Tom, I think I first met you back in 2016. And for some reason, I started paying attention. I do remember when you started Vlogging, I said to myself what is this kid doing? I do get to call you a kid because I am 40 years your senior.
I stuck with you because I knew you were headed somewhere in a really positive successful direction. I came to trust you and what platforms you were using and why, because you told us. You are always honest, showing your vulnerability as you take leaps of faith in the next thing. I wasn’t always engaged with what you were doing because it didn’t fit my business at the time (LinkedIn) but you told me it wasn’t for me.
I kept watching though and then I found Substack and saw you come over here and join your tribe again.
I am so glad I did because you have truly become a trendsetter and a game changer. I think you’ve learned to let the critics roll off your back, even though it can hurt.
I’m definitely one who doesn’t like to be sold to. But I haven’t had that feeling with what you’ve been putting out. I think it’s just a matter of keeping up with you and what you’re developing.
Hey Marylee this helps me so much to understand how people are viewing what I'm doing. I hope I'm not selling too much. The last thing I want to do is spam people. It seems like, once again, I'm evolving into something else as a creator, and if people want to stay, they can, and if not, that's okay too. I get it. I really do. People don't owe me anything. I am just happy I was able to be of help with my writing in the past. When I got started on this journey 8 years ago or so, I never thought that readers would find me and perhaps stay with me for almost a decade. I really appreciate you doing that with me Marylee and giving me chance after chance even though I've changed my focus many times over the last few years. Thank you!!!
Here's to the freedom to pivot and be creative with our lives, as well as our writing.
I'm with you about AI, Tom. And because we are creators first, we'll always be wary of any tool that threatens to smother or warp our voices into unrecognisable "automatumatic" noise (yes, I made that up). Ideas and original expression will always float to the top.
And thanks for helping us creators save time and energy with your tools and for being ahead of the curve in promoting them. (I ignore sales pitches routinely, especially if I've already subscribed!)
I remember watching your Medium stuff and saying, "This guy sounds like me". You helped inspire me to start writing in earnest on Medium in 2023. I know this is an unpopular opinion, but I'm still doing WAY better on Medium than I am on SS right now, if for no other reason, because I keep getting circulation in big pubs...but I'm trying to increase my SS game too. I appreciate being a part of your group and also appreciate you encouraging me (us) to use AI in an authentic, honest way. I now use it as an editor and a partner, and my writing has gotten better. As I work through my own "hustle mindset" blocks and try to become more comfortable with being an online entrepreneur (don't you just love that word? LOL) I'm enjoying following your work and using it as a North Star to show me what's possible. Keep it up.
I love that you're doing well on Medium Christie. Seems a lot of people are doing well over there still. I hope it just gets stronger over time. I feel like the platform where we have the most success almost feels like a first love. You never forget it. Thanks for the feedback as well Christie. I'll try to find a good balance as I move into this strange world of AI as someone who genuinely loves writing myself!
Thank you Pam 🥹. This means a lot. I can't wait to show everyone what I've been working on behind the scenes as we move into the back half of 2025. It's going to be awesome. I'm going to take care of my paid subscribers, that's for sure.
Tom, I'm a little confused. Are you saying Notes is still an early platform or one of the already bustling marketplaces that doesn't have a big growth future? Because AI is the tool, not the platform, so even if we adopt it, are we jumping in too late to Substack and Notes? Maybe it's just me, I just need to clarify. It also begs the question, what are the new platforms now with that growth potential? I heard a lot about Bluesky a year or two ago but not much now. I focus on Screenwriting, which may differ from your audience, not sure. Thanks.
Okay Dan this is a good question. I'd say that Notes is still great for growth, but you might not get that explosive 1,000+ subscribers in a month type growth that used to be possible last year. I hope that makes sense. You can grow steadily with Notes right now, but it really was something else just last year. I feel like these kinds of crazy explosive returns on something--whether it's with a tool or with an entire platform--only happen when you're very early to it. I'm not sure which platforms are good for explosive growth right now, but if you've heard a lot about Bluesky, I would say there's probably something there!
Tom, I think I first met you back in 2016. And for some reason, I started paying attention. I do remember when you started Vlogging, I said to myself what is this kid doing? I do get to call you a kid because I am 40 years your senior.
I stuck with you because I knew you were headed somewhere in a really positive successful direction. I came to trust you and what platforms you were using and why, because you told us. You are always honest, showing your vulnerability as you take leaps of faith in the next thing. I wasn’t always engaged with what you were doing because it didn’t fit my business at the time (LinkedIn) but you told me it wasn’t for me.
