🧠 I’m celebrating that I’ve almost reached 500 subscribers, up from 191 just 6 weeks ago! 🥳 I’ve had two New York Times best-selling authors subscribe to read my writing, and I’ve gotten three new recommendations. All through engaging with the Substack platform!
I’m writing an article about what’s worked for me. If you’d like to receive it in your inbox, you can subscribe at www.lizexplores.com, where I share stories from my life about infertility, mental health, and adventure. I’m not a writing coach; I just want to answer the questions people have been asking me and help fellow newbies!
For context, I started my Substack in December 2022 with zero audience and zero publications to my name, so the perspective I offer is one of starting from scratch and writing for the sake of writing. I don’t sell anything to my audience other than my writing itself, with a handful of paywalled posts that are personal in nature. Most of my work, including the article I’m working on now, is free.
Liz, I would love to hear your advice about growing audience when you're writing about a topic that is difficult and often runs counter to cultural norms. I write about detoxing from diet culture and embracing intuitive eating at https://www.almostsated.com.
In some ways, Kristi, I think it is easier to distinguish yourself as a writer when you have a topic or a perspective that not everyone else is sharing. I would say keep doing what you’re doing, and your people will find you! 😄
I agree with you and think finding your niche is so important. I just think there is a larger emotional toll that comes with putting your stake in the ground with a topic that isn’t well accepted.
I think you’re right, but it’s also that difficulty that will draw people to your writing, because it’s something that others aren’t willing to talk about.
I'd love to hear your journey, I'm also beginning from zero point energy...possibilities are infinite, and yet to be discovered, which sounds way more affirming than I haven't published much previously...😆🤷♀️
Thank you so much! I just published a note this morning...I've got cptsd brain, so doing things that are important to me can trigger an overexcited state that makes it really hard to focus, process, and retain information. The writing itself isn't the problem...it's the mechanics of marketing myself that have held me back for decades, until now. I'm blasting through those blocks come hell or high water. And I've just subscribed, I will be writing about many of the same topics, I'm excited to read some of your work later! ❤️
I hear you about the block when it comes to marketing and putting yourself out there, I've felt the same way for years. Good luck Amaya, we look forward to getting to know you on Substack. Feel free to drop into any Notes conversations!
I published my first note this morning, after dithering for weeks and months about it...just a short, simple, off the cuff piece, sometimes we just need to BEGIN..so I did....you gave me my first like, when I chickened our a few weeks ago and just wrote Coming Soon...your little red heart at the bottom of that was a tiny package of goodwill and encouragement, so thank you. Substack feels like a safe place, literally, all because of that tiny heart you left and I'm sure forgot about. A reminder that our tiniest interactions with others can have a far reaching impact. You passed humaning with flying colors. 🤗
Thank you for your suggestions! Like many others here I am just starting out, a mixture of I can do this too and who do I think I am. I admit I'm writing to inspire minds, to reconsider our decisions with a look-see to where they might lead. All in all very excited, and very appreciative of this forum!
Congrats Liz -- I started about a year ago too... There have been some really fun ups, and some really (not fun but instructive) downs. Looking forward to hearing about yours!!
Incredible! I hope 2024 brings much abundance to you. I have been working hard over the past few months to launch my Rustic Rishi Recipe Club. Looking forward to connecting with this great community.
Congratulations Liz! Very inspiring :-) Thank you for also sharing when you started and with how much audience you have, as well as what you offer---all helpful info for us newbies here at Substack.
Thank you, Laurie! So much of the advice on Substack comes from people who already had an audience or success in the publishing world. Those of us who are emerging writers need a different approach, and I find relationship-building to be very powerful.
Awwwww this is super helpful to know about most of the writers on Substack as I’m so new here I didn’t realize. Your past Life Coaching comes in handy—you’ve got all the relationship skills to build a lovely audience. I agree with you—-all my followers and subscribers (still have to move them over here to Substack) have come into my world and stuck around due to the deep connection. I’m really building here slowly, on purpose, as I am so in love with this platform so I want to build a strong foundation without feeling rushed. The energy here feels so grounding unlike social media where I’ve spent the past two decades focusing.
Absolutely, Laurie! “Grounding” is a great way to describe the experience on Substack compared to social media. I’ve found it to be so much more effective in growing my writing platform, because people on Substack actually want to read!
✏️ I announced this week I'm launching a series called "A Call to Eudiamonia." My vision is to redefine modern day human flourishing. I'd love to collab with other writers and support those who are writing about collective flourishing – if you write about reimagining how we live & work, drop your Substack below or let me know if you're interested in collabing :)
"We’ve been contemplating the pursuit of a life well lived since the dawn of time. It is my belief that every single human on this earth deserves to experience a life well lived, whatever that means for them. It’s time to redefine modern day human flourishing."
