Super excited for thank you so much for sharing and I want to give you a big congratulations on your growth on here. It’s been super dope to witness. Appreciate you sharing your wisdom 🙏🏽
No doubt! Honored to bare witness 🙏🏽😊 I need to pick up your Tarot post, I remember really enjoy one of them that you wrote. I’ve been getting back into my cards a bit.
This is actually good advice, which is rare on the internet, where most advice is just a guy with a ring light telling you to become a brand while slowly losing his soul.
thank you so much for sharing! I feel like everyone's journey is unique, and I like that you have your priorities and keeping it real. Also would love to do a collaboration with you <3
Sometime it's difficult not to compare yourself to others: people who started around the same time as me have 4 times (or more) the subcribers I have. But I think you mentioned something very valuable--organic growth is important. You can't force people to connect with what you're writing.
For what it's worth, I did subscribe to you based on a note recommending an older essay
I know, it’s hard not to compare but I would say like…a note going viral is luck. In my opinion anyways. Growth experts might disagree.
I was gobsmacked when my cannibalism essay blew up a bit (compared to my other work) but it taught me a lot.
I really think luck and timing comes into it and then there are some things that can add a bit of a scaffold or system.
But like…writing does take something from us, energy for one thing so it’s definitely nice to have a bit of an audience and not feel like your shouting into the void.
I think you gave good, level-headed pieces of advice, and didn't over-promise. I'm not on Substack to become an influencer, but it does feel good that I have some sort of audience now. It's nice to be appreciated for your work.
I will use some of your suggestions going forward mostly because I think they're good for presenting one's corpus in a good, professional light, rather than for getting super popular quickly, and that's what I'm interested in most of all.
And I agree with what you say about luck. My most popular story is one I wrote quickly, in one hour, compared to some I'd spend days and weeks crafting carefully. It doesn't matter, though. They're all my stories and I love them all regardless of popularity haha
I feel like our values/ethics are really aligned with this app use and the use of social media in general. I’m newer to Substack and just getting into writing consistently so this is very inspiring thank you!
This is so much better than the usual how to grow your substack posts that treat it as some kind of game to get as many subscribers as possible just for the sake of it - thanks!
I am so glad you found it useful!! You make such a good point- the gamification of online platforms is the fastest way to make me lose interest. My brain can’t/ won’t work like that I need a break haha!!
Thank you so much for creating this, this is insanely useful! There are loads of ideas here I hadn't even thought about - this essay is going to be my bible as I restructure my Substack over the next few months.
Definitely found you via a random note last year! Love hearing about your intentional growth, rather than the “at all costs” subscriber hypertrophy I see elsewhere. That care really shows in your writing 💗
Thank you for sharing all of your thoughts, and your experience. I’m new here, still trying to figure this app out and the amount of “how to grow” posts I see is…a lot. I’m still figuring out my footing, because I wonder if what I’m wanting to talk/write about is going to be too niche, at some point I’ll have to pull off the bandaid. Thank you again, this was refreshing and realistic.
I say write the niche stuff, that’s when I started to find my flow. I enjoy reading niche stuff too- I think niche is the future. But I don’t know much in all fairness…I think it’s more interesting personally and even if the niche is as simple as your particular take on something I’m into that. Best of luck
Thank you for writing this! Again, I’m so happy to see your progress! One thing I’ve been curious about is when you submit to Lit Mags and the like, so many of them have rules where the piece can never have been published online before, so are you writing pieces specifically for individual lit mags or finding ones where you can submit pieces from here? Or how to you determine what you save for lit mags and what you save for Substack?
Oh and no I don’t tailor stories for Litmags at all- I am not too often inspired by a prompt in that way but I know some writers thrive on that.
I did submit The Saltwater Bride to a queer folklore call but it didn’t get picked up.
I want to build up my cv a bit so that’s why I’m holding back on my short fiction for now. I do plan on writing something flash fiction which I’ll publish on Substack.
