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Katie @ Substack's avatar

Who's celebrating a milestone? Tell us what you are celebrating and the sharpest piece of advice you have to share with fellow writers about growing up to this point.

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Ted Levi Toldman's avatar

Personally, I've reached a milestone in a field I never thought I'd be involved in less than a year ago, and this is truly the most amazing aspect for me. I started writing little by little about my investment knowledge and shining a light on global finance in a short and to-the-point style.I really hoped my page would catch someone's attention one day, come in handy, and help those less aware of investments reach personal goals—financial milestones, if you will. I've recently started receiving a lot of feedback and interest from people, which I had hoped for but never expected to come so quickly.Numbers don't truly mirror how many people I feel I've connected with. I'm happy that I'm able to guide each and every person interacting with what I'm providing. 

If I could go back in time a year, I'd probably tell myself how important it is to invest in yourself. Your knowledge will always be the number one aspect of everything you wish to encounter or work with. Material things are not a priority. Work on yourself, and you'll quickly notice how everything around you will ultimately flourish.

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Josef Ouren's avatar

I’m a subscriber of yours and want to just say a quick thanks for becoming my role model in investments. Great piece of advice and interesting to read articles! Happy I’ve found you!

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Ted Levi Toldman's avatar

Thank you Josef for the warm remarks 🐣

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Eric Hyde's avatar

I just subscribed. I write The Tobin Report, which is also about investing, with similarities and differences. I agree 100% that investing in yourself is the MOST important. Also, I write as if nobody is reading...funny how it allows me to truly express my knowledge of 20 years in markets without 'overthinking' what others think. :-) Cheers.

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Ted Levi Toldman's avatar

I don't know about everyone else, but I'll definitely be reading! I sometimes overthink about what I write and on occasion try to think of Substack as writing in my little journal. Writing on a popular web sounds terrifying in some sense. On the contrary, I try to be funny and interesting for my readers, might not always work, but I believe that it's important to take things with a piece of cake!

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Eric Hyde's avatar

Agreed...I too like to speak in my own voice and be funny when appropriate (or inappropriate at times, lol). I just finished one today and stuck mostly to 'business'. Lol...I was excited to see there are other people outside the US reading my newsletter...kinda cool. I'm going to go back and read more of yours. :-)

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Facing Your Demons's avatar

❤️❤️

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Martin Prior's avatar

Totally right. An investment in yourself can never be inflated away.

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Maura Casey's avatar

Sounds great, and I just subscribed! Congrats to you!

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Ted Levi Toldman's avatar

Happy to hear! Glad to have you with us Maura.

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Lalitha's avatar

I agree, I once read in a blog -

"The amount of income you make is not going to be displayed on your tombstone

I measure my impact not based on how much money I have made , but by how many people in the world would be willing to take care of my family after I die"

This hit hard because one thing that outshine all the external benifits is the authentic and pure relationships you can build through this with like minded people

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Eric Hyde's avatar

100% agree. Great points. :-) And great letters Lalitha!

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Lalitha's avatar

Aww that's really sweet of you, Thank you so much💜💜

You can consider signing up if you liked it :D

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Ted Levi Toldman's avatar

There are many quotes that hold the same stem and meaning. But what you are saying here is pretty much what I live by. I'll note this one down. Inspiring, thank you 🌼

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Lalitha's avatar

Aww that's really sweet of you, Thank you so much💜💜

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Finlay Beach's avatar

You've got a interesting take and field. I'm pretty sure you will help me make back my paid subscription and more!

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Ted Levi Toldman's avatar

Happy to hear from you and thank you Finlay for your trust and support, I'm sure you'll exceed your expectations and have a bright future ahead! Best of luck and have a splendid afternoon!

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Facing Your Demons's avatar

Congrats. That’s amazing and very special. Keep it up 👍

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Ted Levi Toldman's avatar

I truly so thankful for your support. Really inspires to prosper in these things ❤️

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Terry Freedman's avatar

Definitely true.

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Monterrio Moore's avatar

Love the advice and well said.

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Feb 23, 2023
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Ted Levi Toldman's avatar

I'll get to it in the next couple of days. Thank you for the feedback! Appreciate it!

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Yuezhong's avatar

I'm celebrating getting 60+ subscribers after starting to write on Substack 3 months ago as a fun side project. To most, it may seem like a small number, but I'm celebrating the fact that 60+ people made a decision to choose to read my writings and hear my story:) That is already beyond my wildest dream!

My advice: keep writing for yourself. You cannot please everyone on the internet so you should just please yourself first!

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Matt Shaw's avatar

"You cannot please everyone on the internet so you should just please yourself first!"

Wonderful advice!

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steelorca.io's avatar

This is actually really good advice. If you write something that at the end of the day, you're proud of, you can pretty much leave it at that, in my estimation.

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David's avatar

in life and online :)

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Ed Quinn-Renaissance Man's avatar

True, true. Reminds of the song Garden Party by the late Ricky Nelson. There was a free concert at Madison Square Garden many years ago. Lots of top names showed up. Ricky wasn't invited.

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Sarah Styf's avatar

I'm working on this being my goal and also being more honest and vulnerable with my writing.

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Dani Smart's avatar

I know it's hard to put your heart out there for others. But I also know that some of my hardest pieces have made the most impact and are ones where I've received the most comments. One of the comments I received that really hit home wasn't so much about my story but that the reader felt that they were finally hearing my true voice. I hope you continue with that goal, no matter how hard it can be.

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Journalisa's avatar

I agree. The more vulnerable I am, with what is really going on, that which makes many uncomfortable, is often when I get the most amazing responses from others who understand as they have been there or are there currently, and they feel they are alone there...

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Theresa "Sam" Houghton's avatar

I hear this from many other writers, and I think that's the key: feeling alone is a common part of the human experience. It's easy to get stuck inside our own heads, but when someone else is willing to put into words what we don't know how to say, it can be like a light shining in the dark.

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Faith Christine Bergevin's avatar

Yes, feeling alone is part of the human experience. And sharing our stories can help others feel less alone. It can be scary when revealing some things you wish you didn't experience, but in the end, if it helps someone else feel less alone, there's meaning in that.

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Journalisa's avatar

Yes, my mother, when alive, loved to hear me read my stories to her. She always said what you say here. That we all have these feelings! They are uncomfortable. Most of us automatically flee. If someone can map it out in a clear and consistent matter, then instead of fight or flight kicking up and acting out, there can be the dawning of a new thought process that can make safe, the emotions that feel unsafe.

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Ed Quinn-Renaissance Man's avatar

True voice. Such inspiring feedback. Just started my substack. Im gonna keep that in mind.

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Sarah Styf's avatar

That's also why I've chosen to completely change the way I do my paid subscriptions. I plan to be more vulnerable in general, but I'm saving my most honest pieces for the people who have decided to be "all in" on my writing and voice.

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Joshua Doležal's avatar

Totally agree. This is a safe space, in my experience, to be vulnerable.

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Ben Woestenburg's avatar

It's a comfortable enough place to let you feel you're in a safe place. I went through workplace trauma last year, and it's taken me a long time to start writing again. In fact, I haven't put up a "new" short story yet. Everything I've put up is old. But I'm writing again, and that's all that matters. I don't have to sit in fear of rejection for every story I put up on my page. And that's a big plus. I've always thought my writing was good enough to be read, and Substack has proven to me that it is.

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Sabrina LaBow's avatar

I think being honest and vulnerable is key. When we are guarded and want every single word to be sophisticated and perfect, it takes away from the authenticity. That's my two cents. Now I have to figure out how to grow my audience sans social media!

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Ben Woestenburg's avatar

You grow your audience by engaging with other writers. Being on this page is great, as long as you contribute. Leave a link to your page (even though you can just hit the avatar and your page will come up). Like this: https://benwoestenburg.substack.com/about It takes you to my page, but so does hitting my name. The more writers you engage with, the more cross-posts you share, the more people will look at what you have to offer.

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Sarah Styf's avatar

Engaging with other writers here is key. I've considered doing more "guest posts" on mine, but I also want to be discriminating about how many and whether they actually speak to my audience.

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Terry Freedman's avatar

Ben, in your opinion/experience, is there extra mileage in being so explicit? I mean, people can just click on your publication's name next to your name

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Ben Woestenburg's avatar

That's true. And I know that. But when you put the link in, it takes you directly to that page. If I want you to read a particular story, I can link you right to it. Usually, I send them to my "about" page, so they can decide for themselves. They don't have to search around. https://benwoestenburg.substack.com/about That takes you to "About" me. Of course, you have to make that page interesting enough to hold someone's attention. But if I want you to look at a particular story, I can send you there: https://benwoestenburg.substack.com/s/the-african-songbook Linking directly to it seems better to me. It might be a personal preference, but it gives more clarity.

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Theresa "Sam" Houghton's avatar

What's your experience with/approach to cross-posts? I haven't done any yet but have come across several pieces that I'd like to share with my readers.

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Ben Woestenburg's avatar

Cross-posts are an amazing tool. You can share other peoples' 'stacks with your email list. It gives your readers an opportunity to see what else is available. Those writers might get a few subscriptions because you shared them. It helps others get noticed. If they don't want to read it, they can simply delete the email.

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Theresa "Sam" Houghton's avatar

I'm doing the same! I keep feeling a pull to try Twitter in unconventional ways, but thus far I haven't succumbed. I've been off the socials since October 2022, and I'm loath to go back.

What methods have you tried so far? I've sent emails directly to friends, family, and contacts; submitted the newsletter to directories, linked it on my website, and shared individual posts in some Discord communities I'm part of.

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Terry Freedman's avatar

I put my Substack newsletter details in every email I send out (inb the signature) -- even to people like the taxman. I mean, you never know! And if people don't know about it, they DEFINITELY won't subscribe!

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Nathan Slake's avatar

I like this idea. I only have a signature for my work email account, but putting one in on my private email account that then links to my Substack is a great idea.

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Theresa "Sam" Houghton's avatar

Mine is definitely in my email sig! I'm working on making my personal writing more prominent on my website, too. I need to transition that from "HI I'M A CONTENT MARKETER" to "I'm a writer."

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Ben Woestenburg's avatar

Sounds like you've got it under control! All you need now is time...and that's the hard part.

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Theresa "Sam" Houghton's avatar

True that! I'm so conditioned to expect Big Results Overnight that adjusting to the long game is a mindset shift.

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About That Life's avatar

I agree. It is important to be honest. I was watching this video on Film Courage YouTube and it spoke about asking Whys to get to the truth/core of a story or things we do.

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Billy Bumbo's avatar

My truth on Substack is therapy for me! Telling my story gives me a voice where, otherwise, I would feel silenced!

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Lalitha's avatar

I agree, I used to feel really uncomfortable with writing online let alone being myself and being vulnerable

I started sharing with my close friends list on instagram alone

Then in general story

Then linkedin

Now in my newsletter

Getting comfortable with sharing is a journey 💝

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Robert Urbaschek's avatar

I tried it last week. Had quite a stressful time, and decided to use my platform to open up about it and talk about stress and how it relates to me as well as to our society. It felt vulnerable but I also felt like it offered a personal perspective to something that everyone struggles with at some point. By opening up, you hopefully make it easier for others to do so too, and to share their thoughts and feelings.

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Nathan Slake's avatar

Lovely and apt words.

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Finlay Beach's avatar

Honest is easy when you write in your own voice, for your own reasons (mine is therapy) and vulnerability seems to come naturally enough when you publish.

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Ben Woestenburg's avatar

But it also depends on what you're writing, doesn't it? If you write fiction it's hard to separate the real from the fiction when you read it. We put so much of ourselves into our stories, I think anyone who writes fiction is writing some sort of therapy they're not even aware of.

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Finlay Beach's avatar

Absolutely! I had a friend comment on my first novel.

"It must be great to get away with saying what you believe."

I never thought of it that way, but yes, there is plenty of freedom... I responded, "Sometimes even say what I don't believe."

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Wendi Gordon's avatar

That is very wise advice. I have also discovered that when I write what I want to write and share stories from my life and what I've learned, I naturally attract people who resonate with my writing. I've never been one to write about whatever is trending at the moment, or choose subjects based on the number of people interested in that topic or how profitable that niche supposedly is. I'd be miserable if I did, no matter how much money I made. I'd see it as selling out and not feel good about myself.

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Ali Isaac's avatar

Absolutely! Checking out what's trending each day and writing about that used to be popular advice when I was blogging. I never did that. It just wasn't me. But nor did I want to follow any of the bloggers who did operate that way, their blogs were all something and nothing. They acquired lots of followers but very little interaction from them. I guess some people are all about the numbers though.

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Sarah Styf's avatar

Ugh, the blogger hustle culture is real and toxic.

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Ali Isaac's avatar

So true, but having said that, also met lots of lovely people too, for which I am very grateful!💕 Happy to be here now though. Substack seems to have such a positive friendly community, and I'm loving that vibe! Writing generally can be such a lonely vocation.