My Substack, "The Art of Unintended Consequences" (https://davidnemzoff.substack.com/) is not related to your topic, but I am working on my next book focused on reimagining the K-12 educational system. I believe it is critical to reexamine and reimagine all aspects of our lives from time-to-time to operate at peak efficiency and hopefully maintain a higher level of happiness. Too many people forget about that last part.
I'm always interested in collaboration especially in regard to human flourishing. I both look to reimaging and lessons from the past. See article I just posted https://www.inmindwise.com/p/tevye-and-the-pogrom
I highly recommend collaborating with Dr Parks, he is interesting to talk to and a great interviewer. You can catch the one we did together over on his Substack.
Hi Dr Parks, I'd love to chat about collaborating. I'm new here at Substack and in the process of importing my subscribers from my other platform. I love your phrase, "Human Flourishing!" It seems we could have some fun discussions with your background as a holistic psychiatrist and my work as an EFT practitioner. :)
Hi, I am interested to explore collaborations, as part of my topics could indeed fall under the "redefine modern day human flourishing" Please visit https://mfioretti.substack.com/archive, and check out (especially) the articles about innovation, education, dating, parenting and "UBI, AI and reality", which in one way or another are about (IMHO, of course) "While we’ve raised the baseline for our material worlds, our inner worlds are more dysregulated than ever."
Yes, that's what my work is about. I found my way down this road in the context of integrative pain management and rehabilitation medicine for about 30 years. The same principles that enable a human being to rise above the challenge of spinal cord injury are the principles that enable us to flourish during difficult and shocking times. Would love to collaborate. I've only written my welcome and am just getting started on substack. https://drshiller.substack.com/p/welcome-to-soul-science-living. Also on www.drshiller.com
Hi, Cissy. I like the sound of your new series. (Nicomachean Ethics fan here.) I second many of the suggestions in this thread for people who focus on human flourishing. With a focus on "quiet reading," I come at the subject of flourishing from the questions of (a) how we reclaim attention and (b) what will motivate us back to sustained reading and high-quality relationships with books. From attention, quiet, and deep reading, other goods follow (and other writers cover them well). The Attention series started here: https://open.substack.com/pub/tarapenry/p/introducing-the-attention-chronicles?r=1mk0zn&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Hi Cissy, I love your vision for us to flourish. I write about similar issues, currently I am finishing off a series about making change that moves us closer to wholeness. I see this as being different than fixing our broken selves, rather it's a call to listen to our inner knowing and take steps to move into the truth of who we are. Touch base with me if a collab is of interest and we could get a plan. I look forward to reading your work.
hi Donna – a number of folks recommended your work to me :) love the focus on moving closer to wholeness and appreciating the unfolding of our life rather than viewing ourselves us something to be fixed. I just subscribed – look forward to reading your work & looking for threads to collab on!
Please put me down as being interested Cissy! I'm already kinda' working in this space with: Bright Side Writings - optimism-led, fortnightly stories to brighten these dark times of climate emergency and global strife.
I think your work and mine (our sensibilities) could be complementary in some very exciting ways. Happy to find productive (and fun) ways to collaborate.
🧠 Just here say wow, the Substack community works! I took a break from office hours, notes, commenting, etc. to focus on other creative projects and my subscriber growth pretty much stopped. Went back to it for a week and got over 100 subscribers. It helps that I was ready to genuinely engage and not just here for strategy. Anyways, happy to be back!!
I have a simple question that is slightly embarrassing - how do I post? I did one article and now for the life of me, can’t remember how I managed to post it nor work out in my account where I go to do that!! 🙈😬
I highly recommend Ramona's newbie articles, I found them invaluable. I also suggest checking out Paul Macko's work, he gives a great deal of info too.
I went through this when I first started. It’s difficult at first and took me the better part of a month to “get it.”
The problems you’re having, if I’m correct, is that you don’t know how to make another post? Your problem might be that you are using Substack on your phone, and not on a web browser.
I had to go to safari, open Substack and sign in that way. From there, you’ll find your image in the top right and click on writer dashboard. From there, you’ll see a plus sign inside of an orange circle and that is the way to make a new post. Hopefully. I kind of blacked out as I typed that.
If that doesn’t work, I’d ask someone who works here.
Yes! I’m using my phone - ok 👍 I’ll go to my laptop. I posted using my phone the first time though... so I thought it was strange that I couldn’t seem to do it again
Welcome!! 😂 I actually have two… I don’t know how the second posted, it’s just a title with no content 😀 🙈🙈🙈🙈 and I’m trying to delete it but it doesn’t go away 😳 😂 ( I’m using emoji’s because they visually explain how I’m feeling…
Substack Help has articles with well-written instructions and screenshots (better than I could do on the fly). Starting with Camden's advice to sign into Substack on a laptop or desktop internet browser, not a phone:
I have been posting for a few months now, this last week or so my posts are going to draft. I open them on draft, after designating all, no further posting happens.
Then you’ll have to try Palmerston Island ( if you can get there haha 😂) I’ve been waiting all this year to get home and the ship schedule is so erratic that it goes without my realising it or warning or, I’m out of the country!! Aaargh!!
