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🧠 I’ve found that one of the best ways to grow my audience organically on Substack is to read and engage thoughtfully in the comments of other writers’ posts! It’s not really a “strategy” because I’d be doing it anyway, but I always notice new subscribers trickle in when I’m engaging with other writers, and I love doing it.
Of course the trick is to not be spammy. Sometimes I will mention that I write about a similar topic, or will share a link to a relevant piece of mine, but only when that seems like that would enhance the conversation and be interesting to the original author. The added bonus is that we all like to see engagement on our posts!
Have others found that engagement in the comments brings new subscribers?
Yes, and... I feel totally overwhelmed by how much good content there is out there to engage with. My hope was to hone in one 3-5 newsletters I really connected with, but I can't even keep up with that. I'm totally for supporting other writers but also get frustrated that writing online not only entails creating quality content but also constant networking. It's time consuming and can be mentally/emotionally draining.
FWIW, I know I'm being curmudgeonly here... I often wish I were trying to launch a writing career in the pre-Internet age!
No it definitely can be draining! I've started adding in short visual posts, just with illustrations or photographs and a few lines alongside them. People seem to love them so much because they're so much easier and quicker to engage with, rather than long posts to read. I will keep writing, but these are easier and quicker for me to create and they seem to be easier content to consume too.
I always imagine people reading mine while on their lunch break, in line at the store, or on their commute into the city. In that context, shorter has worked really well for me.
This is a fantastic way of framing it, Kevin. I find myself often writing longer posts because there's so much to say and I want to answer all the questions a reader might have in one post. In my head, that makes life easier for them but in reality, shorter and more frequent posts might be better.
I think both are needed. Short posts are good for most of us most of the time, but sometimes people want something they can really get their teeth into. That's what Sunday afternoons are for!
Oh I love that phrasing, "That's what Sunday afternoons are for!" You're right. I'm trying to find the right balance between short form and long form. I tend more toward the long but there's a time and a place for both.
@Terry, re longform=Sundays, have you played around with sending longer articles on weekends? If so, have you noticed any benefits to that? (I know I have great intentions to open up the read-it-later app at the weekends, but then other things muscle in... and I end up never going back to something I'd wanted to read. As someone else said, there's so much good stuff out there.)
I love this idea, Tamzin! I sometimes go weeks between posts because it takes me an entire day to write and upload an essay. But I could totally be doing shorter “postcards” with all the amazing photos of my road trip from Alaska to Mexico. Mixing up the content seems like a good idea!
I think shorter and more regular and frequent is better for growth than one long one every so often. Your postcard idea would be great I think, with perhaps a monthly (say) deep dive into a particular place.
I second this. I post at the weekend, posts of varying lengths, but mostly 1200 words, sometimes 4-500. I can read long posts if they're subjects I'm interested in or I really like the writer's work, but I don't usually read 'long' if it's someone I dont know.
Oh thank you so much Donna. From now on, they'll be every second Friday I think, though I'm experimenting and changing things up as I go. Just posted one today!
You'd have to get creative! Something like a tidbit about the characters? Images/photos that articulate something about the story? Try not to confuse things though -- perhaps your readers will show up for the novella and they'll be perfectly happy with that. I think overthinking or trying to hack the system doesn't always work, if it isn't in tune with what you're offering or writing about. I'm a writer, creative mentor and a visual artist, so sharing my artwork that relates to the topics I write about makes sense. But don't feel that you HAVE to do short posts if it's not what you're here for.
Yeah, I am not wanting to hack the system, that's for sure - just want to fine readers to build a connection with.
I will think about the characters and images idea as a way to create shorter content (possibly.). Like you said, I know there are substackers out there who write longer short stories than what I'd post, and they are doing well. Maybe I just need to keep connecting. Thanks for your thoughts, Tamzin.
Kerala, I suggest that you step back for a moment to gain more perspective on your own circumstances. The internet has no impact, and the existence of other good content has no impact on the quality of your work. Your work is as good as it is no matter what goes on externally. Focus on that. Compete only with you. Can your writing be better? If so, then figure out how. When people read your work, none of them are going to be saying to themselves, "Well, so-and-so is just a much better writer than Kerala." They're either going to like your writing or not. That is completely within your control, and moreso if you can elicit feedback from them.
That's actually good advice, there's a quote that I always remember when I write or create content, "run your own race' comparison gets you no where. It's important to not worry about what people or critics says about your work, you should only hope for them to consume it. It's not your job grade or reject your work, your job is to create and share it to the world.
I agree... and, the eternal question in the Internet age is how get people to read your work in the first place when there are literally 2.4 billion other pages they could be reading! I mostly do focus on creating quality stories and not getting caught up in the noise, but without a prominent social media presence or any other micro-celeb credentials, it's slow-going. And maybe that's ok. It's just frustrating sometimes.
My response to that is the same as my attitude about Substack. Everyone here keeps talking about gaining subscribers here on the Substack platform. I have found that you simply cannot depend upon the platform, internet, Substack, or any other. You need to engage actively with your readers and encourage them to share you with others. Networking. Building a network of enthusiastic readers who become referrers. Nothing is more dependable, but nothing depends more upon you to drive it.
If I can add a thought here, I would say write short. My pieces are usually around 800 words – rarely over 1000. It doesn't take long for someone to read, which means it isn't an irritation. I certainly don't want to read anyone – even the most famous of writers – going on and on about something. It's easier for you and easier for them. You may not agree, of course, and that's fine, but my readership is growing fast, so I feel I might be doing something right.
I feel this, Kerala! To make it easy, I have two of my favorite newsletters with large audiences that are similar to my niche that I always keep up with, which I would do anyway because they are my favorite writers. Then with the other newsletters I subscribe to, I pick and choose posts that seem the most relevant for me to want to read and engage with.
But I was also having the same thought the other day, that I wish I was breaking into writing 30 years ago when the quality of the writing mattered more than the size of one’s audience. It can feel exhausting to keep up.
One question to ponder: what would it look like if it were easy? 🤔
I think the quality of the writing will always matter, and that's what grows your following. The problem is that everyone has to work for a living, and can't sit in front of their computer all day like I can. (Retired). Believe me, I know how hard it is. I used to get up two hours early just so I could get some writing time in. It was brutal.
Yep, I manage about 30 minutes a day of writing between the kids leaving for school and starting my workday. That coupled with a few hours on the weekends is just enough to create one high quality story a week, but all the engagement (like what I'm doing right now instead of working, which I should be doing and need to get back to) can be such a time suck!
I used to tell my wife I had to burn the candle at both ends because it made a brighter light. Gettin up at 3:45-4:00 am and going to bed too late, by Friday I was beaten.
Weekends are my saving grace. My kids are old enough that (when they don't have activities) they sleep in. And yes, right now my students are working on research so I'm here...