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Sarah Styf's avatar

All of this.

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Lalitha's avatar

I agree, I once read in a blog -

"The amount of income you make is not going to be displayed on your tombstone

I measure my impact not based on how much money I have made , but by how many people in the world would be willing to take care of my family after I die"

This hit hard because one thing that outshine all the external benifits is the authentic and pure relationships you can build through this with like minded people

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Theresa "Sam" Houghton's avatar

Numbers are shiny, attractive, and measurable. Stepping out of the "best practices" comfort zone is scary. And going against the grain doesn't produce 10X Growth Overnight™.

In other words, it's not for the faint of heart, the impatient, or the aspiring Internet Guru...

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David's avatar

!

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Finlay Beach's avatar

You are right the whole profit thing is a horrible rabbit hole I'm thankful to have avoided.

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Jessica Wilen's avatar

Congrats! Every single subscriber matters!

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Facing Your Demons's avatar

❤️🫰

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steelorca.io's avatar

That's the same number I hit this week!

60+ doesn't seem like a lot for a lot of people but given that a few months ago I had 15 subscribers we have to appreciate how far we've come.

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

Percentage-wise, that's MASSIVE growth!

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Nathan Slake's avatar

Congrats! That's some great growth.

As others have said, I think as long as you're enjoying putting the content out and engaging in the creative process and finding it stimulating then the numbers will find themselves increasing.

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Jo Huber's avatar

you're doing very well for sure!

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Sophia Mazzella's avatar

Congratulations!! That's absolutely a number to be proud of. This was so lovely to read and a necessary reminder that the quality of writing and sticking to your goal is what it's all about :)

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Howard M Cohen's avatar

Exactly, Sophia. It is ALL about the quality of the writing. But you have to put thought into how you define quality. Beyond proper grammar, syntax, and so forth, there's the quality of the thinking that went into it, and the way you build to your points, and so much more. I think its worth the time to stop and really think about what lends value to your work so you're more aware of it.

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Joan DeMartin's avatar

Good ideas for everyone, Howard. Agree that it is the quality of ideas and the thought process your writing lays out as you make your point. I fairly regularly stop and access what I've put out to make sure it lends value to an otherwise crowded field of writers—I don't always succeed, but I do think about it. I keep the late Nora Ephron's words in front of me as I write each post "Journalism is not just about regurgitating or reciting the facts...it's figuring out the point ...what it meant and why it mattered." That ain't easy!

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Theresa "Sam" Houghton's avatar

"I fairly regularly stop and access what I've put out to make sure it lends value to an otherwise crowded field of writers"

👆🏻 This is the mindset I'm cultivating now. I spent a lot of time ensnared by the lie that more content = better (and is, in fact, Essential). But you're 100% right: part of adding value is to know when not to say something because it's been said a dozen times (or more) already.

Unique ideas and thoughtful approaches that make others stop and consider a different viewpoint have the power to incite change--whether in one individual or in the broader society. And those are sorely lacking in mainstream internet media!

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Joan DeMartin's avatar

Thanks! The main reason I'm writing my newsletter is to help people become more aware of the structure that encourages and nurtures our growing inequality, that it is not necessarily their fault if they are struggling financially otherwise. And I am still ensnared by the idea of churning out content...but I've slowed a bit in an effort to put out more thoroughly researched content. I've never been capable of "churning things out" and I don't want to be. I'm a slow, but steady creature:-)

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Ben Woestenburg's avatar

I believe in that whole-heartedly. I write for myself first. You can't write hoping an audience will follow you because you're giving them what they want. I don't think it works that way. If you don't like the stories you're writing, how do you expect anyone else will? I've been here for about 8 months. I've only got 111 subscribers, but I don't let it get me down, thinking I have to do better. As long as I am true to myself, I believe the followers will come. I'm sure there are others out there who appreciate long, involved, short stories that delve into the heart. Take a look. https://benwoestenburg.substack.com/about

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Robert Urbaschek's avatar

I recognise this. In the beginning I sometimes worried about the fact that I am interested in so many different topics, but ultimately that is what keeps you going and motivated, and people will (hopefully) be drawn in by your enthusiasm.

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Ali Isaac's avatar

Hi Robert, I find someone who has varied interests and writes passionately about them very inspiring. You will be able to draw readers from a wide variety of backgrounds into your community, and that has to be good! I meant writers who jump on every trending story just to get readers, likes, to go viral. When I was blogging I came across a lot of bloggers like that. Fair play if it works for them! 😊

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Howard M Cohen's avatar

I'll echo Matt, wonderful advice, Yuezhong. Having been a commercial copywriter for several years I've become fixed on figuring out what my audience wants before I write. Now, I've had to completely reverse that and trust that my content will reach and convey value to an audience that just doesn't include everyone, and that's fine!!!

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

That reversal sounds interesting to me. I've realised that if I enjoy what I'm writing, then usually other people will too.

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Ben Woestenburg's avatar

And I live by that. I've always written for myself. Unfortunately, I've always written long stories. But I like to engage the senses. I want you to smell the rain when it hits the pavement on a hot, sunny day. I like to layer my stories. I ended up writing for myself and not worrying about the small stuff. The readers will come because the quality of the writing will draw them in.

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Finlay Beach's avatar

great revelation. you will be happy.

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Ryan Rose Weaver (she/hers)'s avatar

Copywriter to copywriter: I think this is a milestone to celebrate in and of itself. Thanks for naming it!

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Ali Isaac's avatar

That's great, Yeuzhong, keep going, well done! And fab advice! 😍

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Congratulations! Definitely worth celebrating, and good advice. Thanks.

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Martin Prior's avatar

That’s really good after just 3 months.

You will find that the more subscribers gives you more network effect and it starts to snowball from there.

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Ben Woestenburg's avatar

It is, isn't it? 60+ in 3 months. I've been on here for 8 months and only have 111. I have to tell myself constantly that I'm here for the long haul. Don't look at what I have now, look to a year down the road, or maybe two.

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Facing Your Demons's avatar

Awesome!!! Congrats. Slow and steady. I get it ❤️

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Ivan H's avatar

Congrats :)

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

Congrats. Wonderful news.

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FiNiche's avatar

That’s awesome!

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Angelica Teves's avatar

I resonate with your advice! I read one of your newsletters and you write wonderful book reviews. I subscribed! :)

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Michelle Richmond's avatar

Oh, thank you!

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Tami Carey's avatar

I hit a new subscriber mile marker this week and, to be totally honest, I wasn't even trying. It came from genuine, small scale engagement and conversations with other writers in and outside of the Substack community. And I think that would be my advice: Growth is just a natural result of creating meaningful connection. If you're going to chase anything, chase after that.

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Katie @ Substack's avatar

Congrats! Writing what you care about most attracts the best subscribers.

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Tami Carey's avatar

Yes! That ideal correlation!

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Ben Woestenburg's avatar

Totally believe in that 100%! It only takes one post to go viral--unfortunately, you never know which one that will be.

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

"Growth is just a natural result of creating meaningful connection. If you're going to chase anything, chase after that."

This is wise. I'm all about meaningful connection, not just for the writing but for life in general. Sounds like you're of similar ilk. Good work!

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Wendi Gordon's avatar

Couldn't agree more, and that's exactly how I've grown to over 100 subscribers here and a larger following on Medium and Post (post.news, a wonderful Twitter alternative with a very different, friendly and helpful atmosphere).

Someone on LinkedIn said meaningful connections matter so much more than just getting leads to potential clients, and several of us agreed with her.

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Maura Casey's avatar

Wendi, congrats and a question: Do you publish the same material across the different platforms of substack, Medium and post?

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Wendi Gordon's avatar

Generally speaking, no. My Medium articles occasionally become newsletter posts and vice versa, but that is rare. I do share links to my Substack newsletter articles and some I've published elsewhere on Post, but try to not do that too often. I balance it with commenting on and reposting content others share on Post, sharing photos I've taken or my opinion about a recent event in the news or personal experience, etc.

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Maura Casey's avatar

thank you. sounds like a lot of writing!

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Laura Moreno's avatar

I'll chime in here. Yes, I tend to post the same material, usually an expanded version of it.

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E. Sjule's avatar

It's funny to me how flagrantly accurate this is and yet I need to remind myself of this repeatedly. I'm always so appreciative when people remind me, I need this drilled into my head!

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E. Sjule's avatar

Or maybe tattooed on my forehead, Momento style.

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Sarah Styf's avatar

Working hard on that and stepping away from social media helps. Of course, doing it while working is also hard 😉

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Patricia Meier's avatar

YES! Removing Facebook, IG, etc from my phone and adding Substack was the best move ever. Now, if I do wanna scroll, I’m reading, interesting articles that fill me up rather than looking at pictures of someone’s fake version of their life.

Between that, and doing the artist way morning pages, I feel so full of creativity, vibrance, and unfettered life force. FREEDOM!!!

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

Yes! Same. I took them off my phone a while ago, and I'm so glad!

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Sarah Styf's avatar

Took FB off of my phone. Struggling with IG for promotional reasons.

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Carmella Guiol's avatar

that's awesome! i am constantly trying to have better habits around social media. i dont have any of the apps on my phone but i still spend too much time scrolling on my desktop... i write a newsletter about this very topic if you're interested! scroll sanity on substack :)

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Jo Huber's avatar

oh lovely, another Artist's Way child! Hi Patricia!

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Ali Isaac's avatar

Defo stepping away from social media! I left twitter at Xmas, my gift to me, best thing I ever did! More time and focus for my Substack adventure, now... bonus! 💕

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Wendi Gordon's avatar

Leaving Twitter was great for me, too, even though it means I miss many editors' calls for pitches and thus some much needed potential income. Still worth it to be out of that toxic environment, though. I never enjoyed Twitter, just saw it as a necessary evil to promote my work. I actually enjoy interacting on Post and have connected with many kindred spirits there (post.news). If you do join Post, I'm @writerwendig. I got more followers in my first month on Post (despite only posting once or twice a week) than I did in almost a year on Twitter. Much higher quality content and valuable info shared by others, too, kind of like these Writer Office Hours!

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Ali Isaac's avatar

I've never heard of Post, thanks for the tip, I'll check it out. 💕

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Ben Woestenburg's avatar

I'm going to have to look into that. I agree, Twitter is a toxic cesspool at times.

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Faith Christine Bergevin's avatar

Thanks for the tip, Wendi. I was considering joining Twitter but all the thoughts here are reminding me why I have an aversion. I am curious about Post now.

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Sarah Styf's avatar

I like post and need so spend more time there. I really should just focus on Post and Substack and drop the rest.

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Carmella Guiol's avatar

Wendi, this sounds cool. Would you be willing to speak with me for a podcast that I'm making about social media? If so, please reach out carmellaguiol at gmail dot com. thanks!

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Wendi Gordon's avatar

I would be happy too, Carmella. Just sent you an email, but in case it goes to spam thought I'd reply here, too.

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Nathan Slake's avatar

Not heard of Post, so thanks. Will check it out.

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Mark Isero's avatar

I agree with you. Social media has been a distraction for me.

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Ali Isaac's avatar

Oh me too! Lately my phone has started giving me weekly reports of the amount of time I spend on social media, and even though I gave up Twitter, am only left with Insta, that time is going UP knstead of down i am such a sucker for reels... so msny interesting people doing fun and exciting things ! 🤣

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Greg Leveille's avatar

I still believe that it's very important to have more than just a "presence" in Social Media. I've spent a decades consulting about the Internet to many of the largest companies, and it's very clear to me that almost all of the search engines pay attention to, and grade, your overall "Buzz" on the Internet. Thus, you'll rank higher in user searches if you're more "socially" active pm the world wide web.

That said, substacking seems to be a very powerful way to create social buzz!

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Faith Christine Bergevin's avatar

Thanks for sharing, Greg. I appreciate you talking about the impact of search engines regarding number of posts. I concur. I joined LinkedIn in November and got to over 150 followers in two months (in addition to 130+ connections). It's not a lot compared to people with thousands. But my friend said I started showing up in his emails from LinkedIn about my material because I post. I am learning that finding a balance so social media is not an energy suck but a value-added experience without expecting any immediate returns to be a (mostly) sane way to engage with it.

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Jo Huber's avatar

a preferable way 😊

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

Go to social media if only to post your substack address.:)

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Jo Huber's avatar

yes. then run as far as you can - unless people comment something relevant! 😉

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Wendi Gordon's avatar

Yes, social media can be good in limited doses, but also a time waster and depressing. I've never been on Instagram or TikTok and have no desire to be. I'm not especially active on the platforms I am on (LI and FB and Post) either.

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Carmella Guiol's avatar

If anyone is interested, I write a newsletter about how to stay sane in a digital world. I tackle topics around social media, smartphones, apps -- how do we navigate it all while maintaining our sanity??? check it out! https://carmellaguiol.substack.com/

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Jo Huber's avatar

Digital health, sounds like something i need right now. I'll take a look, Carmella, thank you for sharing.