Oh my goodness.. I am still learning "Susbtack laptop"..the app might happen in 2025!!!! 😂😂😂😂 I couldn't find it either on the app.. I assumed it was for reading only and gave up!
😂 😂 maybe that’s why it’s not working for me through the app haha- I hadn’t thought about reading mode only hahahaha ( sometimes persistence can be exhausting and a disadvantage if you’re in the wrong place 😂 ( I think I just created a new quote 😂 or a new thread comment!)
✏️ Has anybody changed the name of their publication? I started mine on a whim almost two years ago and now I wish I'd been more discerning naming it. But also... it doesn't really matter! I've built a great community nonetheless. So I'm weighing wanting a new name with consistency and name recognition for subscribers. Would love to hear your thoughts!
Many of us have changed our Substack names from when we first started. As your writing and life interests morph you may wish to change it again. I will do the same thing if/when the time comes. Go for it! Especially if you feel it suits what you're actually writing about or wanting to. It doesn't affect anything really. Just let your subscribers know when you do and a little description about why. That's it! Best of luck.
We developed a product that used the name of my previous one, so I had to change it so we could use that name for another thing. https://authorecosystem.com/
I have never changed mine but I subscribe to a few that have and it doesn't phase me as an audience member! It may depend on the publication, but I think the benefit of how substack publishes with the "Author" listed, I do associate most publications with the author's name, so it doesn't get confusing if they do a rebrand!
I wrote HEAVY METAL EMAIL for about two years. I started it with a focus on heavy metal bands, and how they can't rely on social media platforms, and well... it resonated with people who WEREN'T in heavy metal bands, and so I changed my name to something a little more inclusive (Social Media Escape Club)... no one batted an eye. In fact, I've gained almost 200 subscribers since October with my name change, and starting to move away from my total METAL branding haha
Hi Ali. I have been contemplating a change as well. It's a tough decision. I might suggest that you talk to your readers a few times. Let them know you are contemplating a change and why. You might even ask them for suggestions once you explain the reason for the change. Who knows? Either way, then your readers will be prepared and not surprised.
I went back and forth with what name to use, maybe I'm too much of a perfectionist, but the one I picked seemed ok, and I set up a custom domain with it, so I could have my own URL. I sometimes thought of changing it later but grew to like it. You can always set a new name and newsletter maybe to address or attract a new audience. Love your work!
What do you want to change it to? If you have recognition with this name, maybe keep one of the two words in your new title? Or, keep it, but have a new tab that says "Big Things" or something?
I was considering changing my title. I write about current events, design, politics and even Scientology. The India Ink was more of a symbolic name and doesn't reflect the content, which worried me. But my friend said it reflects ME, and that should be reason enough to keep it. Plus, India Ink can be used for writing and designing, both of which I do.
Yes! I started with a name that highlighted enchantment and changed to Quiet Reading a month ago. I was invited to write a guest post, and I arranged for that and the new name to meet the world together. I appreciated the way the guest post and the new name created momentum together. The best advice I got was to put my name in the subdomain (url) rather than the new Substack name, so there's always a chance to change it again.
Here was the post where I introduced the new name. As you'll see, I decided not to write a lengthy "what" or "why" here - it would have duplicated the new About page. Instead I just offered a regular, interesting post of the sort that readers could expect to (still) see from me. I decided to "show, not tell" with my relaunch post. Judging from new subscriptions in this post, it was a good strategy. https://open.substack.com/pub/tarapenry/p/thanksgiving-never-one-thing?r=1mk0zn&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Love that! I always appreciate a straightforward strategy like this that doesn't assume the readers are as interested in hearing about it as you are :)
Yes, I started to write a "here's what changed" post and quickly realized I was bored off my rocker! 😂 Other people have done it well, but it was not the strategy for me.
Once again, leaving this here for all new Substackers. This is all what you need to design a great publication and things to focus on to grow you subscribers base. Hope it helps.
Thanks! I read your suggestions when I started, and TBH it felt overwhelming at the time. Now that I've been writing for 6 months, so much of it makes sense and feels actionable. Fingers crossed for growth...
Hey S.Pam, it sounds like what you are looking for is a place in the article where a visitor who is not subscribed has to subscribe to keep reading. While we don't have that today, we do automatically show a pop up to subscribe if someone makes it part way through and is not signed in/subscribed, they will be prompted to do so.
But, I see where this could be helpful so I am sharing with the team.
Just replying to add more voices to this one! I think this would be really impactful.
I've had tons of traffic from LinkedIn (teasing my newsletter or copy-pasting the hook there, then linking out to substack). And I've done my best to "give more" to my free subscribers in an effort to drive those linkedin folks to subscribe (ex. only cross-post on linkedin a few weeks after the original email)... but with mixed results. I've had many friends/colleagues quote my newsletter or text me a follow-up question, but they aren't subscribing... just reading.
