37 Comments

So much good advice here Claire! Trying to get my head around Notes/Chats/Threads has been driving me a little bit crazy!

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Oh it’s such a lot of portals!! 🌀

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Another valuable post, Claire! Thanks for sharing. I haven’t checked out the new dashboard yet as I’ve been a little burnt out this last month. Hoping to get back to Substack fully when the children return to school tomorrow 🤞🏻

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Ahh I hear you Sophie. Half term has been a juggle here for sure. It really hit me yesterday and I’ve pulled back on some goals for June to just be a bit quieter on a lot of my projects. ✨💌

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It can get too much, can’t it? As much as I’ve loved spending the days with them, I just really need some quiet time to be able to concentrate on my writing. I’ve really missed writing and can’t wait to get back to it 🥰

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Thanks for this! Just claimed my handle 🤩

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Yay!! What a day! ✨🪄🙏

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I really enjoy reading your informative posts Claire! They are truly so helpful ✨

And thank you so much for the mention!! 🥳 I appreciate it 🤗 You are such an encouragement in this space and am grateful for you! 💛

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Your so super welcome! ✨✏️💜⭕️

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I've claimed my handle, thanks Claire!

You are always so generous with everything you share. My brain can feel a little overwhelmed. But I also love the quick wins you share with us like this one. Gratitude to you

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🙏 and to you for reflecting it works. ✨💌✨💜

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Valuable as always, Claire. I have to admit I’m feeling a little overwhelmed in this space and wonder if I’ll really be able to make the most of it if I’m checking in once a week and posting once a month. But it’s a decision I made to support my energy and the changes that are afoot! Now I’m off to see if I’ve claimed my handle. I’ve had such a topsy turvy week I can’t remember whether I’ve done it or not 🥴

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Ah hope you ok. Yes see above reply to Zoe I really admire writers/ creators who just show up for the bit that works for them - there’s no pressure is there - we can play the long game here. ✨🌱 🐢✨💌

Thanks for being here and for sharing where you are with it - it really helps me plan for more Friday content. ✨👑🌞✏️🪄

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Just like 😂

What is the difference between chats and threads and notes and all the things?

I just can’t unpick that in my brain...

I’m just writing and enjoying people talking to me in the comments... I dunno

Maybe once we decide that we all live here now and I leave the rest of the platforms behind then I’ll be able to explore it more 🥰

Also!! The notification when someone edits a post you’re tagged in - the email you get is so unclear and I didn’t know what was happening so thank you for explaining 😂❤️

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So Notes is like a chatty bulletin board/ feed and everyone across Substack can see those, chat is supposed to feel a bit more intimate just for subs or paid subs but doesn’t quite work and threads I’ve decided is probably just for writers which huge followings who probably could reply and chat along with every comment on a post?

Will keep discovering but also MANY writers I follow here just write a post a month or a couple a month and don’t write across any of the other bits...

They keep us on the platform longer and if you don’t want to be on here as much the above is a good way to go! 💜

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Hi Claire,

I love your conversation writing style so much. I can easily exhaust myself doing more. Like you, I have multiple passions. I love writing, speaking, sewing, creating 3D art is my thing, oh and, experiences.

I'm very grateful to have found you on substack. I'm here healing myself from the mean world of Medium. Okay, I had some nice connections there, too. But I'm introverted and highly sensitive. The energy at substack is way better for my type. I don't need negativity. I need positive vibes and support. A lot of support!

Thank you for all you're doing to help newbies like myself.

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Oh hi Neha! This message melted my heart today! I’ve been here since April 2022 and it’s been nothing but positive - I’m excited for your journey! Let me know if you need any help?

I don’t know much about medium at all other than a few writers I’ve found here also write there. I’ve been curious but I only have capacity for here really. Your portfolio career sounds fascinating! Will look forward to connecting more. I have an intro post called “let’s cosy round the fire” it should be in my footer if you get my emails or a fair few posts back if you want to meet other creatives! 🔥 ⭕️✨💌

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Thank you, Claire, for your kind and welcoming words. I'll go look at the footers and find other creatives. Things can get pretty lonely out here sometimes. 🤗 I'm a hugger. Please accept my digital hugs 😬.

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Gosh, I didn’t know thread was it’s own thing. I’m going to have to dig into that more, because I don’t quite get how it’s different.

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You and me both Kim! 🤷🏽‍♀️ I think it is “more” different on the desktop to here on the app tbh?! Let me know if you fathom anything out? Cx

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That is a most beautiful sign!