Yeah, right now my youngest is up at 5:30am on the weekends and I have to go check on my older daughter at 11am to make sure she still has a pulse 😜 But I can often sneak to a café for an hour or so in the afternoon... after all the sports games, of course.
I'm with you, Ben. Got the t-shirt! The trouble is, you have to make a living while you're aiming to make a living. It definitely needs dedication, time and energy
Great question! My dream is simply to write quality content for an organically growing audience and to engage with other writers when I feel inspired, not out of a sense of obligation. It's not even so much that I want it to be easy, I simply want it to be less draining...
So do that! That’s what I do— engage when I feel inspired. Don’t drain yourself to the point that you lose your creative energy, because you need that to draw people into your writing in the first place!
I've been on here since February and now I ruthlessly prune down the people I subscribe to, to those who I want to engage with on a regular basis and read every post. So my subscribes to others have reduced considerably. I tend not to do the 'Follow' thing at all. If I'm interested enough to subscribe then I'll see all their Notes anyway, and I don't want to see random stuff. I also subscribe in manageable numbers - low double figures - and I try to do 'one in, one out'. It's working better for me now and I don't feel overwhelmed.
the quality definitely matters here too. I have little free time and only read and recommend what I find to be high quality & insightful. In fact after literally over 10 years of postponing my online writing, I finally found this platform to be one that encourages quality. I research and provide links to facts, so hopefully that’s worth something in the end.
Haha Sylvia, I don’t know if there’s any way to make the actual writing easy! I was referring to the “marketing” aspect of being a writer these days. 😂
I resonate with this so much. The prospect of writing full-time sounds dreamy, but I feel like I'd just end up spending hours spiraling down Internet rabbitholes and coming out with a headache on the other side. For me, it's somewhat helpful to have less time!
Ditto! But I have also adopted Liz's approach and focus on a few. It can take some of the joy out when you feel like you are commenting to grow your audience.
Exactly Laura. It’s all about approaching this “strategy” from a place of just enjoying other good writing, rather than trying to crank out random comments.
Very true, so what's the better intention to have? I think it would be by trying to bring value through the comment section without much focus on growth!
I get this Kerala! I find it helps to set boundaries for myself. I allow only so much time for reading other stuff (it's still a lot of time but enjoyable), I subscribe to other writers who enrich my life and are community centered, and I'm working hard to let go of my wish to read ALL the things🤣
The struggle is real! Rather than try to keep up with all the great writing that pours into my inbox every day, I tend to wait until I have a couple hours of downtime that I just want to sit and read and relax. Then I pick and choose my favorites.
I feel this, too, Kerala. I might get some pushback here. But I’ve found the AI bot that can read the posts to me helpful to allow me to keep up with more substacks. (I, too, have found more amazing writers than I’d known I would that I would love to keep up with!) The bot, though certainly not a perfect reader, enables me to listen to essays while I wash dishes or so laundry and so on.
It's really hard. I sort of work a rota system. There are some 'stacks I check whenever I see their posts come in, and others whose posts I save until I've got more time.
I launched a writing career in the pre-internet age and it was both harder and easier. That's an idea for an article for next Monday -- thanks!
I’d love to see that article! I know that in the pre-Internet age there were a lot more gatekeepers and a lot less freedom to write whatever you want. In this age, we have more freedom but there are algorithms to contend with instead of gatekeepers and SO. MUCH. NOISE!
I dont know whether it will help, but I engage with sub stackers on my laptop rather than the app. The app is too noisy and the constant refresh is annoying. Using the desktop means I just get the people I subscribe to and their Notes and a few others. Much easier to deal with for me!
Kerala, I just subscribed to yours, and if you'd like to reciprocate you won't miss it. I hate self-promo but I'll never remember to send you the link if you don't! I'm hoping to bash it out, I mean craft it, on Monday
You're not being a curmudgeon lol. I subscribe to so many newsletters that my inbox is overflowing every morning when I wake up. I have been keeping up and supporting so far but I'm seeing that it is REALLY taking a huge chunk out of each day.
Kerala, I resonate so much with you, and I am frustrated about the mysterious algorithms on Notes. I keep seeing the same few writers congratulating one another but I sense that my notes aren't seen at all. It is very tiring, especially for writers who are limited in time, energy or are simply not "chatty" or extroverted enough to "network" in such intensity. I have chosen only a few whom I feel a strong sense of connection to deepen my conversations. This is not done in order to attract subscribers. I'm not getting many any way. I can't help but feel nostalgic about the "good old days" of blogging. When I was on Xanga a few decades ago, it was so easy to connect with bloggers from all over the world with a wide range of interests. It sure is not easy to launch a writing career today.
Yes, that's how I feel too. Plus, the awareness that the topics I want to write about have already been dealt with by all the "greats," how do I make my own writing unique and different? How would it attract any readers? I know I can do it to some degree, by focusing on my own community of subscribers. But the noise is somehow a "necessary evil" because we want to be a unique voice, so we need to know what's already been written.... well, it's just so time consuming 😅
I so totally understand this! I keep telling myself I need to allocate time every week to read the amazing writing that people are putting out. But life just seems to shift my priorities no matter what I do.
I totally hear you. I am making conscious decisions in my life to remove things that make me feel overwhelmed, from the little things (like unsubscribing to Substacks I no longer engage with) to cutting down my creative writing time to little digestible chunks in the morning (15 minutes). You are not being a curmudgeon. You're being real.
I find the Substack app on my phone to be really useful, and just doing one thing a day (such as liking one person's Substack, sharing, commenting, or restacking) can be less overwhelming! :)
I really like that advice. Sometimes I feel like there's no point in liking a piece if I don't have time to further engage by commenting, but then I remember that I truly appreciate each and every like anyone else gives me!
Thank you! Until I had my own Substack, I never bothered liking people's stuff either. I feel so differently about it now. While I would much rather prefer people to comment on my stuff, I'll take the likes too! :) As a Substack reader, I wish I could comment more, but it can be a time suck. If I really like something, I'll restack it with a quick note that I write.
I feel you, Kerala! I am on the cusp of trying to create too much content for too many outlets, while keeping up with all the great content that's out there--and which self-refreshes every day. AAARRRGGHHH!
Yep, it does work - but it's also a really great way to just show up for other writers whose work you really like and want to support in some way. We all desperately want those thoughtful commenters, the ones who have really listened to what we said, and take the time to think about it properly, and give thoughts (and even push back with counteropinions, in a respectful way). That stuff is the absolute beating heart of Substack.
So, if you want to befriend really awesome writers on here, and everything that can lead to (collaboratiions, mentions etc.), do it in the very best way possible: by being a genuine fan, the kind who really listens and really wants to add to that conversation going on in that newsletter and in the comments. Be the superfan that is always welcome when they show up. The same was true in blogging a decade ago, and the same is true now.
