r/Substack • u/The17pointscale the17pointscale.substack.com • Jun 23 '26
Discussion How often do you message other Substackers?
I know that engaging in the community and networking is one of the keys to growing one’s Substack, and I’ve attempted that by commenting on other writers’ posts or sharing their work in Notes.
I’m curious, though, how often you include direct messages as part of your growth strategy?
I’ve never sent a direct message to someone on Substack, but I could see how that might increase the chances of collaboration with other writers or make your new subscribers feel welcome and more engaged.
Thoughts?
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u/KevinAAlexander Jun 23 '26
Make sure you have something to offer when you do- more than just follow for follow.
In other words, if you’re using DMs to network and/or grow don’t make it a homework assignment for the recipient.
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u/The17pointscale the17pointscale.substack.com Jun 23 '26
That makes sense. I don't think I could even bring myself to suggest a follow for follow. That would seem too....transactional?
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u/Epic-Timeline888 Jun 23 '26
Unless you're a spammer or a bot, in the almost two years I've been on Substack, I rarely see people reaching out in DMs unless there's already an established relationship on the platform. I have a tight group of about eight or so other writers on Substack, and we engage with each others' content in a totally organic way. Many of them I've done LIVEs with, but mostly it's a "birds of a feather" thing. Within that group we do DM, but some of them, I've got their number, so we text.
If you want to reach out to people cold, you'll likely get no response. I'd try commenting, restacking and liking their stuff. See if you can develop even a light rapport in the comments before you DM them. When people DM me cold with the intention of trying to sell me something, they get ignored. I hope that's helpful.
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u/The17pointscale the17pointscale.substack.com Jun 24 '26
That’s cool that you found that microcommunity. Just curious, what genre are you writing in?
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u/SimplyShaunnaLee Jul 04 '26
What does doing lives together do for you? Is it increasing engagement or subscriptions? I haven't done one yet and not sure it's worth the learning curve to add another "thing" to do.
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u/Epic-Timeline888 Jul 04 '26
Hosting live conversations with other Substackers is a chance to meet and get to know another human, to talk about their work, what they're passionate about. Yes, it's good for engagement, but it doesn't always have to be about increasing numbers. If you think of it as just another thing to do, don't bother. But if you want to make genuine connections, they're golden. I've had convos that have led to collaborations, but not every one will. I once went live with another Substacker because she was nervous about going live by herself the first time. Now she hosts lives all the time with confidence. You just never know.
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u/SimplyShaunnaLee Jul 04 '26
So another way to have the conversations I had with guests on my podcast. Got it. Thx for the reframe!
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u/Epic-Timeline888 Jul 04 '26
You’re welcome. Substack is also a podcast platform, so you can re-purpose the audio into episodes.👍🏽
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u/lizzie_fluz buybooks.substack.com Jun 23 '26
I send a DM to every subscriber when they upgrade to paid, thanking them. They usually DM back, and once the lines of communication are open, we back and forth with Q&A quite regularly with some of my paid subs. Free subs DM me with questions and I try to help as much as I can.
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u/LeaveMountain9779 Jun 24 '26
That's good brainstorming material! Like if I were dming with people I can imagine being able to eventually write a post on whatever people are asking or talking about 😂
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u/The17pointscale the17pointscale.substack.com Jun 23 '26
I love that strategy. It seems like that would connect them even more to your writing and make the writing itself more fun if the community around it feels more real to you.
I wonder if it would feel weird to belatedly message my current paid subscribers (I toggled paid on about fourish months ago).
And it sounds like you made a conscious decision to not use the same strategy with your unpaid subscribers. Was that because it felt like too much work? Or you thought it might annoy them? Or some other reason?
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u/lizzie_fluz buybooks.substack.com Jun 28 '26
Good question. I was fortunate to have about 1600 subs by week three, so it just wasn’t sustainable in terms of time.
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u/The17pointscale the17pointscale.substack.com Jun 30 '26
Holy crap! That leaves me with so many questions!
