While deciding whether to subscribe, I always look for an About page with personality and a clear promise of what I can expect. Sweeping generalities put me off, and Substack's boilerplate copy conveys a lack of confidence in a distinctive mission. I like your suggestion of including a screenshot from the Comments. I'm proud of my Comments section but never thought of featuring it on the About page.
I am always confused by how many places there are to update! There's the official about you page, plus the pinned post on my home page, my profile, my welcome emails...I basically have it set up so it's all the same, and it's so many places to change when I tinker! Just venting here. Sorry! 🤪 This was a helpful guide, Amanda!
It is a lot. It’s a lot to set up at first. And that’s part of why I tried to simplify down into what actually matters (where readers make their first impressions). Get those really good and make sure they’re in sync … and the rest of your writing can ebb and flow around them. Polish and work and publish as you go. 🫶
Otherwise you’re right … you’re just always working ON your newsletter and not swimming in the goodness of your craft and connecting with readers.
Very useful, thank you Amanda! I loved your personal essayist example. That made me realize that I speak too much about me and not focus enough on the why of my readers in my About page, so I look forward to the next workshop.
This was really helpful! I've recently updated my About Page, which I was pretty pleased with, though I realise now there is lots more to consider 😂 perhaps it was my SFD 😂 brilliant tips and the personal essay example was SO helpful! Thanks!
Now I’m going to review my about page - haven’t looked at it in a while, I’m sure it needs updating. Great idea to add comments and quotes from readers.
This was one of the most succinct 'update your about page' posts I've read so far. I set up my about page early on way back in October! Will return to it now, I'm blooming with ideas on how to make it better. Also, I absolutely love the new Newsletter Feedback Post and wondering how I can adapt it to my work. Hey! Maybe I'll ask that question over there!
While deciding whether to subscribe, I always look for an About page with personality and a clear promise of what I can expect. Sweeping generalities put me off, and Substack's boilerplate copy conveys a lack of confidence in a distinctive mission. I like your suggestion of including a screenshot from the Comments. I'm proud of my Comments section but never thought of featuring it on the About page.
I am always confused by how many places there are to update! There's the official about you page, plus the pinned post on my home page, my profile, my welcome emails...I basically have it set up so it's all the same, and it's so many places to change when I tinker! Just venting here. Sorry! 🤪 This was a helpful guide, Amanda!
It is a lot. It’s a lot to set up at first. And that’s part of why I tried to simplify down into what actually matters (where readers make their first impressions). Get those really good and make sure they’re in sync … and the rest of your writing can ebb and flow around them. Polish and work and publish as you go. 🫶
Otherwise you’re right … you’re just always working ON your newsletter and not swimming in the goodness of your craft and connecting with readers.
Very useful, thank you Amanda! I loved your personal essayist example. That made me realize that I speak too much about me and not focus enough on the why of my readers in my About page, so I look forward to the next workshop.
This was really helpful! I've recently updated my About Page, which I was pretty pleased with, though I realise now there is lots more to consider 😂 perhaps it was my SFD 😂 brilliant tips and the personal essay example was SO helpful! Thanks!
Also, look forward to the workshop!
Thank you for this!
Now I’m going to review my about page - haven’t looked at it in a while, I’m sure it needs updating. Great idea to add comments and quotes from readers.
This was one of the most succinct 'update your about page' posts I've read so far. I set up my about page early on way back in October! Will return to it now, I'm blooming with ideas on how to make it better. Also, I absolutely love the new Newsletter Feedback Post and wondering how I can adapt it to my work. Hey! Maybe I'll ask that question over there!