Hi Louise, I'm new to it too but love it. There is a better sense of community, more personal engagement, which appealed to me. Plus lots of other people are trying to improve their writing, or help others to improve their writing, which is lovely and reassuring. I've had blogs before but have felt constrained to single subjects, here I make it clear that I write about a range of things, and I have two sections so I can separate a particular subject away from my everyday stuff. I'm learning all the time - I've recently started using the media assets with a link on instagram and I'm exploring formats. At first I thought only friends would subscribe but I've been surprised by people from far and wide wanting to read what I write. Knowing that they have deliberately subscribed is very motivating. There is a very friendly Thursday Substack session for help for novices and if you join in there people are really helpful and you can promote your stack. Looking forward to seeing your posts!
And now I've found another person to follow! I've been considering starting my own stack to stay connected with my graduate students. You may have just given me the bump I need to get on that!
Oh thank you. I'll definitely check that out. Like you, I'm interested in writing about a range of subjects and it's really freeing in do many ways, especially as on other platforms you feel as though you have to stay in your niche (or at least that's how I perceive it to be). I love that I can follow a really diverse range of people here.
I know what you mean about staying in your niche. I was so worried that I'd lose 'followers' if I wrote about other stuff. On here, lots of people are really eclectic with their writing so it seems perfectly reasonable to write about gardening one week and books the next and just general musing the week after! I do separate my nursing posts though - same stack just a different section - so if people want to go just to them they can. This has given me real flexibility. The Thursday sessions are on USA time and usually start here late afternoon. Have fun!
Ooh Louise, nice to find you over here! I’ve been umming and aahing over substack for months and finally jumped in. There’s something quite fresh and gentle about it at the moment which I like. Remains to be seen what space I have in my days for longer form writing - although maybe it’s easier to write your thoughts than the snappy content the other platforms want. We shall see!
I’m thoroughly enjoying Substack. I can subscribe to what interests me and get excited when I’m notified of updates. As a past yarn shop owner and blogger for the shop, I appreciate the community feeling you can build with your readers. Thanks to you, Louise, I would have never have known about it if I hadn’t seen it on one of your posts!
Oh, that's such a lovely thing to say. Thank you. I think Substack has huge potential - for small business owners and bloggers particularly to connect to their audience without having to compete with adverts and algorithms.
I was so delighted to discover Substack. I have blogged for decades, but it was geared toward my family and friends. Substack was just the challenge I needed to play with discovering my own writing style and just playing with my voice. I loved the old days of blogging and missed that interaction, here I have found that again and have discovered so many wonderful blogs and I love how we can so easily engage. Finding wonderful blogs, like yours that I just discovered, is what I love most about Substack!
I've been completely off social media for a year and a half after dumping Facebook about five years ago. (I despise FB.) I found I did not miss the frenziedness of Twitter. I did miss a few people, but I've been able to connect with them in different ways. Some have newsletters, some are on YouTube, and some are here. I really like Substack and the slower pace. I can consume what I want, and the posts I don't read aren't lost. If I want to go back and read them, they are easy to find. I was really glad to see you on here!
Hi Louise, I'm new to it too but love it. There is a better sense of community, more personal engagement, which appealed to me. Plus lots of other people are trying to improve their writing, or help others to improve their writing, which is lovely and reassuring. I've had blogs before but have felt constrained to single subjects, here I make it clear that I write about a range of things, and I have two sections so I can separate a particular subject away from my everyday stuff. I'm learning all the time - I've recently started using the media assets with a link on instagram and I'm exploring formats. At first I thought only friends would subscribe but I've been surprised by people from far and wide wanting to read what I write. Knowing that they have deliberately subscribed is very motivating. There is a very friendly Thursday Substack session for help for novices and if you join in there people are really helpful and you can promote your stack. Looking forward to seeing your posts!
And now I've found another person to follow! I've been considering starting my own stack to stay connected with my graduate students. You may have just given me the bump I need to get on that!
Thanks, Brenda - I've just seen your subscription! Hope you enjoy my writing.
Oh thank you. I'll definitely check that out. Like you, I'm interested in writing about a range of subjects and it's really freeing in do many ways, especially as on other platforms you feel as though you have to stay in your niche (or at least that's how I perceive it to be). I love that I can follow a really diverse range of people here.
I know what you mean about staying in your niche. I was so worried that I'd lose 'followers' if I wrote about other stuff. On here, lots of people are really eclectic with their writing so it seems perfectly reasonable to write about gardening one week and books the next and just general musing the week after! I do separate my nursing posts though - same stack just a different section - so if people want to go just to them they can. This has given me real flexibility. The Thursday sessions are on USA time and usually start here late afternoon. Have fun!
Thank you. I've made a note in my diary for the writing sessions - they sound like just my cup of tea
Morning, I feel exactly the same. Resisted for ages! Now I'm sat here reading this with my morning coffee ☕
It's a lovely, calm start to the day isn't it
Ooh Louise, nice to find you over here! I’ve been umming and aahing over substack for months and finally jumped in. There’s something quite fresh and gentle about it at the moment which I like. Remains to be seen what space I have in my days for longer form writing - although maybe it’s easier to write your thoughts than the snappy content the other platforms want. We shall see!
I must admit I'm enjoying the slower, more thoughtful place here. It feels like a refreshing place to pop into with a coffee in hand.
I’m thoroughly enjoying Substack. I can subscribe to what interests me and get excited when I’m notified of updates. As a past yarn shop owner and blogger for the shop, I appreciate the community feeling you can build with your readers. Thanks to you, Louise, I would have never have known about it if I hadn’t seen it on one of your posts!
Oh, that's such a lovely thing to say. Thank you. I think Substack has huge potential - for small business owners and bloggers particularly to connect to their audience without having to compete with adverts and algorithms.
I was so delighted to discover Substack. I have blogged for decades, but it was geared toward my family and friends. Substack was just the challenge I needed to play with discovering my own writing style and just playing with my voice. I loved the old days of blogging and missed that interaction, here I have found that again and have discovered so many wonderful blogs and I love how we can so easily engage. Finding wonderful blogs, like yours that I just discovered, is what I love most about Substack!
It really does have that 'glory days of blogging' feel about it doesn't it. I think that's why so many writers and aspiring writers are drawn to it.
I've been completely off social media for a year and a half after dumping Facebook about five years ago. (I despise FB.) I found I did not miss the frenziedness of Twitter. I did miss a few people, but I've been able to connect with them in different ways. Some have newsletters, some are on YouTube, and some are here. I really like Substack and the slower pace. I can consume what I want, and the posts I don't read aren't lost. If I want to go back and read them, they are easy to find. I was really glad to see you on here!
I know exactly what you mean. It's a really welcome change of pace here isn't it.
It’s lovely to read your thoughts and story. Thank you
Oh, thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it