Amazing advice! I love what you say about not having an agressive strategy around paid subscription. I decided to stay free because adding a paid subscription would cause too much self inflicted pressure. Thanks for sharing this for free x
I love a good freebie for all every now and again. Feels like you live the world in a better place. Self-inflicted pressure is not the one, maybe there are other ways / things you can sell with your audience another time when it feels good.
Thank you for this piece. I'm early stage in my newsletter in the area of chronic pain and so appreciate your advice to promote outside the platform. I want to hype my work on this and see your strategies as valuable and actionable. TY!
Love this post - and totally agree with what you say about nurturing the free subscribers. 'Free' subs are still paying you with their emails and attention, and this is SO valuable. I want to respect everyone who signs up - I hate giving away my email to a writer and then feeling as though I am not valued.
Wow! This was so spot on. It is reassuring and motivational to read your advice and views on growth.
I don’t have gifts yet for my paid subscribers' onboarding, I will work on that for sure.
As for the world outside of Substack feeding your Substack, you are right. People read people and IRL interactions can bring even more eyes and ears to your writing.
Any new writer and/or more robust ones should save this for later. I did!
I do gifts for both free and paid. slightly different but I think it is good to show people what you are about.
I worry if there is a bit of a substack subscription fatigue if you only go after people on this platform? I could be wrong. Thank you for commenting and saving.
You are welcome! I like newsletters I can refer to as tools.
I would love to have a feature where I could curate a personal playlist of posts following a theme and have them in my profile for later.
I agree, I will add a free gift on the other side.
I noticed a lot of traction from writers already here, who understand the culture of how Substack functions (Notes, threads, liking, etc.). But I also realized that most of my readers receive everything by email, and they come from many different places. So yeah, relying solely on Substack may not be that great.
I don't know about the ''Substack subscription fatigue'' but I guess the moment you opt into the platform, you are pushed to read and discover more. Live meetings can perhaps help overlook those backend tactics.
True, it could work well. But for me, there are too many steps :). It would be awesome to have it as an in-built feature on Substack. I am sure the tech can assist if many of us have this need.
That is an important number. They are email readers for sure. I had a bug for months with receiving emails from my favorite writers. The problem was solved, and I felt a great relief. I am not always on the app, and that long horizontal scrolling to read your listed publications can be overwhelming. I tend to scroll down on Notes and then leave the app. Email is quite straightforward.
Great read Lucy, thank you for sharing! I launched my Substack last week so feeling a bit like the new kid at school who doesn't know my way around yet, so really helpful to read all your brilliant insights. Also refreshing to hear your unique take on what's worked for you personally, even if it's going against the grain.
Awww welcome welcome! It is a really lovely place to be. I still feel a bit like that to be honest. 🤣 I think because I was always a bit of a drifter rather than in a set gang of folks, similar here really. Trying to embrace my Lone Ranger tendencies. As with anything I think it is experimenting on what works for you and time.
Thank you thank you! Aw I love this, I am all for experimentation so also great to hear that there's no right or wrong, more about finding what works best for us. Looking forward to reading your next one.
I loved this advice! Thank you for compiling it in one place. I really resonated with supporting the new and the small. A writer with a large platform supported me early on and I really enjoy paying it forward. There's so much great writing waiting to be discovered!
Going paid immediately hit home. I have seen so much of advice about growing the free list first. When I turned on the paid version, I was afraid. Now, I feel like it was the right decision since I can figure out the exclusive posts beforehand.
Definitely. Going paid was based on the posts for me rather than segregating the subscribers. I don't know if it makes sense to others. But it does for me.
I think knowing what you are about and doing is actually very underrated. If you lead with the confidence and clarity I’m sure your audience will feel it too? X
This is such great advice, thank you and it chimes with a lot of what I've been thinking. I'd much rather interact with writers here with smaller accounts rather than the "big names". And I'm very happy to stay small myself, growing slowly but focusing on just showing up for those who follow me
🫣 haha thank you - was a bit worried that I'm not gushing over all the Substack functionalities and I know for sure that has worked for others. Just not my ticket. (Maybe one day?)
Writing, creating and building a membership on Substack is part of my strategy to move away from Instagram. However, I continue to post my articles and class announcements there as I spent years building a relationship with my audience. I continue to see followers move over to Substack, where I encourage them to check out my long-form content. Overall, I'd like to limit my time on IG as much as possible, but I still see value in communicating with my readers there. Some of them don't quite get Substack yet...I imagine overtime they will convert as I continue to educate about my offerings here.
