That last comment is EVERYTHING! The algo is tricking us into thinking $ is what's important (because obviously it's important for the algo.) But good reminder to not fill up on empty carbs of viral hits. Nourish yourself with the writing, why you write in the first place. Love!
This is all well and good for writers, journalists, etc. but what about POETS? Idk about you but poetry’s not something you just crank out like widgets in a factory (quality over quantity is my mantra). I never hear/see any advice about growing your Substack for poetry. Why is this?
Thanks for putting this together. I am still experimenting with every aspect of Substack. I think my strong suggestions on needed fixes to the Notes user experience directed at the owners has been taken as complaints and I may have caused my myself to silo-ed in the algos because I am now getting mostly the same 10-15 writers in Notes over and over again. Or it could be typical social media algos that direct you toward whoever you engage with or click a like on. Either way - Notes is growing boring for me based on limited exposure to new and different voices.
Growing out side of substack seems impossible at times. People are lazy to click links. They want to stay on the platform, something the platform wants them to do.
As an education-first publication, I've found it tricky to land on the right paid model. My primary goal is for the majority of offerings to be free and accessible. I love being able to link readers to older posts, to my educational guides, for them to explore and find useful resources.
Initially, I would have an article completely free with a bonus at the end for paid members (like an audio Q&A). I didn't like how that locked comments from all readers, so I removed the paywall, and have seen a lot of increased engagement and a growing sense of community.
Last winter I decided to send out one of my classes in recorded form for paid members, with a preview. There was a huge response, and I realized, I could keep most of my content free and integrate my monthly workshops into Substack, rather than having them as a separate booking. On November 1st 2023 I had 25 paid subscribers. By the end of January 2024, I had over 80.
The lesson I learned is that there really is no single model for success here. It's about creative experimentation, letting yourself freely test things without expectations, and discovering what works for you as a creator.
Oh that's SO interesting on workshops. So you do monthly ones and that's the main bonus for subscribers?
I also have found the comment thing tricky. I think it only works at a really large scale. I say that, and my friend @kirstenpowers did turn her comments private pretty early on and it worked tho...
Which I guess just goes to show your point, which is that it IS audience specific.
Yes, monthly workshops (attend live or watch a recording). In addition to that, paid members can access a resource library page (https://www.theartemisian.com/p/resource-library), submit Q&A inquiries, and receive discounts on 1:1 services. Playing around with the idea of doing monthly paid member discussion threads too.
Yikes! Snarking on making money off of or growing the platform for your creative work is one of the biggest blocks in existence. I wish people would realize how they self sabotage, particularly when it comes to creative work—they think they are being “pure” or above it all when in fact they are undermining themselves and undervaluing their creativity. Perhaps the worst part of it is that they didn’t even come up with this idea themselves someone (probably a parent) conditioned them to believe this.
It's interesting because, on the topic of YOUR latest post, (and as you know I just finished Julia's memoir), I was just thinking about I wish Julia Cameron had written more specifically about money. I know there IS a money book, and I have it, but I found it quite light. I wish she had something using wisdom that took a little bit of the Jen Sincero HOW TO BE A BADASS AT MAKING MONEY mindset as well? Essentially, a more Julia Cameron version of Jen Sincero?
Oh yeah, now that you say that I guess that’s right she really didn’t get into it that deeply even though it’s often the biggest block ppl have -esp women
That last comment is EVERYTHING! The algo is tricking us into thinking $ is what's important (because obviously it's important for the algo.) But good reminder to not fill up on empty carbs of viral hits. Nourish yourself with the writing, why you write in the first place. Love!
Yep! Them’s empty carbs (or they can be!)
This is all well and good for writers, journalists, etc. but what about POETS? Idk about you but poetry’s not something you just crank out like widgets in a factory (quality over quantity is my mantra). I never hear/see any advice about growing your Substack for poetry. Why is this?
GREAT question. I want to know! 🤔
If I discover the secret I’ll let you know. But I’m not going to compromise my work in any way. So that may limit my visibility.
Do it!!! ;)
Nice how to, comrade!
Thanks for putting this together. I am still experimenting with every aspect of Substack. I think my strong suggestions on needed fixes to the Notes user experience directed at the owners has been taken as complaints and I may have caused my myself to silo-ed in the algos because I am now getting mostly the same 10-15 writers in Notes over and over again. Or it could be typical social media algos that direct you toward whoever you engage with or click a like on. Either way - Notes is growing boring for me based on limited exposure to new and different voices.
