This is so true and so beautiful. And while yes, I would LOVE a boost from the Substack team, I don't blame them for my lack of subscribers. We have to stop seeing numbers and start seeing people who genuinely want to read what we have to say. It took me a long time to realize that I wasn't going to convert readers with a single popular post (for me it's a post I wrote years ago about Mammoth Cave). They have to feel like your writing is worth their time. And admittedly, I have a handful of niches on my Substack, not just one, but I'm hoping that people who want to subscribe to one section stick around to see what else I have to offer. Honestly, Notes has been one of the best growth opportunities that I've had in a long time. And I've found a lot of people whose voices I'm also interested in hearing.
I think you’re catching on to one of the tenants of Buddhism in your comment here. To focus on the essence of belonging (whether a reader is there for a week or a lifetime) rather than the entanglements of attachment (where they must stay with me as a reader and never let me go).
I do wonder about the nature of not having a niche in writing. I see the process of writing in many forms to be helpful, but I know from my own experience I have used the “everything” niche as a way to subconsciously deflect attention. (A pesky habit from evangelical upbringing.) I do often wonder if you feel you’re able to pack a punch when you want to in your writing. Or is there a shifting you balance and sort of “massage” your way through?
I can see how it would be that way for some, but not for me. I'm not trying to deflect attention, I just have so many interests that I want to write about! I think that's why I settled on "On the Journey" for my "theme" because everything (travel, faith exploration, parenting, politics, marriage, etc.) is part of this journey of life that I'm on.
Thank you for all of this—the idea of timing and readiness from Goldberg, the overly optimistic image of angels gathering readers, and especially the idea of “using my online writing as a substitute for being heard by the people who matter most in my life.” Ooof. Will be thinking about that today as I try to figure out what to write about Notes.
Thank you for your honest thoughts. What you have written confirms many of my own thoughts regarding the writing process and when it can be successful. My biggest subscriber growths in the past have happened when jumping on something major happening in the news, like when Russia invaded Ukraine. However, I am grateful for how Substack makes it possible to consistently ( so far) and slowly grow in between those moments. All the rest tends to feel like just being lucky, as you described, of resonating with someone at some moment in time for some reason that you will probably never know. You can never predict which of the things you write becomes popular. I think standing behind your work and being proud of the quality of what you have written is really important, i.e. to not get your self-worth or the value of your work from an external and unpredictable source like number of readers/likes/reactions. What I also found to be useful was to continually evolve your work, try out different styles/topics, see what works and what doesn't. Anyway, would be nice if we could be in touch, I'm always on the lookout for like-minded writers to share thoughts with.
I think a lot of writing experts try to make writing a thing that can be predictable and that’s where I think a lot of writers are let down.
The best thing we can do, I think, is to be consistent without being tamed and let the readers push and pull as they will. (At least, that’s the image I saw in my mind as I was reading your comment.)
Glad to have you here in the mix of “Writer Readers” ... a couple times a month I host discussion threads which have been met with mixed feedback. (Sharing writing with an editor seems like a daunting ask, so I’m sensitive to that.) But I do wish there was a way to explore more from the editor/long-term writer perspective. Maybe there’s something better I could offer there.
Being responsive to your readers' feedback without losing or diminishing (or being afraid to show) who you are and what you are trying to express, is I think how I would summarise it.
Thank you so much for this piece! I really needed to hear this today. It helped clarify a few things for me about where I want to take my two Substacks (or not). :)
Also, I often don't subscribe to newsletters because I'm overwhelmed by the sheer number of them. I *want* to subscribe to all the good, interesting writing being offered here. But 2.5 years into my time at Substack, I'm exhausted. Reading and commenting has become a full-time job that I'd LOVE to do, but I don't have the time or capacity for. If I subscribe, I want to give that writer's creations the time and attention they deserve, not just give them one more unengaged subscriber. I guess, during this season of my life, the problem is so many excellent writers and so little time.
Thanks for taking the time to read what I wrote, Kerri. I can definitely relate to the feeling of being overwhelmed by the options on Substack. I ALSO relate to wanting to give good attention to what I read, and that does seem to help me scale back. For better or worse, I've given myself a 30-40 subscription cap. And those are all single-writer newsletters. (I signed up the other day for a newsletter that I didn't realize had 15+ different writers ALL publishing ALL their own things, and I got "inbox whiplash" right away. Sorry, Charlie, had to unsubscribe.)