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Isn’t it! It’s at the end of our road so the cars know to slow down for the kids (and frogs) 🐸 ✨🌀✨ 🚗

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Thanks for the mention, Clare! I, too, have ambitions to dive properly into the selection curated on Memoir Monday over the weekend... Let's compare notes afterwards.

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I'd love that! Cx

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As always, such a valuable post. I wonder, how do you keep up with all that you’re doing on here? There’s so much that you share about what you’re reading and the features you’re exploring as well as writing articles and sharing notes! I love substack hugely but I find I can’t even scratch the surface of all the things I’d like to do here!!

In the note of editing a post, I did something similar with one of my very first blogs from my website that I’d imported - the platform allowed me to edit and send it out and I also amended the original date so that it shows at the top of my page.

On threads, I thought they’d been replaced by chats - I did read an article about it and I don’t know if I’ve seen the thread button so will go take a look when I’m at my computer. I’m not sure how they differ from articles and I’m curious, and I so wish that you could share pictures in the comments.

I claimed my handle but I’m having a dilemma about whether I should be @thomkatpictures, which is my business name and my handle across all platforms, or @emilycharlottepowell, which was also offered as an alternative...

anywhooo - sorry for War and Peace!! 😝 have a lovely Friday 💛

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Haha - I hear you. Hmmm so creating is my job and also I love spending time on Substack and don't do any social media except insta for two days a week...I think that's it? I'm also in SUMMER energy so I have less energy to write, share and show up once the weather turns... if it gets really hot this summer I'll not be online as much either...

I'm wondering how you amended the original date - I'll have a look as I'm editing a series about my son's neurodivergence which was on my old blog - thanks Emily!!

So yes I thought the same about threads but if you read Sarah's comment above they are definitely still here and being used... arghh it's hard. I send a chat to my subs and my members yesterday and no one has replied (yet) - I wonder if it's just TOO many portals to check?

Yes I have the same dilema on handles Emily because I want both but I've chosen Claire Venus for now - I think because names are easier to remember than handles - I've learnt that the hard way using twitter and insta for all these years...

Cx

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I think you must also write with ease Claire!! You certainly share a calm way of writing that feels easeful.I can spend a long time on a longer article, I love writing and love what I write, but it takes me a while to get it done!

Changing the post date is in the post settings right down the bottom just before the delete post danger zone. I think if you go into the post to edit and then go to settings, it’s there..

I’m with you on chat. I have a quick look to see if there are any chats that peek my interest, but I don’t think the community and connection feels quite the same as article comments or Notes.

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thanks for the Fictionistas shout out!

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You're so welcome! How's it going over there?

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Claire when Substack recommends your post in the Explore section do you get a notification about it?

Thanks for all these great tips and suggestions. The thread/chat one was especially helpful!

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No I’ve just noticed it when I’m on desktop and I honestly don’t know why it would be recommending my own posts to me?! That’s why I’m pretty sure it is what everyone sees?

You do get notified if they make your publication a “Substack featured” publication and you get a special badge for that!

You’re so welcome Donna! How’s it all going for you here?! ✨✏️✨💌

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Thanks for your response. It’s going well over here thanks! I’m gearing up to turn on my paid subs (membership offer) in the next few weeks. Life has been very full of life-stuff which has left me with less committed Substack time so I need to wait until I’m through all of that.

I am thoroughly enjoying this platform and have met the very best people in the entire internet here!!

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aww it's that the best accolade to Substack! Yeah I hear you I think it takes a good while to figure out our flow and balance in what we want to write here? Cx

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Webrings! I do remember those! The latest iterations I remember participating in were called blog hops and link ups. I remember so much beautiful and generous cross pollination in those days and love seeing it buzzing around again. 🐝

I'm reimagining my link up / sharing post for next week and also planning something special featuring my Companionship members come autumn. 🍁

I think maybe the idea of threads is we post a short prompt and the point is the discussion itself? I haven't decided if my link up will be a thread or a post yet. 💫

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YESSSSSSS! So exciting! I’ve shot another Big Dreams post on the way and one or two out with people...

I’ve only done one guest post here but I need to do more really... maybe in the Autumn!

Ahh yes I like that idea for a thread! I think for me it’s all about better understanding how all my emails land and you know not everyone opens them...

I also email direct from podia so I’m really trying not to do that the same day but sometimes that’s happened too! 🙈

✨💌✨

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Yes, maybe there's an opportunity with a thread to title it in a way that brings different people in. Marlee Grace does something similar to Sara Tasker and titles their's Friday Thread. I think Katherine May calls her Sunday Prompts?

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Ah I have missed both of these - I'll have a look...

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