Thank you so much for writing this. I’ve recently joined substack and it’s hard to not feel insecure. The numbers make you feel like you’re never enough. But, what you said about community is a game changer. I hope everyone reads this ❤️🩹
welcome to substack shane ! you can actually deactivate some parts of your dashboard if you find it too stressful. I personally haven't done it but I know it's doable so maybe it's something worth looking into? community is the best part of this app. So far it manages to feel small, like just a small community of hundreds of writers who all somehow know each other and have all read each other at some point and it's so fucking nice
I was literally going to write a post about this...but you're so right. There are so many how to posts here and it's sad that those posts get so much interaction and the most beautiful hidden gems are lost somewhere in the algorithm. Notes was really a bad idea because not only does it get more veiws but it really doesn't tell the character of a person. Some people just post for the sake of just posting in hopes to get some likes. But I hope this can change fr
hey Anna, thank you so much for reading! i would love to hear your perspective on this and read your thoughts on the so called 'substack success' notes were an awful attempt at redoing twitter but we're seeing its effects right now, it's brutal...
This is gonna be very controversial but to all the new writers: the only thing youre gonna focus on is quality. Dont focus on which substack is being shared by your friends and worry about what youre doing wrong. All you have to be doing is delivering quality.
thank you so much for commenting Cleo, in a way I agree with you because quality is one of the key ingredients of success but it's not the only one. You need to be able to craft a catchy headline, write a strong introduction, develop lore linking every one of your articles together, and form a community around you that can share your work and support you when you feel doubtful about one article... it's an amalgamation of so many things. However, focusing on quality is tremendously important, find your own voice, read the articles love you love over and over, analysize why you love them so much and take those things into your writing.
This is so so so true. I see so many notes saying "subscribe for subscribe. No. I wont. I want to be responsible for the media i consume and its everyones right to!
Once again, excellent real advice from someone who’s not sitting on a mountain of subscribers lecturing how to become like them, by doing things that might not work at all!!!
Yes, to everything you said!! And thankyou for the mention🥹. I’m always there to read and support such a talented writer and even better person!!!
athena sends you hugs as always! i didn’t meant for this to be advice but more of a take it easy kinda thing because if there’s one thing for sure on here is that you can’t plan what will work and what won’t
Amanda's so nice and welcoming and truly mastered this platform. she knows when and how to use notes, she knows how to reply to comments, and she knows how to write a good article, she's got everything.
You are so right! When I first joined this platform I was intoxicated by the new subscribers, now I'm just happy writing and reading. I love that I've gotten to the point where I notice certain people almost always engage with my posts, and I look forward to theirs too! So much better than chasing metrics.
thank you so much for reading Maria, I couldn't agree with you more. some people will always follow your niche train of thoughts and that's all that matters in the end <3
Thanks for the encouragement to show up without overwhelming one’s audience. That’s much more wholesome advice than much of what’s in my feed about how to succeed on Substack.
That fine line between clarity and over-editing is one that we all have to settle on for ourselves and our audiences. Finding one’s own rhythm as a writer matters if you want genuine engagement over meaning.
I can’t show up every day or every week, but when I do write I am often motivated by conversation with my readers. That’s what keeps me here.
I loved this so much. I’m new on here and just recently started writing again after 2 years off. For the first time ever, I’m not writing for money, for attention or for profession. I’m writing for me. Like I did in grade 5 and grade 11 in high school. I’m just expressing myself with words and finding the simplest way to communicate deep feelings, thoughts and knowledge.
I also want to connect with writers who are on the same step as I am. I read a ton of books but I want to meet people thousands of miles from me through their words and experiences.
This post encouraged me that I’m still at the right place and it’s possible. Thanks luciana💕
welcome to substack Muna and thank you so much for reading! I'm glad you found this helpful and have found a website about writing, for the writers. sending you love <3
thank you so much for reading Janu! your substack is one of the very first i followed and i devour each and everyone of your pieces. especially the ones about astronomy (i know nothing about it and yet you make me so curious)
This is the most genuine advice I've seen on here! Thanks so much for sharing!
I definitely need to focus on building more community, which will probably start with reading all of the posts I've saved, instead of just scrolling through notes and posting random shit on notes 😅
Thank you so much for writing this. I’ve recently joined substack and it’s hard to not feel insecure. The numbers make you feel like you’re never enough. But, what you said about community is a game changer. I hope everyone reads this ❤️🩹
welcome to substack shane ! you can actually deactivate some parts of your dashboard if you find it too stressful. I personally haven't done it but I know it's doable so maybe it's something worth looking into? community is the best part of this app. So far it manages to feel small, like just a small community of hundreds of writers who all somehow know each other and have all read each other at some point and it's so fucking nice
I was literally going to write a post about this...but you're so right. There are so many how to posts here and it's sad that those posts get so much interaction and the most beautiful hidden gems are lost somewhere in the algorithm. Notes was really a bad idea because not only does it get more veiws but it really doesn't tell the character of a person. Some people just post for the sake of just posting in hopes to get some likes. But I hope this can change fr
hey Anna, thank you so much for reading! i would love to hear your perspective on this and read your thoughts on the so called 'substack success' notes were an awful attempt at redoing twitter but we're seeing its effects right now, it's brutal...
