Ah, Kelly, I am so glad you called these people out on Substack. Sadly, they are increasing daily. I want to scream at them: where's your novel? What genre do you write in? Do you write fiction or non-fiction? That would stump them. All they can do is SHOUT in a really loud voice about how brilliant they are and how much money they make. I sometimes wonder whether I will ever make it big with my cosy crime novels because I don't say LOOK AT ME a million times a day on social media. All I want to do is WRITE! There, I shouted it out!
Ah, a breath of fresh air. I thought it was only me who recognized that pattern of the constant sales newsletters. I look for articles that get me thinking. Not the ones that keep telling me I need to do something different to be "successful." Thanks for sharing an article that is worth reading.
Thanks, Kaprice. I like ones that get me thinking too. I don't mind people selling things if they have something valuable to offer, but when all they do is say "I made X amount of money and you need to buy my product!" it gets on my nerves. Nice to know I'm not the only one who feels that way!
Enjoyed reading this. laughed at “flotsam and jetsam”. Your clarity piece makes complete sense. However however can I ask - what if someone is not looking to make a living off writing on substack - merely writes here to collect people that like reading their thoughts is clarity still as crucial (sounds highly egotistical but isn't the hallmark of most writers? At least that's what Orwell said about writers in general)
Ps - asking for a friend 😏
Thanks for the piece - really learnt stuff from it
I recently joined... already delected two sets of articles.. now on a third. Testing things out. Not wanting to hook into Stripe.. that will wait.. on my home page ... it used to offer more new articles by hirting the arrow.. thats gone. I have subscribed to many authors and am enjoying all the reading... but now i am limited.. algorithms are strange here. I love lots of variety... not repeats of the same subjects.
I didn't know there was such a category on Substack! I live on a farm too, and most of the time it is a Funny Farm! I learned something you everyday and I have learned at least 10 new things while reading this particular post and the comments that followed! Thanks to Kelly for that!
Interesting to hear that, Derek. Would you want to share why you're backing away from Substack? Everyone's experience is so different. Good to hear all sides.
I'm on a reduction kick right now. Prepping to move house and don't want to build anything new. I read Substack but limiting my writing to Medium, Vocal, and Jotter for now.
I don’t have a presence on other platforms, so I’m a bit stuck, but I’ve heard the same thing. I’ve registered with Bluesky so maybe I should make the effort to do something there.
All the selling on how to sell writing gets on my nerves, too. It's hard to sort the genuine from the insincere sometimes.I've only been on here for less than a month. Substack is complicated, wonderful, and full of possibility.
As for the quality writers, i wish I could buy a paid subscription to all of them. Maybe someday I can, but right now I'm a struggling teacher.
The best thing I have found here on Substack (been here less than a month) is the engagement with other writers, and their willingness to help one another and avoid pitfalls.
If you're interested in checking out my fledgling newsletter about the changes in culture, education, and self-betterment, check out the Joyous Road: http://joyous461.substack.com
I wish I could buy a paid sub for them all too and I totally get the teacher thing--I taught for a couple of years and it's not badly paid here, but I was working 80 hour weeks and basically burnt out. Teachers need far more money to do what they do!
Interesting. The things is I do like writing in multiple formats. Poems, short fiction, novels. And I like sharing what I've learned as a black women in a leadership position. And I travel, love eating good food. And don't get me started on gaming. So Substack feels like all those things but limited to one focus. I need three different rooms.
Sounds like Medium or somewhere you can share more varied stories could be a good place to start and then see what your readers like most (and what you enjoy writing most) and make a Substack from that? Are you already sharing your writing somewhere, Juin?
I thought medium was dead or dying. I have self published but I have shifted my goals to short form. I do have their finished novels that I will publish later this year. For the next year, I am still figuring it out.
It's not dead yet, but is certainly having some issues in the last couple of months which they seem to be trying to sort out. We will have to wait and see I guess.
Medium is not dead or dying... That is the opinion of the people who are not making money on the platform at the moment. Some authors have shifted to free for all articles, and some still keep a few articles behind the paywall... I agree with Kelly that it is an excellent platform if you want to publish random topics. When I looked a few weeks ago, they had over 300 calls for submissions in the different categories.
Your post is a breath of fresh air! When I read a writing newsletter, I expect tips on writing... Not how to make money on platforms like Substack and Medium...
Thank you for the tips and for suggesting other newsletters for me to explore! When I am financially able to do so, I will definitely subscribe to your newsletter. As a subscriber, it would be nice to have more tips about submissions and how to promote my work as a writer so that I can make money outside of SubStack.
