Absolutely true! I'm "only" at about 350 subscribers - but I have almost 2K "followers" (and I never really expected to have more than a couple dozen people reading me!) What helps me is keeping in mind that I started this simply because my kids wanted me to send them regular updates on news stories they should know about so they didn't have to plow through all the same news stories that I follow anyway. I have about 20 or so people I know in "real life", family and friends, who read me regularly and tell me what matters - so I write to meet their expectations and needs, and don't worry about the rest.
Along with that, I'm upfront about being an "irregular" newsletter - I *will* take unscheduled days off now and then, just for my own mental health, and I'm open about that. I try to get out at least 3 a week plus one bulletin that I can write in advance and schedule, but anything more than that is a bonus. My sanity is more important than any number of followers.
Oh yup! Yes please and thank you. I will be reinvigorating my fallingbehind as I have been slightly obsessing that I recently, briefly spotted the #37 Rising Star on my profile, but it seems I am now languishing at #87.. and don’t even ask about the 400+++ position on the leaderboard of doom 😱 I should really stop looking.
Great to read you, Troy. So much great advice and funny stuff here...you're one of my Substack mentors, so nice to read that even you are sucked in sometimes! Many thanks for reminding me that it's about quality above all, and that capitalism is what pushes us to constantly strive for MORE.
All the 9 tips--for some reason, I thought of that Instagram meme where the woman sounds like Zsa Zsa Gabor and she goes, "BECAUZZ YOU'RE CHAUMPAIIGGGNNNN" ...in your case, Pellegrino...but I opt for Topo Chico any day. Cheers!
Thanks for sharing this. I'm new to Substack and although I care about how many eyes I can reach, I'm okay being a boutique rather than a stadium. I imagine having mass appeal must be very satisfying to those who acquire it after actively seeking it in earnest. I'm not sure, however, the same applies to writers who prefer a more relaxed, intimate relationship with their readers, like me. In my case, I'm not interested in meeting deadlines, for instance. I write when I'm inspired, not on command. I'm here to grow me too, as a writer, as a person, through new human connections, learning from others' expriences and viewpoints. So yes, I want to reach readers but gradual growth works fine for me.
Great read. I just started so I know the growth will be slow. Sometimes when I write it takes me hours to figure out one paragraph because I'm just thinking so much about the words. But I know in time things will grow, nonetheless. Thanks for sharing!
Yessss. Though I’m probably vibing with what you’re saying because I want validation for going slowly 🤣 that said, I once had a blog post go viral overnight, and the pressure of feeling I had to do EVEN BETTER with my next post completely killed my creativity. So from experience, I couldn’t agree more.
Turn off the numbers?! Could I do this radical thing?! lol But imagine the potential Christmas when I turn them back on. Either Christmas or petticoats...anyway, I loved this so much--great reminders and ideas.
Absolutely true! I'm "only" at about 350 subscribers - but I have almost 2K "followers" (and I never really expected to have more than a couple dozen people reading me!) What helps me is keeping in mind that I started this simply because my kids wanted me to send them regular updates on news stories they should know about so they didn't have to plow through all the same news stories that I follow anyway. I have about 20 or so people I know in "real life", family and friends, who read me regularly and tell me what matters - so I write to meet their expectations and needs, and don't worry about the rest.
Along with that, I'm upfront about being an "irregular" newsletter - I *will* take unscheduled days off now and then, just for my own mental health, and I'm open about that. I try to get out at least 3 a week plus one bulletin that I can write in advance and schedule, but anything more than that is a bonus. My sanity is more important than any number of followers.
Oh yup! Yes please and thank you. I will be reinvigorating my fallingbehind as I have been slightly obsessing that I recently, briefly spotted the #37 Rising Star on my profile, but it seems I am now languishing at #87.. and don’t even ask about the 400+++ position on the leaderboard of doom 😱 I should really stop looking.
Great to read you, Troy. So much great advice and funny stuff here...you're one of my Substack mentors, so nice to read that even you are sucked in sometimes! Many thanks for reminding me that it's about quality above all, and that capitalism is what pushes us to constantly strive for MORE.
All the 9 tips--for some reason, I thought of that Instagram meme where the woman sounds like Zsa Zsa Gabor and she goes, "BECAUZZ YOU'RE CHAUMPAIIGGGNNNN" ...in your case, Pellegrino...but I opt for Topo Chico any day. Cheers!
Love this, Mr. Troy. Great advice that I’m going to heed. G’nite!
Thanks for sharing this. I'm new to Substack and although I care about how many eyes I can reach, I'm okay being a boutique rather than a stadium. I imagine having mass appeal must be very satisfying to those who acquire it after actively seeking it in earnest. I'm not sure, however, the same applies to writers who prefer a more relaxed, intimate relationship with their readers, like me. In my case, I'm not interested in meeting deadlines, for instance. I write when I'm inspired, not on command. I'm here to grow me too, as a writer, as a person, through new human connections, learning from others' expriences and viewpoints. So yes, I want to reach readers but gradual growth works fine for me.
Great read. I just started so I know the growth will be slow. Sometimes when I write it takes me hours to figure out one paragraph because I'm just thinking so much about the words. But I know in time things will grow, nonetheless. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Brian! Appreciate you!
Thank you for all of this.
I definitely appreciated the tips and will apply a few for sure!
Thanks Tiffany! xo
These tips are super! Thank you so much. Do need to here it time and time again. So I don't go down a bad rabbit hole somewhere. 😊
Glad you liked them Jezz!
Thanks Ford !
Thank YOU Glenn!
Good advice, thanks, Newbie
Writing for yourself is the only to keep going until your numbers start to pick up. It’s the only way to get better at writing too.
1. You are fabulous.
2. Good thing I love petit fours way more than sheet cake—excellent. Check. Check.
3. I hope petticoats are not just for despair days anymore.
4. Thank you for the reminder and pompoms.
Yessss. Though I’m probably vibing with what you’re saying because I want validation for going slowly 🤣 that said, I once had a blog post go viral overnight, and the pressure of feeling I had to do EVEN BETTER with my next post completely killed my creativity. So from experience, I couldn’t agree more.
Turn off the numbers?! Could I do this radical thing?! lol But imagine the potential Christmas when I turn them back on. Either Christmas or petticoats...anyway, I loved this so much--great reminders and ideas.
Fantastic. What a tonic to all the chatter and elbowing for attention