Yes exactly, I just tread Instagram a bit like my micro advertising department for which I don't have to pay. I just pop up what I have going on and send people over. I probably do need to do a bit more around the educating around Substack part but its all ok for now.
Lucy, this is the first piece of yours I’ve read and I LOVED it. I’m so impressed and I just love the way you approached this kind of ‘advice’ post. So thoughtfully and compassionately executed.
Hi Lucy, thank you for writing this. As a newbie to the newsletter space it’s helpful to hear and see others strategies . At the moment I publish a monthly book recommendation newsletter and weekly book summary which is more a couple of notes of the books I am reading. I have wrestled with the paid v free part as got an early pledge, think I was not quite at double figures followers at that point. I remain free but will turn on paid if I get 100 subscribers. Anyway enjoyed your post keep it up.
I had a very clear strategy in my head for what would be free and what would be paid without stretching myself, you could always see how you feel when you are ready for paid about what feels good to you to make behind paywall.
Such a lot of interesting and useful information. I've only just started on Substack, so I have lots to learn. Thanks for laying a path of breadcrumbs for us to follow.
Any time - I've tried to apply it to broader newsletters as well because I realise that not everyone subscribed to me writes for this platform. I am not a Substack expert by any means but think its always helpful to know how it helps others...
You forgot one: Unsolicited "Please subscribe, like, share my stuff" DMs. Since they rolled out DMs here, I'm constantly receiving unsolicited ones with links. 🤮
Amazing advice! I love what you say about not having an agressive strategy around paid subscription. I decided to stay free because adding a paid subscription would cause too much self inflicted pressure. Thanks for sharing this for free x
I love a good freebie for all every now and again. Feels like you live the world in a better place. Self-inflicted pressure is not the one, maybe there are other ways / things you can sell with your audience another time when it feels good.
Thank you for this piece. I'm early stage in my newsletter in the area of chronic pain and so appreciate your advice to promote outside the platform. I want to hype my work on this and see your strategies as valuable and actionable. TY!
Yes! Podcasts and people who talk about chronic pain in other places could work so well for you and your call to action can be to come over here.
Love this post - and totally agree with what you say about nurturing the free subscribers. 'Free' subs are still paying you with their emails and attention, and this is SO valuable. I want to respect everyone who signs up - I hate giving away my email to a writer and then feeling as though I am not valued.
Very much this - you also just never know what gems you have in there.
Wow! This was so spot on. It is reassuring and motivational to read your advice and views on growth.
I don’t have gifts yet for my paid subscribers' onboarding, I will work on that for sure.
As for the world outside of Substack feeding your Substack, you are right. People read people and IRL interactions can bring even more eyes and ears to your writing.
Any new writer and/or more robust ones should save this for later. I did!
Thank you for sharing 🙏
I do gifts for both free and paid. slightly different but I think it is good to show people what you are about.
I worry if there is a bit of a substack subscription fatigue if you only go after people on this platform? I could be wrong. Thank you for commenting and saving.
You are welcome! I like newsletters I can refer to as tools.
I would love to have a feature where I could curate a personal playlist of posts following a theme and have them in my profile for later.
I agree, I will add a free gift on the other side.
I noticed a lot of traction from writers already here, who understand the culture of how Substack functions (Notes, threads, liking, etc.). But I also realized that most of my readers receive everything by email, and they come from many different places. So yeah, relying solely on Substack may not be that great.
I don't know about the ''Substack subscription fatigue'' but I guess the moment you opt into the platform, you are pushed to read and discover more. Live meetings can perhaps help overlook those backend tactics.
You could just set up a draft post and save them there for now and it could be your own personal playlist at your own cadence.
I am the same, I think over 90% of mine receive via email.
True, it could work well. But for me, there are too many steps :). It would be awesome to have it as an in-built feature on Substack. I am sure the tech can assist if many of us have this need.
That is an important number. They are email readers for sure. I had a bug for months with receiving emails from my favorite writers. The problem was solved, and I felt a great relief. I am not always on the app, and that long horizontal scrolling to read your listed publications can be overwhelming. I tend to scroll down on Notes and then leave the app. Email is quite straightforward.
