiet in comparison to previous chats.
my name is Laura. I've restarted my newsletter as "Seven stories for Seven days" where I sum up some of the bigger news stories in Canada: https://laurasteiner.substack.com/
I publish a new roundup very Sunday. First week is now available.
Well done writing in French. I'm in Ontario, and took French classes all the way through school and have sadly lost most of it. I can still read it though.
Hi all! I'm not exactly new... I published my entry edition about six months ago - and then promptly had some major changes blow up my life (new job, new city). I now have the time again to write consistently, so I'm a born-again-Substacker, I think. π€
Hello Katie and many with fingers on keyboards. I am a Substack subscriber and reader of many colleagues who transitioned to Substack in 2022. The invitation for office hours seems fit for the curious, so here I am. I plan to give Substack a try for 2023 as writer, editor, and convener of conversations among gifted professionals and communicators. So, I'm a Substack sponge, currently, seeking wisdom from professionals who stepped into this, ahead of me.
Hi! This is my first office hours. Iβm not super new, I opened my Substack back in August. I asked this below but I think itβs a bit buried and would love to know your thoughts. My two biggest hurdles right now are 1. Feeling like I havenβt found my βbrand/voice/topicβ and 2. Frequency/consistency. I wouldnβt say my goal is to build a huge following or anything, but Iβm just trying to figure out what my little corner of this space should look like. Any guidance or resources to help with those things are greatly appreciated.
1. If you want to play around with visual brand, this is a great resource: https://on.substack.com/p/grow-3. For more on brand/voice/topic and writing, we recommend turning to other writers for inspiration. Of other Substack writers you read, what do you like about their work? Of that what could you adapt for your own work?
My brilliant colleague, Farrah, writers a Substack. https://farrah.substack.com/ She is the ex-editor of ELLE and Cosmopolitan and has lots of great advice on writing and finding you editorial rhythm and voice.
2. Our data team recommends aiming for one post a week as a benchmark. The format doesnβt matter as much as consistency does. Your weekly post doesnβt have to be a lengthy essay, it could be a short post, an audio note, or discussion thread. Some ideas on format here: https://on.substack.com/p/types-of-posts-on-substack
The great thing about Substack's hybrid blog-newsletter format is that you can publish a piece to your space without sending it via email and app.
For those who have a bunch of nearly-there drafts or is-this-good-enough-type pieces, I'd say just hit publish! You can experiment, take risks, find your voice, and maybe even surprise yourself. (And then circle back later to send some of those previously-published pieces out to readers.)
Thank you! A weekly doodle and short essay was my initial goal. I havenβt had as much time for drawing lately but I want to get back to incorporating weekly doodles again. π₯°
Wendy, yes the "brand/voice/topic" is often the hard part unless you are already writing elsewhere and are porting over. How do you differentiate yourself from all the other wonderful writers here on Substack? What topic can you keep growing for years?
The best advice I can give is to write! If you don't have that perfect target yet, start out with writing something you know - kind of a general focus. As you write, you'll start to find your voice and what you really enjoy writing. I changed or refocused my niche as I wrote more and more to my current "The Art of Unintended Consequences". It gives me focus, but allows me to attack a broad range of topics. Even so, I am now starting to find my voice trending differently as I write more and may tweak it a bit more.
Be careful though that you don't alienate or turn off your existing subscribers. Good luck and have fun!
Thank you this is so helpful! I typically take something from my (chaotic and atypical) daily life and relate it to something more universal. But for some reason my confidence has been really shot lately... like who the heck am I to assume I know anything? Maybe I just need to push through and worry less, but thatβs easier said than done.
For me anyway, I love my drafts. I start writing something when I know I'm not ready, but just get down and dirty and hit the high levels, thoughts, ideas, guesses, whatever crosses my mind. THEN I leave it be for a while. I know my subconscious is thinking about it and molding it because one day, suddenly, I'll have an urge to complete that article and it will just flow out with ease.
Short answer. Put something down and let your mind think about it. It might take a day, 10 days, 2 months, whatever. But it will come to you.
Absolutely! Our "brain" never quits "working," even when we sleep. Those rough drafts created by our "mind," let our "brain" know, "This is important! Look through our vast collection of experiences and find some new connctions!"
You opened your Substack in August and feel like you haven't found your brand / voice / topic - welcome to the club!
I've been writing online since 2001 in the music world and STILL feel like I'm all over the place, so just wing it. Esp now, when you have the least amount of subscribers that will see you "mess up" or whatever. Make your "mistakes" now, find your voice during these quiet times - it's a tactical advantage! haha
You're right. I think it's just cold feet... I told a few people "Hey, I'm writing some stuff" in November/December and now knowing that someone is actually reading it has totally screwed with my brain. I need to care less. I also struggle because my "day job" writing is picture books and early chapter books. (Well... I'm querying so it's my unpaid day job). Substack is my adult writing space, and I kind of want them to overlap, but not... I'm definitely overthinking it. I need to just write and the right people will find it.
Write about the things that you know and understand. Things that only YOU know, with your unique perspective. It's why you have people to tell that you're writing anything - because they know you like you! Lean into that.
I would always rant about email marketing and rail against social media on Twitter, and eventually just said "hey, I'm doing it here on my substack now." Not a HUGE influx of subscribers from that, but I just kept at it.
Hi Wendy! I agree with everyone about giving yourself time. I also write picture books, but my substack is for grownups -- I wrote a newsletter (on Mailchimp) for a few years before I started to get any kind of "brand." Ultimately though, my brand is "me." I write about whatever I'm curious about, or what I'm struggling with, or a creative process breakthrough, and somehow it resonates. This is all to say: keep going! Keep writing! Keep posting! Write what YOU'D be interested to read about.
I am right there with you, Wendy. I started my Substack because I felt like I was getting pigeonholed at work writing about the same topics again and again. But we're all multidimensional, and I wanted to write about a wide variety of things. And boy have I! ;)
I really, really respect those who find a niche topic and can hammer on it every week, but that's just not me. So my goals are to 1.) keep in practice through consistent writing, 2.) explore topics that interest me, and 3.) celebrate a bit whenever my thoughts find kinship with some of my readers :)
Cool name for your 'stack. If you can post weekly, I think that's best. I post weekly. If you get too many posts in a week, that can be a turn-off, especially if your reader is subscribed to a ton of newsletters.
Hi Katie, thanks for these ongoing office hours. I have a few hundred free subscribers, and I'm starting to get some paid subscribers as well. I want to comp some percentage of readers so that more people are seeing the first exclusive posts I write. Last night I manually comped 10% of my free subscribers for 30 days, by clicking Load More until all free subscribers were visible, and then clicking every tenth subscriber and comping them.
Is there a way to automate this kind of promotion? This gets at a nice cross-section of subscribers who've found my work at different times, and is much different than just comping the most recent 10% of subscribers.
That's great to hear (and very validating)! Thanks for the quick response.
Editing to add it would be helpful to have the recipients put into a group, because it's good to keep track of how many promotional emails any one person has received. I sent an email explaining why they were suddenly comped. If I comp another group next week, I have no way to email just that group, unless I carefully create these groups myself.
Iβm writing a book on climate change to be published in the UK and US in 2024. I would like to use substack to deal with issues in the book and to create some buzz. I have about 10,000 links on linked in and do not do much other social media. How can I best approach using substack?
Hi Michael, congrats on the book! It would definitely be worth sharing on your LinkedIn. From there, I would tell everyone-your friends, coworkers, and acquaintances that youβve started a Substack. Itβs okay to email them from your personal email to let them know. Be sure to include a link for them to subscribe if they choose. Bring it up in conversation, over lunch, and whenever you meet someone new.
Hi Katie, thanks for being here and hosting every week. I was wondering if it's possible to turn off chat notifications for specific chats? Is there a mute button we can utilize?
I also noticed my site is crashing every time I try to add the button "subscribe with caption." Not sure if it's just on my end or happening to anyone else?
I'd also love to be able to add a video like an image, within the body of the letter instead of at the top. These are just picky things that I hope will help improve everyone's experience! Thank you!
You can embed a video anywhere within a post from YouTube or Vimeo, but it sounds like you might want to post a native video? Our team's been working on that.
Hi Mariah and Diane, you can turn on or off notifications for a specific chat thread by long-pressing it. A menu will pop up to turn off notifications just for that thread.
Not new here, but also not consistent in my writing. Iβve always been curious about when to go paid. Should you build a free subscription base first? Is there a right time or a time thatβs too early?οΏΌ
Tonya is right, I wouldn't say that there is a such thing as "too early."
We think writers should turn on paid subscriptions when they start a publicationβeven if you are only publishing free content. Many people will be eager to support you already. In fact, that is a great strategy. Start with all your posts free and see who decides to pay. Understand why they show their support.
Then, when you feel ready to invest more energy in your Substack, you might make a big push for paid subscriptions and annonce putting parts of your Substack behind the paywall.
Thanks for the information on Pledges. I've been toggling back and forth between turning on paid and haven't done so yet, but Pledges seems like a good solution.
Curious: I've debated whether to donate a portion of anything I make to a charity whose cause(s) I support. Is setting up this type of mechanism something Substack would consider?
Thanks, Katie. Oh! I was under the impression we should turn on paid subscriptions only after writing for several months or longer... only then inviting free subscribers to pay ( I watched the "Heated" video). So to confirm...Substack suggests offering paid option from the beginning?
I went paid right away and totally didn't expect anyone to jump on the paid bandwagon. I've been utterly surprised by the response! I only have 33 subscribers so far but I have four Founding Member subscriptions and four other paid subscriptions. Not bad, if you ask me! I'd just offer it as an option and see what happens!
Thank you! It's held be accountable- knowing my friends and family believe in me and my writing. I write at least two newsletters a week consistently- one on Wednesday for Founding Members and a free one every Sunday. Then I do bonus letters for the other paid subscribers.
I sent out an email to about 50 friends or so introducing my newsletter and asking them to sign up (for free). I had about 17 sign up initially! I didn't have a subscriber list from anywhere else, so it's literally just been adding a subscriber one at a time.
I will say knowing the majority of people I'm writing to has been such a delight! I feel like launching to my friends first cultivated a really generous and close-knit circle of readers that's boosted my confidence and made me want to bring my best writing to the table.
I'm slowly getting strangers to sign up which is also a treat!
That is exactly how I started. You will have great luck by participating in these sessions. It seems like I am now at a point where I get a new subscriber from somewhere almost every day. Congratulations!!!!
I just started in December and basically did exactly what you did - emailing a close circle of friends and ending up with most of my subscribers from that list. What types of things are you doing to get the strangers? I am also new to twitter @RaisingThemWell, and using that platform. Thanks! :)
What a great way to start! I'm posting pretty regularly on my social media channels- LinkedIn, Twitter, a lot on Instagram. I've had a few trickle in from those platforms and also Substack.
My main goal is to make genuine connections and be genuine in how I engage- no matter what platform. So I try to encourage, leave comments, and respond when it feels right. Be the reader I hope others will be for me!
I began my newsletter nearly two years ago. I said from the start that it would be a weekly publication, and I haven't missed a week yet. I went paid after only four weeks. As of this morning, I have 648 paid subscribers.
The key for me is unique content. My weekly newsletter is basically an online newspaper about the Dallas suburb that my family has called home for the past 10 years. I compete with a weekly printed newspaper that's part of a regional chain, but the reporter currently assigned to cover Coppell is simultaneously covering at least three other cities. I focus only on Coppell, so I have the time to dig deeper than my competition.
My goal is 3,000 paid subscribers because that's how many people voted the last time one of our city council elections went to a runoff. I figure if you care enough to vote in a city council runoff election, then you'll probably care about the content of my newsletter.
That's brilliant Dan. Congrats. And thanks for sharing. I think I do post unique content. I'm in the personal development/spiritual field, which can often feel a bit heavy. I make it light and fun and draw cartoons to go with it, which makes it way more playful. So hopefully that is unique enough! Thanks again and all the vest with the 3000!
I don't think there's such a thing as "too early" unless you aren't willing to maintain a consistent posting schedule yet. I've offered paid subscriptions from the beginning, with success, and I think it's important that the subscribers know they'll be getting a consistent stream of new work to justify their support. If I were treating it more as a hobby, and didn't want to commit to the schedule, then I might not offer the paid subscriptions.
This is helpful, Tonya. I have ambitions of becoming consistent within the next 6 weeks or so, but I haven't gotten there yet. Once I do, I'm considering adding a paid option for people who want to support the work but not putting anything behind a paywall. How do you structure yours?
I think that's a great way to do it. I have experimented with putting a few things behind a paywall--so far just one thing at a time--but I've had more success at turning free subscribers into paid subscribers by just publishing high-quality stuff. The paywall has a small effect, in my experience, but not as good an effect as just publishing good work.
good advice, Tonya. I've just gone paid and have just started with a few things, as i'm still navigating the direction of my newsletter. The game is on now, so consistency is key, you're right.
It sounds like you may want to experiment with new tactics on creating titles and subtitles for your pieces, so that people are more motivated to open them. We talked about this in Substack Grow last summer, and I've noticed a benefit to (1) being clear, not obscure, with the title and (2) leading from an "I" perspective in the subtitle, so that it feels like a specific person is talking. Just my two cents.
Thanks Tonya, good suggestions. I just started changing my subtiles. The I perspective is an interesting take. My subscribers are busy people I guess. I wish they would send a comment once in while. The comment I did get was fantastic it brought me tears and I was walking on a cloud for a week. In that comment they said at the beginning "I finally got a chance to open your email" I guess I've hooked into the busy busy crowd π
I just posted a question about subject lines. Thanks for sharing your learning. Can I also ask how you got into Substack Grow? I've seen a few writers mention it, but I don't know anything about it. Was it available for everyone?
I don't know whether it happens once or twice a year, but I participated last summer. It was a six-week series of Zoom calls with a bunch of other Substackers who were relatively new to the game, but who were growing quickly. I think you either needed 1000 subscribers or else $1000 in yearly paid subscriptions, and there was an application process. It was really helpful, though, so if you get an invite for the next one, definitely do it!
And receiving comments and emails is the most gratifying thing of all.
Some things are not easy.
Like consistency.
Or growing subscribers.
But showing gratitude (and sharing it) is helping me to get passed the biggest hurdles.
So, thanks everyone for being here.
Connecting with fellow authors and sharing the good and the bad is one of the things that is keeping me going.
Grazie, grazie, grazie πππ
P.s.: I have recently written a short piece on a gratitude practice called βBeauty in everythingβ. Hopefully might help you too to move forward! π«
Good to hear! I wrote an entry edition and then had some major life changes happen immediately after (new city, new job). That was six months ago, so it's motivating to see comments about getting back at it now that I finally have the time!
Honestly, it's just been a matter of not having the time from moving to a new city, starting a new position, and just generally getting settled. I've now finally been able to carve out the time, so it's back to it!
Just out of interest, Matt, how do you define 'authentic' in that context? Do you mean committed to the discipline of writing? I find what's encouraging is that so many writers on substack are so damn good. The quality is awe-inspiring
Completely agree. I'm so tired of social media and the addiction algorithms. That's not what writing, or life, is about. I have one working foot in technology here in Silicon Valley and sometimes it's one foot too many. But there are ways to use technology for good, like this community.
I hear you, Birgitte. I quit social media in October and am loath to ever go back. I've wondered if a stint on Twitter might help me grow my audience as a writer, but all of it is such a cesspool...
Oh god don't get me started about Twitter. Snapchat made me literally nauseous a few years ago when I tried it. As in physically. TikTok I can't stomach either. And I work in technology! There's just something human missing from these algorithms. Umm let's see... real connection?
I agree. I also see a lot of exploration in people's pieces: memories, thoughts, expeditions. It's encouraging me to stop being so much of a perfectionist and put out some less-polished ideas. (I haven't done this yet, but I'm planning on it!)
Yes. I struggle a lot with that. Writing the core of an article typically takes me 20 min. And to polish 3-5 times that. Is it really needed? Not sure about it.
Now I am doing like this: if the article is not good at the first try and I find myself adjusting it, I trash it and start from zero again.
But I must admit that it takes a lot of courage, which often I do not have!
Definitely, thatβs how it has been for me since I joined Substack. The vibes here are very unique and itβs so easy to connect with amazing writers.
Mine too, Medha. I wrote an article for Mary Tabor -- another newsletter you should check out btw -- about my writing process. I think I should write one about my reading process too! https://marytabor.substack.com/p/terry-freedman-guest-essay
I've been wanting to connect more personally with writers here, and haven't really done so yet. You just made me realise that there is a hidden advantage in that! haha.
It's like books at home. Do you read them all at once? I don't, but every so often I encounter one and it's a lovely surprise. I find the same with substacks. Variety is the spice of life and all that!
I am subscribed to yours already, I just discovered. I'm looking forward to reading your article about ChatGPT. I've been experimenting with it myself. I got it to write an advert for my newsletter, which is pretty hilarious (the ad I mean): https://terryfreedman.substack.com/p/an-advertisement-for-my-newsletter
Medha how do you find the time to read them all?? There are so many I would also love to read but given my schedule (I run a business, have a child, do pro bono public policy, plus am working on a novel)
I don't read every single post from every publication. But the time I used to spend on social media, I now spend on Substack. I start my mornings with coffee, puppy cuddles and Substack.
I agree. I get fed up with the articles on Medium that have titles like "How I made $30,000 from one article. The most I ever made was $2.38, and it was a cracking article, so I don't believe them!
Itβs one thing for writers who are a few sugars shy of a sweet tea, shall we say. But it really chaps my bahinney when extremely talented writers start taking shortcuts -- employing logical fallacies, connecting dots that arenβt there, linking to things that say the exact opposite, and sometimes even outright lying. Thatβs what the mainstream media is for.
I have feature articles in my newsletter on concepts of 'Beauty Imagined' and it was one of my original article Titles on different sites. Themes on 'Beauty Imagined' have the most attention
Yes Livio, just go to De's Newsletter and click on the top Section label Buck's Corner and scroll down to Bucky's Corner Vacation Images. Beauty Imagined' verse and excerise is there. Enjoy and share Happy New Year π
Hi Megan! Thank you so much for your kind words and subscribing! You just got a new one, too. :) Love how you are appealing to the traveler AND the arm traveler (I watched a lot of Rick Steves during quarantine). Can't wait to read your work...And how awesome that you are a fellow former educator. Thanks again, Megan!
Woohoo! That is a really great feeling. You'll notice little ebbs sometimes in the new subscriber count (I had a noticeable "dry" spell for a couple weeks, about a month ago) but then it bounces back (with a flood of relief.) Just keep doing your thing! It's clearly working.
Thanks for sharing James! Iβm on a similar track to get the 100 count and moving gradually up now. It seems things really start to roll once youβre establishing those contacts and keeping people on!
Most of my subscribers are coming from Substack. Office Hours is a major initial source. Comment here and people will come. I also have a 11,000 person following on LinkedIn due to my consulting identity. I do cross-over topical posts and invite subscriptions from the LinkedIn folks 1-2 times a month. I don't Twitter, because I couldn't find a way to build an organic following with my topics.
Some time ago I have written this article on my lessons, successes and failures on using Linkedin to promote Substack. But honestly I am not that happy with the results...
I question the #'s too. My article themes show up in news frequently even the very words and phrases I wrote. Lack of interaction and comments in the newsletter and chats is a head scratch. Wonder if all the tech gliches are a factor
Ahhh! The inline footnotes thing is magnificent. What a grand thing. I'm now worried about what it's going to do to my writing*. Thank you for continually rolling out Great New Feature after Great New Feature. It's so appreciated.
I LOVE the footnotes. The only complaint I have is they way they format in the email. It looks sloppy because the footnote text is not on the same line as the number. I would love to see them fix that. Minor nit to a great addition.
I agree. I love putting footnotes in, but because they've been at the end and therefore rather inaccessible, I've avoided them as much as possible. It's been a good discipline. Now I can go wild with them. Is that a good idea? That remains to be seen.
Ooo, are we talking footnotes? Is it getting hot in here? I love using footnotes. Since my writing includes professional insights from psychology to explain personal stories and experiences, sometimes my pieces can incorporate up to 10 footnotes. And I started doing this thing in my audio versions/podcast where I speak to the content in them that is unscripted and train of thought. Not every time. But that one essay with all those riffed footnotes got hundreds of listens. It can be fun! If you're curious, it's this one:
I always like to footnote as my writing always involves some research, and I want to give credit to my sources. Sometimes if I have a special connection or appreciation for a source or their program, I will provide some extra commentary or a shout-out for them in the footnote. Or I like to expand on ideas Iβm developing in my main article, but I feel that putting it in the body of the article would make it too long or detailed for my reader, but I have the extra in the footnotes for those that like more detail.
Is it possible to introduce a cooling off period for people who are unsubscribe - say turn off emails for a week, two weeks, a month, etc, instead of just turning them off? I know from personal experience, and some feedback, that sometimes people have too much going on, and want a bit of inbox quietude. This way, they won't be lost for good.
If a paid or gift subscriber cancels, I send them a personal note asking how I might improve, what interests were not fulfilled. If a free subscriber whose identity can't be discerned, I just let them go. Many people, unfortunately, sign up with no real idea of what they are getting. For every free subscriber that leaves, there are many other to take their place. This is especially true of people who subscribe from within Substack, and whose information indicates they "read" 75 or 175 or 500 other Substacks. These are not keepers.
Ideally, Substack should have a facility to ask that question automatically as people are unsubscribing. I think emailing someone after they have, in effect, said they no longer wish to hear from you is a bit dodgy. I used to do that myself, in a different platform, until someone pointed this out.
Yes, lots of truth to this observation. It's when people have been paid for some time... leaves me wondering. Those who pay and disappear within a few months...quite right.
I had a significant # of unopened emails in subscriber stats, so I decided to make some inquiries through direct emails. I got a rather brash response for adding one email to many for this subscriber. He didn't unsubscribe though π No response from all other emails I sent. Everyone is busy and times are hard so pushing paid subscriptions seems not an option for now ....right??
By way of encouraging--I've had a number of new paid subs over the past couple weeks... as if the New Year is connecting in a positive way! It's so challenging to read these things!
What I'm also experiencing though, is too many letting subs lapse. I feel as if they think I'm "okay" now financially, and they can pull support--which is not true. But hard to say without sounding whiny and begging :)
Eventually the higher number of people coming onboard will work out...
I like this idea, I'll bring it up to the team. Readers unsubscribing from paid plans have the option to "pause" for 1, 3, or 6 months, but the idea of doing it for free readers is a promising one, I think!
I like that. I am still all free readers. I don't have many unsubscribes, but I think it would help hold those who have an urge to unsubscribe. I know many people (myself included) who have days where I will unsubscribe from ANYTHING that crosses my path just because I'm feeling overwhelmed and want to purge.
Thatβs something I have thought about too. Itβs probably going to be good for people to be able to turn off emails without unsubscribing completely.
On the same note, I'm not sure how many people realise they can switch off their emails and just follow in the Substack reader. However, not everyone is using the reader anyway.
PS, I also want to emphasise that Substack - the platform, and Substack, the community - are both amazing. So much great tech, and so much great reading, and so many nice people. :-)
I am not a lawyer but I think there may be laws around when someone unsubscribes from an email list that wouldn't allow for this for free subscribers. For paid subscriptions, we do various upsell emails and free trial offers for writers who turn on Boost - https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/9674586580244-What-is-Substack-Boost-
Then offer either unsubscribe, or cool-off for a month. It's basically to try not to lose people. Think of it as a little like the timed mute function in mastodon - you like someone, but you just don't want to hear from them for a little bit, cos you've other stuff going on. The Farnham Street Newsletter (not on Substack) offers this option. Just a thought.
There is a law which is in Canada about anti-spam and stuff. However, like you Iβm not a lawyer so I donβt know how much of an issue it is. You might have to customize it for each country. I also donβt know what the GDPR in Europe says.
What alternative sources (to your own social media and Substack features) are you using to get exposed to new subscribers?
P.S. One of my main sources (1 in 4 of all my subscribers came from there) is The Sample, a free services that time-to-time shares your post with people interested in newsletters of a similar category. If you want to give it a go, you can register via this link - https://thesample.ai/?ref=850d
I repeatedly tub-thump business cards (I got mine thru VistaPrint)! I have a 2-sided one, with a brief "about" info line with my 'Stack web address. On the back is a QR code that can be scanned easily by passersby.
What I do is hang both (front & back) on Starbux and Panera bulletin boards. Plus, when I'm at either, and see a bystander scanning the board, I'll point to me in the photo (seen to the left...it's my 'Stack ID), and say something like, "Do you recognize me at 22 backstage with the Ramones in 1977?" Holy conversation starter, Batman! Plus, I'm able to pass out my card at the gym, and just anywhere I'm out and about! Give it a try!
I use the business card with QR code approach too! I also have a QR code reader on my phone which is linked directly to my URL. That way when I meet strangers, other parents, etc. I can have them subscribe in person.
Way too 21st century for me, Amran! All that "code reader," "URL" and app chat is so tough to do on a flip phone! But, I admire your gumption (which is a good word, and has nothing to do with a New Orleans seafood stew)! Damn......now, I'm hungry!
I just received my business cards with QR codes and I can't wait to start planting them around town. I am also thinking of "accidentally" leaving them inside library books I return that are related to the same topic of my newsletter (continuous learning, adventure, hobbies, etc.). I don't know how I'll track whether this works or not but I'm going to give it a try.
Go get 'em, Linda! Good for you! Well, you'll never know about the results of having/leaving/giving your card. I love your second sentence! I've taken to frequenting local Barnes & Noble's and leaving my card in the middle of rock star bios and autobios!!! Now that I have "a partner in climb," I'll stop feeling so naughty!!! You're my new hero.....great minds think alike!
