Office Party! There’s so much wisdom in the Writers at Work community whether you’ve been on the platform for 6 years or 6 seconds.
Newbies and Veterans, give us your best Substack advice. It might be on how to get your first post out or how to celebrate when you get your first paid subscriber. Or it’s wisdom gleaned from two years of writing headlines. Or insights into word count, creating community, or writing sentences that sing. Anything!
Here’s how it works:
In all caps, give us the one-word topic of your advice, e.g., POSTING or NOTES
Then share what you’ve learned/discovered
Include the URL of your Substack
Find at least 2 other pieces of advice in this thread that resonate with you, comment, thank them, and share their wisdom on Notes! Click the little wheel or click share.
BONUS: Check out their Substack and maybe even subscribe.
This is us taking the W@W Office Party to the streets! Let’s spread the wisdom far and wide!
Newbies and Veterans, give us your best Substack advice. It might be on how to get your first post out or how to celebrate when you get your first paid subscriber. Or it’s wisdom gleaned from two years of writing headlines. Or insights into word count, creating community, or writing sentences that sing. Anything!
Here’s how this works:
-In all caps, give us the one-word topic of your advice, e.g., POSTING or NOTES, anything
-Then share what you’ve learned/discovered
-Include the URL of your Substack
-Find at least 2 other pieces of advice in this thread that resonate with you, comment, thank them, and share their wisdom on Notes! (Click the little wheel or click share.)
-BONUS: Check out their Substack and maybe even subscribe.
Hi this one's for the Newbies - I'm a year in here so I'm no expert, but I've gone from 0 to 300+ and earned almost $6K in the first year - so I think some of my observations from the field with an inde/outsider flare might be helpful to some! https://sleepyhollowink.substack.com/p/hack-your-substack-10-tips. Enjoy!
This isn’t as sexy as the kind of advice I usually love to give like, be generous in Notes, Restacks and Comments. Or once you press 'publish', let go of what comes next. Like releasing a message in a bottle, surrender control and be happy that you were brave enough to let your words set sail into the unknown. ✨
But it’s one the things I am so glad I did last month.
I shared this on my latest Substack diaries, but it’s worth repeating here because I wish I did it sooner!
I changed over my personal address in Substack to an email address I created SOLELY for Substack. Now I open up my “substack” email, like I open up a magazine, with all my fav newsletters ready to be read and comments etc to reply to! Game changer!!
Mika this is such a cool idea — I love the app for this reason. It's been fun noticing how I now reach to read longer pieces instead of SCROLL SCROLL SCROLL everywhere else.
Great! Oh, yeah, I don't do paid for my own stack, but I pay for a couple subscriptions and just wondered if my payment card would still be matched to my new email. Thanks for your help!
Done!! Thank you again for these wonderful Friday prompts. I am feeling more comfortable each week to party along with you all! Have a wonderful, magical weekend :)
Think of showing up for your Substack as showing up for yourself. Because you deserve it. Give your Substack love and others will feel it pouring through.
You don't need to apologize if you send your newsletter out a day or a week late or even if you skip a week. Most of your subscribers don't notice and the apology draws attention to it. New writers often get the advice to "stick to a schedule" and "pick a cadence" but this doesn't work for everyone.
Your readers would rather hear from you when you've got something interesting to say, not because it's a Wednesday.
Sometimes, when the idea sparks, you have to follow it, stoke it. I love your advice because it not only speaks to our hectic lives, but the “in the moment” way writing inspiration can manifest, that “when you have something to say,” is most important.
I wrote a spontaneous post. in real-time, about accepting a last-minute invitation. I was short on time and extremely nervous. My fingers didn't cooperate with me, and there were many typos. The closest I came to editing it was to add "I'm not editing this" to the beginning. At the end, I said I'd follow-up.
I haven't written the follow-up, and it's been weeks. After a day or two of not having the chance to write it, the momentum is gone, and it wouldn't have the same energy... I'm not even going to mention it.
This is so good! I realized that this year. I missed a post and wanted to hop back in the next week with a "sorry" but then I realized, no one cares! That was so freeing. On the flip side, when I just started with Substack I accidentally published a post TWICE within minutes of each other. I thought it hadn't posted because I didn't receive and email with my post. I was mortified and thought about sending another post to apologize but luckily I phoned a friend first. She was like, "who hasn't done this? Say nothing. I repeat, say nothing!" And when I thought about it I flashed to all the apology emails I'd received over the years for such things and was like, yeah, who needs yet another email for me?
This is the advise I started giving myself only recently after years of agonizing over being a day or few days late. Now ‘the sky is not going to fall if I miss a day’ and ‘I don't need to apologize’ have become my new mantras.
@dizzyzaba nice advice here. I’m not perfectly publishing on the date I plan to publish. I don’t really pay too much attention to the day the people I subscribe to publish. I think you’re right on this!
