I've only been on Substack a few months now. I had a note go viral in April which gave me a huge jump. (I had 12 subscribers at the start of April and I grew to almost 1200 by the end of April.) That seemed like an unrealistic amount of growth, so I imagine I just got lucky with the algorithm. I've lost a few over May, but I can say that May has been very very slow. I also feel like there's just less activity in my feed, so really not sure what to think. My Substack is called, The Authentic Voice, and I will always stay true to that. I refuse to play games to try to "win" at the algorithm. I prefer to believe that if I create good content, my readers will find me.
Wow! That’s incredible. I went from 220 to 1120 or so in 2 and half months, so it was consistent. But May has been AWFUL and I lost subs when I did my last live. But I’m not changing who I am or what I write for anyone.
Aww. How frustrating. You know, when I first noticed my subscriber count go down, I immediately wondered what I had done wrong. Then I thought about it. Some people likely wandered in to my Substack without fully understanding what I write about. Just keep your authentic voice and your readers will find you.
Thank you for perfectly capturing the very real frustration so many of us our feeling! I came to Substack because I wanted to write and I wanted people to read what I write. And sometimes it doesn’t feel like you actually have to be a good writer to build an audience. It feels completely random. I’ve been trying to just focus on writing and keep doing what im doing, but the randomness of what works and what doesn’t, and growth that feels like a crawl when j see other creators skyrocket because they figured out something I didn’t. Thank you for writing this!
You are super consistent and it should definitely factor that in. However like you said it’s impossible to figure out what works and what doesn’t. I’m not chasing numbers, instead I’m wondering if I did something wrong to deter people. You said it too, people have skyrocketed and I’m really not sure how I became stuck. I know there are other out there who think I’m being “greedy or perhaps ungrateful ” but it’s not that. I equate it to being an author and having a bestseller, then publishing another book and it flops… like did I hit a plateau. So I hear you loud and clear. Thanks for always supporting me my friend.
It’s so funny… I’m consistent because I want to be, but the consistency isn’t always rewarded! Substack is so random! But I don’t think you did something wrong, I think it’s just impossible to figure out how to do it right and if you try to use logic, you’ll be disappointed, because logic doesn’t seem to apply! :) I don’t think you’re being greedy, I think you’re being strategic and I’m glad you posted this.
You’re very welcome and likewise. If anything, at least the connections that come out of Substack are genuine and strong. I’m so gad we have each other. I’m trying to also be as accountable as possible and I do know I’ve not really done long posts in a while (before this) so I will take a page from your playbook and be more consistent. I am happy to say that since publishing this, it has started to pick up again.
I started Substack almost 6 months ago only for one reason, to show my art. I hesitated to start because I really don't like social media but I had to start somewhere. First month I was very consistend but then I became anxious. The time I wanted to spend painting, I was spending on writing and posting. I didn't join to chase subscribers but to show the best of my work. At the end I end up showing the worst just to post a note so algorithm would not forget me. I see users posting few notes each day and ask myself when do they find time?! I haven't post a note for over three weeks or long post over three months, Not because I don't have anything to say but because I feel happy dedicating my time to making better art, reading and getting my health back instead of feeding algorithm. I'll post when I am ready and happy with It, otherwise it's not worth my time. In the meantime I open Substack while having a coffee or tea or have nothing else to do becouse there are some artists and writers whose work I enjoy and appreciate.
My subscriber count hasn’t started well 3 in 3 weeks . I would say I’m an algorithm worst nightmare as I am talking about social community issues , ideas and everything in between . It’s all connected . I just did a post about how the best ideas lie between spaces . From experience . So I don’t know . Maybe it will be my own dear diary but it’s a killer as I am only delving into ideas and issues at societal level . Not my person which is why I’m anonymous
. There feels like a lot of do this. , stay vulnerable , start vulnerable . Feels so prescribed . Dose . You can’t try shed a tear to connect to audience but hey what do I know .
I sent out a message to substack readers about the culture of substack as I don’t know if this is the right platform for discussing social community and wanted thoughts ? . No responses .
I’m anonymous so I get harder but I want the issues to be the story . Hopefully 🤞.