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Sarah Styf's avatar

I'll subscribe for awhile. I'm trying to "break free"

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Robert Urbaschek's avatar

So. Hard. A constant struggle.. But I always come back to the writing, and when I do it makes me realise that spending my energy on that makes me much happier..

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Facing Your Demons's avatar

Right on. Sometimes just writing good material regularly and letting go is key 🔑

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Sabrina LaBow's avatar

That's exactly what I have been doing. I just keep writing consistently every day.

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Ehud Neor's avatar

I hear you! I post to social now just because Substack recommends doing so. "It came from genuine, small scale engagement and conversations with other writers in and outside of the Substack community." It's the gift that keeps on giving.

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Howard M Cohen's avatar

All of life is built on the relationships we create and nurture. You are so spot on.

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Sue Ferrera's avatar

Love this advice.

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Terry Freedman's avatar

I was going to write much the same thing, Tami.

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Donna McArthur's avatar

This feed is very inspiring as, yet again, I feel discouraged. I am working on building my Substack, haven't published anything yet and keep getting the chronic niggle that I don't have many people who may follow me over to this platform. I love hearing about all of you creating meaningful connection and being true to yourselves to create 'genuine, small scale engagement', as Tami says. This is exactly what I am working for and sometimes forget is possible. My goal marker will be to publish my very first piece on SS soon! To all of you walking the path ahead of me thank you for your thoughts and input, it definitely makes a difference.

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Lalitha's avatar

I agree, I once read in a blog -

"The amount of income you make is not going to be displayed on your tombstone

I measure my impact not based on how much money I have made , but by how many people in the world would be willing to take care of my family after I die"

This hit hard because one thing that outshine all the external benifits is the authentic and pure relationships you can build through this with like minded people

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Nathan Slake's avatar

100% agree. And Katie if you read this, these threads have become something I really love and look forward to each week. Getting to read everyone's comments and thoughts is a real highlight.

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Claire Venus ✨'s avatar

Aww I love this! So so true

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Chevanne Scordinsky's avatar

🥳 Congrats!!

“ Growth is just a natural result of creating meaningful connection.” Beautiful words to work by.

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Tami Carey's avatar

Thank you Chevanne!

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Claudine Wolk's avatar

Networking vs Social Media engagement - Yes?

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Sarah Styf's avatar

Networking is certainly superior and takes as much time with better results. But it also requires more of "you" as opposed to just posting and "liking"

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Claudine Wolk's avatar

Agreed. I am still in touch with the authors I reached out to over 15 years ago and sharing new ideas on book promotion and finding ways to promote each other.

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Sarah Styf's avatar

I'm looking forward to what you have to offer. I launched my first book (via Amazon publishing) a month ago and I have a lot of work to do, but hoping that the book can feed my Substack and vice versa.

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Claudine Wolk's avatar

Let's chat, I am happy to share marketing tips with fellow sub stackers. My contact page on claudinewolk.com is the quickest way to get to me.

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Sandra Gail Lambert's avatar

Thank you, Carey. It is perfect timing for me to be reminded that "genuine, small scale engagement" with other writers, with anyone, is the goal.

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Amanda B. Hinton's avatar

I got my first payout from subscriptions this week for my substack that gives readers access to ask their developmental (or general) editing questions.

I've earned money in a lot of different publishing settings for other people's books/manuscripts. But this payout, though less than $200, felt pretty special.

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Katie @ Substack's avatar

That's awesome, congrats Amanda!

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RenoQueen's avatar

Congrats Amanda, that's excellent!

I am wondering how, those that have gone paid, decide which posts should be paid and which ones remain free? I've read that the best ones should be free but how does one decide what's best?

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Brad Kyle's avatar

What I did first (I started 8/21) was put some older/oldest posts up as paid. I've noticed I end up using some articles' links more than others (my gateway articles)....like my "In The Ramones' Hotel Room" article, or interviewing David Cassidy in '75....these are my easy go-to's to get people to go "Wha....?!?" and hopefully hop on board!

Online, too, The Ramones and David come up frequently, and I want those articles to be free, and I make sure I don't link a paid-only piece. I wanted to share a link, yesterday, to an article, and noticing it was behind a paywall, I went in to make it free!

You do you, and set your own guidelines....but, yes, start with keeping WHAT YOU DEEM TO BE YOUR BEST, free, and either start with turning oldest posts to paid, or just pick and choose, based on what you've already tabbed as your best to stay free! Good luck!

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RenoQueen's avatar

That's really helpful advice. Thank you Brad.

If I am understanding correctly, it's keeping what's popular free. That makes sense actually. I was getting twisted up in my head, worried people would be disappointed when they read a paid post and think "this is not as good as the free stuff"

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Brad Kyle's avatar

It's like the heroin dealer on the street.....he'll offer you the first hit or two for free (I'm told!). You'll get hooked, and then be eager to pay from then on!

If that's not a familiar reference, just add an "e": It's like the heroine dealer on the street......For those who write fiction, there ya go: A street-corner bookseller! Or, like the cereal companies do...a free, little box in the mail, then buy a big box!

In the '70s record biz, Warner Bros. Records used to offer 2-LP compilations, with new artists and new releases featured. An ad and coupon would be printed on each standard album's (sold in stores) inner sleeve. For $2, you'd get these "loss leaders" back, in the mail!

Warner Bros.' hope, of course, is that you'd hear The Doobie Bros. track on the sampler, and go buy their album, etc! Hope some of this helps! Go get 'em! So, go sell your hero, protagonist, antagonist, and I suppose, if you must, your heroine!😉👍

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RenoQueen's avatar

Good analogies. I hope my posts are not as bad as heroin in the long run.

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Maura Casey's avatar

Brad, great point

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Terry Freedman's avatar

My older posts are the best ones, Brad. I've been going slowly downhill since I started -- JOKING! 😁

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RenoQueen's avatar

Heroin

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Terry Freedman's avatar

Not downhill in that way!!

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Claire Venus ✨'s avatar

I write more personal and behind the scenes stuff behind a paywall but let folks see some of it for free.

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RenoQueen's avatar

Thanks so much for sharing Claire! Also such a nice idea to share personal items only with people who support you.

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Terry Freedman's avatar

good Q

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Nathan Slake's avatar

Really good question. Would make for a good newsletter article.

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Faith Christine Bergevin's avatar

For me, I have always offered a paid option since I started in October 2022. The first few subscriptions came out of that (choice from the reader). I have not changed my offerings but I have made adjustments: I still offer a weekly essay on mental health and healing from trauma as well as a weekly podcast on the same topic but I have added a monthly worksheet (this is only for paid though) so people can dig in more and implement learnings from a recent essay (I am a therapist so I offer unique insight based on research and my practice). I have also added a paywall on older posts (I have over 30 posts from when I started so there's lots of material). People can also join for free for 7 days to get the full experience. Here's a link to my most popular essay to date (sensitive subject matter warning): https://faithcbergevin.substack.com/p/what-burns-in-you

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RenoQueen's avatar

Thank you for sharing - that's a good way to do it.

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Kate Jones's avatar

That's a good question, for me, I try to offer something a bit extra to the weekly post. I just started a series for the paying subs this week, so it's still the same quality (hopefully!), but it allows for a deeper delve into he writers and topics I research.

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RenoQueen's avatar

Thanks Kate. I like that approach.

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Sarah Styf's avatar

As someone working on writing my next memoir piece, I am absolutely subscribing to yours now.

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Amanda B. Hinton's avatar

Can't wait to see what you're working on. <3

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Terry Freedman's avatar

well done Amanda

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Billy Bumbo's avatar

You're living the dream even at $200! I'm inspired!

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Jen Zug's avatar

Yay! Congratulations!🎈

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Amanda B. Hinton's avatar

You were in the mix of this celebration.

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Laura Moreno's avatar

Kudos! It is significant.

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Faith Christine Bergevin's avatar

Aww, me too, Amanda. When I got my first payout recently, it felt special to me too :)

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Eric Hyde's avatar

Congrats! That is really cool! I remember receiving my first rent payment years ago from a rental I owned...and my first dividend from an investment...such a great feeling!

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Kate Jones's avatar

Me too Amanda! It felt like such an achievement : )

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

That's fantastic! Congrats!

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Ali Isaac's avatar

Wow that's definitely worth celebrating! Congrats! 💕

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Well done, Amanda! Would you be willing to share how long you've offered paid subscriptions, how you determined the level(s) you wanted to offer, and how you differentiate paid from unpaid content? Thanks!

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Amanda B. Hinton's avatar

Sure. I offered paid subscriptions starting last month. I decided to offer a $6/month subscription or $50 for the year. I knew there were folks who were familiar enough with my work who would give me a boost when I went paid, so the $50 discounted yearly option was for them.

I saw most Substacks were $4 a month, and I decided since I have 15+ years in developmental editing that I wanted to charge for that value. I use the line between paid and unpaid content to illustrate the difference between writing that helps us "clear out the cobwebs" (free) versus writing that is intentional, instructional or hands-on (paid).

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

That's a fabulous and CLEAR distinction between paid and free. Thanks for sharing.

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Heather Brebaugh's avatar

Congratulations, Amanda. Great start!

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Nathan Slake's avatar

I'm sure all those dollars, regardless of amount, feel warm and fuzzy! Congrats!

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Chevanne Scordinsky's avatar

It is very special. Congrats! What an achievement.

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Rachel Katz's avatar

Hi all! This week I got the most robust comments/discussion yet on an essay I wrote. It was fulfilling to hear my readers' thoughts and interact with them on a topic I find interesting.

This advice is so dumb, but I only just did it...put a "Leave a Comment" button at the end with a note inviting comments 😂. Sometimes it's the simplest things!

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Katie @ Substack's avatar

Great advice! Sometimes readers just need the invite

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Ali Isaac's avatar

I don't think it's dumb at all! I think sometimes it might seem a little intimidating to a reader to write the author a comment, so to invite them to do so is quite welcoming. 💕

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Howard M Cohen's avatar

Rae, there is absolutely nothing dumb about that advice. I've consistently included a "Leave a Comment" button but now feel REALLY dumb about not indicating how valuable it is to do so. Won't make that mistake again! THANKS!

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E. Sjule's avatar

I love this, Rae! Sometimes the most obvious sounding ideas really just aren't. This is very much my current goal on my Substack is to inspire discussions. I'm going to put a comment button at the end of my next post. I'm excited to see if it plays out! It sounds like it'll help.

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Facing Your Demons's avatar

👏👏❤️

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Teresa Wu's avatar

A great reminder and honestly something I haven't tried yet! :) Thanks for the advice.

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YouTopian Journey's avatar

2 years on Substack, over 100 issues, 23000 subscribers in all 50 states and 120 countries. Thank you Substack.

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Katie @ Substack's avatar

Gooo youtopian journey!

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YouTopian Journey's avatar

Thank you, lets do a grow interview or something super dope.

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

23K - that's no joke! Good job. I suppose I'll need to reconsider my "wildest dreams" now. :)

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YouTopian Journey's avatar

No, just keep writing and keep going. Experiment where you can. Fail where you can. It is all part of the writing and growing process.

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Janice Walton's avatar

I like that reminder - fail when you can - and learn.

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Brad Kyle's avatar

I'm holding out for the interplanetary readership, Elizabeth! Until I can nab Jupiter, or claim Neptune as FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE strongholds, I won't be certain my reach is exceeding my grasp! Join me in my quest, won't you?

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

To infinity, and beyond!!

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Sabrina LaBow's avatar

What was the #1 thing you did to get there? I just keep posting and do not share to social media because it's a shit show.

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RenoQueen's avatar

Congrats, Well done!! It's an inspiration for the rest of us and a something to work towards.

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YouTopian Journey's avatar

Thank you, keep on writing and rocking.

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Ehud Neor's avatar

That's it. I'm taking my running shoes off.

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Jo Huber's avatar

congratulations!

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YouTopian Journey's avatar

Thank you so much

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Nathan Slake's avatar

Not heard of you until now, but subbing. This looks great.

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Joan DeMartin's avatar

Congrats to you!

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Terry Freedman's avatar

amazing. well done

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YouTopian Journey's avatar

Thank you, keep writing.

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

Yay! Well done you!

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Penny Kiley's avatar

I'm celebrating being a "featured publication" today. I've only been on Substack four months so I'm really pleased.

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Jo Huber's avatar

Did i see 'music'?... Congratulations, Penny, that's amazing after just 4 months!!

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Livio Marcheschi's avatar

Wonderful! How do you even get to be one? :)

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Penny Kiley's avatar

They pick you. The email said: "We look for writers who, like you, are covering a clear topic in a unique way and exemplify Substack best practices, like posting regularly and engaging with readers."

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Faith Christine Bergevin's avatar

So happy for you! I am sure you are excited

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E. Sjule's avatar

Congratulations, Penny! Ride that wave! 🏄

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Sara Lloyd's avatar

This is so cool, congrats Penny!