Yes! So true. I have found more than a handful of writers who I am a super fan of here. And being able to support them by deeply reading and engaging with and restacking their stuff is an absolute joy!
Yeah I think this is important to note. It's very easy to get caught up in the numbers game and treat people as a means to an ends, especially when one is overanxious about growth towards an implicit sometimes unconscious end. As a writer, hopefully we surround ourselves and imbue our actions with a desire to have a meaningful connection with others, based on respect, and recognizing others as full people
This is fantastic advice and I've found the same thing. It feels a bit like making 1 to 1 connections vs growth in volume, but that's also part of the beauty. I've made some amazing connections on this platform and had the opportunity to collaborate with wicked smart creators in my niche -- just by being active and genuinely contributing.
It's not about scale, it's about being genuinely helpful and a part of this community.
This is a great point. Thanks for sharing! I realized I’ve been struggling with connecting because it felt weird to go “network” online without realizing it’s just engaging with writers about the cool things they’re writing!
Yes! It feels SO human here. I personally don't take subscriptions lightly cause I know I wanna be selective with my choice of reading options, and I don't take it personally if a newsletter doesn't get as much traction one week as another. I'm always aware that there's people behind the engagement and I am always SO grateful for anyone who takes time out to comment, like, or enjoy silently reading my work. And also those who can afford to pay! Liking my work enough to want to support me financially is such a blessing.
I naturally show up in the same way. Commenting, restacking, etc. I do it when I can now, and make sure it's a time where my Substack reading time gets my undivided attention when I do, because it isn't some chore or task for me ya know?
Perhaps to simplify it down to the most fundamental, it might help you to stop at the end of each piece you write and ask yourself, "Have I conveyed value here?" Everything is really all about value. People want value. They recognize value. They desire value.
🧠I love the part about being genuinely helpful and a part of this community. When it gets overwhelming, just focus on your writing and respond organically to the posts that move you. sabrinalabow.substack.com
Thank you, Rebecca! I was actually just thinking that this strategy doesn’t work as well in Office Hours threads as it does in the comment threads of authors who have a large non-writer readership. I think most of us writers hanging out in Office Hours are already too busy and oversubscribed to read more than we already do! I’m honored I made the cut. 😄
I am very new to Substack (launched Oct 3) but I have found genuine engagement with other writers' posts through comments and restacking on Notes is indeed causing a little trickle of new subscribers and I always subscribe back.
So far I've kept my distance from Notes because it reminds me too much of my social media nightmare (the result of which being that I'm deeply allergic to the typical social media platforms) but the more I read from other writers here on Substack the more I feel that Notes is a good way to go for engagement. I'm rather a wimp, though, so although I do end up looking at Notes from time to time (thanks (?) to the app defaulting to that screen every time I open it up!) I haven't posted my first Note yet.
You've got me thinking about it, though, for which: thank you. x
Thank you Rebecca. Perhaps because I haven't been scorched by a social media nightmare I have found Notes such a friendly and generous place, like a conversations among friends, or at least potential friends, with a convivial spirit...it seems like the real thing. Hope you give it a try.
I'll dip a toe in one of these days! I think once I post my first Note I'll be away - so far I'm just very, very occasionally liking and commenting. And then I go and lie down in a darkened room with a cup of tea...! 🤣😉😁
🧠Notes works well for me. I have gotten a lot of subscribers thru it. You can post something that is in relation to your newsletter as like a trailer of sorts and then be sure to include a link. Also include visuals. Lastly, it doesn't have to be about your post but something related. Or not. Just post there and watch what happens...sabrinalabow.substack.com
Restacking is when you read someone's work, and at the top of the page there's a button with a circle as two arrows. When you click it, you're able to share that article with your audience on Notes (which is like Substack version of social media/Twitter). You can share it as is, or it'll give you a little prompt to write why you enjoyed the article (kinda like show and tell) so it'll give people an incentive to click.
The selecting a quote from an article and sharing as a post on Notes is also a way to share a piece too, yes!
Hi Mike, thank you for your note. I was pulled away for a call.
I deconstruct Hollywood movies, IP characters, businesses, high-end technologies, even baseball—anything and everything actually. So my work is really about how to deconstruct things—deconstruct what we thought was obvious, and go deeper to discover what isn't obvious. It is based on my work called concept modeling, which is about ideas, ideas vs concept, concept itself, and how the abstract world works. Not how we think it works, but how it actually works. I wrote a book on it. I hope that helps and that I don't sound arrogant. I will check out your work—it looks interesting. Again, thank you. Winston
Hi Any, I am also new here and still getting the hang of things but am finding Notes useful too and enjoying the community aspects as I discover different voices.
That’s great, Amy! I am sure using Notes can amplify the effect. I haven’t been very engaged there because it feels a little too much like social media, but restacking is easy enough. Great tip!
I've tried several things, and the two things that seem to work consistently well are commenting thoughtfully, as you say, and writing the best you can. Even if you have only one subscriber, it's not wasted because you're building up an archive. It does take time though: I'm rather suspicious of the emails I get telling me how to acquire 4000 new subscribers by next week!
Absolutely, Terry! And one thing I notice about those thoughtful comments is that people read them days, weeks, even months later, because Substack content is so evergreen compared to social media posts. I’ve gotten new subscribers from comments written long ago.
Sorry Terry! I have to really limit my subscriptions because the flood of emails triggers my anxiety. I wish there were a way to subscribe without having everything come to my inbox, so I could just get stuff in my Substack feed in the app. Do you know if there’s a way to do this?
I would welcome this feature too. I'd rather collect my subscriptions on the app and not in both email and the app. From what I can tell there is no option to disable email.
I'm not sure. You can opt to receive only certain sections. Also, before saying an absolute 'no' you could have a rummage around mine, and especially the letters between Rebecca Holden and myself, which are always good for a laugh. But I understand if you would rather not. Thank you for explaining why (otherwise I'd feel rejected!)
🟧 I may be wrong, Liz, but I think you might be able to select how you get newsletters in your settings - I think there's an 'either e-mail or app' button. Might be wrong, though. Pasting an orange square so that the Substack gurus can pick this one up.
Thanks Rebecca, I have tried to figure it out before but haven’t been able to make it work. It would be nice if they have added that feature since I last tried.
Yes, and, I’m also with Kerala. I’ve subscribed to so many wonderful Substacks yet I don’t have the time to read them all. Shorter reads and headlines tend to grab me.
Exactly Kevin, I love that it’s a win-win because we all appreciate thoughtful engagement on our posts (and to the extent that Substack has an algorithm, it probably helps with that too).
