62 Comments
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Lisa Brunette's avatar

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.

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Kristi Keller 🇨🇦's avatar

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.

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Karen Cherry's avatar

Plus I'm too lazy* to create a course right now!

*busy?

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Lisa Brunette's avatar

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!

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Kate Darracott's avatar

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! 👏

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Stephanie Gibson's avatar

The pep talk I needed. Thank you!

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Galen Garwood's avatar

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.

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Patrick Lawlor's avatar

If nothing else, writing weekly on Substack gives focus to all the stray thoughts rattling round your head...

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Tinney Sue Heath's avatar

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.

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Mark Connolly's avatar

Thank you for this. "A writer writes," from "Throw Momma From the Train." It certainly bears repeating over and over.

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Joseph Waruiru's avatar

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.

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Basma Taha's avatar

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!

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Lieke Mulder's avatar

As someone in the woods, this is such a comforting and reassuring read. Thank you!

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Kathrine Elaine's avatar

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.” 😔

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Bradley Vee's avatar

Such sound advice, Karen. You're right. Persistence is key. I felt the void for over two months and am now gaining traction.

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Fulfillment Obi's avatar

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

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Allison Deraney's avatar

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.

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Rabbi Shmuel Chaim Naiman's avatar

Thanks for the positive but realistic perspective.

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Karen Cherry's avatar

Shmuel, you're too good to me! Thank you for sharing (stacking) the food safety post I did in my other publication, very kind.

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Rabbi Shmuel Chaim Naiman's avatar

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?

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Karen Cherry's avatar

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.

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Piritta Paija's avatar

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.

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