Great read Lucy, thank you for sharing! I launched my Substack last week so feeling a bit like the new kid at school who doesn't know my way around yet, so really helpful to read all your brilliant insights. Also refreshing to hear your unique take on what's worked for you personally, even if it's going against the grain.
Awww welcome welcome! It is a really lovely place to be. I still feel a bit like that to be honest. 🤣 I think because I was always a bit of a drifter rather than in a set gang of folks, similar here really. Trying to embrace my Lone Ranger tendencies. As with anything I think it is experimenting on what works for you and time.
Thank you thank you! Aw I love this, I am all for experimentation so also great to hear that there's no right or wrong, more about finding what works best for us. Looking forward to reading your next one.
I loved this advice! Thank you for compiling it in one place. I really resonated with supporting the new and the small. A writer with a large platform supported me early on and I really enjoy paying it forward. There's so much great writing waiting to be discovered!
I LOVE paying it forward. Such a joy and a gift to so many people that is so easy to do.
Going paid immediately hit home. I have seen so much of advice about growing the free list first. When I turned on the paid version, I was afraid. Now, I feel like it was the right decision since I can figure out the exclusive posts beforehand.
Yea! Well done. I definitely think there is something to be said for practicing in public.
Definitely. Going paid was based on the posts for me rather than segregating the subscribers. I don't know if it makes sense to others. But it does for me.
I think knowing what you are about and doing is actually very underrated. If you lead with the confidence and clarity I’m sure your audience will feel it too? X
This is such great advice, thank you and it chimes with a lot of what I've been thinking. I'd much rather interact with writers here with smaller accounts rather than the "big names". And I'm very happy to stay small myself, growing slowly but focusing on just showing up for those who follow me
Definitely - I love my meaningful relationships that I’m building with writers!
This is awesome Lucy, so many things for me to try, I appreciate it. Going to share this in my newsletter too :)
Oh wow - thank you. I really appreciate that.
epic read, Lucy! So many great tips - especially the 'unpopular' ones!
🫣 haha thank you - was a bit worried that I'm not gushing over all the Substack functionalities and I know for sure that has worked for others. Just not my ticket. (Maybe one day?)
Writing, creating and building a membership on Substack is part of my strategy to move away from Instagram. However, I continue to post my articles and class announcements there as I spent years building a relationship with my audience. I continue to see followers move over to Substack, where I encourage them to check out my long-form content. Overall, I'd like to limit my time on IG as much as possible, but I still see value in communicating with my readers there. Some of them don't quite get Substack yet...I imagine overtime they will convert as I continue to educate about my offerings here.
Yes exactly, I just tread Instagram a bit like my micro advertising department for which I don't have to pay. I just pop up what I have going on and send people over. I probably do need to do a bit more around the educating around Substack part but its all ok for now.
Such a helpful checklist. Thank you!
Take what works and leave the rest! Thank you for reading x
Lucy, this is the first piece of yours I’ve read and I LOVED it. I’m so impressed and I just love the way you approached this kind of ‘advice’ post. So thoughtfully and compassionately executed.
Hey Erin! Thank you so much for the feedback. No pressure for the next one 😂🫠. Glad to be of service and hope there is a nugget or two there for you.
Absolutely, so many good nuggets! And no pressure at all! (that just took all the pressure away didn't it)
Hi Lucy, thank you for writing this. As a newbie to the newsletter space it’s helpful to hear and see others strategies . At the moment I publish a monthly book recommendation newsletter and weekly book summary which is more a couple of notes of the books I am reading. I have wrestled with the paid v free part as got an early pledge, think I was not quite at double figures followers at that point. I remain free but will turn on paid if I get 100 subscribers. Anyway enjoyed your post keep it up.
I had a very clear strategy in my head for what would be free and what would be paid without stretching myself, you could always see how you feel when you are ready for paid about what feels good to you to make behind paywall.
Such a lot of interesting and useful information. I've only just started on Substack, so I have lots to learn. Thanks for laying a path of breadcrumbs for us to follow.
Any time - I've tried to apply it to broader newsletters as well because I realise that not everyone subscribed to me writes for this platform. I am not a Substack expert by any means but think its always helpful to know how it helps others...
You forgot one: Unsolicited "Please subscribe, like, share my stuff" DMs. Since they rolled out DMs here, I'm constantly receiving unsolicited ones with links. 🤮
Are you? I’m a bit jealous - I’ve not even had one. (Hopefully this doesn’t invite unsolicited requests)