Love this advice -- and need to follow it myself more often. Every newsletter seems to start out with, "I had every intention of getting this out on time, but then [INSERT SHIT NO ONE CARES ABOUT] ..." Thanks!
This is a relief to hear. I agonised over getting posts out every Wednesday and Saturday no matter what, then the strain turned out to be too much and I'd give up entirely for weeks (ok, sometimes months) at a time and feel like a failure... bit of a cycle. or I'd put stuff out that wasn't as good just to have something out on the promised day.
Thank you for taking me "off the hook" for skipping a week. I was just about to apologize for skipping a post in a series I've developed, but I'd really be apologizing to myself for letting myself down. And that's just unnecessary.
Don't try to be cute. Be yourself. You are on a journey to find the people who resonate with your message. Some will, some won't, so what. People are resonating with your content even if they don't comment.
Also, I prefer to keep mine short so they can read it and get an actionable takeaway.
Don't fall into the trap of thinking what you have to share has already been done. No one has heard it in YOUR voice yet. You are unique and the world is best served when you are uniquely you, not someone else.
Yes to this! People often say Be Yourself, but you've given good reasons to do so. People have not yet heard a point of view in YOUR voice. So even if you are writing about a familiar topic, there can definitely be a new take on it.
I often start writing something, then before it's done, the same topic is in the news! Then I consider what makes my POV unique, and reshape the post.
Awesome point, Tarek. There was a time when I was very concerned I was getting few comments and now I recognize I am similar to my readers. I can really appreciate something I read and also not comment on it (plus, most of my readers are only on email and not Substack).
I invited them to hit reply and while I'd be happy to hear from them in that way, my CTA is more about them hitting a "Share" button.
I’ve been watching where I get most of my reads and followers of a very nascent substack. I thought social like Threads, or even X/Twitter might get the most attention. But I get somewhere between 11-30% of my readers from posts with links on LinkedIn. I was rather surprised. My LinkedIn felt very “okay-ish.” But, it just went to show me that I should pay attention to the analytics, and not rely on what I think. My LinkedIn is my oldest account, and what I’ll call “old Twitter” was more established than other places. So your analytics might be better on other platforms. It’s just a matter of giving time and attention to the tool, and watching the trends.
Also, I have very modest expectations for my substack, which I should probably have lead with.
I have only been on Substack as a writer for about 2 weeks - I figured out through my settings tab how to update color, font, layout, etc of my page - which makes it feel more like me and something to be proud of! I like that you can see a preview of what emails will look like - it has been a lot of playing and learning but it is fueling the right side of my brain - so I'm all for it.
Thanks for sharing! I'm very new...like today new....and am still trying to figure out how to change the design of my page. Any tips or advice on how you figured yours out? (Your site looks beautiful!) I was also thinking that maybe mine doesn't look great yet since I only have three posts up...
Yes! Go to your writer dashboard, then settings, then under basics it says site design, then click customize. It’s easier to do on a laptop but doable on a phone!
If your publications revolves around a specific niche, consider writing a few guides or 101 on xyz topic type pieces. You might think I don’t have a relevant topic to do that for but I did it with Indian food and you can do it too. Go as specific as you can so I have a 101 for Dahl, Roti and an Indian Pantry shopping list. They’ve been my most popular posts yet.
I never notice (or even know if there's a way to notice) that comments on a post are open only to paid subscribers until I get to the end of the post. If I feel compelled to comment, I use a workaround I haven't heard of anyone doing. Maybe it's a common thing people are doing; I don't know.
Sounds like cheating, doesn't it? I thought so, too, when I thought of it, but I came to the conclusion that likely reasons to close comments to free subscribers and the rest of the world are: 1) Protect your time from hacks and trolls/keep the thread "clean" 2) Preserve your time so that you can respond to more (or all) of your paid subscribers.
The workaround doesn't infringe upon either of those, so I don't feel like there's an ethics violation in it.
The workaround is simple: Restack with a Note. Easy-peasy. Anyone else doing this?
Having recently added a supplementary piece as a thank you to paid subscribers right at the end of my regular letter, I learned that Substack limit comments, which doesn’t work for me as a writer. So yes, restacking with a comment is a good workaround, but I would like to be able to control this myself and allow everyone to comment. Meanwhile, no paywall. Hope that makes sense!
Listen, if you haven’t done something you planned to. If you’ve dropped the ball, fallen off the bandwagon— whatever it is. It’s a good thing! You aren’t measured by how consistent you are. This is life and sh*t happens. But because you’re so awesome you know how to just begin again.
Here’s how to fail at everything you planned and still feel might good about it.
One of the things I do to personalize my experiences with my community is responding by name. There is something so sweet about taking the time to respond to someone by their name. If it’s not above their name, take the time to look for it.
Addressing someone by their name (make sure it’s spelled write) allows people to not just be seen but KNOW they are seen.