Well, the cops had no problem with it.................when they pounded on my door last month. Now, why'd you have to go and spoil my fun?!?πA) I only did it to about 6 books, and B) there's no way to trace it back to me, with no contact info! The worse punishment they could mete out would be to not subscribe......and, I get that on a daily basis!! Carry on!π
Interesting! Since I plan to leave the QR cards in various places I think I would need to create a different QR code for each right? For example, one QR code for the cards left in books, one for cards left at Starbucks, etc., otherwise I'll be able to see that the code was used but not which location worked.
true - I don't really care where they come from at this point. I can ask in their welcome email though how they found out about my newsletter and see if they answer.
Well, that's WAY more than I would or could ever want or need, despite my Olympic-level OCD! My only goal? Get people to easily access my 'Stack location. Beyond that, I just don't care.
Great idea, Brad! Just getting business cards at all could be very beneficial for me. I could hand them out at church when people ask what I do for a living, for instance.
One of my mentors Alan Weiss suggested years ago to not carry business cards. βHow many people do you hear from after handing them your business card, β he would say. βFocus on getting theirs instead (or their LinkedIn profile) and take the initiative to follow up with them.β
Well, obviously, there is no contact info on my 'Stack card, but again, if no one has my card in the first place, there's no chance they'll sneak a peek at my 'Stack, much less subscribe.
Plus, I don't think people I approach with "What kind of music do you listen to?" to break the ice (I write about music, generally), actually even WANT me to follow up with them in any way, shape or fashion. Just ask my ex-wife for verification.
Plus, with a dozen pesky restraining orders, I seem to have reached my quota of "taking the initiative to follow up with" strangers.
That's what I'm talking about, Wendi! Go get 'em! With a "captive audience" who already knows you, you're golden! Plus, if they seem interested, ask if they'd like a couple more for handing to folks they know at work or family members! The possibilities are endless....and kinda fun!
I've had a few people take my business card and then actually subscribe! These are people who I've met in real life, so they're a little more invested in figuring out what I'm going on about than the average stranger on the internet. But I don't see any downside to having business cards. It's a nice little psychological boost, too.
Well, it sure HELPS to have been photographed 45 years ago with an eventual Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame rock group, but whether it "actually works" is unknown, unfortunately, 'cause someone could subscribe directly from my card, and I'd never know it!
What I like is that I've met SO many people (and eventual friends) with my card as the conduit. In fact, I've got about 10% of my subbie list is from people I've personally met! Of the 4 Paneras I frequent around Austin, I'd say close to ten employees are subscribed! And, who knows how many people scan my QR code from the board?
BTW, I've got an ad running in the Feb issue (out at the end of this month) of ReMind Magazine, a colorful glossy mag whose audience is my agers, with a focus on pop culture nostalgia (music, TV, movies). It'll be my second issue with an ad ($30 for 1/8-page, I think), but my first with the QR code.
None of that means anything, of course, unless or until you're writing about pop culture (of some sort) nostalgia!
But, anyone can utilize a biz card. And, as for it "actually working," it's like social media and the folks here who wring their hands over not liking social media, etc. You never know when article A or article Z might "go viral." But, unless and until you give it a chance, you'll never know! BTW, careful photo-shopping might end up making you look like Terry Ramone from back in the day!
The closest I ever got to pop celebrities was when a band called Dave Curtiss and The Tremors played in a holiday camp circa 1964. They were on top of the pops once. Dunno what happened to them. Not quite in the same league as Jimi and the Ramones
Golly, David.....The sheltered life you must have led! You must not have read (and been written about on occasion!) local newspaper gossip columnists! In my case ('60s and '70s), it was the Houston Chronicle's Maxine Mesinger, and the Houston Post's Marge Crumbaker. Read about Maxine here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxine_Mesinger
It's a publicist/PR term meaning to call attention to, or announce the importance of a certain something! It's all about the lingo! For Marge, her tagline was, "We Snoop to Conquer"!
For your last book, say, you were "tub-thumping"π(imagine the deep, hollow sound of thumping the side of your bathtub) if/when you were making personal appearances about it, or planting items in papers or online about it! Now, you can go and do all the tub-thumping you want, and know what you're doing!!!ππβ¨π₯π
Brad, yes I have apparently led a sheltered life. π Most of my writing throughout my life has been in the government arena so I was restricted in what I could do. For my first book, I did the marketing on my own in the very few hours I had to spare. For my next book, I'm learning and working to set up all the marketing and tub-thumping well ahead of time. I learn slowly, but I eventually get it. Thanks for the detailed explanation! π
I've tried putting things in Hacker News, but they never get published. I presume cos I've only got one point. I don't even know how people get points? Is it by commenting on HN items? Just wondered if you happen to know (or anyone else)
I put about 10 articles on Hacker News, but now, when I try, they just show a page that says, "Sorry." Well, I've dated before, and have heard THAT word hurled in my general direction more times than there are tears in my ducts! So, I guess I'm barred, now, from several subReddits AND Hacker News! With this many rejections, I feel like a college boy again!
Thanks, Terry....I'll check it out! Coincidentally enough, there's an article with that exact title on a food writer's 'Stack.....I think she was writing about her negative experiences in a store's produce department. This, of course, followed her thoughtful articles titled, "My Worst Prune Ever," and "My Worst Raisin Ever." But, I digress..................................repeatedly.
I'll have to borrow my therapist's notebook. He's got all the notes. Ah, Dr. Goldfarb's lumpy, plaid couch. I remember my first words to him: "I don't suppose you can do anything about my defeatist attitude?"
Points are added via upvotes, I think (just like on Reddit). So if enough people "like" your stuff, it goes up. But I don't know how (and if) it affects your subsequent postings there.
Thanks, Oleg. I can't even get to first base though, cos my submissions don't go live in the first place! Not sure why: at least one of them was very relevant to the HN communityy.
Ha, that's weird! I pushed a couple of mine there and, although they didn't get much traction, they did go live and brought a small trickle of visitors.
As me mum used to say, "Brad (I guess for you, she would-a said 'Oleg'), you can come up with the 18 excuses why NOT to do something, or discover the one reason to DO something!" Or, as you say, not much to lose! Go get 'em!
OK, here's an idea...Get a rubber stamp, with your Substack QR code. Go to the library. Stamp all the pages in all the books. When you've done that, do the same in Chapters...You're bound to get some attention.
I agree reddit drives a lot of the traffic. When I'm getting clicks from reddit it seems that has a connection to the clicks I'm getting which are categorized as "direct". Both rise in tandem. I'm new to all this so I'm unsure how they are related.
Depends on the article subject. My biggest success was a post to r/literature about the poet Ezra Pound, but I've also gotten decent traction from posting to much smaller subreddits.
Also, if you donβt mind my asking--are you usually active in those subs? I want to try something similar but donβt want to get my hand slapped for shilling (yes, I am scared of random redditors being mean to me).
Reddit is a tough nut to crack. Spend a minute reading the rules in the right column of the desktop version. The moderators are quite serious about any promotional links. You'd think they paid per ban. I got banned by a mod named "Spamhammer". True story!
You can try out various subreddits to find some that will allow some linking to valuable content. Try https://anvaka.github.io/redsim/
Thanks! I tried posting on Reddit, but the mods of my particular sub deleted my posts, saying that "why are you linking your stuff, just post it as text".
If you wanted to do that, you could post text or a teaser to a subreddit of your own that you control, and link to it. Some moderators are more accepting of [OC] or original content than others.
I can see that. It can be tricky to know who and when to approach for any gender. I'll raise you though: a woman chatting to a random man can seem like she's trying to hard or that terrible word, "desperate"- just saying :)
I think it maybe depends on the age gap. I find that initiating chatting to women of around my age, or vice-versa, pretty easy because I suppose there's no hint of anything else going on. You might be right, but I like to think that women chat to me because of my charisma and devastating good looks rather than because they're desperate π€£
Some of my conversations with "random strangers in coffeehouses" (I don't drink, so cocktail bars aren't in my equation) have turned into "friendships with new friends made in coffeehouses." You included no verb(s) in your statement, so I'm not sure quite how you're leaning with the very notion.
Well, to be fair and transparent, most of my Sample subs happened because of me bringing new users to them (via the affiliate link above). For every person who subscribes, I get 100 forwards, and out of one hundred around one person subscribes to me :).
On the Sample, I've noticed a benefit to "pinning" a particular post for them to send out for a few weeks, then switching it up when there's another post I feel is particularly strong. I've continued to get subscribers that way--not a bunch, but a few here and there--and I think, first, prioritizing your strongest material, and then, also, switching it up periodically has helped.
Thanks for the tips, Tonya. When I first signed up with the Sample, I got many new subscribers and perhaps it coincidentally lined up with my most popular essays to date? I don't know. Since then it's really dropped off. Maybe re-pin my most popular?
Sorry, just had a glitch while replying (it posted twice, then when I tried to delete one, it deleted both. *shrugs*) But yes! I'd pin the work that you feel is most engaging, and also most accessible to someone who isn't used to reading you regularly. Some of the dropoff is inevitable, unless you sign up for the paid version or refer a bunch of people, but it's worth trying.
Thanks, Tonya, for your response. I think that's a good point - which piece is most accessible? And then pinning. I assume you mean pinning it on your main page of the Substack newsletter and not some setting in The Sample itself?
Oh, yes, I mean in The Sample itself! If you go to The Sample, and then to your account, then to Posts, you can pin a post there. I think this link will work to get you to your account (you'll have to sign in): https://thesample.ai/account/
I don't know what you mean about The Sample not sending users after the first two weeks. I only do the free option, not the affiliate or paid ones, but I've been doing it for several months and continue to get new subscribers occasionally.
It does slow down after a while, because the creators want everyone to have a level-playing field. Basically, they have a limited pool of recipients, so as time passes, your newsletter is forwarded less frequently.
With Sample, I paid for some subs and I also use the affiliate feature (for each sub you bring them, you get 100 forwards, and that usually brings 1 subscriber to me).
LinkedIn is an okay-ish source for me, although I don't write on professional topics.
I've tried The Sample. It's led to about 2 subscribers. I actually get more signs ups from other social media and websites like: Counter.social, Post.news, DailyKos.com and Reddit. Though the Reddit signs ups are a fickle bunch who seems to sign up before realizing what kind of comics I make. Go figure.
This is a nice service. And, of course, the more people who click on your link and subscribe, the more The Sample will share your newsletter with their database.
My newsletter is about the Dallas suburb that my family has called home for 10 years, so I've joined our town's chamber of commerce and I have sponsored youth and high school sports teams. I also bought the naming rights to a middle school's gym for just $50: https://twitter.com/ByDanKoller/status/1598126157513252865
I feel dumb, sorry, but once I register to the Sample, how do I share my posts? The site seems to view me as a reader rather than a content creator (though I certainly do my share of reading.)
I feel guilty that I haven't used The Sample more, but I can't figure out how to use it effectively. There is so much to learn here! This is one of those things I keep saying I'm going to get to, but never do.
So thanks for the reminder. Maybe I'll get to it now.
I just had a look at the sample. Looks potentially helpful although Substack doesn't yet support automatic integrations. The Sample sends you an email address to add manually.
Yes, there's a simple link from the email the Sample sends you notifying your new subscription, then it downloads on your subscriber page. The first time it's a bit weird but after it's really a 1-minute step.
Yes, it's an added hassle and I wish Substack did support automatic integrations, but it is easy to do. The challenge is to remember to do it when I can't do it immediately when reading the email notification that I need to import new subscribers.
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1. How is the work coming on with SEO? It unfortunately still seems to be the case that Google doesn't like substack subdomains too much, and it's incredibly hard to get SEO traffic compared to your own hosted website (I'm not going to name competing services, we all know who they are)
2. How is the work coming with themes? I'd LOVE to add more personalisation with substack and love Bari Weiss's theme for thefp.com - even if you added themes like that as just a few default options it would be amazing!
Thanks Wendi. If you do only a couple of the things recommended in the article, Google will reward you. Sometimes I hesitate to put links to my own articles in these forums, but the info is actually useful if people apply the advice...
I actually really like there are not a tonne of theme options as I think it made it easier for me to start! Iβm thinking about adding graphics that match my brand as Iβve seen others like Emma Gannon pull through yellow lines etc and it looks cool!
I'll hold onto the original Wordpress.com website but it's the in-between posts on the Wordpress.org that I want to get switched over to Substack so I can increase Substack traffic and not pay to renew my hosting service ;-)
Re: SEO, we have a whole blog post about the improvements we've made / are working coming soon. Stay tuned for a very long answer when that's published :)
John, I have not had any issues with SEO, but it requires having a particular presence on the platform. It took me a few months, I had to have a certain number of posts, subscribers and interactions. Once that happened, a sitemap was added by Substack, and I find all of my pieces in Google shortly after they are posted.
Seconding the question on themes! Would love to understand the roadmap here and how they're testing it. It's great that they're helping "media empires" but the rest of us like themes, too! ;-)
Thanks Bill. I have something in mind that's about 1700 words. Don't know if that length would fly. Could probably cut a couple hundred. Maybe I'll give it a shot. All the best!
I think I have at least one article you would want to share. I've saved the link and will read more later and submit something to you. Thanks for the opportunity!
Hi Bill - excited to hear about Understandably, first person stories with universal themes are my jam!
Looks like you prefer essays on the shorter side - would you consider those in the 2500 word range? Also, do you have any interest in essays that have already been published on a personal Substack or Medium, or only unpublished! Thanks :)
Previously published is fine as long as you own the rights.
Length can be an issue. I have one I'm working on now that was about 2,500 words. We're cutting about 600 words and running the remaining 900 words over two days. I'd have to see the submission to know of course!
2023 is my year of connection and collaboration! I am especially excited about Substack's cross promo and letter writing features and I'd love to know any writers (you or substacks you follow) who are using these tools in fun and clever ways? Tell me everything...
My first collaboration is in the works, I have a guest post pending for another substack and will be soliciting them for a guest post as soon as that's finalized. I'll let you know how it goes.
That collaboration had it's inception in their Chat, someone on their crew liked my idea and I asked if I could write a guest post to expand on it. Simple as that!
A. That's so exciting. I can't wait to hear how the guest posting/cross collab goes!
B. I love hearing that the chat feature (which has felt a bit overwhelming to me, honestly) created connection and collaboration opportunities! That's so inspiring. I'll make some time to explore that feature as well. In the beta testing, I really liked how intimate the convos felt. With the wide release, it started to feel really loud to me.
I am really taking my time before using it for myself. Some Chats I have seen feel like they're using it just because it's available. It's definitely *intended* for the closer conversations. Still stewing on this!
Same same same. I totally agree and want to be really thoughtful about how/if I use that space to add a new experience or value. Any Chats you are really loving that are doing it well?
Not really. The Chat that initiated the collab I mentioned was just a topical Q&A. "What's your favorite _____?" so I chimed in just for fun and the conversation expanded.
I've been debating using it for an "office hours" style format. Maybe after I publish my monthly capstone piece, I will include a note that says "i'll be in Chat for Office hours for the next hour to talk about this, come join me!"--but again, I don't want it to feel like "Chat is a thing so help me use it!"
Something I wish more people would do is to use the Chat to have meta-conversations, if that makes sense. It's very easy to be in author-mode and to speak from the pov of your publication, but starting a Chat with, "Hi I am a human being, come get to know the person behind the publication" would be very interesting, to me.
Michael Estrin, Dennard Dayle and I did a monster collaboration piece last November and we're looking to do an encore soon. I've also got a planned letters collboration on the docket this spring.
The process and the experience for the first collaboration was awesome. Super fun, learned a lot, got to build relationships with writers I respect a ton. I think the key is finding good dance partners. It was a blast and I highly recommend it.
Tami, I'm not sure how fun or clever my Substack letters collaborator Terry Freedman and I come across to readers, but we've been having a really fun time writing them! I'm hoping to start another collaboration in the spring. It's great to get together with other 'Stackers in this way!
Thank you for sharing, Rebecca! I am excited to check these out. Yours will be the first letters I've actually seen in practice. I also love that you created a separate section for them. I was curious to see how writers wrap a special, ongoing series like that into their main body of work.
Thanks so much, Tami! I wondered for ages about setting up a new section - the only thing I don't like about it is that on THAT page my numbering of posts ends up looking pretty random, and only makes sense on my main page - but actually it's not as much of a problem as I'd feared, and I'm fine with it. In my own posts I write about various things - getting lost, mostly, but also about life experiences etc etc - but I'm finding that the letters project is an opportunity to just go a bit crazy and talk about other stuff too! And Terry is kind enough to humour me!!!
Same. I tend to tuck ideas and inspiration into my pocket and need to now carve out a more consistent time to revisit and research them. As soon as I stumbled on the letters idea, it felt like a spark, so I'm anxious to dive into that one in particular.
Iβve had so much success publishing Q&As with other writers. I published a piece with Jessica Defino (who has like 50k plus subscribers as far as I know) and her linking to it drove 200+ subscribers to me
Oh I love that! Q&A's and interviews are so fun and infinitely interesting (at least to me). Kind of like behind the scenes footage. I think we all love getting a closer look at the people behind the words or art or creation.
Do you do q&a's as a regular series within Body Type or just as the opportunities come up?
I had a couple guest posts on Juke from another Substacker, Jodie Meyn, and she was such a pleasure. Her pieces were great, and we were able to drive some readers to each other. Before that, I did an interview with a Tarot Reader (Miriam Reads Tarot) and that was a blast too. I would love to keep finding those opportunities. The letter writing feature is so appealing...
That's awesome, Tonya! I will check those out. For your guests posts, did you both come up with an essay/series together that she created for Juke or did you share work she created originally for her own Substack that felt complimentary to yours? Or maybe that's the distinction between cross posting and guest posting? I'm both curious and confused!
In Jodie's case, she wrote to me and submitted two pieces she thought would fit my page. I built the pages and sent her an author invite so that they would appear under her byline, then I added links to her Substack prominently in the pieces so that readers would click through.
On her end, she cross-posted the pieces once they were up so that her regular readers could see them too and check out Juke at the same time. So she "guest posted" on my page, and then "cross posted" her work from Juke onto her own page, if that makes sense.
Ah! Yes, that makes perfect sense. Thank you. I imagine there are about a million ways to go about it, but it's so helpful to understand what the behind-the-scenes process and approach has looked like for others!
Thank you so much, Mariah! You were actually on my list of people to reach out to. I wanted to say thank you for your beautiful blurb. It means the world to me!
(I should actually probably be working on my final Ghost of (Christmas) Future essay to wrap up the last series instead of typing over here.... hopefully the inspiration transfers π)
Hi Meaghan! I love the name of your substack (and I just subscribed). So clever! My daughter is an illustrator, too! https://www.alexandrabowmanart.com/
I like to use sketchbook watercolors in a supporting role on my substack. You have a wonderful style!
Iβm a doodler, hoping to someday upgrade myself to illustrator. My drawing practice has slumped recently but Iβm planning to get back to my weekly doodle practice.
I wrote and illustrated three childrenβs books about Egyptology to the American University in Cairo Press. The first one is here https://www.leenasbooks.com/how-i-became-a-mummy.html - after this the sequel. And then a book about Tutankhamun which was accepted as merch for the official Tutankhamun - Treasures of the Golden King exhibition as it traveled across the globe. Just as covid hit...
I've had a lot of satisfaction over the almost ten months I've been writing and posting "On the Kitchen Porch." It's time to go paid but I'm terrified of two things: 1) I'll immediately lose all my subscribers! Or 2) being part free/part paid, which several writers do, seems like it might be hopelessly complicated for my aging brain. Please reassure me. I know, as a writer of long experience, that I should be paid.
I studied Brent and Michael's approach before I introduced my own paid tiers. I think they achieve a very nice balance, in particular paywalling parts of specific posts.
You could start by doing what I currently do - keep all posts free but still offer a paid subscription option and list benefits like "enable me to continue providing free content to those who cannot afford paid subscriptions." Very few people will choose to pay for what others get for free, but I have gotten a few paid subscribers. I've also now paywalled the archives of past newsletters older than a few months, so another benefit for paid subscribers is access to all previous issues.
Iβve been considering this for a long time. I donβt think Iβm ready now, but I definitely want to soon. I also want to make 1/2 of the subscription a donation to a nonprofit but Iβm not sure if there is a way to do this in substack? I figured I would just do it on my own... and it would be great to announce we raised X amount... etc. I only have like 100 followers so this is very very far down the line...
Thanks for sharing this, Wendi, I'm leaning toward same content for all, too, whenever I get ready to turn on paid subs. I love that idea of one perk being access to older archived newsletters!
I didn't expect anybody to take the paid option when I first started but I really like it being the reader's choice! My primary newsletter is free every Sunday. Then, I write an additional letter every Wednesday for Founding Members. The consistency has been really helpful for me! Once in awhile I'll do the "preview" and send out a paid post to everyone on my list. Just today I got a conversion from it!
Remember- people are CHOOSING to pay for what you're writing. As they should! It's such a validation when someone chooses to pay even $5 a month. I think it's helped boost my confidence as a writer a lot!
It is indeed a huge validation when someone you don't know (and even those you do!) opts for. paid subscriptionβit nearly makes me cry...and then keep writing and improving the substance and originality of my content!
I want the information I share to end up being available to anyone, because many people can't afford to pay $5/month for multiple newsletters. But I also need to be paid in order to write well consistently.
I'm approaching this by having all of my content end up free to all subscribers, but some of it is exclusive for a set period of time. Currently I'm using 6 weeks as the default delay. This way people who pay to subscribe get immediate access as a perk, but my writing is still available to everyone at some point. I'm also mixing in posts that are free to everyone immediately.
You could also try letting people "tip" you using PayPal or Kofi. I include a link to a PayPal tip jar for anyone who doesn't want to upgrade to paid. Then they can give me some money as gratitude for one post, if they really liked it but don't read regularly. You can see this in action here: https://valorieclark.substack.com/p/058-who-are-we-conforming-for
If I remember right, when you publish a post you can choose to email it to paid subscribers now, and to free subscribers at some point in the future. I didn't do that; I sent it to everyone now, with the note that you can see, and a paywall that lets people see how the post starts out. I really like that you can place the paywall wherever you want in a post. Then I'll manually set this post public in 6 weeks.
I started off with paid switched on not expecting anyone to pay and they did and they keep paying both in support of my writing but to read the more intimate stuff I post there. I have titled my paid stuff βbig dreams begin with meβ and made a section for it just to help me consistently share slightly different reads there to my free space. I do plan to send one to my free subscribers this week as a taster and I think Iβll do that once a month or so
I offer paid subscriptions on both of my Substack newsletters but paid is optional (and welcome!) At both of my blogs I stress community, so it works best for me to keep them open to everyone. It depends, I think, on what your blog has to offer. Is there something special you could offer paid subscribers that would take too much time or effort to justify giving it away for free?
My suggestion would be to offer both options to everyone while keeping your blog open to all. Then at a later date you might want to close part of it off to only paids. If you make it an option, I don't see how you'll lose subscribers.
If you wall off parts of your blog, you may well lose some, but if you have something special enough to entice people to pay for it, it might be worth it.
My weekly newsletter is paid, but I send the last edition of each month to everybody on my free list, and I briefly describe all of the content they've missed since they last heard from me. This usually prompts several people to pony up for a paid subscription.
Happy Thursday! I think the Office Hours may be the best part of an already great Substack experience. I lurk sometimes, just taking in what everyone else is writing about, because I'm still learning, even after what should be enough time to get it! (I don't yet)
I have two newsletters, Writer Everlasting, and Constant Commoner, and while I'm not up there with the giants I'm happy to see both of them growing, in readership, in subscriptions, and in monetary support--though by Substack standards I'm tiny.
I think I've finally found my voice on each of them, and my main reward is in the comments from readers who tell me I've made a difference in their lives.
Most of us want to become famous and possibly wealthy, but what if it's enough to become necessary? Even to the smallest groups of people? I'm finally coming to terms with that, using whatever resources I have to build those communities I'd always dreamed of. To make a difference, no matter how limited.
I think I'm there now, though I'm still small, and I would love to hear from others who find that contentment and enjoyment are enough.
I love your consideration of what it means to matter - I think about this a lot (in writing but also in all life pursuits.) I don't think bigger is always necessarily better, though in a culture that values wealth and fame so highly it is sometimes difficult to really believe that (for me, at least).
I don't have an ambition to monetize sensibly with my Substack, in fact my thinking is to leave it free with voluntary payment model just because I like the idea of supporting creators that give you value. And while I like my subscribers growing, I started the newsletter to give my project a voice, find connections with those that like it and ultimately have conversations (I do data visualisations). In short: quality over quantity for me.
Yes, I think it's a great option to offer optional paid subscriptions to those who just want to show their support for our work. I've gained several that way, and I'm ever grateful, but I'm grateful to all of my subscribers. They're telling me they want a chance to be there whenever I send that email invitation.
I swing between extremes: some days, I'm happy that I'm a small gem in the universe of authors; other days I want to be world famous and kazillions of adoring readers. Both views are valid and rewarding.
I suppose I may differ in that my main reward is writing the odd fiction that I publish on my stack. I put my energy into it, and put it out there. That's the most important part of it to me.
I'd love to share with more people - and all special people who would enjoy my work are welcome! I can make a difference in how we see the world. In that sense, the making a difference, I'm totally with you.
Ah, but the creation. And the inspiration I receive by reading other people's articles / posts / stories / etc. There's a lot of wonderful fountains here. Many thanks to all.
I ultimately do want to make writing my sole source of income, and at first was discouraged by how little money I am currently making (not just on Substack, but other places I also write). However, like you said, there are other benefits that are actually more important to me, like knowing I am helping people by sharing my mental health struggles and what helps me cope and also the fact that writing greatly benefits my own mental health and I enjoy it!
