As someone with chronic health issues and up and down energy, I don't have any choice but to go gently. My health has to be my priority as I don't know how I will feel one day to the next. Substack is the one place I feel I can grow sustainably while being authentic. 😁
I'm sorry to hear about your chronic health issues Karen - it sounds like they keep you in check!! So glad you feel Substack can be supportive of those necessary tweaks. I think/hope this is also true for all of us, to a greater or lesser degree of course. We're all human!
I only started a couple months ago. At times there is a lot of pressure to feel like we have to compete, especially for those check marks at the end of names. But I don't just want numbers. I want relationships. I want engagement. I am ok with slow growth and I think it works best for me at this point in time. Looking forward to a great 2024. Thanks for this wonderful post.
Hi Matthew - welcome to Substack! I think there are various places we can settle at - some will prioritise quality/engagement over growth, some want to grow their paid subscriptions... hopefully there is room for all those people here. And of course those metrics/priorities are all related to each other in various ways... sounds like you've landed with a clear intention about what's important for you - hurray for that!
Great advice! I've been slowly plucking up the courage to publish the first post of my publication and was intending to do a twice weekly schedule, but it has been nagging away at me for weeks that this might not be right for me. After reading this, I've decided I don't need to rush things and posting once a week is enough for now. I can always change the frequency later, nothing is set in stone. Thank you!
Hi Helen welcome to publishing : ) and so glad you've been able to listen to your nagging feeling - I think we need to be realistic about what feels comfortable and sustainable for us right now, and readers will accept that! I do hope you enjoy it here as much as I do and thanks for reading 🙏🏻
Great to know about your energy levels and to find a plan that accommodates them. I think there are lots of 'oughts' in our capitalist world - and ebbs and flows are so human and not really made space for in the capitalist model! Thanks for your comment Sarah.
Such a good post. So many writers struggle with how to grow their Substack... without losing their mind.
I've shared the link to this post in the Substack reddit. I think it will resonate with a lot of writers there.
Thanks so much for sharing Heather and I'm so glad you liked it!
As someone with chronic health issues and up and down energy, I don't have any choice but to go gently. My health has to be my priority as I don't know how I will feel one day to the next. Substack is the one place I feel I can grow sustainably while being authentic. 😁
I'm sorry to hear about your chronic health issues Karen - it sounds like they keep you in check!! So glad you feel Substack can be supportive of those necessary tweaks. I think/hope this is also true for all of us, to a greater or lesser degree of course. We're all human!
Such good advice to apply to so many areas of life.
Ah, thanks Shan! Happy New Year!
I only started a couple months ago. At times there is a lot of pressure to feel like we have to compete, especially for those check marks at the end of names. But I don't just want numbers. I want relationships. I want engagement. I am ok with slow growth and I think it works best for me at this point in time. Looking forward to a great 2024. Thanks for this wonderful post.
Hi Matthew - welcome to Substack! I think there are various places we can settle at - some will prioritise quality/engagement over growth, some want to grow their paid subscriptions... hopefully there is room for all those people here. And of course those metrics/priorities are all related to each other in various ways... sounds like you've landed with a clear intention about what's important for you - hurray for that!
Great advice! I've been slowly plucking up the courage to publish the first post of my publication and was intending to do a twice weekly schedule, but it has been nagging away at me for weeks that this might not be right for me. After reading this, I've decided I don't need to rush things and posting once a week is enough for now. I can always change the frequency later, nothing is set in stone. Thank you!
Hi Helen welcome to publishing : ) and so glad you've been able to listen to your nagging feeling - I think we need to be realistic about what feels comfortable and sustainable for us right now, and readers will accept that! I do hope you enjoy it here as much as I do and thanks for reading 🙏🏻
Brilliant, thank you.
My pleasure Colin! Good to meet you.
A great piece to give me the idea of considering what actually is sustainable for me, right now.
So glad to hear it Cheniece. I think me & Russell make a great tag team in that regard 😊
Beautiful sentiment, Satya. Thanks tor sharing, as always, Russell.
Thanks Evan! So happy that Russell hosted me - a pleasure to be here.
Such helpful reminders. My energy levels ebb and flow so it’s useful to have a pretty loose schedule, and I love the part about speaking your truth.
Great to know about your energy levels and to find a plan that accommodates them. I think there are lots of 'oughts' in our capitalist world - and ebbs and flows are so human and not really made space for in the capitalist model! Thanks for your comment Sarah.
Great article Satya and I just love the name of your Stack ;-) Just reading the name Going Gently makes me pause and take a deep breath.
Ah I'm glad Chris - that's what my Stack is all about! Good to meet you & thank you for the comment 🙏🏻