I love this, my dad always does this in person, too. Whether we would be out to eat and asking the server their name, and then thanking them by name. It really makes a difference. As a nurse, when my patients call me by name, it's amazing how good that feels. Thank you for sharing, Josefina! :)
This is a great one! It's a skill I work on in real life, too. People always say, "I'm bad with names." But I think that is a choice. I always say, "I'm good with names and faces." Even though it isn't always true it tells my brain that this is something we value and helps me connect with people a little more.
When I write, I picture a good friend and I write as if I’m talking to only her. This helps my writing flow because it’s a way to be myself and not overthink it. I think whoever your audience is, picturing that person and writing for the one, you are writing for those who the substack is for. 🙏
I saw this on a rabbit hole I went down in the Notes party thread, thank you @SethWerkheiser I'd started to go off on probably too many tangents and this is now something I ask myself everytime I write, am I bringing people into my world? You can visit my world here...😉 https://joscottartist.substack.com/
One of my early mentors, the great Sun Ra, once said "You made a mistake, you did something wrong; now make another mistake and do something right." Do not give this stuff up - if you write and publish something that you think sucks, write and publish something else.
Close to 50% of my Substack subscribers has come from other's recommendations (albeit my count is still small at 150). I would say find kindred spirit in your subject and clap, comment, encourage these writers, as when they take off, they will take you with them if they like your work!
Recommend generously - no need to limit to 3 or 5 - some people recommend 35! I have watched her grow from 100 to 2000 in 3 months (obviously with quality and consistent writing too)
Thanks Renee. Someone once said, while there are probably a lot of us writing about same subject matter (in my case finance), but each one offers a unique angle due to our different experiences. So we all learn from each other.
And this is what I love about Substack - no competition, just genuinely cheering each other on because even if people have similar newsletters, we are all different in our own ways. We should always be supporting one another!
and started a my Substack with very little understanding about how this platform works. I could instantly recognize that the vibe here is unlike anything I’ve seen before, and that alone gave me the confidence to stop ignoring that “itch” to write about my nomadic life.
Posts like this one are such a GOLD MINE for newbies like me, and I love the invitation to engage. I’m finally starting to realize that I don’t need permission to comment, and that no one is going to jump down my throat for doing so. Thank you!!
I try to record audio for my posts (especially the longer ones) so folks can listen to them in addition to reading. I've been surprised by how this has helped me grow. More than once a reader has commented on listening to a post while on a walk or in the car. A friend of mine even said, "I heard your latest podcast episode ..." I chuckled and thought, "great, folks have been telling me I need a podcast for years."
What I'm doing is not a podcast in anyway BTW. I literally just read what I have written. I'm not perfect on these recordings. I mess up. I ad lib. There's zero music or any fancy editing. I think of it like talking to a friend. But, this offers more accessibility to my writing. A long post might be intimidating but when someone sees it's only 10 minutes long, they may be more likely to engage.
Another potential bonus for those who are seeking to grow paid subscriptions, I just learned from Sarah Fay that if you use the record audio feature in Substack, you can gate the audio for paid subscribers only. This may be something I play with in the future.
Thank you Kelsey! I just recorded mine for my weekly post that will go up tomorrow! I'd love to do a podcast at some point so this was an easy entry point.
I've been doing this too. And its also very fun. Today I couldn't get my audio done because I have covid, but I'll just have to settle for posting something and feeling good about that.
that's lovely! working on my submission now; excited to see all the cool ideas we generate! even better when there are unexpected benefits to something we put out.
Adding onto a previous comment about not apologizing, when I haven’t written in a while, I start to get this feeling that I should just quit. Does it look better to not be on at all than to be eratic? But than I post and I feel better, never worse. I show up and come back into the community. No apologies.
The "not apologizing" comment resonated with me, too. So does yours.
I let my publication title go dormant for years until I started my Substack, then I got it out of mothballs and dusted it off. I returned to Repurposed Kate.
I think it's everything to write from the heart, to follow your bliss, the light of your longing and ache.
To unselfconciously write for writings sake.
I'm not always sure of the singularity of muse or subject in the words that fall out. It's like I'm showing up to witness them, as much my readers do for me. That's quite a thing. Obviously for them to have resonance in other people's lives is part of the alchemy of writing and reading.
Quality over quantity. You may think you don't have much to say this week but if it has value, say it! A short post is highly likely to be read first by a reader as they set aside longer posts for when they have more time. If it is only a sentence or two, turn it into a meme. Bottom line, speak up. I love this post, it's like a pyramid letter only in a good way.❤️ HTTPS://Writersshowase.Substack.com
I’m new to Substack, and my whole career (ok my life probably 😅) has been defined by my uncanny ability to know what other people want and make it for them. I literally get paid by other companies to tell them what to make and how to sell.
So when it came to my own work, I was so excited at the idea that this was my space to make things that delight me. And then I started getting more readers!! And then I started to worry if what I was making would be what they wanted. And I started making things based on my guess of what people might want from me instead of what I was feeling curious about.
