Months ago, a writer friend of mine asked me if it was worth it to start a Substack. Like me, she was working on a memoir. I told her yes, but it's a bit more complicated than all that.
Hi Alycia, you're welcome. Yes, write your truth! One thing I meant to mention, but not sure I was explicit or not was the fact that Substack has been such a wonderful community for me. People are so willing to connect, and I find that to be very unique (I've tried other platforms and they seem to have the same level of connection).
Thank you for this article. Your experience and insights are so helpful. Reading through it makes me feel hopeful and less overwhelmed as I embark on my own journey here on Subtack. I'll go off to read the second part now while putting understanding how restacks and recommendations work on my to-do list.
Hi! You’re welcome and I’m glad you found it useful. The biggest hurdle when I first started was mindset and feeling like I would never grow my following. I hope this gives you some hope that it CAN HAPPEN!! 😎
Hi Tania, thank you for reading, and you're very welcome. I'm so glad to hear it was helpful. Look out for part 2 next week (I think that's when it will be published!) :)
Great insights, Claire. As a somewhat new writer to Substack (start of the year) I think it’s important for people to hear from others and understand that this isn’t X - follow for follow doesn’t cut it. Content and real engagement with intentionality is what makes or breaks. And, as you highlighted, there are many ways to engage.
Thanks Andrew! I think the biggest thing I am still trying to "unlearn" is that a certain number of subscribers doesn't mean I've "made it" or if I don't get that number, I haven't made it. It's such a double edged sword, so I try to stay focused on the connections. Good luck!!
Phew I love this thank you so much for your honesty and vulnerability . It’s exactly how I feel after almost a year of substack “why am I not growing as quick as others” etc, when there is so so so much beauty that has happened over here like great new friends and incredibly fascinating new writers and newsletters I get to look forward to each weeks and - haha the main part - all the writing I have done which led to me actually writing on a book collab now! Which is all so much more valuable than the numbers of more subscribers and I am really happy you shared this as a reminder. Looking forward to part 2! Especially as i came away rarely quickly from weekly posting despite the kind goes “consistency is key” and such, but I’d rather be consistent twice a months and don’t add to the nose that overstimulates so many of us already 🙏
Thank you so much Laura. I appreciate your kind words! That's amazing, congrats on your book collab! It's all about the connections and what you learn. For me, I knew I had to enjoy the process to keep going. And hearing from folks like you is making it all worth it. :) And yes, look out for part two, I'll cover how frequently I post and why, and how to tell if a certain schedule works for you. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it!
Thanks for sharing this. I can't even get started with 5 hours on Substack a week, so I wonder what advice you might have for building that initial traction without going the route you initially did (and burning out). Excited for part 2!
Hi Sephone... honestly if you are short on time, write 10-15 mins a day and then set your posts. There were times when that's all the time I had. But I made sure to do it each morning, first thing, so it wouldn't slip away, along with my day. Writing in small chunks can be super powerful. And then for engaging with folks who comment, of if you want to be more involved in Notes, for example, just get on the app. It helps tremendously. :)
Yeah, I'm trying to take that approach since I do similar with my creative fiction: first thing in the morning is creative writing or else it doesn't happen. I may need to start getting up 15 min earlier and see how that helps me find a bit more time in the day. The little bursts of work will add up, but I'm also a super slow writer so they don't often feel like enough. I'll keep working at it though.
And yes, the app the is great! I try not to use my phone much but may just need to train myself to turn my phone time into Substack Notes time. :)
Thank you for this! Thoughtful and fun to read! Encouraging to see others use their own email addresses of friends and family to help "start" off their followers! I'm truly curious - is there a place to look for what stages we should try to hit? Goals for example after 4 months, 6 months.... so on?? I'm assuming each persons substack is unique but it would really help to hear your ideas on this! Did you start out with goals?? If so, would you be willing to share? Thanks so much!
Thanks so much Shawna! Ah that's a really interesting concept, but for me, I wasn't that organized with goals, haha. I just made sure to post content regularly and respond to comments and share on Notes. I also followed similar Substackers and commented regularly on their posts. I would say definitely start there.
I wish there was a formula... but honestly, it all boils down to how much time you want to dedicate to growing your publication!
I certainly will. I have some 'recommends' that have stopped writing and I don't know how to 'unrecommend' them! I added a few after reading your post! Also shared with a friend who has a new substack. Looking forward to the next one!
Thank for sharing that. As newbie, I feel write here give me the confidence to write my truth and to connect with people.
Hi Alycia, you're welcome. Yes, write your truth! One thing I meant to mention, but not sure I was explicit or not was the fact that Substack has been such a wonderful community for me. People are so willing to connect, and I find that to be very unique (I've tried other platforms and they seem to have the same level of connection).