Can anyone answer is views bots ? I’ve 11,000 views on the page . Is that real people ? If so I’m doing shite 😂 oh well . I’m loving it but have my moments
It’s lovely to read a long form from you Nat! I hear you, thank you for calling this out. Honestly I feel like I’m writing into a void- I’m pouring my heart out into some really quality (can I say that myself??) writing, but it’s just not being seen. They’re not even being opened by many of my subscribers because their inboxes, just like mine, are inundated daily with churn, it’s not their fault my pieces are getting lost in the sheer volume. The last couple of weeks I’ve actually been thinking about deleting Substack. I don’t want to pre-plan my Notes, I don’t want to spit one out every hour, it’s not authentic. The point is to write what you feel, when you feel it. I feel like Substack’s golden era was brief and has passed. I’ll stick around a little longer and hopefully be proven wrong. In the meantime thank you for being you and for your brilliant observations!
Awww thank you Anita. I know it’s been too long. It is indeed frustrating and your work is like top 5 for me here on Substack. Oh no please don’t delete it, I love reading your work- always. I can’t figure out the golden era either. It’s still that way for some, but I must say that since I write this my numbers have started to rise, slowly but consistently. I refuse to pre-plan any notes because I think it defeats the spontaneity. I’m glad you’re here and others deserve to meet you too. 🩷
I know we’re not “supposed “ to feel that, but you’re 💯 right! Like anything else in life, stalked progress does feel defeating and it’s not anything for you or me to be ashamed of.
I feel sad and almost betrayed: Substack held the promise of being a real, genuine platform for long-form writing and organic connection and growth, rather than contorting our voice/content into something consumable by algorithm and jumping through silly, endless hoops.
I may have missed Substack's golden age. It's more like shouting into a void for me and I'm getting pretty hoarse. Not gone yet, but close. If anyone misses me, you can find me writing with a stick in the sand at low tide instead.
I can relate to how you feel, but don’t go. I think they really push their paid subscribers as that’s how they generate revenue. Free subscribers give them nothing. I don’t have paid turned on so I’m at the mercy of the algorithm. That shouting into the void thing is so real and so frustrating. Hang in there my friend, we’re in this together.
I really like your article Nat. I'm 3 weeks in. I was recommended this platform because a friend knew I loved to write, and so it's given me an outlet for this. I'm trying my hardest not to check stats too much, or sit and think ' what can I write to win more followers' etc. Algorithms... its a hard game to play as the rules keep changing it seems!
I've resolved to simply turn up, consistently.
Both with the words that 'bubble to the surface' from within, and engaging with other writers work- as they resonate and give words to my thoughts and feelings.
We could all have AI do our work, use our tone, and, as you say, increase our publishing by 500%. But to what gain? There's an constant internal battle with our ego here.
If writing- inspiring others- is a 'proclivity, it will connect, and it will give some strength to those that engage. But, exposure is the difficult part, and your article deals with this insightfully- and the tension of the platform to have its founding integrity whilst grappling with the commercial aspect of it, and, I'm sure, pressure from shareholders.
First of all thank you so much for your kind words and I’m glad the post resonated. I commend you on doing this the right way, I believe this is how it should be. Authentic content which invokes a feeling from the reader. I refuse to write for the algorithm and yes, the rules change every few months. It’s extremely frustrating. For me it’s about gauging my progress and trying to understand if my content is successfully reaching the audience. Welcome here 😃
Many of us came here because it felt more authentic than the other platforms, somewhere to write, find your voice, and connect with people in a similar place. That's what it still is for me. With the raise they've done, I don't think the intention is for it to stay that quiet corner of the internet.
I can't and won't produce reams of content. I don't have the capacity and I know myself well enough to know it'll start feeling like a job, and then I'll stop. My growth has stalled this month and the engagement drop is demotivating. But I'm not going back to playing that game.
I agree as well Neema and I’m also similar. The goal here was to write and find my audience. I was doing this and it was working, plus I was growing. To come to a screeching halt seems a little odd. Granted I’ve only done Lives and notes for about 7 weeks but still…no growth or engagement is strange. I’m not going to change who I am or alter my behavior to feed an algorithm. However I felt like it needed to be addressed. Once again, many people are experiencing the same thing. It’s taken up a little since this post, so that’s movement in the right direction.
A lot of people have noticed the same drop in reach, me included. It does make you wonder whether the platform is quietly recalibrating around bigger accounts, the ones arriving with a list already behind them. Glad you're calling it out! I have no intention of changing how I write either. Came here to show up as me.
Feel this in my bones this morning. Been here for a monrh and have hit a bump...no activity, little subscribers, no response to posts. May write about this or this too shall pass..not sure which way to go this morning🫤
Oh dear Kathy, the first month for me was painful. I think I was excited to just hit the double digits. I look at my first notes and they have like 2 likes. So hang in there and it will get better.
