REPLAY: MAYBE YOU DON'T NEED MORE SUBSCRIBERS
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Hi, I’m Seth and I help creative people quit social media, promote their work in sustainable ways, and rethink how a website and newsletter can work together.
Later this week I’m hosting THE BIG MONEY PIZZA PARTY 🍕, where we’re gonna talk about making money on the internet stuff, trying to make a living (or pay the phone bill) with our writing. Getting people to become paid subscribers. Raising our rates in 2026! TAXES (maybe)!
Click here for more info: https://luma.com/01sydkok
That said, I’m following Kel Rakowski’s ‘60 Day Challenge: No New Content:’
“Look at everything you made this year and chop and screw it (edit or collage) into something new.”
This post below is from April 8th, 2024, presented again with minor additions and edits:
What if the people receiving your emails forwarded it to friends? What if they copied the text from it and posted it on social media? What if your words traveled from the inbox into Facebook group chats and meeting rooms?
When was the last time you sent a newsletter that got 10 replies?
If none of those things happened — not even close — maybe getting more subscribers isn’t the answer.
From social media to Substack Notes, people post in the void. No comments, likes, or engagement of any kind.
Hey, sometimes things don’t work!
Your “questions to everyone” or “open invites” have good intentions, but after a dozen or so attempts, it’s time to reassess your strategy.
Stop asking “everyone” and start actually asking people.
➡️ Reply to someone else’s post. Be the person that people love seeing in the comments section by being insightful, gracious, and / or funny.
➡️ Email someone directly in your network. If you’re hoping those people even see your original post and take the time to reply is a long shot. Instead, reach out and ask them. Network by sharing gifts.
➡️ Invite someone before inviting everyone. If you’re just getting started in hosting video hangouts, live sessions, or workshops, consider inviting a few people you know directly. See if you can get three people to commit before announcing to “everyone.”
Setting a timer for 15 minutes and communicating with real people five days a week will probably get you more results than the hour you spend making one Reel for 153 “people” to see (and which will never be seen again after 12 hours).
Does it scale? Fuck scale, do the work.
The strategy of “just posting” ain’t working, and it ain’t gonna get any easier to reach your fans in 2026.
◼️ Did a surprise Substack Live today on a whim on Sunday. Just me, a webcam, and my cat (Blue) losing his mind in the background. Watch it here.
◼️ P.S.Ditch Gmail and switch to Fastmail: get a free 30-day trial and 10% off your first year here (affiliate link).
I love these ideas for reaching outside of social media.
I’ve been bouncing around 289-294 subscribers for months, which shouldn’t be a big deal because I have no intentions for monetization. But you know how the brain works when so tantalizing close to a round number.
This post reminded me of the magic of being given so many email addresses. It’s not about more, it’s about what delighting those who’ve already signed up.
i loved this replay of your live stream Seth! made me chuckle all throughout. i had heard of using obs and was just put off by the tech side of it and my freeze response, but you've made me slightly creep towards it! while i listened i painted some leaves with my acorn ink and let my mind dream up engagement with my audience. cheers!