I think readers need more permission to embrace their own limits. What do I need in this season, and whose writing might support that? When someone's work has fulfilled its purpose in my life, I unsubscribe and say adieu. 🫶
I totally get where you're coming from. I wrote a post shortly after I started called, "How I Cope with Slow (or Nonexistent) Newsletter Growth." I was feeling the same way, like I exist to write into a void. I didn't even realize that Substack had an algorithm. I thought that it was their gimmick: no algorithms, just organic growth.
I've had blogs since the beginning of blogging. Back before everyone had a blog, it was pretty easy to build an audience. I just took that for granted and often abandoned my blogs and my readers. I blogged anonymously specifically because I didn't want anyone following me to the next one. By the time I was ready to blog as myself, the internet was flooded with competition (mostly social media). Since then, it just started getting harder and harder to build an audience.
I've read all the advice about newsletter growth and none of it is sustainable for me. It just makes me miserable, and if I'm miserable doing this, I may as well switch to something profitable. I wonder if the internet has skewed our view of what it means to be a successful writer because we see other writers with thousands of followers. Pre-internet, many writers only had family members as readers. That's how it was for my grandmother, who spent her life writing, submitting, and collecting rejection letters. So, anytime a stranger reads my work for the sake of enjoying my writing, I think of it as a success. Do I always feel successful? No, of course not, but who does?
I have really enjoyed reading your words Amy and wholeheartedly agree that, in my opinion, the internet has skewed our view of what it means to be a successful writer. Success looks different for everyone, so it isn't apples vs apples. For me, just one person giving up their precious time to read my words evokes a wonderful heart-felt feeling. I know that I am new to this, and my feelings may change but right now, I am grateful for the space here to write. Thank you again. Tracey
Amy, there is so much insight in your words here. First, I hear the twinge of regret and pain in not being ready to blog as yourself during a time when it would’ve been “easy.” I dabbled a bit with anonymous writing but then realized if I just tell no one about my website, that’s anonymity enough. 🫠
Second, I think you point to a point of empowerment that few ever reach. (And of course I’m over here nodding my head.) You are setting such a good example by telling the experts that their recommendations are the path to misery. Basically my whole job (content marketing / management) was fulfilling only as far as I was working with writers and editing their stuff. But a lot about marketing I never could implement with any success. Leaving social media two years ago felt like the final “defeat,” though I don’t see it that way anymore. I just couldn’t keep doing things that made me miserable. Zero sum game right there.
And finally to your point about success. Have you heard of Lauren Sapala? I discovered her as a writer for INFJ writers and she has a neat online community for folks who identify as highly sensitive. She has self published a few books and, yeah, from a design standpoint I can pick out the places I would’ve probably hired a professional. But you know what? She comes across to me as deeply happy and rooted in her life calling. She really changed my idea of what success could look like -- it’s much more expansive, creative and built in valuable relationships far beyond just numbers.
Thank you for being a reader. I get happy when I see your name show up.
This is so wise. Happy to find your newsletter from DL Mayfield’s comments ☺️ I pendulum swing weekly between *writing for pleasure and practice* and *am I just writing into the void?!* And I don’t have any other platforms to share my writing on because they were so detrimental to my mental health 😅 so for now, it’s just practice, slow organic growth, and a hope to connect with like-minded kindred spirits.
Nice to have you here, Lindsey. 🤗 I think what I’m learning more each day is that writing is a practice in embracing mystery. I suppose it’s my biggest act of faith these days: seeing writing that goes into the void as somehow, somewhere feeding the writing that someone will need to pick up one day. Keep writing. 🧡
I enjoyed and appreciated what you shared. Defining exactly who you are is always a challenge, as that is a lifelong quest. It becomes a little more daunting when aging out of your life's professional work and a well-established "niche" to the more open and creative space as a writer. I have been exploring in recent articles neurodiversity and autism spectrum as relates to creative talents. A post that I will publish in the next few days explores with some personal stories the value of relational feedback to gain needed perspective and context.
