Congratulations on your success. I loved your comment about paid subscribers and getting to 17,000. A good reality check but I hope it happens sooner for you.
The best thing that has happened business wise and happiness wise is that I've fallen back in love with writing. I'm so grateful that I started my journey on Medium and Substack this year. I feel like I've found my happy place. This has also had a knock on effect with my blog and other areas of my business.
My biggest learning of this year is how engrossing writing a blog can be. I started my Substack in April with the intention of publishing two posts a month. However, I'm finding that to gain the traction you need to build a Subscriber list, or community, from zero you have to put in the hours to connect. I'm now publishing one post a week and I'm actually enjoying the planning and writing of them! I've found your newsletters very helpful.
The biggest thing I learned this year is getting PAID is not a four-letter word (in the profanity sense)! Both writers and veterinarians are notoriously bad at business, afraid to charge what they are worth, and constantly discount their own fees. I was so afraid that turning on payments would be a turn off to any new readers and scare away my existing subscribers. When I did 6 months ago, nobody left or seemed to care. If anything, my publication growth has accelerated! While I am far from making a living solely on Substack (and that will probably never happen based on my small niche and rate of growth), the money is a nice validation of the time I put in and definitely helps with the bills.
Firstly I would like to thank you for your efforts here Karen. Your clear and succinct information has been really useful/reassuring/comforting to me as I have started my Substack journey. Having written for years, that part comes relatively flowingly for me ( including mistakes of course). It's the technical side though, and the whole How To etc etc that makes my head hurt a little. So just, thanks. 😊
Love that you are training to be a firefighter. That takes guts and courage and physical strength. I am also 51 years and enjoy climbing and running up hills. But the thought of doing it with a full fire kit on as well in that heat...Inspiring! Sounds like you may have your work cut out for you already. NZ's skies are going to be getting the eerie red glow of Australian bush fire season in the next few days apparently. Thoughts. 🙏
I have learnt this year that magic is real. I have learnt that as soon as you let go of what doesn't serve you, you make way for new and wonderous things to come into your life. I have learnt more than ever before the power of our minds and thoughts to create our life.
I am learning... that belief is everything. Starting with belief in yourself.
I thought your #4 was a twist on the metaphor of reading on the Internet being like drinking from a fire hose, but I love that you have learned about actual real fire hydrants. Learning a skill from a very different realm is a great boost!
I’m glad I found your newsletter! Your words inspire me to keep going, one word at a time, which is exactly the momentum I need. This year I launched my second newsletter and it’s taught me the importance of being accountable, if only to myself. And, more importantly, that writing can be a joyous act.
My biggest lesson this year was to take my health seriously, and don’t waste time on things that aren’t important. I also learned that writing can be so rewarding for my mental health. I now feel that if I just focus on what I love to do, the monetary gain will happen later. Great post! ✨
A book about Substack - I need this! I’ve only just started, but it’s making me deliver on a weekly basis.... soaking up your posts with all their encouragement, advice and experiences... thank you
1) I've resisted implementing #3 due to the toxicity of social media, yet it remains a powerful method for backlinks, recognition and readership. Unfortunately resistance is futile. I too wish this wasn't so and will likely have to pivot.
2) Extensive commenting on other Substacks regardless of whether it is within my niche does little to drive subscribers (see #1).
3) I joined Buy Me a Coffee and put it on every post. It actually does work. Every little bit helps.
4) In order to "go paid" and be successful on Substack, I will have to be able to go full time.
5) Karen, your tips, especially technical explanations have been very helpful. You're always very patient and thorough!
Happy New Year Karen. Thanks for your 2023 list. Also, I appreciated your subscriber's comments, I read 'em all. What great nuggets of real-world experience! Having started with Substack last summer, it remains a rather odd mystery to me. With very few subscribers, I never the less enjoy the creation process around a subject I love. I look forward to 2024 and getting access to your expertise, so refreshingly delivered. Cheers!
I'm so glad you've had a fantastic year and learned plenty of valuable lessons! Looking forward to seeing what the new year brings for you.
If I were to write "What I've learned in 2023" I'm afraid people would jump off the nearest building 🤣🤣 This has been my most dismal year EVER. You know how they say you can only go up from here? That better be true or I'll be dead by the stroke of midnight on Dec. 31st 🤣🤣
Having said that, my Substack (which just launched a few months ago) has been the shining light for me. I am TRULY enjoying my space here and the amazing people I'm discovering as a result. Onward and upward!
Your substack happens to be one of the ones I read frequently even though it doesn’t relate to my field directly, but some topics I learn from. My wife is into tech so from her she has spread the word about you to many of her colleagues. Nice to read your learnings.
Congratulations on your success. I loved your comment about paid subscribers and getting to 17,000. A good reality check but I hope it happens sooner for you.
The best thing that has happened business wise and happiness wise is that I've fallen back in love with writing. I'm so grateful that I started my journey on Medium and Substack this year. I feel like I've found my happy place. This has also had a knock on effect with my blog and other areas of my business.
My biggest learning of this year is how engrossing writing a blog can be. I started my Substack in April with the intention of publishing two posts a month. However, I'm finding that to gain the traction you need to build a Subscriber list, or community, from zero you have to put in the hours to connect. I'm now publishing one post a week and I'm actually enjoying the planning and writing of them! I've found your newsletters very helpful.