Ok, yes! So helpful! I’m also trying to build my ~trad publishing~ CV for when I start querying my novel later this year, and its such a tricky balance of finding what will be more important: subscriber numbers or previous lit mag pubs. Probably both tbh! But I feel you on the waiting 6 months to hear back! I have a couple short stories I’m also saving (and need to trim) to send out for submission, but need to find the time to nail down the right mags! Best of luck for your upcoming submissions and thanks again for sharing! 🤞🤞
So I have had two pieces that I published on Substack republished in journals. One was Labyrinthine zine and the other was the Anti-misogyny Club, both of which I recommend submitting to. I found both of those through Threads and they say in their submission guide that they will republish work. I keep an eye on Threads and Insta for journals and lit mags that accept reprints. Some of the very niche ones do, the amazing weirdo ones and I think they are worth sending work to.
Now, because I’m trying to be a bit more organised, I have four short stories that I just need to tidy up a bit and I’m submitting them over the next month or so to the mags and journals that want first dibs on publishing and are more strict. Some are my dream mags so I’m crossing my fingers!! I’m naturally incredibly impatient to be honest so if nothing gets picked up I’ll just publish them on Substack most likely or maybe make my own collection or something. The killer for me is writing something then waiting like six months to hear back about it only to get a rejection it really takes the wind out of my sails.
Thanks for this. You've given me a lot of new ideas to try out, especially with Notes. When I first started Substack, I hardly used Notes at all. I still struggle with it, because I have trouble coming up with them. I overthink it. Seeing which Notes have gained the most subscribers will help a lot!
Thanks so much for reading! I’m so glad it’s valuable. Yeah totally, I absolutely spent time overthinking notes and when I analysed what worked it’s actually pretty straightforward and makes sense?
I have spent more time than I’d like to admit writing out notes and deleting them because they are such a bunch of nonsense hahaha. I think keep it simple. But the substack overlords might change the game who knows?
I think your approach is pretty similar to mine especially using notes to promote older posts when I am taking a break or I don't have any newer posts planned. Though I am not overly concerned with leaderboards. Hell, I can't even get people to 'Buy Me Coffee", let alone get paid subscribers which sometimes makes me think if I am even any good at writing. But then again the economy sucks so who knows. This was a great post that will be quite informative for many people and will also resonate. Great job.
Yay, Im very glad that you’ve confirmed that strategy- of sharing older work works. I think it’s important.
Ive never tried the Buy me a Coffee thing but I have thought about it, because I think Subscriptions are more of an ask, I mean one month I can afford it but the next I might not be able to. Things are tight for a lot of people, thats just a fact.
You are definitely a brilliant writer and community builder- you do something not many others can or will do which is connect people from all over. The leaderboard is arbitrary, like my husband got me there hahaha. But what’s interesting, is my theory definitely holds- sometimes I go into the leaderboard and actually click on the writers. Often a brand new account will be like…number 5 on there, with 10 subscribers, 5 of whom are paying and one article out. So…I mean I don’t know, I think it’s just maths rather than any reflection of quality. They might change it going forward. I think visits or read time (kind of like Youtube watch time) might be a more relevant metric. But then the poets and the flash fiction writers would be left out.
It seems to only be about revenue added to the site. Because on days I have a lot of views or reads with no new paid subscribers I never ever hit that list.
Everything I've learned is that your life will be complete if you become a paid subscriber of mine.
hahahaha
Super excited for thank you so much for sharing and I want to give you a big congratulations on your growth on here. It’s been super dope to witness. Appreciate you sharing your wisdom 🙏🏽
Thank you Miguel!!! You’ve been here since the start
No doubt! Honored to bare witness 🙏🏽😊 I need to pick up your Tarot post, I remember really enjoy one of them that you wrote. I’ve been getting back into my cards a bit.
I love that you’ve been using them again! I use mine in ebbs and flows, reading them is like riding a bike 🏍️
This is actually good advice, which is rare on the internet, where most advice is just a guy with a ring light telling you to become a brand while slowly losing his soul.
Thank you! I’m glad you found it useful.