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Greg Leveille's avatar

Fantastic. That's sounds like a great milestone.

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Alasdair Pedley's avatar

Liverpool, music, Penny... what a wonderful coincidence

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Aseem Asthana's avatar

Congratulations, Penny.

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

Oh wow - that's amazing! Congratulations to you!

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Simon K Jones's avatar

Not sure if it's a milestone, but this week I put up a post about how I was no longer going to be using AI image generation, preferring instead to go back to my own illustrations. Technically less impressive, but hopefully more honest and interesting for readers. The response to the post so far seems to indicate that people (or, at least, my readers) are appreciative of the move.

And in terms of advice to share: keep evolving and improving on how you use Substack. Don't stick with how you set it up in the first month: keep re-writing the About page, rejigging the presentation and fiddling with the overall publishing formula. And keep a close eye on what others are doing - we're all poking at the edges of how the platform works, and there's a lot to learn.

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moviewise 🎟's avatar

I agree Simon! Just this past week I updated the "welcome page" message on my newsletter, "moviewise: Life Lessons From Movies." It had previously just been one sentence, now it's a call to action:

"Improve your life one movie scene at a time! Discover valuable life lessons hidden within your favorite films. Subscribe for weekly insights on personal growth inspired by the big screen. #MovieTherapy #MovieRecommendations"

https://moviewise.substack.com/

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RenoQueen's avatar

I love the topic.

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Faith Christine Bergevin's avatar

Yes to rejigging the About page. Very important as you figure out more as you do it. Also the Welcome emails too!

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Simon K Jones's avatar

Absolutely! I still haven't got either of them right, but they're much better than they were a year ago. :)

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RenoQueen's avatar

I approve! I like to make my own art too sometimes hard with renovation images. Your illustrations will feel more personal for those reading. Writing is an interesting medium as readers always want to feel connected to the author even if the medium itself is more removed than music, for example

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Simon K Jones's avatar

Exactly - and over the last couple of months I've come to realise that using AI images was putting more distance between me and readers, even if they were superficially more eye-catching.

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RenoQueen's avatar

I'm so glad you're making your own art. Your art is nice and art is subjective anyway. Computer generated art, even AI, isn't going to have the same feel. At least it doesn't yet.

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Vicki Smith's avatar

As an illustrator that still works with paper and pastels, I feel that original art always tops AI! Good for you!

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Jo Huber's avatar

proud of you about your decision, Simon!

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Meaghan McIsaac's avatar

I read and loved this post you wrote!

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Simon K Jones's avatar

Aw, thanks Meaghan! :)

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Terry Freedman's avatar

I use both kinds of illustration, clearly labelled. Great advice in second para, Simon. Thank you

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Simon K Jones's avatar

Thanks, Terry!

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Terry Freedman's avatar

I received a couple of very nice compliments on my substack newsletter. For example, one person said he now gets why writers he likes like mine. It made me think: it would be really good if there were a facility for easily collating such comments into testimonials. I know there are recommendations, but I think it would be good if there was a way to gather together such comments.

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Katie @ Substack's avatar

That's a great idea!

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🅟🅐🅤🅛 🅜🅐🅒🅚🅞's avatar

Hi Terry. I usually copy and paste "special" comments, accolades, testimonials, and endorsements in a newsletter called Who reads your work? You can pin it on your front page if you want. Social proof is a great way to get new subscribers...

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Terry Freedman's avatar

That's the sort of thing I had in mind, Paul. That sounds like a good idea. Do you ask permission, or just assume that by commenting that permission is implicit?

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🅟🅐🅤🅛 🅜🅐🅒🅚🅞's avatar

I will sometimes thank people for the comment, then let them know I will use it for social proof. People seem to like that, because it gives them a call out also.

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Terry Freedman's avatar

yes, a win-win. Thanks, Paul

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Brad Kyle's avatar

I've stuck a few on my About page, Terry....even recording artists who've commented positively when they've read about themselves, FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE! For ex: Taxiride's Jason Singh says, "Thanks, Brad, for reminding me how good we used to be!" "Paul Bowen of Starjets grants instant interview!"

I have no shame....it's like a movie ad: "Here's what the stars are saying.....!"

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

Haha. Just asked the same thing then realized I'm not the only writer who asks questions. It's part of who we are.

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

Do you get their permission first?

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moviewise 🎟's avatar

Likewise, Paul. I use my invitation for "Guest Writers" to both thank writers, share links to their sites (and your site is one of them), and showcase a positive blurb they've made about "moviewise" under "mentions":

https://moviewise.substack.com/p/be-our-guest

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Faith Christine Bergevin's avatar

That's a great idea! I've had lovely back-and-forth with readers on some pieces. And it's a pretty great feeling to have that interaction. What a clever idea to put them together in a way that celebrates your writing while also bringing visibility to those who were kind enough to make a comment on your post. Truly win-win!

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Vicki Smith's avatar

What a good idea!

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Heather Brebaugh's avatar

Great idea, Paul. Thanks for the tip!

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Jillian Hess's avatar

A friend of mine keeps a folder of "praise" on her computer. It's just for her, but it's nice to look at on tough writing days. I haven't started one yet, but I probably should!

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Terry Freedman's avatar

I have a section called Testimonials on another website . I hadn't thought of keeping nice comments in a special folder. Makes sense

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Nathan Slake's avatar

Yeah, good call. I do this with work with all my students and the ones who occasionally email me to make me remember that it is actually all worthwhile, even if I'm only making a difference to a handful of them each year.

(Plus, it's good necessary stuff for promotion forms.)

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Terry Freedman's avatar

I agree. What do you teach?

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Nathan Slake's avatar

Undergraduate biochemistry, metabolism, immunology, proteomics. Hence I'm always happy if I can get any students enthusiastic and involved with the content.

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Terry Freedman's avatar

You lost me after 'undergraduate'. Very interesting, but I find all the technical terminology too challenging. The closes I get is reading New Scientist and Scientific ~American

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Howard M Cohen's avatar

LinkedIn is also a good place to post accolades, or actually have the people making them post them.

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Terry Freedman's avatar

That's true. I have a fe on there, so it's useful for something!

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Ali Isaac's avatar

Hi, I think that's a great idea, testimonials from readers are just as important as recommendations from fellow Substackers. 💕

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Chevanne Scordinsky's avatar

I created a media pamphlet with some compliments as testimonials. It would be nice to have them on Substack but people submit those as recommendations.

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Terry Freedman's avatar

Yes, but -- and I haven't thought this through TBH -- I think testimonials and recommendations are different. For example, this was a testimonial I received from an editor. It's the kind of thing that I think would work as a testimonial on Substack for anyone thinking of asking me to write a guest post, but not as a recommendation to potential readers in general:

"Terry Freedman has written reviews of educational titles for Schools Week on a regular basis since August 2019. His reviews are consistently insightful, showing an experience-informed understanding of the reality of working in schools, as well as keen engagement with a variety of facets of educational theory and practice from pedagogy to fundraising. Terry is a joy to work with. He always submits on time and is open to feedback, working promptly on edits that show an appreciation for our readership's interests and preferences, and I would highly recommend him to any editor."

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Chevanne Scordinsky's avatar

I’m talking about the blurb they put with the recommendation. This looks like a professional reference. It wouldn’t work for a reader. Not pithy enough.

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Terry Freedman's avatar

Well, I agree, but it might work for a writer looking for guest writers. I have also received very pithy testimonials that wouldn't be detailed enough to work as Recommendations. As I said somewhere, I haven't really thought this through, but I do think there's room for testimonials and that they are different, in some way, from recommendations. On the other hand, I'm starving so there probably isn't enough oxygen in my brain for me to think clearly!

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Chevanne Scordinsky's avatar

Have a cookie for Pete’s sake!

Okay, I think I get it. Most haven’t guest written because we don’t quite share subject matter but I have written for others. Do people need that must enticing for guest work? Eh. I’m sure you’d be a joy to work with, though. 🙂

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E. Sjule's avatar

I love this idea, Terry! I wantssss it!

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Nathan Slake's avatar

Oooo, great idea Terry. (And even better that Katie has seen and read it!)

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Terry Freedman's avatar

I forgot to mention that I've patented it

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Nathan Slake's avatar

damn...

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Terry Freedman's avatar

😂

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Joan DeMartin's avatar

Oh...that is a great idea!

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Sabrina LaBow's avatar

It's just so overwhelming. I know I would like so many of everyone's posts but there are just so many hours in a day! Maybe they or we could come up with an algorithm to match people's similar posts topics. I'm just not that good at the tech side and need guidance.

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Valorie Castellanos Clark's avatar

I'm on the edge of my seat, waiting to celebrate 2,000 subscribers to Unruly Figures. I'm currently 1,986. Even though I'm not at the round number (yet!) it still feels exciting that people care what I have to say about history and the rule-breakers who made it.

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Elizabeth's avatar

!!! So close !!!

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Jo Huber's avatar

i love the newsletter avatar, Elizabeth!!

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Dorothy Littell Greco's avatar

that's impressive. congrats.

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Greg Leveille's avatar

That's truly awesome. Congratulations. And keep on going!

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

That's amazing! Congratulations. Enjoy when it ticks over!

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Ehud Neor's avatar

That's a milestone I admire and aspire to. You are now at 1987.

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Mark Isero's avatar

Congratulations! This is very impressive.

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Jessica Rath's avatar

If I wasn't already subscribed, I'd do it NOW to help you reach the number! 😉

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Terry Freedman's avatar

I thought the same thing, Jessica!

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Joan DeMartin's avatar

Wow! A huge congrats, Valarie!

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Maura Casey's avatar

just subscribed! you'll get there!

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

So excited for you! Any secrets other than ones posted in essays?

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Terry Freedman's avatar

well done, Valorie

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Elizabeth's avatar

I used my newsletter to help successfully pitch a book review to the Washington Post!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2023/02/23/marquis-sade-curse-sodom-warner-review/

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Katie @ Substack's avatar

Go Elizabeth!

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Ehud Neor's avatar

That is a widening of horizons. Well done.

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Jolene Handy's avatar

Yay, Elizabeth!

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Jennie Dear's avatar

Elizabeth--I read your review when it was first posted. Nice job.

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Valorie Castellanos Clark's avatar

That's awesome!

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Terry Freedman's avatar

well done!

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akanksha aurora's avatar

10 paid subscribers! Idk, it's pretty cool for a newsletter about immigrant feelings no one usually cares about.

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Jo Huber's avatar

excellent! it's something many people care about, believe me.

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akanksha aurora's avatar

thank you! I'm feeling the love!

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Aseem Asthana's avatar

It's an amazing accomplishment. You should be proud of yourself.

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akanksha aurora's avatar

that is so kind. i never know how to measure success metrics in these spaces. I am so bowled away by the support!

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

I look forward to the day I join you in that! Congrats.

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Sabrina LaBow's avatar

Good for you! Any advice on how you got there? I just keep writing and for now do not pay attention to the rest of it because it is overwhelming. But at some point I will have to get paid subscribers.

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akanksha aurora's avatar

I started posting my entries on TikTok! Most of my followers came from there.

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Keshler Thibert's avatar

Great milestone!

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akanksha aurora's avatar

thank you so much!

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Tania @ Substack's avatar

congrats!

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Billy Bumbo's avatar

I'm celebrating my meager list of 8 subscribers. I was panicking at 4:30 as Writers Office Hours is my prime means of growing my following and no one around! But your here now so hell yeah!

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Keshler Thibert's avatar

Every new subscriber is an accomplishment.

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Joan DeMartin's avatar

It is indeed!

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Kerry Jane's avatar

I've got like 50 but I know 13 of those people lol. It's not easy growing a readership, dont let anyone make you think otherwise and feel good about all successes, even the small ones.

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Sabrina LaBow's avatar

How are you getting the people you do not know?

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Billy Bumbo's avatar

Seems like building a readership might be a demoralising, hell-ish pursuit! Still i'm in it for the long haul because I have nowhere else to go. All my chips are in on this adventure!

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Keshler Thibert's avatar

I am going through the same process. i have 56 subscribers. Each new reader puts me through a range of emotions. I'm also all in.

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Billy Bumbo's avatar

How long have you been doing this?

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Faith Christine Bergevin's avatar

Hi Billy, Keep going. When I started in October I had 7 after my first Writer's Office Hours. It grows in fits and starts - at least for me. I've found all I do is keep my head down and do what I said I would. Sometimes something takes off - I've had two growth spurts (and I don't necessarily mean new subscribers, I mean number of readers reading my posts) and those are thrilling. But we can't always be on a high. It's one at a time, man. :)

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Billy Bumbo's avatar

I appreciate your insight, it's encouraging to know.

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Howard M Cohen's avatar

When you trust the quality of your content and believe in it, the thing you must focus on is "spreading the word," getting your link and value prop in front of as many people as possible. Social media groups, hashtags in Twitter, all reach an enormous number of people. Quick posts about what's in it for the reader along with a link seem to work best.

