Karen, as I mentioned when I restacked this post, there are a lot of writers on Substack giving advice about how to succeed on Substack. But what distinguishes your newsletter is the friendly, non-judgmental tone and the actionable, realistic advice. It's the perfect combo for writers who didn't arrive to this platform with a huge following and aren't being promoted heavily by Substack itself. Thank you for the key takeaways.
I agree, I'm kind of saturated with the "take my course to be better at Substack!" pubs. I like Karen's because she writes like she's having a conversation with us, not selling information.
Thank you Karen for the encouragement to just keep at it, the early stages are tricky while we all find our feet.
I'm guessing most people reading this post and commenting here are in this exact position, so why don't we all give each other a little boost and check out each others SubStacks, and subscribe for free to those that resonate with us.
I'm only on my 8th post, and my current 25 subscribers are all very encouraging, but I do wish there were a few more of them! 😉
Thank you in advance, I will check your work out too! 👏
Thank you for this marvelous posting! It hit exactly all the points I've been mulling over as I soon enter into my 4th offering. We can never predict when what we offer to the world connects. Our job is to keep doing what we do. It matters.
I am on my 8th post with 45 subscribers. I have found a format to consistently write every week and gain satisfaction from publishing rather than subscribers. I like the idea that there will always be a next stage. I feel that I provide value in my newsletter and I look forward to marketing my newsletter more.
Thank you very much for your thoughts and insights here.
This is very relatable. I have almost all sort of fears and doubts you mentioned.
I drag myself everyweek to post one article per publication (i have two😅). The only thing that's keeping me going is that I post the articles and try to not care much about how many people react. The beauty of it is that I get new subscribers every time I write a new article (it's a small list) but I am happy with what I acheived in just two months.
Thanks again Karen for letting me know I am not alone!
I’m at this stage now. A couple of months since I’m on Substack, releasing a chapter of my serial every week. I’ve got a couple of subscribers. Hearing crickets in my head a lot. The biggest achievement - posting consistenly, not giving up, despite the odds, fighting off that tiny voice that says - “your writing sucks terribly, just give up.” 😔
I'm new to Newsletter though but I think this advice applies to other creators. I have been making videos and podcasts for years and it's actually the sake process.
The best lesson I learnt this year is that, whatever you create is first for God's pleasure and your pleasure and that should make you happy regardless of your subscribers this approach will make you cut yourself some slack and quit worrying about the little details everytime you are about to hit publish.
I don't earn a dime here on substack, I'm am always grateful for the opportunity I have to share my messages with world and that makes me fulfilled
I needed this pep talk. Thank you, Karen. I remind myself that when it’s good and ready and its own shape (esp this part!!!) the rest (i.e. subscribers) will follow. For now, I am just showing up consistently, developing my own writing practice, and if it breathes life and produces a following, I’ll be delighted. Of course I want that AND I recognize how I truly am writing for me - above all else.
Of course, my pleasure. We're all on the same team here on Substack. And you're doing really great work with food safety, a subject that I closely follow as a health teacher.
But what do you think about my kosher-certified olive oil question?
Encouraging and fresh to read. Among all the “How to Grow in Substack” -posts,this post of yours was refreshing with acknowledging the sometimes frustrating feelings we writers with few subscribers experience, and then encouraging that that phase will pass. Thank you!
I think that the numbers don’t matter so much, in the end. What matters is that we love writing and here we can do what we love: write.
Karen, as I mentioned when I restacked this post, there are a lot of writers on Substack giving advice about how to succeed on Substack. But what distinguishes your newsletter is the friendly, non-judgmental tone and the actionable, realistic advice. It's the perfect combo for writers who didn't arrive to this platform with a huge following and aren't being promoted heavily by Substack itself. Thank you for the key takeaways.
I agree, I'm kind of saturated with the "take my course to be better at Substack!" pubs. I like Karen's because she writes like she's having a conversation with us, not selling information.