Yeah like, those videos and essays that tell you to just keep grinding until you are a shell are bananas. Who are these nutters!? ha
thank you so much for sharing! I feel like everyone's journey is unique, and I like that you have your priorities and keeping it real. Also would love to do a collaboration with you <3
PLEASE that would be amazing, Ill DM you x
yayyy let’s go ✨
This was very helpful! Appreciate your sharing what works and what's been 🤷♀️
Thanks for reading Liz!
Sometime it's difficult not to compare yourself to others: people who started around the same time as me have 4 times (or more) the subcribers I have. But I think you mentioned something very valuable--organic growth is important. You can't force people to connect with what you're writing.
For what it's worth, I did subscribe to you based on a note recommending an older essay
Ha! That’s amazing that’s how you found me :)
I know, it’s hard not to compare but I would say like…a note going viral is luck. In my opinion anyways. Growth experts might disagree.
I was gobsmacked when my cannibalism essay blew up a bit (compared to my other work) but it taught me a lot.
I really think luck and timing comes into it and then there are some things that can add a bit of a scaffold or system.
But like…writing does take something from us, energy for one thing so it’s definitely nice to have a bit of an audience and not feel like your shouting into the void.
Thanks for reading Laura (I’m a Laura too!)
Power to the Lauras!
I think you gave good, level-headed pieces of advice, and didn't over-promise. I'm not on Substack to become an influencer, but it does feel good that I have some sort of audience now. It's nice to be appreciated for your work.
I will use some of your suggestions going forward mostly because I think they're good for presenting one's corpus in a good, professional light, rather than for getting super popular quickly, and that's what I'm interested in most of all.
And I agree with what you say about luck. My most popular story is one I wrote quickly, in one hour, compared to some I'd spend days and weeks crafting carefully. It doesn't matter, though. They're all my stories and I love them all regardless of popularity haha
I feel like our values/ethics are really aligned with this app use and the use of social media in general. I’m newer to Substack and just getting into writing consistently so this is very inspiring thank you!
I’m so glad to hear that I hope it’s helpful to you!
This is so much better than the usual how to grow your substack posts that treat it as some kind of game to get as many subscribers as possible just for the sake of it - thanks!
I am so glad you found it useful!! You make such a good point- the gamification of online platforms is the fastest way to make me lose interest. My brain can’t/ won’t work like that I need a break haha!!
I read one recently which basically said grow your followers by writing notes about growing your followers 💀
Noooo!!! That made me laugh!
Thank you so much for creating this, this is insanely useful! There are loads of ideas here I hadn't even thought about - this essay is going to be my bible as I restructure my Substack over the next few months.
Thanks for reading Rebekah I hope it’s a bit useful at least!
Definitely found you via a random note last year! Love hearing about your intentional growth, rather than the “at all costs” subscriber hypertrophy I see elsewhere. That care really shows in your writing 💗
Ah thank you so much for your lovely comment!
Very helpful advice. Thank you for sharing.
I’m so glad you’ve found it helpful
Thank you for sharing all of your thoughts, and your experience. I’m new here, still trying to figure this app out and the amount of “how to grow” posts I see is…a lot. I’m still figuring out my footing, because I wonder if what I’m wanting to talk/write about is going to be too niche, at some point I’ll have to pull off the bandaid. Thank you again, this was refreshing and realistic.
I say write the niche stuff, that’s when I started to find my flow. I enjoy reading niche stuff too- I think niche is the future. But I don’t know much in all fairness…I think it’s more interesting personally and even if the niche is as simple as your particular take on something I’m into that. Best of luck
This was just brilliant . Actionable useful advice - thank you 🖤
Glad you found is helpful Marie!
I really have . It’s so useful and I really appreciate the honesty. I’ve actually sent it to others to help them too x
Thank you Marie!
Thank you for writing this! Again, I’m so happy to see your progress! One thing I’ve been curious about is when you submit to Lit Mags and the like, so many of them have rules where the piece can never have been published online before, so are you writing pieces specifically for individual lit mags or finding ones where you can submit pieces from here? Or how to you determine what you save for lit mags and what you save for Substack?