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Good enough, mama.'s avatar

I have one!

I'm excited to read your work.

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RenoQueen's avatar

We all start at zero. Keep going! Soon it will be 80 then 800 then 8000. :)

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Sam W's avatar

I'm down at 4, so you have me beat!

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Billy Bumbo's avatar

It's lonely at the bottom, right?!

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Jo Huber's avatar

we were all once there where you are, Billy - and Sam - and still climbing 😊 it's ok. You'll get there with patience and consistency.

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RenoQueen's avatar

Hardly as you can only go up!

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Howard M Cohen's avatar

That's what motivates you to climb harder, Billy.

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Yuezhong's avatar

Cheers to 8!!

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Terry Freedman's avatar

Hang on in there, Billy

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Nathan Slake's avatar

These threads get wildly popular and almost out of control about 1hr in!

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Chevanne Scordinsky's avatar

It’s like the club at 1am. Don’t even bother going in. 😭

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Billy Bumbo's avatar

I know right! It's like spinning plates trying to keep abreast of all the conversations!

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Nathan Slake's avatar

Heh yeah. And then you look at your inbox 10 minutes later...

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Billy Bumbo's avatar

Gives me anxiety! It's like you have to have no life to do this Writer Office Hour properly!

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D'Arcy Fallon's avatar

Billy, 8 is a start! Keep it up!!!!!

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Billy Bumbo's avatar

I sure will!

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Chevanne Scordinsky's avatar

It’s only the beginning. Here here! 🍻

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

8 is my favourite number and a more than decent start. Go you.

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Maura Casey's avatar

great!

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Alasdair Pedley's avatar

Stick in there! If you enjoy writing, keep going!

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Aseem Asthana's avatar

You will get there, Billy.

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Livio Marcheschi's avatar

Keep things special, keep things special, keep things special!

I am celebrating 5 month of uninterrupted weekly writings on "Think twice, it's all right".

And the piece of advice arrived from the community, reminding me to "Keep things special", when losing hope and momentum!

Reminding myself why I have started writing in the first place. And find again the beauty in it.

Thanks everyone! 💫

You have inspired this little short piece! https://livmkk.substack.com/p/keep-things-special

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Aseem Asthana's avatar

Awesome advice to to keep it uninterrupted and periodic.

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Livio Marcheschi's avatar

And pleasurable!

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Chevanne Scordinsky's avatar

Is “don’t think twice, it’s alright” a song reference?

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Livio Marcheschi's avatar

It's a reversed reference ;)

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Chevanne Scordinsky's avatar

I’m intrigued… 👀

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Jo Huber's avatar

congratulations, Livio, i'm so glad to see that you are still going!

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Livio Marcheschi's avatar

Yeah! You're the one that made me think about writer burnout...

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Jo Huber's avatar

that makes me so happy that it activated something in you!

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Livio Marcheschi's avatar

You did :)

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

I'm celebrating a noticeable increase in readers interacting with one another in the comment threads of my posts. It's one of the things I'd hoped would happen with this project, and it makes me incredibly happy to see.

My advice? Just start. Don't wait for a perfect time (there isn't one), & don't delude yourself with phrases like "I'm thinking about," or "I'm looking into." If you want to test your idea, start today.

And be patient! The "growth hack" is to do good work, and persist. Great writing finds it's way to people fast- even when it feels like it's taking forever.

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Terry Freedman's avatar

Yes. My biggest regret is dithering for a year about whether to start on Substack.

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Jo Huber's avatar

You too? Mine as well - for 2, Terry!

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

Oh wow! I only found out about Substack recently. I can't believe this little world was running for years without me even knowing about it. So much good writing!

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Nathan Slake's avatar

Same!!

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Jo Huber's avatar

3 years ago, i believe, Medha. Where have we been??

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Howard M Cohen's avatar

Same here. Delayed too long, but it's never too late. Having a blast now that I'm launched. And Terry, you said it best, just persist. Keep devising new ways to spread the word, but just keep writing.

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Terry Freedman's avatar

I said that? Blimey. That sounds quite wise! NOt like me at all. Thanks 😁

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Joan DeMartin's avatar

Ha! I love the word "dither"...and I think it might even be helpful to dither!

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Brad Kyle's avatar

I'm reminded of Blondie's husband, Dagwood, whose boss was Mr. Dithers.....why, a Mr. Julius Caesar Dithers, at that, founder of the J.C. Dithers Construction Company! Thanks, Joan! My brain still works! Short-term memory be danged....yay for long-term!😁

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Joan DeMartin's avatar

Exactly Brad! Dagwood's boss, Mr. Dithers, is exactly why I love that word! I actually used the word "bilk" in a post and referenced an entire episode of "Sgt. Bilko", so thanks for connecting the dots. Yep, I have a great long-term memory for humor!

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Terry Freedman's avatar

Well yes, to an extent. I console myself with the thought that I like to make haste slowly 😁

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Brad Kyle's avatar

Well then, Terry....knowing you're "across the pond," I have to ask, How, exactly, do you make YOUR Hasty Pudding?

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Terry Freedman's avatar

I've never heard of Hasty Pudding. If it can be microwaved, then count me in. Otherwise, life's too short!

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Faith Christine Bergevin's avatar

Yes, I was dithering in the summer, wrote a plan for it in August but launched in October. We sometimes think too much - such is Life!

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Terry Freedman's avatar

Yes. I am too cautious I think. But I suppose we each have to be true to ourselves. There's a mantra in education (perhaps in other fields too): "It's easier to apologise than to ask permission". But I prefer asking permission -- especially of myself!

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Faith Christine Bergevin's avatar

Such a great insight. It is often ingrained in us to ask for permission, even when we only need the permission to come from ourselves!

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Maura Casey's avatar

I was laying down the groundwork for weeks, and then in meditation, got the message, "just start. It won't be perfect no matter how long you wait." 4 months now, 235 subscribers, and I 'm proud of everything I have written.

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

Ha. Would you believe I got the same message? I found out about Substack November last year and planned to start in January, but then I started in December and I'm so glad I did!

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Nathan Slake's avatar

Great advice, Kevin. I guess at first it's easy to get too hooked on refreshing that Stats page, but the main thing is to simply persist and do good work and (especially via finding common interests in interaction threads like these) you'll naturally find a readerbase over time.

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Faith Christine Bergevin's avatar

Hi Kevin, That's great! I do enjoy the comments very much. I am not at the point where people comment among themselves but the few times readers have left a comment and we've had a little back and forth have been really rewarding for me.

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

Oh that's brilliant! Mine have usually interacted more with me than each other, but there a little side convo in the comments this week and it made me happy to see it!

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Sabrina LaBow's avatar

That is so right on! I listen to Joe Rogan's podcast. I was the GM of the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles for years and I knew him from there. He says he started his podcast and did no advertisement for it. Granted he was known from the UFC, Fear Factor and stand up, and so people found him, but I think they would have anyway. Look at him now--his audience is in the millions. If you build it they will come from Field of Dreams. Just keep the output going every day of possible. I really enjoy writing and I know all of you do too. The universe will deliver without sounding too new-agey! Just do it!

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Sarah Styf's avatar

Next week I'm starting my new structure for paid subscriptions and while I'm nervous (because I want to see natural growth and also see it "pay off"), I'm also excited to stretch myself with more honest and vulnerable writing for those who are willing to pay something each month. I'm also excited to get some feedback from paid subscribers on my next book project 😊 I'm hoping it will increase my subscriptions in both categories.

Also hoping it will help me with book sales.

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Katie @ Substack's avatar

You've got this!

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Sara Lloyd's avatar

Good luck Sarah! Exciting

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Jo Huber's avatar

best of luck, Sarah, i'll be cheering you on!

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Sarah Styf's avatar

Thank you!

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Terry Freedman's avatar

Good luck, Sarah, I hope it goes well. Interesting idea: vulnerable writing for paying subs. Feedback idea is great

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Sarah Styf's avatar

I figure if I'm going to be honest, I want my readers to be fully invested. Right now I'm trying to decide if I should have a contest of sorts to give away a free subscription. I have a few days to decide :-)

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Tania @ Substack's avatar

Hi there! It is okay to run a contest to give away a free subscription. I took a look at our Content Guidelines and it should be okay. I would recommend comping the subscription, please take a look this Help Center article below.

https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/360037465612-How-do-I-offer-a-complimentary-subscription-to-a-reader-

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Terry Freedman's avatar

Thanks.

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Terry Freedman's avatar

I agree. I've found in the past that contests work very well. I haven't done it in substack. But do check out the legal aspects. I don't know about anywhere else, but in the UK there are strict rules about what constitutes a contest, as opposed to a lottery, for which you have to have a gambling licence or something!

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Brad Kyle's avatar

For whomever, but since you referenced your UK, Terry, I know that, in the US, laws exist regarding the words: "Contest" involves competition, in which somebody will compete in doing something (guessing correctly, painting the best picture, naming the puppy, etc), whereas "Sweepstakes" is simply giving something away to a lucky winner (usually by a random drawing of all entrants). So, in this case, words matter, and are NOT inter-changeable.

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

Ha. I didn't know that. Good tip!

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Sarah Styf's avatar

Goodness! I see writers do it all the time on IG, so I figure it must be ok?

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Terry Freedman's avatar

Probably. I abided by the rules not least because it was on a website for education technology and that is an incredibly small community in the UK

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Katie @ Substack's avatar

Thank you for coming to Office Hours today! The Substack team is signing off today but we'll be back next week for our monthly Office Hours.

In the meantime, visit our resources:

Resource Center - https://on.substack.com/s/resources

Support Center - https://support.substack.com/

See you next week,

Katie, Bailey, Helen and Tania

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Mike Sowden's avatar

A wee bit of advice for anyone thinking "why should anyone care about my writing when it's not Super Important And Timely":

First: your nerdy passion for your chosen topic has value, and that value can’t be erased by comparisons to other topics of writing. You know this deep down - it’s why you care so much - but the desperate noisy urgency of the rest of the world (eg. the news) can easily drown it out and make you forget why it's worth caring about.

And secondly: the enthusiasm you can bring to your chosen subject has value to other people *beyond* what you’re writing about. If you show up with infectious energy, you’ll have readers who don’t give a damn about, I dunno, teapots, or Greek poetry, or music, but absolutely love that YOU do, in the madly exuberant way that you do. "If only there were more people who enthusiastically cared about their stuff instead of complaining about other people and their work," they’ll think. And they’ll be absolutely right. The world needs both - but right now, I’d say enthusiasm is under-represented (except maybe on Substack).

So - maybe you could start a…what? Enthusiasm-letter? Fun-letter? Nerd-letter? I don’t know what you’d call it. But it wouldn’t be a "news"-letter as such. It also might have nothing to do with breaking headlines, but it could be exactly what someone needed to read, right that very second, and make a total stranger feel like today was worth getting out of bed for, so tomorrow might be as well. A "hope"-letter, maybe?

Make it fun to read with your wild enthusiasm, and you never know who you'll end up helping.

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Jessica Rath's avatar

Thank you, I needed that; I'm writing about being vegan and how this underlies issues concerning climate change, the environment, people's health, and of course one's ethic attitudes; not the most popular topic. But that's where my enthusiasm is, big time!

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Robert Urbaschek's avatar

I have been thinking a lot lately about the ethics of eating meat and animal products. I have had both vegetarian and vegan diets and I routinely reflect and rethink where I stand and what I think works for me, ethically. Would you be interested in doing a letter exchange through substack to have a thought exchange about it? Let me know if you'd be interested in something like that.

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RenoQueen's avatar

It's a timely and excellent topic.

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Jessica Rath's avatar

Thank you, I think so too, but readership is somewhat restricted 😍

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RenoQueen's avatar

Agree and since it's becoming more popular there will be more readers.

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Heather Brebaugh's avatar

I love the way you think, Mike. It's reflected in your awesome nerdy-letter, Everything is Amazing!

Your advice is spot on - there is so much noise around us, it's important to focus on what we can control instead of wallowing in what we can't control. "Nothing great was every achieved without enthusiasm." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Here's to an enthusiastically happy Thursday!

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Mike Sowden's avatar

Thank you, Heather. 🙏Yes! Enthusiasm is the fuel that powers the best writing (including the negative kind, of course). I've certainly found that when I try to write with none of those feelings in the tank, my writing sucks. Finding a way to care, finding the right angle into it that lights you up (and by extension, finding a way to tune out what you don't really care about) is the best of first-steps to take with a new piece of writing.

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Faith Christine Bergevin's avatar

Such good points, especially about writing with "feelings in the tank." I wrote about love last week, I know, typical for Valentine's Day and all, but my writing took a 180 from where it started over the course of two days because of what was happening to me personally in my life. Scary? Damn straight! But we write to express what is coming alive. I mean, don't we???