I kept watching though and then I found Substack and saw you come over here and join your tribe again.
I am so glad I did because you have truly become a trendsetter and a game changer. I think you’ve learned to let the critics roll off your back, even though it can hurt.
I’m definitely one who doesn’t like to be sold to. But I haven’t had that feeling with what you’ve been putting out. I think it’s just a matter of keeping up with you and what you’re developing.
Keep it up Tom, the world is your oyster. 💞
Hey Marylee this helps me so much to understand how people are viewing what I'm doing. I hope I'm not selling too much. The last thing I want to do is spam people. It seems like, once again, I'm evolving into something else as a creator, and if people want to stay, they can, and if not, that's okay too. I get it. I really do. People don't owe me anything. I am just happy I was able to be of help with my writing in the past. When I got started on this journey 8 years ago or so, I never thought that readers would find me and perhaps stay with me for almost a decade. I really appreciate you doing that with me Marylee and giving me chance after chance even though I've changed my focus many times over the last few years. Thank you!!!
Here's to the freedom to pivot and be creative with our lives, as well as our writing.
I'm with you about AI, Tom. And because we are creators first, we'll always be wary of any tool that threatens to smother or warp our voices into unrecognisable "automatumatic" noise (yes, I made that up). Ideas and original expression will always float to the top.
And thanks for helping us creators save time and energy with your tools and for being ahead of the curve in promoting them. (I ignore sales pitches routinely, especially if I've already subscribed!)
No worries Jeanette. Your feedback helps me out a lot. :)
Right on tom. AI was tons of potential. Let’s go
I remember watching your Medium stuff and saying, "This guy sounds like me". You helped inspire me to start writing in earnest on Medium in 2023. I know this is an unpopular opinion, but I'm still doing WAY better on Medium than I am on SS right now, if for no other reason, because I keep getting circulation in big pubs...but I'm trying to increase my SS game too. I appreciate being a part of your group and also appreciate you encouraging me (us) to use AI in an authentic, honest way. I now use it as an editor and a partner, and my writing has gotten better. As I work through my own "hustle mindset" blocks and try to become more comfortable with being an online entrepreneur (don't you just love that word? LOL) I'm enjoying following your work and using it as a North Star to show me what's possible. Keep it up.
I love that you're doing well on Medium Christie. Seems a lot of people are doing well over there still. I hope it just gets stronger over time. I feel like the platform where we have the most success almost feels like a first love. You never forget it. Thanks for the feedback as well Christie. I'll try to find a good balance as I move into this strange world of AI as someone who genuinely loves writing myself!
Love it. You inspire me. thank you.
Thanks Elizabeth for reading. 🥹
I love your passion, your willingness to try new things, and for bringing us along for the ride. Thanks so much, Tom.
Thanks Jeanie for coming along for the ride, and supporting me. It means a lot. SO much more awesome stuff coming for paid subscribers soon.
I believe you Tom. Your Medium course helped me tremendously back in the early days. So I’m in!
I'm super glad I found you. I appreciate your honesty and reflection on being a creative in today's technological landscape.
I also see the value of AI as a tool in my business and in my personal life.
I love your tools and feel like they actually help me be more creative, giving me space to do this things that feed my soul and highlight my gifts.
Thank you for what you do.
Thank you Pam 🥹. This means a lot. I can't wait to show everyone what I've been working on behind the scenes as we move into the back half of 2025. It's going to be awesome. I'm going to take care of my paid subscribers, that's for sure.
Tom, I'm a little confused. Are you saying Notes is still an early platform or one of the already bustling marketplaces that doesn't have a big growth future? Because AI is the tool, not the platform, so even if we adopt it, are we jumping in too late to Substack and Notes? Maybe it's just me, I just need to clarify. It also begs the question, what are the new platforms now with that growth potential? I heard a lot about Bluesky a year or two ago but not much now. I focus on Screenwriting, which may differ from your audience, not sure. Thanks.
Okay Dan this is a good question. I'd say that Notes is still great for growth, but you might not get that explosive 1,000+ subscribers in a month type growth that used to be possible last year. I hope that makes sense. You can grow steadily with Notes right now, but it really was something else just last year. I feel like these kinds of crazy explosive returns on something--whether it's with a tool or with an entire platform--only happen when you're very early to it. I'm not sure which platforms are good for explosive growth right now, but if you've heard a lot about Bluesky, I would say there's probably something there!