Writing has always been therapeutic for me, and gaining insight into myself and others. I also love journaling and doing dream work daily. My recent article on Mind Wise probably helped me from developing PTSD after falling into a scam and coming close to losing our savings. Instead of going to a therapist, I worked it all out in my article, or at least I hope I did. https://www.inmindwise.com/p/a-criminal-syndicate-scammed-me-with
I would be lying if I said I don't care about being paid for my writing. I do. I've been at it for a long time, and I've tasted that professional life.
But at this point, at least here on Substack, I'm getting great satisfaction simply with sharing my skills and my thoughts.
I love the intimacy of the newsletter format, where most of my readers are there by invitation. It has changed my tone, as well, and I like what I'm writing now.
I realised that making a difference was more important to me than the income from my Substack when I thought through what content to make paid. In the end, I kept everything free. I find it incredibly motivating when people find my writing worthwhile (paying is nice too, don't get me wrong).
Oh the inline footnotes could be so fun, can't wait to try them.
Is there anyone here who is planning on/already has publishing a book made up of their substack posts? That's something I've been entertaining for a while and wonder how others have approached it.
I try to write ignoring this intention, because I want what comes out to be natural and unaffected. Not everything I write has to serve this purpose, either. But it's hard because it's also a big motivator for me to remain consistent in my efforts.
That's exactly my goal, Anastasia. I've published a lot of books, mostly about food, but I find the publishing world indifferent to me. I'm hoping that building an audience through Substack will convince the Bigs that I still have something to say. (Actually, the Smalls would do very well too!)
I'm working on it right now. It's a compilation of my WordPress and Substack posts that focus on a single theme. I HOPE to finish it during the three-day weekend. I have my cover designed now and need to finish formatting and editing so I can upload it to Amazon. I'll be publishing a piece on the final steps of the process next week, once I finish: https://sarahstyf.substack.com/p/lessons-from-the-third-draft
I published one book from articles from my original blog before coming to Substack. At the time, it was a new adventure, and I learned much, and I am hoping to do it wiser and less costly this time from my Substack articles on Mind Wise. Last time I used Scrivener to organize chapters and used a developmental editor to help with the overall theme and consistency and to create a TOC. It took me great effort and time for the book publishing project, but I would like to do it again and put my experience from my first effort to work.
Scrivener was of value with my first book as I had many discreet articles as a nonfiction writer. With Scrivener I was easily able to move them around open them and re-edit them and also help to get all the articles consistent and in the same theme. I probably will go back to Scrivener when I am getting a new book ready as it has a learning curve and I know how to use it. My son who's a talented writer is in an MFA program and they have a whole course on use of Scrivener. However he hasn't taken the course and uses primarily word and he will stick with word as he thinks he can get the same functionality out of word. He has some interest in Scrivener and we'll see if he'll try it out. Scrivener also links up with Pro writing Aid which is a good grammar checker. I use Pro Writing Aid and Grammarly a lot especially as I'm a bit dyslexic.
Yes. I am planning on releasing a book using the stories on my stack. I'll likely include some other stories that aren't on the stack as well. Work in progress... or I guess I should say thinking in progress...
This is something in the back of my mind. I've had people suggest this a couple of times, although there's a sense of immediacy with the Substack newsletters and I don't know that they'd translate well to a book.
Yeah, I think it definitely depends on your material! For instance, I think pop culture wouldn't do well, because by the time the book was out everyone would have moved on. But Melanie I think some of your work about environmental issues would do well in book format.
I definitely agree re pop culture, though it might be kind of fun to capture the zeitgeist, and look back in 10 years and go ooooh I forgot about this weird time when ---
You should see the significant revision work that I've done π But I feel like my final product is strong and a good reflection of both personal and writing growth. I've always seen my blog as a public workshop, of sorts. Now I have ideas for three more books after I finish this one!
I hear you - immediacy is relative. I have two people who review every article I write and there's a lot of checking and revision. I have no idea how people write quickly and then click publish, although I know it works for some.
That is my goal with my 50 Things substack. The book will have a different title so I am struggling with whether or not I should change my newsletter title so the branding is consistent.
I don't know. If you plan to write more books in the future, you don't want to keep changing the name of your Substack. I would just leave it and put the link to your Substack in your book (both e-book and paperback).
Iβm planning to do this, but not directly 1:1 content from βstack to book. More like working out my ideas on substack, then fine tuning and expanding content for the book. I also have a few downloadable booklet ideas I plan to make available in PDF form that are more focused and/or instructional.
I went the other direction, Anastasia -- finishing my novel and then pulling out segments, adapting them for Substack so each one stands alone as a piece of writing. I'm new to Substack, but getting lots of positive feedback and picking up about one new subscriber per day. Are you thinking of putting up a chapter of your novel at a time?
Understandable. When you arrive at that book concept that can get you fired up it's so exciting though! I hope you find enough energy and time too reach this long term goal
I've just started a book myself and will be using substack to write articles that will be part of it. I think it's a great way to keep myself accountable and to get thoughts out bit by bit. Do whatever feels right for you!
It is my long-term idea too, one day when I'll have enough material. My Substack is centered around hand-drawn graphics, accompanied by text (for storytelling), so it's got a natural low frequency - and one day, if people like it enough, I may think of turning selected posts into a book!
That's something I have in the back of my mind, definitely. It motivates me to keep plugging away on what I call my "bummer essays" because the idea of an eventual "bummer book" sounds pretty good. Also, I'm planning to put together a book of selected stuff from Juke's first year so that our readers (who are fairly bookish in general) can have a physical copy of some of our best work.
Having lots of luck with mine, I think so anyway. I went live last July, have about 850 subscribers, 59 paid, and I have never asked anyone to pay. It has inspired me to write more. 50 pieces so far. https://rleonard.substack.com/
Hello all! Happy Office Hours! Here's a little bit of encouragement from one small newsletter to all of you:
No matter how your January is going, that isn't an "omen" for the rest of your year. Full disclosure? In some ways, this year isn't starting the way I hoped it would. BUT we can't let that stop us or keep us from moving forward, even if the steps we take are tiny. Show up for yourself and the readers who love you. Don't stop! Someone out there needs your words! Keep going, keep writing, and DON'T GIVE UP! πΏ
Thanks for this! I woke this morning thinking I don't think I can keep up with my weekly essays. I always start by saying to myself, "Make a short one, Faith" and "don't work so hard" but then I get going and 1900 words and many hours later I'm like "What?!" I still aspire to shorter posts. And honestly I have fun with recording my wee podcast a couple of days later. But I think it's the pressure on ourselves that creates a feeling of wanting to give up. Because we're writers, dammit! We just write and that's that.
Thanks for your usual dose of encouragement, which I always appreciate. In a lot of ways, the last two years have been a total shit storm for me, and 2023 isn't going well yet. But you are right that readers appreciate my work and I know there are others who need my words too but haven't found them yet. Also, I need to write for my own mental health!
Hello S.E and thanks for your inspiring words. My January is doing fine in the Substack sense. As long as I keep at it, that's what's important to me. Not really stressing on numbers. Not good for me, and I prefer to keep my energy focused on my work.
Of course, those special people who want to accompany me on this journey into the world of odd fiction from the edge of life are welcome.
I am an old-school newsprint journalist. I have since retired but continue to write. I have friends that also write and we've discussed using a newsletter to relate some of our pent-up wisdom to others and felt online was the best way to start. But where I was very good at designing print pages I struggle when it comes to online. I tried Facebook but do not like it. I'm just looking for some suggestions on how to get started on Substack. Thank you.
Just start and don't worry about how the page looks. I'm old enough to not have grown up using computers and am not tech savvy. I haven't done anything to my page - all I do is write articles on it. I do know how to add photos using the built in tool (quite easy to figure out the options on the tool bar for text formatting, adding links, etc) but that's it. People still subscribe because they value my content.
The main difference from print writing I've learned from writing online articles elsewhere is the need for lots of white space, and the fact that one sentence paragraphs are common and better than super long ones.
Welcome to Substack! There's no one-size answer, but I think it's best to just treat your Substack like a playground. Take each of the tutorials that Substack sends you, and start creating draft posts. There's a ton of info in the writer support area: https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/categories/360002403472-Writers
And if you're more visual, I know there are youtube videos to explain things too. Just take it slow, and do a lot of reading from other Substacks. You can get ideas just from watching other writers work.
I'm a former print journalist as well, and I use photography to bring my pages to life. Sometimes that's harder to do than others, but I start thinking about ways to illustrate the piece before or as I'm writing it. That helps quite a bit.
Substack has written a number of guides. Here's one that covers the basics of what to set up before you launch a Substack. In general, Substack is fairly simple. It offers limited choices but that makes it easy to use.
Sounds like youβre perfect for Substack. Itβs very easy. Just start a Stack, write and publish! I figured it out and Iβm a semi millennial Luddite!
Hey All, I launched paid tiers last week with a combination of mostly patronage with some paywalling. It was generally well-received and some other writers said they might replicate this approach.
I am loving being able to offer my subscribers digital downloads like my illustrations as wallpapers! I just noticed that for my subscribers to access the downloads they have to access them from the browser. I let them know but i think a lot of them wont go the extra couple steps if they cant download straight from the email. Is there anyway to make downloads accessible from the email in future?
I add my files to my Google Drive and then include the share / download links in my posts and they ended up as attachments in the emails. At least the test emails I received in my Gmail inbox had them!
I agree! This may actually be unfixable--I don't know how much of this is controlled by the email clients and not by Substack--but I wish youtube embeds and audio embeds, etc. were all accessible inside the emails without clicking through.
How do you create sections on your main page to categorize your writings into different topics under one newsletter? I see some of the writers do that, but I cannot figure out how to do that.
I just set one up and yes, the section thing is confusing at first. Substack needs to hire a tech writer to do procedural instructions for stuff like this. Like many techies, those writing help content tend to assume knowledge on the part of the reader. The sections explanation and instructions could be better. But itβs not hard. You can always undo stuff!
I've had my Substack, Rootbound, for nearly a year and I'm planning on going paid next month. Should I announce it a few weeks before I do it? Or just do it? Any tips are appreciated!
I'm doing something very similar! I announced in December that I'm going to paid on essays + writing substack (valorieclark.substack.com) but I won't put anything behind a paywall until February 1. Every post until then reminds people that they can subscribe with a 20% annual discount until then.
Astrid! So fun to hear from a fellow plant-lover on here! And thanks for sharing your plan. This sounds like a great approach and I think I might copy you and do something similar! Substack definitely feels like a safe space to test stuff out.
can everyone please say hi to one of my best friends Rae Katz who IS ATTENDING HER VERY FIRST OFFICE HOURS TODAY! Rae writes The Matriarchy which is SO GOOOD: "Personal essays about living while female: work, family, and all the health stuff no one wants to talk about." https://thematriarchy.substack.com/
Two things to know about Rae
1. She and I share an inside joke that is not funny but has somehow lasted for 15 years. I got a tattoo representing the joke on my actual human body.
2. She called me when these office hours started in a panic and the first thing she said was "I'm not crying. I know it might sound like I'm crying, but I'm not."
Basically you can treat her like a person from the 1700s who just time traveled here and doesn't know how the internet works but is super talented like the top writer from back then like she is actually Shakespeare. So yea please be nice so she stays in 2023 thank you
Hello Rae! I'm also based in Silicon Valley (although it sounds like you left? Reading some of your pieces now) Welcome to Substack, I'm pretty new as well. Speaking of the 1700s... one of my favorite authors is Jonathan Swift (Gulliver's Travels, 1726) and in fact I mention him and his "Engine" in my first post I just launched this week. It might just be me but the Engine looks eerily like a microchip. Food for thought for the techno bros... :)
Some of the questions I have asked Alex this morning: So office hours happens in comments? How do I see the most recent comment? Is it ok to comment on something that was posted an hour ago?
Yes, office hours consists of comments. At the top you have the option to sort how you want comments to appear - either new first (which is my choice, so I can see the most recent), or chronological (oldest first) or top first (those with the greatest level of engagement, I assume). Yes, it's also fine to comment on something posted hours ago. That person will still be notified that you commented even if they are no longer here when you post it.
I'm in Australia, so Office Hours starts at 5am my time. Sometimes I get up for it and sometimes I jump in and respond many hours later. We can still have fun conversations after Office Hours officially ends. The end means the Substack team is no longer in the comments and we can't post fresh questions. Welcome!
Hey Alex - quick question, is there a way to quickly see if there have been replies to my comments, or do I need to scroll through everything to check?
I enjoy the continual flow of new features, but I miss the "Let me just read it first" feature that appeared on the first page of newsletters. Now you must either click "No Thanks" or "Subscribe". Clicking the former makes me feel vaguely guilty; clicking the latter is an overcommitment. I just want to check it out! Not a big deal, but if there is a setting feature to set it back to what is was, I'd like to know. Thanks!
Hello Everyone! I am Shia - writer, college student, sister and a daughter. I always wanted to start my very own substack but I was in dilemma if I should or shouldnβt. Also me being just another overthinker teenager ( well, technically not teenager anymore but Iβd like to call myself that haha lol) I wondered if anybody would even like to read what I write? I love writing and it brings me so much happiness. I love connecting with new people especially online and create content. I found substake to be a really interesting and fantastic platform to begin my writing career. I love the people here and had got opportunity to talk to some greatt writers & authors and I look forward to meeting you. My substake is called βDollarβs & Therapyβ and I write about Self-care, Mental Health ( especially after Covid, it should be our first and foremost priority), I also talk about my own personal, emotional life experiences that has had huge impacts. I am still in process of building my Substack and there is lot to come yet. I love listening to other peopleβs life stories that had changed their life or struggles, hardships that they went through and still manage to outgrow themselves. If you have your own story to tell please reach out to me on shiasurani786@gmail.com and Iβll surely include in my writings :)
Thanks for reading this far and whosoever is reading, I hope you have a wonderful day/night.
Hi Shia, welcome to substack! I'm in a similar boat to you. I too love 'meeting' with new people online and personally I write from life experiences and about pieces that connect with me deeply whether that be friendships, being an adult, life choices etc - relatable content that I'm sure everybody has felt or connected to at one point. I'm often wondering if anybody would like what I write! I've just subscribed and I've eager to read what you have to write. Have a great day/night. PS. Happy to connect on socials too?
Hi Shia, Your newsletter sounds very similar to what I write about. I don't have time to email you, but you can read my Substack (wendigordon.substack.com) or my other mental health articles that include my personal struggles and what I've learned from them at https://bio.link/wendigordon. Good luck with your newsletter and do it for your own mental health and enjoyment even if no one else reads it!
Yes, true. Most people start with zero writers and as you engage more, post consistently (whatever that means to you), and tell people slowly the subs come. And you know, it can be nice when it's just couple here and there because then you can really engage if they comment on a post and then check out their Substacks and make a real connection.
Yes you are absolutely correct Faith. It is important to make meaningful connections and engage with your audience rather than just having a large audience but no real connection.
Hi, I'd like to limit the number of emails my subscribers receive to one per week. However, I'd like to post more frequently. Is there a way for folks to receive a "weekly digest" email of content from me?
It is possible! When you make a post, you can choose to post it to web only, so it doesn't push a notification to your subscribers. Then you can post a digest that includes links to all the posts you wrote during the week and you just push that to your subscribers per usual. I know of a few publications that do something like this, and I have used it at times as well!
Hey Scoot, I just looked at my Dashboard and I don't see an option to post only to the web. Can you point me in the right direction, please? The options I see are: This post is for Everyone, Paid Subscribers Only, Founding Members Only, and Free Subscribers Only. Thanks!
When you are publishing a post from your browser, hit βcontinueβ at the top right.
A screen will come up with some options. The top, iirc, is what you described, who is this post for. Second is βallow comments fromβ. Then some stuff about what cover photo you want.
At the very bottom, right above where you can schedule the post, is where you can check a box that says βdeliver to my subscribersβ or something like that--if you uncheck that box it will warn you that you are posting to web only and no one will be notified, and ask you to confirm your selection.
I hope this helps, let me know if you still have trouble!
This is the right answer. I often just post articles to my SS without pushing them out to my subscribers. Everyone knows that there are archives of articles on your Substack front page.
What about a different publication for frequent postings and one thatβs monthly? Or I guess the main publication could be the digest with links and subnewsletter/section more frequent posts. Are you sure I see is clicks means youβre taken out of the experience of reading. And often times you just wanna read everything in one email. οΏΌ
This is a clever way of tackling it from the subscriber side rather than the publisher. Let subscribers choose whether to receive posts as they are published or in weekly/monthly digests.
Iβve also found myself a little frustrated with the fact that my newsletter doesnβt fit neatly into any of the categories given by Substack (maybe education, culture, or literature?). Readers searching specifically for linguistics newsletter have a good chance of finding me, but I donβt know how visible I am otherwise. That being said, Iβve found new readers & great connections just by interacting with and supporting other writers in my niche!
I write about psychology and healing post-trauma, as a therapist and survivor myself. And there's no real category for me either. I did pick Health and Wellness and Culture (since I also address cultural issues like the patriarchy and the harm it does to both men and women when dealing with conflict). But the Holy Grail of category? Haven't found it yet.
I agree there should be more ways to discover other newsletters! It would be great to have a sort of hashtag system where you can discover your desired content that way. I don't know if focusing on subscriber numbers is healthy though, as there will always be a lot of good content missing out due to lack of name recognition.
If you plug your search terms in there, it will yield a bunch of results. I would reach out with a friendly cold email to any that you'd like to connect with. All writers are available through their Substack email address. (newslettername@substack.com) For example, mine is pau1@substack.com
You will also find people to network with by continuing to post comments in forums like this one. Good luck! Going to check out the MediCurious Substack.
Digging the Substack community. I really enjoy writing for an audience on here. Iβve learned how to engage and grow my subscriber base while simultaneously helping out other Stackers. We all help each other out!
I write essays about culture, politics, Wokeism, and autobiographical fiction about my life.
HI I am new to Substack and trying to understand how this works. This chat is a bit like drinking from a firehose and I wonder if there are suggestions about how to actually follow the flood. Is there a summary of the most interesting and popular topics somewhere?
Hi Ted, I agree, it's tough to follow the thread here, there's no apparent organization. To the moderators... can we consider a different structure for these office hours? I've never received a reply to my questions, at least that I could tell, bc it all gets buried under this torrent of nested comments. I have a hard time even keeping track of where my own comments and questions are...
Hey Ted - I'm in the same boat. You can see my thread with Alex Dobrenko for evidence of my lost-ness. The way I've been finding things is command+F and searching that way. Not easy to figure out what's going on, to say the least :)
Hi Ted. I'm 40 minutes into this office hour conversation and find that there's no facilitation going on. It's just keystrokes posted in software. It's a lot like walking into a ballroom full of convention attendees, all having multiple conversations. There's no way to know which conversations are breaking out, where, and whether the conversation would benefit from learning something from you. And that's why I no longer spend precious time going to conventions or events any more. Instead, I adore quality conversations with cohort-sized and issue-curated professional communities. I'd love to see if Substack is capable of helping me achieve that--hundreds of intimate conversations, in the moments of a day, across a base of thousands of subscribers.
100% agree Georgia. This is basically an open savanna where we writers ride in on our horses, drink our coffee (hot chocolate in my case) and chat. I've been in those bathrooms during international conferences!
Let's cross our fingers, Ted, and wish for better. I'm interested in Substack if they advance relationships between professional writers and their readers. I'm not interested in a lot of diversions and software distractions, including emojis.
I'd love to know how folks are using sections in their newsletter! I've been writing my main newsletter, Write More, Be Less Careful, and I have a pretty engaged readership, and I have a fun side project, good creatures, about motherhood. I've been thinking of moving good creatures over as a section. Has anyone done something like this? How do you handle two separate (but sometimes related) projects?
Iβm interested in this too! I have some ideas brewing for separate sections but havenβt pursued it. I think your two ideas presented here could definitely gel!
Hi all! I just released my first piece in Next Draft about indie publishing and marketing. I'm going to be doing a year-long (possibly longer) focus on the indie author world, based on my experiences from publishing my first book Rock Gods & Messy Monsters last September. Article is called "What Kind of Writer Are You? (And Why It's Important) - you can check it out at https://dianehatz.substack.com/p/what-kind-of-writer-are-you-and-why
Please follow my substack if you're interested in indie writing - and/or are working on publishing your own work! My goal is to help other people skip the manyyyyyyy mistakes I made along the way.
Also happy to report that my book just won another honor - I'm a 2023 indieBRAG Medallion honoree. The validation of all the hard work that went into the novel is the best part of it. Have a great week!!
Just joining the chorus of others who are grateful for this platform and the community that comes from it. I am, by nature, a contrarian. It's one of the hazards of academic life, problematizing culture, looking for holes in arguments, being a gadfly. I am very much of the Barbara Ehrenreich school in guarding against too much brightsiding. Sometimes I still indulge in a polemic here or there, but I've also been glad to turn toward more affirming subjects and to feel supported in that. It's nice to feel like I can be a whole person on Substack, not merely a brand. Thanks to everyone who has been part of my journey.
Thanks for the link, Wendy. I've already made a few bucks from my Post posts (LOL), AND I've received a few subscribers from there too. I put my Substack articles there every day.
And speaking of new subscribers, I just got one from Twitter! (I've gotten more from Twitter since I started my Substack).
There are only two reasons why I'm still on the Bird Site: 1) I long ago made my own "Favorites" list to follow just the people I want to see so I don't see all of the other yucky tweets, and 2) to promote my Substack and my business. Even before Musk, I rarely put original stuff on Twitter. I'm just using it for my own objectives.
I'm glad Post is left-leaning. I experience enough of the "other side" elsewhere, and Post is doing a good job of kicking out the bots and "crazies" who try to infiltrate. I need the sanity.
Iβve been on Mastodon for 5 years so Iβm aware of the issues. I donβt think it will be right for everyone but I have a community there Iβd like to keep in the loop about my stuff
Instead of Mastodon (unless you really like it), I suggest checking out Post. It's just a couple of months old and it is a great "Bird Site" alternative. There is still a waitlist, but they'll be opening it up to everyone this month along with a new and improved site. I am loving it over there. There were too many hoops to go through when I looked at Mastodon. https://post.news
Ecstatic to host on Substack and engage with the amazing community here!
What's the best way to communicate a hiatus to subscribers? I'll have to undergo surgery for an ongoing medical issue and will be out of commission for a few months.
Wishing you an easy and uneventful medical procedure. I would think that if you write a post that you will be offline and healing for a while, your subs will understand. Be sure to pin that post to the top of your main page. Good luck and Best Wishes!
Love inline footnotes. I stopped including footnotes because I realized it was too annoying to have to scroll to the bottom to read then and then back up again to find your place. Might have to think about including them again...
My question: is there a way to prevent my emails from going to Gmail's "promotions" box? A couple people I know personally don't always see my emails because they don't go to their main inboxes, and I suspect it's the same for many other subscribers.
Regarding avoiding the "promotions" inbox, some writers use their welcome email to help with this.
You can consider
a) soliciting a direct reply from your new subscriber by asking them how they found you, where they're located, or some other information that is useful for you to know about your subscribers. By creating an initial two-way conversation with a subscriber, your emails are less likely to land in spam or the promotions tab.
b) adding a note to the welcome email about adding/dragging their welcome email into their gmail "inbox" so that it goes there instead of to promotions
Thanks! Is the welcome email less likely to go to the promotions inbox? I figured it was useless to add instructions there because if they had the promotions box problem, the welcome email would go there too and they would never see it!
I'm -very- loosely toying with the idea of going with an optional paid model, but don't think my content is worth anyone paying for. Has anyone else felt that way before going paid?
If you feel your writing is worth doing, you can expect that it is worth paying for. Not by every reader, not even by one out of 20 readers. But don't undervalue yourself, and the effort. Writing is hard work; I've been paid for it all of my life. Now that the newspapers and magazines I wrote for have disappeared, unloaded staff, and are toys for leveraged buyout actors to play with, it's nice to have this. No illusions about income. Writing is not something I do; it is what I am.
That's a great response. It's easy to undervalue our work and tough to value it when we're not sure of the value we're providing. I think that's spot-on that some will value what you have to share, the trick is finding those people who resonate. Keep going!!
Oh, honey. Trust me, we all feel that way. Sometimes it helps to think of all those TikTok or Insta influencers, or those people who make really dumb Reels all day, and the fact that they are being paid for doing that. If they're worth paying, then someone writing actual, thoughtful words and putting their best efforts out into the universe is DEFINITELY worth paying.
Worst case scenario: you give people the option of paying, and no one does. That can happen. But give it time. You may be surprised.
I'm thinking the same thing..... Inclined right now toward simply a paid option without necessarily paywalled content. Just 3 months in, not ready to go there yet.
Definitely hard for me to ask readers to pay, though I do think my content is valuable. That's why for now I offer a paid option but still share all content for free. A few people have actually become paid subscribers even though they don't get anything extra at this point.
I love the new inline footnote feature. You folks at Substack are rocking this app.
I seriously think that with the way the news print publishing world is collapsing, that Substack offers a damn good place for all those reporters to land. Now we just need more people to realize this would be an excellent place where substitutions for all the local newspaper that are going out of business could be found.
Hello and good morning all! A little late bc I almost fainted at a blood draw earlier this morning lol. Ok now. Anyway, thrilled to share I launched my substack, called The Muse... first official post is here:
I'm an author, publisher, and entrepreneur (aka APE, as Guy Kawasaki calls us) originally from the Czech Republic. We do a lot of literature over there :)
My question is, now that I've got the substack up and running, what are the best ways to let the world know about it? I imported my email list from my previous author newsletter but I would like to expand my channels.
I get it. Iβve been posting chapters of my NYC Covid βfictional memoirβ on my Stack. Iβm a professional developmental book editor as well :) Good to connect π
Thank you Valorie! Do you mind sharing which social media you post on, and which of those you find to give you the greatest ROI, which ones are most responsive?
