Ignore algorithms, send emails, use less tools, and more
High 49F. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph.
Stop worrying about the algorithm and include the link. Put in two links. I’d rather 10 people see my post with a direct link than sending 100 people on a wild goose chase to find my link in bio or in the comments. Do everything you can to offend the algorithm.
Got an important update for your subscribers? Venue change, running late for a group Zoom chat? Email, don't post. Not everyone sees your Substack Notes. Heck, most of your subscribers probably don't even have the app installed. A recent note of mine was seen by 135 of my 6,000+ subscribers - that’s 2.2% of my audience. Send the email, it's the most direct way to reach your audience. Another excuse to delete your social media entirely.
“Do work. Be seen.” Wise words from Rob Cannon (read it here). Don’t “yeah, but” me on this. You have to do the work first. The work must be done. Keep doing the work until the work is better. Then, when the moment is right and you are “seen,” the work will be ready for the moment because you’ve been doing the work. Less worrying about the “seen” part, and more work. Bonus points if you do that work with and around other people (you should host a group Zoom call).
Use less tools. Less automation. Less funnels. Less drip campaigns. Less “email blasts.” AI ain’t gonna win because it can’t show up at an art gallery, curate a photo book, book a show, or be a good podcast guest - but you can. Do work that doesn’t scale. Add so much humanity and grace to your work that people question your sanity.
BONUS: Be careful sending a “re-engagement campaign” to all your zero and one star folks, because it can lead to a very low open rate email, which can trigger spam flags, and get your sending privileges suspended. Proceed with caution with “list hygiene” here on Substack.
Lots of Seth media went up this week.
◼️ I talked with Matty C on his What Am I Making podcast [listen]
◼️ Spoke with Aurora Airaskorpi over at High On Hope [watch]
◼️ Did a Substack Live with Michael Gilbride [watch]
◼️ I’m hosting a Zoom workshop on managing your digital clutter, organizing your digital photos, and (maybe) cutting your iCloud bill to that cheap .99 cent plan. Sign up here.
◼️ I do this now: Email Guidance. No scheduling, no Zoom call, just a low key way to pick my brain. Send some background and a question or two here:
free-trial@socialmediaescape.club
Recently I replied to someone with a 1,000 word email and they wrote me back:
BOOM! Super helpful feedback … and so generous. Do you really take the time personally to do this depth of research into us/our brand and personalize an email like this? That’s unheard of … I’m super grateful.
To keep swapping emails they’ll be a payment link to book 10 more days five more emails. Try me. Send your first email here: free-trial@socialmediaescape.club
I dare you.
◼️ P.S.Ditch Gmail and switch to Fastmail: get a free 30-day trial and 10% off your first year here (affiliate link).
Interesting point about being careful about "re-engagement campaigns." Would you suggest an individual personalized email? Or leave never-openers alone?
Offend the algorithm is a BANGER