Also, "The Machine in the Garden" says it's not "paid susbscriber" but it appears to be "paid subscriber". Either that or I'm not doing something right
Oh that's funny - the post if free if I download the app to read it. I'm on a desktop right now. Plus, I loved your blast of the app in the interview. I don't need any feeds! Thanks for taking the time to reply.
I'm not a writer, but I'm a writer. I have a demanding day job, so this is a hobby. I might want to make some money at it some day, but I'm not sure that I do. If I want to get good at my hobby, I need readers and feedback. All of that is possible here but you need to set up your own sorority. Or, you need to bring your sisters with you from where you were.
Returning to the building theme, it means engaging with people who will promote your work. Friends and family fill the bill for many people. They'll say nice things about you. My goal is to get good at writing, and that means building an honest audience. But, if my audience likes me, it's a sorority!
I Just read "The Machine in the Garden". I think that we agree on the sorority thing/analogy. I failed to get my thoughts down properly.
For context on my work, I set up a dedicated email to start my Substack. No one subscribed to me knows me. I have no other links to social media.
I decided to put all of my work out for free. Who wants to pay for stones on the beach? When I can tell that I'm making agates or carving sculptures, I'll finish turning on payments. For now, I justify my use of storage through the paid subscriptions I carry.
I know Notes is there to help build up my "network" but I'm loathe to engage. It presumes a model for building an audience. I really don't know if I have much of a natural audience. I'm still trying to sort that out.
Let me sign off with this appreciation of your work and best wishes.
I think we started out as a sorority and then reality happened, thank goodness. I've had more than a few readers tell me to fuck off, and I write a salad newsletter.
I like her point about getting people to think of Substack as the place where the best stories are being told right now. That’s what I always tell people who ask what is this Substack thing.
I swear I’ve seen him appear on podcasts with audiences of a few hundred people.
Very good interview and will definitely check out your stuff as I chase my toddler around today (I promise I’m not as neglectful as I make that sound)
Also, this might be somewhat heartbreaking but if you pull up his profile in incognito I think he hides most of his follows but substack still lets you see your own publication in the hidden list.
Thanks Emily for mentioning that you do your best work when you're ignoring Notes and other of the social features of Substack. I have the same experience and I was starting to wonder: Am I not trying hard enough? Am I missing something? Maybe I'm bad at social media? Also thanks for mentioning that you're not able to keep up with other newsletters while you're writing. Lots of people are starting to feel burned here from trying to keep up with writing, notes and reading other newsletters. It's insane!
Although not seeing it as much now, people complain about getting too many emails, they complain about the app being intrusive and annoying. A lot of people must want to see their subscribed newsletters by osmosis? Or are they seriously reading everything on their PC?
Only the app provides the audio function, so that's a selling point.
Most things that people use regularly are on an app, it's not a novelty. They're not having these debates about other platforms. They know how to turn notifications on or off. Same applies to self managing Substack.
lol who titled this
It's a good line!
I think that there is a case to be made for Substack being a sorority.
Talk to me Ken
Also, "The Machine in the Garden" says it's not "paid susbscriber" but it appears to be "paid subscriber". Either that or I'm not doing something right
Substack automatically adds a paywall after 30 days. I just adjusted it, sorry annoying auto setting!
Oh that's funny - the post if free if I download the app to read it. I'm on a desktop right now. Plus, I loved your blast of the app in the interview. I don't need any feeds! Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Do you want me to turn that off for you?
Oh, that's a switch on my end? I went back and was able to see the piece. I assumed that Emily had changed the publication settings.
Where is this switch you are referring to?
I'm not a writer, but I'm a writer. I have a demanding day job, so this is a hobby. I might want to make some money at it some day, but I'm not sure that I do. If I want to get good at my hobby, I need readers and feedback. All of that is possible here but you need to set up your own sorority. Or, you need to bring your sisters with you from where you were.
Returning to the building theme, it means engaging with people who will promote your work. Friends and family fill the bill for many people. They'll say nice things about you. My goal is to get good at writing, and that means building an honest audience. But, if my audience likes me, it's a sorority!
I think we think about sororities differently and that's okay! Excited to read your work.
I Just read "The Machine in the Garden". I think that we agree on the sorority thing/analogy. I failed to get my thoughts down properly.
For context on my work, I set up a dedicated email to start my Substack. No one subscribed to me knows me. I have no other links to social media.
I decided to put all of my work out for free. Who wants to pay for stones on the beach? When I can tell that I'm making agates or carving sculptures, I'll finish turning on payments. For now, I justify my use of storage through the paid subscriptions I carry.
I know Notes is there to help build up my "network" but I'm loathe to engage. It presumes a model for building an audience. I really don't know if I have much of a natural audience. I'm still trying to sort that out.
Let me sign off with this appreciation of your work and best wishes.
Best Substack title of the year. 😁
I think we started out as a sorority and then reality happened, thank goodness. I've had more than a few readers tell me to fuck off, and I write a salad newsletter.
Salads can be contentious. 😂
😂
I enjoyed this interview.
Chris, "best storytelling" is a winner.
On Emily's point about Instagram, the wider point is the opportunity for a general P/R strategy. Substack is a brand but do you treat it as such?
Agree, it was a good point, it's simple messaging.
I can't find Chris's Instagram account, so I don't know what he posts there.
Best storytelling, best election analysis, best salad recipes, best humorists, best cultural essayists, etc, etc.
That type of marketing doesn't need to promote specific Stacks.
So sloppy to not read the piece.
lol he’s a busy guy I forgive him!!!
Fun! 🤩 I loved this. American culture and convos are so different to ours in the UK. Thanks guys.
How so!!
How long you got?
I like her point about getting people to think of Substack as the place where the best stories are being told right now. That’s what I always tell people who ask what is this Substack thing.
The building in the background,is it the Seagram ?
Sure is
Man, how does Marcus Andressen stay on top of so much stuff?
because he only subscribes to two substacks
I swear I’ve seen him appear on podcasts with audiences of a few hundred people.
Very good interview and will definitely check out your stuff as I chase my toddler around today (I promise I’m not as neglectful as I make that sound)
Also, this might be somewhat heartbreaking but if you pull up his profile in incognito I think he hides most of his follows but substack still lets you see your own publication in the hidden list.
Landscape talking heads look friendlier than portrait orientation. Both are watchable on app or PC.
Thanks Emily for mentioning that you do your best work when you're ignoring Notes and other of the social features of Substack. I have the same experience and I was starting to wonder: Am I not trying hard enough? Am I missing something? Maybe I'm bad at social media? Also thanks for mentioning that you're not able to keep up with other newsletters while you're writing. Lots of people are starting to feel burned here from trying to keep up with writing, notes and reading other newsletters. It's insane!
Although not seeing it as much now, people complain about getting too many emails, they complain about the app being intrusive and annoying. A lot of people must want to see their subscribed newsletters by osmosis? Or are they seriously reading everything on their PC?
Only the app provides the audio function, so that's a selling point.
Most things that people use regularly are on an app, it's not a novelty. They're not having these debates about other platforms. They know how to turn notifications on or off. Same applies to self managing Substack.