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Fiona Beckett's avatar

Or even a bit of a rant that resonates with readers. Getting things off your chest uninhibited by an editor is very life-affirming!

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Joan DeMartin's avatar

What Heather said!

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Heather Brebaugh's avatar

Thank you, Joan. @Mike Snowden's work is so interesting and his writing is refreshing and fun!

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Mike Sowden's avatar

Absolutely not! That guy is an *idiot*. You can trust me on this.

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Heather Brebaugh's avatar

hahahaha. Speak for yourself!

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Mike Sowden's avatar

🙏🏻 Thank you, Joan. :)

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Terry Freedman's avatar

Definitely, Michael. One's enthusiasm is the key: you can tell writing done purely for SEO a mile away, because it leaves you empty somehow.

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Mike Sowden's avatar

Yep - and increasingly, so can the search engines! Especially with all this new AI stuff coming in. Indicators (social signals) that readers actually care (and by extension, the writer does too) are hugely important, both for SEO and longtail traffic. Just, not worth the bother these days to try to mechanically fake it...

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Patricia Meier's avatar

Timely is subjective. If i have recently taken up the hobby that you’re writing about or I’m having the problem you are sharing in a vulnerable way, the timing is perfect. We can never know what our readers are looking for and when our offering strikes the perfect chord for them.

Write on, sweet souls!

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Claudia Befu's avatar

Mmm, I’m a teapots 🫖 geek, have a little collection at home (expensive hobby this tea stuff). Don’t underestimate teapots 😁

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Mike Sowden's avatar

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE TEAPOTS.

As my friend Candace is fond of saying, tea is *everything*: https://dandelionseeds.substack.com/p/home-is-a-cup-of-tea-1

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Claudia Befu's avatar

It is, I’m having some right now. 🍵🫖

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Kerri Aab's avatar

Thank you, Mike! This was super helpful for me to hear today. :)

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Mike Sowden's avatar

I'm so glad it resonated. :) Cheers, Kerri.

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Nathan Slake's avatar

Perfect words!

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Theresa "Sam" Houghton's avatar

Mike, this is so spot on that I'm screencapping it, and it will likely become my desktop background.

THIS is what makes good writing infectious: writers pouring their hearts and souls into what they create and turning out amazing work as a result. It becomes even more powerful when merged with craft for that extra touch of polish.

I love that there's a subset of writers on the internet that realize writing purely for consumerism and marketing has little to no value.

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Mike Sowden's avatar

Thank you so much, Theresa. That's immensely kind of you, probably too kind, so I will work very hard to not let it go to my head. (No guarantees.)

Well, I'd say it has value if you are genuinely, truly enthusiastic about consumerism and marketing! And if your audience is equally enthusiastic. But faking enthusiasm cynically in order to cash in on these seemingly lucrative topics - yeah, that doesn't go well, after a certain point. Once that well is dry and you've got no way to refill it, it's sucking up dust all the way to complete burnout. So, writing under those conditions purely for the $$$$ is...

Well, it's like one of those jobs we're all working so hard to avoid, isn't it? :)

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Theresa "Sam" Houghton's avatar

Yeah, it's mostly a disingenuous form of writing. When you create content just to sell stuff and don't actually have something to say beyond what's related to a product or service, it's very obvious. And only serves a peripheral purpose. We've all Googled a question knowing that someone, somewhere, wrote an SEO-driven post to answer it, right? 😅 You can make money doing that, but only at the cost of your integrity...

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Tomi Daniel's avatar

Thank you for hitting this nail on the head. I was tempted to share that I felt like I hit a milestone this week with my 21-week streak. But it seemed inconsequential when I read about the big milestones of others. And that feeling stemmed from what you captured so beautifully in your post. So, if anyone is listening, I care about what I write - REFLECTIONS ON PROVERBS FROM AROUND THE WORLD. If that speaks to anyone, let’s meet at my Substack account. 1 new reflection every Tuesday. Only free content for now. And I care about my subscribers to craft good content while I perfect my craft.

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De's avatar

Not sure if I am the one 'hitting the nail on the head' Daniel but I viewed your site. I like the idea of international proverbs, have considered writing a piece for my 'Funnies' section. Just a note, maybe rethink the background color or not. You could consult others on that 😊

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Dave Ginsberg's avatar

That’s it! I’m renaming mine to “NERD’S Letter“!

My blog was never really about news and I’ve been struggling to find a better way to refer to it. Thanks for that, Mike!

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Mike Sowden's avatar

Haha. Hooray! I dare you to use that phrase somewhere...

Update: I just changed part of the first line on my About page: https://everythingisamazing.substack.com/about

YOUR MOVE, DAVE.

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Magan's avatar

I feel like I'm in a niche here on substack because I write about art, design, and culture. Maybe I need to make a snazzier snippet. Readers are slowly improving, but it feels like there is a puzzle piece missing in engaging with people and presenting value. I've been writing steadily for 4 months now, and don't have a single comment. :/ Should I be expecting more from myself? How do I achieve that?

I do love teapots, too.

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Mike Sowden's avatar

I think the fun thing about Substack is that we're *all* in a niche. Even the most popular newsletters with hundreds of thousands of readers don't appeal to everyone. Nobody's 100% winning over everyone who signs up. And that means we're all a separate flavour that appeals to a separate audience - and that audience is going to be engaged with differently. Finding out how to do that is the big puzzle we're all trying to solve - but all our solutions are a bit different!

So I think the best thing, especially at the beginning, is just experiment in a lot of ways to see what works, because what works for *you* may be totally different to what works for someone else (however popular they are) AND you may even be totally surprised it works! I've learned so many surprising things since I started my newsletter, things I could never have learned without giving them a try and seeing them either massively succeed or massively fail, both in a way I couldn't have predicted. But the main thing is: if something's not working, shake things up and try a new spin on it...

Also, you're wrong. You do have a comment. 🙂

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Magan's avatar

You are correct about everyone being a niche.

I think that I'm going to stick to writing, and just do what I like to do for writing. It may be one day posting videos, or audio. One of the things that I love about writing is that I am noticeably improving, and my subject choices sometimes come out of the blue (I write them down in a big list).

Hahaha. You're very kind. Thank you.

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De's avatar

Yes Mike, first thing I read about substack was don't underestimate what readers might interested in

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Mark Dolan's avatar

Your wonderful and thoughtful share here was just what I needed to hear. I am newish to writing. I am finding that writing slows my mind and allows the errant fleeting thoughts to not make it to the Newsletter. For no other reason than that, it is a wonderful way to sort out what I believe and care about. I try to not subscribe to too many Newsletters (perhaps too doctrinaire) but subscribed to yours today. There is a lot of wisdom out there and I think some of it originates from your corner of the Internet.

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Mike Sowden's avatar

Thanks so much, Mark - I saw you subscribed! :) That's very kind.

(And if you find I write complete and total rubbish, I can assure you that since I don't have unsubscribe notifications enabled, you can quietly disable it again without me noticing...)

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Mark Dolan's avatar

I typically keep to 10 or subscriptions. If they become too much (weighed against other hobbies) I just shift them to bookmarks. I'm sure I will enjoy. I don't have them (unsubscribe notices) enabled either. In fact, when people unsubscribe I send a message "this is not the Hotel California, you can leave".

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Crystal's avatar

How inspiring...and encouraging. Thank you. ♥️

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S.E. Reid's avatar

Hello all, and happy Office Hours! Here's a little bit of encouragement from one small newsletter to all of you:

Do you ever feel like the advice to "write consistently" makes you feel worse about yourself as a writer? It's tough to stay consistent with anything, let alone a craft like writing. Yes, there are lots of examples of writers who are able to exercise their creative muscles every single day, but what about the writers who have families to care for, or multiple jobs, or chronic illnesses/mental health struggles that keep them away from the page?

Here's what I say: consistency is rhythm. And your rhythm is your own. Only YOU get to decide what rhythm works best for you. Some music is fast and frequent, others slow and methodical. Whatever your rhythm is, it's the right one. Move gently and intentionally, and develop your own pace. Tell us your rhythm below, and let's see how much variety exists in the writing world!

Most importantly: keep going, keep writing, and DON'T GIVE UP! 🌿

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S.E. Reid's avatar

P.S. I officially celebrated one year on Substack this week! Thanks to everyone here who has made it one of the best years of my writing life. 💚

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D'Arcy Fallon's avatar

Congrats. A year is very impressive. I'm at the two-month mark. It's a journey. I'm learning so much. The big takeaway for me to try to do my best work, keep it fresh, be honest, and just keep plugging away, writing the kind of stuff for others that I would want to read myself.

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Tomi Daniel's avatar

🥳🥂🙌 to you too. Two months can become 2 years and who knows how long afterward. Cheering you on as you keep going.👏

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D'Arcy Fallon's avatar

Thanks, Tomi!

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Terry Freedman's avatar

I can empathise with that, SE. I've been using Substack to write about life in general and literature, and it's been really nice escaping from writing about things in my professional life all the time. It's been a kind of verbal letting my hair down!

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De's avatar

Yeah let that hair down Terry

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d.w.'s avatar

Good work!

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S.E. Reid's avatar

Thank you so much!

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Tomi Daniel's avatar

Congratulations! I celebrated 21 weeks this week and it feels good. Almost like the mixed bag of feeling about turning 21 years old. Congrats again!

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Tomi Daniel's avatar

Thank you Paul. Loving the journey, the process, and my growth as a writer.

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🅟🅐🅤🅛 🅜🅐🅒🅚🅞's avatar

I always look forward to your wisdom S.E. (if that's your real name). I wish you many more Substack anniversaries!

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Terry Freedman's avatar

Indeed. S.E is very generous

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Facing Your Demons's avatar

❤️❤️❤️

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Sam W's avatar

That's especially true when you're writing about heavy topics. I'm aiming for twice a week, and that's my goal, but I know there will be times I'm going to struggle to get them out. Researching human rights abuses takes a toll on the mind, and it's okay to slow down if it becomes too much.

I named my pub 'World-Weary' for a reason!

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Faith Christine Bergevin's avatar

So good. I am with you. I will check you out, Sam, as I too write about heavy topics. We need to stick together because it is hard to discuss human rights abuses (as well as domestic ones which I write about) and keep our heads and hearts intact. Maybe a support group for those of us tackling the front lines??

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Sam W's avatar

A support group for activists is not a bad idea, heh. Maybe that could be a discussion thread for the future, to encourage people to get things off their chests. We all dig into the dark parts of life, and it's impossible not to feel some kind of way about it.

We don't always put our vulnerable feelings into the writing, though, and it helps to talk it out. My chihuahua is a good listener, as you'd expect with those ears, but human voices tend to be better conversation.

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Sabrina LaBow's avatar

I understand your point but even if you only post a 2 minute read, it's something. I think people worry too much about making it perfect. I do understand people have so many other concerns like making a living for their families and sleeping! Wake up 10 minutes earlier and write something brief. That said, I'm sure there are people who post once a week who are fantastic! We all find our own rhythm I think. What do I know really ? I am new to this.

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Christy Cegelski's avatar

This is my problem for sure!

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Claudine Wolk's avatar

Great advice, S.E. I struggled with "write consistently" as well. I read a great tip on the subject from Diana Gabaldon's "Outlandish Companion." When not writing, Gabaldon explained that she continued to think about her writing: scenes, dialogue, plot points. I tried Gabaldon's trick. It works...I may not be completely "present" all the time but my writing has become more productive!

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Emily Taylor's avatar

Completely agree... Substack has been one of the best things to happen to me in terms of motivating me to consistently write. Have been posting once a week since July!

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

Truth, sistah. I have to stay ahead with my essays. I'm constantly jotting down ideas. Mornings are the best time for me.

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Chris Krafft's avatar

Oh! S.E. Reid I love this: "Here's what I say: consistency is rhythm. And your rhythm is your own. Only YOU get to decide what rhythm works best for you." so true!

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Happy birthday/anniversary! Thanks for your unending support for this community!

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S.E. Reid's avatar

Thanks so much, Kevin! I appreciate you!

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Robert Urbaschek's avatar

I have talked to writers who get up every day and write, and through that routine, appear to get so much done. However, I feel like that kind of structured rhythm does not work for me. I have tried the 'write every day' thing for my novel for a few weeks, and it definitely helps to get things done, but forcing myself every day also detracts from my other interests (and relaxing after a long day) and sometimes your head is just somewhere else entirely. I haven't made up my mind yet as to whether writing (for my novel) could work for me. I also have a substack, as well as a job and studies as well, all of which require my attention at varying moments and to various degrees. Sometimes I just have to simply do what I have to to keep up or to simply take a breather. In short, I am always looking for a rhythm that works and re-evaluating my routines based on what works for me in certain periods of my life.

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Chevanne Scordinsky's avatar

I can’t write everyday either. I take advantage of spurts of inspiration and write during the in between times while laundry is spinning or even on a walk. It comes out consistently but there was a point last summer where I had to take a breather. There was too much going on and I was working on a longer writing project. We just have to find our way and keep treading that road.

