Writers are using their Substack publication milestones to share what they’ve learned so far, from what’s been working to what they’d like to try next.
I hit the first year anniversary a couple of months ago and I did exactly that, look back at one year of writing and analysis. It prompted me to reflect on all the companies and news I'd observed (I write on purpose-driven companies). It was quite an introspective exercise but very useful to take a step back and formalise things. In case you're interested (it's in French): https://machineasens.substack.com/p/49-1-an-de-newsletter-et-15-conseils
At the end of August I completed one year of TREE. The first five months were on Mailchimp. Then I moved to theforest.substack.com Over the course of the year, I posted 235 times, including 40 posts from 8 guest authors. I doubled my subscribers from September 2020 to August 2021. Here’s my thank you post; https://theforest.substack.com/p/-tree-235-thank-you
I’m a retired professional Rugby player who writing about Rugby and my struggles in retirement, and recently did my one-year milestone post. I started writing to improve my communication, and used my milestone post to announce “The Leap”- a 6 part series where I share how I’m about changing careers. Here’s the link that post and would love for it to be considered in a future roundup. Cheers.
I just marked one year and as I thought long and hard about things, I decided to pause paid subscriptions and make everything free for the foreseeable future. It's the right decision for me for now.
A little too soon to tell in terms of numbers, but I feel less stressed without having something I *must* deliver because someone is paying for it. It would be different if my Substack was my full-time job, but since it's not, I have to be realistic about my bandwidth and mental health.
This is interesting. Thank you for sharing. Seems most people want to hurry up and go paid. I am on the opposite side of the spectrum. For now, building an audience. I am curious, how many subscribers did you have before you went paid, and then how many chose to pay? I am also curious how many new subscribers you were getting when free vs. paid when you were charging. Thank you for your time answering this.
Hi, Valentina! Well, I did make that mistake of initially hurrying up and going paid after only a couple of weeks and a few dozen subscribers. My numbers are still quite paltry. I have about 200 subscribers and about 25 of them were paying when I paused paid subscriptions.
I don't know how long I've been here. I don't know if anyone reads my stuff. I have no interest in getting paid. I do like this platform, however. I check out the things I've stuck up here periodically and leave a comment on occasion. Thanks!
These stories are inspirational and motivational. It hasn't been a year for me, however, since I transferred my content to Substack, I have been writing consistently at least once per week. I publish once/week, I read more too. I am learning a ton too. Attending Substack Grow was a huge help! I write "Life Intelligence - Live More. Love More. Do More. Matter." Because, well, we all need more Life Intelligence :) www.vpetrova.com
I hit the first year anniversary a couple of months ago and I did exactly that, look back at one year of writing and analysis. It prompted me to reflect on all the companies and news I'd observed (I write on purpose-driven companies). It was quite an introspective exercise but very useful to take a step back and formalise things. In case you're interested (it's in French): https://machineasens.substack.com/p/49-1-an-de-newsletter-et-15-conseils
Merci!!!
At the end of August I completed one year of TREE. The first five months were on Mailchimp. Then I moved to theforest.substack.com Over the course of the year, I posted 235 times, including 40 posts from 8 guest authors. I doubled my subscribers from September 2020 to August 2021. Here’s my thank you post; https://theforest.substack.com/p/-tree-235-thank-you
Awesome Jeff, thank you for sharing!
This is very inspiring and good advice! I would love to read more of these milestone round-ups in the future.
https://amystery.substack.com/p/two-years-of-the-writing-life
Wonderful, Amy!
You should do a profile on jimmydoom.substack.com - he has released over 420 stories over the last year+!
Thank you for featuring me in this resource!
Thank you for writing up such a thoughtful reflection!
G’day Substack,
I’m a retired professional Rugby player who writing about Rugby and my struggles in retirement, and recently did my one-year milestone post. I started writing to improve my communication, and used my milestone post to announce “The Leap”- a 6 part series where I share how I’m about changing careers. Here’s the link that post and would love for it to be considered in a future roundup. Cheers.
https://benalexander.substack.com/p/what-next-for-bens-blog
PS: My emails to milestone@substackinc.com are bouncing. Not sure if anyone else is experience this?
Thank you for sharing, Ben! And thanks for flagging the email issue, we're looking into it.
The email should be working now, if you'd like to try again!
Some of my Substack related takeaways from my first year or two:
https://bloggingguide.com/substack-newsletter-review-and-tips/
Thank you Casey!
I just marked one year and as I thought long and hard about things, I decided to pause paid subscriptions and make everything free for the foreseeable future. It's the right decision for me for now.
How is that going?
A little too soon to tell in terms of numbers, but I feel less stressed without having something I *must* deliver because someone is paying for it. It would be different if my Substack was my full-time job, but since it's not, I have to be realistic about my bandwidth and mental health.
This is interesting. Thank you for sharing. Seems most people want to hurry up and go paid. I am on the opposite side of the spectrum. For now, building an audience. I am curious, how many subscribers did you have before you went paid, and then how many chose to pay? I am also curious how many new subscribers you were getting when free vs. paid when you were charging. Thank you for your time answering this.
Hi, Valentina! Well, I did make that mistake of initially hurrying up and going paid after only a couple of weeks and a few dozen subscribers. My numbers are still quite paltry. I have about 200 subscribers and about 25 of them were paying when I paused paid subscriptions.
Thanks for sharing!
I’m coming up on the six month mark soon, but I’m excited by these stories! Please continue sharing them with us.
I don't know how long I've been here. I don't know if anyone reads my stuff. I have no interest in getting paid. I do like this platform, however. I check out the things I've stuck up here periodically and leave a comment on occasion. Thanks!
With my Covid Newsletter I was wandering if Ii could invite them to make a donation to a fondation of my choice. But I do not know how...
These stories are inspirational and motivational. It hasn't been a year for me, however, since I transferred my content to Substack, I have been writing consistently at least once per week. I publish once/week, I read more too. I am learning a ton too. Attending Substack Grow was a huge help! I write "Life Intelligence - Live More. Love More. Do More. Matter." Because, well, we all need more Life Intelligence :) www.vpetrova.com