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.
So here I am following Seth Werkheiser’s wise, and deceptively simple, words and at the same time replying to you, Robin. Yours is the first reply I read, true, but it resonated with me.
I guess that attaining fulfilment takes a bit of graft. As you say that, not numbers or plotzing about numbers, is what helps one feel part of something in the flatness of the digital life.
I think it’s about making a bit of a leap and imagining one is actually in the room with the other person/people in the Note or the comment. It’s easier to read a room, or see what someone is making if what you’re saying if you’re with them, hence the leap analogy. And that feels even more germane if you’re writing without looking over your shoulder.
The graft and leap are surely better than just posting into a void. I’ll just keep on grafting and leaping as spontaneously as I can.
I do think numbers are meaningful in one way. Growing subscriber numbers mean that some aspect of your work is resonating in a way that promotes itself out into that void. People are finding you and gravitating toward you, and that's powerful stuff. I take it very seriously. Inside of that, I think we have so many opportunities to connect on singular, personal levels, and they require a leap on both sides.
Here's an example: In my initial subscriber email I ask anyone who subscribes to "Reply to this email and tell me about yourself. I’d love to know your story, too!" Bear in mind this is after I have made the first move to be vulnerable in that opening letter, to tell people about who I am and why I write what I do. I do not use the off-the-shelf letter substack creates for me. Not every subscriber send me an email, but a lot do! And I get to hear very personal details about some of those amazing people and WHY they are interested in reading what I have to say. I respond to every single one of them. Because that's the kind of engagement I came here to find an create.
No, do it with intent. Random is in the "beyond your control" category, like an algorithm, so don't leave it to chance. Email someone you've emailed before, or emailed a year ago and haven't spoken to in awhile - we all have those! Email people with a goal - touch base, ask them their opinion on something, what they've been working on, if they can recommend a new book, etc. Your network should provide inspiration, curation, elation!
Well I have a few family and friends on my list and I ask their opinion all the time. The others I haven't spoken to and I've tried and tried to get them to comment or respond.
They're probably a lot of people like me who are introverts and don't like to respond to random people. Also a lot of them are from other countries. Maybe they are not confident about their English.
Fine - you know 'em better than me, but no use trying to get blood from a stone. If you're looking for more engagement / comments / dialogue, you need to create it and find it!
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.
One day at a time. You've been here since Feb, some have been here for YEARS, it's gonna take a minute to figure things out! Just keep writing, create a body of work, and learn as you go.
Tag people you’d like to read it, recommend others and they might recommend you, include photos and videos, find your tribe by commenting and DMing, share in group chats
I have several publications recommending me and I recommend them in return. I can’t afford to be a paid subscriber to all of them, but at least I read their free work. Most of the locals have never heard of Substack, but have an interest in what I am doing. Very people understand how Substack works and the app. I also use a pen name. I have been considering sending instructions about Substack and where to find me on there to the private local genealogical and history groups I belong to on Facebook. I had to give my immediate family a tutorial of Substack. That is some of my problem. Thank you fig the tagging idea. I am trying to publish as often as I can. I am shooting for once or twice a week.
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.
That small b blogging post is great - from 2018! WOW. I do quite a bit of writing on my blog here: https://sethw.xyz/
I've been writing about this sort of stuff for a long time now, and it's always growing and changing and adapting!
The high engagement ratio is a tricky one, you're right. Getting people to leave a comment is always a challenge, and definitely having more people reading your work can lead to more comments. It's chicken vs the egg, which came first? haha... but I think the good writing and good articles need to come first before anyone leaves comments - that's the challenge!
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.
If it’s the hardest thing you do today, you’re lucky!
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, fulfillment feels so much better, you're right. Glad you found your rhythm with it then!
🙏🏻
Yes to both!
So here I am following Seth Werkheiser’s wise, and deceptively simple, words and at the same time replying to you, Robin. Yours is the first reply I read, true, but it resonated with me.
I guess that attaining fulfilment takes a bit of graft. As you say that, not numbers or plotzing about numbers, is what helps one feel part of something in the flatness of the digital life.
I think it’s about making a bit of a leap and imagining one is actually in the room with the other person/people in the Note or the comment. It’s easier to read a room, or see what someone is making if what you’re saying if you’re with them, hence the leap analogy. And that feels even more germane if you’re writing without looking over your shoulder.
The graft and leap are surely better than just posting into a void. I’ll just keep on grafting and leaping as spontaneously as I can.
I do think numbers are meaningful in one way. Growing subscriber numbers mean that some aspect of your work is resonating in a way that promotes itself out into that void. People are finding you and gravitating toward you, and that's powerful stuff. I take it very seriously. Inside of that, I think we have so many opportunities to connect on singular, personal levels, and they require a leap on both sides.
