Best damn advice article I've read about Substack.
Loved this bit about turning on paid: "Of course, once that happens you’ll want to worry about giving them something that’s just for them. Don’t do it. They didn’t ask for it. Just keep doing your thing. There’s little that will kill your spirits like trying to keep up a series for three people."
This is so true, worrying about it will only add stress and probably lead to throwing in the towel.
I've often come across the advice to 'cull' your list. I don't really have a list to cull but I also didn't know that some email providers give users the option not to let the sender know. Are you saying that applies to Substack email subscribers or did you mean like Mailer Lite etc - or is it true for ALL?
You always have the capability to cut people from your list, but at Substack there's no reason. Traditional newsletter providers charge you per subscriber
People who subscribe (to mine and 753 other substacks) and don't read impact the open/read rate, right? Does Substack/algorithm take note of that in terms of promoting us?
I wondered if culling the list to improve the open/read rate would positively impact algorithm magic?
I see the distinction you are making here. I’m very green when it comes to the newsletter industry and writing online for income, as you can probably tell! Thank you for your reply.
I'm going to try some Book Funnel Group Promos next month. But I'm going to look (again) a little more closely at your offer to authors, to see if I'd like to find out how to join the queue for an opening!
Also, I thought the 'stars' for activity were about general Substack activity, rather than interactions with my Substack per se? I was surprised when you indicated otherwise. I never checked this myself though. I probably should, next time I open up that section of my Substack.
Perfectly timed, as I’m currently trying to get a website sorted and once that’s live my focus will be shifting from “hello I new here how do???” To “ok, I have some idea of how do, now how reach people?”. 😄
This is one of the most helpful posts I've read about using Substack in a really long time (and my feed is inundated with that "Grow your substack" crap right now.
There are lots of readers using Substack, but the writers are so busy talking to and trying to impress each other that readers are invisible.
It's like walking into a bookstore and not being allowed to buy a book because you're only a reader, not a writer. It's a business model designed for failure. Yet, all of the writers on Substack remain impressed and excited to be talking to each other.
Best damn advice article I've read about Substack.
Loved this bit about turning on paid: "Of course, once that happens you’ll want to worry about giving them something that’s just for them. Don’t do it. They didn’t ask for it. Just keep doing your thing. There’s little that will kill your spirits like trying to keep up a series for three people."
This is so true, worrying about it will only add stress and probably lead to throwing in the towel.
Thank you!
I've often come across the advice to 'cull' your list. I don't really have a list to cull but I also didn't know that some email providers give users the option not to let the sender know. Are you saying that applies to Substack email subscribers or did you mean like Mailer Lite etc - or is it true for ALL?
You always have the capability to cut people from your list, but at Substack there's no reason. Traditional newsletter providers charge you per subscriber
People who subscribe (to mine and 753 other substacks) and don't read impact the open/read rate, right? Does Substack/algorithm take note of that in terms of promoting us?
I wondered if culling the list to improve the open/read rate would positively impact algorithm magic?
That's not something to worry about at your stage. If you're in the 20s or higher, you're fine.
I see the distinction you are making here. I’m very green when it comes to the newsletter industry and writing online for income, as you can probably tell! Thank you for your reply.
I'm going to try some Book Funnel Group Promos next month. But I'm going to look (again) a little more closely at your offer to authors, to see if I'd like to find out how to join the queue for an opening!
Thanks for sharing this with us
Thank you!
Also, I thought the 'stars' for activity were about general Substack activity, rather than interactions with my Substack per se? I was surprised when you indicated otherwise. I never checked this myself though. I probably should, next time I open up that section of my Substack.
Perfectly timed, as I’m currently trying to get a website sorted and once that’s live my focus will be shifting from “hello I new here how do???” To “ok, I have some idea of how do, now how reach people?”. 😄
I've recently pulled all links to my bookstore. One of my next steps is creating a new one.
I hope it goes smoothly!
:Casts weary glance at the fourteen tabs I have open trying to figure out how to add a dark mode toggle to a Ghost theme:
…Make that smoothly and simply. 😆
This is one of the most helpful posts I've read about using Substack in a really long time (and my feed is inundated with that "Grow your substack" crap right now.
Thank you!
There are lots of readers using Substack, but the writers are so busy talking to and trying to impress each other that readers are invisible.
It's like walking into a bookstore and not being allowed to buy a book because you're only a reader, not a writer. It's a business model designed for failure. Yet, all of the writers on Substack remain impressed and excited to be talking to each other.
My pleasure