Being able to compose posts on one’s phone is a huge unlock. Most of the writers I know do their work on their phone as they move through their day. Not having to then move that all over to a desktop makes life a LOT easier.
I think I like the paywall archive the most. I like having my content be free but it might be nice to force someone to pay to read the really terrible stuff I wrote in the beginning.
I'm in the same boat. I love teaching people and spreading as much knowledge as I can, but if someone else values the information I have, then I need to make sure I also value myself and the time I spent learning the information in the first place.
A big shoutout to Substack for releasing tons of new features at a fast pace! You guys are really pushing the envelope and making it easier for people to create content and share it with the world. Keep up the great work! #SubstackRocks
I love all of these new additions. The settings redesign is a plus, and I can't wait to be able to write/edit on my (Android) phone! The only addition I do not like is the badges. If there was a way you could also honor/recognize the folks who are contributing great writing but who do not have thousands of subscribers, that would be preferable. Not everyone comes with huge followings, and it is discouraging to folks who are just starting out. We should be pursuing quality writing and substantive ideas instead of numbers, elitism, and popularity.
Excited to see in-app writing/editing in the list of new features. That'll be really helpful on the go. Hoping we get chat on desktop sometime in the near future, which would be awesome.
The redesign of the Settings page has been a welcome addition. Thanks for that!
The "bestsellers badges" remain a despised abomination that masses of us spoke loudly against on their roll-out, yet Substack continues to promote. Why? I am now consciously aware of them wherever I read and have made the decision to instead place my support behind unpaid and smaller paid publications without the obnoxious badge. Had the badges not been there, the income of authors I read would never have been on my radar. What the badges stand for is grotesque. Substack should make display of badges optional for authors so we can see who the vain and shallow status-seekers writers are and decide for ourselves whether or not to support them.
The badges are a dog, and I find it hard to believe Substack rolled them out anyway after the throttling they were given when announced a few weeks back.
Yes, they promised to "review" and give our concerns "serious consideration," haha. Sure. In other words, we got the finger and they did whatever they wanted anyway.
I like your take on this! Now you have ideas on the income of a writer instead of enjoying the publication and may feel like you add to something that props up money
Omg, composing on the iPhone app is amazing. I do most of my writing on my phone and this makes it so much more seamless. The continued innovation is extraordinary.
One major addition to that as an early tweak: ability to save as drafts from mobile, in case further edits on desktop or for an editor to review and publish.
I am new on Substack, but enjoying it so far. In comparison to my blog – too much non-writing work to have the simplest blog – I am able to focus on writing. Really boosted my productivity. I am excited about the paywall to archive option too.
All of these new tools are wonderful and much appreciated! My comment doesn't pertain to them so I'm perhaps posting it in the wrong place. The recent batch of Substack stories on growth that have been shared have been inspiring and yet have also shaken my confidence and made me wonder if I'm doing something wrong. Perhaps I am?? I'm definitely growing each month--both free and paid--but at a much more modest rate! Are there success stories of people who chugged along rather than soared? Or perhaps insight into how to soar more easily? Haha. My newsletter is doing well! But after reading some of the latest success stories it's not doing as well as I'd thought!
Hi Jane, thank you for your feedback! I wish we could interview every writer on Substack for the series because there are so many different ways writers grow—and I think you are right, most are slow and steady. Your asking a great question and I will see how our team might be able to spotlight more of these stories in the new year.
Being able to compose posts on one’s phone is a huge unlock. Most of the writers I know do their work on their phone as they move through their day. Not having to then move that all over to a desktop makes life a LOT easier.
It was such ecstacy to read in-app editing! A NEED for me as an at-home caregiver... It's so rare I can just plop down and write in one place.
Agreed! Really excited about this development.
I think I like the paywall archive the most. I like having my content be free but it might be nice to force someone to pay to read the really terrible stuff I wrote in the beginning.
Pay for the pain of my early writing! Haha, love it
Honestly though, the new stuff isn’t that much better 🤷🏻♂️
Lol
I like this idea, too. I've hemmed and hawed about starting a paywall. This seems like it might be a gentler way in!
I'm in the same boat. I love teaching people and spreading as much knowledge as I can, but if someone else values the information I have, then I need to make sure I also value myself and the time I spent learning the information in the first place.
100%. I've moved the paywall back & forth between dates, but have settled on keeping it (roughly) a month back.
Lol. I’ve left everything up in case some intrepid soul wants to find those early editions.
Yeah, there’s no pot of gold at the end of that rainbow. But if you’re willing to go on the journey I’ll happily take your money.