Oh and no I don’t tailor stories for Litmags at all- I am not too often inspired by a prompt in that way but I know some writers thrive on that.
I did submit The Saltwater Bride to a queer folklore call but it didn’t get picked up.
I want to build up my cv a bit so that’s why I’m holding back on my short fiction for now. I do plan on writing something flash fiction which I’ll publish on Substack.
Ok, yes! So helpful! I’m also trying to build my ~trad publishing~ CV for when I start querying my novel later this year, and its such a tricky balance of finding what will be more important: subscriber numbers or previous lit mag pubs. Probably both tbh! But I feel you on the waiting 6 months to hear back! I have a couple short stories I’m also saving (and need to trim) to send out for submission, but need to find the time to nail down the right mags! Best of luck for your upcoming submissions and thanks again for sharing! 🤞🤞
So I have had two pieces that I published on Substack republished in journals. One was Labyrinthine zine and the other was the Anti-misogyny Club, both of which I recommend submitting to. I found both of those through Threads and they say in their submission guide that they will republish work. I keep an eye on Threads and Insta for journals and lit mags that accept reprints. Some of the very niche ones do, the amazing weirdo ones and I think they are worth sending work to.
Now, because I’m trying to be a bit more organised, I have four short stories that I just need to tidy up a bit and I’m submitting them over the next month or so to the mags and journals that want first dibs on publishing and are more strict. Some are my dream mags so I’m crossing my fingers!! I’m naturally incredibly impatient to be honest so if nothing gets picked up I’ll just publish them on Substack most likely or maybe make my own collection or something. The killer for me is writing something then waiting like six months to hear back about it only to get a rejection it really takes the wind out of my sails.
Thanks for this. You've given me a lot of new ideas to try out, especially with Notes. When I first started Substack, I hardly used Notes at all. I still struggle with it, because I have trouble coming up with them. I overthink it. Seeing which Notes have gained the most subscribers will help a lot!
Thanks so much for reading! I’m so glad it’s valuable. Yeah totally, I absolutely spent time overthinking notes and when I analysed what worked it’s actually pretty straightforward and makes sense?
I have spent more time than I’d like to admit writing out notes and deleting them because they are such a bunch of nonsense hahaha. I think keep it simple. But the substack overlords might change the game who knows?
I’m fairly new to substack (only three or four posts so far) and am very grateful for your insight. Thank you for sharing!
Oh I’m so glad you’ve found it helpful! Thanks for reading
I think your approach is pretty similar to mine especially using notes to promote older posts when I am taking a break or I don't have any newer posts planned. Though I am not overly concerned with leaderboards. Hell, I can't even get people to 'Buy Me Coffee", let alone get paid subscribers which sometimes makes me think if I am even any good at writing. But then again the economy sucks so who knows. This was a great post that will be quite informative for many people and will also resonate. Great job.
Yay, Im very glad that you’ve confirmed that strategy- of sharing older work works. I think it’s important.
Ive never tried the Buy me a Coffee thing but I have thought about it, because I think Subscriptions are more of an ask, I mean one month I can afford it but the next I might not be able to. Things are tight for a lot of people, thats just a fact.
You are definitely a brilliant writer and community builder- you do something not many others can or will do which is connect people from all over. The leaderboard is arbitrary, like my husband got me there hahaha. But what’s interesting, is my theory definitely holds- sometimes I go into the leaderboard and actually click on the writers. Often a brand new account will be like…number 5 on there, with 10 subscribers, 5 of whom are paying and one article out. So…I mean I don’t know, I think it’s just maths rather than any reflection of quality. They might change it going forward. I think visits or read time (kind of like Youtube watch time) might be a more relevant metric. But then the poets and the flash fiction writers would be left out.
It’s an imperfect system for sure.
you would think the the metrics would be measured by likes and comments a post gets in relation to how many subscribers you have
It seems to only be about revenue added to the site. Because on days I have a lot of views or reads with no new paid subscribers I never ever hit that list.