This is the biggest gain isn’t it? Celebrating you and seeing you ❤️
Agreed! Thank you Laura, I appreciate it. :)
Thank you for this article. Your experience and insights are so helpful. Reading through it makes me feel hopeful and less overwhelmed as I embark on my own journey here on Subtack. I'll go off to read the second part now while putting understanding how restacks and recommendations work on my to-do list.
Hi! You’re welcome and I’m glad you found it useful. The biggest hurdle when I first started was mindset and feeling like I would never grow my following. I hope this gives you some hope that it CAN HAPPEN!! 😎
It does, thanks a lot!
Always a pleasure, Claire! Eager to have you The Write-Life Balance again when it's time to launch your book baby.
Thanks Sophia! Might be a looooong time though… 😂
Such a helpful post!
Thank you! I’m so glad. 😀
This was a helpful read as I start my Substack journey thanks 😊
Hi Tania, thank you for reading, and you're very welcome. I'm so glad to hear it was helpful. Look out for part 2 next week (I think that's when it will be published!) :)
Great insights, Claire. As a somewhat new writer to Substack (start of the year) I think it’s important for people to hear from others and understand that this isn’t X - follow for follow doesn’t cut it. Content and real engagement with intentionality is what makes or breaks. And, as you highlighted, there are many ways to engage.
Thanks, and looking forward to part 2.
Thanks Andrew! I think the biggest thing I am still trying to "unlearn" is that a certain number of subscribers doesn't mean I've "made it" or if I don't get that number, I haven't made it. It's such a double edged sword, so I try to stay focused on the connections. Good luck!!
Phew I love this thank you so much for your honesty and vulnerability . It’s exactly how I feel after almost a year of substack “why am I not growing as quick as others” etc, when there is so so so much beauty that has happened over here like great new friends and incredibly fascinating new writers and newsletters I get to look forward to each weeks and - haha the main part - all the writing I have done which led to me actually writing on a book collab now! Which is all so much more valuable than the numbers of more subscribers and I am really happy you shared this as a reminder. Looking forward to part 2! Especially as i came away rarely quickly from weekly posting despite the kind goes “consistency is key” and such, but I’d rather be consistent twice a months and don’t add to the nose that overstimulates so many of us already 🙏
Thank you so much Laura. I appreciate your kind words! That's amazing, congrats on your book collab! It's all about the connections and what you learn. For me, I knew I had to enjoy the process to keep going. And hearing from folks like you is making it all worth it. :) And yes, look out for part two, I'll cover how frequently I post and why, and how to tell if a certain schedule works for you. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it!
Thanks for sharing this. I can't even get started with 5 hours on Substack a week, so I wonder what advice you might have for building that initial traction without going the route you initially did (and burning out). Excited for part 2!
Hi Sephone... honestly if you are short on time, write 10-15 mins a day and then set your posts. There were times when that's all the time I had. But I made sure to do it each morning, first thing, so it wouldn't slip away, along with my day. Writing in small chunks can be super powerful. And then for engaging with folks who comment, of if you want to be more involved in Notes, for example, just get on the app. It helps tremendously. :)
Yeah, I'm trying to take that approach since I do similar with my creative fiction: first thing in the morning is creative writing or else it doesn't happen. I may need to start getting up 15 min earlier and see how that helps me find a bit more time in the day. The little bursts of work will add up, but I'm also a super slow writer so they don't often feel like enough. I'll keep working at it though.
And yes, the app the is great! I try not to use my phone much but may just need to train myself to turn my phone time into Substack Notes time. :)
Thank you for this! Thoughtful and fun to read! Encouraging to see others use their own email addresses of friends and family to help "start" off their followers! I'm truly curious - is there a place to look for what stages we should try to hit? Goals for example after 4 months, 6 months.... so on?? I'm assuming each persons substack is unique but it would really help to hear your ideas on this! Did you start out with goals?? If so, would you be willing to share? Thanks so much!
Thanks so much Shawna! Ah that's a really interesting concept, but for me, I wasn't that organized with goals, haha. I just made sure to post content regularly and respond to comments and share on Notes. I also followed similar Substackers and commented regularly on their posts. I would say definitely start there.
I wish there was a formula... but honestly, it all boils down to how much time you want to dedicate to growing your publication!
Enjoyed this and picked up a few pointers. Thank you!
Awesome John! I'm so glad. Look out for part 2! (I write about the parts that were hardest for me!)
I certainly will. I have some 'recommends' that have stopped writing and I don't know how to 'unrecommend' them! I added a few after reading your post! Also shared with a friend who has a new substack. Looking forward to the next one!
Some great points. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much Ingrid! I appreciate that!
Gosh I miss Office Hours. The only place that I did grow pretty good from.