It does feel like I'm shouting to the void. All I hear is crickets when I put out a post or a note. That would be fine, if the crickets knew how to subscribe.
No, just here. I put my stuff out to get feedback on it. Either no one cares or people are just too afraid to tell me it's bad. I will keep writing, even if it's only for the crickets.
Wow, I'm new here and this post is definitely an eye opening. I was a bit confused seeing all the viral notes about 'how to grow your subscribers' and not the authentic writing I expected.
Loved this perspective and it’s so valuable to think about. I’d offer that the subscription model still works, but not with boring offers.
Tbh I’m not going to pay $5 a month to read someone’s archives or comment section. That’s not really that juicy of an offer to me personally and I feel like that’s what a lot of creators default to. If you want people to subscribe to your Substack and continue to pay for it every month, you need to deliver value they (and by “they” I mean your ideal audience/reader) don’t want to live without.
I think the real problem isn’t the model so much as it’s a lack of imagination (or selling yourself short) when it comes to the value that you can offer people.
I didn't know that Medium was getting more love from Google than Substack. Hopefully, that'll change in the future so we can pick up some free traffic from outside this platform.
I tried searching for a popular keyword like "book" and checked for posts, but Substack’s top suggestion was a post with very few views. It’s so confusing! 🤔
A sobering read, though I fall into the category of people you mentioned in your first paragraph. I'm not here to make money. But good to know what stands before me once I *do* want to make money from my writing. But that's for much, much later. The first hurdle to overcome, for me, is *obscurity*.
Oh, I also meant to mention… as far as the millions of emails… i don’t get any emails from all of my Substack subscriptions. Well, only when a writers specifically sends out an email only email… otherwise, they all only show up in my inbox-app inbox. There is a setting somewhere in the profile section where you can do this. I don’t remember exactly where, but I would probably have gone insane if I was getting all these posts as emails!
My reasons for hoping SubStack are two fold, one is to build an audience for my free content (albeit slowly), the second is for public accountability and get me back in the habit of writing. I have no aspirations about making money directly through subscriptions but what I have and I will continue to do is linking directly to fiction books I have written and author productively tools I have made.
Thanks. It’s going to be a long slow journey, but then again so is the path to a bestselling author. I’m fortunate enough that I’m not looking to actually make a profit from my substack. It’s just a darn sight easier than separating out marketing, newsletters, setting up and maintaining a website. These are all things that SubStack does (in one form or another) for me.
These one thing that does give me pause for thought though is that whilst “all writers are readers - at least they should be” the percentage writers make up of the total reader market is incredibly small. I know there are bigger markets out there - at least this way I’ll hopefully have more content to bring over them when I eventually need and find them.
I’m hoping the relationships I build with other authors in this platform might be part of the key.
I totally get that! I only have a little over 500 readers (subscribers & followers combined), but I’d still be really happy to connect and share the work of other writers. Building those relationships feels just as meaningful as growing an audience!
How would you like the deal of a lifetime! I can tell you all the tips and tricks of a worst selling substack author! Learn what not to do! I'm a master of it and you can be too! Just Read "Break from Hell" It's a veritable Who's Not of What isn't! Here's a teaser: Someone dies at the end of every story I write. Fun for the whole family! Order yours today! Operators are standing by...
Well said, thoughtful post. Email avalanche- truth! However, at this moment it’s really nice to be able to find a community of people who get it. Like you.
Great article, highlighting genuine concerns most don't think about or deny. I've only recently started getting into substack, mainly over earning problems on Medium but earning nothing here. Only one paid newsletter at present and have concerns about the subscription model. People are tired of subscriptions and paying $5 just for one writer's content is limiting and potentially unsustainable. At the drop of a hat, they can unsubscribe or request a refund. You've raised very realistic points. There are inherent flaws in the system, which makes those who aren't earning feel like a failure.
To me the difference is that, if I buy an e-book for, say, $5, I have it and can read it whenever I want, again and again, if I love it. On Substack, I have to pay $5 *every month* if I want to keep access to that content.
Or I have to go through the process of consuming a publication's content as fast as possible to get my $5's worth, then manually unsubscribe, and hope that I remember to resubscribe to it in a couple of months to consume whatever new content was added.
It does feel like I'm shouting to the void. All I hear is crickets when I put out a post or a note. That would be fine, if the crickets knew how to subscribe.
I feel you! How long have you been here? Do you also post on Medium or any other platform?
No, just here. I put my stuff out to get feedback on it. Either no one cares or people are just too afraid to tell me it's bad. I will keep writing, even if it's only for the crickets.
Oh I started on February 14th so I'm nearly one month in.
That's the spirit!
Wow, I'm new here and this post is definitely an eye opening. I was a bit confused seeing all the viral notes about 'how to grow your subscribers' and not the authentic writing I expected.
Loved this perspective and it’s so valuable to think about. I’d offer that the subscription model still works, but not with boring offers.
Tbh I’m not going to pay $5 a month to read someone’s archives or comment section. That’s not really that juicy of an offer to me personally and I feel like that’s what a lot of creators default to. If you want people to subscribe to your Substack and continue to pay for it every month, you need to deliver value they (and by “they” I mean your ideal audience/reader) don’t want to live without.