I understand there might be trade-offs here -- allowing free reading can introduce your writing topic/style, gets more exposure for substack the platform, etc. But as a writer, especially early on, seeing the subscriber count go up is a huge motivator, and a sign that you're on the right track. Maybe for more established writers above Y threshold this matters less... but adding this feature might reduce writer churn and add more content/strength to the platform over time.
Technically, could track free reads of a specific newsletter (ex. Writes Moments with S.Pam), then add a wall halfway through the 4th read. Above Y subscribers, the wall goes away...
A lot of the Substack writers I talk to who complain that people aren't 'forced' to subscribe to read are not converting casual readers to subscribers because they are not showing new readers that their content is a newsletter.
When people click through from social media they usually land on a 'normal' website or blog, and that's what they will assume your posts are unless you tell them otherwise.
Make it really clear they have clicked to a newsletter.... have a 2 sentence introduction at the top of every post (I add these after emailing), followed by a button that says "Subscribe to <publication name> to get helpful/insightful/whatever posts like this straight to your inbox each week". Add at least one more subscribe request further down the post.
When asking readers to subscribe I sometimes also explain that I don't use people's email addresses for any other marketing/purpose and this can help encourage people to sign up too... especially when they come from LinkedIn.
That's interesting thank you for the tips I'll definitely keep them in mind when I come back from hiatus! One of the definite reasons why I asked for a "subscriber wall" was not so much for gaining subscribers but more for making some things exclusively for only my subscribers. I really liked your input though especially about "Making it clear that they have clicked on a newsletter.." I feel like that's a point I've been looking over this whole year.. So yeah thank so much for your input!
To help organize the conversation, please use one of the following emojis when you start a new comment.
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🧠 I’m celebrating that I’ve almost reached 500 subscribers, up from 191 just 6 weeks ago! 🥳 I’ve had two New York Times best-selling authors subscribe to read my writing, and I’ve gotten three new recommendations. All through engaging with the Substack platform!
I’m writing an article about what’s worked for me. If you’d like to receive it in your inbox, you can subscribe at www.lizexplores.com, where I share stories from my life about infertility, mental health, and adventure. I’m not a writing coach; I just want to answer the questions people have been asking me and help fellow newbies!
For context, I started my Substack in December 2022 with zero audience and zero publications to my name, so the perspective I offer is one of starting from scratch and writing for the sake of writing. I don’t sell anything to my audience other than my writing itself, with a handful of paywalled posts that are personal in nature. Most of my work, including the article I’m working on now, is free.
Liz, I would love to hear your advice about growing audience when you're writing about a topic that is difficult and often runs counter to cultural norms. I write about detoxing from diet culture and embracing intuitive eating at https://www.almostsated.com.
In some ways, Kristi, I think it is easier to distinguish yourself as a writer when you have a topic or a perspective that not everyone else is sharing. I would say keep doing what you’re doing, and your people will find you! 😄
I agree with you and think finding your niche is so important. I just think there is a larger emotional toll that comes with putting your stake in the ground with a topic that isn’t well accepted.
I think you’re right, but it’s also that difficulty that will draw people to your writing, because it’s something that others aren’t willing to talk about.
Ooooo I LOVE that you write about detoxing from diet-culture---such an important and very necessary topic to write about
I'd love to hear your journey, I'm also beginning from zero point energy...possibilities are infinite, and yet to be discovered, which sounds way more affirming than I haven't published much previously...😆🤷♀️
Welcome Amaya! As well as Liz’s work I’d recommend @deplatformable. Paul shares many excellent ideas to grow your Substack.
https://open.substack.com/pub/pau1/p/all-the-articles?r=1z0b1o&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
Thank you so much! I just published a note this morning...I've got cptsd brain, so doing things that are important to me can trigger an overexcited state that makes it really hard to focus, process, and retain information. The writing itself isn't the problem...it's the mechanics of marketing myself that have held me back for decades, until now. I'm blasting through those blocks come hell or high water. And I've just subscribed, I will be writing about many of the same topics, I'm excited to read some of your work later! ❤️
I hear you about the block when it comes to marketing and putting yourself out there, I've felt the same way for years. Good luck Amaya, we look forward to getting to know you on Substack. Feel free to drop into any Notes conversations!
Thank you for sharing, Donna! That looks like a very comprehensive resource.
I love your perspective, Amaya! Here’s to infinite possibilities. 😉
I published my first note this morning, after dithering for weeks and months about it...just a short, simple, off the cuff piece, sometimes we just need to BEGIN..so I did....you gave me my first like, when I chickened our a few weeks ago and just wrote Coming Soon...your little red heart at the bottom of that was a tiny package of goodwill and encouragement, so thank you. Substack feels like a safe place, literally, all because of that tiny heart you left and I'm sure forgot about. A reminder that our tiniest interactions with others can have a far reaching impact. You passed humaning with flying colors. 🤗
Congrats!
