Great read. After signing up for substack I went off travelling for a couple of months and left it inactive, and coming back to it was HARD. I'm also not one for tooting my own horn, so the self promotion side of things on here is... eh. Totally agree though, one active subscriber is way better than 100 lurkers. 😊
So true, every word the drscription of how it feels such a waste of work and good info sometimes. I'm pretty new and it's pretty much to be expected, but it made my day when one reader messaged me saying she read me just in time to be able to go to that place I was writing about - I write about life and slow travel in Europe. If one of my subscribers hadnt shared it, the info wouldnt have got to her. Also the annoying how- to posts, the daily ai written motiational bs... but its still a great place to find your people
Hey Julianne :) This was a great piece to come back to after a few months away from your writing.
What I like here is that you don’t talk about community like some decorative word people put on a platform bio before disappearing into the fog. I remember noticing it in your work before: the questions, the way you try to make the place feel alive, interactive, genuinely inhabited. Not just “content”. A room with people in it.
You are also very honest about wanting to be read. And honestly, thank you for saying it plainly. Of course writers want to be read. That is not vanity. That is not some shameful little goblin hiding under the desk. That is part of why we publish in the first place.
But you also make the important distinction: not just subscribers, not just numbers sleeping politely in the corner, but real readers. People who return, react, answer, disagree sometimes, care enough to leave a trace. People who help the writing breathe beyond the screen.
I also agree with you about niches. A niche should not become a commercial cage with a tiny sad plant in the corner and a motivational poster on the wall. When a writer follows their own voice honestly enough, coherence appears naturally. It comes from the way they look at the world, not from forcing themselves to write about one topic forever like a well-trained algorithmic hamster.
There is frustration in this piece, yes. But it feels like honest frustration, not empty complaining. It comes from someone who cares about writing, readers, exchange, and this strange little Substack ecosystem where we are all trying to build something human without being swallowed by the algorithmic soup.
It is honest, human, and it made me want to keep reading. Thanks you Julianne :)
Thank you for reading and for providing me with such an elaborate feedback! I am so thrilled to see people share my opinions on the subject as important for me as writing.
I’m glad that I’ve managed to deliver my ideas so close to how they appear in my head and thank you for showing me that I am understood.
Definitely. Thanks for putting all of this to words! Agreed, I really don’t like the sub for sub culture. My numbers are low enough that when people subscribe to me out of the blue, I wonder if it’s genuine or if they’re expecting me to sub back. I think when people leave a comment, it assures me more it’s that we’re on the same wavelength.
Another thing I’ve noticed in Substack is people reusing/posting internet memes. I’ve seen those get a lot of traction which to me isn’t great as it basically makes Substack Instagram.
Yeah, I wish people were more thoughtful about what kind of trace they leave on Substack. Despite it being social media platform the reasons why most people come here are different from those other social platform users have.
Great post, I hear you loud and clear and agree with so much of this. One area where we differ is that I don't overexert myself by trying to read everyone I subscribe to. Similarly, I wouldn't expect everyone to read all my posts either, especially since I jump around between topics. I'm sure many of my subscribers who enjoy the travel stories don't care so much about my book stuff. No worries.
Funnily, when I started my own Substack in July 2023, it was purely meant to be a language learning resource because I advertised it to all my former students and colleagues on Facebook and from my work email account, and I had around 100 eager subscribers right away, and that slowly grew to 150-200. I also used it as book promotion, with updates on publishing, writing, etc. From July 2023 - September 2024, I didn't even know Notes existed and I never actually ventured onto the Substack platform to interact. From the time I did start being more active, meeting new people, forming genuine bonds, discovering all sorts of fascinating new ideas, writers, perspectives, I then started veering away from my original plan because, frankly, I found it so uninspiring. Part of that, perhaps, was because even though my open rate for that first year was very high (over 80%), very few people were coming onto Substack and liking or commenting. People still commented by responding to the emails or commenting on Facebook or sending me IG messages. I didn't mind, I was happy people were reading, but it probably didn't help with the algorithm. In my first 12+ months, I didn't even think about this. It wasn't until I started 'showing up' (to use a Substackism) that I became more aware of it.
