I am excited to be a subscriber at the beginning of your Substack journey (I found you because of a comment you made). I started mine two years ago on September 6. I do not deliberately try to increase my readership, but I get several new subscribers each week. I frequently like and comment on other people's posts, so that is a gentle way to attract readers. I don't like when buttons interrupt the text, so I put all of them at the end of my piece.
One thing I have noticed in the Substacks that I read is that after a year or so they get new names or change directions. This happened to me as well. The original name of mine was Elder Mentor, then I changed directions in my writing. A second thing that I have noticed is that people write frequently when first starting, then taper off to infrequent posts (and yet I have not unsubscribed). This also happened to me (and I have had only a few people unsubscribe and always right after I posted something, perhaps that they did not like)--so don't feel pressured to produce. Now that I think about it, the ones that I have unsubscribed to were sending me frequent postings and I grew tired of their company (for me, less is best). A third thing is that Substack gives you open stats after about 24 hours, but many readers (myself included) don't necessarily open them immediately after they hit the inbox. And finally, I am not impressed by so-called better writers, so I don't waste any time trying to improve my craft--I write what I write (reread it once) and move on. All the best!
Thank you, Lynn, for your kind and generous words. And great advice. It's incredibly helpful to read this as I take my first steps here and much appreciated. I look forward to writing your Substack and the best of luck to you too!
Funnily enough, I have, against my better judgement, bunged a few buttons in the middle or even the beginning of articles because some "experts" say you should, and earlier today I vowed not to do that any more on the grounds that it's intrusive, obnoxious and probably something else that would complete a trilogy of adjectives. I also often read newsletters after 24 hours, as you can see from this! Nice to "meet" a like-minded person.
Love all of this! There’s one writer I follow that I get multiple notes a day on, filling up my inbox. I was thinking of unsubscribing for that very reason...and I don’t really enjoy his writing personally. I guess that’s the way it is. But, I’ve also learned we should be putting notes out frequently to attract other subscribers. I’m new here. I just like to write. It’s relaxing and it just flows out of me. Many of my writings are first drafts. No idea if others consider them good. They’re just mine😉. Best of luck with your writing! Thanks for this comment.
Thanks, Pam, and keep writing that way! By the way, I like the title of your newsletter; and there are plenty of dragonflies for me to enjoy here, in Tokyo. So wonderful to watch!
Thanks, Nicola! Thank you for your perceptive comments on ripples and rivers. I'll actually be coming back to the latter at some point (having reflected that rivers have played an important part in my life, without me realising). Good luck with your own reading and writing in due course!
Love your vulnerabilities and truth here! I’m new as well and need to produce more frequently. Life is crazy right now, but I’ve started carving out two hours a day to write. Makes all the difference.
Hello Jeffrey, Congratulations on getting started. I’m new too, but only as a reader for now. Ripples can arise from two directions, from above ... the writer jumping in ... and from below ...the reader catching the bait. Maybe too big a splash and you mask the ripples coming from below. But if you’re focusing on writing, maybe a big splash doesn’t matter. Or should a writer be more like a fisherman? I suppose it depends on what kind of writing you want to do. A river is a wonderful source of metaphors. Good luck!
hi jeffery streeter / my feedback is that i read your post straight thru with nary a blip so it must be good shit / i found it encouraging and inspiring / warmly human / mildly funny / all things i aspire to in my writing / i’ve been writing on substack for 2 1/2 years over 200 posts and that is my challenge to keep it real authentic spontaneous and hopefully humorous / i’ll track you and see how you’re doing
Jeffrey, please forgive my belated comment on this post! But thank you so much for the mention, and even more, huge congrats on the start of your journey on Substack :)
I especially loved what you wrote here: "Every day on here I see people stretching themselves, taking risks, being vulnerable and open and generous. And, above all, writing some amazing stuff." I've absolutely found the same thing in the other writers I follow -- people are sharing their best work, and it's been incredibly motivating to dig deep and create and share my own best as well.
Can't wait to read more as your journey continues!
I am excited to be a subscriber at the beginning of your Substack journey (I found you because of a comment you made). I started mine two years ago on September 6. I do not deliberately try to increase my readership, but I get several new subscribers each week. I frequently like and comment on other people's posts, so that is a gentle way to attract readers. I don't like when buttons interrupt the text, so I put all of them at the end of my piece.