Of course! I find posting frequently on Twitter to yield the most click-throughs. I post on Instagram sparingly, as the algorithm really suppresses anything that takes people off the app. I don't really use TikTok at all, though I'm trying to learn.
Twitter makes sense... a lot of writers and publishing people are on it. TikTok I'd think twice about, sucks up too much personal data. have you tried Mastodon?
I absolutely love being able to add voiceovers to my newsletters! It adds such a personal touch, increases accessibility and my subscribers really appreciate it. So happy that this feature exists.
Hi Katy! Hmm I didn't know about this feature... what does it do exactly, does it read your posts, a bit like an audiobook, or is it that you have to record your own audio and then embed it?
Hi Birgitte, you can audio record your own voice or ask someone else. I do it myself as I trained back in the day as an actor and singer so it's just fun for me. I use QuickTime Player on my laptop to record my essays and then upload to Substack. You can choose - either embed it into your essay (which I did here: https://faithcbergevin.substack.com/p/what-burns-in-you) and/or use the Podcast tab and make a separate post (like I did here with the same essay: https://faithcbergevin.substack.com/p/what-burns-in-you-e89#details). It's really easy once you get the hang of it.
You can use an AI service to do voiceover, but I record my own voice reading it to add personalization to my work. I don't worry about high quality audio production! When you are editing your posts, click on the little headphone icon in the editing menu. It is SO simple to use. The audio comes through even in the email version of your newsletter as a player at the top of your post. I know Substack is automatically adding audio to some newsletters but not mine yet. My readers like hearing my voice!
I didn't know SS was automatically adding voice overs to some newsletters. I hope that's something we can opt out of. I'd only want it read by a human (probably me).
Happy Thursday, all! Just wanted to put a plug out there that Julie Falatko (Do the Work) and I are starting a Substack Letters series next week, looking forward to it! We're talking about childhood influences on creative work as an adult. It'll be fun!
Question - I am new and am setting up my Substack. I think I'm ready, but what is the best way to invite friends and family to subscribe to my newsletter? Email them first? Or add and invite to stay subscribed? Is there an FAQ on this? Thanks!
I think it's a matter of personal preference. I had a small email list already, so I told them of the change to SS and gave them a chance to opt out before moving them across. No one asked to be excluded, but that felt better to me than adding them without asking. But I also know of people who just added them. So up to you. Also, welcome!
Oooh! Very happy to see the footnote feature! Nice to see a dev team responsive to user requests. Just in time for my Saturday post! Where can we find documentation on how to use this feature? Can links and/or images be used within the pop-up? Is there an option to list the references elsewhere in our articles?
It's great to be around when this convo starts - yay insomnia (as it is 3am in Sydney). I've been serialising my debut novel on conked.io for the past few months and will release the third part of Chapter 10 today. In addition I've been serialising a poetry collection on the days when the novel isn't posted. I wanted to say a big thank you to the Substack team and to my readers for making this such a fun way of interacting with and building a community around my writing. My only frustration is that I'd love to share the sequel to the debut now and that at the current rate of release I'd have to wait until 2024 to get out my 3rd novel, which I've just completed. This is a pipeline issue and the traditional publishing route has a similar problem, but still I'm interested in how other fiction writers have tackled this.
I have to say, it has been tough coming in to January and keeping the weekly posts going but ive done it these past two weeks and really proud of the output. Thank you to everyone who has kept me going.
I'd be really interested in what this group thinks about ChatGPT. A totally incredible tool but very scary at the same. Check out my beginners guide!
Hi Martin, happy new year - good to see you are back.
Regarding ChatGPT, here in Silicon Valley it's hard to pass a day without the Sam Altman hype machine drowning out everything else. Microsoft is thrilled, natch.
For we Substackers, like all creatives facing generative AI, my sense is having new digital tools is always welcome and (sometimes) fun. Dealing with those who think AI content is better than what creative humans can do, well, that's something different.
I'm so excited about this addition to the footnotes! I've recently discovered the beauty of using footnotes for my pieces and this is just one more way to make that better for readers. Thank you!
I opened Stock Picking, Options Trading for Income, on Substack a year ago.
Without counting, I think I've published over 150 blogs, some daily and some weekly. I get about 250 to 477 views per article and an open rate of 40% and higher. New free subscriptions come in at a rate of about 1 per day.
twitter is so cluttered with options and stock bots that competition for attention is fierce and produces fewer new visitors than I hoped. When I post to twitter, I use several hash tags used by publishers serving my prospects.
In addition to #optionstrading #optionspremiums #stockmarket, #finance and #trading, I post the stock symbols of the stocks I'm writing about. This gives me higher ranking in the threads on stocks like $CAT and $MSFT.
While I don't write click bait headlines, which are common in this business, I try to write strong headlines that cover my topic. And I try to get readers into my posts by summarizing the highlights with bullet points under my byline like:
Substack publishing has to be viewed as a business.
This is about quality ideas and information, not just about "writing".
It is possible to build a good business if your topic is hot and you have a good reputation and following before you start a newsletter.
Hey Substack team. Are there any plans to add the ability to comment with an image on posts (in the same way we already can with chat?) I draw cartoons and I would LOVE to be able to respond to comments on my posts with a quickly drawn comic...
Who's new to Substack? Welcome!
What questions are on your mind as you get started? Our team is jumping in the thread for the next hour to help answer your questions.
One tip for new writers that I didn't figure out at first is that you don't need to share the link to your newsletter when you comment here. Anyone can click on your picture to read it and the title of it automatically shows up next to your picture.
Also, Substack, the Blog On Steroids, is great about letting you know when writers who liked and commented on your post, so you can thank them and perhaps discuss their response when they comment.
Great point
Thank you! I am a big believer in the philosophy of win - win. In the long run, win - lose turns into lose-lose for social creatures like humans, who depend on the group for support and the free flow of ideas that are crucial for a democracy to function efficiently.
True...and yet making it obvious has helped me gain subs. Itβs a delicate game. You donβt want to sound too pushy or self-promote-y...but you do want to stand out.
Iβm newish! Just published my 3rd article. So exciting! Iβm absolutely loving it!
Welcome and congrats!
Thank you! Sorry I couldn't stick around - I had to put my kid to sleep! Next week I will plan better! ;-/
Hi Vanessa - I just subscribed. Congrats on starting your newsletter! I publish 50 Things which is about trying something new every week so we may have a little bit of overlap:)
What a great premise, Linda! :)
Hi Linda, thanks!! I just had a look and it seems as if you've been having some FUN! I just subscribed and look forward to getting and sharing ideas! :-)
It gets more exciting the more you do it. The team at Substack and the writers here are fully engaged and you will learn a lot - and have fun doing it.
totally agree, I always had valuable, inclusive and fun experiences
That's great to hear - such a special thing to have that in this insane world! :-)
Thanks so much, David! It's wonderful that the community is so very warm and supportive! It's great!
Very true β€οΈ
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Fantastic! Glad you decided to join in on all the fun.
Thanks so much, Matthew! Great that everyone here is warm and welcoming! I appreciate it!
π₯π₯β€οΈ
Started posting in December - so newish!
That's great! You will love it here. Be sure to take advantage of all the resources Substack offers. But mostly, reach out to the other writers here and talk with them, comment on their posts, and just have a lot of fun!
I already am. Thank you!
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Hi Medha, Welcome! I started in October.
Awesome! How is it going for you so far?
It's going well. I do have several subscribers. My topic can be a bit heavy about psychology and healing so it's more about connecting with people who really resonate with personal growth and moving through challenging topics. I found having a schedule for posting helpful. I post my essay on Tues/Wed and then the audio/podcast version on Fridays. There's been considerable interest in the audio versions, which gives new life to the pieces. I look forward to seeing what you come up with. Good luck to you!
Oh that's a fresh idea. Is there a reason you don't post the written and the audio at the same time? I wouldn't have thought to do that. I like how you think!
I did put the audio into the essay when I started using this feature, a few weeks in I think. And then I got a new subscriber and he messaged me asking why he hadn't received the latest audio (since the 1x/wk posting had already happened so he missed the essay with the audio) and I thought I'd just split the week up, with essay on Tues and audio on Friday - then people can choose if they prefer the written or audio. And then new subscribers get something soon after signing up - build on that momentum. You can do both since it doesn't take long. I've found that trying new things at the beginning to see what works and the response I get from subscribers helps me tweak things. Don't be afraid to experiment until you find what works for you :)
I LOVE 'Great Things', Medha - glad to have subscribed recently!
Oh thank you Rebecca! You just made my day!
π
I went down a rabbit hole with your work and subscribed! Love your art and writing! And you helped me discover another Substacker! Excited to see where you go with this :)
You mean my newsletter? Coz if you do, that's spectacularly fabulous! : )
Awesome!
Cheers!
Welcome, Medha!
I am! Excited to get started on something I have been thinking about for a long time. My biggest question/concern is building an audience without a significant social media presence. Most of the Substacks I've seen be very successful have come from established authors or those with a large online following already. I have not been active on social media for years, and have only started playing with Mastodon to see if it will work for me in the last couple of months. Additionally, most of the subreddits in my niche do not allow self-promotion.
As a result, most of the common advice of "share it on you social media channels" doesn't make much of an impact for me. Are there any other platforms which could provide a good boost?
One of my favorite grow interviews is Elizabeth Held grew from zero to 2,000+ subscribers by way of sending lots of thoughtful cold emails.
https://on.substack.com/p/grow-series-6
Collaborating with other writers on Substack can also be very effective! https://on.substack.com/p/collaboration
I have seen Mike Sowden, S. E. Reid and Holly Rabelais grow their subscribers list by engaging with and supporting folks on Writer Hours. I have had offers to collaborate from foks that I have engaged with via this service. Recent health issues have interfered with my writing time, but I now have a pacemaker that should prevent further stroke/heart attack issues and allow me to pursue these offers.
One might wonder if engaging with other writers will lead to recognition from a wider audience, but think of those subscribers as "ripples" that will open doors from *their* subsriber lists and you never know when your Substack post will land in the inbox of an "influencer," who can turn that ripple into a viral wave and introduce your writer to a much wider audience.
I write because I enjoy writing, but it feels good to offer and receive support in these often lonely early days of scant feedback from the outer world. We all have *something to say* and long to be heard.
Write on!
I don't have data to back this up but while I believe that many successful Substack come from writers with large social media following, I still think there's a lot that don't. And it'd be disappointing otherwise because the Substack model is contrary to the social media/influencer game - I think lots of great writing surfaces on its own here, and while getting big bursts of subscribers at once may be difficult, a healthy growth is guaranteed if you put care into your product, because it'll reach those people who are interested :)
Remember that the internet is a global venue. The "long tail" of the Bell Curve might only represent a tiny percentage of all people/interests, but there can be a million potential readers in that small percentage and they have a tendency to form communities of their own.
>>the Substack model is contrary to the social media/influencer game <<
Could you please say more about what you mean by that? Thanks so much.
Sure, I'll point you to this article written by the Substack team, which is what convinced me to write here https://on.substack.com/p/the-problem-isnt-that-elon-musk-owns?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=post_embed&utm_medium=web
I will say this with someone with a "moderate" social following (2500 on Twitter, 500ish on Instagram, 1000ish on LinkedIn, most of my subscriptions come from Substack.
I DO share them on those social platforms. I do the 'ole "click the link in bio" thing, and in the past 3 months got about 119 clicks to my Substack, and 20 sign ups (this a mix of direct from Twitter, IG, LinkedIn, and LinkTree)
Compared to Substack: 277 clicks, and 51 sign ups.
Make friends with other Substack folks in your niche (gotta be a ton of people writing about film and television). Subscribe to their newsletters. Leave thoughtful comments. Don't be CREEPY about it, of course. But if other people are writing about the same things, it'd make sense you could be friends.
Just my two cents.
Seconded. The Substack network is its own beast, and it can help you just as much as, if not more than, traditional social media. The folks who arrive with 20k twitter followers definitely have an initial leg up, no question, but the rest of us are finding great readers and friendships just by engaging inside the stackosphere. Read as many people as you can, comment whenever you have something to say, and look for any opportunity to help other writers. It all pays off.
Help others:) Love it.
Yay, my first time here.
I have experienced the same growth ratios. As of today, 2/3 of my subscribers come directly from the Substack ecosystem.
Hi Grant, last December i saw other writers recommending LinkedIn as a good platform. Having said that, everyone has a different experience with it.
Never had any luck from LinkedIn. I've only received 2 visits to my Substack. Maybe other people have had better success. If so , it's probably because they have a specific niche.
I'm not on social media either. Subscribe to newsletters you like. Comment and like them. Comment on Office Hours. And you'll get subscribers. That's how I do it.
I'm new. Publishing personal essays as I work on my memoir.
Welcome, Ilene!
Hey Bailey! I'm following you on Twitter.
Hi! I'm newish too. I want to consistently publish every week this year. I'm also looking forward to connect with other writers here.
Welcome! Be sure to update your About page. Gives folks (like me) who are just stopping by to get an idea of who you are and what you're about! And it's at least something "actionable" that you can sit down and bang out! haha
Seth is right, the About page is a potential subscriber's first ticket to us and needs to be attractive enough to a reader for them to subscribe. I've often been attracted to a publication, only to read their About description and become completely turned off by it because it portrayed the writer in a very negative light.
welcome, Karen! Are you enjoying Substack?
Hi Jo,
I don't think I have explored it fully, bits and pieces here and there. Aside from having a container for my essays, I haven't really done anything else with Substack. My next goal is to reach a larger audience and increase my subscriber base. I'm getting a little tired of social media, so I'm looking for new formats. I love some ideas that I've seen on this thread today.
What do you most enjoy on Substack?
For me it is the peace and quiet on this platform, it feels like home compared to the socials which i feel is just a bunch of noise. Like you, i'm tired of them too. The other thing is the freedom to express myself. Also, the writing community here is incredible. You've probably got a little taste of what that's like today, although today was pretty quiet in comparison to previous chats.
I wish you a lot of success, Karen.
Me too! Let's connect! I just subscribed to your newsletter!
Hi,
my name is Laura. I've restarted my newsletter as "Seven stories for Seven days" where I sum up some of the bigger news stories in Canada: https://laurasteiner.substack.com/
I publish a new roundup very Sunday. First week is now available.
Awesome, my partner and children are Canadian, so I'll follow you now.
Here's another Canadian based Substack if you love history, politics and the humanities in general ;)
https://thenomadhistorian.substack.com/
Well done writing in French. I'm in Ontario, and took French classes all the way through school and have sadly lost most of it. I can still read it though.
sounds interesting, Laura, wish you ongoing growth with it!
great stuff Laura!
Oooh Laura, check out Mark Dykeman - he posts about Atlantic Canada - and he's fabulous! https://howaboutthis.substack.com
Thanks Rebecca I will π
Like the title. I write commentary on news events as well in my newsletter. I will read your publication
Hi Laura, Long time ago there was a wildly popular CBC news programme called This Hour Has Seven Days. You're reminding me. Good luck!!
Hi Andrew, you reached De not Laura
thanks De!!
Just joining the chat! I started writing in December and just posted my 4th article. I'm so excited about this. Thank you!
Yay! Welcome, Antonette!
Hi all! I'm not exactly new... I published my entry edition about six months ago - and then promptly had some major changes blow up my life (new job, new city). I now have the time again to write consistently, so I'm a born-again-Substacker, I think. π€
"born-again substacker"...love it! good luck!
us too Jason!
Hello Katie and many with fingers on keyboards. I am a Substack subscriber and reader of many colleagues who transitioned to Substack in 2022. The invitation for office hours seems fit for the curious, so here I am. I plan to give Substack a try for 2023 as writer, editor, and convener of conversations among gifted professionals and communicators. So, I'm a Substack sponge, currently, seeking wisdom from professionals who stepped into this, ahead of me.
Hi! This is my first office hours. Iβm not super new, I opened my Substack back in August. I asked this below but I think itβs a bit buried and would love to know your thoughts. My two biggest hurdles right now are 1. Feeling like I havenβt found my βbrand/voice/topicβ and 2. Frequency/consistency. I wouldnβt say my goal is to build a huge following or anything, but Iβm just trying to figure out what my little corner of this space should look like. Any guidance or resources to help with those things are greatly appreciated.
Hi Wendy, thanks for stopping by.
1. If you want to play around with visual brand, this is a great resource: https://on.substack.com/p/grow-3. For more on brand/voice/topic and writing, we recommend turning to other writers for inspiration. Of other Substack writers you read, what do you like about their work? Of that what could you adapt for your own work?
My brilliant colleague, Farrah, writers a Substack. https://farrah.substack.com/ She is the ex-editor of ELLE and Cosmopolitan and has lots of great advice on writing and finding you editorial rhythm and voice.
2. Our data team recommends aiming for one post a week as a benchmark. The format doesnβt matter as much as consistency does. Your weekly post doesnβt have to be a lengthy essay, it could be a short post, an audio note, or discussion thread. Some ideas on format here: https://on.substack.com/p/types-of-posts-on-substack
Thank you so much! I will check these resources out.
The great thing about Substack's hybrid blog-newsletter format is that you can publish a piece to your space without sending it via email and app.
For those who have a bunch of nearly-there drafts or is-this-good-enough-type pieces, I'd say just hit publish! You can experiment, take risks, find your voice, and maybe even surprise yourself. (And then circle back later to send some of those previously-published pieces out to readers.)
Gosh, Wendy, Wendoodly is the BEST name - it's just made me hop over to have a look - you've got a new sub right here right now!
Thank you! A weekly doodle and short essay was my initial goal. I havenβt had as much time for drawing lately but I want to get back to incorporating weekly doodles again. π₯°
Wendy, yes the "brand/voice/topic" is often the hard part unless you are already writing elsewhere and are porting over. How do you differentiate yourself from all the other wonderful writers here on Substack? What topic can you keep growing for years?
The best advice I can give is to write! If you don't have that perfect target yet, start out with writing something you know - kind of a general focus. As you write, you'll start to find your voice and what you really enjoy writing. I changed or refocused my niche as I wrote more and more to my current "The Art of Unintended Consequences". It gives me focus, but allows me to attack a broad range of topics. Even so, I am now starting to find my voice trending differently as I write more and may tweak it a bit more.
Be careful though that you don't alienate or turn off your existing subscribers. Good luck and have fun!
Thank you this is so helpful! I typically take something from my (chaotic and atypical) daily life and relate it to something more universal. But for some reason my confidence has been really shot lately... like who the heck am I to assume I know anything? Maybe I just need to push through and worry less, but thatβs easier said than done.
[I have about 30 unpublished drafts, some Iβve scheduled and cancelled! Iβm just in a bit of a rut]
For me anyway, I love my drafts. I start writing something when I know I'm not ready, but just get down and dirty and hit the high levels, thoughts, ideas, guesses, whatever crosses my mind. THEN I leave it be for a while. I know my subconscious is thinking about it and molding it because one day, suddenly, I'll have an urge to complete that article and it will just flow out with ease.
Short answer. Put something down and let your mind think about it. It might take a day, 10 days, 2 months, whatever. But it will come to you.
Absolutely! Our "brain" never quits "working," even when we sleep. Those rough drafts created by our "mind," let our "brain" know, "This is important! Look through our vast collection of experiences and find some new connctions!"
Thank you, this is all super encouraging. It's good to know I'm not the only one with a million drafts. :-)
You opened your Substack in August and feel like you haven't found your brand / voice / topic - welcome to the club!
I've been writing online since 2001 in the music world and STILL feel like I'm all over the place, so just wing it. Esp now, when you have the least amount of subscribers that will see you "mess up" or whatever. Make your "mistakes" now, find your voice during these quiet times - it's a tactical advantage! haha
You're right. I think it's just cold feet... I told a few people "Hey, I'm writing some stuff" in November/December and now knowing that someone is actually reading it has totally screwed with my brain. I need to care less. I also struggle because my "day job" writing is picture books and early chapter books. (Well... I'm querying so it's my unpaid day job). Substack is my adult writing space, and I kind of want them to overlap, but not... I'm definitely overthinking it. I need to just write and the right people will find it.
Write about the things that you know and understand. Things that only YOU know, with your unique perspective. It's why you have people to tell that you're writing anything - because they know you like you! Lean into that.
I would always rant about email marketing and rail against social media on Twitter, and eventually just said "hey, I'm doing it here on my substack now." Not a HUGE influx of subscribers from that, but I just kept at it.
Hi Wendy! I agree with everyone about giving yourself time. I also write picture books, but my substack is for grownups -- I wrote a newsletter (on Mailchimp) for a few years before I started to get any kind of "brand." Ultimately though, my brand is "me." I write about whatever I'm curious about, or what I'm struggling with, or a creative process breakthrough, and somehow it resonates. This is all to say: keep going! Keep writing! Keep posting! Write what YOU'D be interested to read about.
I am right there with you, Wendy. I started my Substack because I felt like I was getting pigeonholed at work writing about the same topics again and again. But we're all multidimensional, and I wanted to write about a wide variety of things. And boy have I! ;)
I really, really respect those who find a niche topic and can hammer on it every week, but that's just not me. So my goals are to 1.) keep in practice through consistent writing, 2.) explore topics that interest me, and 3.) celebrate a bit whenever my thoughts find kinship with some of my readers :)
Cool name for your 'stack. If you can post weekly, I think that's best. I post weekly. If you get too many posts in a week, that can be a turn-off, especially if your reader is subscribed to a ton of newsletters.
We're about a month in and always looking for comedy writers to join our little team! So thrilled with our pivot to Substack thus far.
Nice! Thanks for being here
Interesting approach. Excited to see where you go with it here on Substack.
Hi Katie, thanks for these ongoing office hours. I have a few hundred free subscribers, and I'm starting to get some paid subscribers as well. I want to comp some percentage of readers so that more people are seeing the first exclusive posts I write. Last night I manually comped 10% of my free subscribers for 30 days, by clicking Load More until all free subscribers were visible, and then clicking every tenth subscriber and comping them.
Is there a way to automate this kind of promotion? This gets at a nice cross-section of subscribers who've found my work at different times, and is much different than just comping the most recent 10% of subscribers.
That's a great idea! I am going to share it with the team working on Boost to consider.
Oh! Just learned the Boost team is thinking about something exactly like you described...stay tuned.
That's great to hear (and very validating)! Thanks for the quick response.
Editing to add it would be helpful to have the recipients put into a group, because it's good to keep track of how many promotional emails any one person has received. I sent an email explaining why they were suddenly comped. If I comp another group next week, I have no way to email just that group, unless I carefully create these groups myself.
Iβm writing a book on climate change to be published in the UK and US in 2024. I would like to use substack to deal with issues in the book and to create some buzz. I have about 10,000 links on linked in and do not do much other social media. How can I best approach using substack?
Hi Michael, congrats on the book! It would definitely be worth sharing on your LinkedIn. From there, I would tell everyone-your friends, coworkers, and acquaintances that youβve started a Substack. Itβs okay to email them from your personal email to let them know. Be sure to include a link for them to subscribe if they choose. Bring it up in conversation, over lunch, and whenever you meet someone new.
There are some more ideas in this post that don't rely on social media: https://on.substack.com/p/getting-your-first-100-signups
This is awesome--congratulations on the book!
Thanks. It is a slog. I did one 10 years ago and it is painful. Considering if substack could help the process and if so how.
Hi Katie, thanks for being here and hosting every week. I was wondering if it's possible to turn off chat notifications for specific chats? Is there a mute button we can utilize?
I also noticed my site is crashing every time I try to add the button "subscribe with caption." Not sure if it's just on my end or happening to anyone else?
I'd also love to be able to add a video like an image, within the body of the letter instead of at the top. These are just picky things that I hope will help improve everyone's experience! Thank you!
Hi Mariah, one of our engineers took a look and wasn't able to reproduce what was happening. If it persists, please write to our support team https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=360001267491
You can embed a video anywhere within a post from YouTube or Vimeo, but it sounds like you might want to post a native video? Our team's been working on that.
When will videos from Rumble be able to be embedded?
oh, i would love a mute button!
Hi Mariah and Diane, you can turn on or off notifications for a specific chat thread by long-pressing it. A menu will pop up to turn off notifications just for that thread.
Not new here, but also not consistent in my writing. Iβve always been curious about when to go paid. Should you build a free subscription base first? Is there a right time or a time thatβs too early?οΏΌ
Tonya is right, I wouldn't say that there is a such thing as "too early."
We think writers should turn on paid subscriptions when they start a publicationβeven if you are only publishing free content. Many people will be eager to support you already. In fact, that is a great strategy. Start with all your posts free and see who decides to pay. Understand why they show their support.
Then, when you feel ready to invest more energy in your Substack, you might make a big push for paid subscriptions and annonce putting parts of your Substack behind the paywall.
(PS - if you are not sure about paid subscriptions, you might consider turning on Pledges. https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/11463706473108-What-are-Substack-Pledges-)
Thanks for the information on Pledges. I've been toggling back and forth between turning on paid and haven't done so yet, but Pledges seems like a good solution.
Curious: I've debated whether to donate a portion of anything I make to a charity whose cause(s) I support. Is setting up this type of mechanism something Substack would consider?
Thanks, Katie. Oh! I was under the impression we should turn on paid subscriptions only after writing for several months or longer... only then inviting free subscribers to pay ( I watched the "Heated" video). So to confirm...Substack suggests offering paid option from the beginning?
Thanks Katie.
Hi John,
I went paid right away and totally didn't expect anyone to jump on the paid bandwagon. I've been utterly surprised by the response! I only have 33 subscribers so far but I have four Founding Member subscriptions and four other paid subscriptions. Not bad, if you ask me! I'd just offer it as an option and see what happens!
thats an amazing conversion rate! Well done Mariah
Thank you! It's held be accountable- knowing my friends and family believe in me and my writing. I write at least two newsletters a week consistently- one on Wednesday for Founding Members and a free one every Sunday. Then I do bonus letters for the other paid subscribers.
