Definitely some great food for thought in here. There's a lot of pieces out there about making sure you include a laundry list of items in your writing, which yes, is true to an extent to keep readers engaged somewhat. But when we do that, it still feels way too close to the mantra of needing to write for the algorithms of other platforms.
Yes Matt. There needs to be a balance. I don't see many popular writing coaches talking about balance much (or at all). It's very important to give yourself room to play because sometimes a big discovery can be made when we do that!
Exactly 💯 I am not the one ever to follow the rules..there's so much more to it. Some of it can't even be put it words..but is happening on another Plainfield all together.
@Tom Kuegler I just wanted to thank you for your thoughtful, clear, and fun demonstration on how to show up authentically on Substack during today's Creator Retreat hosted by @Teri Leigh 💜 and @Ryan Delaney . I appreciate your time and everything you shared!
I second your sentiment, Jeannie. Tom, your presentation was insightful, informative and well-thought-out. I especially appreciated your CPR methodology—it was funny and brilliant!
And Jeannie, I appreciate how you were engaged verbally and in the comments. I think you wrote as much as the rest of us combined.
Really enjoyed this post, Tom. Thank you! I've been on Substack for a month. I was instructed to have a niche and write about a topic I was passionate about. Ok. Did that. Now, after engaging with others on the platform, I see how I could be more authentic and write random posts that reflect my life and fictional stories, the posts that the folks in Notes keep saying they want to see more of. My question is how do I incorporate those posts into the site I've already created? Would it be as easy as making a table of contents and having these rando-posts listed as a side element? Interested in your opinion and appreciate your time❣️
Hey fellow Maryland-er! :) This is cool. I think, yeah, you could go that route. You could create a menu item in your pub’s navigation bar that reflects these more personal stories as well. You could just experiment with them on Notes as well first to see what happens.
Yeah Angel I am thinking I want to start leaning more into the slow growth side of things. The problem is that people pay to learn how to grow. If people paid to learn how to write well, that would make everything easier from a marketing standpoint. People don’t typically pay for that, though. They just want to grow.
I like to think I’m doing what you just ranted about. In my latest post, I pointed out that when I notice my joy fountain has turned off, it’s an early warning sign that I’m writing about the wrong thing. Wrong for me, that is. If we’re not having fun, something is wrong.
Yes exactly that Sharon. The joy fountain analogy is great. For me, if my joy fountain isn’t even on, then I’m not going to be able to go much longer writing whatever I’m writing about. That’s just me.
I have never had a writing coach and have felt like I jumped in the deep end as I just started writing a book. Now I am hiring people to help me edit and improve it. We begin in about a week. It is good to be reminded that “be yourself” has value. And you’re right. There are so many templates on how to do well. But it doesn’t feel particularly creative to shove oneself into a template.
A breath of fresh air! Writing for the algorithm is chasing a neverending problem. Sometimes creativity needs to be more spontaneous. Also food for thought--in both cases where you struck gold, you were on trend, first with an evergreen relationship post and then with an issue that was nationally popular.
One mistake in your article, Tom - NOT ALL writing coaches say to repeat yourself! (Maybe all the "business" writing coaches do.) We don't. Our mantra is "Surprise Yourself."
Definitely some great food for thought in here. There's a lot of pieces out there about making sure you include a laundry list of items in your writing, which yes, is true to an extent to keep readers engaged somewhat. But when we do that, it still feels way too close to the mantra of needing to write for the algorithms of other platforms.
Yes Matt. There needs to be a balance. I don't see many popular writing coaches talking about balance much (or at all). It's very important to give yourself room to play because sometimes a big discovery can be made when we do that!
Exactly 💯 I am not the one ever to follow the rules..there's so much more to it. Some of it can't even be put it words..but is happening on another Plainfield all together.
Trust the flow.
@Tom Kuegler I just wanted to thank you for your thoughtful, clear, and fun demonstration on how to show up authentically on Substack during today's Creator Retreat hosted by @Teri Leigh 💜 and @Ryan Delaney . I appreciate your time and everything you shared!