I'm on the /substack subreddit as well. I've heard people say positive things about Discord. People I've talked to say that Discord has a more positive vibe than Reddit. Know of any Discord Substack servers?
I find the Reddit idea interesting. I've checked in there from time to time to read up on other subjects, but was thinking recently it might be good to finally sign up and participate in Substack forums. Are you finding quality convos there?
I do find the quality is pretty decent. Any self promo has to be tagged as such with a flair. But generally, people are quite friendly and the algorithm starts showing you posts from others who run similarly themed newsletters e.g I do one on ADHD, and I see recommended posts about other newsletters on mental health, self improvement etc on my Reddit. It’s quite a supportive group I find.
I’d also recommend finding other people’s self promo messages on the weekly threads and reading ones you genuinely like and relate to. If you sub to the article, a quick comment and drop of your sub offering them the option to read in return hasn’t hurt me either. I sporadically do it, usually on a Sunday.
I find it hard to get new subs for a newsletter. This advice is a good one, but also hard one. Because its not easy to find any intersting worth commenting on. (in my opinion)
Well that’s a bummer! I actually joined Substack initially because some of my favorite best-selling authors moved over here from social media. Where do your favorite writers hang out online?
You should try and find someone to collaborate with and do an online graphic novel. I don't think that's been done on here yet. Actually, take a look at my page, pick a story that interests you, and have at 'er!
Well I hope you will find some folks here who inspire you! That would be a great question to post in Office Hours, letting folks know what kinds of writers you’re looking for.
Liz, I'm in my first few weeks here, and doing basically what you're doing: quoting other pieces, using Notes, uploading new content, posting on social media, etc. I'm prepared to build slowly. It's hard to get attention in this crowded content marketplace!
Liz, one thing I've noticed is that prominent writers, such as Bill McKibben, will reply to my responses to their posts. This doesn't happen on Twitter. It makes me enjoy Notes all that much more.
That's it should be done, reading and engaging thoughtfully with other writers. Show appreciate if you like their posts. I want to follow 3-6 newsletter that I really connect with and show support and appreciation.
Definitely trying to do this and starting to see some visits trickle through from other substacks. I think the other thing to make sure is to be consistent. I had a little lull in content earlier this week and saw a huge drop in my visits on the days I didn't publish anything. The ability to schedule and pre-plan posts is huge but I also like being able to drop quick thoughts on something if it comes up organically.
It's the same with me, too. I usually engage with the posts I like and people subscribe if they like my view point. It does not drain me because I don't do it for engagement. But I would love to have a better idea of what practices people adopt to actually grow their Substack
I am so not in tune with all of this. I used to teach students how to go to class online and now I can't even figure out how to copy and paste the emoji to get a question posted.
If you’re on a phone, you literally hold your thumb on the emoji you want and copy it. If you’re on a PC, you should be able to highlight and copy it via a mouse.
If those don’t work, it’s time to just stop, close this app out, buy an airline ticket to somewhere with beaches and palm trees, and take a vacation, pondering the meaning of life. That’s my solution anyway.
🧠 I’ve found that one of the best ways to grow my audience organically on Substack is to read and engage thoughtfully in the comments of other writers’ posts! It’s not really a “strategy” because I’d be doing it anyway, but I always notice new subscribers trickle in when I’m engaging with other writers, and I love doing it.
Of course the trick is to not be spammy. Sometimes I will mention that I write about a similar topic, or will share a link to a relevant piece of mine, but only when that seems like that would enhance the conversation and be interesting to the original author. The added bonus is that we all like to see engagement on our posts!
Have others found that engagement in the comments brings new subscribers?
Yes, and... I feel totally overwhelmed by how much good content there is out there to engage with. My hope was to hone in one 3-5 newsletters I really connected with, but I can't even keep up with that. I'm totally for supporting other writers but also get frustrated that writing online not only entails creating quality content but also constant networking. It's time consuming and can be mentally/emotionally draining.
FWIW, I know I'm being curmudgeonly here... I often wish I were trying to launch a writing career in the pre-Internet age!
No it definitely can be draining! I've started adding in short visual posts, just with illustrations or photographs and a few lines alongside them. People seem to love them so much because they're so much easier and quicker to engage with, rather than long posts to read. I will keep writing, but these are easier and quicker for me to create and they seem to be easier content to consume too.
I always imagine people reading mine while on their lunch break, in line at the store, or on their commute into the city. In that context, shorter has worked really well for me.
This is a fantastic way of framing it, Kevin. I find myself often writing longer posts because there's so much to say and I want to answer all the questions a reader might have in one post. In my head, that makes life easier for them but in reality, shorter and more frequent posts might be better.
I think both are needed. Short posts are good for most of us most of the time, but sometimes people want something they can really get their teeth into. That's what Sunday afternoons are for!
Oh I love that phrasing, "That's what Sunday afternoons are for!" You're right. I'm trying to find the right balance between short form and long form. I tend more toward the long but there's a time and a place for both.
Oh, I send those out too (on Saturdays, but still). 😀
@Terry, re longform=Sundays, have you played around with sending longer articles on weekends? If so, have you noticed any benefits to that? (I know I have great intentions to open up the read-it-later app at the weekends, but then other things muscle in... and I end up never going back to something I'd wanted to read. As someone else said, there's so much good stuff out there.)
Such a valuable way to think about it - makes attention to headlines feel even more important, too.
I love this idea, Tamzin! I sometimes go weeks between posts because it takes me an entire day to write and upload an essay. But I could totally be doing shorter “postcards” with all the amazing photos of my road trip from Alaska to Mexico. Mixing up the content seems like a good idea!
I think shorter and more regular and frequent is better for growth than one long one every so often. Your postcard idea would be great I think, with perhaps a monthly (say) deep dive into a particular place.
I second this. I post at the weekend, posts of varying lengths, but mostly 1200 words, sometimes 4-500. I can read long posts if they're subjects I'm interested in or I really like the writer's work, but I don't usually read 'long' if it's someone I dont know.
Great idea, Terry! This feels like it takes the pressure off to always write something brilliant. 😉
my invoice is in the post
Definitely, postcards of travel would go down really well!
Thanks, I will give it a try!
Report back and let me know, I'd love to hear!
Oh yes, we love these posts!
Oh thank you so much Donna. From now on, they'll be every second Friday I think, though I'm experimenting and changing things up as I go. Just posted one today!
I know this is way late to the party, but I'm trying to learn how to grow on Substack as well- and am enjoying this thread.
So shorter posts + meaningful engagement with other writers seems to help.
Re: shorter posts: how do you do that if you're posting a serial novella? Or do you? 🤔
You'd have to get creative! Something like a tidbit about the characters? Images/photos that articulate something about the story? Try not to confuse things though -- perhaps your readers will show up for the novella and they'll be perfectly happy with that. I think overthinking or trying to hack the system doesn't always work, if it isn't in tune with what you're offering or writing about. I'm a writer, creative mentor and a visual artist, so sharing my artwork that relates to the topics I write about makes sense. But don't feel that you HAVE to do short posts if it's not what you're here for.