Thank you so much, Kathryn! 🎉
Thank you for your suggestions! Like many others here I am just starting out, a mixture of I can do this too and who do I think I am. I admit I'm writing to inspire minds, to reconsider our decisions with a look-see to where they might lead. All in all very excited, and very appreciative of this forum!
Welcome to Substack, Noah! All the emotions you described are completely normal. Keep writing and you will find your rhythm and your readers! 😄
That's fabulous, Liz. Congrats. Appreciate you sharing your experience. Helps us all gain perspective as we take this journey.
Thank you so much, David!
This is so encouraging! Thank you, Liz!
Congrats Liz -- I started about a year ago too... There have been some really fun ups, and some really (not fun but instructive) downs. Looking forward to hearing about yours!!
Thanks, Joey! Now I’m curious to hear your story… 😏
Congratulations, Liz!
Thank you so much, Deanna! I see that you live in the NEK. Whereabouts?
Greetings Liz, I live in Saint Johnsbury, VT
Thanks for sharing Liz! Your story is encouraging. I'm also starting from zero and really looking forward to growing my audience in 2024.
Thank you, Colleen! We are all very lucky that Substack makes this kind of growth possible for new writers. 😁
Incredible! I hope 2024 brings much abundance to you. I have been working hard over the past few months to launch my Rustic Rishi Recipe Club. Looking forward to connecting with this great community.
Wonderful, Alex! Congratulations! Your recipes look delicious. 🥳
Thank you, Liz! I hope you get around to cooking one of them :)
Congratulations Liz! Very inspiring :-) Thank you for also sharing when you started and with how much audience you have, as well as what you offer---all helpful info for us newbies here at Substack.
Thank you, Laurie! So much of the advice on Substack comes from people who already had an audience or success in the publishing world. Those of us who are emerging writers need a different approach, and I find relationship-building to be very powerful.
Awwwww this is super helpful to know about most of the writers on Substack as I’m so new here I didn’t realize. Your past Life Coaching comes in handy—you’ve got all the relationship skills to build a lovely audience. I agree with you—-all my followers and subscribers (still have to move them over here to Substack) have come into my world and stuck around due to the deep connection. I’m really building here slowly, on purpose, as I am so in love with this platform so I want to build a strong foundation without feeling rushed. The energy here feels so grounding unlike social media where I’ve spent the past two decades focusing.
Absolutely, Laurie! “Grounding” is a great way to describe the experience on Substack compared to social media. I’ve found it to be so much more effective in growing my writing platform, because people on Substack actually want to read!
Congrats Liz. I learn so much from other writers. I love communicating across the world. I love this platform. Thanks for writing. 😊
Thanks, Donald. It is wonderful to be connected with so many writers across the world!
Congratulation and best wishes on your journey,
Thank you so much, Ron!
YAY 🙌🏽 You give my Monkeys hope that our work can connect with an audience!
I know all about those monkeys, Christine! You will find your audience here. 😁
Thank you! Encouragement rocks!!
🙌
exceptional and thank you for sharing your journey!
Thank you, David! I appreciate your encouragement. 😃
청중이 없다고 실망하긴 잃러요.정확한 의사 포현이 중요해요. 체계적인 논리로 접근할 수 있어요.
✏️ I announced this week I'm launching a series called "A Call to Eudiamonia." My vision is to redefine modern day human flourishing. I'd love to collab with other writers and support those who are writing about collective flourishing – if you write about reimagining how we live & work, drop your Substack below or let me know if you're interested in collabing :)
More here: https://www.moremyself.xyz/p/glow-up
"We’ve been contemplating the pursuit of a life well lived since the dawn of time. It is my belief that every single human on this earth deserves to experience a life well lived, whatever that means for them. It’s time to redefine modern day human flourishing."
My Substack, "The Art of Unintended Consequences" (https://davidnemzoff.substack.com/) is not related to your topic, but I am working on my next book focused on reimagining the K-12 educational system. I believe it is critical to reexamine and reimagine all aspects of our lives from time-to-time to operate at peak efficiency and hopefully maintain a higher level of happiness. Too many people forget about that last part.
thanks for sharing your work, David!
💯 agree that there's no better time than now to reexamine and reimagine how we live our lives. love your focus on the educational system!
I'm always interested in collaboration especially in regard to human flourishing. I both look to reimaging and lessons from the past. See article I just posted https://www.inmindwise.com/p/tevye-and-the-pogrom
I highly recommend collaborating with Dr Parks, he is interesting to talk to and a great interviewer. You can catch the one we did together over on his Substack.