I very quickly stopped having fun, and not long after that, what had seemed like an infinite well of inspiration dried right up.
I had to be really honest and recognize that I had started trying to productize my work by taking myself out of the equation — literally the opposite of why all those folks started following me in the first place 🫠
As soon as I went back to my pleasure, my love, my enjoyment, I had a big breakthrough about both my content and the value of my offer.
I also spoke with some readers who helped me connect with what they love about my work, and lo and behold, it was the same thing I love about it 🤪
Anyway, don’t forget to enjoy it — I love reading the work of people who are having an irresistibly good time.
Great advice! I am just getting started here on Substack and I'm excited about the possibility of creating whatever the heck I want. But so far, the two times I have posted, I have spent a ridiculous amount of time thinking about whether or not I "should" post. Old programming dies hard. But I refuse to give up trying to find what pleases me. Thanks for the reminder that it does matter.
OMG, Yes to all this! I'm writing about "finding my voice" in middle age after a lifetime of caregiving and people-pleasing. It's so much harder than it sounds.
Don't be shy to comment on posts or other peoples Notes! I made wonderful connections thanks to Notes and most people here on Substack are very kind and welcoming.
It’s ok to experiment, to try, fail and share your vulnerability and your awesomeness. To change, evolve and grow together.
I find it comforting that I can always trust my readers to stay when they love the content, to leave when it’s no longer relevant for them and to send it and share when they find it inspiring.
I’ve felt such fatigue with all the calls to action and attention-grabbing techniques these last years online, I think because we’re sometimes so insecure that no one will see if we’re not shouting from the rooftops. So now I try trusting my readers and being more patient.
And there is less pressure on me too! It’s a win win all around 🎊
I think this is beautiful, Laure — it speaks to the very American feeling of IF IT ISN'T ACTIVELY GROWING IT IS DEAD. What a nice reminder that there are many ways to experience and find value in a creative act
My Substack motto has become “Fail Out Loud” - it allows me to try things, to set the hare running before I’m sure the dogs are ready, to experiment. What I’ve found is a community so supportive and open to ideas that no matter what happens, nobody cares how I feared they would and everybody cares in the way I only dreamt was possible before I built my home here. So try things, fail out loud, pick yourself up, fail better. We are all doing the same and out of this beautiful, daring effort at life, creations are born that make all our lives feel better.
Newbies and Veterans, give us your best Substack advice. It might be on how to get your first post out or how to celebrate when you get your first paid subscriber. Or it’s wisdom gleaned from two years of writing headlines. Or insights into word count, creating community, or writing sentences that sing. Anything!
Here’s how this works:
-In all caps, give us the one-word topic of your advice, e.g., POSTING or NOTES, anything
-Then share what you’ve learned/discovered
-Include the URL of your Substack
-Find at least 2 other pieces of advice in this thread that resonate with you, comment, thank them, and share their wisdom on Notes! (Click the little wheel or click share.)
-BONUS: Check out their Substack and maybe even subscribe.
GROWING
Hi this one's for the Newbies - I'm a year in here so I'm no expert, but I've gone from 0 to 300+ and earned almost $6K in the first year - so I think some of my observations from the field with an inde/outsider flare might be helpful to some! https://sleepyhollowink.substack.com/p/hack-your-substack-10-tips. Enjoy!
EMAIL OVERWHELM
This isn’t as sexy as the kind of advice I usually love to give like, be generous in Notes, Restacks and Comments. Or once you press 'publish', let go of what comes next. Like releasing a message in a bottle, surrender control and be happy that you were brave enough to let your words set sail into the unknown. ✨
But it’s one the things I am so glad I did last month.
I shared this on my latest Substack diaries, but it’s worth repeating here because I wish I did it sooner!
I changed over my personal address in Substack to an email address I created SOLELY for Substack. Now I open up my “substack” email, like I open up a magazine, with all my fav newsletters ready to be read and comments etc to reply to! Game changer!!
https://musingsbymika.substack.com/p/substack-diaries-27-to-180-in-a-month
That is a great idea! I'm already terrible at keeping up with my email - so this would help!
I love this suggestion! I turned email notifications off but I feel like I miss some things. This is a great way to approach it!
Mika this is such a cool idea — I love the app for this reason. It's been fun noticing how I now reach to read longer pieces instead of SCROLL SCROLL SCROLL everywhere else.
Exactly!!
What a great idea! Was it as simple as it sounds? It didn't mess anything up as far as your subscriptions or payments or anything?
I don’t do paid subscription so not sure about that. It was super simple, settings and then edit email 😊
Great! Oh, yeah, I don't do paid for my own stack, but I pay for a couple subscriptions and just wondered if my payment card would still be matched to my new email. Thanks for your help!
Oo good question. It seemed ok.
totally agree!
