Yes, I think so. I don't cross post everything there, but certainly posts that are on topic for people I'm connected to. Thanks for putting together a Substack group over there.
Thanks for this, it's soooo useful. Compared to others I have a tiny amount of subscribers (124) since I first started on here in March. I started from scratch, and haven't really found my feet yet. This week I've been thinking about whether to stay fairly eclectic, or whether to focus down a bit more. Maybe I'll poll my readers....
A poll is a lovely idea, I’m a big fan of sections too... I found my growth here started to snowball after about 8 months and I’m glad I had a bit of time before hand to grow into what I wanted to write about. ✨🍃✏️
As a new writer with a small number of subscribers, advice, tips, and hows are very important to me. The links you shared are very helpful. Thanks a lot, Claire!
I mostly write my thoughts, and my thoughts are all about the lessons I've learned, the advice I heard and then used, and some realizations I've had about humans and life. In other words, it can be identified as a self-help topic.
It seems most of my subscribers come from desktop, then the Substack app and then my newly opened Instagram. So it makes sense to hang out here the most (which is not really a hard thing to do) and then feed that to Instagram, which has been my intention with IG from the beginning. I do also have a referral from YT as well but I'm not really using that space at the moment so I don't expect that number to grow. Definitely future planning though. As always, thank you for your openness. ❤️
I think the video thing lets you upload your own content directly and host it here at Substack (don't quote me, but that was my takeaway). Side note: the WYSIWYG editor is as good as any I've ever used, and I've used a bunch of them.
Oh! I’m still a little fuzzy!! Both the button in posts and the video post button let you upload your own... I wonder if it’s a thread/ chat convo/ similarity again?
My video didn’t pull through as the image in the app today where as I’m sure it does when you post a video post...
I’m glad we’re trying to figure it out together!! I’ll have to jump on open office hours and ask! I also STILL need to know how to get Spotify to list our podcast - I did tag a few Substack staff in a note but no further forward as the rss links to a Substack email address and the code from Spotify won’t send there!
Claire, we'll get there. I love that this is such a great place for support. Reminds me of the early days of Facebook, when it was mostly just smart nerds playing around.
I very much appreciate your transparency. Do you have an idea of how your growth came from within substack? Is it engaging in other stories, sharing, notes? Obviously the number one thing is your valuable content and insights you share with us, thank you for being an open book about it.
Hey Stephanie! I think it’s a combo of things. I did teach more in my Masterclass last month I called it Mailing List Magic! There’s defo a snowball effect, there’s also using recommendations and boost and making your about page SUPER clear. At first it was one a week, then one a day, then one or two a day most days, then often 5-12 new subs a day now... that’s in 14 months... ✨🌀 📧
Have you checked your stats as to where folks are discovering you from?
I’m excited to see video as an option to put inside an article, I’ve been wanting to do that for a while, rather than having a ‘video post’ as it were! I haven’t been particularly active as it’s been a busy work week but loving catching up with all the magic there is here in my inbox and notes feed today. Although I should knuckle down and get my own Friday post written and sent!!
Will look forward to reading later! Yes I think video is such a great asset here... it’s also a big ask of us creatively and I don’t mind saying that! Cx ✨
Thank you Claire. I think nothing fancy from me video wise - I'm not one for talking to camera, so it would just be some little animations and videos of the beauty I find around me, maybe a timelapse or two.
These are helpful tips and insights! My week on Substack was interesting. I published a very vulnerable piece on Monday and, that night, had a dream that I was in a big familiar house with many old friendly acquaintances, just to notice that I had no clothes on. As soon as I woke up, I knew my dream was about my writing. In my dream, eventually I found a cardigan to put on. I am not yet sure where my cardigan is for my writing. It will be what helps me show up with just the right mix of reservation, authenticity and vulnerability for me.
Dreams are such messengers to our souls work aren’t they. Thank-you for sharing that with me. I think I perhaps need some more dream time too Kathleen! ✨🌚✨
I'm really interested that most of your growth comes from within substack - I will check where mine is originating from but I think it's probably FB and LinkedIn as that's where I'm sharing it. I love the stats, thank you for sharing yours. It's been really interesting for me to see my 'open' rates which are around 60% which is encouraging. I just don't really know how to build within substack! If I write something that people respond really well to, like my post yesterday - how do I get that out to other substack users? I'm going to rewatch your masterclasses!! x
So firstly I’d say it takes a while to build and the “recommendations” feature is your friend here... secondly if you share part of your article to Substack Notes in a restack but think about starting a conversation rather than posting as bill board type content you can get to know folks in Notes that might Subscribe! There are lots and lots of ways to grow within the Substack network but they are my top two... obviously if you’re writing content that people resonate with they are often inclined to share too. 💗💜
Also that stats say 0 subscribers from Insta, but I know that's not true. I wonder if they click through to my website landing page if it just registers those as direct? So the Insta referrals are the ones linked directly from stories maybe.