Thanks for sharing, Ron! I've started to dig into your work – I'm spending time thinking through how collabs may take shape :)
Hi Dr Parks, I'd love to chat about collaborating. I'm new here at Substack and in the process of importing my subscribers from my other platform. I love your phrase, "Human Flourishing!" It seems we could have some fun discussions with your background as a holistic psychiatrist and my work as an EFT practitioner. :)
Hi, I am interested to explore collaborations, as part of my topics could indeed fall under the "redefine modern day human flourishing" Please visit https://mfioretti.substack.com/archive, and check out (especially) the articles about innovation, education, dating, parenting and "UBI, AI and reality", which in one way or another are about (IMHO, of course) "While we’ve raised the baseline for our material worlds, our inner worlds are more dysregulated than ever."
and if you find them interesting, please email me at mfioretti@nexaima.net. "
"Modern day human flourishing"
Yes, that's what my work is about. I found my way down this road in the context of integrative pain management and rehabilitation medicine for about 30 years. The same principles that enable a human being to rise above the challenge of spinal cord injury are the principles that enable us to flourish during difficult and shocking times. Would love to collaborate. I've only written my welcome and am just getting started on substack. https://drshiller.substack.com/p/welcome-to-soul-science-living. Also on www.drshiller.com
Welcome Andrew! I can't wait to check out your Substack. I write about the call of our soul and the amazing things science has discovered as well.
Great. Lets cross pollinate!
Welcome to Substack, Andrew! Thanks for sharing :) I'll dig into your work :)
Thanks for sharing, Marco! I'll dig into your work and be in touch if I find threads for us to collab on :)
Hi, Cissy. I like the sound of your new series. (Nicomachean Ethics fan here.) I second many of the suggestions in this thread for people who focus on human flourishing. With a focus on "quiet reading," I come at the subject of flourishing from the questions of (a) how we reclaim attention and (b) what will motivate us back to sustained reading and high-quality relationships with books. From attention, quiet, and deep reading, other goods follow (and other writers cover them well). The Attention series started here: https://open.substack.com/pub/tarapenry/p/introducing-the-attention-chronicles?r=1mk0zn&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
A new scene of Quiet Reading posts Christmas day.
An overview of what I write is at: https://tarapenry.substack.com/about.
Your idea of collaborating on the subject of flourishing looks very promising for a range of insights and approaches!
Hi Tara – what a beautiful angle of flourishing. this topic really resonates! I wrote an essay on our modern content diet a few months ago: https://www.moremyself.xyz/p/our-modern-content-diet
will check out your work :)
Hi Cissy, I love your vision for us to flourish. I write about similar issues, currently I am finishing off a series about making change that moves us closer to wholeness. I see this as being different than fixing our broken selves, rather it's a call to listen to our inner knowing and take steps to move into the truth of who we are. Touch base with me if a collab is of interest and we could get a plan. I look forward to reading your work.
hi Donna – a number of folks recommended your work to me :) love the focus on moving closer to wholeness and appreciating the unfolding of our life rather than viewing ourselves us something to be fixed. I just subscribed – look forward to reading your work & looking for threads to collab on!
Wonderful Cissy! Fire me off an email donnamcarthur@substack.com if you want to connect and do something together.
Please put me down as being interested Cissy! I'm already kinda' working in this space with: Bright Side Writings - optimism-led, fortnightly stories to brighten these dark times of climate emergency and global strife.
In other words: flourishing!
https://matthewcurlewis.substack.com/
love the focus of your Substack, Matthew! will check out your writing :)
I'd love to be part of this, Cissy! Sounds like a super great project.
I’d be interested in a collaboration Cissy!
thanks for responding, Phil – will dig into your work!
I think your work and mine (our sensibilities) could be complementary in some very exciting ways. Happy to find productive (and fun) ways to collaborate.
thanks for responding, Amy – will dig into your work! I love your bio: "I write stories that let readers feel while making them think"
https://yourfriendlyobsession.substack.com/p/people-places-things-nouns
🧠 Just here say wow, the Substack community works! I took a break from office hours, notes, commenting, etc. to focus on other creative projects and my subscriber growth pretty much stopped. Went back to it for a week and got over 100 subscribers. It helps that I was ready to genuinely engage and not just here for strategy. Anyways, happy to be back!!
Welcome back!
Thank you! 💕
I have a simple question that is slightly embarrassing - how do I post? I did one article and now for the life of me, can’t remember how I managed to post it nor work out in my account where I go to do that!! 🙈😬
I have the same question!!! I haven’t even posted yet and can’t seem to find the intuitive path to do so! Help!!
I’ve written a tutorial for newbies. You’ll find it here. Hope it helps!
https://writereverlasting.substack.com/s/substack-for-newbies I
I highly recommend Ramona's newbie articles, I found them invaluable. I also suggest checking out Paul Macko's work, he gives a great deal of info too.
https://pau1.substack.com/p/all-the-articles
Thank you so very much!
Oh thank you too!
My pleasure!
Thank you!
You’re welcome!
I went through this when I first started. It’s difficult at first and took me the better part of a month to “get it.”
The problems you’re having, if I’m correct, is that you don’t know how to make another post? Your problem might be that you are using Substack on your phone, and not on a web browser.