Yeah, I am not wanting to hack the system, that's for sure - just want to fine readers to build a connection with.
I will think about the characters and images idea as a way to create shorter content (possibly.). Like you said, I know there are substackers out there who write longer short stories than what I'd post, and they are doing well. Maybe I just need to keep connecting. Thanks for your thoughts, Tamzin.
🧠I think notes is great for this! Just a blurb with a visual and a link to your newsletter. sabrinalabow.substack.com
Tamzin, this is such a good idea. I'll try it even though I've always worried about showing up in a subscriber's mailbox too often.
The good thing about Notes is that you're not showing up in the Inbox, but people can access your site if they are intrigued by the Note!
This can always be a worry, but it's worth experimenting with even so. Let me know how you get on with it!
Such a wonderful idea.
I love that idea... I just wish I could draw! Maybe I'll enlist the help of my 8yo 😜
You don't have to draw! It can be photos too, or even scribbles. Just something that's a bit different and a bit of a break :)
Kerala, I suggest that you step back for a moment to gain more perspective on your own circumstances. The internet has no impact, and the existence of other good content has no impact on the quality of your work. Your work is as good as it is no matter what goes on externally. Focus on that. Compete only with you. Can your writing be better? If so, then figure out how. When people read your work, none of them are going to be saying to themselves, "Well, so-and-so is just a much better writer than Kerala." They're either going to like your writing or not. That is completely within your control, and moreso if you can elicit feedback from them.
That's actually good advice, there's a quote that I always remember when I write or create content, "run your own race' comparison gets you no where. It's important to not worry about what people or critics says about your work, you should only hope for them to consume it. It's not your job grade or reject your work, your job is to create and share it to the world.
I agree... and, the eternal question in the Internet age is how get people to read your work in the first place when there are literally 2.4 billion other pages they could be reading! I mostly do focus on creating quality stories and not getting caught up in the noise, but without a prominent social media presence or any other micro-celeb credentials, it's slow-going. And maybe that's ok. It's just frustrating sometimes.
My response to that is the same as my attitude about Substack. Everyone here keeps talking about gaining subscribers here on the Substack platform. I have found that you simply cannot depend upon the platform, internet, Substack, or any other. You need to engage actively with your readers and encourage them to share you with others. Networking. Building a network of enthusiastic readers who become referrers. Nothing is more dependable, but nothing depends more upon you to drive it.
If I can add a thought here, I would say write short. My pieces are usually around 800 words – rarely over 1000. It doesn't take long for someone to read, which means it isn't an irritation. I certainly don't want to read anyone – even the most famous of writers – going on and on about something. It's easier for you and easier for them. You may not agree, of course, and that's fine, but my readership is growing fast, so I feel I might be doing something right.
I feel this, Kerala! To make it easy, I have two of my favorite newsletters with large audiences that are similar to my niche that I always keep up with, which I would do anyway because they are my favorite writers. Then with the other newsletters I subscribe to, I pick and choose posts that seem the most relevant for me to want to read and engage with.
But I was also having the same thought the other day, that I wish I was breaking into writing 30 years ago when the quality of the writing mattered more than the size of one’s audience. It can feel exhausting to keep up.
One question to ponder: what would it look like if it were easy? 🤔
I think the quality of the writing will always matter, and that's what grows your following. The problem is that everyone has to work for a living, and can't sit in front of their computer all day like I can. (Retired). Believe me, I know how hard it is. I used to get up two hours early just so I could get some writing time in. It was brutal.
Yep, I manage about 30 minutes a day of writing between the kids leaving for school and starting my workday. That coupled with a few hours on the weekends is just enough to create one high quality story a week, but all the engagement (like what I'm doing right now instead of working, which I should be doing and need to get back to) can be such a time suck!
I used to tell my wife I had to burn the candle at both ends because it made a brighter light. Gettin up at 3:45-4:00 am and going to bed too late, by Friday I was beaten.
30 minutes a day is brilliant, Kerala
Weekends are my saving grace. My kids are old enough that (when they don't have activities) they sleep in. And yes, right now my students are working on research so I'm here...
Yeah, right now my youngest is up at 5:30am on the weekends and I have to go check on my older daughter at 11am to make sure she still has a pulse 😜 But I can often sneak to a café for an hour or so in the afternoon... after all the sports games, of course.
I'm with you, Ben. Got the t-shirt! The trouble is, you have to make a living while you're aiming to make a living. It definitely needs dedication, time and energy
Yes, it goes without saying that it still needs to be good writing that will draw people in when they find you!
Great question! My dream is simply to write quality content for an organically growing audience and to engage with other writers when I feel inspired, not out of a sense of obligation. It's not even so much that I want it to be easy, I simply want it to be less draining...
So do that! That’s what I do— engage when I feel inspired. Don’t drain yourself to the point that you lose your creative energy, because you need that to draw people into your writing in the first place!
I've been on here since February and now I ruthlessly prune down the people I subscribe to, to those who I want to engage with on a regular basis and read every post. So my subscribes to others have reduced considerably. I tend not to do the 'Follow' thing at all. If I'm interested enough to subscribe then I'll see all their Notes anyway, and I don't want to see random stuff. I also subscribe in manageable numbers - low double figures - and I try to do 'one in, one out'. It's working better for me now and I don't feel overwhelmed.
The sense of obligation certainly takes the joy out of it...
the quality definitely matters here too. I have little free time and only read and recommend what I find to be high quality & insightful. In fact after literally over 10 years of postponing my online writing, I finally found this platform to be one that encourages quality. I research and provide links to facts, so hopefully that’s worth something in the end.
Liz, if it were easy, we as writers would not have the exhilaration of a job well-done after completing a gratifying writing project.
Haha Sylvia, I don’t know if there’s any way to make the actual writing easy! I was referring to the “marketing” aspect of being a writer these days. 😂
Easy is a state of mind. In the world of Taoism, we call it Wu Wei.
Ha! This is what I wrote on Notes yesterday: https://substack.com/@sarahstyf/note/c-42016829
I resonate with this so much. The prospect of writing full-time sounds dreamy, but I feel like I'd just end up spending hours spiraling down Internet rabbitholes and coming out with a headache on the other side. For me, it's somewhat helpful to have less time!
So true, Sarah! And your comment is also a great example of relevant engagement and sharing your work in the comments! 😉
I hate spam and so try to avoid it 😊
Say hi you are country
Ditto! But I have also adopted Liz's approach and focus on a few. It can take some of the joy out when you feel like you are commenting to grow your audience.