Did you add any friends from the beginning? Did you ask permission first?
I sent out an email to about 50 friends or so introducing my newsletter and asking them to sign up (for free). I had about 17 sign up initially! I didn't have a subscriber list from anywhere else, so it's literally just been adding a subscriber one at a time.
I will say knowing the majority of people I'm writing to has been such a delight! I feel like launching to my friends first cultivated a really generous and close-knit circle of readers that's boosted my confidence and made me want to bring my best writing to the table.
I'm slowly getting strangers to sign up which is also a treat!
That is exactly how I started. You will have great luck by participating in these sessions. It seems like I am now at a point where I get a new subscriber from somewhere almost every day. Congratulations!!!!
Thank you for your comment! Very helpful!
Hi Mariah,
I just started in December and basically did exactly what you did - emailing a close circle of friends and ending up with most of my subscribers from that list. What types of things are you doing to get the strangers? I am also new to twitter @RaisingThemWell, and using that platform. Thanks! :)
What a great way to start! I'm posting pretty regularly on my social media channels- LinkedIn, Twitter, a lot on Instagram. I've had a few trickle in from those platforms and also Substack.
My main goal is to make genuine connections and be genuine in how I engage- no matter what platform. So I try to encourage, leave comments, and respond when it feels right. Be the reader I hope others will be for me!
I began my newsletter nearly two years ago. I said from the start that it would be a weekly publication, and I haven't missed a week yet. I went paid after only four weeks. As of this morning, I have 648 paid subscribers.
Whaaaat? Thatβs crazy!
nice work!
A huge congratulations with bells on, Dan!!
That is amazing, Danβcongrats!
That's amazing Dan! Got any specific tips for us newbies that wanna be like you when we grow up?
The key for me is unique content. My weekly newsletter is basically an online newspaper about the Dallas suburb that my family has called home for the past 10 years. I compete with a weekly printed newspaper that's part of a regional chain, but the reporter currently assigned to cover Coppell is simultaneously covering at least three other cities. I focus only on Coppell, so I have the time to dig deeper than my competition.
My goal is 3,000 paid subscribers because that's how many people voted the last time one of our city council elections went to a runoff. I figure if you care enough to vote in a city council runoff election, then you'll probably care about the content of my newsletter.
That's brilliant Dan. Congrats. And thanks for sharing. I think I do post unique content. I'm in the personal development/spiritual field, which can often feel a bit heavy. I make it light and fun and draw cartoons to go with it, which makes it way more playful. So hopefully that is unique enough! Thanks again and all the vest with the 3000!
I don't think there's such a thing as "too early" unless you aren't willing to maintain a consistent posting schedule yet. I've offered paid subscriptions from the beginning, with success, and I think it's important that the subscribers know they'll be getting a consistent stream of new work to justify their support. If I were treating it more as a hobby, and didn't want to commit to the schedule, then I might not offer the paid subscriptions.
This is helpful, Tonya. I have ambitions of becoming consistent within the next 6 weeks or so, but I haven't gotten there yet. Once I do, I'm considering adding a paid option for people who want to support the work but not putting anything behind a paywall. How do you structure yours?
I think that's a great way to do it. I have experimented with putting a few things behind a paywall--so far just one thing at a time--but I've had more success at turning free subscribers into paid subscribers by just publishing high-quality stuff. The paywall has a small effect, in my experience, but not as good an effect as just publishing good work.
good advice, Tonya. I've just gone paid and have just started with a few things, as i'm still navigating the direction of my newsletter. The game is on now, so consistency is key, you're right.
Thanks for that. It sounds like I need to prove my consistency to myself first. Yeah, thatβs probably a good idea.
Kinda wished I had gone with asking for paid subscriptions first. Most of my free subscribers aren't even opening their emails.
It sounds like you may want to experiment with new tactics on creating titles and subtitles for your pieces, so that people are more motivated to open them. We talked about this in Substack Grow last summer, and I've noticed a benefit to (1) being clear, not obscure, with the title and (2) leading from an "I" perspective in the subtitle, so that it feels like a specific person is talking. Just my two cents.
Thanks Tonya, good suggestions. I just started changing my subtiles. The I perspective is an interesting take. My subscribers are busy people I guess. I wish they would send a comment once in while. The comment I did get was fantastic it brought me tears and I was walking on a cloud for a week. In that comment they said at the beginning "I finally got a chance to open your email" I guess I've hooked into the busy busy crowd π
Thank you, Tonya! Great advice about the "I perspective" in the subtitle... will do that.
Hmmm. Leading with "I" in the subtitle is interesting...
I just posted a question about subject lines. Thanks for sharing your learning. Can I also ask how you got into Substack Grow? I've seen a few writers mention it, but I don't know anything about it. Was it available for everyone?
I don't know whether it happens once or twice a year, but I participated last summer. It was a six-week series of Zoom calls with a bunch of other Substackers who were relatively new to the game, but who were growing quickly. I think you either needed 1000 subscribers or else $1000 in yearly paid subscriptions, and there was an application process. It was really helpful, though, so if you get an invite for the next one, definitely do it!
Oh that sounds fabulous! I'm a total newbie, so I wouldn't qualify right now. But that's ok, coz you've just given me a concrete goal!
Kinda wished I had gone with asking for paid subscriptions first. Most of my free subscribers aren't even opening their emails.
Thank you for joining us at Office Hours today. The Substack team is signing off but will be back next week to help answer more questions.
In the meantime, please visit:
Resources Center - https://substack.com/resources
Support Center - https://support.substack.com/
See you then,
Kaite, Bailey, Becca, Emmad, Sam, and Ben
I love writing on Substack.
This community is fantastic.
And receiving comments and emails is the most gratifying thing of all.
Some things are not easy.
Like consistency.
Or growing subscribers.
But showing gratitude (and sharing it) is helping me to get passed the biggest hurdles.
So, thanks everyone for being here.
Connecting with fellow authors and sharing the good and the bad is one of the things that is keeping me going.
Grazie, grazie, grazie πππ
P.s.: I have recently written a short piece on a gratitude practice called βBeauty in everythingβ. Hopefully might help you too to move forward! π«
https://livmkk.substack.com/p/beauty-in-everything
Consistency is not easy. Iβm trying to get back into shape after the holidays.
But being among so many other authentic writers here makes it an easier mountain to climb.
That's so true.
I have stopped for 2 weeks and writing the first article once back (the one above) was so painful.
I forced myself to do that and I did not enjoy the process at all.
But then I have received many comments and private message.
Someone booked a call with me.
And I have realised that connecting is one of the key reasons why I write, and what makes me get going.
That's interesting about someone booking a call with you. Is that for a service that you offer connected to your publication?
Well, it was a request for the coaching sessions I do privately. And was asked simply by replying to my email.
I have written an article called "Just ask" (when you need something) and someone "Just asked" ;)
https://livmkk.substack.com/p/just-ask
Good to hear! I wrote an entry edition and then had some major life changes happen immediately after (new city, new job). That was six months ago, so it's motivating to see comments about getting back at it now that I finally have the time!
What is triggering you to start writing again now?
Honestly, it's just been a matter of not having the time from moving to a new city, starting a new position, and just generally getting settled. I've now finally been able to carve out the time, so it's back to it!
Yeah! Try the "Why do I write?" note π
Maybe it'll work for you too!
And maybe I could write a short article about it as well, at some point!
I will definitely give it a whirl!
Thanks for sharing that! It gives me the motivation to finish up this next one Iβm working on.
Something I also do before starting to write is to fill up a short note where I reply to the question: "Why do I write?"
I copy here today's replies:
I will write since I like it
I will write since it will get me where I need to be
I will write since it will clarify my topics
I will write to connect with the readers, to feel connected
I will write because it is my art
I will write because I am good at it
I will write to make my dream come true
Really helps me to get started!
I like this! Great way to realign with the purpose behind the craft.
Love these affirmations!
Perfect! Thanks for sharing.
Just out of interest, Matt, how do you define 'authentic' in that context? Do you mean committed to the discipline of writing? I find what's encouraging is that so many writers on substack are so damn good. The quality is awe-inspiring
I think thatβs it!
The content on Substack (from my experience at least) is more about writing to explore or uncover or connect rather than to get quick hits or likes.
Completely agree. I'm so tired of social media and the addiction algorithms. That's not what writing, or life, is about. I have one working foot in technology here in Silicon Valley and sometimes it's one foot too many. But there are ways to use technology for good, like this community.
I hear you, Birgitte. I quit social media in October and am loath to ever go back. I've wondered if a stint on Twitter might help me grow my audience as a writer, but all of it is such a cesspool...
Oh god don't get me started about Twitter. Snapchat made me literally nauseous a few years ago when I tried it. As in physically. TikTok I can't stomach either. And I work in technology! There's just something human missing from these algorithms. Umm let's see... real connection?
I agree. I also see a lot of exploration in people's pieces: memories, thoughts, expeditions. It's encouraging me to stop being so much of a perfectionist and put out some less-polished ideas. (I haven't done this yet, but I'm planning on it!)
Yes. I struggle a lot with that. Writing the core of an article typically takes me 20 min. And to polish 3-5 times that. Is it really needed? Not sure about it.
Now I am doing like this: if the article is not good at the first try and I find myself adjusting it, I trash it and start from zero again.
But I must admit that it takes a lot of courage, which often I do not have!
20 minutes?? Wow. Takes me like, 10-20 hours.
But I think it's okay to keep adjusting. That's part of writing: editing, polishing, finding the right words and rhythm.
Wow, 20 minutes?! I need some of this magic.....!!! π€£
Itβs surprising what comes from my stream of consciousness sometimes!
Matt, does your stream of consciousness come with a water slide? Those are the most fun :)
I agree. Not that I object to quick hits and likes!
Yeah, in the end I write for:
Writing = energy + praise + connection
Likes and quick hits go in the "praise" part ;)
What a great formula Livio!
Definitely, thatβs how it has been for me since I joined Substack. The vibes here are very unique and itβs so easy to connect with amazing writers.
It is. So much so that I keep subscribing to people's Stacks. My inbox is hilariously full now!
Mine too, Medha. I wrote an article for Mary Tabor -- another newsletter you should check out btw -- about my writing process. I think I should write one about my reading process too! https://marytabor.substack.com/p/terry-freedman-guest-essay
I would love another guest post from you, Terry! One on your reading process would be absolutely terrific!
Gosh! OK, Mary, thank you! I will cogitate on't
Yeah. It is a problem here too :D And then I have concerns to unsubscribe, since I know the authors (almost) personally!
I've been wanting to connect more personally with writers here, and haven't really done so yet. You just made me realise that there is a hidden advantage in that! haha.
Ha yes, mine too. Each Thursday in this session I usually end up signing up to about 5 or 6 substacks.
Love it
Haha same. It's not super sustainable, but I seem to be addicted to the 'Subscribe now' button!
It's like books at home. Do you read them all at once? I don't, but every so often I encounter one and it's a lovely surprise. I find the same with substacks. Variety is the spice of life and all that!
This is clearly not true because you haven't signed up for mine. That, at least, is my truth and my lived experience. I shall have a look at yours now
I am subscribed to yours already, I just discovered. I'm looking forward to reading your article about ChatGPT. I've been experimenting with it myself. I got it to write an advert for my newsletter, which is pretty hilarious (the ad I mean): https://terryfreedman.substack.com/p/an-advertisement-for-my-newsletter
π€£
Medha how do you find the time to read them all?? There are so many I would also love to read but given my schedule (I run a business, have a child, do pro bono public policy, plus am working on a novel)
I don't read every single post from every publication. But the time I used to spend on social media, I now spend on Substack. I start my mornings with coffee, puppy cuddles and Substack.
That's beautiful. Puppy cuddles rule!!!
To me, it means not being as click-baity as Medium has become. Even the really talented writers are doing it.
I agree. I get fed up with the articles on Medium that have titles like "How I made $30,000 from one article. The most I ever made was $2.38, and it was a cracking article, so I don't believe them!
Itβs one thing for writers who are a few sugars shy of a sweet tea, shall we say. But it really chaps my bahinney when extremely talented writers start taking shortcuts -- employing logical fallacies, connecting dots that arenβt there, linking to things that say the exact opposite, and sometimes even outright lying. Thatβs what the mainstream media is for.
"a few sugars shy of a sweet tea" π€£
I'll check it out. Love gratitude!
Love this.
Thanks, Jeff!
I have feature articles in my newsletter on concepts of 'Beauty Imagined' and it was one of my original article Titles on different sites. Themes on 'Beauty Imagined' have the most attention
Can you share it?
Yes Livio, just go to De's Newsletter and click on the top Section label Buck's Corner and scroll down to Bucky's Corner Vacation Images. Beauty Imagined' verse and excerise is there. Enjoy and share Happy New Year π
Thank you, Livio! I am just getting started (4th article - began writing in December)and so appreciate the inspiration!!
Ciao Livio! Buon anno!! I missed last week's office hours but happy to make this one. What you say about consistency and gratitude are spot on.
I'm thrilled to share I did publish my inaugural post! https://themuse.substack.com/p/ai-human-interface-part-1
Yes π β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
Cleared 150 subscribers! After hitting 100 in five months, it took only one more month to add 50. Exponential math this is and I hope it continues!
Thats great. I had a similar thing.
Took 4 months to get to 50 and then one month to get to 100.
You just need to keep going and building relationships with people.
Hi Martin, Congrats! I just started writing in December (4th post). What would you say is your #1 tip for getting new subscribers? Thanks so much! :)
You just got a new one! As a former private school educator (with lots of thoughts about it all) your newsletter looks fantastic. :)
I will check it out too
Hi Megan! Thank you so much for your kind words and subscribing! You just got a new one, too. :) Love how you are appealing to the traveler AND the arm traveler (I watched a lot of Rick Steves during quarantine). Can't wait to read your work...And how awesome that you are a fellow former educator. Thanks again, Megan!
defo
I had a similar experience with a neighborhood site. All joined my group but only a few subscribed to my newsletter
That's brilliant! And more than a little inspiring!
Thanks, Medha. Would be great if you could leave a comment on the post itself if you have time :-)
And now you are paying it forward by supporting others. That is awesome!!
well done, squire
Woohoo! That is a really great feeling. You'll notice little ebbs sometimes in the new subscriber count (I had a noticeable "dry" spell for a couple weeks, about a month ago) but then it bounces back (with a flood of relief.) Just keep doing your thing! It's clearly working.
Congratulations, what a wonderful achievement! Here's to the next 150!
Woot woot congrats πππΎ
Thanks for sharing James! Iβm on a similar track to get the 100 count and moving gradually up now. It seems things really start to roll once youβre establishing those contacts and keeping people on!
It certainly does.
Iβve been stuck on 96 subscribers for 4 days. So close to 100!
Any help from you guys would be amazing. Ha!
Got a new one :) Maybe 97, maybe 100+...either way, congratulations!
Amazing. Welcome!
Checked your site Interesting titles. Will see more later
That's amazing James, Congrats!
Thatβs a beautiful thing, James. Keep the firehose flowing.
Which channels work for you?
Most of my subscribers are coming from Substack. Office Hours is a major initial source. Comment here and people will come. I also have a 11,000 person following on LinkedIn due to my consulting identity. I do cross-over topical posts and invite subscriptions from the LinkedIn folks 1-2 times a month. I don't Twitter, because I couldn't find a way to build an organic following with my topics.
What has worked for you on Linkedin?
Some time ago I have written this article on my lessons, successes and failures on using Linkedin to promote Substack. But honestly I am not that happy with the results...
https://livmkk.substack.com/p/9-linkedin-posts-gone-wrong-lessons
You need more followers on LinkedIn...keep building your base...
The issue it is in the interaction rate.
Not sure it is on the absolute numbers.
Also, in the past used to have many more interactions.
I have 2.5k followers. Too little?
I question the #'s too. My article themes show up in news frequently even the very words and phrases I wrote. Lack of interaction and comments in the newsletter and chats is a head scratch. Wonder if all the tech gliches are a factor
"I don't Twitter" I love that phrasing!
Five months to get to 60. Now I'm counting on that exponential growth!
Ahhh! The inline footnotes thing is magnificent. What a grand thing. I'm now worried about what it's going to do to my writing*. Thank you for continually rolling out Great New Feature after Great New Feature. It's so appreciated.
*I like** my footnotes.
**Obsessively.
Indeed. It would be even better if we could have footnotes within footnotes, cf Foster Wallace nd others :-)
I LOVE the footnotes. The only complaint I have is they way they format in the email. It looks sloppy because the footnote text is not on the same line as the number. I would love to see them fix that. Minor nit to a great addition.
This is an important consideration especially if your audience is reading your work through email.
I agree. I love putting footnotes in, but because they've been at the end and therefore rather inaccessible, I've avoided them as much as possible. It's been a good discipline. Now I can go wild with them. Is that a good idea? That remains to be seen.
Have I been a content writer for too long? I just link to my sources.
I use footnotes to give more explanation of a point, not for sources. I hyperlink to sources directly from my text.
Got it. Thatβs a great idea and probably looks a lot better than long sections in parentheses, which is what I currently do!
Yes Mike. Loving the constant tsunami π of new Substack features. Global Writing Warming at its best.
I have a feeling I'm going to start using footnotes for sass π
BRILLIANT!! ππΎ
Ooo, are we talking footnotes? Is it getting hot in here? I love using footnotes. Since my writing includes professional insights from psychology to explain personal stories and experiences, sometimes my pieces can incorporate up to 10 footnotes. And I started doing this thing in my audio versions/podcast where I speak to the content in them that is unscripted and train of thought. Not every time. But that one essay with all those riffed footnotes got hundreds of listens. It can be fun! If you're curious, it's this one:
https://faithcbergevin.substack.com/p/what-burns-in-you-e89#details
I've loved using footnotes and the inline footnotes only makes them better to use. Great update!
Are we talking about a David Foster Wallace like of footnotes or...
I always like to footnote as my writing always involves some research, and I want to give credit to my sources. Sometimes if I have a special connection or appreciation for a source or their program, I will provide some extra commentary or a shout-out for them in the footnote. Or I like to expand on ideas Iβm developing in my main article, but I feel that putting it in the body of the article would make it too long or detailed for my reader, but I have the extra in the footnotes for those that like more detail.
I know! Thereβs no telling how many more Iβll use now. π¬
Is it possible to introduce a cooling off period for people who are unsubscribe - say turn off emails for a week, two weeks, a month, etc, instead of just turning them off? I know from personal experience, and some feedback, that sometimes people have too much going on, and want a bit of inbox quietude. This way, they won't be lost for good.
If a paid or gift subscriber cancels, I send them a personal note asking how I might improve, what interests were not fulfilled. If a free subscriber whose identity can't be discerned, I just let them go. Many people, unfortunately, sign up with no real idea of what they are getting. For every free subscriber that leaves, there are many other to take their place. This is especially true of people who subscribe from within Substack, and whose information indicates they "read" 75 or 175 or 500 other Substacks. These are not keepers.
Ideally, Substack should have a facility to ask that question automatically as people are unsubscribing. I think emailing someone after they have, in effect, said they no longer wish to hear from you is a bit dodgy. I used to do that myself, in a different platform, until someone pointed this out.
I believe Substack already does that. When I go into my Stats tab and click Unsubscribes, the results include Feedback and Reason fields.
I don't see that option. Hmm... I wonder why?
yes, good point Dan. I'd forgotten about that
Good point π«°
Exactly. They come n go. My practice is to forget it and just write quality pieces consistently.
Best approach methinks
Love this abundance mindset :)
Yes, lots of truth to this observation. It's when people have been paid for some time... leaves me wondering. Those who pay and disappear within a few months...quite right.
I had a significant # of unopened emails in subscriber stats, so I decided to make some inquiries through direct emails. I got a rather brash response for adding one email to many for this subscriber. He didn't unsubscribe though π No response from all other emails I sent. Everyone is busy and times are hard so pushing paid subscriptions seems not an option for now ....right??
By way of encouraging--I've had a number of new paid subs over the past couple weeks... as if the New Year is connecting in a positive way! It's so challenging to read these things!
What I'm also experiencing though, is too many letting subs lapse. I feel as if they think I'm "okay" now financially, and they can pull support--which is not true. But hard to say without sounding whiny and begging :)
Eventually the higher number of people coming onboard will work out...
I like this idea, I'll bring it up to the team. Readers unsubscribing from paid plans have the option to "pause" for 1, 3, or 6 months, but the idea of doing it for free readers is a promising one, I think!
I like that. I am still all free readers. I don't have many unsubscribes, but I think it would help hold those who have an urge to unsubscribe. I know many people (myself included) who have days where I will unsubscribe from ANYTHING that crosses my path just because I'm feeling overwhelmed and want to purge.
Your went to me
Same! Haha
Thank you!
Most of my subscribers aren't even opening their emails. Should I ask them if they want a pause?
That's good to know--I didn't realize it does that :) for paid folks unsub'ing
Thatβs something I have thought about too. Itβs probably going to be good for people to be able to turn off emails without unsubscribing completely.
On the same note, I'm not sure how many people realise they can switch off their emails and just follow in the Substack reader. However, not everyone is using the reader anyway.
PS, I also want to emphasise that Substack - the platform, and Substack, the community - are both amazing. So much great tech, and so much great reading, and so many nice people. :-)
interesting idea!
I am not a lawyer but I think there may be laws around when someone unsubscribes from an email list that wouldn't allow for this for free subscribers. For paid subscriptions, we do various upsell emails and free trial offers for writers who turn on Boost - https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/9674586580244-What-is-Substack-Boost-
Then offer either unsubscribe, or cool-off for a month. It's basically to try not to lose people. Think of it as a little like the timed mute function in mastodon - you like someone, but you just don't want to hear from them for a little bit, cos you've other stuff going on. The Farnham Street Newsletter (not on Substack) offers this option. Just a thought.
Where is this Boost auto pilot feature?
There is a law which is in Canada about anti-spam and stuff. However, like you Iβm not a lawyer so I donβt know how much of an issue it is. You might have to customize it for each country. I also donβt know what the GDPR in Europe says.
Love that idea Shane. We could call it a βSubstack Pause.β
When I switch off emails it's been automatically unsubscribing me from all of the Substacks I follow. Anyone else having this issue?
Have you seen this done in other contexts? Maybe some newsletter you are subscribed to...
Dating apps do something similar when you try to uninstall them.
But I guess the Substack team here is not trying to change usual email user expectations...
Yep, the Farnham Street newsletter does it.
What alternative sources (to your own social media and Substack features) are you using to get exposed to new subscribers?
P.S. One of my main sources (1 in 4 of all my subscribers came from there) is The Sample, a free services that time-to-time shares your post with people interested in newsletters of a similar category. If you want to give it a go, you can register via this link - https://thesample.ai/?ref=850d
I repeatedly tub-thump business cards (I got mine thru VistaPrint)! I have a 2-sided one, with a brief "about" info line with my 'Stack web address. On the back is a QR code that can be scanned easily by passersby.
What I do is hang both (front & back) on Starbux and Panera bulletin boards. Plus, when I'm at either, and see a bystander scanning the board, I'll point to me in the photo (seen to the left...it's my 'Stack ID), and say something like, "Do you recognize me at 22 backstage with the Ramones in 1977?" Holy conversation starter, Batman! Plus, I'm able to pass out my card at the gym, and just anywhere I'm out and about! Give it a try!
I use the business card with QR code approach too! I also have a QR code reader on my phone which is linked directly to my URL. That way when I meet strangers, other parents, etc. I can have them subscribe in person.
Well this is clearly genius!!
Way too 21st century for me, Amran! All that "code reader," "URL" and app chat is so tough to do on a flip phone! But, I admire your gumption (which is a good word, and has nothing to do with a New Orleans seafood stew)! Damn......now, I'm hungry!
Your attention span is surely much better for it!
I'm sorry......................................what? π€£ π
Such a cool idea. I've never thought of this.
Oh wow, that is a great idea!
mega cool!
I just received my business cards with QR codes and I can't wait to start planting them around town. I am also thinking of "accidentally" leaving them inside library books I return that are related to the same topic of my newsletter (continuous learning, adventure, hobbies, etc.). I don't know how I'll track whether this works or not but I'm going to give it a try.
Go get 'em, Linda! Good for you! Well, you'll never know about the results of having/leaving/giving your card. I love your second sentence! I've taken to frequenting local Barnes & Noble's and leaving my card in the middle of rock star bios and autobios!!! Now that I have "a partner in climb," I'll stop feeling so naughty!!! You're my new hero.....great minds think alike!
Haha! I love the idea of doing that in bookstores. Is that legal? :)
Well, the cops had no problem with it.................when they pounded on my door last month. Now, why'd you have to go and spoil my fun?!?πA) I only did it to about 6 books, and B) there's no way to trace it back to me, with no contact info! The worse punishment they could mete out would be to not subscribe......and, I get that on a daily basis!! Carry on!π
Usually most qr code generators keep track of the usage and show you stats. So it is easy to see if somebody really finds thed in the books.
Interesting! Since I plan to leave the QR cards in various places I think I would need to create a different QR code for each right? For example, one QR code for the cards left in books, one for cards left at Starbucks, etc., otherwise I'll be able to see that the code was used but not which location worked.
That seems like a lot of trouble to do separate QR codes.
true - I don't really care where they come from at this point. I can ask in their welcome email though how they found out about my newsletter and see if they answer.
Well, that's WAY more than I would or could ever want or need, despite my Olympic-level OCD! My only goal? Get people to easily access my 'Stack location. Beyond that, I just don't care.
π€£
I'll give you a full report then, from prison, next month.
You've got the same idea I thought about doing. Great minds think alike!
Great idea, Brad! Just getting business cards at all could be very beneficial for me. I could hand them out at church when people ask what I do for a living, for instance.