Sorry about your health conditions, but I understand totally... It's like my grandmother said "some days are good days, some days are not"...
Thanks, Deborah. Great idea with submission tips. Did you see the free Pitching Guide in the resources which covers a lot of tips for submitting your work to editors?
Thank you for this article and for calling out the marketing hooks. You are right that their copy is - well - copy/paste language and energy designed to suck you in with flashy promises.
I admit, I struggle with the “niche”.
I heard something amazing a few weeks ago about narrowing your niche. The creator said - “ you are the niche”. I quite like this. As a licensed SLP, certified journal writing facilitator and book coach (just heard I passed the certification yesterday!!) I have been trying to funnel my niche into one specific person - with a specific problem or quest. Yet, as I narrow my spotlight I feel I am leaving too many people in the dark. Until I pinpoint my perfect reader, (advice welcome!!) I will follow the theory of - I am the niche - and will write with the intention of sharing knowledge, stories and joy.
Oh my goodness, yes! Thank you. 🩷✍🏻 I begin with a lovely intake to make sure we are a good fit and discuss the writer’s intentions and goals. Then we develop the appropriate roadmap for the project. I do add in journaling tips and cognitive tools - aligning science and art - working on that tagline now! I am so excited to officially begin helping people write their stories. Thank you again.
Ah, Kelly, I am so glad you called these people out on Substack. Sadly, they are increasing daily. I want to scream at them: where's your novel? What genre do you write in? Do you write fiction or non-fiction? That would stump them. All they can do is SHOUT in a really loud voice about how brilliant they are and how much money they make. I sometimes wonder whether I will ever make it big with my cosy crime novels because I don't say LOOK AT ME a million times a day on social media. All I want to do is WRITE! There, I shouted it out!
Haha! Well said Rosy. I'm not much of a shouter either. I don't think many writers are. It does make the marketing side difficult.
Ah, a breath of fresh air. I thought it was only me who recognized that pattern of the constant sales newsletters. I look for articles that get me thinking. Not the ones that keep telling me I need to do something different to be "successful." Thanks for sharing an article that is worth reading.
Thanks, Kaprice. I like ones that get me thinking too. I don't mind people selling things if they have something valuable to offer, but when all they do is say "I made X amount of money and you need to buy my product!" it gets on my nerves. Nice to know I'm not the only one who feels that way!
Enjoyed reading this. laughed at “flotsam and jetsam”. Your clarity piece makes complete sense. However however can I ask - what if someone is not looking to make a living off writing on substack - merely writes here to collect people that like reading their thoughts is clarity still as crucial (sounds highly egotistical but isn't the hallmark of most writers? At least that's what Orwell said about writers in general)
Ps - asking for a friend 😏
Thanks for the piece - really learnt stuff from it
If you're writing to collect people that like reading your thoughts, then write about whatever you fancy. There are no rules.
I recently joined... already delected two sets of articles.. now on a third. Testing things out. Not wanting to hook into Stripe.. that will wait.. on my home page ... it used to offer more new articles by hirting the arrow.. thats gone. I have subscribed to many authors and am enjoying all the reading... but now i am limited.. algorithms are strange here. I love lots of variety... not repeats of the same subjects.
Testing things out is a good idea.
My weekly ponderings on life on the farm. This time it's all about TB. https://debbiekingsley.substack.com/p/tb-no-hiding-from-reality
Oscar is so cute! I can honestly say, I've never read a Substack about farm life!
Happy to introduce you to one :)
I didn't know there was such a category on Substack! I live on a farm too, and most of the time it is a Funny Farm! I learned something you everyday and I have learned at least 10 new things while reading this particular post and the comments that followed! Thanks to Kelly for that!
All good this, Kelly, though I am backing away from me writing on Substack. Accountability would be a great subscriber feature.
Interesting to hear that, Derek. Would you want to share why you're backing away from Substack? Everyone's experience is so different. Good to hear all sides.
I'm on a reduction kick right now. Prepping to move house and don't want to build anything new. I read Substack but limiting my writing to Medium, Vocal, and Jotter for now.
Those 3 are more than enough. I saw your entry in Jotter! Best of luck!!
Thanks! I was also the third most read author on Jotter in December :-)
That's exciting!
Good advice although I haven’t switched on paid subscriptions. The problem with writing fiction is there’s so much great writing on Substack it’s hard to stand out. https://open.substack.com/pub/francesbrindle?r=j0ch2&utm_medium=ios
I've heard crossposting to Instagram or other visual platforms is helpful for fiction writers. They're not platforms I've tried much. Have you?
