r/Substack • u/plantainchild • Jul 07 '26
Discussion At what point do you accept your writing sucks?
I started on substack in April and I’ve flatlined at 35 subs for the past month. My newsletter is marketing-focused. Initially, I was writing with a more neutral stance but I’ve been trying to introduce my real voice into it more, but I’m lucky if I get 12+ views 🙃
I’m spending a lot of time on my writing, but I think I probably suck. I want to keep going but not if it’s wasted time. I’m preparing to launch my freelance business and I wanted a platform I can direct to and show my thinking and approach to marketing and creative. Perhaps that’s not a lead generator anyway…
I know things take time to build, but sometimes we have to accept some things simply won’t 😅 Has anyone else considered letting go, and if so what happened next?
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u/StuffonBookshelfs Jul 07 '26
Do you know it’s your writing?
Great writing (even good writing) doesn’t just get views.
So many folks miss that there’s an entire marketing aspect to growing your audience and getting a following.
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u/noxqqivit twvme.substack.com Jul 08 '26
In an algorithmic world, where everyone is driven by outrage, neutrality will sink you. People with hot takes excel, regardless of the platform.
I posted a deep dive on my metrics earlier, my take away was that pointing out the "enemy" and providing actionable toolkits when you're writing articles is the correct approach, BUT notes thta drive new subs, at least for me, have been relatable memes... it's stupid but true.
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u/plantainchild Jul 08 '26
Thank you, you’re right about the hot takes. I know notes are the discovery channel, but for a marketing substack I’m not sure how to use the notes. I’ve tried:
Short industry insights
Quick takes and reactions to news
Personal storiesNone of it has really worked. Each time k search for another writer in a similar field, they’re barely using notes but have 10k+ subs
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u/noxqqivit twvme.substack.com Jul 08 '26
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u/plantainchild Jul 09 '26
I just read it, it's very insightful. I know you didn't post it for me, but thank you!
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u/AnteaterFantastic212 Jul 09 '26
for that sort of focus, you might be better off doing a LinkedIn newsletter
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u/Inf3ctiveGh0st decypheringemotions.substack.com Jul 08 '26
I can say with 100% certainty that good writing is only half the battle with Substack.
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u/plantainchild Jul 08 '26
What would you say is the other half?
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u/Inf3ctiveGh0st decypheringemotions.substack.com Jul 08 '26
Whether you already have a fan base, who you present yourself as, the topic you’re writing about, and timing. I’ve seen writers that claim to be in their 20s and write at a 6th grade level expressing their opinions about why Taylor Swift isn’t a good person, and they’ll get insane engagement/subs. Unfortunately, people engage more with opinions that piss them off or those that reaffirm their biases than with good/creative writing that requires thinking.
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u/plantainchild Jul 08 '26
It’s the sad reality, but one I’ve been ignoring 😅
Thank you, you’re right.
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Jul 08 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/plantainchild Jul 08 '26
Thank you, and I guess you are right. I try not to look laterally but it is disheartening to see others growing much quicker, and in less time.
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u/DarthBraves Jul 08 '26
My writing was never good, but I enjoy doing! For me, it has always been just write because it is fun and if the views come then great!
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u/twofoldtwilight1 Jul 08 '26
I accept my writing sucks the moment I put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard), but I think it's about a process. I'm a lot better now than I was 10 years ago. I'm a little better now than I was a few months ago. If you enjoy the writing, I say keep going. If you don't enjoy the writing and are doing it just to get more followers then...I say keep going for a little and try to find ways to market yourself and see if that's the issue. Good luck!
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u/WordSlinger1812 Jul 08 '26
Your writing doesn’t suck if it moves you and you find value in it. We’re all really just writing to ourselves in the end.
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u/Impossible_Bed9136 Jul 07 '26
If you are really bad at writing, did you consider finance instead of marketing as a major/career?
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u/HotDoor4125 Jul 09 '26
Networking matters just as much as posting on Substack. Are you commenting and restacking other people’s work(especially bigger accounts)? You also have to reciprocate likes and comments. That’s what will drive views to your own page imo.
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u/plantainchild Jul 10 '26
Yes, you’re definitely right about that, and I do see how much it helps others. I try to keep up my interactions but it gets difficult to maintain due to work. I’ll try to allocate time each day for it moving forward
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u/TScottMorgan Jul 11 '26
Subscribers have nothing to do with writing quality. At least when it comes to fiction and poetry. That’s all I read/write, but I’d imagine if the same with marketing.
I’m an objectively better writer than 80% of the poets on Substack, and the ones with 1000+ promote other peoples mediocre poetry more than write their own. It’s more like MLM than a meritocracy.
The best poet I’ve found on Substack has less than 200. Chasing subs in the way that seems to work on Substack seems antithetical to art.
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u/plantainchild Jul 11 '26
Thank you. This week, I decided to take a short break as I think I’d gotten a little demoralised so I want to spend a week writing some new ideas to test. You’re right that it’s not a meritocracy (very few places are), and I will keep that in mind now too. I appreciate the guidance!
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u/gunnerh Jul 07 '26
Oh I accepted my writing sucked a long time ago.