Done!! Thank you again for these wonderful Friday prompts. I am feeling more comfortable each week to party along with you all! Have a wonderful, magical weekend :)
CONSISTENCY IN POSTING
Think of showing up for your Substack as showing up for yourself. Because you deserve it. Give your Substack love and others will feel it pouring through.
https://tanmeetsethimd.substack.com
excellent point indeed.
This is such a good point! Consistency is defintely one of the best ways to keep your readers and get discovered more.
Excellent advice, thank you!
This is SUCH a great thread! You're amazing, Sarah!
COMMENTS
Read a post you like? Share on notes and comment. It’s a great way to connect.
https://substack.com/@blingnotbling?utm_source=user-menu
Thank you for the office party!
Commenting is my fav part of Substack. I love dropping and receiving comments!
Definitely! There's nothing like a recommendation and I love the way that Notes can take you sideways to new inspiration.
Absolutely!
APOLOGIZING
You don't need to apologize if you send your newsletter out a day or a week late or even if you skip a week. Most of your subscribers don't notice and the apology draws attention to it. New writers often get the advice to "stick to a schedule" and "pick a cadence" but this doesn't work for everyone.
Your readers would rather hear from you when you've got something interesting to say, not because it's a Wednesday.
https://demarcation.substack.com/
Sometimes, when the idea sparks, you have to follow it, stoke it. I love your advice because it not only speaks to our hectic lives, but the “in the moment” way writing inspiration can manifest, that “when you have something to say,” is most important.
I agree 100%
I wrote a spontaneous post. in real-time, about accepting a last-minute invitation. I was short on time and extremely nervous. My fingers didn't cooperate with me, and there were many typos. The closest I came to editing it was to add "I'm not editing this" to the beginning. At the end, I said I'd follow-up.
I haven't written the follow-up, and it's been weeks. After a day or two of not having the chance to write it, the momentum is gone, and it wouldn't have the same energy... I'm not even going to mention it.
Also, you are all now sworn to secrecy. lol.
I could not agree more!
Why bother to write a ‘sorry I’m exhausted’ post, no one wants to read that. 👏👏
This is so good! I realized that this year. I missed a post and wanted to hop back in the next week with a "sorry" but then I realized, no one cares! That was so freeing. On the flip side, when I just started with Substack I accidentally published a post TWICE within minutes of each other. I thought it hadn't posted because I didn't receive and email with my post. I was mortified and thought about sending another post to apologize but luckily I phoned a friend first. She was like, "who hasn't done this? Say nothing. I repeat, say nothing!" And when I thought about it I flashed to all the apology emails I'd received over the years for such things and was like, yeah, who needs yet another email for me?
This is the advise I started giving myself only recently after years of agonizing over being a day or few days late. Now ‘the sky is not going to fall if I miss a day’ and ‘I don't need to apologize’ have become my new mantras.
SO TRUE - no-one notices!
@dizzyzaba nice advice here. I’m not perfectly publishing on the date I plan to publish. I don’t really pay too much attention to the day the people I subscribe to publish. I think you’re right on this!
Love this advice -- and need to follow it myself more often. Every newsletter seems to start out with, "I had every intention of getting this out on time, but then [INSERT SHIT NO ONE CARES ABOUT] ..." Thanks!
This is a relief to hear. I agonised over getting posts out every Wednesday and Saturday no matter what, then the strain turned out to be too much and I'd give up entirely for weeks (ok, sometimes months) at a time and feel like a failure... bit of a cycle. or I'd put stuff out that wasn't as good just to have something out on the promised day.
I needed this reminder. Thank you for the permission slip.
took me a while to stop thinking like this. i am more consistent now, but i'd always be like "sorry for being gone!" if I took a break.
Thank you for taking me "off the hook" for skipping a week. I was just about to apologize for skipping a post in a series I've developed, but I'd really be apologizing to myself for letting myself down. And that's just unnecessary.
Totally! Give yourself a break, I’m sure your audience would prefer you turn up refreshed and not frazzled. 👏👏
ENGAGING CONTENT
Don't try to be cute. Be yourself. You are on a journey to find the people who resonate with your message. Some will, some won't, so what. People are resonating with your content even if they don't comment.
Also, I prefer to keep mine short so they can read it and get an actionable takeaway.
Don't fall into the trap of thinking what you have to share has already been done. No one has heard it in YOUR voice yet. You are unique and the world is best served when you are uniquely you, not someone else.
www.tareks.blog
Yes to this! People often say Be Yourself, but you've given good reasons to do so. People have not yet heard a point of view in YOUR voice. So even if you are writing about a familiar topic, there can definitely be a new take on it.
I often start writing something, then before it's done, the same topic is in the news! Then I consider what makes my POV unique, and reshape the post.
https://theindiaink.substack.com/
Well said Yamuna! Have an excellent day.
Ditto to all of this!
Thanks Jo! It’s a process isn’t it? I’m still trying to give up perfection.