I really needed to read this. thankyou so much <3
thank you so much for reading Sakhi <3
This was a beautifully written message that I needed to hear as someone who is just starting out - thank you for sharing!
welcome to substack Jeanie!! i'm glad this resonated with you, sending you love <3
This is gonna be very controversial but to all the new writers: the only thing youre gonna focus on is quality. Dont focus on which substack is being shared by your friends and worry about what youre doing wrong. All you have to be doing is delivering quality.
thank you so much for commenting Cleo, in a way I agree with you because quality is one of the key ingredients of success but it's not the only one. You need to be able to craft a catchy headline, write a strong introduction, develop lore linking every one of your articles together, and form a community around you that can share your work and support you when you feel doubtful about one article... it's an amalgamation of so many things. However, focusing on quality is tremendously important, find your own voice, read the articles love you love over and over, analysize why you love them so much and take those things into your writing.
Okg yes youre so right!!!
❤️
This is so so so true. I see so many notes saying "subscribe for subscribe. No. I wont. I want to be responsible for the media i consume and its everyones right to!
SAY IT LOUDER!!!!
Once again, excellent real advice from someone who’s not sitting on a mountain of subscribers lecturing how to become like them, by doing things that might not work at all!!!
Yes, to everything you said!! And thankyou for the mention🥹. I’m always there to read and support such a talented writer and even better person!!!
Thankyou so much for this!!!♥️♥️♥️
Lots of love to you and Athena as always 😊
athena sends you hugs as always! i didn’t meant for this to be advice but more of a take it easy kinda thing because if there’s one thing for sure on here is that you can’t plan what will work and what won’t
True ♥️
A prime lesson that I’ve learned as a writer, especially an untraditional one, that a quality audience is greater than one of quantity!
exactly Amy! Thank you for reading <3
Luciana thank you for this! 🤍 love you and your works! 🤍✨
ahhhh andrea thank you ! can't wait to read that new piece of yours (when it's out) <333
amanda is literally the first person i thought about in reading this post! and then you name dropped her and i was like yes!!
Amanda's so nice and welcoming and truly mastered this platform. she knows when and how to use notes, she knows how to reply to comments, and she knows how to write a good article, she's got everything.
You are so right! When I first joined this platform I was intoxicated by the new subscribers, now I'm just happy writing and reading. I love that I've gotten to the point where I notice certain people almost always engage with my posts, and I look forward to theirs too! So much better than chasing metrics.
thank you so much for reading Maria, I couldn't agree with you more. some people will always follow your niche train of thoughts and that's all that matters in the end <3
Ironically, most of the people who find success here *are* the ones reading and creating a strong community.
ironically being genuine makes you more successful
Thanks for the encouragement to show up without overwhelming one’s audience. That’s much more wholesome advice than much of what’s in my feed about how to succeed on Substack.
That fine line between clarity and over-editing is one that we all have to settle on for ourselves and our audiences. Finding one’s own rhythm as a writer matters if you want genuine engagement over meaning.
I can’t show up every day or every week, but when I do write I am often motivated by conversation with my readers. That’s what keeps me here.
I loved this so much. I’m new on here and just recently started writing again after 2 years off. For the first time ever, I’m not writing for money, for attention or for profession. I’m writing for me. Like I did in grade 5 and grade 11 in high school. I’m just expressing myself with words and finding the simplest way to communicate deep feelings, thoughts and knowledge.
I also want to connect with writers who are on the same step as I am. I read a ton of books but I want to meet people thousands of miles from me through their words and experiences.
This post encouraged me that I’m still at the right place and it’s possible. Thanks luciana💕
welcome to substack Muna and thank you so much for reading! I'm glad you found this helpful and have found a website about writing, for the writers. sending you love <3
You including me in this piece is everything !!! Thank you Luciana ♡ Such an important piece.
thank you so much for reading Janu! your substack is one of the very first i followed and i devour each and everyone of your pieces. especially the ones about astronomy (i know nothing about it and yet you make me so curious)
This is the most genuine advice I've seen on here! Thanks so much for sharing!
I definitely need to focus on building more community, which will probably start with reading all of the posts I've saved, instead of just scrolling through notes and posting random shit on notes 😅
exactly Mary i’m glad you get it <3