I don’t have a presence on other platforms, so I’m a bit stuck, but I’ve heard the same thing. I’ve registered with Bluesky so maybe I should make the effort to do something there.
All the selling on how to sell writing gets on my nerves, too. It's hard to sort the genuine from the insincere sometimes.I've only been on here for less than a month. Substack is complicated, wonderful, and full of possibility.
As for the quality writers, i wish I could buy a paid subscription to all of them. Maybe someday I can, but right now I'm a struggling teacher.
The best thing I have found here on Substack (been here less than a month) is the engagement with other writers, and their willingness to help one another and avoid pitfalls.
If you're interested in checking out my fledgling newsletter about the changes in culture, education, and self-betterment, check out the Joyous Road: http://joyous461.substack.com
I wish I could buy a paid sub for them all too and I totally get the teacher thing--I taught for a couple of years and it's not badly paid here, but I was working 80 hour weeks and basically burnt out. Teachers need far more money to do what they do!
Yes, this is my 30th year of teaching. I am ready to reclaims some of my life! Thank you for your understanding!
Well said. Agreed on all points.
Thank you, Michael.
If there is one thing I've noticed about substack is that a follows the book and there is cutting through corners or trying to outsmart the system.
I'm so glad I met you today Kelly, this is really lovely
Thank you, Ral. Nice to meet you too.
Interesting. The things is I do like writing in multiple formats. Poems, short fiction, novels. And I like sharing what I've learned as a black women in a leadership position. And I travel, love eating good food. And don't get me started on gaming. So Substack feels like all those things but limited to one focus. I need three different rooms.
Sounds like Medium or somewhere you can share more varied stories could be a good place to start and then see what your readers like most (and what you enjoy writing most) and make a Substack from that? Are you already sharing your writing somewhere, Juin?
I thought medium was dead or dying. I have self published but I have shifted my goals to short form. I do have their finished novels that I will publish later this year. For the next year, I am still figuring it out.
It's not dead yet, but is certainly having some issues in the last couple of months which they seem to be trying to sort out. We will have to wait and see I guess.
Medium is not dead or dying... That is the opinion of the people who are not making money on the platform at the moment. Some authors have shifted to free for all articles, and some still keep a few articles behind the paywall... I agree with Kelly that it is an excellent platform if you want to publish random topics. When I looked a few weeks ago, they had over 300 calls for submissions in the different categories.
Extremely helpful
Great list! Thanks 👍🏽
Still on the fence about turning on paid. Need to sit down first and really nail down what I really want to offer my readers.
That's a good idea. You can always change it, too if it's not working for you.
Your post is a breath of fresh air! When I read a writing newsletter, I expect tips on writing... Not how to make money on platforms like Substack and Medium...
Thank you for the tips and for suggesting other newsletters for me to explore! When I am financially able to do so, I will definitely subscribe to your newsletter. As a subscriber, it would be nice to have more tips about submissions and how to promote my work as a writer so that I can make money outside of SubStack.
Sorry about your health conditions, but I understand totally... It's like my grandmother said "some days are good days, some days are not"...
Thanks, Deborah. Great idea with submission tips. Did you see the free Pitching Guide in the resources which covers a lot of tips for submitting your work to editors?
Great tips.
Thank you for this article and for calling out the marketing hooks. You are right that their copy is - well - copy/paste language and energy designed to suck you in with flashy promises.
I admit, I struggle with the “niche”.
I heard something amazing a few weeks ago about narrowing your niche. The creator said - “ you are the niche”. I quite like this. As a licensed SLP, certified journal writing facilitator and book coach (just heard I passed the certification yesterday!!) I have been trying to funnel my niche into one specific person - with a specific problem or quest. Yet, as I narrow my spotlight I feel I am leaving too many people in the dark. Until I pinpoint my perfect reader, (advice welcome!!) I will follow the theory of - I am the niche - and will write with the intention of sharing knowledge, stories and joy.
Congrats on passing the certification! Can I refer people to you? How do your services work?
Oh my goodness, yes! Thank you. 🩷✍🏻 I begin with a lovely intake to make sure we are a good fit and discuss the writer’s intentions and goals. Then we develop the appropriate roadmap for the project. I do add in journaling tips and cognitive tools - aligning science and art - working on that tagline now! I am so excited to officially begin helping people write their stories. Thank you again.