One of my mentors Alan Weiss suggested years ago to not carry business cards. βHow many people do you hear from after handing them your business card, β he would say. βFocus on getting theirs instead (or their LinkedIn profile) and take the initiative to follow up with them.β
Well, obviously, there is no contact info on my 'Stack card, but again, if no one has my card in the first place, there's no chance they'll sneak a peek at my 'Stack, much less subscribe.
Plus, I don't think people I approach with "What kind of music do you listen to?" to break the ice (I write about music, generally), actually even WANT me to follow up with them in any way, shape or fashion. Just ask my ex-wife for verification.
Plus, with a dozen pesky restraining orders, I seem to have reached my quota of "taking the initiative to follow up with" strangers.
I think I have read all of Alan Weiss' books as well!
That's what I'm talking about, Wendi! Go get 'em! With a "captive audience" who already knows you, you're golden! Plus, if they seem interested, ask if they'd like a couple more for handing to folks they know at work or family members! The possibilities are endless....and kinda fun!
I've had a few people take my business card and then actually subscribe! These are people who I've met in real life, so they're a little more invested in figuring out what I'm going on about than the average stranger on the internet. But I don't see any downside to having business cards. It's a nice little psychological boost, too.
Nice! Old school direct to consumer PR & advertising! Bravo!
I just have a picture of myself with a guitarist who knew a drummer who once talked with a roadie from the Ramones. Would that work?
That's pretty close, David...close encounters of some kind I'm sure.
This reminds me of a mullah nasrudin story that I'll write about soon
Only if the roadie was Monte Melnick, the Rams' former road manager!!ππΈ
Lol
I might try that even though I WASN'T with The Ramones in '77. Does it actually work?
Well, it sure HELPS to have been photographed 45 years ago with an eventual Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame rock group, but whether it "actually works" is unknown, unfortunately, 'cause someone could subscribe directly from my card, and I'd never know it!
What I like is that I've met SO many people (and eventual friends) with my card as the conduit. In fact, I've got about 10% of my subbie list is from people I've personally met! Of the 4 Paneras I frequent around Austin, I'd say close to ten employees are subscribed! And, who knows how many people scan my QR code from the board?
BTW, I've got an ad running in the Feb issue (out at the end of this month) of ReMind Magazine, a colorful glossy mag whose audience is my agers, with a focus on pop culture nostalgia (music, TV, movies). It'll be my second issue with an ad ($30 for 1/8-page, I think), but my first with the QR code.
None of that means anything, of course, unless or until you're writing about pop culture (of some sort) nostalgia!
But, anyone can utilize a biz card. And, as for it "actually working," it's like social media and the folks here who wring their hands over not liking social media, etc. You never know when article A or article Z might "go viral." But, unless and until you give it a chance, you'll never know! BTW, careful photo-shopping might end up making you look like Terry Ramone from back in the day!
Brad love your energy. Would you believe I met the Rolling Stones in person a few decades ago?? They were the most courteous gentlemen. Not kidding.
excellent points, Brad, thanks!
I wasn't with the Ramones either...I was busy setting up Jimi's guitar back then:)
Oh, Paul.....it's kinda tacky to name-drop.......at least, that's what Tom Cruise once told me!π
You heard of Jimi Montforton?
LOL
The closest I ever got to pop celebrities was when a band called Dave Curtiss and The Tremors played in a holiday camp circa 1964. They were on top of the pops once. Dunno what happened to them. Not quite in the same league as Jimi and the Ramones
Nice, on the next 'Brush with Greatness' episode we will see a picture of Brad sitting between Queen Elisabeth, and Freddie Mercury...
Cool! A picture of me between a queen...........and a pretty British gal wearing a crown!ππ
I saw the Queen at a distance once: https://terryfreedman.substack.com/p/my-queen-and-i
Does that count?
Thanks for the reminder (and detail), Brad. Will get on it next!
We're starting a New Year's Revolution!ππ₯β¨
Great stuff. I did much of that for my last book. Not sure what you mean by "tub-thump" though.
Golly, David.....The sheltered life you must have led! You must not have read (and been written about on occasion!) local newspaper gossip columnists! In my case ('60s and '70s), it was the Houston Chronicle's Maxine Mesinger, and the Houston Post's Marge Crumbaker. Read about Maxine here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxine_Mesinger
It's a publicist/PR term meaning to call attention to, or announce the importance of a certain something! It's all about the lingo! For Marge, her tagline was, "We Snoop to Conquer"!
For your last book, say, you were "tub-thumping"π(imagine the deep, hollow sound of thumping the side of your bathtub) if/when you were making personal appearances about it, or planting items in papers or online about it! Now, you can go and do all the tub-thumping you want, and know what you're doing!!!ππβ¨π₯π
Brad, yes I have apparently led a sheltered life. π Most of my writing throughout my life has been in the government arena so I was restricted in what I could do. For my first book, I did the marketing on my own in the very few hours I had to spare. For my next book, I'm learning and working to set up all the marketing and tub-thumping well ahead of time. I learn slowly, but I eventually get it. Thanks for the detailed explanation! π
Thank YOU, David! Go get 'em, knock 'em out, and all that jazz! And, thump the dickens out of that tub!
Great advice, Brad!
Thanks, Paul! Mad props to Mom!
I've tried putting things in Hacker News, but they never get published. I presume cos I've only got one point. I don't even know how people get points? Is it by commenting on HN items? Just wondered if you happen to know (or anyone else)
I put about 10 articles on Hacker News, but now, when I try, they just show a page that says, "Sorry." Well, I've dated before, and have heard THAT word hurled in my general direction more times than there are tears in my ducts! So, I guess I'm barred, now, from several subReddits AND Hacker News! With this many rejections, I feel like a college boy again!
On the subject of rejection, you might enjoy my seminal paper on the matter: My Worst Date Ever (or one of them): https://terryfreedman.substack.com/p/my-worst-date-ever
Thanks, Terry....I'll check it out! Coincidentally enough, there's an article with that exact title on a food writer's 'Stack.....I think she was writing about her negative experiences in a store's produce department. This, of course, followed her thoughtful articles titled, "My Worst Prune Ever," and "My Worst Raisin Ever." But, I digress..................................repeatedly.
LOL
There's got to be an article in that
I'll have to borrow my therapist's notebook. He's got all the notes. Ah, Dr. Goldfarb's lumpy, plaid couch. I remember my first words to him: "I don't suppose you can do anything about my defeatist attitude?"
π€£
Points are added via upvotes, I think (just like on Reddit). So if enough people "like" your stuff, it goes up. But I don't know how (and if) it affects your subsequent postings there.
Thanks, Oleg. I can't even get to first base though, cos my submissions don't go live in the first place! Not sure why: at least one of them was very relevant to the HN communityy.
Ha, that's weird! I pushed a couple of mine there and, although they didn't get much traction, they did go live and brought a small trickle of visitors.
oh well that's encouraging. Maybe I'll try again
I might try that Brad. A bit out of my comfort zone but hey - what is there to lose?
As me mum used to say, "Brad (I guess for you, she would-a said 'Oleg'), you can come up with the 18 excuses why NOT to do something, or discover the one reason to DO something!" Or, as you say, not much to lose! Go get 'em!
OK, here's an idea...Get a rubber stamp, with your Substack QR code. Go to the library. Stamp all the pages in all the books. When you've done that, do the same in Chapters...You're bound to get some attention.
Done and done...........way ahead of ya, Paul!! I even left an imprint on Miss Grimsby, the librarian's forehead!π
Your subcount is going up faster than a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird.π
Hope Miss Grimsby will be all right...
Thanks for the link! I'll definitely be looking into that.
So far, I've had the most success posting my articles on Reddit. I'm still seeing traffic from an article I posted on Thanksgiving.
I agree reddit drives a lot of the traffic. When I'm getting clicks from reddit it seems that has a connection to the clicks I'm getting which are categorized as "direct". Both rise in tandem. I'm new to all this so I'm unsure how they are related.
I think in some cases it's difficult for the Analytics suite to determine the source, so the direct increase might come from Reddit as well.
Would you mind sharing what kind of subreddits do you post to?
Depends on the article subject. My biggest success was a post to r/literature about the poet Ezra Pound, but I've also gotten decent traction from posting to much smaller subreddits.
Also, if you donβt mind my asking--are you usually active in those subs? I want to try something similar but donβt want to get my hand slapped for shilling (yes, I am scared of random redditors being mean to me).
Reddit is a tough nut to crack. Spend a minute reading the rules in the right column of the desktop version. The moderators are quite serious about any promotional links. You'd think they paid per ban. I got banned by a mod named "Spamhammer". True story!
You can try out various subreddits to find some that will allow some linking to valuable content. Try https://anvaka.github.io/redsim/
Let us know how you make out.
Thanks! I tried posting on Reddit, but the mods of my particular sub deleted my posts, saying that "why are you linking your stuff, just post it as text".
I've been banned from several subReddits, and my only reaction is "thanks"!
If you wanted to do that, you could post text or a teaser to a subreddit of your own that you control, and link to it. Some moderators are more accepting of [OC] or original content than others.
Wow, that's a great idea actually.
Thought about Reddit ok. How about tiktok I'm a little hesitant about that platform due recent news.
Interesting. Do you ever get met with resistance that posting your writing is βself promotionβ (which a lot of subreddits ban)?
Not so far. I usually just post a link and it either sinks or swims.
Conversations with random strangers in coffeehouses and cocktail bars.
I'm a Brit. I'd get funny looks if I started a random conversation that went on for any longer than "Nice weather for ducks!".
Haha! Having lived in England for over a year I can attest!!
Women can get away with chatting at random, not men though. Women think we're 'coming on to them' and men think we're a bit odd.
I can see that. It can be tricky to know who and when to approach for any gender. I'll raise you though: a woman chatting to a random man can seem like she's trying to hard or that terrible word, "desperate"- just saying :)
I think it maybe depends on the age gap. I find that initiating chatting to women of around my age, or vice-versa, pretty easy because I suppose there's no hint of anything else going on. You might be right, but I like to think that women chat to me because of my charisma and devastating good looks rather than because they're desperate π€£
Ducks good graphic novel
"Hello, nice to meet you. I love your glasses, I wear glasses.
Do you like to read?
You do?
Well, my name is Tiffany, and I would love if you subscribed to my Substack. I am just starting up and would love a new follower"
(I would never say this because I am painfully introverted, but the sentiment is genuine!)
Some of my conversations with "random strangers in coffeehouses" (I don't drink, so cocktail bars aren't in my equation) have turned into "friendships with new friends made in coffeehouses." You included no verb(s) in your statement, so I'm not sure quite how you're leaning with the very notion.
+1 for this question! (I tried The Sample and it has been a complete flop for me, which is probably operator error.)
Well, to be fair and transparent, most of my Sample subs happened because of me bringing new users to them (via the affiliate link above). For every person who subscribes, I get 100 forwards, and out of one hundred around one person subscribes to me :).
Good to know!! I havenβt tried the referral program yet--maybe itβs time to give it a shot.
This is good to know too as out of all places Iβve posted my newsletter, it hasnβt driven huge traffic !
Mostly true for me as well.
It takes a while for momentum to kick in.
My two main channels are: Substack & linkedin.
The Sample stops sending users after the first 2 weeks, but can be great!
What's your experience with that? How to resurrect it?
P.s.: If you use linkedin, this article providers some actionable insight for Substack writers.
https://livmkk.substack.com/p/9-linkedin-posts-gone-wrong-lessons
On the Sample, I've noticed a benefit to "pinning" a particular post for them to send out for a few weeks, then switching it up when there's another post I feel is particularly strong. I've continued to get subscribers that way--not a bunch, but a few here and there--and I think, first, prioritizing your strongest material, and then, also, switching it up periodically has helped.
Brilliant tip Tonya thanks!
Yeah! I did the same. One converts at +1%, and I've pinned that!
Thanks I will revisit this strategy π
Thanks for the tips, Tonya. When I first signed up with the Sample, I got many new subscribers and perhaps it coincidentally lined up with my most popular essays to date? I don't know. Since then it's really dropped off. Maybe re-pin my most popular?
Sorry, just had a glitch while replying (it posted twice, then when I tried to delete one, it deleted both. *shrugs*) But yes! I'd pin the work that you feel is most engaging, and also most accessible to someone who isn't used to reading you regularly. Some of the dropoff is inevitable, unless you sign up for the paid version or refer a bunch of people, but it's worth trying.
Thanks, Tonya, for your response. I think that's a good point - which piece is most accessible? And then pinning. I assume you mean pinning it on your main page of the Substack newsletter and not some setting in The Sample itself?
Oh, yes, I mean in The Sample itself! If you go to The Sample, and then to your account, then to Posts, you can pin a post there. I think this link will work to get you to your account (you'll have to sign in): https://thesample.ai/account/
I don't know what you mean about The Sample not sending users after the first two weeks. I only do the free option, not the affiliate or paid ones, but I've been doing it for several months and continue to get new subscribers occasionally.
It does slow down after a while, because the creators want everyone to have a level-playing field. Basically, they have a limited pool of recipients, so as time passes, your newsletter is forwarded less frequently.
Yes. I meant that ;)
With Sample, I paid for some subs and I also use the affiliate feature (for each sub you bring them, you get 100 forwards, and that usually brings 1 subscriber to me).
LinkedIn is an okay-ish source for me, although I don't write on professional topics.
Did you find paying for them effective? As in did you get subs and did they stay?
It was around $4/sub, and I got around 10 people. They did stay.
Thanks for the link to your article about LinkedIn, which I saved for future reference.
I've tried The Sample. It's led to about 2 subscribers. I actually get more signs ups from other social media and websites like: Counter.social, Post.news, DailyKos.com and Reddit. Though the Reddit signs ups are a fickle bunch who seems to sign up before realizing what kind of comics I make. Go figure.
This is a nice service. And, of course, the more people who click on your link and subscribe, the more The Sample will share your newsletter with their database.
My newsletter is about the Dallas suburb that my family has called home for 10 years, so I've joined our town's chamber of commerce and I have sponsored youth and high school sports teams. I also bought the naming rights to a middle school's gym for just $50: https://twitter.com/ByDanKoller/status/1598126157513252865
I feel dumb, sorry, but once I register to the Sample, how do I share my posts? The site seems to view me as a reader rather than a content creator (though I certainly do my share of reading.)
It will send the next post you'll publish (and the following ones).
Hi Zachary, you can do it here: https://thesample.ai/submit/
I feel guilty that I haven't used The Sample more, but I can't figure out how to use it effectively. There is so much to learn here! This is one of those things I keep saying I'm going to get to, but never do.
So thanks for the reminder. Maybe I'll get to it now.
I just signed up my email address to receive articles, but how do i add my substack to the list of those referred?
There's a publisher's console tab that you can use to add your newsletter.
I just had a look at the sample. Looks potentially helpful although Substack doesn't yet support automatic integrations. The Sample sends you an email address to add manually.
Yes, there's a simple link from the email the Sample sends you notifying your new subscription, then it downloads on your subscriber page. The first time it's a bit weird but after it's really a 1-minute step.
It's fairly easy to export those subs though.
Yes, it is pretty easy!
Yup, seems a pretty straightforward copy and paste.
Yes, it's an added hassle and I wish Substack did support automatic integrations, but it is easy to do. The challenge is to remember to do it when I can't do it immediately when reading the email notification that I need to import new subscribers.
Do you have questions about writing fiction on Substack, or are you looking for a like-minded community of fiction writers? Look no further than the largest (and only that we know of) fiction community called Fictionistas. We are 1200+ strong now, have monthly Zoom calls, our own monthly office hours, run challenges, are looking to introduce prompts (woo-hoo!), and support one another as best we can with helpful articles. Check us out:
https://fictionistas.substack.com
As for me, you can find me writing weekly speculative fiction at Future Thief:
https://brianreindel.substack.com
We look forward to having you along for the ride!
Can I please ask 2 questions?
1. How is the work coming on with SEO? It unfortunately still seems to be the case that Google doesn't like substack subdomains too much, and it's incredibly hard to get SEO traffic compared to your own hosted website (I'm not going to name competing services, we all know who they are)
2. How is the work coming with themes? I'd LOVE to add more personalisation with substack and love Bari Weiss's theme for thefp.com - even if you added themes like that as just a few default options it would be amazing!
Thanks!
Hey John. There are things you can do to help with Google and SEO. I recommend hooking up Google Search Console. I wrote an article about how to optimize SEO while writing your Substack posts: https://pau1.substack.com/p/6-steps-for-more-substack-subscribers
Good luck.
This was helpful. Thanks!
Thanks for sharing the link to your article. I have saved it and think it will be helpful since I don't know much about SEO optimization.
Thanks Wendi. If you do only a couple of the things recommended in the article, Google will reward you. Sometimes I hesitate to put links to my own articles in these forums, but the info is actually useful if people apply the advice...
I'll give that a read! I seem to come up just fine in Google searches, but it's always good to try new tools.
Regarding themes: we are in the very early days of scoping this product. We hope you'll see more over the next ~3 months
I actually really like there are not a tonne of theme options as I think it made it easier for me to start! Iβm thinking about adding graphics that match my brand as Iβve seen others like Emma Gannon pull through yellow lines etc and it looks cool!
I actually plugged mine into Google Console and had it manually do the crawl. I'm getting decent analytics now.
Same. I'm also gradually setting up redirects from my WordPress to pieces that I reprint on Substack. I'm seeing my Google numbers SLOWLY go up.
Reassuring! Iβve kinda lost my Wordpress blog as I have a re direct on my website but I donβt really mind...
I'll hold onto the original Wordpress.com website but it's the in-between posts on the Wordpress.org that I want to get switched over to Substack so I can increase Substack traffic and not pay to renew my hosting service ;-)
Re: SEO, we have a whole blog post about the improvements we've made / are working coming soon. Stay tuned for a very long answer when that's published :)
John, I have not had any issues with SEO, but it requires having a particular presence on the platform. It took me a few months, I had to have a certain number of posts, subscribers and interactions. Once that happened, a sitemap was added by Substack, and I find all of my pieces in Google shortly after they are posted.
How do you know when or if "a sitemap was added by Substack"?
Thank you!
In my case, I visit:
https://brianreindel.substack.com/sitemap.xml
So if you take your Substack URL and add /sitemap.xml and get nothing back, then it hasn't been added. If you get XML then you have a sitemap.
Oh, thank you! I just checked and I have a whole bunch of code. Good news!
Me too!
Thanks for this info, Brian!
Well this is great to know! #goals
Same here Brian
Seconding the question on themes! Would love to understand the roadmap here and how they're testing it. It's great that they're helping "media empires" but the rest of us like themes, too! ;-)
Iβm curious about SEO too. My Substack doesnβt come up at all in the first page of results when searching for my name.
Mine does. I tried in a private browser tab and my newsletter shows on Page 1.
Wanted: Super-well-written first-person stories to share with 170,000 readers on Understandably.com.
You get a bit of money and usually a good number of new subscribers. I get great work to share with my audience.
Details and 5 great examples from 2022 can be found here:
https://www.understandably.com/p/writers-wanted-share-your-work-on
Thanks Bill. I have something in mind that's about 1700 words. Don't know if that length would fly. Could probably cut a couple hundred. Maybe I'll give it a shot. All the best!
I think I have at least one article you would want to share. I've saved the link and will read more later and submit something to you. Thanks for the opportunity!
Hi Bill - excited to hear about Understandably, first person stories with universal themes are my jam!
Looks like you prefer essays on the shorter side - would you consider those in the 2500 word range? Also, do you have any interest in essays that have already been published on a personal Substack or Medium, or only unpublished! Thanks :)
Previously published is fine as long as you own the rights.
Length can be an issue. I have one I'm working on now that was about 2,500 words. We're cutting about 600 words and running the remaining 900 words over two days. I'd have to see the submission to know of course!
Great - just submitted a shorter one!
Hi Bill, that sounds like a cool opportunity! Do the stories need to have some lesson/takeaway or are you also open to something weird/whacky/funky?
I can take a look! There are some good examples at the link, plus the submission form. Thanks!!!
Cool, I've just submitted a piece, hope you find it interesting (even if it's not something you're looking for!).
Great, I see it. I'll take a look today.
Hi Bill, great offer, thanks. Will submit something early next week!
Have a fun weekend, George
Just subscribed. Sounds awesome. Iβll submit something,
Iβve submitted!
2023 is my year of connection and collaboration! I am especially excited about Substack's cross promo and letter writing features and I'd love to know any writers (you or substacks you follow) who are using these tools in fun and clever ways? Tell me everything...
My first collaboration is in the works, I have a guest post pending for another substack and will be soliciting them for a guest post as soon as that's finalized. I'll let you know how it goes.
That collaboration had it's inception in their Chat, someone on their crew liked my idea and I asked if I could write a guest post to expand on it. Simple as that!
Awesome π
A. That's so exciting. I can't wait to hear how the guest posting/cross collab goes!
B. I love hearing that the chat feature (which has felt a bit overwhelming to me, honestly) created connection and collaboration opportunities! That's so inspiring. I'll make some time to explore that feature as well. In the beta testing, I really liked how intimate the convos felt. With the wide release, it started to feel really loud to me.
I am really taking my time before using it for myself. Some Chats I have seen feel like they're using it just because it's available. It's definitely *intended* for the closer conversations. Still stewing on this!
Same same same. I totally agree and want to be really thoughtful about how/if I use that space to add a new experience or value. Any Chats you are really loving that are doing it well?
Not really. The Chat that initiated the collab I mentioned was just a topical Q&A. "What's your favorite _____?" so I chimed in just for fun and the conversation expanded.
I've been debating using it for an "office hours" style format. Maybe after I publish my monthly capstone piece, I will include a note that says "i'll be in Chat for Office hours for the next hour to talk about this, come join me!"--but again, I don't want it to feel like "Chat is a thing so help me use it!"
Something I wish more people would do is to use the Chat to have meta-conversations, if that makes sense. It's very easy to be in author-mode and to speak from the pov of your publication, but starting a Chat with, "Hi I am a human being, come get to know the person behind the publication" would be very interesting, to me.
I really like that- opportunities to be human beings together. Not just service providers and/or consumers!
Michael Estrin, Dennard Dayle and I did a monster collaboration piece last November and we're looking to do an encore soon. I've also got a planned letters collboration on the docket this spring.
The process and the experience for the first collaboration was awesome. Super fun, learned a lot, got to build relationships with writers I respect a ton. I think the key is finding good dance partners. It was a blast and I highly recommend it.
I haven't seen anyone using the letter writing feature yet! I want to see it in action. Someone please drop a link if you've seen this executed well.
Valorie, do have a look at https://brynphd.substack.com/ - Bryn has just completed a brilliant series with https://camilleprairie.substack.com/
Thank you!
Rebecca at 'Dear Writer, I'm Lost' just shared a link to her series and it's the first one I've come across: https://rebeccaholden.substack.com/s/letters-to-terry
I'll let you know when I find more!
Yeah, please do!
Tami, I'm not sure how fun or clever my Substack letters collaborator Terry Freedman and I come across to readers, but we've been having a really fun time writing them! I'm hoping to start another collaboration in the spring. It's great to get together with other 'Stackers in this way!
Here's a link if you'd like a giggle: https://rebeccaholden.substack.com/s/letters-to-terry
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Thank you for sharing, Rebecca! I am excited to check these out. Yours will be the first letters I've actually seen in practice. I also love that you created a separate section for them. I was curious to see how writers wrap a special, ongoing series like that into their main body of work.
Thanks so much, Tami! I wondered for ages about setting up a new section - the only thing I don't like about it is that on THAT page my numbering of posts ends up looking pretty random, and only makes sense on my main page - but actually it's not as much of a problem as I'd feared, and I'm fine with it. In my own posts I write about various things - getting lost, mostly, but also about life experiences etc etc - but I'm finding that the letters project is an opportunity to just go a bit crazy and talk about other stuff too! And Terry is kind enough to humour me!!!
I've been trying to find the time to look into the letters idea.
ditto!
I'm looking forward to seeing (and hearing) how this takes shape for you this year!
Same. I tend to tuck ideas and inspiration into my pocket and need to now carve out a more consistent time to revisit and research them. As soon as I stumbled on the letters idea, it felt like a spark, so I'm anxious to dive into that one in particular.
Yeah!! I need to get in on that!! β€οΈβ€οΈπ₯π₯π₯
Iβve had so much success publishing Q&As with other writers. I published a piece with Jessica Defino (who has like 50k plus subscribers as far as I know) and her linking to it drove 200+ subscribers to me
Oh I love that! Q&A's and interviews are so fun and infinitely interesting (at least to me). Kind of like behind the scenes footage. I think we all love getting a closer look at the people behind the words or art or creation.
Do you do q&a's as a regular series within Body Type or just as the opportunities come up?
Not really a regular series, just when I want to talk to another writer who I think will have something compelling to say in the body image space :)
I had a couple guest posts on Juke from another Substacker, Jodie Meyn, and she was such a pleasure. Her pieces were great, and we were able to drive some readers to each other. Before that, I did an interview with a Tarot Reader (Miriam Reads Tarot) and that was a blast too. I would love to keep finding those opportunities. The letter writing feature is so appealing...
That's awesome, Tonya! I will check those out. For your guests posts, did you both come up with an essay/series together that she created for Juke or did you share work she created originally for her own Substack that felt complimentary to yours? Or maybe that's the distinction between cross posting and guest posting? I'm both curious and confused!
In Jodie's case, she wrote to me and submitted two pieces she thought would fit my page. I built the pages and sent her an author invite so that they would appear under her byline, then I added links to her Substack prominently in the pieces so that readers would click through.
On her end, she cross-posted the pieces once they were up so that her regular readers could see them too and check out Juke at the same time. So she "guest posted" on my page, and then "cross posted" her work from Juke onto her own page, if that makes sense.
