I've only been on Substack six months, but I think I figured out a framework that works for me. I don't know about anyone else. I post a long story/essay on Monday and try to keep it to four pages max, adding a few photos to break the print. Thursday is for poems. I have hundreds to share and I try to pair them with the theme of the Monday post. I tried persuading people into paid subscriptions by serializing a novel, even gave away several comps. Nothing. In fact, I lost a couple of subscribers. Gee! Frankly, I think it all depends on the product we put out and its affect on people. Also, I have subscribed to several good writers and artists, so my mailbox is crammed with goodies every morning. It's become overwhelming, so I've started unsubscribing to those who really don't ring the bells anymore, if you know what I mean. I received a very blunt, insightful comment from my daughter, a working mother of a "tiny tornado." She's busy. But she said, "Mom, who has time to read anymore?" Hmmmmm. I almost feel guilty being retired and able to spend time everyday with good writers and artists. Good luck with your efforts. That's just my story. Yours will be different.
Thanks for your insight. I've been on here a while; a little longer than two years with my other non-fiction publication. I used to report about the outdoors. I took a hiatus to share my fiction.
I think that many of the issues you describe are actually propagated by substack. IMO the referral feature has lead to huge increases in passive subscribers; people blindly clicking the "subscribe to these publications" links when they sign up. But I digress. Appreciate you reading.
I've found the "Following" feature has allowed people to not even subscribe for free. I must be getting hung up in the numbers game here. All I really need at this point in my life is the feedback that someone actually reads the work I post, like it or not.
I've only been on Substack six months, but I think I figured out a framework that works for me. I don't know about anyone else. I post a long story/essay on Monday and try to keep it to four pages max, adding a few photos to break the print. Thursday is for poems. I have hundreds to share and I try to pair them with the theme of the Monday post. I tried persuading people into paid subscriptions by serializing a novel, even gave away several comps. Nothing. In fact, I lost a couple of subscribers. Gee! Frankly, I think it all depends on the product we put out and its affect on people. Also, I have subscribed to several good writers and artists, so my mailbox is crammed with goodies every morning. It's become overwhelming, so I've started unsubscribing to those who really don't ring the bells anymore, if you know what I mean. I received a very blunt, insightful comment from my daughter, a working mother of a "tiny tornado." She's busy. But she said, "Mom, who has time to read anymore?" Hmmmmm. I almost feel guilty being retired and able to spend time everyday with good writers and artists. Good luck with your efforts. That's just my story. Yours will be different.
Thanks for your insight. I've been on here a while; a little longer than two years with my other non-fiction publication. I used to report about the outdoors. I took a hiatus to share my fiction.
I think that many of the issues you describe are actually propagated by substack. IMO the referral feature has lead to huge increases in passive subscribers; people blindly clicking the "subscribe to these publications" links when they sign up. But I digress. Appreciate you reading.
I've found the "Following" feature has allowed people to not even subscribe for free. I must be getting hung up in the numbers game here. All I really need at this point in my life is the feedback that someone actually reads the work I post, like it or not.
I think the following feature is also misunderstood and misused