Thanks so much Jeannie. It was the highlight of my week!! :) Happy to meet you today over Zoom!!
Well, you were a delight and so welcoming. I admire you for rebuilding your online presence in a way that feels more authentic to you, @Tom Kuegler .
I love how every single person shows up in this community. I”m just in awe of how this has come together and is playing out!
I second your sentiment, Jeannie. Tom, your presentation was insightful, informative and well-thought-out. I especially appreciated your CPR methodology—it was funny and brilliant!
And Jeannie, I appreciate how you were engaged verbally and in the comments. I think you wrote as much as the rest of us combined.
I can type really fast, Ryan!
These are exactly the words I needed to read today, thank you 😊
Really enjoyed this post, Tom. Thank you! I've been on Substack for a month. I was instructed to have a niche and write about a topic I was passionate about. Ok. Did that. Now, after engaging with others on the platform, I see how I could be more authentic and write random posts that reflect my life and fictional stories, the posts that the folks in Notes keep saying they want to see more of. My question is how do I incorporate those posts into the site I've already created? Would it be as easy as making a table of contents and having these rando-posts listed as a side element? Interested in your opinion and appreciate your time❣️
Neat idea. Waiting to hear what Tom has to say.
Hey fellow Maryland-er! :) This is cool. I think, yeah, you could go that route. You could create a menu item in your pub’s navigation bar that reflects these more personal stories as well. You could just experiment with them on Notes as well first to see what happens.
Spot on! Being authentic and inspired to write creates the type of content no system, or AI, can.
Absolutely 💯 truth!
When I found substack I kept looking at many of the 'grow your substack' how to posts. Truth be told, they felt wrong.
Why would I follow someones step by process if I want to stand out for being me?
When we do it from the heart, messy and true to ourselves, the imperfection makes it perfect in a strange way.
Love your take and honesty!
Yeah Angel I am thinking I want to start leaning more into the slow growth side of things. The problem is that people pay to learn how to grow. If people paid to learn how to write well, that would make everything easier from a marketing standpoint. People don’t typically pay for that, though. They just want to grow.
People want instant pudding results.
If growing a following was easy, everybody would have 10,000+ followers. It’s hard!
I totally agree.
Flow state right? It's like 90+% of what we do daily is striving to construct circumstances, the fertile soil for this to happen. Nice piece mate.
Thanks Pat! :)
My only "strategy" or golden rule now is: "only make what feels true."
That’s a great rule to live by
I love every bit of this! I want 1 thing of mine to go viral just so I know what it feels like to
I like to think I’m doing what you just ranted about. In my latest post, I pointed out that when I notice my joy fountain has turned off, it’s an early warning sign that I’m writing about the wrong thing. Wrong for me, that is. If we’re not having fun, something is wrong.
Yes exactly that Sharon. The joy fountain analogy is great. For me, if my joy fountain isn’t even on, then I’m not going to be able to go much longer writing whatever I’m writing about. That’s just me.
I have never had a writing coach and have felt like I jumped in the deep end as I just started writing a book. Now I am hiring people to help me edit and improve it. We begin in about a week. It is good to be reminded that “be yourself” has value. And you’re right. There are so many templates on how to do well. But it doesn’t feel particularly creative to shove oneself into a template.
Terra I’m going to respond to you over DM. I saw you sent me a message.
BTW - from Maryland. Go, O's❣️
This. Passionate attention to one’s inner self. That’s something we all enjoy!
A breath of fresh air! Writing for the algorithm is chasing a neverending problem. Sometimes creativity needs to be more spontaneous. Also food for thought--in both cases where you struck gold, you were on trend, first with an evergreen relationship post and then with an issue that was nationally popular.
Trends do help for sure I won’t deny that. Thanks for reading Carmen.
One mistake in your article, Tom - NOT ALL writing coaches say to repeat yourself! (Maybe all the "business" writing coaches do.) We don't. Our mantra is "Surprise Yourself."
I like that Allegra!!