I have to agree with you. You can write the best content on the Internet but if no one sees it does it even exist? You have to find people who are interested in your content. Sometimes that's using keywords, sometimes it's with clever titles, and sometimes it means you have to go searching for them. You still need good content to grow and thrive but that's only one part of the equation.
Yes exactly. For me it needs to be like a 70/30 split between writing something you love and finding ways to market that work well so it can reach more readers. Thanks for reading Jason!
True, Tom I've heard what you've said by others many times, but this time round it clicked better, because you said it with genuiness and compassion. BTW, I enjoyed your Substack notes campfire free masterclass and I'm doing a 30 day quiet note challenge of my own. It's been an interesting experiment for me. I've also got started on Substack with your free email course. It was so straightforward. Thank you for your work.
It took me a long time to embrace tactical things because it felt inauthentic. I listened to people who said it’s all about mindset and consistency! But just like if you consistently lift weights wrong, you’re going to get injured, if you actively learn to improve on tactical things, you won’t get eyes on your work. The good thing about Substack is that it is easy to get found even without a gajillion followers. It seems more of a recommendation engine here than search, which is both good and bad. I do wish there was better search functionality, but overall the platform does a great job of helping everyone get seen.
Hey Suzanne! I agree. I like how "relational" Substack is. Medium said many years ago they were going for a more "relational" model and I think funny enough Substack came in and did that model way better purely by basing it around email subscribers. I feel a deeper connection with my audience because of that!
This is such a timely post for me, Tom. Having finished up the bazzillionth draft of my memoir MS, I’m realising I should be putting some serious effort into my platform if I want to have a hope in hell of traditional publishing. Heck, I should’ve been doing this all along. Seems it is its own unique skill set that I’m only now attempting to develop 😭 Thanks so much for your newsletters. I’m finding them so informative!
A Truth Bomb just went off: "Tactics is what will build the bridge between your “great content” and the people who want to read it or watch it, make no mistake." Thanks for the bomb, Tom!
This is so true. We are literally inundated with content whether it is posts, blogs, videos, and podcasts. It takes work to stand out and get the viewership and listeners. You have to be consistent and engage with the people on the platform.
Oh dear... another trendy acronym that's passed me by. I always understood POD to be Print On Demand, a publishing term. Obviously not what the angry commenter meant. I looked it up... excluding a herd of marine animals and Point Of Delivery, POD also means Points of Difference, ie elements of a unique "value proposition". Forgive me if I'm being extremely dense, but why would anyone think it's a bad thing to offer a paid group to help people get their good content noticed? Writing can be a lonely business... belonging to a writer's group gives valuable feedback and encouragement.
It makes it hard to find the energy to play the game/s doesn't it? If I've understood correctly though, it's important to just write, and practice and that having it read and seen is maybe as much luck as anything else?
I'm still baffled that a comment I made about my endometriosis on one of Hannah Fry's reels is still getting likes about 4 months on...go figure.
I wouldn't say it's pure luck. Sometimes it's based on luck, but it's also based on networking, commenting, learning, and marketing. It's relatively easy to start getting 20-30 likes on your work here on Substack if you just spend time commenting on people's work and networking!
There is too much subjectivity involved with quality. Instead I prefer to focus on quantity and consistency trusting that I will get better through repetition. In reality, "perfection" can only be achieved through repetition.
These algorithms owe us no favors and that is why we shouldn't sit around waiting for them to smile upon us. Sometimes you have to take your success into your own hands and put yourself out there.
I have to agree with you. You can write the best content on the Internet but if no one sees it does it even exist? You have to find people who are interested in your content. Sometimes that's using keywords, sometimes it's with clever titles, and sometimes it means you have to go searching for them. You still need good content to grow and thrive but that's only one part of the equation.
Yes exactly. For me it needs to be like a 70/30 split between writing something you love and finding ways to market that work well so it can reach more readers. Thanks for reading Jason!
This is clear.
True, Tom I've heard what you've said by others many times, but this time round it clicked better, because you said it with genuiness and compassion. BTW, I enjoyed your Substack notes campfire free masterclass and I'm doing a 30 day quiet note challenge of my own. It's been an interesting experiment for me. I've also got started on Substack with your free email course. It was so straightforward. Thank you for your work.