1. I’m so happy to see you back on your long-form again!
2. You know my story, and I felt for a long time that I was “punished” by the algorithm and only began making some progress by connecting more with people.
3. Growth ebbs and flows, virality can give sustained growth (think of it like another form of income… but with subscribers) alongside your normal posts/Notes/Lives.
When you surge up, some people don’t sub for the right reasons (it happens) and others maybe decided to unsub when you took a break (their loss, but it’s part of growing)!
You are awesome and will find your momentum again Nat!🙂
Thanks Chase. I’m eternally grateful for all of the supportive and awesome people I’ve met here, you definitely being up there. I think I’m scared of losing momentum. In a strange way, I need to make sure that I’m making progress somewhere else so that I never have to return to corporate hell. If this was strictly a social media kind of thing, I would not be in the least bit concerned. However like you said, it’s ebbs and flows. Hoping the flow returns, because I’ve seen a lot of people who get stuck exactly where I am. I want to be sure I continue to make an impact 😁. Thank you for prompting me to write again. Funny how I wrote your article and then I got this one out there too.
We do lose momentum at times and that’s okay. It just means we have to adapt (I actually was inspired by your response and I think it applies perfectly).
You will make an impact as long as you remain true to your why! There are many people who will go through a situation where they can relate to your story in some way.
If you can tie your “progress” to that, versus feeling progress through numbers, you will feel rewarded (and likely will actually see the numbers follow with it again).
This is interesting. I came here not to chase numbers, but to write and showcase my work. I was nearly two years at just around 40 subscribers. Then I had a post that was not exactly viral, but in a small way. People restacked and almost over night I passed 100, and am not over 180. I look about once a month and don't give a fig about the algorithm. Maybe I accidentally fell into some rhythm... I'm hopeful that you can grow just as fast as you want to and you can find the key on how to do that. Love, Virg
My problem is I only want to grow the way I choose. It’s by being authentic and creating work that makes a difference. Chasing numbers is different from monitoring your growth. I’m here to build so not going to feel bad about that, what I’m not here to do is to manipulate an algorithm just to gain subscribers. If this is what happened to me in the past then it defeats what I thought was successful. That’s what upsets me the most.
April was ok, but May has been stagnant for me as well. I’m fighting all urges to try to “figure it out” and double down instead on the projects I’ve got planned already and just keep going (for now!)
I don’t even think I know how to figure it out. I think what’s upsetting me, is not the number but the thought of whether I was lulled into a false sense of security. Meaning- I was doing the right things, succeeding. Was that all in my head? I experienced something very similar in January and then growth took off.
Is it because it doesn’t have to do with your own work, effort or ethic… just some algorithm that decides if you’re successful in whether your writing gets seen or not?
I think you’re right what you say in your post here, about the algorithm and it’s frustrating. What can be done though? Other than say fuck it and insist to be ourselves? (And hope that still works?)
Exactly Jen! It really does fucking suck because like anything else we all want to show some level of success and growth. Doing it the proper way and not seeing the correlation. I’m sure there are people who will think I’m being bitter, but this is very near and dear to me. I need to know it’s making a difference. I know you get it! Lol maybe this is some content for our next live.
Totally, I DO get it - and I don’t think it’s bitter at all. You’re pulling back the curtain. And yeah good content for a LIvE - I wager many can relate to this experience, and many are in it with us and trying not to quit or bend to the algorithm.
Made myself a promise in February that lasted about six weeks. Then the "post daily" advice got loud enough that I climbed right back on the wheel I swore I was done with. The fatigue was instant and completely recognizable — felt it on every other platform. Back to writing when I actually have something now. Hoping Substack stays different. Not convinced yet, but hoping.
It’s the same for me. I don’t write to please the algorithm, I write when I have something to say. The daily notes thing was annoying too. I want to do it just because I have to.
I don’t really have much of a subscriber base yet, but like you, I will continue to be me.
That’s all you can do until the pendulum swings in your favor.
I've only been on Substack a few months now. I had a note go viral in April which gave me a huge jump. (I had 12 subscribers at the start of April and I grew to almost 1200 by the end of April.) That seemed like an unrealistic amount of growth, so I imagine I just got lucky with the algorithm. I've lost a few over May, but I can say that May has been very very slow. I also feel like there's just less activity in my feed, so really not sure what to think. My Substack is called, The Authentic Voice, and I will always stay true to that. I refuse to play games to try to "win" at the algorithm. I prefer to believe that if I create good content, my readers will find me.