Exactly Laura. It’s all about approaching this “strategy” from a place of just enjoying other good writing, rather than trying to crank out random comments.
Very true, so what's the better intention to have? I think it would be by trying to bring value through the comment section without much focus on growth!
Agreed, Ive never been able to actually bring up my Substack even when it makes sense. I'd much rather enjoy comments as a reader, not a writer.
Yes. It feels disingenuous. When I comment I hope to connect with the author but I also enjoy having conversations with other subscribers.
I get this Kerala! I find it helps to set boundaries for myself. I allow only so much time for reading other stuff (it's still a lot of time but enjoyable), I subscribe to other writers who enrich my life and are community centered, and I'm working hard to let go of my wish to read ALL the things🤣
The struggle is real! Rather than try to keep up with all the great writing that pours into my inbox every day, I tend to wait until I have a couple hours of downtime that I just want to sit and read and relax. Then I pick and choose my favorites.
Writing and networking are the same thing in the internet age, I think once we see it that way, it gets easier.
Yeah, unless we hate the networking part 😜
I feel this, too, Kerala. I might get some pushback here. But I’ve found the AI bot that can read the posts to me helpful to allow me to keep up with more substacks. (I, too, have found more amazing writers than I’d known I would that I would love to keep up with!) The bot, though certainly not a perfect reader, enables me to listen to essays while I wash dishes or so laundry and so on.
I like this idea! The huge irony is that I don't really like reading stuff online. I'd much rather listen to a podcast or curl up with a book. 😜
I like non-fiction online but prefer my fiction in a book which is why I love when the author reads their work.
*writes in notebook* Keeping this in mind... for future writings... thank you.... :)
It's really hard. I sort of work a rota system. There are some 'stacks I check whenever I see their posts come in, and others whose posts I save until I've got more time.
I launched a writing career in the pre-internet age and it was both harder and easier. That's an idea for an article for next Monday -- thanks!
I’d love to see that article! I know that in the pre-Internet age there were a lot more gatekeepers and a lot less freedom to write whatever you want. In this age, we have more freedom but there are algorithms to contend with instead of gatekeepers and SO. MUCH. NOISE!
I dont know whether it will help, but I engage with sub stackers on my laptop rather than the app. The app is too noisy and the constant refresh is annoying. Using the desktop means I just get the people I subscribe to and their Notes and a few others. Much easier to deal with for me!
Kerala, I just subscribed to yours, and if you'd like to reciprocate you won't miss it. I hate self-promo but I'll never remember to send you the link if you don't! I'm hoping to bash it out, I mean craft it, on Monday
Great idea, Terry! Will you tag me when you share it so I will see that one?
Seeing as you ask so nicely, I will do my best to remember. I'm actually not sure how though, unless I tag you in notes.
Yes, do that if you think of it! Then I get a notification.
Only if you promise to leave a comment. 😎
You're not being a curmudgeon lol. I subscribe to so many newsletters that my inbox is overflowing every morning when I wake up. I have been keeping up and supporting so far but I'm seeing that it is REALLY taking a huge chunk out of each day.
Kerala, I resonate so much with you, and I am frustrated about the mysterious algorithms on Notes. I keep seeing the same few writers congratulating one another but I sense that my notes aren't seen at all. It is very tiring, especially for writers who are limited in time, energy or are simply not "chatty" or extroverted enough to "network" in such intensity. I have chosen only a few whom I feel a strong sense of connection to deepen my conversations. This is not done in order to attract subscribers. I'm not getting many any way. I can't help but feel nostalgic about the "good old days" of blogging. When I was on Xanga a few decades ago, it was so easy to connect with bloggers from all over the world with a wide range of interests. It sure is not easy to launch a writing career today.
Absolutely! Unlike the "good old days," there is just SO. MUCH. NOISE. It's hard to wade through it and still maintain enough focus to actually write.
Yes, that's how I feel too. Plus, the awareness that the topics I want to write about have already been dealt with by all the "greats," how do I make my own writing unique and different? How would it attract any readers? I know I can do it to some degree, by focusing on my own community of subscribers. But the noise is somehow a "necessary evil" because we want to be a unique voice, so we need to know what's already been written.... well, it's just so time consuming 😅
Yeah I definitely feel overwhelmed trying to consume so much.
I so totally understand this! I keep telling myself I need to allocate time every week to read the amazing writing that people are putting out. But life just seems to shift my priorities no matter what I do.
Yep! And when I do successfully allocate time, it often feels like a chore.
As a neurodivergent, I am constantly struggling with my craving for structure and my resentment of it.
I totally hear you. I am making conscious decisions in my life to remove things that make me feel overwhelmed, from the little things (like unsubscribing to Substacks I no longer engage with) to cutting down my creative writing time to little digestible chunks in the morning (15 minutes). You are not being a curmudgeon. You're being real.
I find the Substack app on my phone to be really useful, and just doing one thing a day (such as liking one person's Substack, sharing, commenting, or restacking) can be less overwhelming! :)
I really like that advice. Sometimes I feel like there's no point in liking a piece if I don't have time to further engage by commenting, but then I remember that I truly appreciate each and every like anyone else gives me!
Thank you! Until I had my own Substack, I never bothered liking people's stuff either. I feel so differently about it now. While I would much rather prefer people to comment on my stuff, I'll take the likes too! :) As a Substack reader, I wish I could comment more, but it can be a time suck. If I really like something, I'll restack it with a quick note that I write.
🧠So spot on! I feel exactly the same! I want to support people but I currently have 4,000 unread emails in my inbox. sabrinalabow.substack.com
I feel you, Kerala! I am on the cusp of trying to create too much content for too many outlets, while keeping up with all the great content that's out there--and which self-refreshes every day. AAARRRGGHHH!
Yep, it does work - but it's also a really great way to just show up for other writers whose work you really like and want to support in some way. We all desperately want those thoughtful commenters, the ones who have really listened to what we said, and take the time to think about it properly, and give thoughts (and even push back with counteropinions, in a respectful way). That stuff is the absolute beating heart of Substack.
So, if you want to befriend really awesome writers on here, and everything that can lead to (collaboratiions, mentions etc.), do it in the very best way possible: by being a genuine fan, the kind who really listens and really wants to add to that conversation going on in that newsletter and in the comments. Be the superfan that is always welcome when they show up. The same was true in blogging a decade ago, and the same is true now.
Thanks for this advice, really appreciated as new to the Substack space!
Thx for your advice and being here. We don’t get a lot of celebrity sightings during office hours. 😄
Oh blimey - no, I'm just some random idiot. 😁(But thank you.)
Haha!
Yes! So true. I have found more than a handful of writers who I am a super fan of here. And being able to support them by deeply reading and engaging with and restacking their stuff is an absolute joy!
Agreed! I feel the same way.