I finally published my last article. I have more than enough content to do another book but hesitate, knowing all the focus and time that it will require. I'm afraid also of a lot of redundancy in the many articles I have done, which also will require a lot of editing and revising. But of course, I enjoy doing the editing as I do creating new content. https://www.inmindwise.com/p/relationships-for-sustenance-and
Thanks, Hannah; I concur with your recommendation. I have used freelancers in the past, such as from Reedsy, Fiverr, and Upwork, as when I was doing my first book. I am open to recommendations of the best places where you have found freelance editors or any particular ones you would recommend. I love editing but get too perfectionistic and obsessive with it. These traits, though helpful in my long career as a mental health provider and consultant, seem to be a detriment when I tried to shift to my artistic side. These traits, from my touch of ASD and Dyslexia, have of course given me a lot to write about.
Powerful. I’m still sorting out why I wrote but I think I’ve made peace with the fact that I don’t want to (and thankfully don’t need to) make the sacrifices necessary for earning an audience. So I’m currently happily writing in obscurity.
Maybe one day I’ll find something that drives me to greater ambition.
Thank you for this post. There’s a terrifying freedom in being mostly ignored. For me, substack has led to connection with a few people and that feels like a reward, and more of a reward than only talking to my journal. Sometimes we write to make ourselves real to ourselves and to be seen (& maybe even appreciated) for that?
I’m a month late to this party, but better late than never, right? Because I know the audience envy too. Am constantly digging deeper for even more ways to tame that dragon. I really like your remembering the angels rounding up readers. A wise person suggested something similar to me: Trust the mycelium, he said. You can’t see it, it’s all in the dark, underground, out of sight, but it’s moving, moving, moving, making new connections. Whew. It’s a discipline, trusting that mycelium! Much of the time I wish it were all visible! Also, I know that my own limits keep me from posting more. So that’s a practice too, making peace with how much is mine (and not mine) to do. I’m aware too that loneliness can be a lifelong note for autistic folks (like me), and getting fewer readers than I think I should have never fails to twang that string. So I take a deep breath and turn back toward the loved ones I know or the reader who writes back now and then or the ways of connecting that are nourishing to me. If I feel the urge to write something, I take it as a sign that somebody needs it. Not a lot to go on. And yet...
Priscilla, I love this, your commentary and (as I'm reading the transcript/listening to one of your pieces) feel that you hold a tremendous Voice. You're wise to share about knowing our limits and gosh, "making peace with how much is mine (and not mine) to do." What a picture.
You share with such clarity, gentleness, steadiness. I'm so glad Substack has connected us and that I can share your work with people in my life who I know it will resonate with.
If you're ever interested, I'm launching a subnewsletter called "The Spectrum Spotlight," where I invite neurodiverse people to write (swim in, rejoice in, go on and on) about their special interest. I'd love for you to consider submitting a story idea about a special interest that "captures you every time." Right now I'm not able to pay anyone for their guest posts, but that is part of my work right now (to build a system and start making the case to others that neurodiverse voices are an asset in our deeply entrenched, capitalistic world).
Also, my "big break" on Substack was having one of my articles featured on Substack reads and in the app. That particular essay was something I worked on for 2.5 hours and kind of kicked out the door as part of a "just write" strategy. The work I consider *actual writing*--the work I'm really proud of--lingers on my desk for YEARS. So yeah. Ugh.
Also re: the piece that “lifted” your writing ... is that no better proof that writing is almost wholly outside the realms of control? The people and luck carry the writing where it needs to be. You’re a willing vessel, and I think that’s what counts.
"I was using my online writing as a substitute for being heard by the people who matter most in my life. " Oh man. I wonder if that is why so many of us do become writers in the first place -- because someone, early on in our lives, just could not or would not hear us, no matter how well we worded things. Thanks for sharing this so vulnerably. Also, I f-ing love "Writing Down the Bones."
This is so true and so beautiful. And while yes, I would LOVE a boost from the Substack team, I don't blame them for my lack of subscribers. We have to stop seeing numbers and start seeing people who genuinely want to read what we have to say. It took me a long time to realize that I wasn't going to convert readers with a single popular post (for me it's a post I wrote years ago about Mammoth Cave). They have to feel like your writing is worth their time. And admittedly, I have a handful of niches on my Substack, not just one, but I'm hoping that people who want to subscribe to one section stick around to see what else I have to offer. Honestly, Notes has been one of the best growth opportunities that I've had in a long time. And I've found a lot of people whose voices I'm also interested in hearing.