Wow! That’s incredible. I went from 220 to 1120 or so in 2 and half months, so it was consistent. But May has been AWFUL and I lost subs when I did my last live. But I’m not changing who I am or what I write for anyone.
Aww. How frustrating. You know, when I first noticed my subscriber count go down, I immediately wondered what I had done wrong. Then I thought about it. Some people likely wandered in to my Substack without fully understanding what I write about. Just keep your authentic voice and your readers will find you.
Thank you for perfectly capturing the very real frustration so many of us our feeling! I came to Substack because I wanted to write and I wanted people to read what I write. And sometimes it doesn’t feel like you actually have to be a good writer to build an audience. It feels completely random. I’ve been trying to just focus on writing and keep doing what im doing, but the randomness of what works and what doesn’t, and growth that feels like a crawl when j see other creators skyrocket because they figured out something I didn’t. Thank you for writing this!
You are super consistent and it should definitely factor that in. However like you said it’s impossible to figure out what works and what doesn’t. I’m not chasing numbers, instead I’m wondering if I did something wrong to deter people. You said it too, people have skyrocketed and I’m really not sure how I became stuck. I know there are other out there who think I’m being “greedy or perhaps ungrateful ” but it’s not that. I equate it to being an author and having a bestseller, then publishing another book and it flops… like did I hit a plateau. So I hear you loud and clear. Thanks for always supporting me my friend.
It’s so funny… I’m consistent because I want to be, but the consistency isn’t always rewarded! Substack is so random! But I don’t think you did something wrong, I think it’s just impossible to figure out how to do it right and if you try to use logic, you’ll be disappointed, because logic doesn’t seem to apply! :) I don’t think you’re being greedy, I think you’re being strategic and I’m glad you posted this.
You’re very welcome and likewise. If anything, at least the connections that come out of Substack are genuine and strong. I’m so gad we have each other. I’m trying to also be as accountable as possible and I do know I’ve not really done long posts in a while (before this) so I will take a page from your playbook and be more consistent. I am happy to say that since publishing this, it has started to pick up again.
Yes. It's happened a few times. Then it slowly grows again. *Shrug*
Ok well that’s somewhat promising.
Don't sweat the small stuff — and it's ALL small stuff.
But you got a lot of engagement with this post.
So there you go!
There are things more upsetting on Substack than Substack simply building their business.
They own it. They can do what they want.
Some people are just mean without realizing the consequences of their words.
Words matter. People believe stuff that isn't true.
Be kind. And — Just write. ✍️
I started Substack almost 6 months ago only for one reason, to show my art. I hesitated to start because I really don't like social media but I had to start somewhere. First month I was very consistend but then I became anxious. The time I wanted to spend painting, I was spending on writing and posting. I didn't join to chase subscribers but to show the best of my work. At the end I end up showing the worst just to post a note so algorithm would not forget me. I see users posting few notes each day and ask myself when do they find time?! I haven't post a note for over three weeks or long post over three months, Not because I don't have anything to say but because I feel happy dedicating my time to making better art, reading and getting my health back instead of feeding algorithm. I'll post when I am ready and happy with It, otherwise it's not worth my time. In the meantime I open Substack while having a coffee or tea or have nothing else to do becouse there are some artists and writers whose work I enjoy and appreciate.
My subscriber count hasn’t started well 3 in 3 weeks . I would say I’m an algorithm worst nightmare as I am talking about social community issues , ideas and everything in between . It’s all connected . I just did a post about how the best ideas lie between spaces . From experience . So I don’t know . Maybe it will be my own dear diary but it’s a killer as I am only delving into ideas and issues at societal level . Not my person which is why I’m anonymous
. There feels like a lot of do this. , stay vulnerable , start vulnerable . Feels so prescribed . Dose . You can’t try shed a tear to connect to audience but hey what do I know .
I sent out a message to substack readers about the culture of substack as I don’t know if this is the right platform for discussing social community and wanted thoughts ? . No responses .
I’m anonymous so I get harder but I want the issues to be the story . Hopefully 🤞.
