15 Comments
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JA Boman's avatar

A lot of things to think about. Some that came to mind immediately:

* The only problem I solve is offering a terrific alternative to the scary world.

- I haven't thought of chat yet.

- An AMA will never happen. I can't be understood.

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Shalenah's avatar

This is really inspiring and making me think (as a new travel coach). I've had my substack for about a year and can admit the growth and engagement is so haphazard. You gave me lots to think about how I can make this a community instead of sometimes it feels like a one woman show. Thank you!

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Melissa's avatar

Love this- Thank you. I'm new to substack and this post was really helpful.

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J. L. Gittens's avatar

https://thegemspen.substack.com/p/shedding-the-wilderness-a-rebrand

SUNDAY POST✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

"You have to shed the wilderness before you come into the promised land."

Here's the link to my most recent post!

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J. L. Gittens's avatar

Thank you for this, I've been realizing how I needed to rebrand and rebuild my newsletter. Honestly how it is, is just me starting, staying consistent and getting confidence in hitting 'Publish'.

But now I want it to be something more, to grow deeper, stronger, and build others as well. But I just didn't know where to start. I've been on here for 4 months and received a few subscribers but I am working on really communicating and connecting with them.

An encouragement I got today was that is is refreshing to see life from my persepctive, and that it shows I am a writer. That blessed me. Thank you.

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Zoe Robinson's avatar

This is a great read, thanks so much for sharing these insights. I just published my first newsletter yesterday (by chance also include 'How I...' in the title!). A lot of what you've said here around community building resonates, particularly around storytelling. Definitely think chat etc could work well for my niche. Here it is...

The beginning: How I broke my fast-fashion habit and embraced mending unapologetically. https://themendingkit.substack.com/p/the-beginning.

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RƋƑ (Richard)'s avatar

I'm finally understanding the words coming out of your mouth, Wes! Well, out of your keyboard anyway. I can feel things clicking. But I'm still a step before step 1, maybe step zero? where I am trying to just gain a following. I know I have important information to share and help our aging population finding tech solutions, or remote workers needing tech support. Still, I have to do a better job getting noticed. That's the piece 🧩 I'm still looking for.

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Chidanand M's avatar

Your write-up is inspiring and encouraging the bloggers to learn the valuable skills that help the subscribers, as well as to build communities that get supported. Thank you for this wonderful writing.

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Jana Jochmanova's avatar

Thanks so much! So much gold in here.

I absolutely love the topic of community. I've been drawn to communities all my life. Both online and offline. I lived in one and planning to do again soon.

I have a question. We are running a small community CLC - conscious leaders community. And just relaunching it from mentor driven to peer to peer. What if our paid offer is actually a community? How would you connect it with substack? Thank you. 🙌❤️

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Poet and the Bench's avatar

Wow, Wes! This is such thorough and easy to consume strategy. Inspired to address this in our Substack and business approach. We have been community focused from the beginning in our mixed use retail and gallery space and I feel we can level up in a number of analogous ways with your tips. I love the idea of IRL office hours. Having a big 🤔. TY!

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Jim Savage's avatar

Thanks for this. I'm plugging away...

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Melissa Scala's avatar

I've been reading your articles, and the advice is way simpler than some of the Substack growth experts articles I follow -- I'm sold! Just bought both the Substack and Linkedin courses!

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Brian Wiesner's avatar

Solid advice with tangible action steps, I love it, thanks Wes :)

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Carlie Melody Mae's avatar

I'm only at #5 and had to scroll down here to say THIS IS SO GOOD. I'll be back with further thoughts 🤣

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Charisse Tyson's avatar

Great advice! 👏

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