What have you been saying on Notes?! LOL. The worst thing for me is not being able to save a note. It kills me! No, really, what did you say?!
Claire, first of all, THANK YOU for including me in this post! I cannot stress the value of this Substack community enough!
The others you've including are exceptional examples of what's possible here. We all have it in us!
Yay! So glad to see you here;)
Thanks for including my take! That was a big surprise, but I appreciate it.
Thanks to you!
Thanks so much for sharing this summary!
💯
Thank you, Claire, amazing and helpful- inspiring, too! Appreciate you and your work.
Thanks for reading! 👍
Growing out side of substack seems impossible at times. People are lazy to click links. They want to stay on the platform, something the platform wants them to do.
:-/
Great write up Claire. Thank you!
Thanks for readign!
Great shares! Love the reciprocity here. 🥰
You rock, Claire!
Ha - as do you - what lovely names we have!
As an education-first publication, I've found it tricky to land on the right paid model. My primary goal is for the majority of offerings to be free and accessible. I love being able to link readers to older posts, to my educational guides, for them to explore and find useful resources.
Initially, I would have an article completely free with a bonus at the end for paid members (like an audio Q&A). I didn't like how that locked comments from all readers, so I removed the paywall, and have seen a lot of increased engagement and a growing sense of community.
Last winter I decided to send out one of my classes in recorded form for paid members, with a preview. There was a huge response, and I realized, I could keep most of my content free and integrate my monthly workshops into Substack, rather than having them as a separate booking. On November 1st 2023 I had 25 paid subscribers. By the end of January 2024, I had over 80.
The lesson I learned is that there really is no single model for success here. It's about creative experimentation, letting yourself freely test things without expectations, and discovering what works for you as a creator.
Oh that's SO interesting on workshops. So you do monthly ones and that's the main bonus for subscribers?
I also have found the comment thing tricky. I think it only works at a really large scale. I say that, and my friend @kirstenpowers did turn her comments private pretty early on and it worked tho...
Which I guess just goes to show your point, which is that it IS audience specific.
Yes, monthly workshops (attend live or watch a recording). In addition to that, paid members can access a resource library page (https://www.theartemisian.com/p/resource-library), submit Q&A inquiries, and receive discounts on 1:1 services. Playing around with the idea of doing monthly paid member discussion threads too.
Thanks! I'll go and read these when I have a little more time later.
Do it! ;)
Well I'm waiting in the lobby for my therapist and forgot my Kindle so here goes. :)
;////
Yikes! Snarking on making money off of or growing the platform for your creative work is one of the biggest blocks in existence. I wish people would realize how they self sabotage, particularly when it comes to creative work—they think they are being “pure” or above it all when in fact they are undermining themselves and undervaluing their creativity. Perhaps the worst part of it is that they didn’t even come up with this idea themselves someone (probably a parent) conditioned them to believe this.
It's interesting because, on the topic of YOUR latest post, (and as you know I just finished Julia's memoir), I was just thinking about I wish Julia Cameron had written more specifically about money. I know there IS a money book, and I have it, but I found it quite light. I wish she had something using wisdom that took a little bit of the Jen Sincero HOW TO BE A BADASS AT MAKING MONEY mindset as well? Essentially, a more Julia Cameron version of Jen Sincero?
https://kirstenpowers.substack.com/p/blocked-artists-and-the-lies-we-believe
Oh yeah, now that you say that I guess that’s right she really didn’t get into it that deeply even though it’s often the biggest block ppl have -esp women
Yeah, you need to write it! (When you're done with this one.)
very useful, thanks for sharing :)
Thanks for reading!
I used to see this question asked a lot- especially when Substack still held Office Hours (RIP). This is what has worked for me:
•Do good work
•Connect with other authors in your same space
•Do more good work
•Offer to guest post on someone's Substack
•Be patient
•Keep doing good work
•Link to your 'Stack every where; IG & Twitter bio, your email, LinkedIn. Everywhere.
•Give more than you take
•More...you guessed it- good work
•Give it a year. Good things will happen.
•Once they do, pay it forward to someone that's in the same spot you are now.
Yes, RIP to that 4 eva eva. Love this list!
Thank you! I hope some writers find it useful.
;)