I think you’re catching on to one of the tenants of Buddhism in your comment here. To focus on the essence of belonging (whether a reader is there for a week or a lifetime) rather than the entanglements of attachment (where they must stay with me as a reader and never let me go).
I do wonder about the nature of not having a niche in writing. I see the process of writing in many forms to be helpful, but I know from my own experience I have used the “everything” niche as a way to subconsciously deflect attention. (A pesky habit from evangelical upbringing.) I do often wonder if you feel you’re able to pack a punch when you want to in your writing. Or is there a shifting you balance and sort of “massage” your way through?
I can see how it would be that way for some, but not for me. I'm not trying to deflect attention, I just have so many interests that I want to write about! I think that's why I settled on "On the Journey" for my "theme" because everything (travel, faith exploration, parenting, politics, marriage, etc.) is part of this journey of life that I'm on.
Thank you for all of this—the idea of timing and readiness from Goldberg, the overly optimistic image of angels gathering readers, and especially the idea of “using my online writing as a substitute for being heard by the people who matter most in my life.” Ooof. Will be thinking about that today as I try to figure out what to write about Notes.
So glad someone caught the absolutely overly optimistic angels reference. 🫠 If you do explore this in a note, would you tag me so I don’t miss it?
Thank you for your honest thoughts. What you have written confirms many of my own thoughts regarding the writing process and when it can be successful. My biggest subscriber growths in the past have happened when jumping on something major happening in the news, like when Russia invaded Ukraine. However, I am grateful for how Substack makes it possible to consistently ( so far) and slowly grow in between those moments. All the rest tends to feel like just being lucky, as you described, of resonating with someone at some moment in time for some reason that you will probably never know. You can never predict which of the things you write becomes popular. I think standing behind your work and being proud of the quality of what you have written is really important, i.e. to not get your self-worth or the value of your work from an external and unpredictable source like number of readers/likes/reactions. What I also found to be useful was to continually evolve your work, try out different styles/topics, see what works and what doesn't. Anyway, would be nice if we could be in touch, I'm always on the lookout for like-minded writers to share thoughts with.
I think a lot of writing experts try to make writing a thing that can be predictable and that’s where I think a lot of writers are let down.
The best thing we can do, I think, is to be consistent without being tamed and let the readers push and pull as they will. (At least, that’s the image I saw in my mind as I was reading your comment.)
Glad to have you here in the mix of “Writer Readers” ... a couple times a month I host discussion threads which have been met with mixed feedback. (Sharing writing with an editor seems like a daunting ask, so I’m sensitive to that.) But I do wish there was a way to explore more from the editor/long-term writer perspective. Maybe there’s something better I could offer there.
Being responsive to your readers' feedback without losing or diminishing (or being afraid to show) who you are and what you are trying to express, is I think how I would summarise it.
So much wisdom in this piece, thank you.
Thank you so much for this piece! I really needed to hear this today. It helped clarify a few things for me about where I want to take my two Substacks (or not). :)
Also, I often don't subscribe to newsletters because I'm overwhelmed by the sheer number of them. I *want* to subscribe to all the good, interesting writing being offered here. But 2.5 years into my time at Substack, I'm exhausted. Reading and commenting has become a full-time job that I'd LOVE to do, but I don't have the time or capacity for. If I subscribe, I want to give that writer's creations the time and attention they deserve, not just give them one more unengaged subscriber. I guess, during this season of my life, the problem is so many excellent writers and so little time.
Thanks for taking the time to read what I wrote, Kerri. I can definitely relate to the feeling of being overwhelmed by the options on Substack. I ALSO relate to wanting to give good attention to what I read, and that does seem to help me scale back. For better or worse, I've given myself a 30-40 subscription cap. And those are all single-writer newsletters. (I signed up the other day for a newsletter that I didn't realize had 15+ different writers ALL publishing ALL their own things, and I got "inbox whiplash" right away. Sorry, Charlie, had to unsubscribe.)