Ah! Yes, that makes perfect sense. Thank you. I imagine there are about a million ways to go about it, but it's so helpful to understand what the behind-the-scenes process and approach has looked like for others!
Interested in collaboration?
I would love to, Chevanne! Do you have ideas or shall we brainstorm together?
We can brainstorm. I am working on something that could be crossposted or I can do something new.
Awesome! Shoot me an email at: outsourcedoptimism@substack.com
I love this intention and I love your newsletter! I can't wait to read more in the New Year :)
Thank you so much, Mariah! You were actually on my list of people to reach out to. I wanted to say thank you for your beautiful blurb. It means the world to me!
(I should actually probably be working on my final Ghost of (Christmas) Future essay to wrap up the last series instead of typing over here.... hopefully the inspiration transfers π)
Hi Substack friends! Shout out to the illustrating substackers!
Hi Meaghan! I love the name of your substack (and I just subscribed). So clever! My daughter is an illustrator, too! https://www.alexandrabowmanart.com/
I like to use sketchbook watercolors in a supporting role on my substack. You have a wonderful style!
Thanks so much! Love your daughter's style!
Nice work! I need to take note on how you work your marketing on your stack. Nice job!
Thank you so much!
Yay! I'm not really an illustrator but I hand-draw data visualizations and do storytelling
Iβm a doodler, hoping to someday upgrade myself to illustrator. My drawing practice has slumped recently but Iβm planning to get back to my weekly doodle practice.
I consider doodles ilkustrations! I include a "Doodle" section in my regular newsletter!
I wrote and illustrated three childrenβs books about Egyptology to the American University in Cairo Press. The first one is here https://www.leenasbooks.com/how-i-became-a-mummy.html - after this the sequel. And then a book about Tutankhamun which was accepted as merch for the official Tutankhamun - Treasures of the Golden King exhibition as it traveled across the globe. Just as covid hit...
Awesome!
I've had a lot of satisfaction over the almost ten months I've been writing and posting "On the Kitchen Porch." It's time to go paid but I'm terrified of two things: 1) I'll immediately lose all my subscribers! Or 2) being part free/part paid, which several writers do, seems like it might be hopelessly complicated for my aging brain. Please reassure me. I know, as a writer of long experience, that I should be paid.
Having some posts behind a paywall for subscribers isn't really hard. In fact, most Substacks seem to do this, including us.
I studied Brent and Michael's approach before I introduced my own paid tiers. I think they achieve a very nice balance, in particular paywalling parts of specific posts.
Thank you very much!
You could start by doing what I currently do - keep all posts free but still offer a paid subscription option and list benefits like "enable me to continue providing free content to those who cannot afford paid subscriptions." Very few people will choose to pay for what others get for free, but I have gotten a few paid subscribers. I've also now paywalled the archives of past newsletters older than a few months, so another benefit for paid subscribers is access to all previous issues.
Iβve been considering this for a long time. I donβt think Iβm ready now, but I definitely want to soon. I also want to make 1/2 of the subscription a donation to a nonprofit but Iβm not sure if there is a way to do this in substack? I figured I would just do it on my own... and it would be great to announce we raised X amount... etc. I only have like 100 followers so this is very very far down the line...
I recently did the same with archives for one of my newsletters. I'm not sure it's making a difference in converting free subscribers to paid though.
Thanks for sharing this, Wendi, I'm leaning toward same content for all, too, whenever I get ready to turn on paid subs. I love that idea of one perk being access to older archived newsletters!
I didn't expect anybody to take the paid option when I first started but I really like it being the reader's choice! My primary newsletter is free every Sunday. Then, I write an additional letter every Wednesday for Founding Members. The consistency has been really helpful for me! Once in awhile I'll do the "preview" and send out a paid post to everyone on my list. Just today I got a conversion from it!
Remember- people are CHOOSING to pay for what you're writing. As they should! It's such a validation when someone chooses to pay even $5 a month. I think it's helped boost my confidence as a writer a lot!
Itβs such a confidence boost I agree!
It is indeed a huge validation when someone you don't know (and even those you do!) opts for. paid subscriptionβit nearly makes me cry...and then keep writing and improving the substance and originality of my content!
I want the information I share to end up being available to anyone, because many people can't afford to pay $5/month for multiple newsletters. But I also need to be paid in order to write well consistently.
I'm approaching this by having all of my content end up free to all subscribers, but some of it is exclusive for a set period of time. Currently I'm using 6 weeks as the default delay. This way people who pay to subscribe get immediate access as a perk, but my writing is still available to everyone at some point. I'm also mixing in posts that are free to everyone immediately.
I totally understand this. I relate.
You could also try letting people "tip" you using PayPal or Kofi. I include a link to a PayPal tip jar for anyone who doesn't want to upgrade to paid. Then they can give me some money as gratitude for one post, if they really liked it but don't read regularly. You can see this in action here: https://valorieclark.substack.com/p/058-who-are-we-conforming-for
You can do this via Substack?
Yes, I think you can see the note I put at the top of a post that's currently exclusive, but will be available to everyone in 6 weeks: https://mostlypython.substack.com/p/python-lists-a-closer-look-part-2
If I remember right, when you publish a post you can choose to email it to paid subscribers now, and to free subscribers at some point in the future. I didn't do that; I sent it to everyone now, with the note that you can see, and a paywall that lets people see how the post starts out. I really like that you can place the paywall wherever you want in a post. Then I'll manually set this post public in 6 weeks.
Smart ;) I'll add it to my list of monetisation models, for when I'll decide to go paid!
I leave a ko-fi QR code at the bottom of my articles.
That seems like a great solution.
I started off with paid switched on not expecting anyone to pay and they did and they keep paying both in support of my writing but to read the more intimate stuff I post there. I have titled my paid stuff βbig dreams begin with meβ and made a section for it just to help me consistently share slightly different reads there to my free space. I do plan to send one to my free subscribers this week as a taster and I think Iβll do that once a month or so
Great idea.
I offer paid subscriptions on both of my Substack newsletters but paid is optional (and welcome!) At both of my blogs I stress community, so it works best for me to keep them open to everyone. It depends, I think, on what your blog has to offer. Is there something special you could offer paid subscribers that would take too much time or effort to justify giving it away for free?
My suggestion would be to offer both options to everyone while keeping your blog open to all. Then at a later date you might want to close part of it off to only paids. If you make it an option, I don't see how you'll lose subscribers.
If you wall off parts of your blog, you may well lose some, but if you have something special enough to entice people to pay for it, it might be worth it.
Thanks for the great advice, Ramona!
You're more than welcome!
I subscribed to your newsletter and enjoyed your post "When Tolkien Became Father Christmas." Wonderful!
Thanks so much for subscribing. I loved those Tolkien letters, too!
My weekly newsletter is paid, but I send the last edition of each month to everybody on my free list, and I briefly describe all of the content they've missed since they last heard from me. This usually prompts several people to pony up for a paid subscription.
Nice question.
People won't unsubscribe! They may not upgrade, but you won't lose people. :)
Happy Thursday! I think the Office Hours may be the best part of an already great Substack experience. I lurk sometimes, just taking in what everyone else is writing about, because I'm still learning, even after what should be enough time to get it! (I don't yet)
I have two newsletters, Writer Everlasting, and Constant Commoner, and while I'm not up there with the giants I'm happy to see both of them growing, in readership, in subscriptions, and in monetary support--though by Substack standards I'm tiny.
I think I've finally found my voice on each of them, and my main reward is in the comments from readers who tell me I've made a difference in their lives.
Most of us want to become famous and possibly wealthy, but what if it's enough to become necessary? Even to the smallest groups of people? I'm finally coming to terms with that, using whatever resources I have to build those communities I'd always dreamed of. To make a difference, no matter how limited.
I think I'm there now, though I'm still small, and I would love to hear from others who find that contentment and enjoyment are enough.
Am I the only one?
I love your consideration of what it means to matter - I think about this a lot (in writing but also in all life pursuits.) I don't think bigger is always necessarily better, though in a culture that values wealth and fame so highly it is sometimes difficult to really believe that (for me, at least).
Kindred spirits! Yay!
I don't have an ambition to monetize sensibly with my Substack, in fact my thinking is to leave it free with voluntary payment model just because I like the idea of supporting creators that give you value. And while I like my subscribers growing, I started the newsletter to give my project a voice, find connections with those that like it and ultimately have conversations (I do data visualisations). In short: quality over quantity for me.
Yes, I think it's a great option to offer optional paid subscriptions to those who just want to show their support for our work. I've gained several that way, and I'm ever grateful, but I'm grateful to all of my subscribers. They're telling me they want a chance to be there whenever I send that email invitation.
I swing between extremes: some days, I'm happy that I'm a small gem in the universe of authors; other days I want to be world famous and kazillions of adoring readers. Both views are valid and rewarding.
Yes to both views. You're certainly not alone!
I suppose I may differ in that my main reward is writing the odd fiction that I publish on my stack. I put my energy into it, and put it out there. That's the most important part of it to me.
I'd love to share with more people - and all special people who would enjoy my work are welcome! I can make a difference in how we see the world. In that sense, the making a difference, I'm totally with you.
Ah, but the creation. And the inspiration I receive by reading other people's articles / posts / stories / etc. There's a lot of wonderful fountains here. Many thanks to all.
I ultimately do want to make writing my sole source of income, and at first was discouraged by how little money I am currently making (not just on Substack, but other places I also write). However, like you said, there are other benefits that are actually more important to me, like knowing I am helping people by sharing my mental health struggles and what helps me cope and also the fact that writing greatly benefits my own mental health and I enjoy it!
Writing has always been therapeutic for me, and gaining insight into myself and others. I also love journaling and doing dream work daily. My recent article on Mind Wise probably helped me from developing PTSD after falling into a scam and coming close to losing our savings. Instead of going to a therapist, I worked it all out in my article, or at least I hope I did. https://www.inmindwise.com/p/a-criminal-syndicate-scammed-me-with
I would be lying if I said I don't care about being paid for my writing. I do. I've been at it for a long time, and I've tasted that professional life.
But at this point, at least here on Substack, I'm getting great satisfaction simply with sharing my skills and my thoughts.
I love the intimacy of the newsletter format, where most of my readers are there by invitation. It has changed my tone, as well, and I like what I'm writing now.
I realised that making a difference was more important to me than the income from my Substack when I thought through what content to make paid. In the end, I kept everything free. I find it incredibly motivating when people find my writing worthwhile (paying is nice too, don't get me wrong).
Exactly! Not all motivation is monetary. Though it is nice when it comes!
Oh the inline footnotes could be so fun, can't wait to try them.
Is there anyone here who is planning on/already has publishing a book made up of their substack posts? That's something I've been entertaining for a while and wonder how others have approached it.
I try to write ignoring this intention, because I want what comes out to be natural and unaffected. Not everything I write has to serve this purpose, either. But it's hard because it's also a big motivator for me to remain consistent in my efforts.
That's exactly my goal, Anastasia. I've published a lot of books, mostly about food, but I find the publishing world indifferent to me. I'm hoping that building an audience through Substack will convince the Bigs that I still have something to say. (Actually, the Smalls would do very well too!)
I'm hoping that a book audience (when it is published) and my Substack audience will feed off of each other and build both ways. Here's hoping!
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Building a decent following on substack, I suspect, might make you decide you don't need the bigs or the smalls anyway!
I'm working on it right now. It's a compilation of my WordPress and Substack posts that focus on a single theme. I HOPE to finish it during the three-day weekend. I have my cover designed now and need to finish formatting and editing so I can upload it to Amazon. I'll be publishing a piece on the final steps of the process next week, once I finish: https://sarahstyf.substack.com/p/lessons-from-the-third-draft
Oh how exciting! I'll check out the link!
I published one book from articles from my original blog before coming to Substack. At the time, it was a new adventure, and I learned much, and I am hoping to do it wiser and less costly this time from my Substack articles on Mind Wise. Last time I used Scrivener to organize chapters and used a developmental editor to help with the overall theme and consistency and to create a TOC. It took me great effort and time for the book publishing project, but I would like to do it again and put my experience from my first effort to work.
Thank you for this, Ron. Would you use scrivener again or try another tool?
Scrivener was of value with my first book as I had many discreet articles as a nonfiction writer. With Scrivener I was easily able to move them around open them and re-edit them and also help to get all the articles consistent and in the same theme. I probably will go back to Scrivener when I am getting a new book ready as it has a learning curve and I know how to use it. My son who's a talented writer is in an MFA program and they have a whole course on use of Scrivener. However he hasn't taken the course and uses primarily word and he will stick with word as he thinks he can get the same functionality out of word. He has some interest in Scrivener and we'll see if he'll try it out. Scrivener also links up with Pro writing Aid which is a good grammar checker. I use Pro Writing Aid and Grammarly a lot especially as I'm a bit dyslexic.
Yes. I am planning on releasing a book using the stories on my stack. I'll likely include some other stories that aren't on the stack as well. Work in progress... or I guess I should say thinking in progress...
this reminded me of a Regina Spektor song:
"It started out as a feeling
Which then grew into a hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
Which then turned into a quiet word"
This is something in the back of my mind. I've had people suggest this a couple of times, although there's a sense of immediacy with the Substack newsletters and I don't know that they'd translate well to a book.
Yeah, I think it definitely depends on your material! For instance, I think pop culture wouldn't do well, because by the time the book was out everyone would have moved on. But Melanie I think some of your work about environmental issues would do well in book format.
I definitely agree re pop culture, though it might be kind of fun to capture the zeitgeist, and look back in 10 years and go ooooh I forgot about this weird time when ---
You should see the significant revision work that I've done π But I feel like my final product is strong and a good reflection of both personal and writing growth. I've always seen my blog as a public workshop, of sorts. Now I have ideas for three more books after I finish this one!
I hear you - immediacy is relative. I have two people who review every article I write and there's a lot of checking and revision. I have no idea how people write quickly and then click publish, although I know it works for some.
That is my goal with my 50 Things substack. The book will have a different title so I am struggling with whether or not I should change my newsletter title so the branding is consistent.
I'd vote for changing the title to match the book title--avoiding confusion is really important.
I don't know. If you plan to write more books in the future, you don't want to keep changing the name of your Substack. I would just leave it and put the link to your Substack in your book (both e-book and paperback).
Iβm planning to do this, but not directly 1:1 content from βstack to book. More like working out my ideas on substack, then fine tuning and expanding content for the book. I also have a few downloadable booklet ideas I plan to make available in PDF form that are more focused and/or instructional.
Oooh. Very cool! I'll be looking forward to it
I went the other direction, Anastasia -- finishing my novel and then pulling out segments, adapting them for Substack so each one stands alone as a piece of writing. I'm new to Substack, but getting lots of positive feedback and picking up about one new subscriber per day. Are you thinking of putting up a chapter of your novel at a time?
More like a collection of short stories than a novel! Congratulations on joining substack - it's a lovely place.
We were just discussing this yesterday...
Oh, I would love to see what that would become for you! I'm hoping to finish my book project this weekend.
an early congratulations!!
Thank you. Front cover design is done!
What have you arrived at? π
It's more of a long term project at this point. Just doing our Substack is keeping us busy enough!
Understandable. When you arrive at that book concept that can get you fired up it's so exciting though! I hope you find enough energy and time too reach this long term goal
I haven't done this, but about 8 years ago my friend published her old blog posts as a book, and it did pretty well. You can see it here: https://www.amazon.com/Please-Validate-Existence-Jessica-Manuszak/dp/151199309X
Oh amazing, thank you for sharing! I'll check it out
I too am excited by In-line footnotes. Iβm a footnote Machine!
I think I'll put all my inappropriate jokes in footnotes!
I've just started a book myself and will be using substack to write articles that will be part of it. I think it's a great way to keep myself accountable and to get thoughts out bit by bit. Do whatever feels right for you!
what a smart approach!
Sort of... I posted my novel one chapter at a time. Now Iβm hoping to publish it in print sometime this year.
Really exciting, I hope it turns out the way you had hoped!
Thanks so much! All the best with your project as well :-)
I am.
It is my long-term idea too, one day when I'll have enough material. My Substack is centered around hand-drawn graphics, accompanied by text (for storytelling), so it's got a natural low frequency - and one day, if people like it enough, I may think of turning selected posts into a book!
That's something I have in the back of my mind, definitely. It motivates me to keep plugging away on what I call my "bummer essays" because the idea of an eventual "bummer book" sounds pretty good. Also, I'm planning to put together a book of selected stuff from Juke's first year so that our readers (who are fairly bookish in general) can have a physical copy of some of our best work.
"Bummer book" made me giggle βΊοΈ
Having lots of luck with mine, I think so anyway. I went live last July, have about 850 subscribers, 59 paid, and I have never asked anyone to pay. It has inspired me to write more. 50 pieces so far. https://rleonard.substack.com/
Wow. Good work man! Iβm going to check yours out. I started in late Aug and have 250, with 27 paid.
Michael Mohr
βSincere American Writingβ
https://michaelmohr.substack.com/
That's a stellar conversion rate! I have 400 subs and only 5 paid, so go you!
I'm lucky that I have a group of about 20 other writers who help promote each other's work.
Ah the cross promotion sounds a good idea!!
I need to get in on that ππ₯β€οΈ
Just signed up, Robert. I'm a huge fan of your group, Iowa Writer's Cooperative.
Keep up the good work!
Thank you Ramona! Looks like you have had a great writing career. The writers in the group are fantastic. I'm honored to be a part of it.
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Hello all! Happy Office Hours! Here's a little bit of encouragement from one small newsletter to all of you:
No matter how your January is going, that isn't an "omen" for the rest of your year. Full disclosure? In some ways, this year isn't starting the way I hoped it would. BUT we can't let that stop us or keep us from moving forward, even if the steps we take are tiny. Show up for yourself and the readers who love you. Don't stop! Someone out there needs your words! Keep going, keep writing, and DON'T GIVE UP! πΏ
Thanks for this! I woke this morning thinking I don't think I can keep up with my weekly essays. I always start by saying to myself, "Make a short one, Faith" and "don't work so hard" but then I get going and 1900 words and many hours later I'm like "What?!" I still aspire to shorter posts. And honestly I have fun with recording my wee podcast a couple of days later. But I think it's the pressure on ourselves that creates a feeling of wanting to give up. Because we're writers, dammit! We just write and that's that.
We all are way harder on ourselves than our readers do!
Thanks for your usual dose of encouragement, which I always appreciate. In a lot of ways, the last two years have been a total shit storm for me, and 2023 isn't going well yet. But you are right that readers appreciate my work and I know there are others who need my words too but haven't found them yet. Also, I need to write for my own mental health!
Hello S.E and thanks for your inspiring words. My January is doing fine in the Substack sense. As long as I keep at it, that's what's important to me. Not really stressing on numbers. Not good for me, and I prefer to keep my energy focused on my work.
Of course, those special people who want to accompany me on this journey into the world of odd fiction from the edge of life are welcome.
All the best to you S.E. as the new year unfolds.
I'm sorry things aren't going as you hoped. Here's hoping that things start to move in the right direction for you.
I am an old-school newsprint journalist. I have since retired but continue to write. I have friends that also write and we've discussed using a newsletter to relate some of our pent-up wisdom to others and felt online was the best way to start. But where I was very good at designing print pages I struggle when it comes to online. I tried Facebook but do not like it. I'm just looking for some suggestions on how to get started on Substack. Thank you.
Just start and don't worry about how the page looks. I'm old enough to not have grown up using computers and am not tech savvy. I haven't done anything to my page - all I do is write articles on it. I do know how to add photos using the built in tool (quite easy to figure out the options on the tool bar for text formatting, adding links, etc) but that's it. People still subscribe because they value my content.
The main difference from print writing I've learned from writing online articles elsewhere is the need for lots of white space, and the fact that one sentence paragraphs are common and better than super long ones.
Yes!!!! Just write βοΈ
Welcome to Substack! There's no one-size answer, but I think it's best to just treat your Substack like a playground. Take each of the tutorials that Substack sends you, and start creating draft posts. There's a ton of info in the writer support area: https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/categories/360002403472-Writers
And if you're more visual, I know there are youtube videos to explain things too. Just take it slow, and do a lot of reading from other Substacks. You can get ideas just from watching other writers work.
I'm a former print journalist as well, and I use photography to bring my pages to life. Sometimes that's harder to do than others, but I start thinking about ways to illustrate the piece before or as I'm writing it. That helps quite a bit.
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Substack has written a number of guides. Here's one that covers the basics of what to set up before you launch a Substack. In general, Substack is fairly simple. It offers limited choices but that makes it easy to use.
https://on.substack.com/p/setting-up-your-substack-for-the
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Find Substacks that are similar to what you want to do with yours and start following them to see what they do.
Agree 100%
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Sounds like youβre perfect for Substack. Itβs very easy. Just start a Stack, write and publish! I figured it out and Iβm a semi millennial Luddite!
Michael Mohr
βSincere American Writingβ
https://michaelmohr.substack.com/
Hey All, I launched paid tiers last week with a combination of mostly patronage with some paywalling. It was generally well-received and some other writers said they might replicate this approach.
Here's the link if anyone's considering going paid: https://agowani.substack.com/p/new-year-new-business-model
Hope it's helpful!
Just subscribed π₯π₯πΎ
Welcome! But fair warning: my writing's an acquired taste. π€£
Ditto βοΈ
Hi Substack,
I am loving being able to offer my subscribers digital downloads like my illustrations as wallpapers! I just noticed that for my subscribers to access the downloads they have to access them from the browser. I let them know but i think a lot of them wont go the extra couple steps if they cant download straight from the email. Is there anyway to make downloads accessible from the email in future?
I add my files to my Google Drive and then include the share / download links in my posts and they ended up as attachments in the emails. At least the test emails I received in my Gmail inbox had them!
Oh nice one!
I agree! This may actually be unfixable--I don't know how much of this is controlled by the email clients and not by Substack--but I wish youtube embeds and audio embeds, etc. were all accessible inside the emails without clicking through.
How do you create sections on your main page to categorize your writings into different topics under one newsletter? I see some of the writers do that, but I cannot figure out how to do that.
I just set one up and yes, the section thing is confusing at first. Substack needs to hire a tech writer to do procedural instructions for stuff like this. Like many techies, those writing help content tend to assume knowledge on the part of the reader. The sections explanation and instructions could be better. But itβs not hard. You can always undo stuff!
You can check it here: https://on.substack.com/p/a-guide-to-publication-sections
Honestly, I have refrained myself to do so, to avoid confusion.
But, on the other hand, can be good if you post on topics which are quite different and you fear people might want to unsubscribe from some of them.
That why I did it. I just can't stick with a single niche! The sections have made it easy to do so.
Same!
That's exactly my thoughts! I write mostly book reviews (one obvious category) and plan on writing other things in the future too!
Just subscribed π
But if you create a section its posts end up in the home like the rest though, right?
Settings, Sections, create new newsletter. Terminology is wonky but it's easy to create.
I've had my Substack, Rootbound, for nearly a year and I'm planning on going paid next month. Should I announce it a few weeks before I do it? Or just do it? Any tips are appreciated!
I briefly announced the week before and sent out a specific post detailing how the paid tiers would work. Was well-received I thought.
Thanks Amran! Nice to hear that it went well for you.
These guides may be helpful if you haven't seen them yet! Good luck !!
https://on.substack.com/p/going-paid-checklist
https://on.substack.com/p/grow-5
I'm doing something very similar! I announced in December that I'm going to paid on essays + writing substack (valorieclark.substack.com) but I won't put anything behind a paywall until February 1. Every post until then reminds people that they can subscribe with a 20% annual discount until then.
That sounds like a great way to do it and transition subscribers. I hope it works out great!
Yes, get paid Astrid. Or as DJ Khalid says βbe sure to secure da bag.β
Thatβs a good strategy!
Astrid! So fun to hear from a fellow plant-lover on here! And thanks for sharing your plan. This sounds like a great approach and I think I might copy you and do something similar! Substack definitely feels like a safe space to test stuff out.
Thanks so much! Good luck to you too!
can everyone please say hi to one of my best friends Rae Katz who IS ATTENDING HER VERY FIRST OFFICE HOURS TODAY! Rae writes The Matriarchy which is SO GOOOD: "Personal essays about living while female: work, family, and all the health stuff no one wants to talk about." https://thematriarchy.substack.com/
Two things to know about Rae
1. She and I share an inside joke that is not funny but has somehow lasted for 15 years. I got a tattoo representing the joke on my actual human body.
2. She called me when these office hours started in a panic and the first thing she said was "I'm not crying. I know it might sound like I'm crying, but I'm not."
Basically you can treat her like a person from the 1700s who just time traveled here and doesn't know how the internet works but is super talented like the top writer from back then like she is actually Shakespeare. So yea please be nice so she stays in 2023 thank you
I just subscribed:)
Thank you Linda, and it is great to meet you!!
Hi Rae!!!! Welcome to Office Hours!!!
Thanks :)
Hey Rae π₯π₯π₯π₯β€οΈ
hey hey Michael π
LOL thanks Alex, you are always in my corner and keeping my deepest secrets 100% secret
Hello Rae! I'm also based in Silicon Valley (although it sounds like you left? Reading some of your pieces now) Welcome to Substack, I'm pretty new as well. Speaking of the 1700s... one of my favorite authors is Jonathan Swift (Gulliver's Travels, 1726) and in fact I mention him and his "Engine" in my first post I just launched this week. It might just be me but the Engine looks eerily like a microchip. Food for thought for the techno bros... :)
Thanks Birgitte! I'll check it out, sounds up my alley :). Great to meet you.
Same! Lovely to connect :)
Some of the questions I have asked Alex this morning: So office hours happens in comments? How do I see the most recent comment? Is it ok to comment on something that was posted an hour ago?