How about a reverse paywall, where if people are exposed to my content I would be charged back (against their subscription)
Think of it like a rabbit-hole fee.
Ha!
A big shoutout to Substack for releasing tons of new features at a fast pace! You guys are really pushing the envelope and making it easier for people to create content and share it with the world. Keep up the great work! #SubstackRocks
I love all of these new additions. The settings redesign is a plus, and I can't wait to be able to write/edit on my (Android) phone! The only addition I do not like is the badges. If there was a way you could also honor/recognize the folks who are contributing great writing but who do not have thousands of subscribers, that would be preferable. Not everyone comes with huge followings, and it is discouraging to folks who are just starting out. We should be pursuing quality writing and substantive ideas instead of numbers, elitism, and popularity.
Getting that first badge of 100 paid subscribers is my goal for 2023 ❤️🔥
Hopefully Oprah or somebody plugs my Substack. That’s really the only way.
You got this!
Let’s gooooo!
Yes! Me, too!
In-app editing?! SWEET ECSTACY!
The features are so so bomb and much appreciated, Substack team!
damn, do less substack 🔥 🔥 🔥
haha. Right?
Excited to see in-app writing/editing in the list of new features. That'll be really helpful on the go. Hoping we get chat on desktop sometime in the near future, which would be awesome.
The redesign of the Settings page has been a welcome addition. Thanks for that!
The "bestsellers badges" remain a despised abomination that masses of us spoke loudly against on their roll-out, yet Substack continues to promote. Why? I am now consciously aware of them wherever I read and have made the decision to instead place my support behind unpaid and smaller paid publications without the obnoxious badge. Had the badges not been there, the income of authors I read would never have been on my radar. What the badges stand for is grotesque. Substack should make display of badges optional for authors so we can see who the vain and shallow status-seekers writers are and decide for ourselves whether or not to support them.
The badges are a dog, and I find it hard to believe Substack rolled them out anyway after the throttling they were given when announced a few weeks back.
Yes, they promised to "review" and give our concerns "serious consideration," haha. Sure. In other words, we got the finger and they did whatever they wanted anyway.
I like your take on this! Now you have ideas on the income of a writer instead of enjoying the publication and may feel like you add to something that props up money
Exactly. It takes the focus away from the writing and puts it on $$$, which for me is a huge turnoff.
Omg, composing on the iPhone app is amazing. I do most of my writing on my phone and this makes it so much more seamless. The continued innovation is extraordinary.
I just noticed the Settings redesign today. It looks great! Thanks for making it easier to find these things. Keep up the great work, team!
At times when I try to leave a comment, I find it closed to all but paying members. That's the main reason I keep mine free.
Agree that feature is soo irksome as a reader but totally makes sense as an incentivizer to pay, so i get it! ha.
It’s an incentive but you should be able to choose who can comment, or not. I do in the settings for each post and save it.
In-app posting is a huge deal.
One major addition to that as an early tweak: ability to save as drafts from mobile, in case further edits on desktop or for an editor to review and publish.
Great feedback, thank you! We'll work on this, I'm sure.
I am new on Substack, but enjoying it so far. In comparison to my blog – too much non-writing work to have the simplest blog – I am able to focus on writing. Really boosted my productivity. I am excited about the paywall to archive option too.
Music to our ears :)
Thank you for listening to us, Substack! You keep getting better.
All of these new tools are wonderful and much appreciated! My comment doesn't pertain to them so I'm perhaps posting it in the wrong place. The recent batch of Substack stories on growth that have been shared have been inspiring and yet have also shaken my confidence and made me wonder if I'm doing something wrong. Perhaps I am?? I'm definitely growing each month--both free and paid--but at a much more modest rate! Are there success stories of people who chugged along rather than soared? Or perhaps insight into how to soar more easily? Haha. My newsletter is doing well! But after reading some of the latest success stories it's not doing as well as I'd thought!
Hi Jane, thank you for your feedback! I wish we could interview every writer on Substack for the series because there are so many different ways writers grow—and I think you are right, most are slow and steady. Your asking a great question and I will see how our team might be able to spotlight more of these stories in the new year.
Jane, the latest growth piece featured two very nice examples like what you describe, but they were dead last in the list.
Hah. Maybe I ran out of steam before I got to them. Thank you for letting me know… I will circle back!
I can see why that would happen.
Thank you, Katie! Much appreciated!
You’re not alone, Jane. Same here. Slow but steady growth! We’re the norm 🤗
Michael Mohr
‘Sincere American Writing’
https://michaelmohr.substack.com/
Thanks, Michael! Good to hear from a kindred Substack grower!
Yes!!!