Can anyone answer is views bots ? I’ve 11,000 views on the page . Is that real people ? If so I’m doing shite 😂 oh well . I’m loving it but have my moments
It’s lovely to read a long form from you Nat! I hear you, thank you for calling this out. Honestly I feel like I’m writing into a void- I’m pouring my heart out into some really quality (can I say that myself??) writing, but it’s just not being seen. They’re not even being opened by many of my subscribers because their inboxes, just like mine, are inundated daily with churn, it’s not their fault my pieces are getting lost in the sheer volume. The last couple of weeks I’ve actually been thinking about deleting Substack. I don’t want to pre-plan my Notes, I don’t want to spit one out every hour, it’s not authentic. The point is to write what you feel, when you feel it. I feel like Substack’s golden era was brief and has passed. I’ll stick around a little longer and hopefully be proven wrong. In the meantime thank you for being you and for your brilliant observations!
Awww thank you Anita. I know it’s been too long. It is indeed frustrating and your work is like top 5 for me here on Substack. Oh no please don’t delete it, I love reading your work- always. I can’t figure out the golden era either. It’s still that way for some, but I must say that since I write this my numbers have started to rise, slowly but consistently. I refuse to pre-plan any notes because I think it defeats the spontaneity. I’m glad you’re here and others deserve to meet you too. 🩷
It feels so demoralising
I know we’re not “supposed “ to feel that, but you’re 💯 right! Like anything else in life, stalked progress does feel defeating and it’s not anything for you or me to be ashamed of.
Thank you for naming this.
I feel sad and almost betrayed: Substack held the promise of being a real, genuine platform for long-form writing and organic connection and growth, rather than contorting our voice/content into something consumable by algorithm and jumping through silly, endless hoops.
I may have missed Substack's golden age. It's more like shouting into a void for me and I'm getting pretty hoarse. Not gone yet, but close. If anyone misses me, you can find me writing with a stick in the sand at low tide instead.
I can relate to how you feel, but don’t go. I think they really push their paid subscribers as that’s how they generate revenue. Free subscribers give them nothing. I don’t have paid turned on so I’m at the mercy of the algorithm. That shouting into the void thing is so real and so frustrating. Hang in there my friend, we’re in this together.
hanging in there with you, friend! <3
I really like your article Nat. I'm 3 weeks in. I was recommended this platform because a friend knew I loved to write, and so it's given me an outlet for this. I'm trying my hardest not to check stats too much, or sit and think ' what can I write to win more followers' etc. Algorithms... its a hard game to play as the rules keep changing it seems!
I've resolved to simply turn up, consistently.
Both with the words that 'bubble to the surface' from within, and engaging with other writers work- as they resonate and give words to my thoughts and feelings.
We could all have AI do our work, use our tone, and, as you say, increase our publishing by 500%. But to what gain? There's an constant internal battle with our ego here.
If writing- inspiring others- is a 'proclivity, it will connect, and it will give some strength to those that engage. But, exposure is the difficult part, and your article deals with this insightfully- and the tension of the platform to have its founding integrity whilst grappling with the commercial aspect of it, and, I'm sure, pressure from shareholders.
Thanks for taking the time to write this...
First of all thank you so much for your kind words and I’m glad the post resonated. I commend you on doing this the right way, I believe this is how it should be. Authentic content which invokes a feeling from the reader. I refuse to write for the algorithm and yes, the rules change every few months. It’s extremely frustrating. For me it’s about gauging my progress and trying to understand if my content is successfully reaching the audience. Welcome here 😃
Many of us came here because it felt more authentic than the other platforms, somewhere to write, find your voice, and connect with people in a similar place. That's what it still is for me. With the raise they've done, I don't think the intention is for it to stay that quiet corner of the internet.
I can't and won't produce reams of content. I don't have the capacity and I know myself well enough to know it'll start feeling like a job, and then I'll stop. My growth has stalled this month and the engagement drop is demotivating. But I'm not going back to playing that game.
I agree as well Neema and I’m also similar. The goal here was to write and find my audience. I was doing this and it was working, plus I was growing. To come to a screeching halt seems a little odd. Granted I’ve only done Lives and notes for about 7 weeks but still…no growth or engagement is strange. I’m not going to change who I am or alter my behavior to feed an algorithm. However I felt like it needed to be addressed. Once again, many people are experiencing the same thing. It’s taken up a little since this post, so that’s movement in the right direction.
A lot of people have noticed the same drop in reach, me included. It does make you wonder whether the platform is quietly recalibrating around bigger accounts, the ones arriving with a list already behind them. Glad you're calling it out! I have no intention of changing how I write either. Came here to show up as me.
