This tells me exactly what I feared. That most people are subscribing in self-interest only, and they seem to only want to read about Substack growth, how to monetize Substack, how to monetize anything, and oh yeah, how to move to Europe.
If I am wrong — prove me wrong please! If I started using a “Substack” keyword in all of my notes and posts, I wonder if I would suddenly be noticeable? 🧐
I just joined, and as soon as he wrote that he started growing after writing about how to build a newsletter and monetize it I stopped reading. It’s like a coach making money teaching other coaches how to coach.
Totally agree, Monica! This Xerox copy feeling of ick robs humanity of our uniqueness and own distinct paths. Super commodified and a little bit pyramid scheme-y.
Can you imagine Bob Dylan creating an online course on how to be a famous folk singer/songwriter? Thereby making hundreds of diluted, carbon copies of him?
Social media has made everyone addicted to external focus, when really we should stop worrying so much about manufacturing audiences and just focus on what we’re good at!
So it seems you found monemaking via digital product sale. But after the first year, you find a modified way to increase subscribers. Did I get your **Escape The Cuble** pathway in summary correctly. love to connect with you for further as I am new to substack. Got 2 topics for a monthly newsletter based on my previous career in the financial service and what I have learned since. Your review and comments most valued. Thanks.
Can you please elaborate just a little bit on what constitutes a Substack failure? Other than the actual giving up part, what seems to be happening in the weeks and months leading up to dropping out?
I've been writing on Substack for 5 months, and I only have 60 subscribers or so. I enjoyed discussing marketing and personal branding; it's something I'm really passionate about. But that still didn't work. Recently, I realized that I need to switch my writing to a completely different topic and audience. So, I'll be discussing spirituality, Islam, and its relationship with world politics. That's a topic that's more of "What I really want to talk about".
The challenge is: How do you recommend I go about making allies? I have reached out to a few writers through direct messages on Substack, but didn't get a response. Do you have tips on how to do this in a way that won't sound off or come by as "needy" to others?
New to substack, I think my issue is that I don’t feel like I have expertise in anything. I mean I have work experience in retail but I don’t think many people actually have a problem getting those jobs or even want them. I’m not sure what I could realistically package for monetization other than my passion topics in essays and maybe start freelance writing, which is also one of my goals
Thanks for this--I just started (freelancer, escapee from legacy media, oped pages, but mainly a novelist etc) mainly because I'm seeking an independent space that I (erroneously) thought would be AI free. I don't mind writing into the void + resisting early calls to "expertise" is how I feel into being a quasi journalist in the first place...
Working the Master Class as my retail job allows. I'm REALLY loving it so far!!! Thank you! Still developing my rhythm for interaction and making online connections (on a retail associate's schedule), but I'm very optimistic with the advice you share for free and in your Master Class!!! :D
I really liked this post! My Substack is a creative endeavor focusing on my writing. I’m about to publish my first book of poetry on healing from childhood trauma and narcissistic parents, but ultimately this is a space for me to express myself creatively. Short stories from my childhood, and eventually works of fiction are my goal. My thought is if I can make one person feel they’re not alone by example, I’ve done something good in this world. I’m trying to figure out what I’m doing, reading posts like this are immensely helpful.
This tells me exactly what I feared. That most people are subscribing in self-interest only, and they seem to only want to read about Substack growth, how to monetize Substack, how to monetize anything, and oh yeah, how to move to Europe.
If I am wrong — prove me wrong please! If I started using a “Substack” keyword in all of my notes and posts, I wonder if I would suddenly be noticeable? 🧐
I just joined, and as soon as he wrote that he started growing after writing about how to build a newsletter and monetize it I stopped reading. It’s like a coach making money teaching other coaches how to coach.
Totally agree, Monica! This Xerox copy feeling of ick robs humanity of our uniqueness and own distinct paths. Super commodified and a little bit pyramid scheme-y.
Can you imagine Bob Dylan creating an online course on how to be a famous folk singer/songwriter? Thereby making hundreds of diluted, carbon copies of him?
Social media has made everyone addicted to external focus, when really we should stop worrying so much about manufacturing audiences and just focus on what we’re good at!
End of rant ☮️
It’s prevalent on social media as well, content about how to go viral going viral.
So the way to build a successful Substack is to write about how to build a successful Substack?
I am enjoying your posts, they’re very insightful.
Thank you for your time and expertise.
They’re giving me an excellent education as I get going from zero.
So it seems you found monemaking via digital product sale. But after the first year, you find a modified way to increase subscribers. Did I get your **Escape The Cuble** pathway in summary correctly. love to connect with you for further as I am new to substack. Got 2 topics for a monthly newsletter based on my previous career in the financial service and what I have learned since. Your review and comments most valued. Thanks.
Can you please elaborate just a little bit on what constitutes a Substack failure? Other than the actual giving up part, what seems to be happening in the weeks and months leading up to dropping out?
I write because I enjoy it. If I make some coffee money, so be it but my main focus is on AI education.
Thank you for helping us, the new writers get ideas and the power to continue writing ❤️
Hey Wes.
Great article as always.
I've been writing on Substack for 5 months, and I only have 60 subscribers or so. I enjoyed discussing marketing and personal branding; it's something I'm really passionate about. But that still didn't work. Recently, I realized that I need to switch my writing to a completely different topic and audience. So, I'll be discussing spirituality, Islam, and its relationship with world politics. That's a topic that's more of "What I really want to talk about".
The challenge is: How do you recommend I go about making allies? I have reached out to a few writers through direct messages on Substack, but didn't get a response. Do you have tips on how to do this in a way that won't sound off or come by as "needy" to others?
All the best Wes,
New to substack, I think my issue is that I don’t feel like I have expertise in anything. I mean I have work experience in retail but I don’t think many people actually have a problem getting those jobs or even want them. I’m not sure what I could realistically package for monetization other than my passion topics in essays and maybe start freelance writing, which is also one of my goals
Thanks for this--I just started (freelancer, escapee from legacy media, oped pages, but mainly a novelist etc) mainly because I'm seeking an independent space that I (erroneously) thought would be AI free. I don't mind writing into the void + resisting early calls to "expertise" is how I feel into being a quasi journalist in the first place...
Working the Master Class as my retail job allows. I'm REALLY loving it so far!!! Thank you! Still developing my rhythm for interaction and making online connections (on a retail associate's schedule), but I'm very optimistic with the advice you share for free and in your Master Class!!! :D
Thank you for sharing the challenges and the tips for moving forward. A real inspiration.
I really liked this post! My Substack is a creative endeavor focusing on my writing. I’m about to publish my first book of poetry on healing from childhood trauma and narcissistic parents, but ultimately this is a space for me to express myself creatively. Short stories from my childhood, and eventually works of fiction are my goal. My thought is if I can make one person feel they’re not alone by example, I’ve done something good in this world. I’m trying to figure out what I’m doing, reading posts like this are immensely helpful.