Lessons I've Learned from Substack
What I would tell myself when I first started
Recently, I’ve seen an influx of newsletters around how to increase numbers, how to get more followers, how to successfully switch to a paid platform, etc. There is nothing wrong with these newsletters. In fact, most of them are helpful to people who are new to this whole writing on a platform thing - like me. However, that’s not my niche.
I have no advise for you on how to grow or how to attract more clicks. I’m five months in and very much still trying to figure out what this is going to look like for me, what I want this to look like for me. Instead of a ‘do-this list’, I have for you some things I’ve learned along my own journey for the sole purpose of laying my own eyes on how far I’ve come and to think out what I still want to improve. I hope these lessons can help you as well!
Lessons Learned:
Have a vision. Then, be willing to adapt or edit that vision as needed. It’s almost comical to think about what I was originally going to write about on here and what I am writing about now. Most of it is the same, some it would never have worked well for me. It would have been forced and dishonest to who I am. I would have been trying to fit into a mold instead of making my own mold.
Don’t pay attention to numbers. At all. If you want to write to better your writing, then the numbers don’t matter. It’s easy to compare, to invite jealousy and envy inside your heart and give them a seat at your table. However, take stock of your reasoning for being here, you're reasoning for writing. If your goal is gaining the most following, then pay attention to the numbers, that’s fine. For me, I want to better myself as a writer, I want to push my limits and see what happens when I step over the boundaries I’ve set for myself. This isn’t about numbers, so stop looking.
Don’t compare your writing to others. You are not them. If you want to be like them and write like them, then you wouldn’t be you. Be you. Write like you. Everything else will fall into place from there. The people that choose to follow along, will choose so because of you.
Have patience with the journey. Be patient as you are bettering yourself and growing in your writing. Be patient as your niche changes. As your writing improves. As you grow. As you learn. As you step back and then move forward again. Be patient. Things take time. Good things, take time.
Start low and go slow. Figure it out along the way. When you’re comfortable, that’s when you can build momentum. But give yourself the time and slowness to figure it out at first. Don’t rush yourself. Don’t put unnecessary pressure on yourself. There is no end goal. There is no deadline. There is no payback fee if you don’t achieve something by a certain date. Take away the pressure and take your time.
Celebrate the little goals and give thanks for the big ones. Celebrate the first week. The first month. Celebrate the first restack, the first community building. Give thanks for anything else that follows. Give thanks for every subscriber and follower that tags along on your journey. They chose you because of your writing, because of you. Be thankful, be grateful, but also be humble.
Stay true to who you are. Do not lose yourself in this. It’s not worth the loss of self. Instead, find yourself in this. I know you can.
Let’s continue the conversation:
What lessons have your learned recently?
If there was something you could tell yourself a few months ago, what would that be?
What advice would you give someone just starting out with a passion?
Hi Victoria! I honestly could not agree more with what you are saying!! Those comments / posts can be so distracting but we just have to keep our blinders on and focus on our own personal goals / growth. You’re right - it is so fun to spark that creativity! 🤍
Thank you, Leanna, for these reminders. I am glad that I stumbled upon your newsletter.
As someone just starting out with writing and finding her way, it’s easy to get distracted by messages like "do this to grow your audience" or "post this on your notes to gain followers."
Over the past few weeks, I’ve learned some valuable lessons: staying authentic and true to yourself while writing is crucial. It’s important to take your time in finding your way. With every post, you discover more about what you want to write about and your unique writing style. Be patient and remember to enjoy the process. We’re here to inspire others and share the lessons we’ve learned along our way. Eventually, you will attract the right people as your audience.
I am still in the process of figuring it out and I must say it is a lot of fun to spark that creativity!