I had to go to safari, open Substack and sign in that way. From there, you’ll find your image in the top right and click on writer dashboard. From there, you’ll see a plus sign inside of an orange circle and that is the way to make a new post. Hopefully. I kind of blacked out as I typed that.
If that doesn’t work, I’d ask someone who works here.
Yes! I’m using my phone - ok 👍 I’ll go to my laptop. I posted using my phone the first time though... so I thought it was strange that I couldn’t seem to do it again
You probably found an amazing mystery passage, like in a good mystery novel! :-)
Me too. 😬
Thank you taking the time to post this. Appreciate it very much!
Anytime
Welcome!! 😂 I actually have two… I don’t know how the second posted, it’s just a title with no content 😀 🙈🙈🙈🙈 and I’m trying to delete it but it doesn’t go away 😳 😂 ( I’m using emoji’s because they visually explain how I’m feeling…
Substack Help has articles with well-written instructions and screenshots (better than I could do on the fly). Starting with Camden's advice to sign into Substack on a laptop or desktop internet browser, not a phone:
https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/360041480932-How-do-I-delete-a-post-that-I-ve-published-
https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/360037831771-How-do-I-publish-a-new-post-
Thank you!
Thank You 😊
Hit "continue" and "publish".
Go to your Dashboard, then click on posts.
I also find a lot about the user interface counterintuitive here, so you're not alone!
I have been posting for a few months now, this last week or so my posts are going to draft. I open them on draft, after designating all, no further posting happens.
Thank you! I’ll try that!!! As we say in Rarotonga Maori- Meitaki Maata!!! 😊🙏
You're in Rarotonga?! One of the most beautiful places on earth! (Besides Aitutaki, that is.)
Then you’ll have to try Palmerston Island ( if you can get there haha 😂) I’ve been waiting all this year to get home and the ship schedule is so erratic that it goes without my realising it or warning or, I’m out of the country!! Aaargh!!
Hey Stella, took me forever to have my eyes naturally fall where they need to fall 😂
Right on the page you log onto there is an button to the right upper part of the page that says "+ New Post "
ORRRR
Click on the profile pic (with the lines to the left of it) on the right hand side of the substack dashboard-
click on writers dashboard
and the same thing "+ New Post "
hope that helps
Thank You- I’m assuming you are referring to using Substack on a laptop and not through the app on a phone?
Oh my goodness.. I am still learning "Susbtack laptop"..the app might happen in 2025!!!! 😂😂😂😂 I couldn't find it either on the app.. I assumed it was for reading only and gave up!
😂 😂 maybe that’s why it’s not working for me through the app haha- I hadn’t thought about reading mode only hahahaha ( sometimes persistence can be exhausting and a disadvantage if you’re in the wrong place 😂 ( I think I just created a new quote 😂 or a new thread comment!)
I suffer from those moments too. 😂
But honestly I thought the Substack app would be like mailchimp… do it all. The monkey took the cake on this one 😂
The dashboard is a maze.
But the good thing is that the create "new post" is color graded, and so is "continue" when you have written your post :)
✏️ Has anybody changed the name of their publication? I started mine on a whim almost two years ago and now I wish I'd been more discerning naming it. But also... it doesn't really matter! I've built a great community nonetheless. So I'm weighing wanting a new name with consistency and name recognition for subscribers. Would love to hear your thoughts!
Many of us have changed our Substack names from when we first started. As your writing and life interests morph you may wish to change it again. I will do the same thing if/when the time comes. Go for it! Especially if you feel it suits what you're actually writing about or wanting to. It doesn't affect anything really. Just let your subscribers know when you do and a little description about why. That's it! Best of luck.
After working with @sarahfay I changed my name. Just let your readers know ahead of time and why you are making the change, what they can expect.
I did the same thing! haha
She was like, "Heavy Metal Email... mmm..maybe consider a name change?"
Love your new name!
Thank you! How was working with Sarah?
Very helpful. Included in the price of the sessions are the benefits of being a paid subscriber. She offers educational webinars that are invaluable.
I did. It went fine. You can do it once without breaking your publication, but only once, so be careful with it.
Thank you! I'm curious, what led you to change yours?
We developed a product that used the name of my previous one, so I had to change it so we could use that name for another thing. https://authorecosystem.com/
Weirdly, now we also have a Substack for it.
I have never changed mine but I subscribe to a few that have and it doesn't phase me as an audience member! It may depend on the publication, but I think the benefit of how substack publishes with the "Author" listed, I do associate most publications with the author's name, so it doesn't get confusing if they do a rebrand!
I wrote HEAVY METAL EMAIL for about two years. I started it with a focus on heavy metal bands, and how they can't rely on social media platforms, and well... it resonated with people who WEREN'T in heavy metal bands, and so I changed my name to something a little more inclusive (Social Media Escape Club)... no one batted an eye. In fact, I've gained almost 200 subscribers since October with my name change, and starting to move away from my total METAL branding haha
Hi Ali. I have been contemplating a change as well. It's a tough decision. I might suggest that you talk to your readers a few times. Let them know you are contemplating a change and why. You might even ask them for suggestions once you explain the reason for the change. Who knows? Either way, then your readers will be prepared and not surprised.