I think readers need more permission to embrace their own limits. What do I need in this season, and whose writing might support that? When someone's work has fulfilled its purpose in my life, I unsubscribe and say adieu. 🫶
I totally get where you're coming from. I wrote a post shortly after I started called, "How I Cope with Slow (or Nonexistent) Newsletter Growth." I was feeling the same way, like I exist to write into a void. I didn't even realize that Substack had an algorithm. I thought that it was their gimmick: no algorithms, just organic growth.
I've had blogs since the beginning of blogging. Back before everyone had a blog, it was pretty easy to build an audience. I just took that for granted and often abandoned my blogs and my readers. I blogged anonymously specifically because I didn't want anyone following me to the next one. By the time I was ready to blog as myself, the internet was flooded with competition (mostly social media). Since then, it just started getting harder and harder to build an audience.
I've read all the advice about newsletter growth and none of it is sustainable for me. It just makes me miserable, and if I'm miserable doing this, I may as well switch to something profitable. I wonder if the internet has skewed our view of what it means to be a successful writer because we see other writers with thousands of followers. Pre-internet, many writers only had family members as readers. That's how it was for my grandmother, who spent her life writing, submitting, and collecting rejection letters. So, anytime a stranger reads my work for the sake of enjoying my writing, I think of it as a success. Do I always feel successful? No, of course not, but who does?
I have really enjoyed reading your words Amy and wholeheartedly agree that, in my opinion, the internet has skewed our view of what it means to be a successful writer. Success looks different for everyone, so it isn't apples vs apples. For me, just one person giving up their precious time to read my words evokes a wonderful heart-felt feeling. I know that I am new to this, and my feelings may change but right now, I am grateful for the space here to write. Thank you again. Tracey
Amy, there is so much insight in your words here. First, I hear the twinge of regret and pain in not being ready to blog as yourself during a time when it would’ve been “easy.” I dabbled a bit with anonymous writing but then realized if I just tell no one about my website, that’s anonymity enough. 🫠
Second, I think you point to a point of empowerment that few ever reach. (And of course I’m over here nodding my head.) You are setting such a good example by telling the experts that their recommendations are the path to misery. Basically my whole job (content marketing / management) was fulfilling only as far as I was working with writers and editing their stuff. But a lot about marketing I never could implement with any success. Leaving social media two years ago felt like the final “defeat,” though I don’t see it that way anymore. I just couldn’t keep doing things that made me miserable. Zero sum game right there.
And finally to your point about success. Have you heard of Lauren Sapala? I discovered her as a writer for INFJ writers and she has a neat online community for folks who identify as highly sensitive. She has self published a few books and, yeah, from a design standpoint I can pick out the places I would’ve probably hired a professional. But you know what? She comes across to me as deeply happy and rooted in her life calling. She really changed my idea of what success could look like -- it’s much more expansive, creative and built in valuable relationships far beyond just numbers.
Thank you for being a reader. I get happy when I see your name show up.
This is so wise. Happy to find your newsletter from DL Mayfield’s comments ☺️ I pendulum swing weekly between *writing for pleasure and practice* and *am I just writing into the void?!* And I don’t have any other platforms to share my writing on because they were so detrimental to my mental health 😅 so for now, it’s just practice, slow organic growth, and a hope to connect with like-minded kindred spirits.
Nice to have you here, Lindsey. 🤗 I think what I’m learning more each day is that writing is a practice in embracing mystery. I suppose it’s my biggest act of faith these days: seeing writing that goes into the void as somehow, somewhere feeding the writing that someone will need to pick up one day. Keep writing. 🧡
Just wanted to say, I get a lot out of reading your work. Thank you!
Thank you so much for reading! 🫶
I enjoyed and appreciated what you shared. Defining exactly who you are is always a challenge, as that is a lifelong quest. It becomes a little more daunting when aging out of your life's professional work and a well-established "niche" to the more open and creative space as a writer. I have been exploring in recent articles neurodiversity and autism spectrum as relates to creative talents. A post that I will publish in the next few days explores with some personal stories the value of relational feedback to gain needed perspective and context.
