Three years ago, I started this newsletter on Substack.
Since then, I’ve started and stopped publishing on various platforms countless times. Growth was hard. Motivation fluctuated.
“Substack sucks.” After identifying the problem, I moved to ConvertKit.
At some point I gave Beehiiv a try and went down several rabbit holes there.
Nothing seemed to work and engagement still didn’t improve.
My issue wasn’t the email service provider; it was a lack of patience.
The overnight success stories from other writers distracted me.
I sought out a shortcut and tried to buy my way to 1000 subscribers.
I gained hundreds of subscribers through paid advertising. In the newsletter space, it’s tempting to pay for growth, and I did.
This wasn’t sustainable and I eventually quit.
I’ve always appreciated the mission of Substack.
I started writing on the platform in 2021.
A friend convinced me to take the platform seriously again a few months ago.
I imported my subscribers from ConvertKit and gave it another try.
The problem was having many dormant subscribers.
I never established a relationship with most of them. I didn’t earn their trust or respect; I tried to buy it, but that didn’t work.
This led to low open rates and minimal engagement.
My best subscribers were those I gained organically in the past couple of months.
I want a fresh start.
I want a more targeted audience and need to ween myself off the dopamine rush we get from chasing big numbers. I will embrace Substack’s prioritization of organic growth within its ecosystem.
I’d rather have 100 engaged readers than 1000 lukewarm subscribers.
I love that Substack rewards writers who ask for money.
It’s challenging to seek compensation for something you would do for free.
On Substack, you are incentivized to do so.
Prose is the Product here.
I plan to publish daily and adopt a journalistic writing approach. Two of my favorite writers,
and , serve as inspiration.Once a week, here in The Lab, I’ll share what’s working well and what I’m struggling with. This is a space to hold myself accountable. I hope it inspires and helps those wanting to grow meaningful relationships with their readers.
I believe in authentic connections and genuine engagement.
This journey isn't just about growing numbers; it's about cultivating relationships and providing value. I'm excited to explore new topics, challenge my perspectives, and learn from you every single day.