I started writing on Substack in Jan and had immediately picked up the idea, from whoever, that I had to write on a regular schedule. That Substack writers produce a 'newsletter' with a trailing blog.
I thought I could produce articles on a weekly basis and I succeeded for about 5 weeks. Then the rest of my life caught up to me. Article 6 took two weeks.
And then my real mission caught up to me: I came to Substack to create articles that would eventually become a book. So I also had to consider strategy. The writing I had already published needed strategic editing. And considerable research. Article 7 is still under construction and it will be ready when it's ready. Article 2 will be torn apart significantly and article 1 needs to be given new introductory responsibilities.
None of that building process fits into the paradigm of a 'newsletter'. But I don't care. Ultimately my priority is my current mission - book number one.
Hey Micha. We all have different lives, different priorities and different objectives. That’s why unthinkable we all need to experiment with what works best for us
Great, reflective article, btw. I think one thing that matters more than folks realize is that if someone writes 7 days a week so they can keep up with some schedule . . their writing suffers and they lose (or never gain) a solid loyal audience.
but when you write well, and you write to a similar audience over time, when you post - once a day, once a week, or once a month - the people who like your work, will engage
Your mission is write the way you write, not as a clone for anothers writing content or stlye. Most of us have fallen for the ages trap style hoping it fixes whatevers wrong with the world. It will not. The world doesnt really care.
So write the way you find to write, dont copy the crowd.
This was a joy to read. I wrote for myself for 6 months to see if I liked it, not making any effort to 'get' followers. I've recently started posting a Note here or there and am enjoying the interaction. Things will grow organically - I'm sure of it, since this feels aligned with who I am and what I have to contribute.
This sounds accurate. Value does not come at once. Its like community reputation. Build time in years, sonmetimes decades. Destroyed in minutes if not careful. Vaule acumulates, one brick at a time it feels like.
You understood my "ramble" correctly. The supporting sentences have to rest on something, just like bricks on lower bricks that make up walls. Without the support its just words spouting out like garbage falling from a truck.
Yes, loved this articulation of how Substack works for many. I write for a living but Substack is a way to articulate thoughts, to think through things that have grabbed my attention. I scribble things in the notes app on my phone, forming a list of ideas I may or may not develop into posts. It’s about the joy of writing.
This reflects my reality precisely.
I started writing on Substack in Jan and had immediately picked up the idea, from whoever, that I had to write on a regular schedule. That Substack writers produce a 'newsletter' with a trailing blog.
I thought I could produce articles on a weekly basis and I succeeded for about 5 weeks. Then the rest of my life caught up to me. Article 6 took two weeks.
And then my real mission caught up to me: I came to Substack to create articles that would eventually become a book. So I also had to consider strategy. The writing I had already published needed strategic editing. And considerable research. Article 7 is still under construction and it will be ready when it's ready. Article 2 will be torn apart significantly and article 1 needs to be given new introductory responsibilities.
None of that building process fits into the paradigm of a 'newsletter'. But I don't care. Ultimately my priority is my current mission - book number one.
- Micha
Hey Micha. We all have different lives, different priorities and different objectives. That’s why unthinkable we all need to experiment with what works best for us
And your spelling it out, as clearly as you do, is hugely helpful for us. Thx.
Great, reflective article, btw. I think one thing that matters more than folks realize is that if someone writes 7 days a week so they can keep up with some schedule . . their writing suffers and they lose (or never gain) a solid loyal audience.
but when you write well, and you write to a similar audience over time, when you post - once a day, once a week, or once a month - the people who like your work, will engage
This is exactly it. The right platform doesn’t just change distribution, it changes behavior. Depth needs a rhythm speed can’t hold.
Your mission is write the way you write, not as a clone for anothers writing content or stlye. Most of us have fallen for the ages trap style hoping it fixes whatevers wrong with the world. It will not. The world doesnt really care.
So write the way you find to write, dont copy the crowd.
This was a joy to read. I wrote for myself for 6 months to see if I liked it, not making any effort to 'get' followers. I've recently started posting a Note here or there and am enjoying the interaction. Things will grow organically - I'm sure of it, since this feels aligned with who I am and what I have to contribute.
Very glad to hear that. I wrote an article 6 months on title the first 6 months are for you, not your readers…sound like this is exactly what you did
yep. :)
I appreciated this course correction. I need frequent reminders to take the time I need.
Taking the time and going at your own pace is an act of rebellion!
This sounds accurate. Value does not come at once. Its like community reputation. Build time in years, sonmetimes decades. Destroyed in minutes if not careful. Vaule acumulates, one brick at a time it feels like.
A brick can be anything.
My sentences are bricks stacked on top of each other
You understood my "ramble" correctly. The supporting sentences have to rest on something, just like bricks on lower bricks that make up walls. Without the support its just words spouting out like garbage falling from a truck.
Sometimes even older adults forget that rule.
“less like a career change and more like a cognitive practice, a way of extracting ideas from the life you are already living.” 👌🏽
Yes, loved this articulation of how Substack works for many. I write for a living but Substack is a way to articulate thoughts, to think through things that have grabbed my attention. I scribble things in the notes app on my phone, forming a list of ideas I may or may not develop into posts. It’s about the joy of writing.