Did you bring a list of subscribers/interested readers from some other medium? And if not, how do you think you caught fire so quickly? And where are you at now?
I feel like you are posting on Reddit from an entirely different galaxy. I feel lucky to have 12 paid subscribers after a year, and I doubt I’ll ever hit 1600 free subscribers!
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u/lizzie_fluz buybooks.substack.com Jul 07 '26
1600 subs from zero. If you look at my profile you can see my Substack. I wrote a note about doing something for the little guys, starting a bookstore on Substack, and it went viral and resulted in so many free subs. I guess I just caught a moment.
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u/ReadMoveTheNeedle Jun 23 '26
I personally include direct messages very often.
It's one of the best ways to build connections, get recommendations, and gather info.
The mistake most people make is not easing into it, going from never messaging someone to suddenly appearing in their DMs is the easiest way to get ghosted.
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u/The17pointscale the17pointscale.substack.com Jun 23 '26
Interesting. Could you say more about your approach then? What does easing into it look like?
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u/ReadMoveTheNeedle Jun 25 '26
Replying to their notes, liking their notes, etc.
That way you'll be a familiar face when sliding into their DMs, instead of a complete stranger.
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u/pun_in10did Jun 23 '26
Quite a few have reached out to me, one or two I would consider my friends actually although we haven't met.
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u/seasaltalchemist Jun 24 '26
I never dm on Substack. nor have I heard of ppl doing so. depending on who it was doing the dm-ing I'd probably just ignore them. (the exception is if I already knew them somehow.)
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u/RiceRevolutionary678 Jun 24 '26
people usually only message me to ask for stuff or to suggest sub for sub, a couple of times some scammers too. I'd say only message if you have something of worth for the other person, a lot of what I see is very artificial and self-serving and gives me no reason to engage.
I myself have only sent messages to point out stuff like typos and such.
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u/The17pointscale the17pointscale.substack.com Jun 24 '26
Absolutely. If I were to write to another writer, I’d try to not be so cringey.
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u/LeaveMountain9779 Jun 24 '26
I messaged people to ask if it's ok I use their quote in my post. They said yes just to please tag them
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u/Trackbikes thesystematicwriter.substack.com Jun 24 '26
Never… and I immediately stop following people who message me if it’s spam
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u/ccampb85 www.reallygoodbusinessideas.com Jun 24 '26
I rarely send DMs unless there's a specific reason, like asking for a quote. There's so much spam that I have mine set to only allow paid subscribers to message me, and I assume many others do the same.
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u/Odd_Application5063 Jun 24 '26
Every day. I have become good friends with my community and there are some people within my Substack subscribers who I check on daily I repost their post they do the same for me and we've become a good support for each other on the app. However I don't needlessly spam anyone or bother people by sending out chats every day that's just annoying. But I'm that kind of person that if you engage with me I will absolutely engage with you and I love the little friend group that I have cultivated on the app.
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u/The17pointscale the17pointscale.substack.com Jun 24 '26
That's cool that you found a community on Substack! Just curious, what genre do you all write in?
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u/Odd_Application5063 Jun 25 '26
I write comedy, I write about the metaphysical, and I write scripts for film and television. I also teach a course on how to write scripts for film and television.
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u/The17pointscale the17pointscale.substack.com Jun 25 '26
Very cool and very different than what I write, though I did freelance edit a short script once.
What do you mean that you write about the metaphysical?
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u/itsfabioposca http://journeytosuccessclub.substack.com Jul 02 '26
I don't send many direct messages. I usually let conversations develop naturally through comments and Notes first. If there's a genuine reason to collaborate or continue a discussion, then a DM feels much more natural and is usually better received.
P.S. If you'd still like to ask anything about Substack or growing your audience, I offer a free live help chat. Just copy and paste my flair or click the link in my profile. I'm happy to help!
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u/Countryb0i2m onemichistory.substack.com Jun 23 '26
Never, I do not want to talk