Plus I'm too lazy* to create a course right now!
*busy?
As someone who's survived via her pen, I can certainly understand the impetus to try to sell. But a conversation is always more welcome!
Thank you Karen for the encouragement to just keep at it, the early stages are tricky while we all find our feet.
I'm guessing most people reading this post and commenting here are in this exact position, so why don't we all give each other a little boost and check out each others SubStacks, and subscribe for free to those that resonate with us.
I'm only on my 8th post, and my current 25 subscribers are all very encouraging, but I do wish there were a few more of them! 😉
Thank you in advance, I will check your work out too! 👏
The pep talk I needed. Thank you!
Thank you for this marvelous posting! It hit exactly all the points I've been mulling over as I soon enter into my 4th offering. We can never predict when what we offer to the world connects. Our job is to keep doing what we do. It matters.
If nothing else, writing weekly on Substack gives focus to all the stray thoughts rattling round your head...
Perfect timing! I’m new here, and I think I’m going to keep this post around to refer to as I need it. Which I will.
Thank you for this. "A writer writes," from "Throw Momma From the Train." It certainly bears repeating over and over.
Thanks Karen for the article
I am on my 8th post with 45 subscribers. I have found a format to consistently write every week and gain satisfaction from publishing rather than subscribers. I like the idea that there will always be a next stage. I feel that I provide value in my newsletter and I look forward to marketing my newsletter more.
Thank you very much for your thoughts and insights here.
This is very relatable. I have almost all sort of fears and doubts you mentioned.
I drag myself everyweek to post one article per publication (i have two😅). The only thing that's keeping me going is that I post the articles and try to not care much about how many people react. The beauty of it is that I get new subscribers every time I write a new article (it's a small list) but I am happy with what I acheived in just two months.
Thanks again Karen for letting me know I am not alone!
As someone in the woods, this is such a comforting and reassuring read. Thank you!
I’m at this stage now. A couple of months since I’m on Substack, releasing a chapter of my serial every week. I’ve got a couple of subscribers. Hearing crickets in my head a lot. The biggest achievement - posting consistenly, not giving up, despite the odds, fighting off that tiny voice that says - “your writing sucks terribly, just give up.” 😔
Such sound advice, Karen. You're right. Persistence is key. I felt the void for over two months and am now gaining traction.
Great work.
I'm new to Newsletter though but I think this advice applies to other creators. I have been making videos and podcasts for years and it's actually the sake process.
The best lesson I learnt this year is that, whatever you create is first for God's pleasure and your pleasure and that should make you happy regardless of your subscribers this approach will make you cut yourself some slack and quit worrying about the little details everytime you are about to hit publish.
I don't earn a dime here on substack, I'm am always grateful for the opportunity I have to share my messages with world and that makes me fulfilled
I needed this pep talk. Thank you, Karen. I remind myself that when it’s good and ready and its own shape (esp this part!!!) the rest (i.e. subscribers) will follow. For now, I am just showing up consistently, developing my own writing practice, and if it breathes life and produces a following, I’ll be delighted. Of course I want that AND I recognize how I truly am writing for me - above all else.
Thanks for the positive but realistic perspective.
Shmuel, you're too good to me! Thank you for sharing (stacking) the food safety post I did in my other publication, very kind.
Of course, my pleasure. We're all on the same team here on Substack. And you're doing really great work with food safety, a subject that I closely follow as a health teacher.
But what do you think about my kosher-certified olive oil question?
Thanks, I just replied to your olive oil Note, let me know if you can't find it. And your email is in my to do list too, Shmuel.
Encouraging and fresh to read. Among all the “How to Grow in Substack” -posts,this post of yours was refreshing with acknowledging the sometimes frustrating feelings we writers with few subscribers experience, and then encouraging that that phase will pass. Thank you!
I think that the numbers don’t matter so much, in the end. What matters is that we love writing and here we can do what we love: write.