Yes so it must just pick up the last place they connected? I feel like lots of my insta people were already on my mailchimp so that kinda accounts for that?
I've been posting my Substack to Instagram once a week and seeing 1-2 new subscribers join me so that feels worthwhile. My referral sources look similar to yours (what is email?!) except between Insta and FB I have referrals from ecosia.org which I have never heard of, but is apparently a search engine that plants trees! 🌳🌳🌳
Facebook must be other people's shares. I don't have it linked! And then my next referral source is YOUR Substack! 🥰
Yes I totally hear you. I need to re organise my home page as it’s not working and I need it to be more useful for those finding me via the app so I’m wondering when I might make some time for that.
I’m in a bit of a flow with my posts now and have three scheduled for the next little while which was part of the goal in Jan to have some ready and be in a pattern with it... I’m not sure how long that will last though ✨🤓✨
Question: Do the videos need to be hosted on an external platform (such as YouTube, Vimeo, etc)? Or, do you upload straight to Substack?
Just uploaded this one straight from my Mac to Substack! You can do either.
And LinkedIn, and where relevant, on a nonprofit blog I manage.
Linked in is quite good to share Substack content on I think?
Yes, I think so. I don't cross post everything there, but certainly posts that are on topic for people I'm connected to. Thanks for putting together a Substack group over there.
You’re welcome - I thought it would be easier to chat and believe it or not there wasn’t one!
Thanks for this, it's soooo useful. Compared to others I have a tiny amount of subscribers (124) since I first started on here in March. I started from scratch, and haven't really found my feet yet. This week I've been thinking about whether to stay fairly eclectic, or whether to focus down a bit more. Maybe I'll poll my readers....
A poll is a lovely idea, I’m a big fan of sections too... I found my growth here started to snowball after about 8 months and I’m glad I had a bit of time before hand to grow into what I wanted to write about. ✨🍃✏️
As a new writer with a small number of subscribers, advice, tips, and hows are very important to me. The links you shared are very helpful. Thanks a lot, Claire!
Aw you’re so welcome! I write this every week and have been for a couple of months! What are you writing about here? ✨✏️
I mostly write my thoughts, and my thoughts are all about the lessons I've learned, the advice I heard and then used, and some realizations I've had about humans and life. In other words, it can be identified as a self-help topic.
Ah so expressive writing?
Sure, that's more like it.
It seems most of my subscribers come from desktop, then the Substack app and then my newly opened Instagram. So it makes sense to hang out here the most (which is not really a hard thing to do) and then feed that to Instagram, which has been my intention with IG from the beginning. I do also have a referral from YT as well but I'm not really using that space at the moment so I don't expect that number to grow. Definitely future planning though. As always, thank you for your openness. ❤️
You’re welcome! Wow that’s SO insightful and interesting. It sure does give us that boost of focus - right place right time doesn’t it? ✨🍃
I think the video thing lets you upload your own content directly and host it here at Substack (don't quote me, but that was my takeaway). Side note: the WYSIWYG editor is as good as any I've ever used, and I've used a bunch of them.
Oh! I’m still a little fuzzy!! Both the button in posts and the video post button let you upload your own... I wonder if it’s a thread/ chat convo/ similarity again?
My video didn’t pull through as the image in the app today where as I’m sure it does when you post a video post...
What’s the W acronym?
Thanks!! Cx
oh man, I am in over my head with my technical support hat! Haha!
I’m glad we’re trying to figure it out together!! I’ll have to jump on open office hours and ask! I also STILL need to know how to get Spotify to list our podcast - I did tag a few Substack staff in a note but no further forward as the rss links to a Substack email address and the code from Spotify won’t send there!
Claire, we'll get there. I love that this is such a great place for support. Reminds me of the early days of Facebook, when it was mostly just smart nerds playing around.
Oh really!!! I went on around 2006 I think I loved it at first - it was so easy to use and connect!!
Yeah, and everyone was.... helpful?
