I am embarrassing late to the party here, but hopefully better late than never.
Firstly, congratulations on six months.
Secondly, I have conflicting views about writing articles that are likely to garner more views, for the following reasons:
* I find it impossible to make that sort of prediction. The only certainty seems to be the inverse relationship between the amount of time I spend on an article and the traction it gains.enjoy
* In my other newsletters and websites I've discovered that many more people lurk than comment. or they may comment ages later (as I am doing here!).
* Also, the number of readers per article: I wonder how accurate the stats are.
*I prefer to write what I enjoy.
* Having said all that, I confess to becoming a little despondent at the slow growth in subscribers, but then my wife tells me that my very first newsletter (not Substack) took a long time to gain a substantial (4 figure) following. What keeps me going is the sheer enjoyment of writing, and the knowledge that some people enjoy reading it.
Like you I consider many writers and readers here as friends.
I think it's quite a privilege to be able to read the works of fine writers such as yourself.
I know what you mean with writing articles that will garner more views. I don't write specific articles going after the most views or anything. I just write and hope someone will like what I write. Sometimes I wonder why something didn't get a lot of views but maybe it wasn't their cup of tea.
Getting subscribers seems to take forever, I agree. I got a couple more in the last week. I guess it just takes time. I thought posting on Office Hours would help but I guess not. Maybe if I subscribed to more newsletters but then I have to find the time to read more stuff. I barely have enough time to read what I subscribe to now.
From one writer to another, hang in there. Maybe with the mentions of your Substack on my latest post and Rebecca's "Collab" will get you some more subscribers.
I'm just going to stick with, "Write it and they will come".
Hi Matt, thanks for yr encouraging words, and the same to you.
My extensive research in this area has led me to the following inescapable conclusions:
1. Posting on Office Hours yields virtually no return unless you already have a large following or are otherwise we'll known in the Substack ecosphere. I usually still turn up though because:
-- You never know
-- I usually discover other "stacks that are worth following
-- Often some useful information is given, either by the Substack people or other writers
-- Perhaps some of my comments might be useful to others. After all, I have a few other newsletters, one of which has been going for over twenty years, and a couple of thriving websites, one of which I started in 1995. So I've learnt a few things, one of which is that one has to make haste slowly. I keep thinking about writing an article about that.
2. Commenting on other people's articles is by far the single most effective way of gaining new subscribers.
Congratulations on six months of writing & keep up the good work! I hope that whatever difficulties you're facing now will be resolved quickly and completely. Sending lots of positive thoughts, Matt.
Woooo, happy Stackiversary, Matt! What a great post - it's really interesting to read your stats! I'm very grateful for your recommendation - thank you. Your post has prompted me to go back and read some of your earlier posts - I started reading your posts from the time I found you on Substack, and didn't go back to earlier ones - I'm looking forward to taking a look! 😃
Thank you Rebecca! I thought people would be interested in the stats. I haven't seen anyone talk about specifics on their posts before. You're welcome on the recommendation. And thank you for the recommendation. I appreciate it. 👍
I am embarrassing late to the party here, but hopefully better late than never.
Firstly, congratulations on six months.
Secondly, I have conflicting views about writing articles that are likely to garner more views, for the following reasons:
* I find it impossible to make that sort of prediction. The only certainty seems to be the inverse relationship between the amount of time I spend on an article and the traction it gains.enjoy
* In my other newsletters and websites I've discovered that many more people lurk than comment. or they may comment ages later (as I am doing here!).
* Also, the number of readers per article: I wonder how accurate the stats are.
*I prefer to write what I enjoy.
* Having said all that, I confess to becoming a little despondent at the slow growth in subscribers, but then my wife tells me that my very first newsletter (not Substack) took a long time to gain a substantial (4 figure) following. What keeps me going is the sheer enjoyment of writing, and the knowledge that some people enjoy reading it.
Like you I consider many writers and readers here as friends.
I think it's quite a privilege to be able to read the works of fine writers such as yourself.
Enjoy the next sixth months, Matt!
Thank you Terry! It's never too late.
I know what you mean with writing articles that will garner more views. I don't write specific articles going after the most views or anything. I just write and hope someone will like what I write. Sometimes I wonder why something didn't get a lot of views but maybe it wasn't their cup of tea.
Getting subscribers seems to take forever, I agree. I got a couple more in the last week. I guess it just takes time. I thought posting on Office Hours would help but I guess not. Maybe if I subscribed to more newsletters but then I have to find the time to read more stuff. I barely have enough time to read what I subscribe to now.
From one writer to another, hang in there. Maybe with the mentions of your Substack on my latest post and Rebecca's "Collab" will get you some more subscribers.
I'm just going to stick with, "Write it and they will come".
Hi Matt, thanks for yr encouraging words, and the same to you.
My extensive research in this area has led me to the following inescapable conclusions:
1. Posting on Office Hours yields virtually no return unless you already have a large following or are otherwise we'll known in the Substack ecosphere. I usually still turn up though because:
-- You never know
-- I usually discover other "stacks that are worth following
-- Often some useful information is given, either by the Substack people or other writers
-- Perhaps some of my comments might be useful to others. After all, I have a few other newsletters, one of which has been going for over twenty years, and a couple of thriving websites, one of which I started in 1995. So I've learnt a few things, one of which is that one has to make haste slowly. I keep thinking about writing an article about that.
2. Commenting on other people's articles is by far the single most effective way of gaining new subscribers.
Congratulations on six months of writing & keep up the good work! I hope that whatever difficulties you're facing now will be resolved quickly and completely. Sending lots of positive thoughts, Matt.
Thank you Ms. Writer! I need all the hope and positive thoughts I can get.
Congrats, Matt! Very cool stats--thanks for sharing!
Thank you Holly!
Congrats Matthew! 🙌 A great accomplishment 🎉
Thank you Bryn!
Congrats on your six-month anniversary! Very interesting stats and thanks for the subscribers! :D
Thanks Mark! You're welcome. 😀
Great post. I think we all like to see how our favorite writers are doing and feeling. Keep it up, and look forward to this post again in May/23!
Thanks Paul! That's the plan!
Woooo, happy Stackiversary, Matt! What a great post - it's really interesting to read your stats! I'm very grateful for your recommendation - thank you. Your post has prompted me to go back and read some of your earlier posts - I started reading your posts from the time I found you on Substack, and didn't go back to earlier ones - I'm looking forward to taking a look! 😃
Thank you Rebecca! I thought people would be interested in the stats. I haven't seen anyone talk about specifics on their posts before. You're welcome on the recommendation. And thank you for the recommendation. I appreciate it. 👍
😃
Six months is a great accomplishment no matter how you look at it. Congratulations!
Thank you Mark!