Tom, thank you so much for sharing my letter with your readers. You did such a fabulous job of laying it out, adding subtitles, and organizing it in an easily digestible way. We make a great team lol!
Tom and Don, this was so helpful for me today. I have been scratching my head about the Notes I write that seem to "take off" in terms of relatability and engagement - they are, as you wrote, the micro-stories that showcase something specific about my kids or a snippet from real life. My shorter Notes get maybe 1 or 2 likes.
But to know, from both of you, that it's normal to post Notes that don't get a lot of traction, and really, we need to write what is meaningful and fun and playful TO US without feeling bogged down by algorithms and metrics - that is most helpful to me.
You both are incredible, and I feel honored to have connected with you and your work here on Substack!
Jeannie this is so amazing to hear. So happy I could collaborate with Don to bring his wisdom to my readers. I want advice and wisdom from other Note creators as well who aren’t just me. I want different perspectives and opinions. It’s so important. Cheers!
Aw, thank you so very much, Jeannie, for reading and responding, and for being so authentic and kind yourself! I’m so glad you found something of value in this post 🙏💚
The thing I try to remember is that this is all about give and receive, not take and keep. We tend to receive in ratio to how much we give. Give good writing and receive restacks on Notes. Give good comments and receive replies. Give Notes that catch interest and receive hearts.
Don, I really appreciate the honesty and integrity of your words. How the key is connecting authenticity with people vs any type of gaming or gimmicks. Good writing that makes people feel something and connects others is the key.
I love hearing from writers here focused on writing for the love of it as opposed to marketing. I am terrible at marketing--just the word makes me tense up. But I LOVE to write.
Thank you so much for this article. It truly comes down to genuine human connection and to decondition ourselves from writing for an algorithm. Thank you Don for this down to Earth, heartfelt common sense.❤️🙂
Lots of good advice here, Don. I need figure out how I feel about notes, my relationship with it. This piece makes your own relationship with it clear, and that's helpful to me.
I’ll be honest, Emily, sometimes I wonder about my relationship with Notes as well. Mainly because of the time my participation uses up. I enjoy the engagement but it can often lead to glancing at my phone all day long. (Instead of just on the day or two following a new email posting.)
I should have mentioned one more thing in this essay; that the choice to be on Notes should not be one that causes angst. It shouldn’t feel “necessary.” If you just want to write great weekly essays, just write great weekly essays. Some of my favorite blogs are by people I never or rarely see on Notes; Chloe Hope and Anagha Smithri come immediately to mind. Amanda Saint has also said she is leaving Notes.
"The most important thing, though, is to be yourself and to engage in a way that brings you joy." This is it! The key to both Notes and life itself. But it can take us many decades to truly internalize this and live from it. I, for one, have no problem using Notes as a playground to express many different aspects of myself. If folks like this playful shapeshifting, there's a chance they'll like my poetry, which is a more polished version of the same kind of play. Thank you, Don and Tom.
Don, I have nicknamed you The Grandfather of Substack because you do things like make the point to follow anyone who engages with you. You are so generous, and so loving. Einstein once said something like "if you can't explain it to a fifth grade, you don't really understand it yourself" (I probably bungled that line). What I love about your writing is that you simplify the most complex things about writing, life, publishing, and being human. You make it all so real and tangible and practical and simple.
You know, Teri, I used to regret that because of where I was raised, I didn’t have an expansive vocabulary, that I wasn’t “well spoken,” but you make me think; maybe it’s to my advantage. I can put things in simple terms because it’s the only way I know how lol!
Anyway, you’re too kind, and I really appreciate your dedicated support! 🙏💚🩷
In my little brain and heart, I tend to see the people who can explain things in very simple terms as the most highly intelligent. You're one of those people in my eyes.
Tom, thank you so much for sharing my letter with your readers. You did such a fabulous job of laying it out, adding subtitles, and organizing it in an easily digestible way. We make a great team lol!
I'm deeply grateful. 🙏💚
Don, thanks so much for coming on and writing this up. It’s been so nice that I’m definitely going to do more of this in the future. :)
Tom and Don, this was so helpful for me today. I have been scratching my head about the Notes I write that seem to "take off" in terms of relatability and engagement - they are, as you wrote, the micro-stories that showcase something specific about my kids or a snippet from real life. My shorter Notes get maybe 1 or 2 likes.
But to know, from both of you, that it's normal to post Notes that don't get a lot of traction, and really, we need to write what is meaningful and fun and playful TO US without feeling bogged down by algorithms and metrics - that is most helpful to me.
You both are incredible, and I feel honored to have connected with you and your work here on Substack!