Of course, as I grew and gained more subscribers, my open rate dropped, but that's normal.
One thing I always do to help those I subscribe to is open their email at least, which helps their open rate just a tad and also shows Substack that I'm somewhat active. Some writers are great people but I don't always care for everything they write. But I'm happy to subscribe and support and once in a while, I will read and enjoy a post and like and/or comment. I also tend to like a lot of posts that I don't read thoroughly - but I at least skim.
Oh, wow! Thank you for sharing the story of your journey.
It actually made me feel a little better about my own Substack journey. Because there are so many stories out there, cautionary tales impressing that your Substack is doomed unless you find a niche or something.
There are so many pertinent points here. I had a few weeks of mild burnout and the algorithm punished me good; I'm still noticing that my reach is not the same. But the thing I'm reminding myself of is that I'm writing for me, for my creative development and with my voice. Sure, I want subscribers, I know I need to promote and continue engaging in other people's writing. But without knowing the fundamental "why", I think this can become lost.
Gosh, so many truth bombs in here. There was a period there where I set all these ridiculous rules for myself in order to please the “Substack gods.” But, as you say, it only takes illness or a few days of life demanding your full attention to set you back algorithmically. I’ve really had to let go of trying ‘get it right’ and just show up when I have time, show up with intention, and just enjoy the experience — reach be damned!
Thank you for sharing this, there are valuable points here. I have had Substack for awhile now but pretty new with the posting. I am currently trying to find my words back and hopefully this will remain a safe space to share what I write about and it will land to the right people who can resonate with it :)
What can I say? 100% agree with your opinions.
When I found Substack last year it felt different. Now it has become just another social demanding constant engagement and pushing polarizing content.
It is so sad that Substack has turned bitter for so many people.
Great piece. I am a newbie here and I hope to make good use of this piece. Thank you 🙏
Thank you for reading!
Great read. After signing up for substack I went off travelling for a couple of months and left it inactive, and coming back to it was HARD. I'm also not one for tooting my own horn, so the self promotion side of things on here is... eh. Totally agree though, one active subscriber is way better than 100 lurkers. 😊
Thank you for reading and for commenting.
So true, every word the drscription of how it feels such a waste of work and good info sometimes. I'm pretty new and it's pretty much to be expected, but it made my day when one reader messaged me saying she read me just in time to be able to go to that place I was writing about - I write about life and slow travel in Europe. If one of my subscribers hadnt shared it, the info wouldnt have got to her. Also the annoying how- to posts, the daily ai written motiational bs... but its still a great place to find your people
I’m glad you found it relatable!
Hey Julianne :) This was a great piece to come back to after a few months away from your writing.
What I like here is that you don’t talk about community like some decorative word people put on a platform bio before disappearing into the fog. I remember noticing it in your work before: the questions, the way you try to make the place feel alive, interactive, genuinely inhabited. Not just “content”. A room with people in it.
You are also very honest about wanting to be read. And honestly, thank you for saying it plainly. Of course writers want to be read. That is not vanity. That is not some shameful little goblin hiding under the desk. That is part of why we publish in the first place.
But you also make the important distinction: not just subscribers, not just numbers sleeping politely in the corner, but real readers. People who return, react, answer, disagree sometimes, care enough to leave a trace. People who help the writing breathe beyond the screen.
I also agree with you about niches. A niche should not become a commercial cage with a tiny sad plant in the corner and a motivational poster on the wall. When a writer follows their own voice honestly enough, coherence appears naturally. It comes from the way they look at the world, not from forcing themselves to write about one topic forever like a well-trained algorithmic hamster.
There is frustration in this piece, yes. But it feels like honest frustration, not empty complaining. It comes from someone who cares about writing, readers, exchange, and this strange little Substack ecosystem where we are all trying to build something human without being swallowed by the algorithmic soup.
It is honest, human, and it made me want to keep reading. Thanks you Julianne :)
Thank you for reading and for providing me with such an elaborate feedback! I am so thrilled to see people share my opinions on the subject as important for me as writing.