I finally published my last article. I have more than enough content to do another book but hesitate, knowing all the focus and time that it will require. I'm afraid also of a lot of redundancy in the many articles I have done, which also will require a lot of editing and revising. But of course, I enjoy doing the editing as I do creating new content. https://www.inmindwise.com/p/relationships-for-sustenance-and
Thanks, Hannah; I concur with your recommendation. I have used freelancers in the past, such as from Reedsy, Fiverr, and Upwork, as when I was doing my first book. I am open to recommendations of the best places where you have found freelance editors or any particular ones you would recommend. I love editing but get too perfectionistic and obsessive with it. These traits, though helpful in my long career as a mental health provider and consultant, seem to be a detriment when I tried to shift to my artistic side. These traits, from my touch of ASD and Dyslexia, have of course given me a lot to write about.
Powerful. I’m still sorting out why I wrote but I think I’ve made peace with the fact that I don’t want to (and thankfully don’t need to) make the sacrifices necessary for earning an audience. So I’m currently happily writing in obscurity.
Maybe one day I’ll find something that drives me to greater ambition.
I won't argue with that! There is always more to read! =)
Thank you for this post. There’s a terrifying freedom in being mostly ignored. For me, substack has led to connection with a few people and that feels like a reward, and more of a reward than only talking to my journal. Sometimes we write to make ourselves real to ourselves and to be seen (& maybe even appreciated) for that?
I’m a month late to this party, but better late than never, right? Because I know the audience envy too. Am constantly digging deeper for even more ways to tame that dragon. I really like your remembering the angels rounding up readers. A wise person suggested something similar to me: Trust the mycelium, he said. You can’t see it, it’s all in the dark, underground, out of sight, but it’s moving, moving, moving, making new connections. Whew. It’s a discipline, trusting that mycelium! Much of the time I wish it were all visible! Also, I know that my own limits keep me from posting more. So that’s a practice too, making peace with how much is mine (and not mine) to do. I’m aware too that loneliness can be a lifelong note for autistic folks (like me), and getting fewer readers than I think I should have never fails to twang that string. So I take a deep breath and turn back toward the loved ones I know or the reader who writes back now and then or the ways of connecting that are nourishing to me. If I feel the urge to write something, I take it as a sign that somebody needs it. Not a lot to go on. And yet...
Priscilla, I love this, your commentary and (as I'm reading the transcript/listening to one of your pieces) feel that you hold a tremendous Voice. You're wise to share about knowing our limits and gosh, "making peace with how much is mine (and not mine) to do." What a picture.
You share with such clarity, gentleness, steadiness. I'm so glad Substack has connected us and that I can share your work with people in my life who I know it will resonate with.
If you're ever interested, I'm launching a subnewsletter called "The Spectrum Spotlight," where I invite neurodiverse people to write (swim in, rejoice in, go on and on) about their special interest. I'd love for you to consider submitting a story idea about a special interest that "captures you every time." Right now I'm not able to pay anyone for their guest posts, but that is part of my work right now (to build a system and start making the case to others that neurodiverse voices are an asset in our deeply entrenched, capitalistic world).
You can read more here and there's a Google form to fill out at the bottom of the page. https://whatlittleiknow.substack.com/p/pitch-your-special-interest-to-the
Definitely gonna take a look, thanks!
What he heck have I been doing not reading your Substack after all these months of chatting. MY LOSS.
Also, my "big break" on Substack was having one of my articles featured on Substack reads and in the app. That particular essay was something I worked on for 2.5 hours and kind of kicked out the door as part of a "just write" strategy. The work I consider *actual writing*--the work I'm really proud of--lingers on my desk for YEARS. So yeah. Ugh.
Also re: the piece that “lifted” your writing ... is that no better proof that writing is almost wholly outside the realms of control? The people and luck carry the writing where it needs to be. You’re a willing vessel, and I think that’s what counts.
Oh man. Can I screenshot that and put it on my welcome page? 😂 You’re basically the reason I started taking substack seriously.
Ah sorry I missed this - that's a super amazing thing to hear, and also ya definitely leverage anything I say to the moon, or just make up a quote :)
"I was using my online writing as a substitute for being heard by the people who matter most in my life. " Oh man. I wonder if that is why so many of us do become writers in the first place -- because someone, early on in our lives, just could not or would not hear us, no matter how well we worded things. Thanks for sharing this so vulnerably. Also, I f-ing love "Writing Down the Bones."