Awesome article, Mack! I love that you're always so transparent and open about what's worked for you and what hasn't. Honestly, to me, that's more valuable than all the articles peddling strategies for getting 1,000 subscribers in 30 days. Not to say those can't be helpful. They can. But they're not always realistic when your business isn't 100% Substack. So your perspective is refreshing. 😊
Thank you, Morgan! It’s been…interesting on Substack. For years I built a network of connections on other platforms. At one point I had 50k followers on Twitter. I came here and almost none of my network was here. It was just like starting over, which was also a lot of fun in some ways. But definitely a lot more work as well. Appreciate your comments, will keep sharing the good, bad and ugly 🤠
I actually agree—starting over (or at least building from scratch) has been a lot of fun. It’s almost kind of like going to college. In high school you’re one person. In college you can evolve into someone else because no one knows you there. It’s a chance to pivot and become the next version of yourself!
Love these updates Mack! My growth is slow too but it’s consistent which is encouraging. I believe after the first year or so it might start speeding up. Trust takes time to build in all areas of life and online is no different! Congratulations on your 1000 subscribers! 🥳✨
Thank you for sharing your publishing journey, very generous, plus transparent. Your insight is helping me evaluate Substack and whether it is a community I want to activity participate in.
I never believe those rapid growth stories. I purposely did not import my email list - which is considerable - so I could grow a dedicated band of listeners and readers. Small and strong is so much more valuable when it comes to conversations.
- I am here for the conversations and the learning that follows.Having the paid option is the icing on the cake for sure.
But engagement determines long term growth. And.
I think the slow kind is the best kind!
This is a great article - thank you - and thank Neela for highlighting it.
Hi Cecilia! If I had it to do over again, I am not sure I would import my list. Then again my list wasn’t a ‘warm’ list, so the people weren’t as engaged as everyone on Substack is. There’s definitely something to be said for taking it slow and enjoying the connections and friends you make. Have a great week!
I love this, Mack! Thank you for sharing your journey and these valuable lessons. I'm here about the same time as you and still learning! I agree with you that this platform has supportive writers. I'm in the "slog" stage...steady and growing soooo slowly. 😁
Thank you, Lucille! I definitely think you and I have picked ‘slow growth’ topics, it feels like the ‘how to grow on Substack’ crowd is zooming past me lol. But we will get there eventually!
So much of the conversation around growth tends to focus on rapid success stories, but the reality is that strategic consistency and patience build a sustainable audience.
Genuine engagement is the key. I sucked at this last year lol. Many creators underestimate how much simply regularly showing up contributes to building trust and momentum. I am all in this year. Let's go!
I mean there are ways to growth hack just about anything but if you have the wrong kind of subscribers it's not going to matter how many you have. And I'm all about the turtle… Slow and steady wins the race! 🐢
I agree completely on wrong kind of subscribers. I honestly need to do a better job of engaging with marketing/business writers like you, that helps shape the audience of subscribers I get.
I’m being much more mindful this time around. In the past, I let just about anyone into my LinkedIn network, but now I’m being very selective about who I accept. I did the same thing on Medium—followed and read a wide range of people—but I realized that approach doesn’t really work for me. Now, on SS I’m focused on curating my feed with people who write in similar areas, promoting their work, and being more intentional about my connections.
Strip out your imported accounts and it clearly shows how much of your growth is coming from recommendations. People are vouching for you Mack!
Thanks Jens. Recommendations are absolutely a big driver of sub growth. I will do a better job of breaking down those numbers in the next update.
Mack: Outside of measurment how does it help you?
Awesome article, Mack! I love that you're always so transparent and open about what's worked for you and what hasn't. Honestly, to me, that's more valuable than all the articles peddling strategies for getting 1,000 subscribers in 30 days. Not to say those can't be helpful. They can. But they're not always realistic when your business isn't 100% Substack. So your perspective is refreshing. 😊
Thank you, Morgan! It’s been…interesting on Substack. For years I built a network of connections on other platforms. At one point I had 50k followers on Twitter. I came here and almost none of my network was here. It was just like starting over, which was also a lot of fun in some ways. But definitely a lot more work as well. Appreciate your comments, will keep sharing the good, bad and ugly 🤠
I actually agree—starting over (or at least building from scratch) has been a lot of fun. It’s almost kind of like going to college. In high school you’re one person. In college you can evolve into someone else because no one knows you there. It’s a chance to pivot and become the next version of yourself!
Love these updates Mack! My growth is slow too but it’s consistent which is encouraging. I believe after the first year or so it might start speeding up. Trust takes time to build in all areas of life and online is no different! Congratulations on your 1000 subscribers! 🥳✨
Thank you, Hege! Meeting you here has been one of my true joys. Looking forward to celebrating all your many accomplishments with you!
Mack:
Thank you for sharing your publishing journey, very generous, plus transparent. Your insight is helping me evaluate Substack and whether it is a community I want to activity participate in.
Hey Jimmy, I appreciate it. I feel like sharing what’s happening helps others and it also helps me too in some ways. So win-win. Have a good week!
I never believe those rapid growth stories. I purposely did not import my email list - which is considerable - so I could grow a dedicated band of listeners and readers. Small and strong is so much more valuable when it comes to conversations.
- I am here for the conversations and the learning that follows.Having the paid option is the icing on the cake for sure.
But engagement determines long term growth. And.
I think the slow kind is the best kind!
This is a great article - thank you - and thank Neela for highlighting it.
Hi Cecilia! If I had it to do over again, I am not sure I would import my list. Then again my list wasn’t a ‘warm’ list, so the people weren’t as engaged as everyone on Substack is. There’s definitely something to be said for taking it slow and enjoying the connections and friends you make. Have a great week!
Yup! Just like you said: slow and consistent. Great advice.
I love this, Mack! Thank you for sharing your journey and these valuable lessons. I'm here about the same time as you and still learning! I agree with you that this platform has supportive writers. I'm in the "slog" stage...steady and growing soooo slowly. 😁
Thank you, Lucille! I definitely think you and I have picked ‘slow growth’ topics, it feels like the ‘how to grow on Substack’ crowd is zooming past me lol. But we will get there eventually!
Thank you, Mack.
So much of the conversation around growth tends to focus on rapid success stories, but the reality is that strategic consistency and patience build a sustainable audience.
Genuine engagement is the key. I sucked at this last year lol. Many creators underestimate how much simply regularly showing up contributes to building trust and momentum. I am all in this year. Let's go!
Yes!!!! I love it and you, your energy is infectious! Can’t wait to celebrate your success here with you!
1,000 subscribers soon! :)
Made it!
I mean there are ways to growth hack just about anything but if you have the wrong kind of subscribers it's not going to matter how many you have. And I'm all about the turtle… Slow and steady wins the race! 🐢
I agree completely on wrong kind of subscribers. I honestly need to do a better job of engaging with marketing/business writers like you, that helps shape the audience of subscribers I get.
I’m being much more mindful this time around. In the past, I let just about anyone into my LinkedIn network, but now I’m being very selective about who I accept. I did the same thing on Medium—followed and read a wide range of people—but I realized that approach doesn’t really work for me. Now, on SS I’m focused on curating my feed with people who write in similar areas, promoting their work, and being more intentional about my connections.
Yes this is going to be a focal point of mine moving forward.
It's a much slower rise to the top, but at least there will be like minded folks in it or at least topics I really enjoy.
Thank you, that’s the plan! 🫡