I think the real problem isn’t the model so much as it’s a lack of imagination (or selling yourself short) when it comes to the value that you can offer people.
Just one marketer’s perspective, though. 🙃
I didn't know that Medium was getting more love from Google than Substack. Hopefully, that'll change in the future so we can pick up some free traffic from outside this platform.
YES! The search bar couldn't be more unhelpful than it already is 🤣 I want Substack admin to see your post lol
I tried searching for a popular keyword like "book" and checked for posts, but Substack’s top suggestion was a post with very few views. It’s so confusing! 🤔
Wow. What you said about substack being a media bubble really stuck with me. It is definitely a cult. Very well written!
Glad it resonated with you! Appreciate you reading!
Some timely Common sense.
Glad it resonated with you! 😊
A sobering read, though I fall into the category of people you mentioned in your first paragraph. I'm not here to make money. But good to know what stands before me once I *do* want to make money from my writing. But that's for much, much later. The first hurdle to overcome, for me, is *obscurity*.
This should serve as a welcome email for every writer who creates an account here.
Thanks, Jess :)
You're really funny! 😄
Oh, completely unintentionally, as I was writing this very seriously....
Oh, I also meant to mention… as far as the millions of emails… i don’t get any emails from all of my Substack subscriptions. Well, only when a writers specifically sends out an email only email… otherwise, they all only show up in my inbox-app inbox. There is a setting somewhere in the profile section where you can do this. I don’t remember exactly where, but I would probably have gone insane if I was getting all these posts as emails!
Oh, that’s good to know! I dug around in the settings and found that option thanks to your advice. 😊
Yes, I only send out one email a week! Even if I post more, not to be overwhelming
My reasons for hoping SubStack are two fold, one is to build an audience for my free content (albeit slowly), the second is for public accountability and get me back in the habit of writing. I have no aspirations about making money directly through subscriptions but what I have and I will continue to do is linking directly to fiction books I have written and author productively tools I have made.
Linking to your books and tools makes a lot of sense. Hope Substack helps you reach the right readers!
Thanks. It’s going to be a long slow journey, but then again so is the path to a bestselling author. I’m fortunate enough that I’m not looking to actually make a profit from my substack. It’s just a darn sight easier than separating out marketing, newsletters, setting up and maintaining a website. These are all things that SubStack does (in one form or another) for me.
These one thing that does give me pause for thought though is that whilst “all writers are readers - at least they should be” the percentage writers make up of the total reader market is incredibly small. I know there are bigger markets out there - at least this way I’ll hopefully have more content to bring over them when I eventually need and find them.
I’m hoping the relationships I build with other authors in this platform might be part of the key.
I totally get that! I only have a little over 500 readers (subscribers & followers combined), but I’d still be really happy to connect and share the work of other writers. Building those relationships feels just as meaningful as growing an audience!
How would you like the deal of a lifetime! I can tell you all the tips and tricks of a worst selling substack author! Learn what not to do! I'm a master of it and you can be too! Just Read "Break from Hell" It's a veritable Who's Not of What isn't! Here's a teaser: Someone dies at the end of every story I write. Fun for the whole family! Order yours today! Operators are standing by...
Good insight Jess. I think more Sub-stackers need to hear this input.
I have been on Substack for soon to be a year. I do post weekly, my area is faith related content of the Bible and following Christ.
Thank you! A year of consistent posting is impressive. Wishing you continued growth and meaningful connections on your journey!
How did you get my picture! 😁
Haha, pure magic! 😁
Well said, thoughtful post. Email avalanche- truth! However, at this moment it’s really nice to be able to find a community of people who get it. Like you.
Despite the inbox chaos, finding like-minded people here feels like discovering a quiet corner in a very loud room. Glad to have crossed paths!
lol yes that. Great way to say it. Nice to meet you.
Great article, highlighting genuine concerns most don't think about or deny. I've only recently started getting into substack, mainly over earning problems on Medium but earning nothing here. Only one paid newsletter at present and have concerns about the subscription model. People are tired of subscriptions and paying $5 just for one writer's content is limiting and potentially unsustainable. At the drop of a hat, they can unsubscribe or request a refund. You've raised very realistic points. There are inherent flaws in the system, which makes those who aren't earning feel like a failure.
This platform thrives on the big sharks, while the rest of us are just plankton floating in their wake.
That’s how I feel too. Better to ignore all the noise.
Yes a Substack search functioning like Google would make a massive difference.
People buy multiple books (digital, audio or paper), I guess that’s not so different from buying a newsletter sub for $5.
To me the difference is that, if I buy an e-book for, say, $5, I have it and can read it whenever I want, again and again, if I love it. On Substack, I have to pay $5 *every month* if I want to keep access to that content.
Or I have to go through the process of consuming a publication's content as fast as possible to get my $5's worth, then manually unsubscribe, and hope that I remember to resubscribe to it in a couple of months to consume whatever new content was added.
That makes sense, the subscribe-unsubscribe cycle is something I hadn’t really considered.