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Faith Christine Bergevin's avatar

Congratulations on the one year, S.E.!

You speak truth. Yes, consistency is important but so is rhythm. With consistency I feel I have made a commitment to myself and my readers, and yet it can be taxing. I write on heavy topics and sometimes it's a lot. I am noticing a need to tune into my own rhythm, reduce expectations and listen.

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Chevanne Scordinsky's avatar

I was worried about a rhythm and getting enough content for my newsletter premieres but something clicked and I have been able to plan about four newsletters out! It comes at some point where you realize you pace, what inspires you, what’s doable, what needs more time, and what to put in between. It’s a great journey. As always, appreciate the encouragement.

And you’re not small! You’re big and full of inspiration. 😉

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Sabrina LaBow's avatar

You must write, write, write every day. Make that your goal.

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Magan's avatar

My rhythm is to be writing once per week, and I post around Tuesdays. This week I was writing for magazine submissions, so I am not pushing myself to write this week. I actually like writing, and let the topics come along naturally. I have written about my holiday rituals, knitting stitch history, pottery design. Having the flexibility to write what you want to pretty great.

I feel like I'm in a niche here on substack because I write about art, design, and culture. Maybe I need to make a snazzier snippet. Readers are slowly improving, but it feels like there is a puzzle piece missing in engaging with people and presenting value. I've been writing steadily for 4 months now, and don't have a single comment. :/ Should I be expecting more from myself? How do I achieve that?

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M. E. Rothwell's avatar

I'm going to be turning on paid subscribers tomorrow. Very excited for this big milestone! (Also for anyone interested, I'm giving any writers a free annual subscription if they subscribe before tomorrow)

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Bailey @ Substack's avatar

If it's helpful, we made a little checklist for writers who are going paid - https://on.substack.com/p/going-paid-checklist

Good luck!!!

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M. E. Rothwell's avatar

Thanks Bailey! Have been reading through the whole corpus of advice for writers this week in preparation!

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Greg Leveille's avatar

Thanks Bailey.

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RenoQueen's avatar

Thanks Bailey!

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Christophe Foulon's avatar

Thank you

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Heather Brebaugh's avatar

Awesome! Good luck. Come back to this thread in a day or two and let us know how it's going!

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Rachel Katz's avatar

Woohoo!

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M. E. Rothwell's avatar

Haha thanks, Rae.

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Rachel Katz's avatar

👋

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Melanie Hamburger's avatar

I'm just two weeks ahead of you but have something I can't figure out. Maybe others can help! Now that I've turned on paid subscriptions, ALL of my prior content appears restricted to paid subscribers. Since I'm still building an audience, I want to offer FREE content for 2-months worth of archives. Suggestions?

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

You can decide whether or not to have older posts behind the paywall in settings. You can tell SS how many weeks you want your post to stay free before being paywalled. You also have the option of keeping them free. It's at the bottom of the 'payments' section in settings.

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Melanie Hamburger's avatar

When I tested this, I must have gone beyond the time period I'd set for free. DOH. Appreciate the good advice from this Substack community!

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Jesse J. Anderson's avatar

Awesome - good luck with your launch! Subscribed.

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Juchi's avatar

I've always wanted to go to Samarkand. Subscribed!

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Teresa Wu's avatar

That's huge—congrats and good luck!!

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Tomi Daniel's avatar

Congrats on your big milestone. Will check out your site. Out of curiosity, how long have you been on Substack? What made you decide to turn on paid subscribers now and not earlier?

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Melanie Hamburger's avatar

Been posting weekly since October and using free content to build a community among funders and nonprofits. Here to learn and welcome others' experiences

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Tomi Daniel's avatar

Great! I started on Substack in October as well. Will check out your account for tips and the content. You write about an area that's a part of my world.

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Faith Christine Bergevin's avatar

I'm here since October too. Newbies but not really

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Kate Jones's avatar

Good luck for tomorrow! It's like taking the next step...

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Martin Prior's avatar

Brilliant. How many free subscribers do you have?

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Facing Your Demons's avatar

Sweet ❤️

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Right on!

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Terry Freedman's avatar

Good luck!

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Melanie Hamburger's avatar

Thanks Terry - my daughter lives in London. Looking forward to my subscription and to sharing with her

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Terry Freedman's avatar

I hope you both enjoy it. Next Monday I'll be posting a nice video taken in London

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Dahlia Rimmon's avatar

Good luck!!

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Howard M Cohen's avatar

Subscribed. Thanks M.E.! Can't wait to hear how quickly you hit your first goal.

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Mark Starlin's avatar

I recently passed 1000 subscribers. My advice is write the newsletter you want to read. If you can, build up a stockpile of newsletters and schedule them as far in advance as you can so you don’t feel deadline pressure. Don’t overdo it and burnout. Quality is truly better than quantity. Enjoy it and stick with it.

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Maura Casey's avatar

Great advice. I brainstormed 25 topics before I even began my substack, and I go to that well as I need to.

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Mark Starlin's avatar

Good strategy.

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Aseem Asthana's avatar

Congrats, Mark.

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Will Cooper's avatar

Good advice. Thanks. I set myself two deadlines a week and I should write a batch instead.

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Mark Starlin's avatar

Everyone is different, but I do better with a buffer.

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Roger  Golden's avatar

Good word, Mark!

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Mark Starlin's avatar

Thanks, Roger. 🤓

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Chevanne Scordinsky's avatar

Excellent advice.

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Mark Starlin's avatar

Thanks, Chevanne. 🤓

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Geoffrey Golden's avatar

Way to go, Mark!

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Roger  Golden's avatar

Another Golden in this great work!

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Mark Starlin's avatar

Thanks, Geoffrey. 🤓

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Mark Starlin's avatar

Thanks. 🤓

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

Great advice. My only issue is the letting go part. Once posted the rewriting ghost appears, lurking. Maybe I shouldn't re-read my post once it's out in the world.

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Mark Starlin's avatar

I think it is better to focus on to the next newsletter and not look back too much. 🤓

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Bailey @ Substack's avatar

Congrats, Mark!!

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Mark Starlin's avatar

Thanks, Bailey. 🤓

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Will Cooper's avatar

Reaching 100 subscribers after launching my Substack last month.

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Aseem Asthana's avatar

Congratulations, Will.

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Will Cooper's avatar

Thank you

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Steve Miller's avatar

How were you able to do this? And what % are friends/family and what are strangers?

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Will Cooper's avatar

I used my social media. Only 2 are family and friends. The rest are strangers

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Obinna Anyaibe's avatar

Congratulations! I hope you get even more subscribers.

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Will Cooper's avatar

Thank you

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Roger  Golden's avatar

Great work, Will. I'm 2 months in with 63 free and 8 paid. I post weekly for the free and twice a month for paid. I am simply writing life stories for the free and going a little deeper for the paid. Frankly, about all of my paid are friends and family. A bit embarrassing but I'll go with it.

Nothing using any social media whatever that is! Just going to tough it out and tell the tales from an average and ordinary life. Keep on with your good work.

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Will Cooper's avatar

Thank you, I shall come and read your tales.

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Nice work!

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Will Cooper's avatar

Thank you

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Jen Zug's avatar

Congratulations!

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Will Cooper's avatar

Thank you

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Jessica Wilen's avatar

Way to go!

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Will Cooper's avatar

Thank you

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Facing Your Demons's avatar

🤘🤘

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Bailey @ Substack's avatar

Congrats, Will!

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Chevanne Scordinsky's avatar

Congratulations!! 🥳

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Jen Zug's avatar

Hey friends! Funny thing happened last week: I took a break from writing like a Very Important Person and posted a fluff piece about stuff I posted on my local Buy Nothing site. I thought it would be ignored, but it was a bigger hit than I anticipated, and it reminded me to not take myself too seriously. The bigger reminder is to love what you write and write for yourself. It will come through.

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S.E. Reid's avatar

Love this, Jen! Can confirm that this is SUCH a thing! Sometimes my fluffiest pieces land the strongest. It's always a humbling reminder. 🌿

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Chevanne Scordinsky's avatar

Give the people what they want: YOU!

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Ehud Neor's avatar

Classic! Thanks.

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

It was a great read, even if a couple of parts hit a little too close too home.

Also: I really need someone near me to post about having too many peppers. :)

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

Oh, I haven't really played with posting fluff. That might be fun! Thanks for giving me fresh thoughts!

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Julie Hester's avatar

It was a great piece, Jen, written in your distinctive voice!

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Mark Starlin's avatar

People love fluff! Fluff is what I write best! 🤣

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Jillian Hess's avatar

Hi all! I'm celebrating 6 months of Noted and 2000+ subscribers! I'm still shocked that so many people are interested in notes and notebooks.

What I learned: Substack community > other social media sites.

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Ehud Neor's avatar

I'm not surprised. I remember thinking when I first read a post of Noted that you have a great subject and handle it expertly. I expect you to be in the tens of thousands soon.

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Jillian Hess's avatar

Awe, thanks! What a nice thing to say!

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Facing Your Demons's avatar

Amen. And wow. 2,000! Good work 🤘🤘

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Melanie Newfield's avatar

Congratulations Gillian, that's fantastic

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

That's amazing! I've really been enjoying your posts, so I can see why you're doing so incredibly well.

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Chevanne Scordinsky's avatar

Defiantly being here is better. Congrats on this milestone!

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Tomi Daniel's avatar

Congratulations to you! 🎊🎉🥳 I will check out your Substack for insights.

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Kate Jones's avatar

That's an amazing accomplishment, Jillian! Congrats 👏

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Bailey @ Substack's avatar

Congrast, Jillian! That's no small feat, and I know your publication is very beloved.

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Tami Carey's avatar

Question of the day: Do you think about Likes/Shares/Comments as Votes of Support (as an alternative or in addition to financial support) or do you use them more as Stamps of Approval (when you really like a particular post for quality or content or creativity)?

In last week's thread around how we invest and support in others' work, there was an overarching desire to support more writers and it has me wondering how we can do that outside of our financial limitations. And are we overlooking engagement as a really meaningful tool....

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Amran Gowani's avatar

I pretty much like every post I read to let the writer know I engaged with their work. It's hard to stay motivated/inspired and little reminders that people are paying attention really help (me at least). The only times I've not left a "like" are if I really wasn't into a piece, or it was far, far outside my interest zone (e.g., country music).

Typically I leave a comment if I have something meaningful or thought-provoking to add to the conversation. Or if the writer and I have built a rapport and exchanging comments is part of our weekly routine.

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Geoffrey Golden's avatar

I do pretty much the same thing, re: liking posts and commenting. Writers supporting writers!

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Caitlin H. Mallery's avatar

I take a very similar approach. It's one of the things I appreciate about Substack. That "like" button feels like an easy way to show that what a writer wrote was impactful, and that I took the time to read it.

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Michael Estrin's avatar

You do a great job of leaving thoughtful comments, Amran!

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Amran Gowani's avatar

😊😊

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Tami Carey's avatar

I really like that intentionality, Amran- likes for support/encouragement and comments as contribution or connection!

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J. M. Elliott's avatar

Well said! I try to take the same approach. I don't always have something to add to the conversation with a comment, but I do like to acknowledge the post with a like unless something about it just wasn't for me. On a few rare occasions I've opened an email intending to come back to it and just never had time. I still feel bad about those...

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Facing Your Demons's avatar

👏👏❤️

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Tomi Daniel's avatar

I’d like more subscribers like you in my account. If you are interested in content like reflections on proverbs from around the world, please consider this an invitation to subscribe to my account. Sending this with virtual 🥳😅

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Caitlin H. Mallery's avatar

Subscribed!

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Tomi Daniel's avatar

Thank you so much, Caitlin! I just realized that you write about some of my favorite topics as well so you gained a new follower. This is awesome!

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Michael Estrin's avatar

Great question, Tami! Here's how I think about those things.

Likes: a great, easy way for readers to let you know they're there and enjoying your newsletter. Some readers are shy, or busy, or just don't have anything to add, but the Like is a nice way to participate. Also, as I understand it, Likes drive some discovery on Substack.com (desktop experience).

Comments: These are great because they're a great way to get to know my audience. Over time, my sense of audience has helped shape my newsletter and how I promote it. Very useful info. Plus, comments are how you build community, and that helps you grow.

Shares: these are really helpful! I'm always thrilled when readers take the time to share because sharing takes work and some risk (people they share your work with might not like it).

One point I want to make though. All of these things work great when they're given genuinely. If it's Like for Like, or Share for Share, or comments that just feel like someone flew by and didn't even read the piece, it's not going to help, and I'd argue, that kind of behavior diminishes the broader Substack community.

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Janice Walton's avatar

Michael, Your point is so important. I want shares, subscribers, and recommendations that are genuine and are given by others who are truly getting something out of what I write. Similarly, that is my plan in giving them.