Yes, office hours consists of comments. At the top you have the option to sort how you want comments to appear - either new first (which is my choice, so I can see the most recent), or chronological (oldest first) or top first (those with the greatest level of engagement, I assume). Yes, it's also fine to comment on something posted hours ago. That person will still be notified that you commented even if they are no longer here when you post it.
Thank you for the guidance!!
I'm in Australia, so Office Hours starts at 5am my time. Sometimes I get up for it and sometimes I jump in and respond many hours later. We can still have fun conversations after Office Hours officially ends. The end means the Substack team is no longer in the comments and we can't post fresh questions. Welcome!
hahahaahha
Hey Alex - quick question, is there a way to quickly see if there have been replies to my comments, or do I need to scroll through everything to check?
Ah, I see the notifications in the upper corner π . I feel like I'm learning a new sport.
hahahah i love the real time convo of you with you figuring this all out
Alex Dobrenko: Substack Writer Office Hours Sherpa. Services Available for a High Price.
I enjoy the continual flow of new features, but I miss the "Let me just read it first" feature that appeared on the first page of newsletters. Now you must either click "No Thanks" or "Subscribe". Clicking the former makes me feel vaguely guilty; clicking the latter is an overcommitment. I just want to check it out! Not a big deal, but if there is a setting feature to set it back to what is was, I'd like to know. Thanks!
+1
I totally agree with this!
Hello Everyone! I am Shia - writer, college student, sister and a daughter. I always wanted to start my very own substack but I was in dilemma if I should or shouldnβt. Also me being just another overthinker teenager ( well, technically not teenager anymore but Iβd like to call myself that haha lol) I wondered if anybody would even like to read what I write? I love writing and it brings me so much happiness. I love connecting with new people especially online and create content. I found substake to be a really interesting and fantastic platform to begin my writing career. I love the people here and had got opportunity to talk to some greatt writers & authors and I look forward to meeting you. My substake is called βDollarβs & Therapyβ and I write about Self-care, Mental Health ( especially after Covid, it should be our first and foremost priority), I also talk about my own personal, emotional life experiences that has had huge impacts. I am still in process of building my Substack and there is lot to come yet. I love listening to other peopleβs life stories that had changed their life or struggles, hardships that they went through and still manage to outgrow themselves. If you have your own story to tell please reach out to me on shiasurani786@gmail.com and Iβll surely include in my writings :)
Thanks for reading this far and whosoever is reading, I hope you have a wonderful day/night.
Hi Shia, welcome to substack! I'm in a similar boat to you. I too love 'meeting' with new people online and personally I write from life experiences and about pieces that connect with me deeply whether that be friendships, being an adult, life choices etc - relatable content that I'm sure everybody has felt or connected to at one point. I'm often wondering if anybody would like what I write! I've just subscribed and I've eager to read what you have to write. Have a great day/night. PS. Happy to connect on socials too?
Heyy Natalie! How are you?
I just checked out your socials and yes for sure, lets keep in touch :)
Message me anytime; happy to connect!
You should do it! Write for yourself first, satiate that writing urge inside of you, then everything else will follow along!
Yes Yuezhong! You are absolutely correct. Iβll keep on writing:)
Ah yes!!!
Hi Shia, Your newsletter sounds very similar to what I write about. I don't have time to email you, but you can read my Substack (wendigordon.substack.com) or my other mental health articles that include my personal struggles and what I've learned from them at https://bio.link/wendigordon. Good luck with your newsletter and do it for your own mental health and enjoyment even if no one else reads it!
Yes, true. Most people start with zero writers and as you engage more, post consistently (whatever that means to you), and tell people slowly the subs come. And you know, it can be nice when it's just couple here and there because then you can really engage if they comment on a post and then check out their Substacks and make a real connection.
Yes you are absolutely correct Faith. It is important to make meaningful connections and engage with your audience rather than just having a large audience but no real connection.
I really needed to hear this! Thank you Sally :)
Hi, I'd like to limit the number of emails my subscribers receive to one per week. However, I'd like to post more frequently. Is there a way for folks to receive a "weekly digest" email of content from me?
It is possible! When you make a post, you can choose to post it to web only, so it doesn't push a notification to your subscribers. Then you can post a digest that includes links to all the posts you wrote during the week and you just push that to your subscribers per usual. I know of a few publications that do something like this, and I have used it at times as well!
Hey Scoot, I just looked at my Dashboard and I don't see an option to post only to the web. Can you point me in the right direction, please? The options I see are: This post is for Everyone, Paid Subscribers Only, Founding Members Only, and Free Subscribers Only. Thanks!
Hi Jen,
When you are publishing a post from your browser, hit βcontinueβ at the top right.
A screen will come up with some options. The top, iirc, is what you described, who is this post for. Second is βallow comments fromβ. Then some stuff about what cover photo you want.
At the very bottom, right above where you can schedule the post, is where you can check a box that says βdeliver to my subscribersβ or something like that--if you uncheck that box it will warn you that you are posting to web only and no one will be notified, and ask you to confirm your selection.
I hope this helps, let me know if you still have trouble!
I do this with my podcast content
Thatβs great, didnβt know that. Thank you!
Great idea, thank you!
Yeah. When you press "continue" from the top right part of the screen, you can uncheck "Send via email and app"
This is the right answer. I often just post articles to my SS without pushing them out to my subscribers. Everyone knows that there are archives of articles on your Substack front page.
What about a different publication for frequent postings and one thatβs monthly? Or I guess the main publication could be the digest with links and subnewsletter/section more frequent posts. Are you sure I see is clicks means youβre taken out of the experience of reading. And often times you just wanna read everything in one email. οΏΌ
I have this same question!
I think an option of subscribing per post, daily, weekly, monthly would be great.
This is a clever way of tackling it from the subscriber side rather than the publisher. Let subscribers choose whether to receive posts as they are published or in weekly/monthly digests.
I love substack and I love writing on it. But I'm really not sure how to make the most of Substack to find new readers.
Is there a way to build a network or improve your visibility on Substack App and home page?
Is there a way to find all #medical newsletters or those written by #healthcare professionals?
Is it possible to build a sort of league table of Medical newsletters by subscribers?
@MediCurious
Iβve also found myself a little frustrated with the fact that my newsletter doesnβt fit neatly into any of the categories given by Substack (maybe education, culture, or literature?). Readers searching specifically for linguistics newsletter have a good chance of finding me, but I donβt know how visible I am otherwise. That being said, Iβve found new readers & great connections just by interacting with and supporting other writers in my niche!
Same issue here.
I have written articles that range from Developing Assertiveness, to Dealing with Rude People, to Being a Workaholic.
I am influenced by leadership, Eastern philosophies and psychology.
In the end, I share principles for impact, balance and personal development.
Mostly talking to overanalytical people.
What's my category? "I know not" π
I have challenges fitting my content into the categories as well.
I write about psychology and healing post-trauma, as a therapist and survivor myself. And there's no real category for me either. I did pick Health and Wellness and Culture (since I also address cultural issues like the patriarchy and the harm it does to both men and women when dealing with conflict). But the Holy Grail of category? Haven't found it yet.
I agree there should be more ways to discover other newsletters! It would be great to have a sort of hashtag system where you can discover your desired content that way. I don't know if focusing on subscriber numbers is healthy though, as there will always be a lot of good content missing out due to lack of name recognition.
Yes, please!!! Hashtags would be great, as would the option of being able to choose more than two categories. But especially hashtags.
Recommendations might work great!
Hey Jake! There's a real good search engine at https://substack.com/browse
If you plug your search terms in there, it will yield a bunch of results. I would reach out with a friendly cold email to any that you'd like to connect with. All writers are available through their Substack email address. (newslettername@substack.com) For example, mine is pau1@substack.com
You will also find people to network with by continuing to post comments in forums like this one. Good luck! Going to check out the MediCurious Substack.
https://open.substack.com/pub/medicurious/p/no-65-medics-on-substack-medsubstack?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android
I've tried this as an approach as well
Digging the Substack community. I really enjoy writing for an audience on here. Iβve learned how to engage and grow my subscriber base while simultaneously helping out other Stackers. We all help each other out!
I write essays about culture, politics, Wokeism, and autobiographical fiction about my life.
Michael Mohr
βSincere American Writingβ
https://michaelmohr.substack.com/
HI I am new to Substack and trying to understand how this works. This chat is a bit like drinking from a firehose and I wonder if there are suggestions about how to actually follow the flood. Is there a summary of the most interesting and popular topics somewhere?
Hi Ted, I agree, it's tough to follow the thread here, there's no apparent organization. To the moderators... can we consider a different structure for these office hours? I've never received a reply to my questions, at least that I could tell, bc it all gets buried under this torrent of nested comments. I have a hard time even keeping track of where my own comments and questions are...
Hi Birgitte! When someone replies to you, you should get a notification. Check the bell-shaped icon on the top right.
Thanks for the support Birgitte. To follow up - is there a way of searching these threads?
Hey Ted - I'm in the same boat. You can see my thread with Alex Dobrenko for evidence of my lost-ness. The way I've been finding things is command+F and searching that way. Not easy to figure out what's going on, to say the least :)
You might be new to Office Hours, but you just taught me something!
Do a command-search for your name on the page, that's the easiest way I've found... until they restructure these office hours!
Hi Ted. I'm 40 minutes into this office hour conversation and find that there's no facilitation going on. It's just keystrokes posted in software. It's a lot like walking into a ballroom full of convention attendees, all having multiple conversations. There's no way to know which conversations are breaking out, where, and whether the conversation would benefit from learning something from you. And that's why I no longer spend precious time going to conventions or events any more. Instead, I adore quality conversations with cohort-sized and issue-curated professional communities. I'd love to see if Substack is capable of helping me achieve that--hundreds of intimate conversations, in the moments of a day, across a base of thousands of subscribers.
100% agree Georgia. This is basically an open savanna where we writers ride in on our horses, drink our coffee (hot chocolate in my case) and chat. I've been in those bathrooms during international conferences!
Loved - just keystrokes posted in software. Next question will be how to get emojis to work.
Let's cross our fingers, Ted, and wish for better. I'm interested in Substack if they advance relationships between professional writers and their readers. I'm not interested in a lot of diversions and software distractions, including emojis.
Agree. I just didn't want to date myself by typing lol.
Tedβ¦lol came years after AOL
Nothing nuts about hanging out with experienced journalists on Substack, such as Dan Rather
I'd love to know how folks are using sections in their newsletter! I've been writing my main newsletter, Write More, Be Less Careful, and I have a pretty engaged readership, and I have a fun side project, good creatures, about motherhood. I've been thinking of moving good creatures over as a section. Has anyone done something like this? How do you handle two separate (but sometimes related) projects?
Iβm interested in this too! I have some ideas brewing for separate sections but havenβt pursued it. I think your two ideas presented here could definitely gel!
Hi all! I just released my first piece in Next Draft about indie publishing and marketing. I'm going to be doing a year-long (possibly longer) focus on the indie author world, based on my experiences from publishing my first book Rock Gods & Messy Monsters last September. Article is called "What Kind of Writer Are You? (And Why It's Important) - you can check it out at https://dianehatz.substack.com/p/what-kind-of-writer-are-you-and-why
Please follow my substack if you're interested in indie writing - and/or are working on publishing your own work! My goal is to help other people skip the manyyyyyyy mistakes I made along the way.
Also happy to report that my book just won another honor - I'm a 2023 indieBRAG Medallion honoree. The validation of all the hard work that went into the novel is the best part of it. Have a great week!!
Just signed up, Diane. Am a big PubWeekly fan - curious what your advice is...
Thanks George!
Just joining the chorus of others who are grateful for this platform and the community that comes from it. I am, by nature, a contrarian. It's one of the hazards of academic life, problematizing culture, looking for holes in arguments, being a gadfly. I am very much of the Barbara Ehrenreich school in guarding against too much brightsiding. Sometimes I still indulge in a polemic here or there, but I've also been glad to turn toward more affirming subjects and to feel supported in that. It's nice to feel like I can be a whole person on Substack, not merely a brand. Thanks to everyone who has been part of my journey.
Yes exactly β€οΈ
1. Has Substack considered integrating Mastodon into the Platform like Twitter?
2. Has Substack considered creating their own Mastodon instance?
I would LOVE a Mastodon integration, too.
I hope Mastodon does not get integrated. There are serious security issues with Mastodon. Google that and read the articles by cybersecurity experts (which I definitely am not). Also, Post is so much better for writers (you can earn money from your posts, for one thing) and much easier to use. See my comparison of the two here: https://writingcooperative.com/why-i-believe-post-is-the-best-twitter-alternative-for-writers-690bdc3d3c3e?sk=05e8d2b408a72c77b55cac82f0a43aa5
Thanks for the link, Wendy. I've already made a few bucks from my Post posts (LOL), AND I've received a few subscribers from there too. I put my Substack articles there every day.
And speaking of new subscribers, I just got one from Twitter! (I've gotten more from Twitter since I started my Substack).
There are only two reasons why I'm still on the Bird Site: 1) I long ago made my own "Favorites" list to follow just the people I want to see so I don't see all of the other yucky tweets, and 2) to promote my Substack and my business. Even before Musk, I rarely put original stuff on Twitter. I'm just using it for my own objectives.
I'm glad Post is left-leaning. I experience enough of the "other side" elsewhere, and Post is doing a good job of kicking out the bots and "crazies" who try to infiltrate. I need the sanity.
Iβve been on Mastodon for 5 years so Iβm aware of the issues. I donβt think it will be right for everyone but I have a community there Iβd like to keep in the loop about my stuff
I'd love a mastodon integration so much
Integrating Mastodon would be great
Instead of Mastodon (unless you really like it), I suggest checking out Post. It's just a couple of months old and it is a great "Bird Site" alternative. There is still a waitlist, but they'll be opening it up to everyone this month along with a new and improved site. I am loving it over there. There were too many hoops to go through when I looked at Mastodon. https://post.news
Ecstatic to host on Substack and engage with the amazing community here!
What's the best way to communicate a hiatus to subscribers? I'll have to undergo surgery for an ongoing medical issue and will be out of commission for a few months.
https://nitajain.substack.com/
Wishing you an easy and uneventful medical procedure. I would think that if you write a post that you will be offline and healing for a while, your subs will understand. Be sure to pin that post to the top of your main page. Good luck and Best Wishes!
Thanks so much, Paul! Appreciate the advice and the well wishes!
Love inline footnotes. I stopped including footnotes because I realized it was too annoying to have to scroll to the bottom to read then and then back up again to find your place. Might have to think about including them again...
My question: is there a way to prevent my emails from going to Gmail's "promotions" box? A couple people I know personally don't always see my emails because they don't go to their main inboxes, and I suspect it's the same for many other subscribers.
Also, Dostoevsky and ego:
https://orbistertius.substack.com/p/this-caprice-of-ours
Hi Dawson!
Regarding avoiding the "promotions" inbox, some writers use their welcome email to help with this.
You can consider
a) soliciting a direct reply from your new subscriber by asking them how they found you, where they're located, or some other information that is useful for you to know about your subscribers. By creating an initial two-way conversation with a subscriber, your emails are less likely to land in spam or the promotions tab.
b) adding a note to the welcome email about adding/dragging their welcome email into their gmail "inbox" so that it goes there instead of to promotions
Thanks! Is the welcome email less likely to go to the promotions inbox? I figured it was useless to add instructions there because if they had the promotions box problem, the welcome email would go there too and they would never see it!
I'm -very- loosely toying with the idea of going with an optional paid model, but don't think my content is worth anyone paying for. Has anyone else felt that way before going paid?
If you feel your writing is worth doing, you can expect that it is worth paying for. Not by every reader, not even by one out of 20 readers. But don't undervalue yourself, and the effort. Writing is hard work; I've been paid for it all of my life. Now that the newspapers and magazines I wrote for have disappeared, unloaded staff, and are toys for leveraged buyout actors to play with, it's nice to have this. No illusions about income. Writing is not something I do; it is what I am.
That's a great response. It's easy to undervalue our work and tough to value it when we're not sure of the value we're providing. I think that's spot-on that some will value what you have to share, the trick is finding those people who resonate. Keep going!!
Precisely. One hundred percent π―
Love this, Wayne. Totally agree. Same here. Iβm going to check your stack out.
Michael Mohr
βSincere American Writingβ
https://michaelmohr.substack.com/
Amen.
Oh, honey. Trust me, we all feel that way. Sometimes it helps to think of all those TikTok or Insta influencers, or those people who make really dumb Reels all day, and the fact that they are being paid for doing that. If they're worth paying, then someone writing actual, thoughtful words and putting their best efforts out into the universe is DEFINITELY worth paying.
Worst case scenario: you give people the option of paying, and no one does. That can happen. But give it time. You may be surprised.
Very true and thanks! :)
Everybody feels that way! Set it up anyway! :)
Seems like a good opportunity to try out Substack's Pledges feature. Good luck!
Wait. What pledges feature? Ben, where's that?
More info here: https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/11463706473108-What-are-Substack-Pledges-
Ah, that's why! I was paid from the start, and this wasn't I thing when I began, anyway, in the far-off days of 2021. :) Thanks so much, Ben.
I will look into that. Thanks!
I feel this way! Maybe will introduce paid on my one year anniversary with substack.
I'm thinking the same thing..... Inclined right now toward simply a paid option without necessarily paywalled content. Just 3 months in, not ready to go there yet.
You seem to be thinking that if you solicit optional paid subscriptions and someone subscribes, that means that you have underestimated your writing.
Definitely hard for me to ask readers to pay, though I do think my content is valuable. That's why for now I offer a paid option but still share all content for free. A few people have actually become paid subscribers even though they don't get anything extra at this point.
I love the new inline footnote feature. You folks at Substack are rocking this app.
I seriously think that with the way the news print publishing world is collapsing, that Substack offers a damn good place for all those reporters to land. Now we just need more people to realize this would be an excellent place where substitutions for all the local newspaper that are going out of business could be found.
Iβm not sure what this is - perhaps Iβve missed it?!
Thanks ER! We hope we can help journalists and writers earn the money they deserve and that empowers them to do their best work
Hello and good morning all! A little late bc I almost fainted at a blood draw earlier this morning lol. Ok now. Anyway, thrilled to share I launched my substack, called The Muse... first official post is here:
https://themuse.substack.com/p/ai-human-interface-part-1
I'm an author, publisher, and entrepreneur (aka APE, as Guy Kawasaki calls us) originally from the Czech Republic. We do a lot of literature over there :)
My question is, now that I've got the substack up and running, what are the best ways to let the world know about it? I imported my email list from my previous author newsletter but I would like to expand my channels.
Engage with other writers on here like youβre doing now. Write consistently. ππ
Michael Mohr
βSincere American Writingβ
https://michaelmohr.substack.com/
Thank you Michael. I write all the time (it's my job plus am working on a novel). So now have to work this extra writing (my substack) into my day :)
I get it. Iβve been posting chapters of my NYC Covid βfictional memoirβ on my Stack. Iβm a professional developmental book editor as well :) Good to connect π
Nice! Are you planning on self-pubbing or going traditional? And good to know you do dev edit work.
Hi Brigitte, Iβm with you on the final part of your question. Iβd love to get it out there more.
Welcome! Seconding what Michael said--interacting here is always good. I also post on social media a lot, which helps.
Thank you Valorie! Do you mind sharing which social media you post on, and which of those you find to give you the greatest ROI, which ones are most responsive?
Of course! I find posting frequently on Twitter to yield the most click-throughs. I post on Instagram sparingly, as the algorithm really suppresses anything that takes people off the app. I don't really use TikTok at all, though I'm trying to learn.
Twitter makes sense... a lot of writers and publishing people are on it. TikTok I'd think twice about, sucks up too much personal data. have you tried Mastodon?
I absolutely love being able to add voiceovers to my newsletters! It adds such a personal touch, increases accessibility and my subscribers really appreciate it. So happy that this feature exists.
Hi Katy! Hmm I didn't know about this feature... what does it do exactly, does it read your posts, a bit like an audiobook, or is it that you have to record your own audio and then embed it?
Hi Birgitte, you can audio record your own voice or ask someone else. I do it myself as I trained back in the day as an actor and singer so it's just fun for me. I use QuickTime Player on my laptop to record my essays and then upload to Substack. You can choose - either embed it into your essay (which I did here: https://faithcbergevin.substack.com/p/what-burns-in-you) and/or use the Podcast tab and make a separate post (like I did here with the same essay: https://faithcbergevin.substack.com/p/what-burns-in-you-e89#details). It's really easy once you get the hang of it.
Faith thanks so much this is so helpful. How wonderful you act and sing. It's a blessing to have that talent.
You can use an AI service to do voiceover, but I record my own voice reading it to add personalization to my work. I don't worry about high quality audio production! When you are editing your posts, click on the little headphone icon in the editing menu. It is SO simple to use. The audio comes through even in the email version of your newsletter as a player at the top of your post. I know Substack is automatically adding audio to some newsletters but not mine yet. My readers like hearing my voice!
Thanks SO MUCH Katy! Extremely helpful. I'll check it out and see if it's something I can fit into the production schedule :)
I didn't know SS was automatically adding voice overs to some newsletters. I hope that's something we can opt out of. I'd only want it read by a human (probably me).
Here is where it mentions that: https://on.substack.com/p/new-ways-to-listen-to-your-favorite
You can see (hear) it here: https://mindfullibrarian.substack.com/p/a-little-catching-up-to-do
Happy Thursday, all! Just wanted to put a plug out there that Julie Falatko (Do the Work) and I are starting a Substack Letters series next week, looking forward to it! We're talking about childhood influences on creative work as an adult. It'll be fun!
Question - I am new and am setting up my Substack. I think I'm ready, but what is the best way to invite friends and family to subscribe to my newsletter? Email them first? Or add and invite to stay subscribed? Is there an FAQ on this? Thanks!
I think it's a matter of personal preference. I had a small email list already, so I told them of the change to SS and gave them a chance to opt out before moving them across. No one asked to be excluded, but that felt better to me than adding them without asking. But I also know of people who just added them. So up to you. Also, welcome!
Thanks! Very helpful!
Pleasure. I'm only new here, so I like when I can answer someone's question in some way!
ha ha I get that
Oooh! Very happy to see the footnote feature! Nice to see a dev team responsive to user requests. Just in time for my Saturday post! Where can we find documentation on how to use this feature? Can links and/or images be used within the pop-up? Is there an option to list the references elsewhere in our articles?
It's great to be around when this convo starts - yay insomnia (as it is 3am in Sydney). I've been serialising my debut novel on conked.io for the past few months and will release the third part of Chapter 10 today. In addition I've been serialising a poetry collection on the days when the novel isn't posted. I wanted to say a big thank you to the Substack team and to my readers for making this such a fun way of interacting with and building a community around my writing. My only frustration is that I'd love to share the sequel to the debut now and that at the current rate of release I'd have to wait until 2024 to get out my 3rd novel, which I've just completed. This is a pipeline issue and the traditional publishing route has a similar problem, but still I'm interested in how other fiction writers have tackled this.
Great to have you here Rand! I hope you can fall back asleep!!!
Hi everyone and happy new year.
I have to say, it has been tough coming in to January and keeping the weekly posts going but ive done it these past two weeks and really proud of the output. Thank you to everyone who has kept me going.
I'd be really interested in what this group thinks about ChatGPT. A totally incredible tool but very scary at the same. Check out my beginners guide!
https://neverstoplearning1.substack.com/p/a-beginners-guide-start-using-chatgpt
Hi Martin, happy new year - good to see you are back.
Regarding ChatGPT, here in Silicon Valley it's hard to pass a day without the Sam Altman hype machine drowning out everything else. Microsoft is thrilled, natch.
For we Substackers, like all creatives facing generative AI, my sense is having new digital tools is always welcome and (sometimes) fun. Dealing with those who think AI content is better than what creative humans can do, well, that's something different.
My tuppence, George
I'm so excited about this addition to the footnotes! I've recently discovered the beauty of using footnotes for my pieces and this is just one more way to make that better for readers. Thank you!
Hey everyone!
My name is Ash and Iβm a doc who writes about AI, health technology and the future of healthcare!
https://ycubed.substack.com/about
Iβve seen some fantastic writing on here and have been recommending so many substack to my friends and colleagues.
Particular faves are...
1. Unsupervised learning by Razib khan
2. The lunar society by Dwarkesh Patel
3. The intrinsic perspective by Erik Hoel
Let me know if I should be recommending any more!
Hi Ash! Great to have you here ! Those are excellent Substacks
I have a blind subscriber who told me she had difficulty finding the voice over button.
The footnote hover feature is fantastic. Small, but fantastic!
I opened Stock Picking, Options Trading for Income, on Substack a year ago.
Without counting, I think I've published over 150 blogs, some daily and some weekly. I get about 250 to 477 views per article and an open rate of 40% and higher. New free subscriptions come in at a rate of about 1 per day.
twitter is so cluttered with options and stock bots that competition for attention is fierce and produces fewer new visitors than I hoped. When I post to twitter, I use several hash tags used by publishers serving my prospects.
In addition to #optionstrading #optionspremiums #stockmarket, #finance and #trading, I post the stock symbols of the stocks I'm writing about. This gives me higher ranking in the threads on stocks like $CAT and $MSFT.
While I don't write click bait headlines, which are common in this business, I try to write strong headlines that cover my topic. And I try to get readers into my posts by summarizing the highlights with bullet points under my byline like:
Substack publishing has to be viewed as a business.
This is about quality ideas and information, not just about "writing".
It is possible to build a good business if your topic is hot and you have a good reputation and following before you start a newsletter.
Some publishers overcame their fame deficits.
Hey Substack team. Are there any plans to add the ability to comment with an image on posts (in the same way we already can with chat?) I draw cartoons and I would LOVE to be able to respond to comments on my posts with a quickly drawn comic...
Not yet...it is so fun in chat though!