One thing I have noticed in the Substacks that I read is that after a year or so they get new names or change directions. This happened to me as well. The original name of mine was Elder Mentor, then I changed directions in my writing. A second thing that I have noticed is that people write frequently when first starting, then taper off to infrequent posts (and yet I have not unsubscribed). This also happened to me (and I have had only a few people unsubscribe and always right after I posted something, perhaps that they did not like)--so don't feel pressured to produce. Now that I think about it, the ones that I have unsubscribed to were sending me frequent postings and I grew tired of their company (for me, less is best). A third thing is that Substack gives you open stats after about 24 hours, but many readers (myself included) don't necessarily open them immediately after they hit the inbox. And finally, I am not impressed by so-called better writers, so I don't waste any time trying to improve my craft--I write what I write (reread it once) and move on. All the best!
Thank you, Lynn, for your kind and generous words. And great advice. It's incredibly helpful to read this as I take my first steps here and much appreciated. I look forward to writing your Substack and the best of luck to you too!
Funnily enough, I have, against my better judgement, bunged a few buttons in the middle or even the beginning of articles because some "experts" say you should, and earlier today I vowed not to do that any more on the grounds that it's intrusive, obnoxious and probably something else that would complete a trilogy of adjectives. I also often read newsletters after 24 hours, as you can see from this! Nice to "meet" a like-minded person.
Thank you for reading, Terry! I still just put one button at the end and no more.
Love all of this! There’s one writer I follow that I get multiple notes a day on, filling up my inbox. I was thinking of unsubscribing for that very reason...and I don’t really enjoy his writing personally. I guess that’s the way it is. But, I’ve also learned we should be putting notes out frequently to attract other subscribers. I’m new here. I just like to write. It’s relaxing and it just flows out of me. Many of my writings are first drafts. No idea if others consider them good. They’re just mine😉. Best of luck with your writing! Thanks for this comment.
Thanks, Pam, and keep writing that way! By the way, I like the title of your newsletter; and there are plenty of dragonflies for me to enjoy here, in Tokyo. So wonderful to watch!
Thanks, Nicola! Thank you for your perceptive comments on ripples and rivers. I'll actually be coming back to the latter at some point (having reflected that rivers have played an important part in my life, without me realising). Good luck with your own reading and writing in due course!
Love your vulnerabilities and truth here! I’m new as well and need to produce more frequently. Life is crazy right now, but I’ve started carving out two hours a day to write. Makes all the difference.
Hello Jeffrey, Congratulations on getting started. I’m new too, but only as a reader for now. Ripples can arise from two directions, from above ... the writer jumping in ... and from below ...the reader catching the bait. Maybe too big a splash and you mask the ripples coming from below. But if you’re focusing on writing, maybe a big splash doesn’t matter. Or should a writer be more like a fisherman? I suppose it depends on what kind of writing you want to do. A river is a wonderful source of metaphors. Good luck!
Beautifully written
Thank you for your comment, Terry!
hi jeffery streeter / my feedback is that i read your post straight thru with nary a blip so it must be good shit / i found it encouraging and inspiring / warmly human / mildly funny / all things i aspire to in my writing / i’ve been writing on substack for 2 1/2 years over 200 posts and that is my challenge to keep it real authentic spontaneous and hopefully humorous / i’ll track you and see how you’re doing
Thanks, rohn. I'm glad you liked the post and welcome to the English Republic of Letters! I also look forward to reading your Substack.
Good for you.
I love this! I’m new here too. I feel everything you’re saying ❤️
Thank you! And good luck with your own swim in the river!
“Slither down the bank”... I feel that and am all for it.
Thanks, Wendy. Likewise! And good luck!
Thanks, Michael! It's all quite a learning curve, isn't it?
Thank you! All this slithering down riverbanks puts me in mind of this ancient TV programme from the UK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VTn6VlUXNA
Jeffrey, please forgive my belated comment on this post! But thank you so much for the mention, and even more, huge congrats on the start of your journey on Substack :)
I especially loved what you wrote here: "Every day on here I see people stretching themselves, taking risks, being vulnerable and open and generous. And, above all, writing some amazing stuff." I've absolutely found the same thing in the other writers I follow -- people are sharing their best work, and it's been incredibly motivating to dig deep and create and share my own best as well.
Can't wait to read more as your journey continues!
Thanks again for your kind words, Candace! I really enjoy your wonderful essays and look forward to more!
Just starting out myself. Like you, I find the community welcoming. Looking forward to reading more of you! Cheers!
This was a very fun piece. I was very perplexed by where to the subscribe button at first, and so I thoroughly enjoyed your musings on it.
Congrats & welcome aboard, Jeffrey!