So glad I saw this post! I've started my Substack about a year and a half ago with zero strategy, and I've been starting to wonder if all that effort was worth it if only a few people were reading my posts. I realised I do most of the things you mention when I have time, but sometimes things are so hectic that I just need to get the post out on time. I think a little bit of planning wouldn't hurt!
Aloha from a fellow “geriatric millennial” (that had me laughing!) This is such an insightful article, especially as a new Substack user. I’m craving deeper connections and quality posts, Instagram has my head spinning. I’m loving this platform so far, and find myself sharing more authenticly too! 🙌
Thank you for this! Enjoyed it. Coming from a journalism background I agree about the importance of headers. I have also been wondering why so many people don’t have a caption for photos. For me it’s a must! You have to credit the photo at all times. Otherwise you could wake up to a nasty fine. Learned that in previous jobs.
Hi Taylor! I really enjoyed reading this post. I'm new to Substack, but I used to have blogs—I love writing, I make autobiographical comics, and I'm an illustrator. Some time ago, I started a newsletter but ended up abandoning it, and I regret that. Now I'm trying to come back to it, aiming to create something with more depth than what I usually see on social media, and at the same time, something that reflects my essence and doesn't drain the energy I need to do what I love—in fact, something that fuels it.
Your advice helped me a lot, and I’ll be putting it into practice very soon.
I’m so glad I found your space. I read everything carefully and it reminded me of those times when I used to visit the people I followed, spend time on their work, and leave a comment in return for what they had given me. So here I am again.
Thanks, this is a great article. Really reassuring to read reminders to stay true to the purpose we joined Substack for. It’s easy to feel a bit lost and flailing-failing in Social Media land. This was a good attitudinal reboot!
This was incredibly helpful! Now I must overcome my fear of posting anything I write!
Also, with the proliferation of AI, how does someone overcome the fear that anything they create and share online won't be sucked into the supermassive AI black hole and our souls decompiled and reconstituted into a strange new Frankenstein creature?
Such excellent advice! And I completely agree that names and titles matter. You’re much more likely to nab a reader if they can generally tell WHAT they’re about to read. Especially if you’re a complete unknown like me!
About to launch my substack newsletter once I do some rebranding stuff, and this is all great advice. Thank you!!
So glad I saw this post! I've started my Substack about a year and a half ago with zero strategy, and I've been starting to wonder if all that effort was worth it if only a few people were reading my posts. I realised I do most of the things you mention when I have time, but sometimes things are so hectic that I just need to get the post out on time. I think a little bit of planning wouldn't hurt!
Aloha from a fellow “geriatric millennial” (that had me laughing!) This is such an insightful article, especially as a new Substack user. I’m craving deeper connections and quality posts, Instagram has my head spinning. I’m loving this platform so far, and find myself sharing more authenticly too! 🙌
Super helpful to hear all these details about starting newsletters off right!
Thank you for this! Enjoyed it. Coming from a journalism background I agree about the importance of headers. I have also been wondering why so many people don’t have a caption for photos. For me it’s a must! You have to credit the photo at all times. Otherwise you could wake up to a nasty fine. Learned that in previous jobs.
Awesome post, I just updated my header and got ideas for three post titles and content!
Hi Taylor! I really enjoyed reading this post. I'm new to Substack, but I used to have blogs—I love writing, I make autobiographical comics, and I'm an illustrator. Some time ago, I started a newsletter but ended up abandoning it, and I regret that. Now I'm trying to come back to it, aiming to create something with more depth than what I usually see on social media, and at the same time, something that reflects my essence and doesn't drain the energy I need to do what I love—in fact, something that fuels it.
Your advice helped me a lot, and I’ll be putting it into practice very soon.
I’m so glad I found your space. I read everything carefully and it reminded me of those times when I used to visit the people I followed, spend time on their work, and leave a comment in return for what they had given me. So here I am again.
Thank you!
great post (and as a fellow 1982 geriatric millennial, I could relate to a lot of it). I'm finally letting go of my numbered newsletters :(((
Thanks, this is a great article. Really reassuring to read reminders to stay true to the purpose we joined Substack for. It’s easy to feel a bit lost and flailing-failing in Social Media land. This was a good attitudinal reboot!
I love how bluntly you state your opinions
This was incredibly helpful! Now I must overcome my fear of posting anything I write!
Also, with the proliferation of AI, how does someone overcome the fear that anything they create and share online won't be sucked into the supermassive AI black hole and our souls decompiled and reconstituted into a strange new Frankenstein creature?
Thank you! So many helpful nuggets and things to consider here.
Very helpful and on point! Thank you.
Sage advice right here!
Such excellent advice! And I completely agree that names and titles matter. You’re much more likely to nab a reader if they can generally tell WHAT they’re about to read. Especially if you’re a complete unknown like me!
Love this list (and admittedly violate some -- though not many and certainly not all! -- of them. I am the worst at titles).