I write daily. I am upto 43 in 30 days, but 50% are friends and coworkers, and 50% are via organic growth.
Wow!
The biggest thing I learned this year is getting PAID is not a four-letter word (in the profanity sense)! Both writers and veterinarians are notoriously bad at business, afraid to charge what they are worth, and constantly discount their own fees. I was so afraid that turning on payments would be a turn off to any new readers and scare away my existing subscribers. When I did 6 months ago, nobody left or seemed to care. If anything, my publication growth has accelerated! While I am far from making a living solely on Substack (and that will probably never happen based on my small niche and rate of growth), the money is a nice validation of the time I put in and definitely helps with the bills.
Well done, Eric, it is great to be financially rewarded.
Hi there, fellow summer sun shine,
Firstly I would like to thank you for your efforts here Karen. Your clear and succinct information has been really useful/reassuring/comforting to me as I have started my Substack journey. Having written for years, that part comes relatively flowingly for me ( including mistakes of course). It's the technical side though, and the whole How To etc etc that makes my head hurt a little. So just, thanks. 😊
Love that you are training to be a firefighter. That takes guts and courage and physical strength. I am also 51 years and enjoy climbing and running up hills. But the thought of doing it with a full fire kit on as well in that heat...Inspiring! Sounds like you may have your work cut out for you already. NZ's skies are going to be getting the eerie red glow of Australian bush fire season in the next few days apparently. Thoughts. 🙏
I have learnt this year that magic is real. I have learnt that as soon as you let go of what doesn't serve you, you make way for new and wonderous things to come into your life. I have learnt more than ever before the power of our minds and thoughts to create our life.
I am learning... that belief is everything. Starting with belief in yourself.
Have a wonderful Christmas everyone. Jo 🌟
I thought your #4 was a twist on the metaphor of reading on the Internet being like drinking from a fire hose, but I love that you have learned about actual real fire hydrants. Learning a skill from a very different realm is a great boost!
I thought it was metaphorical at first too but I didn't know exactly how. But thanks for pointing out how it could've been such 🤔
I’m glad I found your newsletter! Your words inspire me to keep going, one word at a time, which is exactly the momentum I need. This year I launched my second newsletter and it’s taught me the importance of being accountable, if only to myself. And, more importantly, that writing can be a joyous act.
My biggest lesson this year was to take my health seriously, and don’t waste time on things that aren’t important. I also learned that writing can be so rewarding for my mental health. I now feel that if I just focus on what I love to do, the monetary gain will happen later. Great post! ✨
A book about Substack - I need this! I’ve only just started, but it’s making me deliver on a weekly basis.... soaking up your posts with all their encouragement, advice and experiences... thank you
congrats on your success and very impressive mountain climb! It's all about the climb!
I love this! Karen encourages me to move forward just posting her article. Thanks Karen!
Here's a few things I've learned.
1) I've resisted implementing #3 due to the toxicity of social media, yet it remains a powerful method for backlinks, recognition and readership. Unfortunately resistance is futile. I too wish this wasn't so and will likely have to pivot.
2) Extensive commenting on other Substacks regardless of whether it is within my niche does little to drive subscribers (see #1).
3) I joined Buy Me a Coffee and put it on every post. It actually does work. Every little bit helps.
4) In order to "go paid" and be successful on Substack, I will have to be able to go full time.
5) Karen, your tips, especially technical explanations have been very helpful. You're always very patient and thorough!
Thanks Punditman, glad you like my work. Social media feels like a necessary evil at times...
Happy New Year Karen. Thanks for your 2023 list. Also, I appreciated your subscriber's comments, I read 'em all. What great nuggets of real-world experience! Having started with Substack last summer, it remains a rather odd mystery to me. With very few subscribers, I never the less enjoy the creation process around a subject I love. I look forward to 2024 and getting access to your expertise, so refreshingly delivered. Cheers!
Yes! I love that flag! Totally resonates.
I wonder what keeps us going though?
The triumph of hope over experience? 😂
Yes! Like that.
Not original to me, sadly. Samuel Johnson said it to his friend Boswell when he saw a friend who had just got married for the second time😂
I'm so glad you've had a fantastic year and learned plenty of valuable lessons! Looking forward to seeing what the new year brings for you.
If I were to write "What I've learned in 2023" I'm afraid people would jump off the nearest building 🤣🤣 This has been my most dismal year EVER. You know how they say you can only go up from here? That better be true or I'll be dead by the stroke of midnight on Dec. 31st 🤣🤣
Having said that, my Substack (which just launched a few months ago) has been the shining light for me. I am TRULY enjoying my space here and the amazing people I'm discovering as a result. Onward and upward!
Yay for Substack as a beacon in a tough year. And fingers crossed for a much better year in 2024
Your substack happens to be one of the ones I read frequently even though it doesn’t relate to my field directly, but some topics I learn from. My wife is into tech so from her she has spread the word about you to many of her colleagues. Nice to read your learnings.
Hey that's great, thanks to your wife! I'm glad you are enjoying it.
Great post.