Thank you for this, incredibly helpful.
Thanks Niki! I’ve only been doing this a few months so I’m in learning mode as well!
I could definitely do a better job of focusing my content on value....
Sometimes I get carried away with trying to make it perfect!
My struggle as well! Perfection is dead. Let’s have the real Boysie!!!
You are so right!
The world needs the real Melissa!
Love it Tarek. Sharing of yourself makes it more fun and less of a chore.
Isn’t it much easier just to be you? Amen to that Vince.
Awesome point, Tarek. There was a time when I was very concerned I was getting few comments and now I recognize I am similar to my readers. I can really appreciate something I read and also not comment on it (plus, most of my readers are only on email and not Substack).
I invited them to hit reply and while I'd be happy to hear from them in that way, my CTA is more about them hitting a "Share" button.
Just gave similar advice! Totally agree
Great minds Lauren! ;-)
SHARING LINKS
I’ve been watching where I get most of my reads and followers of a very nascent substack. I thought social like Threads, or even X/Twitter might get the most attention. But I get somewhere between 11-30% of my readers from posts with links on LinkedIn. I was rather surprised. My LinkedIn felt very “okay-ish.” But, it just went to show me that I should pay attention to the analytics, and not rely on what I think. My LinkedIn is my oldest account, and what I’ll call “old Twitter” was more established than other places. So your analytics might be better on other platforms. It’s just a matter of giving time and attention to the tool, and watching the trends.
Also, I have very modest expectations for my substack, which I should probably have lead with.
https://reneeknicholson.substack.com/
DESIGN
I have only been on Substack as a writer for about 2 weeks - I figured out through my settings tab how to update color, font, layout, etc of my page - which makes it feel more like me and something to be proud of! I like that you can see a preview of what emails will look like - it has been a lot of playing and learning but it is fueling the right side of my brain - so I'm all for it.
My substack is nataliehenning.substack.com - would love to meet you there! This thread is great!
Thanks for sharing! I'm very new...like today new....and am still trying to figure out how to change the design of my page. Any tips or advice on how you figured yours out? (Your site looks beautiful!) I was also thinking that maybe mine doesn't look great yet since I only have three posts up...
Yes! Go to your writer dashboard, then settings, then under basics it says site design, then click customize. It’s easier to do on a laptop but doable on a phone!
GUIDES AND OBVIOUS STUFF
If your publications revolves around a specific niche, consider writing a few guides or 101 on xyz topic type pieces. You might think I don’t have a relevant topic to do that for but I did it with Indian food and you can do it too. Go as specific as you can so I have a 101 for Dahl, Roti and an Indian Pantry shopping list. They’ve been my most popular posts yet.
http://perzen.substack.com
COMMENTS / NOTES / RESTACK
I never notice (or even know if there's a way to notice) that comments on a post are open only to paid subscribers until I get to the end of the post. If I feel compelled to comment, I use a workaround I haven't heard of anyone doing. Maybe it's a common thing people are doing; I don't know.
Sounds like cheating, doesn't it? I thought so, too, when I thought of it, but I came to the conclusion that likely reasons to close comments to free subscribers and the rest of the world are: 1) Protect your time from hacks and trolls/keep the thread "clean" 2) Preserve your time so that you can respond to more (or all) of your paid subscribers.
The workaround doesn't infringe upon either of those, so I don't feel like there's an ethics violation in it.
The workaround is simple: Restack with a Note. Easy-peasy. Anyone else doing this?
https://repurposedkate.substack.com
Having recently added a supplementary piece as a thank you to paid subscribers right at the end of my regular letter, I learned that Substack limit comments, which doesn’t work for me as a writer. So yes, restacking with a comment is a good workaround, but I would like to be able to control this myself and allow everyone to comment. Meanwhile, no paywall. Hope that makes sense!
BEGIN AGAIN
Listen, if you haven’t done something you planned to. If you’ve dropped the ball, fallen off the bandwagon— whatever it is. It’s a good thing! You aren’t measured by how consistent you are. This is life and sh*t happens. But because you’re so awesome you know how to just begin again.
Here’s how to fail at everything you planned and still feel might good about it.
https://open.substack.com/pub/niftyjacob/p/what-happens-when-its-not-a-new-year?r=584m&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
One of the things I do to personalize my experiences with my community is responding by name. There is something so sweet about taking the time to respond to someone by their name. If it’s not above their name, take the time to look for it.