Absolutely agree, Mike.
Yeah I think this is important to note. It's very easy to get caught up in the numbers game and treat people as a means to an ends, especially when one is overanxious about growth towards an implicit sometimes unconscious end. As a writer, hopefully we surround ourselves and imbue our actions with a desire to have a meaningful connection with others, based on respect, and recognizing others as full people
Wise words, Mike!
This is fantastic advice and I've found the same thing. It feels a bit like making 1 to 1 connections vs growth in volume, but that's also part of the beauty. I've made some amazing connections on this platform and had the opportunity to collaborate with wicked smart creators in my niche -- just by being active and genuinely contributing.
It's not about scale, it's about being genuinely helpful and a part of this community.
This is a great point. Thanks for sharing! I realized I’ve been struggling with connecting because it felt weird to go “network” online without realizing it’s just engaging with writers about the cool things they’re writing!
Exactly! And some of the stuff out there is aH-Maze-Zing!
That’s the beauty of it! Read stuff you like and tell them why you like it!
Yes! It feels SO human here. I personally don't take subscriptions lightly cause I know I wanna be selective with my choice of reading options, and I don't take it personally if a newsletter doesn't get as much traction one week as another. I'm always aware that there's people behind the engagement and I am always SO grateful for anyone who takes time out to comment, like, or enjoy silently reading my work. And also those who can afford to pay! Liking my work enough to want to support me financially is such a blessing.
I naturally show up in the same way. Commenting, restacking, etc. I do it when I can now, and make sure it's a time where my Substack reading time gets my undivided attention when I do, because it isn't some chore or task for me ya know?
Yay for genuine community building! 🥳
Woohoo! It's the best feeling to come at it having fun and enjoying it!
That is the key to this “strategy” is keeping it fun and enjoyable, not turning it into a chore!
Yess, exactly!
Thanks!
Perhaps to simplify it down to the most fundamental, it might help you to stop at the end of each piece you write and ask yourself, "Have I conveyed value here?" Everything is really all about value. People want value. They recognize value. They desire value.
🧠I love the part about being genuinely helpful and a part of this community. When it gets overwhelming, just focus on your writing and respond organically to the posts that move you. sabrinalabow.substack.com
YES, Bryce! “Active, helpful, contributing”—that is totally the vibe of effective Substack engagement!
Being genuine like this really is the best way to grow.
Exactly! That’s what I love about this platform. Just reading and responding to good writing is all the “marketing” I need!
What Rebecca said, except that when I went to subscribe I discovered that I already do. What a nice surprise. I shall explore in earnest
I was just going to say that - when I clicked through to Liz's newsletter I got a little pop-up box to tell me 'Terry Freedman subscribes'! 🤣
Really? LOL I'm famous at last!
I have ALL the famous subscribers! 😉
Liz, it's working - your reading of and responses to this Office Hours thread have just secured you a new subscriber! 😘🤣🙌
OOH, what a groveller. I've met your sort before. OK, I was just gonna do the same!
🤣
😂
Thank you, Rebecca! I was actually just thinking that this strategy doesn’t work as well in Office Hours threads as it does in the comment threads of authors who have a large non-writer readership. I think most of us writers hanging out in Office Hours are already too busy and oversubscribed to read more than we already do! I’m honored I made the cut. 😄
definitely, Liz. As Woody Allen once said, 80% of success is showing up
LOL - I haven't made it to Office Hours for over a month - but I'm so glad to have dipped in this evening!
I am subscribed to far too many newsletters, but what can I say? Good writing can't not be read! 🤣
Right on!
I am very new to Substack (launched Oct 3) but I have found genuine engagement with other writers' posts through comments and restacking on Notes is indeed causing a little trickle of new subscribers and I always subscribe back.
Welcome to Substack, Amy!
So far I've kept my distance from Notes because it reminds me too much of my social media nightmare (the result of which being that I'm deeply allergic to the typical social media platforms) but the more I read from other writers here on Substack the more I feel that Notes is a good way to go for engagement. I'm rather a wimp, though, so although I do end up looking at Notes from time to time (thanks (?) to the app defaulting to that screen every time I open it up!) I haven't posted my first Note yet.
You've got me thinking about it, though, for which: thank you. x
Thank you Rebecca. Perhaps because I haven't been scorched by a social media nightmare I have found Notes such a friendly and generous place, like a conversations among friends, or at least potential friends, with a convivial spirit...it seems like the real thing. Hope you give it a try.
I'll dip a toe in one of these days! I think once I post my first Note I'll be away - so far I'm just very, very occasionally liking and commenting. And then I go and lie down in a darkened room with a cup of tea...! 🤣😉😁
🧠Notes works well for me. I have gotten a lot of subscribers thru it. You can post something that is in relation to your newsletter as like a trailer of sorts and then be sure to include a link. Also include visuals. Lastly, it doesn't have to be about your post but something related. Or not. Just post there and watch what happens...sabrinalabow.substack.com
Thanks, Sabrina! 😊
Restocking? Sorry, I don't know that term. Is that taking a snippet from my articles and pasting them to Notes?
Restacking is when you read someone's work, and at the top of the page there's a button with a circle as two arrows. When you click it, you're able to share that article with your audience on Notes (which is like Substack version of social media/Twitter). You can share it as is, or it'll give you a little prompt to write why you enjoyed the article (kinda like show and tell) so it'll give people an incentive to click.
The selecting a quote from an article and sharing as a post on Notes is also a way to share a piece too, yes!
Thank you.
You're welcome! :)
What kind of concept-based thinking do you write about, Winston?
Hi Mike, thank you for your note. I was pulled away for a call.
I deconstruct Hollywood movies, IP characters, businesses, high-end technologies, even baseball—anything and everything actually. So my work is really about how to deconstruct things—deconstruct what we thought was obvious, and go deeper to discover what isn't obvious. It is based on my work called concept modeling, which is about ideas, ideas vs concept, concept itself, and how the abstract world works. Not how we think it works, but how it actually works. I wrote a book on it. I hope that helps and that I don't sound arrogant. I will check out your work—it looks interesting. Again, thank you. Winston
Sounds interesting, Winston. Will subscribe.
Hi Any, I am also new here and still getting the hang of things but am finding Notes useful too and enjoying the community aspects as I discover different voices.
That’s great, Amy! I am sure using Notes can amplify the effect. I haven’t been very engaged there because it feels a little too much like social media, but restacking is easy enough. Great tip!
I've tried several things, and the two things that seem to work consistently well are commenting thoughtfully, as you say, and writing the best you can. Even if you have only one subscriber, it's not wasted because you're building up an archive. It does take time though: I'm rather suspicious of the emails I get telling me how to acquire 4000 new subscribers by next week!