I very much appreciate your transparency. Do you have an idea of how your growth came from within substack? Is it engaging in other stories, sharing, notes? Obviously the number one thing is your valuable content and insights you share with us, thank you for being an open book about it.
Hey Stephanie! I think it’s a combo of things. I did teach more in my Masterclass last month I called it Mailing List Magic! There’s defo a snowball effect, there’s also using recommendations and boost and making your about page SUPER clear. At first it was one a week, then one a day, then one or two a day most days, then often 5-12 new subs a day now... that’s in 14 months... ✨🌀 📧
Have you checked your stats as to where folks are discovering you from?
Loved the video Claire! 🤗 I too, am much more in the Home feed of Notes than I have been in the past. I have found some great conversations there! ✨
There are some great convos aren’t there. Aww thanks that means a lot! ✨🥰🎁
I’m excited to see video as an option to put inside an article, I’ve been wanting to do that for a while, rather than having a ‘video post’ as it were! I haven’t been particularly active as it’s been a busy work week but loving catching up with all the magic there is here in my inbox and notes feed today. Although I should knuckle down and get my own Friday post written and sent!!
Will look forward to reading later! Yes I think video is such a great asset here... it’s also a big ask of us creatively and I don’t mind saying that! Cx ✨
Thank you Claire. I think nothing fancy from me video wise - I'm not one for talking to camera, so it would just be some little animations and videos of the beauty I find around me, maybe a timelapse or two.
That sounds so so soothing - like ASMR? Cx 🎨
These are helpful tips and insights! My week on Substack was interesting. I published a very vulnerable piece on Monday and, that night, had a dream that I was in a big familiar house with many old friendly acquaintances, just to notice that I had no clothes on. As soon as I woke up, I knew my dream was about my writing. In my dream, eventually I found a cardigan to put on. I am not yet sure where my cardigan is for my writing. It will be what helps me show up with just the right mix of reservation, authenticity and vulnerability for me.
Dreams are such messengers to our souls work aren’t they. Thank-you for sharing that with me. I think I perhaps need some more dream time too Kathleen! ✨🌚✨
I'm really interested that most of your growth comes from within substack - I will check where mine is originating from but I think it's probably FB and LinkedIn as that's where I'm sharing it. I love the stats, thank you for sharing yours. It's been really interesting for me to see my 'open' rates which are around 60% which is encouraging. I just don't really know how to build within substack! If I write something that people respond really well to, like my post yesterday - how do I get that out to other substack users? I'm going to rewatch your masterclasses!! x
Ah your open rate is FANTASTIC Emma! ✨🎁✨
So firstly I’d say it takes a while to build and the “recommendations” feature is your friend here... secondly if you share part of your article to Substack Notes in a restack but think about starting a conversation rather than posting as bill board type content you can get to know folks in Notes that might Subscribe! There are lots and lots of ways to grow within the Substack network but they are my top two... obviously if you’re writing content that people resonate with they are often inclined to share too. 💗💜
Also that stats say 0 subscribers from Insta, but I know that's not true. I wonder if they click through to my website landing page if it just registers those as direct? So the Insta referrals are the ones linked directly from stories maybe.
Yes so it must just pick up the last place they connected? I feel like lots of my insta people were already on my mailchimp so that kinda accounts for that?
It must be.
I've been posting my Substack to Instagram once a week and seeing 1-2 new subscribers join me so that feels worthwhile. My referral sources look similar to yours (what is email?!) except between Insta and FB I have referrals from ecosia.org which I have never heard of, but is apparently a search engine that plants trees! 🌳🌳🌳
Facebook must be other people's shares. I don't have it linked! And then my next referral source is YOUR Substack! 🥰
What is email - what do they mean and why is NO ONE signing up 🥴
Ah yes I use ecosia - it's lovely! I also have to use google mainly though because it's a better search engine.
Aww how lovely your next referral is from me - I love that! I think you are quite high in mine - I'll check....
Ah! Email means our own subscribers!
"Email- Your post was sent as a newsletter and opened and viewed in an email sent from your publication."
https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/4415094770964-Where-can-I-see-how-readers-got-to-my-Substack-post-
So I’ve sent THAT many?!! 😵💫😵💫😵💫
😂😂😂
Yes I totally hear you. I need to re organise my home page as it’s not working and I need it to be more useful for those finding me via the app so I’m wondering when I might make some time for that.
I’m in a bit of a flow with my posts now and have three scheduled for the next little while which was part of the goal in Jan to have some ready and be in a pattern with it... I’m not sure how long that will last though ✨🤓✨