I joined Substack last September, started publishing Bren's Buzz 6 months ago, and grew my subscriber base to just over 100 - while working 2 day jobs and attempting to reconnect with my inner humanoid.
Recommendations are tricky. The workings of the system have changed at least once in the past but the last time I was directly subscribing to someone I was offered 3 random newsletters from their recommendations to subscribe and 50 (!) people to follow. Some people make a lot of recommendations indeed (even hundreds of them); so each one has slim chance to be among the three lucky. You make only 8 at the moment, hence it's not surprising each of them is more "productive".
I'd also venture a guess that many people subscribe to the recommended newsletters without looking first. In my experience, a large fraction (close to one-third) of subscribers coming from recommendations unsubscribe after seeing one post, or even instantly.
Thank you for this insight! As I ‘go pro’ I want to make a small number of thoughtful recommendations really count. Tons of people lifted me up (some not even realizing it) when I started. Don’t care about me getting traction from others’ recommendations so much as a sick analytical fascination with solving the puzzle of why that is. Lol. Also I follow almost EVERYONE who is recommended to me because I see it as a virtual community center and if I don’t open all the doors and let people in how will I get to know my community?
Thank you for sharing your excellent Cori, it sounds like Kristi Keller gave you great advice. I never intended to publish my own sub stack as a paid one. I began writing it as a blog to offer those visiting my subscription website, which is still in the works. My husband and I will be producing our own entertainment channel where we were right and record all the music and videos for our own entertainment endeavors as well as sign several artists.
But now that I have been on Substack almost a year in September I’ve considered how to install a pay wall. My Substack is supposed to bring people to my eventual website, so if you have to pay for it, then it will be a challenge to get those subscribers to my subscription website. So I view Substack as a funnel and not an end to itself. But soon, within the next few weeks I’m going to add a podcast and offer lengthier blogs to my paid subscribers and a shorter blog to my free subscribers. My radio show will be of been going and it will also be offered free. I look forward to see what you’re going to do Cory! I am a big fan of yours! Have a beautiful day!✨🥰
I’m likewise a huge fan of yours! I was just thinking this morning I’m always bereft when I reach the end of your articles like oh darn it’s over. Lol ❤️🥰
I could relate hard to starting a substack while being extremely busy with other things. Has there ever been anyone who's been able to start something without restrictions? Either way, I'm happy for you and wish you all the best in going pro :)
Cori, a very enthusiastic and erudite piece and I know Kristi is an excellent coach for all this. Glad to hear about your most excellent adventure and as it continues! Happy Friday, Wendy
Thank you Wendy. Maybe I needed the pic from Young Frankenstein when they’re all in the lab because there was a lot of brainstorming going on. We kept saying “oh, I like that phrase. I need to write a post about this!” Lol
Cori, that's great!!! I love Young Frankenstein, one of the funniest movies ever (along with Blazing Saddles!!!) Brainstorming is a very very good thing to do, as it sort of storms the bastions of the thought process and crashes through the gates.
Best of luck to you! FYI - it was the flashy cat pic that hooked me.
I like those too! The crazy looking one is how I feel a lot. Lol
Recommendations are tricky. The workings of the system have changed at least once in the past but the last time I was directly subscribing to someone I was offered 3 random newsletters from their recommendations to subscribe and 50 (!) people to follow. Some people make a lot of recommendations indeed (even hundreds of them); so each one has slim chance to be among the three lucky. You make only 8 at the moment, hence it's not surprising each of them is more "productive".
I'd also venture a guess that many people subscribe to the recommended newsletters without looking first. In my experience, a large fraction (close to one-third) of subscribers coming from recommendations unsubscribe after seeing one post, or even instantly.
Thank you for this insight! As I ‘go pro’ I want to make a small number of thoughtful recommendations really count. Tons of people lifted me up (some not even realizing it) when I started. Don’t care about me getting traction from others’ recommendations so much as a sick analytical fascination with solving the puzzle of why that is. Lol. Also I follow almost EVERYONE who is recommended to me because I see it as a virtual community center and if I don’t open all the doors and let people in how will I get to know my community?
Thank you for sharing your excellent Cori, it sounds like Kristi Keller gave you great advice. I never intended to publish my own sub stack as a paid one. I began writing it as a blog to offer those visiting my subscription website, which is still in the works. My husband and I will be producing our own entertainment channel where we were right and record all the music and videos for our own entertainment endeavors as well as sign several artists.
But now that I have been on Substack almost a year in September I’ve considered how to install a pay wall. My Substack is supposed to bring people to my eventual website, so if you have to pay for it, then it will be a challenge to get those subscribers to my subscription website. So I view Substack as a funnel and not an end to itself. But soon, within the next few weeks I’m going to add a podcast and offer lengthier blogs to my paid subscribers and a shorter blog to my free subscribers. My radio show will be of been going and it will also be offered free. I look forward to see what you’re going to do Cory! I am a big fan of yours! Have a beautiful day!✨🥰
I’m likewise a huge fan of yours! I was just thinking this morning I’m always bereft when I reach the end of your articles like oh darn it’s over. Lol ❤️🥰
I could relate hard to starting a substack while being extremely busy with other things. Has there ever been anyone who's been able to start something without restrictions? Either way, I'm happy for you and wish you all the best in going pro :)
Thank you!
@Kristi Keller you rock!!!
We all do. Let's just tell it like it is 😁😁
Your site looks so cool Teri. And mindfulness coach sounds like an awesome gig.
It is an awesome gig! I love what I do, especially when I get to work 1-1 with clients.
Cori, it was fun meeting you today and I'm so looking forward to watching this transformation in real time.
PS: I literally laughed out loud at the hot bot you chose to represent me 😂 🤖
We're going to nail this!
Kristi! More external validation! You are so good at what you do.
I'm just trying my best to help everyone have a great Substack journey! And it helps that I have amazing clients who want to learn!
BEST meeting I’ve had all year, hands down.
Cori, a very enthusiastic and erudite piece and I know Kristi is an excellent coach for all this. Glad to hear about your most excellent adventure and as it continues! Happy Friday, Wendy
Thank you Wendy. Maybe I needed the pic from Young Frankenstein when they’re all in the lab because there was a lot of brainstorming going on. We kept saying “oh, I like that phrase. I need to write a post about this!” Lol
Cori, that's great!!! I love Young Frankenstein, one of the funniest movies ever (along with Blazing Saddles!!!) Brainstorming is a very very good thing to do, as it sort of storms the bastions of the thought process and crashes through the gates.
Wendy, thank you 😊