Hey Lana! This makes me feel great. Happy you're doing your own 30 day note challenge. How has it gone for you?
It took me a long time to embrace tactical things because it felt inauthentic. I listened to people who said it’s all about mindset and consistency! But just like if you consistently lift weights wrong, you’re going to get injured, if you actively learn to improve on tactical things, you won’t get eyes on your work. The good thing about Substack is that it is easy to get found even without a gajillion followers. It seems more of a recommendation engine here than search, which is both good and bad. I do wish there was better search functionality, but overall the platform does a great job of helping everyone get seen.
Hey Suzanne! I agree. I like how "relational" Substack is. Medium said many years ago they were going for a more "relational" model and I think funny enough Substack came in and did that model way better purely by basing it around email subscribers. I feel a deeper connection with my audience because of that!
This is such a timely post for me, Tom. Having finished up the bazzillionth draft of my memoir MS, I’m realising I should be putting some serious effort into my platform if I want to have a hope in hell of traditional publishing. Heck, I should’ve been doing this all along. Seems it is its own unique skill set that I’m only now attempting to develop 😭 Thanks so much for your newsletters. I’m finding them so informative!
Thank you Emma!! This means the world to me. You've chosen a great platform to start publishing on. :)
Giving my creative energy to marketing is what feels icky to me. Feeling my muse hide his face in disgust and inpatience.
My muse is often angry at you Tom. He is afraid you will steal my attention from him. He wants it ALL.
But he'll need to start sharing. A new muse has arrived on the scene and he's pretty savvy.
He is the right kind of asshole to expose all my creative deeds.
So lead on Tom. He needs you to keep getting my attention and teaching me its ok to be tactically seen.
Hey Brad your muse and I need to go out for some drinks. 😆 A few brews will loosen him up.
Great! He loves Dos XX 👊🏻
I agree on your view of Gary. Have watched some of his videos too, but gave up when he never really gave a good answer on the question.
A Truth Bomb just went off: "Tactics is what will build the bridge between your “great content” and the people who want to read it or watch it, make no mistake." Thanks for the bomb, Tom!
Thanks for reading Jeanie. :)
it seems like you just never know what’s gonna hit. Just be true to yourself and write what interest you.❤️
For sure Lisa!
This is so true. We are literally inundated with content whether it is posts, blogs, videos, and podcasts. It takes work to stand out and get the viewership and listeners. You have to be consistent and engage with the people on the platform.
Always look forward to your posts! Thanks for keeping it real for the small Substacks out here :)
Thanks for reading Courtney. :)
Oh dear... another trendy acronym that's passed me by. I always understood POD to be Print On Demand, a publishing term. Obviously not what the angry commenter meant. I looked it up... excluding a herd of marine animals and Point Of Delivery, POD also means Points of Difference, ie elements of a unique "value proposition". Forgive me if I'm being extremely dense, but why would anyone think it's a bad thing to offer a paid group to help people get their good content noticed? Writing can be a lonely business... belonging to a writer's group gives valuable feedback and encouragement.
I agree!
It makes it hard to find the energy to play the game/s doesn't it? If I've understood correctly though, it's important to just write, and practice and that having it read and seen is maybe as much luck as anything else?
I'm still baffled that a comment I made about my endometriosis on one of Hannah Fry's reels is still getting likes about 4 months on...go figure.
I wouldn't say it's pure luck. Sometimes it's based on luck, but it's also based on networking, commenting, learning, and marketing. It's relatively easy to start getting 20-30 likes on your work here on Substack if you just spend time commenting on people's work and networking!
There is too much subjectivity involved with quality. Instead I prefer to focus on quantity and consistency trusting that I will get better through repetition. In reality, "perfection" can only be achieved through repetition.
These algorithms owe us no favors and that is why we shouldn't sit around waiting for them to smile upon us. Sometimes you have to take your success into your own hands and put yourself out there.
writers are bad at marketing themselves. But the times have changed and we need to learn how to sell (reach) our desired audience!
Tom hey.
I guess good enough until and unless you "smear a little dirt" in it.
Who ever fought in the trenches and came out without a little dirt...