Absolutely, Terry! And one thing I notice about those thoughtful comments is that people read them days, weeks, even months later, because Substack content is so evergreen compared to social media posts. I’ve gotten new subscribers from comments written long ago.
I'm surpised that someone such as yourself, who loves good writing, has not yet subscribed to mine. 😢
Terry, you are incorrigible! 🤣
(and a fabulous writer!)
Look, one has to try, and I've been told that I'm VERY trying. And thank you, Rebecca 😁
😁
Sorry Terry! I have to really limit my subscriptions because the flood of emails triggers my anxiety. I wish there were a way to subscribe without having everything come to my inbox, so I could just get stuff in my Substack feed in the app. Do you know if there’s a way to do this?
I would welcome this feature too. I'd rather collect my subscriptions on the app and not in both email and the app. From what I can tell there is no option to disable email.
Same! I used to think when I unsubscribed by email that it would keep my subscription in the app, but I found that not to be the case.
I'm not sure. You can opt to receive only certain sections. Also, before saying an absolute 'no' you could have a rummage around mine, and especially the letters between Rebecca Holden and myself, which are always good for a laugh. But I understand if you would rather not. Thank you for explaining why (otherwise I'd feel rejected!)
Aside from two best-selling authors whose books I love, I mostly subscribe to Substacks about infertility. If you ever cover that topic, hit me up! 😉
🟧 I may be wrong, Liz, but I think you might be able to select how you get newsletters in your settings - I think there's an 'either e-mail or app' button. Might be wrong, though. Pasting an orange square so that the Substack gurus can pick this one up.
Thanks Rebecca, I have tried to figure it out before but haven’t been able to make it work. It would be nice if they have added that feature since I last tried.
Yes! That happens to me all the time! I love it!
absolutely right!
Yes, and, I’m also with Kerala. I’ve subscribed to so many wonderful Substacks yet I don’t have the time to read them all. Shorter reads and headlines tend to grab me.
me too
For sure this is true. And I’ve made some really beautiful connections this way.
Me too! It’s been a great way to discover lesser-known writers who are in a similar niche to me.
Definitely, and it’s win-win as it’s also led me to some other great writers I wouldn’t have seen otherwise.
Agreed, and the connections you make are sometimes inspiring.
Exactly Kevin, I love that it’s a win-win because we all appreciate thoughtful engagement on our posts (and to the extent that Substack has an algorithm, it probably helps with that too).
Without being spammy myself, this has worked for me. Also Reddit forums in certain subreddits that are promo friendly.
I always find it useful to read what other authors read on here so I’m not in a social bubble.
I'm on the /substack subreddit as well. I've heard people say positive things about Discord. People I've talked to say that Discord has a more positive vibe than Reddit. Know of any Discord Substack servers?
Haven’t looked at Discord personally. I may start doing so as I have downloaded it previously!
I have it but only used it once during a film festival where one of my shorts screened. Would like to explore more.
I find the Reddit idea interesting. I've checked in there from time to time to read up on other subjects, but was thinking recently it might be good to finally sign up and participate in Substack forums. Are you finding quality convos there?
I do find the quality is pretty decent. Any self promo has to be tagged as such with a flair. But generally, people are quite friendly and the algorithm starts showing you posts from others who run similarly themed newsletters e.g I do one on ADHD, and I see recommended posts about other newsletters on mental health, self improvement etc on my Reddit. It’s quite a supportive group I find.
This is super helpful Jordan; thank you!
I’ve never used Reddit, but certainly sharing your work where it is welcome would be a great idea!
The actual r/substack and r/newsletter and r/writing subreddits have weekly self promo threads. I’ve gotten a fair few % from those ones
Thanks for sharing this!! I always feel kind of bad promoting my work unless it's explicitly encouraged.
I’d also recommend finding other people’s self promo messages on the weekly threads and reading ones you genuinely like and relate to. If you sub to the article, a quick comment and drop of your sub offering them the option to read in return hasn’t hurt me either. I sporadically do it, usually on a Sunday.
Thank you! This is good to know.
That’s a great tip, Jordan! I had no idea!
I find it hard to get new subs for a newsletter. This advice is a good one, but also hard one. Because its not easy to find any intersting worth commenting on. (in my opinion)
Who are your favorite writers, Jezz? Who inspires you? Find those people on Substack and you will have plenty of interesting conversations!
That the thing. Those who do inspire me dont use Substack 😊
Well that’s a bummer! I actually joined Substack initially because some of my favorite best-selling authors moved over here from social media. Where do your favorite writers hang out online?
As far as I know they just have a regular newsletter. No platform similar to substack.
You should try and find someone to collaborate with and do an online graphic novel. I don't think that's been done on here yet. Actually, take a look at my page, pick a story that interests you, and have at 'er!
Well I hope you will find some folks here who inspire you! That would be a great question to post in Office Hours, letting folks know what kinds of writers you’re looking for.
Liz, I'm in my first few weeks here, and doing basically what you're doing: quoting other pieces, using Notes, uploading new content, posting on social media, etc. I'm prepared to build slowly. It's hard to get attention in this crowded content marketplace!
If you're posting good stuff regularly, commenting on others work, dipping into Notes and chatting on here - you're doing all the right things!!
It sounds like you’re doing all the right things, Amy, and you’re doing more than I am! Slow and steady is the way to go.
Yup!
Liz, one thing I've noticed is that prominent writers, such as Bill McKibben, will reply to my responses to their posts. This doesn't happen on Twitter. It makes me enjoy Notes all that much more.
Isn’t that amazing, Paul? I am always starstruck when my favorite writers like or respond to my comments. I can’t help but take a screenshot!
That's it should be done, reading and engaging thoughtfully with other writers. Show appreciate if you like their posts. I want to follow 3-6 newsletter that I really connect with and show support and appreciation.
Definitely trying to do this and starting to see some visits trickle through from other substacks. I think the other thing to make sure is to be consistent. I had a little lull in content earlier this week and saw a huge drop in my visits on the days I didn't publish anything. The ability to schedule and pre-plan posts is huge but I also like being able to drop quick thoughts on something if it comes up organically.
It's the same with me, too. I usually engage with the posts I like and people subscribe if they like my view point. It does not drain me because I don't do it for engagement. But I would love to have a better idea of what practices people adopt to actually grow their Substack
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I am so not in tune with all of this. I used to teach students how to go to class online and now I can't even figure out how to copy and paste the emoji to get a question posted.
If you’re on a phone, you literally hold your thumb on the emoji you want and copy it. If you’re on a PC, you should be able to highlight and copy it via a mouse.
If those don’t work, it’s time to just stop, close this app out, buy an airline ticket to somewhere with beaches and palm trees, and take a vacation, pondering the meaning of life. That’s my solution anyway.
I like that solution! sabrinalabow.substack.com