Addressing someone by their name (make sure it’s spelled write) allows people to not just be seen but KNOW they are seen.
https://cuidate.substack.com
love this! great advice. Thanks, Josefina :)
I love this, my dad always does this in person, too. Whether we would be out to eat and asking the server their name, and then thanking them by name. It really makes a difference. As a nurse, when my patients call me by name, it's amazing how good that feels. Thank you for sharing, Josefina! :)
This is a great one! It's a skill I work on in real life, too. People always say, "I'm bad with names." But I think that is a choice. I always say, "I'm good with names and faces." Even though it isn't always true it tells my brain that this is something we value and helps me connect with people a little more.
https://rosalindaroman.substack.com
POSTING
When I write, I picture a good friend and I write as if I’m talking to only her. This helps my writing flow because it’s a way to be myself and not overthink it. I think whoever your audience is, picturing that person and writing for the one, you are writing for those who the substack is for. 🙏
https://latebloomersclub.substack.com/
KEEP THEM IN YOUR WORLD
I saw this on a rabbit hole I went down in the Notes party thread, thank you @SethWerkheiser I'd started to go off on probably too many tangents and this is now something I ask myself everytime I write, am I bringing people into my world? You can visit my world here...😉 https://joscottartist.substack.com/
Love this Jo! I need to filter through this lens often.
MAKE ANOTHER MISTAKE
One of my early mentors, the great Sun Ra, once said "You made a mistake, you did something wrong; now make another mistake and do something right." Do not give this stuff up - if you write and publish something that you think sucks, write and publish something else.
I'm Not Complaining - https://notcomplaining.substack.com
RECOMMENDING GENEROUSLY
Close to 50% of my Substack subscribers has come from other's recommendations (albeit my count is still small at 150). I would say find kindred spirit in your subject and clap, comment, encourage these writers, as when they take off, they will take you with them if they like your work!
Recommend generously - no need to limit to 3 or 5 - some people recommend 35! I have watched her grow from 100 to 2000 in 3 months (obviously with quality and consistent writing too)
Welcome to The Learner's Mind: https://marianneo.substack.com
There is an abundance mentality that feels just right in your advice.
Thanks Renee. Someone once said, while there are probably a lot of us writing about same subject matter (in my case finance), but each one offers a unique angle due to our different experiences. So we all learn from each other.
And this is what I love about Substack - no competition, just genuinely cheering each other on because even if people have similar newsletters, we are all different in our own ways. We should always be supporting one another!
Nicely said!!
POSTS LIKE THIS ONE
I’ve been here about a month, I followed one of my favorite bloggers over from Facebook, rachelmacystafford.substack.com
and started a my Substack with very little understanding about how this platform works. I could instantly recognize that the vibe here is unlike anything I’ve seen before, and that alone gave me the confidence to stop ignoring that “itch” to write about my nomadic life.
Posts like this one are such a GOLD MINE for newbies like me, and I love the invitation to engage. I’m finally starting to realize that I don’t need permission to comment, and that no one is going to jump down my throat for doing so. Thank you!!
thatbussinlife.substack.com
WRITING AND INSPIRATION
Decide why you want to write, then do it. Learn the rules then put them aside. Read a lot. If you are not a reader, you're not a writer.
PERSEVERE!
I am late to the party because...covid. But it is so funny. I wrote this piece about getting to 100 subscribers on Substack this week - and the theme is really about never giving up. And about enjoying the small rewards along the way. I've loved reading these and will share a few that really hit me right. https://open.substack.com/pub/camillebrightsmith/p/18-jobs-i-had-before-i-became-a-writer?r=18hqih&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
RECORDING AUDIO
I try to record audio for my posts (especially the longer ones) so folks can listen to them in addition to reading. I've been surprised by how this has helped me grow. More than once a reader has commented on listening to a post while on a walk or in the car. A friend of mine even said, "I heard your latest podcast episode ..." I chuckled and thought, "great, folks have been telling me I need a podcast for years."
What I'm doing is not a podcast in anyway BTW. I literally just read what I have written. I'm not perfect on these recordings. I mess up. I ad lib. There's zero music or any fancy editing. I think of it like talking to a friend. But, this offers more accessibility to my writing. A long post might be intimidating but when someone sees it's only 10 minutes long, they may be more likely to engage.
Another potential bonus for those who are seeking to grow paid subscriptions, I just learned from Sarah Fay that if you use the record audio feature in Substack, you can gate the audio for paid subscribers only. This may be something I play with in the future.
https://kelseyblackwell.substack.com
ooh. love this idea. thank you for sharing. is there an app or program that you use to record them?
This is a really great idea, and I think I will definitely add that to my posts! Though hearing my own voice can be quite painful -- haha!
Awesome! I've been exploring this idea so thanks for the inspiration, definitely trying it out for this week's newsletter.
Awesome! Way to go
Thank you Kelsey! I just recorded mine for my weekly post that will go up tomorrow! I'd love to do a podcast at some point so this was an easy entry point.
Awesome job!
I've been doing this too. And its also very fun. Today I couldn't get my audio done because I have covid, but I'll just have to settle for posting something and feeling good about that.
Practice not perfect. <3 Thought I did record once with a stuffy a nose and folks found it funny.
I’ll try again. I started coughing during the recording!
