Feeling torn between creating freely and the pressure to grow my audience, I hit a wall. This is the process I crafted to move forward—and how it might help you, too.
Hi Amanda, I'm feeling exactly like the feelings you described in your post. I love my creativity, but my readings #s have been dropping a bit, not a lot, and not my subscriber #s oddly, in past month or so. I'm writing pretty much same 'niche' stuff -- know that word isn't a good one anymore... -- Mexico, Maya civilization stuff that I was happily surprised people are Reading at all! --so not sure if it's my Welcome page (just looked it over after seeing a post about that from Simon K Jones) and tomorrow is my one year anniversary on Substack! So, though I'm feeling a little blue, it's a big deal. I'd been blogging for 4 years prior to SubS, and way back when (when we owned our bookstore in southern MX--wrote blog for a MX website then), so I know how to do it. I guess I have to find new audience or something. So, that's my tale. Guess I'm in a slump. Oh, I've condense-serialized my memoir about moving to MX and opening a bookstore-those #s seem ok. Nearing last chapters now---but maybe when I switch to history, travel, etc things will pick up.
The distinction between creative and vehicle blocks is new to me, and is so helpful. Thank you for sharing that. Is there a minimum number of subscribers that one should have before trying the 5x5 framework? If so, do you have any suggestions for writers who are below that threshold and want to better strategize for both growth and creativity?
Hi Natasha - This is a great question. I think for the 5x5 framework, I would look more at consistent publishing and a body of work that's been published online.
It usually takes about a year to accumulate diverse essays in a way where the data can tell us something about how readers are moving through our work. If that's not something available to you yet, I did create a digital guide called "Speak From The Ground You Stand On," which is a series of journaling prompts to guide you through your newsletter concepts and test them for viability/longevity.
I'm feeling the distinction 100%. Ever since I moved my newsletter/writing to Substack (about a year ago), I feel like my essays have been well-received, but my newsletters haven't been the same. I've tried different things, but yeah, it must be a vehicle block. I'll need to think about (do a self audit) on what it still means to me! Thanks, Amanda.
Vehicle block - that's a helpful metaphor! It's useful to reflect that sometimes it isn't our creativity that's holding us back. Very insightful as always, Amanda!
Hi Amanda, I'm feeling exactly like the feelings you described in your post. I love my creativity, but my readings #s have been dropping a bit, not a lot, and not my subscriber #s oddly, in past month or so. I'm writing pretty much same 'niche' stuff -- know that word isn't a good one anymore... -- Mexico, Maya civilization stuff that I was happily surprised people are Reading at all! --so not sure if it's my Welcome page (just looked it over after seeing a post about that from Simon K Jones) and tomorrow is my one year anniversary on Substack! So, though I'm feeling a little blue, it's a big deal. I'd been blogging for 4 years prior to SubS, and way back when (when we owned our bookstore in southern MX--wrote blog for a MX website then), so I know how to do it. I guess I have to find new audience or something. So, that's my tale. Guess I'm in a slump. Oh, I've condense-serialized my memoir about moving to MX and opening a bookstore-those #s seem ok. Nearing last chapters now---but maybe when I switch to history, travel, etc things will pick up.
Cheering you on -- it does take a lot of riding the waves. Sorry not sorry for the pun. ;-)
Thank you, onward!
This is timely. And as always, I appreciate your focus on listening to our own instinct while considering best practices.
The distinction between creative and vehicle blocks is new to me, and is so helpful. Thank you for sharing that. Is there a minimum number of subscribers that one should have before trying the 5x5 framework? If so, do you have any suggestions for writers who are below that threshold and want to better strategize for both growth and creativity?
Hi Natasha - This is a great question. I think for the 5x5 framework, I would look more at consistent publishing and a body of work that's been published online.
It usually takes about a year to accumulate diverse essays in a way where the data can tell us something about how readers are moving through our work. If that's not something available to you yet, I did create a digital guide called "Speak From The Ground You Stand On," which is a series of journaling prompts to guide you through your newsletter concepts and test them for viability/longevity.
Not trying to just upsell you here but it is genuinely a useful tool -- since you just joined as a paid member I made a coupon for the guide as a thank you. ☀️ https://theeditingspectrum.podia.com/speak-from-the-ground-you-stand-on-journaling-prompts-to-explore-your-newsletter-concepts?coupon=SPEAKFROMTHEGROUND
Thank you, Amanda. I got the tool and I think it will help me in these early stages of engaging on Substack! I look forward to learning more from you.
I'm feeling the distinction 100%. Ever since I moved my newsletter/writing to Substack (about a year ago), I feel like my essays have been well-received, but my newsletters haven't been the same. I've tried different things, but yeah, it must be a vehicle block. I'll need to think about (do a self audit) on what it still means to me! Thanks, Amanda.
Vehicle block - that's a helpful metaphor! It's useful to reflect that sometimes it isn't our creativity that's holding us back. Very insightful as always, Amanda!