Here's an example: In my initial subscriber email I ask anyone who subscribes to "Reply to this email and tell me about yourself. I’d love to know your story, too!" Bear in mind this is after I have made the first move to be vulnerable in that opening letter, to tell people about who I am and why I write what I do. I do not use the off-the-shelf letter substack creates for me. Not every subscriber send me an email, but a lot do! And I get to hear very personal details about some of those amazing people and WHY they are interested in reading what I have to say. I respond to every single one of them. Because that's the kind of engagement I came here to find an create.
Yes, good comments in other post is a benefit for all.
Yes. Commenting is helpful. By emailing someone in your network, do you mean picking a random subscriber?
No, do it with intent. Random is in the "beyond your control" category, like an algorithm, so don't leave it to chance. Email someone you've emailed before, or emailed a year ago and haven't spoken to in awhile - we all have those! Email people with a goal - touch base, ask them their opinion on something, what they've been working on, if they can recommend a new book, etc. Your network should provide inspiration, curation, elation!
Well I have a few family and friends on my list and I ask their opinion all the time. The others I haven't spoken to and I've tried and tried to get them to comment or respond.
Then they’re not “you’re people” just yet. Focus on the active folks, folks that do appreciate what you’re doing. Find others like that!
I disagree. They do read my newsletters they just don't respond.
They're probably a lot of people like me who are introverts and don't like to respond to random people. Also a lot of them are from other countries. Maybe they are not confident about their English.
Fine - you know 'em better than me, but no use trying to get blood from a stone. If you're looking for more engagement / comments / dialogue, you need to create it and find it!
Start with people you know with similar interests and build from there.
Also known as networking. Also known as hanging out. :)
This is something we all should do more.
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!
TOO SOCIAL. Yeah, you’re playing by their rules, so you gotta be slick about it haha
I definately learned my lesson lol
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
You got it. You can’t just ask ask ask, you gotta give X 1000 before the ask.
"fuck scale, do the work" - my new motto
Heck yes! Do a bit each day, and watch it compound.
Really needed this reminder. Thanks, Seth!
Oh good - glad I could help! Have a wonderful week, Rachel!
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 🤙🏻
There you go - start slow, gauge the response, and adjust from there. You'll get it!
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.
One day at a time. You've been here since Feb, some have been here for YEARS, it's gonna take a minute to figure things out! Just keep writing, create a body of work, and learn as you go.
Tag people you’d like to read it, recommend others and they might recommend you, include photos and videos, find your tribe by commenting and DMing, share in group chats
I have several publications recommending me and I recommend them in return. I can’t afford to be a paid subscriber to all of them, but at least I read their free work. Most of the locals have never heard of Substack, but have an interest in what I am doing. Very people understand how Substack works and the app. I also use a pen name. I have been considering sending instructions about Substack and where to find me on there to the private local genealogical and history groups I belong to on Facebook. I had to give my immediate family a tutorial of Substack. That is some of my problem. Thank you fig the tagging idea. I am trying to publish as often as I can. I am shooting for once or twice a week.
I do videos too. I also have videos on YouTube and TikTok.
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)
Itay - good to see you here again :)
That small b blogging post is great - from 2018! WOW. I do quite a bit of writing on my blog here: https://sethw.xyz/
I've been writing about this sort of stuff for a long time now, and it's always growing and changing and adapting!
The high engagement ratio is a tricky one, you're right. Getting people to leave a comment is always a challenge, and definitely having more people reading your work can lead to more comments. It's chicken vs the egg, which came first? haha... but I think the good writing and good articles need to come first before anyone leaves comments - that's the challenge!
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!
hahah 5K likes!?! That is bonkers. I hope you can cash them in for a Substack shirt or mouse pad.
LMAO!!! It's this note here and to be honest...I wish it would die already 😂 I'm over it!
https://substack.com/@wildhoodwanted/note/c-52715922?utm_source=activity_item
However, I will say I have gained 389 new subscribers since it was posted. I guess that's better than a mouse pad.
WOW, that is stellar. Amazing too, how it led to that many more subscribers.
Yeah, super crazy. But it supports your whole theory that we don't need traditional social media to achieve incredible growth.
Oh, you ain't lying!
Incredible that a post on notes was that effective Kristi! Thanks for sharing.
You're very welcome!
These are great suggestions. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for reading, Debbi! I hope you're able to take some of these ideas are start using them from time to time.
Oh, for sure, for sure! Yes!
I love the name of this NL, BTW! Sounds like a movie title. :)
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.
Oh that is great!