I’m glad that I’ve managed to deliver my ideas so close to how they appear in my head and thank you for showing me that I am understood.
Thank you for reading my writing!
My pleasure, Julianne.
It’s always valuable when a piece opens a real exchange about writing, reading, and what we are all trying to build here.
I’m glad this was the piece that brought me back to your work. :)
I’m also glad it did.
Definitely. Thanks for putting all of this to words! Agreed, I really don’t like the sub for sub culture. My numbers are low enough that when people subscribe to me out of the blue, I wonder if it’s genuine or if they’re expecting me to sub back. I think when people leave a comment, it assures me more it’s that we’re on the same wavelength.
Another thing I’ve noticed in Substack is people reusing/posting internet memes. I’ve seen those get a lot of traction which to me isn’t great as it basically makes Substack Instagram.
Yeah, I wish people were more thoughtful about what kind of trace they leave on Substack. Despite it being social media platform the reasons why most people come here are different from those other social platform users have.
Totally. Plus I’d rather read original writing!
I couldn't agree more to this post!! Thank you for writing this.
Thank you for reading.
You're wish was granted.Thanks for youre work
Great post, I hear you loud and clear and agree with so much of this. One area where we differ is that I don't overexert myself by trying to read everyone I subscribe to. Similarly, I wouldn't expect everyone to read all my posts either, especially since I jump around between topics. I'm sure many of my subscribers who enjoy the travel stories don't care so much about my book stuff. No worries.
Funnily, when I started my own Substack in July 2023, it was purely meant to be a language learning resource because I advertised it to all my former students and colleagues on Facebook and from my work email account, and I had around 100 eager subscribers right away, and that slowly grew to 150-200. I also used it as book promotion, with updates on publishing, writing, etc. From July 2023 - September 2024, I didn't even know Notes existed and I never actually ventured onto the Substack platform to interact. From the time I did start being more active, meeting new people, forming genuine bonds, discovering all sorts of fascinating new ideas, writers, perspectives, I then started veering away from my original plan because, frankly, I found it so uninspiring. Part of that, perhaps, was because even though my open rate for that first year was very high (over 80%), very few people were coming onto Substack and liking or commenting. People still commented by responding to the emails or commenting on Facebook or sending me IG messages. I didn't mind, I was happy people were reading, but it probably didn't help with the algorithm. In my first 12+ months, I didn't even think about this. It wasn't until I started 'showing up' (to use a Substackism) that I became more aware of it.
Of course, as I grew and gained more subscribers, my open rate dropped, but that's normal.
One thing I always do to help those I subscribe to is open their email at least, which helps their open rate just a tad and also shows Substack that I'm somewhat active. Some writers are great people but I don't always care for everything they write. But I'm happy to subscribe and support and once in a while, I will read and enjoy a post and like and/or comment. I also tend to like a lot of posts that I don't read thoroughly - but I at least skim.
Sorry, got a bit carried away with my comments!
Oh, wow! Thank you for sharing the story of your journey.
It actually made me feel a little better about my own Substack journey. Because there are so many stories out there, cautionary tales impressing that your Substack is doomed unless you find a niche or something.
There are so many pertinent points here. I had a few weeks of mild burnout and the algorithm punished me good; I'm still noticing that my reach is not the same. But the thing I'm reminding myself of is that I'm writing for me, for my creative development and with my voice. Sure, I want subscribers, I know I need to promote and continue engaging in other people's writing. But without knowing the fundamental "why", I think this can become lost.
Gosh, so many truth bombs in here. There was a period there where I set all these ridiculous rules for myself in order to please the “Substack gods.” But, as you say, it only takes illness or a few days of life demanding your full attention to set you back algorithmically. I’ve really had to let go of trying ‘get it right’ and just show up when I have time, show up with intention, and just enjoy the experience — reach be damned!
Thank you for sharing this, there are valuable points here. I have had Substack for awhile now but pretty new with the posting. I am currently trying to find my words back and hopefully this will remain a safe space to share what I write about and it will land to the right people who can resonate with it :)