159 Comments
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Sail into Consciousness's avatar

This is when people are on Substack as an alternative for IG.. the focus on money. And tackling Algorithms. You're a marketer, not a writer, not a visionary. There's nothing nothing authentic here, but the chase for money as a measuring unit for success .

You point out their is a difference between platforms, but ultimately it's the same obsession.

And now because you have paying subscribers you've become an authority of sorts. For charity, your post caught my eye--fed to me by Substack-- because it was about Notes . I have my own ideas around Notes and also how I want to use Substack. True, I am finding my way, but in regards to what I put where for clarity and consistency, I am not driven by challenges to make things 'happen' .. I let it unfold and flow for those select few in the mass that can and want to think and create something different than this world.

So, anyway, I read your fluffy post, and notice it's still only about the marketing category and subject. Which means , 🤑.

IG is full of it. It's flooded so now they're coming here with their $$$-eyes, just like you did that year ago? To do what??Make another challenge? Dang..

And what I see, as a newbie here escaping all that nonsense over there, is that it's just a veil.

Write to the problem or the ache... The 'protocol' first learned on IG & TT for marketing, It's not for writers or creatives or life view sharing individualls. It's just plain marketing. And in my opinion it's hollow as fuck.

Do you actually know anything else?

Wes Pearce's avatar

Are you ok? You seem a little bitter. I hope you get better 🙏

Irvin Rodhe's avatar

Could you share some knowledge on how to find meaningful friends here? I don't mean subscribers but people I could talk with about everyday things and learn more about them. Thank you!

The House of Flow's avatar

I’m here. 62, soon to be 63😂beautiful black woman. Reinventing herself, telling her stories, and looking to make decently meaningful connections through writing here on Substack. I dare you to connect.

DiscoveryWithGrace's avatar

Well I am here if you feel the need to talk to anyone 😔

James D. Schumacher III's avatar

Was wondering that myself.

Sarah Walker Gorrell's avatar

Well, SIC, apparently, Wes Pearce did something right if he's amassed that many subscribers. How many do you have? I only have a few over 20, so I may try what Mr. Pearce is suggesting. I'm interested in learning how writing Notes can increase subscriber numbers.

ItsmeDG's avatar

I hope you’re able to “sail” someplace that makes you less angry and bitter! Best of luck.

thingstothink's avatar

Aye, whatever it takes to make the bag😂

The CURVE by Sophie 🌜's avatar

This was my breath of fresh air for today, thank you ❤️

Christina Piccoli's avatar

If you want people to see your "non-fluffy", and I'm sure "very important" work, guess what you need? Marketing.

How will people find you if you don't promote yourself?

Adam Tanner's avatar

So much this. “I get tons of people to subscribe to my ai marketing pieces by posting ai marketing notes”. Zzzzzz.

Tacocat's avatar

You can read all about it in my new book “How I made a million dollars… by writing a book about how I made a million dollars”

Mary Hobbins's avatar

Wow. That was harsh.

Journal of a Girl Healing's avatar

Knowing the right thing to post would bring the right people, community and Subscribers.

Learning how a platform works would always make our growth easier.

Thank you for this.

Hello they!

I'd love to connect with Genuine Readers and Writers. Let's connect please 🙏

Dominic Adler's avatar

I write notes to amuse me and, hopefully, others. Hustle and grind is dull.

Kira Brann — IRD Researcher's avatar

Impressive system. Meanwhile, I’m still hiding from the algorithm because every time I post something it tries to introduce me to “growth opportunities.” I’m only here to survive Earth, not optimize it.

Tara's avatar

My worry with notes is that eventually, it becomes less about community building within Substack and just getting follows and subscribers. How do you keep that from happening, or can you?

Wes Pearce's avatar

I’m not sure because I’ve never had that worry. I’d just be authentic and you’ll attract authentic people. My Notes boosts in my chat has become very community-driven.

Marina Chelak's avatar

I’ve actually started my Substack by writing notes, because shorter content allows me to share what’s on my mind much more quickly than committing to a full-length article. It feels even more authentic and genuine to me, because I can just get it out without overthinking or doing much editing.

I think overthinking is one of the enemies here. Of course, I want people to read what I write and engage in conversation with me, but getting it off my chest feels more important at the moment. What do you think?

Martha Trudi Ryan's avatar

I'm wondering the same!

Jennifer Gillette's avatar

Isn’t gaining subscribers community building?

Tara's avatar

Sure it does but at some point or rather sometimes, it just feels more like a chore and not genuine and just like any other platform to say "me, me, me"

Jennifer Gillette's avatar

I agree. Anything that feels like a chore, I typically avoid.

Michele Price's avatar

Solid post and one thing I notice folks who “wrote about substack” forget to mention which is a HUGE piece of data people make decisions by.

If you write about “substack” you get exponentially larger lists of subscribers.

David Allan Carnes's avatar

Given the foregoing examples, it seems the only way to make money on Substack is to write posts about how to make money on Substack.

DiscoveryWithGrace's avatar

That's what they give us.

What if we just want to read to be sensible and write to make others see our thoughts.

Gretchen Ierien's avatar

I’m just tired of seeing notes about how to get more subscribers. It’s getting boring.

Nina Jankowicz's avatar

“The platform works. But only if you’re posting the right types of Notes” is pretty much the polar opposite of “Substack is a platform that wants to work with you.”

Norma Sancho's avatar

So, your content is about Substack.

Marketing. How to make it.

That is your content.

E A Carter's avatar

And it's written by AI. Classy.

Malwande Bebeza's avatar

Great post thank you. Why do some people think that the more you post the less authentic you are? I think the opposite the more you post the more authentic you can actually get. Thank you again.

Ken Barber's avatar

“I made a zillion dollars on Substack. Give me money and I’ll tell you how.”

Wes Pearce's avatar

@Ken Barber this isn’t the right place for you. Kindly unsubscribe 👋 and stop spreading your toxic attitude.

E A Carter's avatar

He's not wrong though. Also, your writing is not authentic. It's clearly AI. Shame on you.

Wes Pearce's avatar

You have no idea what you’re talking about. But good luck with everything!

Christina Piccoli's avatar

I thought people were nicer on Substack. Nope. 😅

Wes Pearce's avatar

Honestly, I’ve experienced some of the best people here on Substack and also some of the biggest trolls.

Aileen Stephenson's avatar

I love the "be generous" message. I am here as much to write as I am to connect with like-minded people. I want to amplify their voices when I find them.

Anfernee's avatar

365 days straight is exactly the kind of commitment that separates creators who build audiences from those who just post randomly. The real insight here is that consistency beats perfection. Most people quit after 30 days because they don't see results yet. But the algorithm and audience trust both need that sustained effort to compound.

Nicole Franklin's avatar

Thanks for testing and sharing!

Irvin Rodhe's avatar

This might work for some but not for me because I'm a writer so I don't see how I could utilize that feature. I only want to find a few meaningful friends here. I don't need a lot of subscribers. Only a few friends that I could discuss with about books and faith and everyday life. How do I do that?