Always keep your promise by giving out value. It's only those who give that will receive. Collaboration is also good for mutual benefits
https://substack.com/@preciousmumzumi
MONEY
"An Essay Contest. It’s January 1, 2050/ How, in 2024, did we pull off saving the world?" https://suzannetaylor.substack.com/p/an-essay-contest-its-january-1-2050
When I put out money prizes for writing essays a couple of weeks ago, it started a steady stream of new subscribers that still is flowing in!!!
that's lovely! working on my submission now; excited to see all the cool ideas we generate! even better when there are unexpected benefits to something we put out.
RETURN
Adding onto a previous comment about not apologizing, when I haven’t written in a while, I start to get this feeling that I should just quit. Does it look better to not be on at all than to be eratic? But than I post and I feel better, never worse. I show up and come back into the community. No apologies.
The "not apologizing" comment resonated with me, too. So does yours.
I let my publication title go dormant for years until I started my Substack, then I got it out of mothballs and dusted it off. I returned to Repurposed Kate.
FEEL NO SHAME
I think it's everything to write from the heart, to follow your bliss, the light of your longing and ache.
To unselfconciously write for writings sake.
I'm not always sure of the singularity of muse or subject in the words that fall out. It's like I'm showing up to witness them, as much my readers do for me. That's quite a thing. Obviously for them to have resonance in other people's lives is part of the alchemy of writing and reading.
QUALITY
Quality over quantity. You may think you don't have much to say this week but if it has value, say it! A short post is highly likely to be read first by a reader as they set aside longer posts for when they have more time. If it is only a sentence or two, turn it into a meme. Bottom line, speak up. I love this post, it's like a pyramid letter only in a good way.❤️ HTTPS://Writersshowase.Substack.com
PRIORITIZE MY PLEASURE
I’m new to Substack, and my whole career (ok my life probably 😅) has been defined by my uncanny ability to know what other people want and make it for them. I literally get paid by other companies to tell them what to make and how to sell.
So when it came to my own work, I was so excited at the idea that this was my space to make things that delight me. And then I started getting more readers!! And then I started to worry if what I was making would be what they wanted. And I started making things based on my guess of what people might want from me instead of what I was feeling curious about.
I very quickly stopped having fun, and not long after that, what had seemed like an infinite well of inspiration dried right up.
I had to be really honest and recognize that I had started trying to productize my work by taking myself out of the equation — literally the opposite of why all those folks started following me in the first place 🫠
As soon as I went back to my pleasure, my love, my enjoyment, I had a big breakthrough about both my content and the value of my offer.
I also spoke with some readers who helped me connect with what they love about my work, and lo and behold, it was the same thing I love about it 🤪
Anyway, don’t forget to enjoy it — I love reading the work of people who are having an irresistibly good time.
You can find me here!
https://onpurposeproject.substack.com/
Great advice! I am just getting started here on Substack and I'm excited about the possibility of creating whatever the heck I want. But so far, the two times I have posted, I have spent a ridiculous amount of time thinking about whether or not I "should" post. Old programming dies hard. But I refuse to give up trying to find what pleases me. Thanks for the reminder that it does matter.
❤️
-Rosa Linda
https://rosalindaroman.substack.com/
OMG, Yes to all this! I'm writing about "finding my voice" in middle age after a lifetime of caregiving and people-pleasing. It's so much harder than it sounds.
So. Much. Harder!! Love what you’re writing about Laurie ❤️
NOTES
Don't be shy to comment on posts or other peoples Notes! I made wonderful connections thanks to Notes and most people here on Substack are very kind and welcoming.
https://mindandheart17.substack.com?utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=web&r=2yf2sa
TRUST YOUR READERS
It’s ok to experiment, to try, fail and share your vulnerability and your awesomeness. To change, evolve and grow together.
I find it comforting that I can always trust my readers to stay when they love the content, to leave when it’s no longer relevant for them and to send it and share when they find it inspiring.
I’ve felt such fatigue with all the calls to action and attention-grabbing techniques these last years online, I think because we’re sometimes so insecure that no one will see if we’re not shouting from the rooftops. So now I try trusting my readers and being more patient.
And there is less pressure on me too! It’s a win win all around 🎊
Yes! Great reminder. Thank you.
I think this is beautiful, Laure — it speaks to the very American feeling of IF IT ISN'T ACTIVELY GROWING IT IS DEAD. What a nice reminder that there are many ways to experience and find value in a creative act
That sounds like an amazing mindset and is a great piece of advice! I'm will definitely try taking that mindset more to heart.^^
My Substack motto has become “Fail Out Loud” - it allows me to try things, to set the hare running before I’m sure the dogs are ready, to experiment. What I’ve found is a community so supportive and open to ideas that no matter what happens, nobody cares how I feared they would and everybody cares in the way I only dreamt was possible before I built my home here. So try things, fail out loud, pick yourself up, fail better. We are all doing the same and out of this beautiful, daring effort at life, creations are born that make all our lives feel better.