I went back and forth with what name to use, maybe I'm too much of a perfectionist, but the one I picked seemed ok, and I set up a custom domain with it, so I could have my own URL. I sometimes thought of changing it later but grew to like it. You can always set a new name and newsletter maybe to address or attract a new audience. Love your work!
What do you want to change it to? If you have recognition with this name, maybe keep one of the two words in your new title? Or, keep it, but have a new tab that says "Big Things" or something?
I was considering changing my title. I write about current events, design, politics and even Scientology. The India Ink was more of a symbolic name and doesn't reflect the content, which worried me. But my friend said it reflects ME, and that should be reason enough to keep it. Plus, India Ink can be used for writing and designing, both of which I do.
Yes! I started with a name that highlighted enchantment and changed to Quiet Reading a month ago. I was invited to write a guest post, and I arranged for that and the new name to meet the world together. I appreciated the way the guest post and the new name created momentum together. The best advice I got was to put my name in the subdomain (url) rather than the new Substack name, so there's always a chance to change it again.
Here was the post where I introduced the new name. As you'll see, I decided not to write a lengthy "what" or "why" here - it would have duplicated the new About page. Instead I just offered a regular, interesting post of the sort that readers could expect to (still) see from me. I decided to "show, not tell" with my relaunch post. Judging from new subscriptions in this post, it was a good strategy. https://open.substack.com/pub/tarapenry/p/thanksgiving-never-one-thing?r=1mk0zn&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Love that! I always appreciate a straightforward strategy like this that doesn't assume the readers are as interested in hearing about it as you are :)
Yes, I started to write a "here's what changed" post and quickly realized I was bored off my rocker! 😂 Other people have done it well, but it was not the strategy for me.
🧠 Welcome Substackers.
Once again, leaving this here for all new Substackers. This is all what you need to design a great publication and things to focus on to grow you subscribers base. Hope it helps.
https://open.substack.com/pub/raisini/p/from-zero-to-100000-subscribers-the?r=aegif&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
Thanks! I read your suggestions when I started, and TBH it felt overwhelming at the time. Now that I've been writing for 6 months, so much of it makes sense and feels actionable. Fingers crossed for growth...
True. First read, everything looks foreign.
🔥🔥🔥
Is there a way to have a paywall but instead of it being for paying subscribers it's for your regular subscribers?✨
Hey S.Pam, it sounds like what you are looking for is a place in the article where a visitor who is not subscribed has to subscribe to keep reading. While we don't have that today, we do automatically show a pop up to subscribe if someone makes it part way through and is not signed in/subscribed, they will be prompted to do so.
But, I see where this could be helpful so I am sharing with the team.
Just replying to add more voices to this one! I think this would be really impactful.
I've had tons of traffic from LinkedIn (teasing my newsletter or copy-pasting the hook there, then linking out to substack). And I've done my best to "give more" to my free subscribers in an effort to drive those linkedin folks to subscribe (ex. only cross-post on linkedin a few weeks after the original email)... but with mixed results. I've had many friends/colleagues quote my newsletter or text me a follow-up question, but they aren't subscribing... just reading.
I understand there might be trade-offs here -- allowing free reading can introduce your writing topic/style, gets more exposure for substack the platform, etc. But as a writer, especially early on, seeing the subscriber count go up is a huge motivator, and a sign that you're on the right track. Maybe for more established writers above Y threshold this matters less... but adding this feature might reduce writer churn and add more content/strength to the platform over time.
Technically, could track free reads of a specific newsletter (ex. Writes Moments with S.Pam), then add a wall halfway through the 4th read. Above Y subscribers, the wall goes away...
A lot of the Substack writers I talk to who complain that people aren't 'forced' to subscribe to read are not converting casual readers to subscribers because they are not showing new readers that their content is a newsletter.
When people click through from social media they usually land on a 'normal' website or blog, and that's what they will assume your posts are unless you tell them otherwise.
Make it really clear they have clicked to a newsletter.... have a 2 sentence introduction at the top of every post (I add these after emailing), followed by a button that says "Subscribe to <publication name> to get helpful/insightful/whatever posts like this straight to your inbox each week". Add at least one more subscribe request further down the post.
When asking readers to subscribe I sometimes also explain that I don't use people's email addresses for any other marketing/purpose and this can help encourage people to sign up too... especially when they come from LinkedIn.
That's interesting thank you for the tips I'll definitely keep them in mind when I come back from hiatus! One of the definite reasons why I asked for a "subscriber wall" was not so much for gaining subscribers but more for making some things exclusively for only my subscribers. I really liked your input though especially about "Making it clear that they have clicked on a newsletter.." I feel like that's a point I've been looking over this whole year.. So yeah thank so much for your input!
I’ve been hoping to see this feature introduced as well!