Feel this in my bones this morning. Been here for a monrh and have hit a bump...no activity, little subscribers, no response to posts. May write about this or this too shall pass..not sure which way to go this morning🫤
Oh dear Kathy, the first month for me was painful. I think I was excited to just hit the double digits. I look at my first notes and they have like 2 likes. So hang in there and it will get better.
Thanks Nat. I feel I’m always second guessing myself during these early stages. Maybe that’s normal. Love the flow and realness of your writing btw😊
1. I’m so happy to see you back on your long-form again!
2. You know my story, and I felt for a long time that I was “punished” by the algorithm and only began making some progress by connecting more with people.
3. Growth ebbs and flows, virality can give sustained growth (think of it like another form of income… but with subscribers) alongside your normal posts/Notes/Lives.
When you surge up, some people don’t sub for the right reasons (it happens) and others maybe decided to unsub when you took a break (their loss, but it’s part of growing)!
You are awesome and will find your momentum again Nat!🙂
Thanks Chase. I’m eternally grateful for all of the supportive and awesome people I’ve met here, you definitely being up there. I think I’m scared of losing momentum. In a strange way, I need to make sure that I’m making progress somewhere else so that I never have to return to corporate hell. If this was strictly a social media kind of thing, I would not be in the least bit concerned. However like you said, it’s ebbs and flows. Hoping the flow returns, because I’ve seen a lot of people who get stuck exactly where I am. I want to be sure I continue to make an impact 😁. Thank you for prompting me to write again. Funny how I wrote your article and then I got this one out there too.
We do lose momentum at times and that’s okay. It just means we have to adapt (I actually was inspired by your response and I think it applies perfectly).
You will make an impact as long as you remain true to your why! There are many people who will go through a situation where they can relate to your story in some way.
If you can tie your “progress” to that, versus feeling progress through numbers, you will feel rewarded (and likely will actually see the numbers follow with it again).
Very grateful for you too! You got this🙂
This is interesting. I came here not to chase numbers, but to write and showcase my work. I was nearly two years at just around 40 subscribers. Then I had a post that was not exactly viral, but in a small way. People restacked and almost over night I passed 100, and am not over 180. I look about once a month and don't give a fig about the algorithm. Maybe I accidentally fell into some rhythm... I'm hopeful that you can grow just as fast as you want to and you can find the key on how to do that. Love, Virg
My problem is I only want to grow the way I choose. It’s by being authentic and creating work that makes a difference. Chasing numbers is different from monitoring your growth. I’m here to build so not going to feel bad about that, what I’m not here to do is to manipulate an algorithm just to gain subscribers. If this is what happened to me in the past then it defeats what I thought was successful. That’s what upsets me the most.
Completely understand. It shouldn’t take manipulation of an algorithm to build. Authenticity counts.
April was ok, but May has been stagnant for me as well. I’m fighting all urges to try to “figure it out” and double down instead on the projects I’ve got planned already and just keep going (for now!)
I don’t even think I know how to figure it out. I think what’s upsetting me, is not the number but the thought of whether I was lulled into a false sense of security. Meaning- I was doing the right things, succeeding. Was that all in my head? I experienced something very similar in January and then growth took off.
Is it because it doesn’t have to do with your own work, effort or ethic… just some algorithm that decides if you’re successful in whether your writing gets seen or not?
I think you’re right what you say in your post here, about the algorithm and it’s frustrating. What can be done though? Other than say fuck it and insist to be ourselves? (And hope that still works?)
Exactly Jen! It really does fucking suck because like anything else we all want to show some level of success and growth. Doing it the proper way and not seeing the correlation. I’m sure there are people who will think I’m being bitter, but this is very near and dear to me. I need to know it’s making a difference. I know you get it! Lol maybe this is some content for our next live.
Totally, I DO get it - and I don’t think it’s bitter at all. You’re pulling back the curtain. And yeah good content for a LIvE - I wager many can relate to this experience, and many are in it with us and trying not to quit or bend to the algorithm.
Made myself a promise in February that lasted about six weeks. Then the "post daily" advice got loud enough that I climbed right back on the wheel I swore I was done with. The fatigue was instant and completely recognizable — felt it on every other platform. Back to writing when I actually have something now. Hoping Substack stays different. Not convinced yet, but hoping.
It’s the same for me. I don’t write to please the algorithm, I write when I have something to say. The daily notes thing was annoying too. I want to do it just because I have to.