This is all excellent - and true - stuff. I've tried both sides. It's nice to post something, walk away, and hope it'll resonate and the comments and engagement will just naturally happen. It's never worked for me. But jumping into conversations in the comments of other stacks I read or even my own posts immediately sparks more engagement from my readers and from prospective subscribers. And it makes me feel like I'm part of something. So I chase that feeling of fulfillment instead of bigger numbers.
Great suggestions and I'm considering trying some or all, but my little fearful heart beats fat at the idea of actually communicating with a specific person. I mean... what if the reject me?! (read sarcasm font)
It’s pretty much shifting the attitude from “what can I get?” to “how can I serve?”. It’s so easy and seductive to place disproportionate value on subscriber numbers (look what I got) when, yeah, what about the quality of the relationships with them (how can I help you out in this journey of life we’re all doing our best in?). Great reminder thanks Seth
I feel like I am trying to find my audience on Substack. I know what I am writing is worthwhile. I have a passion for writing and I have good material. I just started writing on her in early February though. I do like how much these platforms are reader/writer focused.
That's a topic I've been thinking myself since I've started my own publication. Also raised it on Twitter a while ago: https://i.imgur.com/JecnxNn.png
Getting a relatively high engagement ratio seems to be counterintuitive as the so-called "conversion rate" of people who pay, reply or even like your post is fairly low. It reminds me the famous 1,000/100 true fans that was popularized a few years ago. But it always seems to be achievable only when you reach a high volume of audience.
I love blunt statements lol. You write the way I think. One thing though....I posted a "THIS" once and two weeks later it is still going viral with nearly 5K likes (right here on Substack). So "THIS" can work....but results are not typical LOL!
Just like I make pots for one I learned to write for one. That way I don't tale my buyers and readers for granted. I try not to look at subscriber count but due to human frailty I do peek. But just like each show with the pors my goal is to sell one I only need one reader. To solve this I subscribed to myself with a different email so I always have one read.
I cam all the way back to say you are correct on interactions. Imtry to slow them.way down so I enjoy them more. I have a penpal club on my website when folks can write by hand in old time fashion. Works out great.
This is all excellent - and true - stuff. I've tried both sides. It's nice to post something, walk away, and hope it'll resonate and the comments and engagement will just naturally happen. It's never worked for me. But jumping into conversations in the comments of other stacks I read or even my own posts immediately sparks more engagement from my readers and from prospective subscribers. And it makes me feel like I'm part of something. So I chase that feeling of fulfillment instead of bigger numbers.
Yes. Commenting is helpful. By emailing someone in your network, do you mean picking a random subscriber?
The 15 minutes exercise of communicating with others is effective! I've made some great connections that way.
However, one time on Instagram, I got blocked for two days for being "too social". (wampwampwamp)
I'm excited to test out these other suggestions you have listed here!
Great suggestions and I'm considering trying some or all, but my little fearful heart beats fat at the idea of actually communicating with a specific person. I mean... what if the reject me?! (read sarcasm font)
I'll be brave!
It’s pretty much shifting the attitude from “what can I get?” to “how can I serve?”. It’s so easy and seductive to place disproportionate value on subscriber numbers (look what I got) when, yeah, what about the quality of the relationships with them (how can I help you out in this journey of life we’re all doing our best in?). Great reminder thanks Seth
"fuck scale, do the work" - my new motto
Really needed this reminder. Thanks, Seth!
Thanks for this Seth! So helpful. I'm gonna figure out a way to reach out to someone in my audience directly this week. Fuck scale 🤙🏻
I feel like I am trying to find my audience on Substack. I know what I am writing is worthwhile. I have a passion for writing and I have good material. I just started writing on her in early February though. I do like how much these platforms are reader/writer focused.
Thank you. My original goal was not to make money but I would like to. More than anything I wanted to preserve all of this forgotten history.
Great idea Seth. I like the simplicity of breaking it down to a 15 minute session to respond and begin conversations. Thanks!
That's a topic I've been thinking myself since I've started my own publication. Also raised it on Twitter a while ago: https://i.imgur.com/JecnxNn.png
Getting a relatively high engagement ratio seems to be counterintuitive as the so-called "conversion rate" of people who pay, reply or even like your post is fairly low. It reminds me the famous 1,000/100 true fans that was popularized a few years ago. But it always seems to be achievable only when you reach a high volume of audience.
I'm reminded this post from a few years ago which discusses the magnitude of blog posts and its effect even at small scale: https://tomcritchlow.com/2018/02/23/small-b-blogging/
(a recommended one if you haven't read it before)
I love blunt statements lol. You write the way I think. One thing though....I posted a "THIS" once and two weeks later it is still going viral with nearly 5K likes (right here on Substack). So "THIS" can work....but results are not typical LOL!
These are great suggestions. Thanks for sharing.
Just like I make pots for one I learned to write for one. That way I don't tale my buyers and readers for granted. I try not to look at subscriber count but due to human frailty I do peek. But just like each show with the pors my goal is to sell one I only need one reader. To solve this I subscribed to myself with a different email so I always have one read.
I cam all the way back to say you are correct on interactions. Imtry to slow them.way down so I enjoy them more. I have a penpal club on my website when folks can write by hand in old time fashion. Works out great.