Jeannie this is so amazing to hear. So happy I could collaborate with Don to bring his wisdom to my readers. I want advice and wisdom from other Note creators as well who aren’t just me. I want different perspectives and opinions. It’s so important. Cheers!
Aw, thank you so very much, Jeannie, for reading and responding, and for being so authentic and kind yourself! I’m so glad you found something of value in this post 🙏💚
Always, Don! Pleasure to be sharing your gracious and wise words.
Great post!
The thing I try to remember is that this is all about give and receive, not take and keep. We tend to receive in ratio to how much we give. Give good writing and receive restacks on Notes. Give good comments and receive replies. Give Notes that catch interest and receive hearts.
That’s the ticket right there, Tim! And I thank you for this comment lol 😁🙏
Some useful advice here, I have never posted anything to Notes and no bugga all about it
Don Bovin fan, here. Why Don’s work resonates is because he is real. It’s like hearing from an old friend. Great advice. Thank you!
Thank you so much, Heidi! What a lovely thing to say! 🙏💚
most excellent!
Thanks, Maia! 😊
I love what Don writes. Thank you Tom for featuring his thoughts.
Thanks, Ian, I’m glad you liked it! 😊
Very useful! Thank you for sharing this!
Thanks, Ismayil. I’m really happy that you found it useful! 🙏💚
Inspiring and hepfull. Thank you Don (and Tom for inviting him)
Thank you, Phylippe! 🙏💚
Don, I really appreciate the honesty and integrity of your words. How the key is connecting authenticity with people vs any type of gaming or gimmicks. Good writing that makes people feel something and connects others is the key.
Thanks for a great message and examples.
Thank you, Bruce. I really appreciate your feedback, and I’m glad you got something from this article. It was a pleasure to write!🙏💚
I love hearing from writers here focused on writing for the love of it as opposed to marketing. I am terrible at marketing--just the word makes me tense up. But I LOVE to write.
Kristi, I feel exactly the same as you about marketing! 🙏💚
Thank you so much for this article. It truly comes down to genuine human connection and to decondition ourselves from writing for an algorithm. Thank you Don for this down to Earth, heartfelt common sense.❤️🙂
Thank you, Isa. I’m glad you liked it. 🙏💚
Lots of good advice here, Don. I need figure out how I feel about notes, my relationship with it. This piece makes your own relationship with it clear, and that's helpful to me.
Thanks Tom!
Thanks for stopping by Emily! :)
Thank you for posting, and you’re welcome.
I’ll be honest, Emily, sometimes I wonder about my relationship with Notes as well. Mainly because of the time my participation uses up. I enjoy the engagement but it can often lead to glancing at my phone all day long. (Instead of just on the day or two following a new email posting.)
I should have mentioned one more thing in this essay; that the choice to be on Notes should not be one that causes angst. It shouldn’t feel “necessary.” If you just want to write great weekly essays, just write great weekly essays. Some of my favorite blogs are by people I never or rarely see on Notes; Chloe Hope and Anagha Smithri come immediately to mind. Amanda Saint has also said she is leaving Notes.
"The most important thing, though, is to be yourself and to engage in a way that brings you joy." This is it! The key to both Notes and life itself. But it can take us many decades to truly internalize this and live from it. I, for one, have no problem using Notes as a playground to express many different aspects of myself. If folks like this playful shapeshifting, there's a chance they'll like my poetry, which is a more polished version of the same kind of play. Thank you, Don and Tom.
Thanks Mike for stopping by. Happy Don’s wisdom hit home for you! :)
Thanks Mike. You’re a courageous, independent man!
I've long admired Don's literary citizenship here on Substack. He is a friend to many. And yes, he is also one hell of a writer. Great stuff here!
Aw, it’s too much lol! 😆 Deep gratitude, Allison, and a bow to you. 🙏💚
Don, I have nicknamed you The Grandfather of Substack because you do things like make the point to follow anyone who engages with you. You are so generous, and so loving. Einstein once said something like "if you can't explain it to a fifth grade, you don't really understand it yourself" (I probably bungled that line). What I love about your writing is that you simplify the most complex things about writing, life, publishing, and being human. You make it all so real and tangible and practical and simple.
You know, Teri, I used to regret that because of where I was raised, I didn’t have an expansive vocabulary, that I wasn’t “well spoken,” but you make me think; maybe it’s to my advantage. I can put things in simple terms because it’s the only way I know how lol!
Anyway, you’re too kind, and I really appreciate your dedicated support! 🙏💚🩷
In my little brain and heart, I tend to see the people who can explain things in very simple terms as the most highly intelligent. You're one of those people in my eyes.
I’m feeling the love 🥰