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Magan's avatar

This is a good way to phrase it. The interactions do need to be genuine to have any value.

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Facing Your Demons's avatar

Yes! I’m trying to get more shares and recommendations for my stack. I get many likes and comments and new subs...but recs and shares not so much.

The Black Snake of Wounded Vanity

https://blacksnakeofvanity.substack.com/

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Michael Estrin's avatar

Recs will come! But you might be getting shares that aren't being captured by Substack's metrics. As I understand it, and I could be wrong, but I believe that shares are logged when someone clicks the share button. When someone gets your email and forwards it to friends, I'm not so sure Substack is able to measure that activity. I say this because most of the time I usually only have a handful of shares in my stats (less than 5, unless the piece really blows up), but I've had plenty of friends tell me that they often forward the emails. Point being, if you're seeing growth beyond the Substack network, you probably are getting shares that just aren't being captured.

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

That's a good point about the untrackable shares. I also wonder about the open rates for emails. Coz if people are reading on the app and then deleting the email unopened (which I sometimes do), I'm assuming that read doesn't get captured either.

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Chevanne Scordinsky's avatar

Couldn’t have said it better.

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Tami Carey's avatar

These are such great distinctions, Michael. Being aware of my own engagement has me thinking about it in much the same way. And 100% yes to integrity of any kind of support. Getting comments or likes that have nothing to do with the piece or seem to be an effort to increase their own visibility (ala social media standards, etc) have the opposite effect on morale and ultimately diminish the culture of support Substack fosters here.

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Amanda B. Hinton's avatar

I use likes as a way to say, "Keep writing more of this." If I have the time, I will comment as such and offer specifics about why this piece stood out to me. I'm not sure if I use that in lieu of financial support, but more from a place of trying to pay it forward. I know what it's like to be writing into the abyss. A like is the least I can do to cheer another writer on.

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Fiona Beckett's avatar

I think that’s a really valuable thing to do. I love it when subscribers comment, especially when they recommend something or give their own tips

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Facing Your Demons's avatar

Yes 🙌

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Tami Carey's avatar

Yes! Likes are such a simple but impactful form of encouragement. That feeling of abyss is real and receiving 'likes' is like switching a light on and realizing there really are other people in the room with you!

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Rachel Katz's avatar

I think comments are really special! It means someone has engaged deeply with my writing, and wanted to take time to respond.

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Rachel Katz's avatar

Also just...compliments. Like Amanda said, if people say "I like this," or "you're a good writer," it can be so motivating. We all need some positive feedback to help us keep going!

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Rian Casey Cork's avatar

Second this! Trying to be more intentional with leaving compliments.

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Tami Carey's avatar

Party of two!

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

Chatting with people in the comments is one of my favourite things. It makes my heart happy!

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Tami Carey's avatar

Yes! Completely. Both receiving and leaving comments has been really enlightening. The thoughtfulness and effort it takes- even just to leave a compliment. So meaningful!

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

It's fun to watch the subscriber numbers climb, but engagement IMHO is a more meaningful metric. I want to know if I am reaching my audience with the right message -- one that spurs them to want to be part of the conversation and (better yet) share it with more people. I asked about how can I increase engagement in last week's thread, but ironically the question got little engagement! HA!

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Facing Your Demons's avatar

Yeah. Agree. Engagement is ideal. For me I do get engagement but recommendations and shares are harder to get.

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Howard M Cohen's avatar

I agree with you, Catherine. It's all about engagement, or at least the real potential for engagement. When we recruit attendees for seminars we joke about getting "more butts in seats." We know there are many "muffin munchers" who come to our events for the muffins and coffee we serve. Makes the numbers an illusion. I'd love to be able to count how many of those "butts" really have interest and the potential to really engage with us. Frustrating.

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Tami Carey's avatar

Agreed! Conversation and connection is also what I'm after and I'm constantly curious and experimenting with what inspires that in my own readers. I've noticed (and Michael echoed this earlier in the thread) that a lot of people are shy and, oftentimes, I receive more email replies with thoughts/encouragement than comments. So fascinating!

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Jane's avatar

I've found the same--people will email me (or tell me in person) with responses, but don't want to engage on Substack itself.

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Scoot's avatar

I appreciate these searching behavioral questions about how we interact with the platform.

I use "likes" ideally for things that really stick out to me or that have an impact. Sometimes I use "likes" as a "hey I am part of your community and I read this, I'm here". I will comment if I have something thoughtful to add to a discussion, and I will share really if there's one or two people in my life for whom the article is relevant. I share sparingly, comment occasionally, like frequently, read always.

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Tami Carey's avatar

I think my engagement tiers in the same way!

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

I use them as data points and a barometer of what is landing & what isn't.

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

Also true!

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

Nice one.

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

Such a great question, Tami. I value likes and comments. I subscribe to Substacks I really enjoy, and I value the words I get to read as a result. If someone I subscribe to sends me their post, I'll do them the courtesy of reading it. I'll almost certainly hit the heart, because I will almost certainly have enjoyed the post (hey, that's why I subscribed). If I've got more to say/ask/share, I'll comment. I love this kind of engagement.

I guess that makes these stamps of approval. I value what I read, and even though money is tricky for many of us, it costs us nothing to smile (or to hit that heart). ♥️

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Tami Carey's avatar

It sounds like you are truly in relationship with the writers you support, which creates such integrity and respect in every level of exchange. I really love that, Rebecca!

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

Thanks, Tami! I can't help it - they're all fabulous! I mean, you're one of them...! 😉

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Tami Carey's avatar

Please excuse me while my heart explodes 🥰

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

⭐️

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

I'd have a hard time separating them into distinct categories like that. I think anytime a reader interacts with my content - whether it's a like, a comment, or a share - they are sending messages of support and approval. I see these three things as a spectrum of engagement with shares being the most invested, because at that point, they're trusting me to support someone they know who hasn't "signed up" for the pleasure. I do think engagement is a really meaningful tool. I hope a paying subscription isn't the only way to validate appreciation.

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William F. Edwards's avatar

In terms of receiving them I view them as a form of motivation. Knowing other people have actually read what I write makes it easier to keep writing. With giving likes I sometimes worry about giving so much that it devalues the like. Haven't shared before. And I try to comment when I can, takes some time to think of what to say, but for me comments are one of the most valuable things a subscriber can give.

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Facing Your Demons's avatar

Totally.

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Valorie Castellanos Clark's avatar

Oooh, interesting question! I think of likes & comments as stamps of approval/agreement, and shares as votes of support.

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🅟🅐🅤🅛 🅜🅐🅒🅚🅞's avatar

I offer a free publication, and I get rewarded by likes, comments, and shares. And that seems to keep me motivated. Great question, Tami.

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Tami Carey's avatar

It really does boost motivation to know you're not alone, speaking into a void!

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Janice Walton's avatar

I too offer a free publication, subscribers and comments help my motivation, for sure.

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Michael Woudenberg's avatar

I'd like to think they work that way but I have to tell people, who come out of the blue to say how much they liked a post, that they should also hit that heart icon! In general, my best feedback comes from those who share it in person. (which means it's hard to get!)

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Michael, I've had more than one post where the comments far outnumber the likes. I file that under the mental heading of "Sometimes, you just gotta let $h*t go." LOL!

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Tami Carey's avatar

I also wonder about this and, like a lot of things, I imagine readers don't always think about 'liking/commenting' the same way writers do. Or understand how meaningginful something so simple- like clicking a heart- actually is...

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🅟🅐🅤🅛 🅜🅐🅒🅚🅞's avatar

You know, to like someones writing - to acknowledge that you read it and get it makes an author feel great. What an easy way to make somebody feel great. Click on a little heart. Make someones day!

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Facing Your Demons's avatar

Yes 👍

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Sue Ferrera's avatar

I do consider comments/likes/shares as a form of support. Also being featured as a recommended newsletter on someone else's newsletter is a huge form of support shy of financial support. It's difficult to financially support other newsletters if we aren't receiving enough paid subscriptions, so I'm happy that there are other ways to support each other. 💜

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Tami Carey's avatar

Me too! It's empowering to realize that there are accessible, impactful ways to support regardless of financial bandwidth.

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Billy Bumbo's avatar

It can be demoralising when you don't get any likes/shares/comments so I'm trying not to take it personally given that nobody know who the fuck I am!

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Chevanne Scordinsky's avatar

We know now! Welcome, dear.

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Billy Bumbo's avatar

Hi Chevanne, how long have you been doing this and are you on track to make it pay?

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Chevanne Scordinsky's avatar

I’ll be two in June and I turned on paid subscriptions right away. Some wait until they have a bigger audience but I didn’t want to overthink that type of launch or I’d stall getting started. I am lucky to have paid subscribers but still need a day job.

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Billy Bumbo's avatar

Do you see this being a sustainable career one day or are you doing this for kicks?

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Chevanne Scordinsky's avatar

Right now, no. I am building a story universe right now that could span a few books but it’s still in my head and not on the page. I don’t really do current events or journalism so it’s difficult to grab those audiences who want to hear the latest. Eh. We’ll see. It’s a great release for me and an opportunity to develop my craft.

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Billy Bumbo's avatar

Ms Sparkman, above all things we are artists and nothing about art should “ever” be constrained by dogma. It is your volition to dislike what I have to say and I respect that. It is not within your volition to tell me how or what to say. If I’m going to paint best believe I’m using all the colours on my palette. If you care to dig deeper into my work you will see how wide my vocabulary is. There are no stabilisers on my bike. This, primarily, is a place for expression not for thought suppression.

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Patricia Meier's avatar

Comments matter the most. Of course paid subscribers would me phenomenal but truly, knowing my writing, struck a chord with someone, pick them up, inspired them, made them think differently… That’s the reason I write

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Billy Bumbo's avatar

I concur. It's the only way of knowing that what you do resonates, even the comments are adverse.

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Sue Ferrera's avatar

100 percent agree with you. 💜

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

I'm really pleased with a milestone that I hadn't realised I was after: I hit 50 likes on a post for the first time. I was thrilled! Seems that the trick had been simply to tell my readers: 'I love you'! 😉

https://rebeccaholden.substack.com/p/48-dear-reader-dear-writer-i-love

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Facing Your Demons's avatar

Fifty likes is big!!

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

Thank you! 😊

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

As one of those likers, it was well deserved!

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

You're so kind, Medha! Thank you.

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Amran Gowani's avatar

51! :-)

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

🤣 THANK YOU, Amran!

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Tomi Daniel's avatar

Congrats on living the dream! 👏 Here’s to the future with 500 likes 🥂

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

Thank you, Tomi! 😊

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Alex Dobrenko`'s avatar

hell ya

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Bailey @ Substack's avatar

That's a lot of likes!!!

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

Thanks so much, Bailey! I'm really pleased at how well that post had been received!

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Janice Walton's avatar

My milestone happened this month - two years on Substack, 110 articles, and 480 subscribers. That's a dream coming true. I think my advice is to be persistent and not give up - even if you are discouraged. I started with one subscriber - me - slow and steady has gotten my further than I thought possible.

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Jonathan Pozniak's avatar

I love hearing this

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Christy Cegelski's avatar

That’s fantastic!

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Janice Walton's avatar

Thank you Christy.

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

Happy milestone month to you!

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Janice Walton's avatar

Thank you so much.

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Maura Casey's avatar

Good for you!

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Janice Walton's avatar

Thank you Maura. The newsletter is and has been a labor of love - born out of my husband's death and the need to grieve.

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Maura Casey's avatar

Then it is doubly impressive. I've been a professional writer for 40 years, but when I have lost those I love (mother, father, sister, etc) I find that the fountain of words I can generally rely upon dries up. I am immobilized. So sorry for the loss of your beloved. I hope you grieve gently.

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Janice Walton's avatar

Thank you, so much.

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Bailey @ Substack's avatar

Brava, Janice! Congratulations. Well done.

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Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

Wonderful question, Katie. I'm now averaging two to three paid subscribers a week. Sometimes they're upgrades and sometimes they're new. Either way, it makes me happy. I also received a recommendation from a beloved author who has one of my fav ever Substacks, so that was super lovely.

I recently interviewed the brilliant Ross Gay about his relationship with his writing and perhaps this quote might help some of us with ours. It did the trick for me!

"I was just talking about this with a student today. Even if it's not what you would write now, I feel like if the questions are honest, and the confusion is sincere, it's always going to be interesting. And even though I read stuff that I've written, and I think, “Oh yeah, I would change that,” I'm still for the most part, thinking, “pretty neat questions though, and you clearly were trying to make these words just right.”

Haha. I'm always trying to make the words just right!

Advice? Hang in there. Truly. Things do slowly (or sometimes quickly!) build.

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

That is incredible! #goals

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Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

Thank you! I hope I didn't speak too soon as it's only been happening for a month or so. But it's been lovely!

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Chevanne Scordinsky's avatar

That’s amazing! How do you think you’ve developed that conversion to paid?

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