The only thing holding me back from deciding on Substack was all the bells and whistles of ConvertKit. Then I remembered what I always tell people: most of us don't need a Porsche, but something as reliable and useful as a VW.
Besides, more people fit into a regular car, and that's the best thing about Substack, I think: a great and engaged community.
I will use this post as a reference for my own growth (he says confidently).
Interesting. We were just considering moving @Bellecurvestories from Substack to CK, mainly because our readers complain about aspects of Substack’s interface. I may have to give more efforts to Notes and re-think based on your take here.
I guess if you're someone like Justin Welsh, with multiple funnels, flywheels, and various sources of traffic coming in, then the more robust tools CK provides make sense.
I love CK. They offer basically everything under one roof and are very helpful and enthusiastic. But in the end, I realized Substack would work for me. AND: The reach you get here, even as a beginner, is something you can't find anywhere else. Not even close. Notes, right! 😉
Thanks for sharing David, been loving your content, and for every troll you encounter you have at least 100 people (like me) who appreciat what you're doing :)
As a fiction writer, it is hard to look at the nonfiction growth and not be just a tiny bit jealous ;-) I keep hoping the fiction reader/serial fan tsunami will find us here one of these days.
David, “this little update,” was a huge blueprint. I’m one month in Substack…my journey to be a career writer. I follow and study you. I’m not a paid subscriber yet; however, you and few others are my template to how I want to structure my path. Thank you.
Congratulations! Your growth path is so inspiring! I have no idea to use Notes (typing into the void) but glad it’s been helpful for you :) I should look into Notes more! Again, kudos and thanks for sharing your journey
This has encouraged me to do the work and the ride the wave cooly.
I also brought some of my writings with me from Medium to Substack and my email subscribers too, and just like you, I have been sure what to do next but your story has given me some ideas.
I always enjoy your posts and appreciate the overview ... my growth is really slow but my content is pretty specific too... I just enjoy Substack very much. Keep inspiring us on!
Hi David - congratulations on reaching this milestone! I wish you continued success.
How do you manage multiple publications on Substack? I have been thinking about launching a second publication that has nothing to do with my main publication. Not sure if this causes any confusion in branding and/or positioning. In particular, how do you handle Notes which seem to post under your main account and not really specific to each publication. Thanks.
I was worried it might be difficult on Naveen but it’s actually quite straightforward. As long as you have a schedule in place, it’s easy enough to manage.
I had fairly generic offerings at first but people still upgraded at that stage. I made the paid sub benefits more specific as time went on based on what my audience seem to want.
A great and insightful read, David!
The only thing holding me back from deciding on Substack was all the bells and whistles of ConvertKit. Then I remembered what I always tell people: most of us don't need a Porsche, but something as reliable and useful as a VW.
Besides, more people fit into a regular car, and that's the best thing about Substack, I think: a great and engaged community.
I will use this post as a reference for my own growth (he says confidently).
ConvertKit is a great platform too, I just prefer the way Substack works overall. It could do with one or two of CK’s features.
Interesting. We were just considering moving @Bellecurvestories from Substack to CK, mainly because our readers complain about aspects of Substack’s interface. I may have to give more efforts to Notes and re-think based on your take here.
I guess if you're someone like Justin Welsh, with multiple funnels, flywheels, and various sources of traffic coming in, then the more robust tools CK provides make sense.
I love CK. They offer basically everything under one roof and are very helpful and enthusiastic. But in the end, I realized Substack would work for me. AND: The reach you get here, even as a beginner, is something you can't find anywhere else. Not even close. Notes, right! 😉
Thanks for sharing David, been loving your content, and for every troll you encounter you have at least 100 people (like me) who appreciat what you're doing :)
Cheers mate! 😊
Thank you for this post.
My pleasure!
I suspect the essayists do better than the serializers, as How to Write applies to all, but only a subset wants to read horror or fantasy.
That said, I’m on your path, six months behind. Just haven’t had the hockey stick part of the growth yet.
Keep at it, the consistency eventually starts to pay off!
As a fiction writer, it is hard to look at the nonfiction growth and not be just a tiny bit jealous ;-) I keep hoping the fiction reader/serial fan tsunami will find us here one of these days.
Look at it this way: when the wave comes, we will be the established fiction writers already here with a rich library to explore.
I like your thinking! From a fellow fiction writer who is determined it make it work here.
It’s wonderful to see your achievement David! 🥳
Thanks Kate!
David, “this little update,” was a huge blueprint. I’m one month in Substack…my journey to be a career writer. I follow and study you. I’m not a paid subscriber yet; however, you and few others are my template to how I want to structure my path. Thank you.
Happy to have helped Norm!
Thanks for sharing David, your insight is really useful to me.
Congratulations! Your growth path is so inspiring! I have no idea to use Notes (typing into the void) but glad it’s been helpful for you :) I should look into Notes more! Again, kudos and thanks for sharing your journey
This has encouraged me to do the work and the ride the wave cooly.
I also brought some of my writings with me from Medium to Substack and my email subscribers too, and just like you, I have been sure what to do next but your story has given me some ideas.
Thanks mate!
Notes are key! I recently learned that too. Thanks for sharing your insights. 🙏🏻
Notes changed the game!
I always enjoy your posts and appreciate the overview ... my growth is really slow but my content is pretty specific too... I just enjoy Substack very much. Keep inspiring us on!
Thanks John! Keep at it.
It's inspiring. It was encouraging to know that someone experienced the same low time has become so successful. Keep going, David!
Thank you Daphne!
Hi David - congratulations on reaching this milestone! I wish you continued success.
How do you manage multiple publications on Substack? I have been thinking about launching a second publication that has nothing to do with my main publication. Not sure if this causes any confusion in branding and/or positioning. In particular, how do you handle Notes which seem to post under your main account and not really specific to each publication. Thanks.
I was worried it might be difficult on Naveen but it’s actually quite straightforward. As long as you have a schedule in place, it’s easy enough to manage.
It was insightful to read about your journey on Substack. You gotta love when the chart explodes like yours did!
It’s nice when it happens! I love a bit of slow, steady growth too.
Thanks for this!
I'm curious, at what point did you start offering something to paid subscribers? Were you offering anything when you got your first paying sub?
I had fairly generic offerings at first but people still upgraded at that stage. I made the paid sub benefits more specific as time went on based on what my audience seem to want.
What a great journey and I love how you kept going even when the growth was slow. Those are the moments that matter.
Congrats on your success and I’m happy I was one of your collaborators 😎
Thanks Veronica! Collaborating with you is always great!