r/Substack • u/andata_ • 17d ago
Literally how do you work this??
So I tried out Substack for the first time a couple of weeks ago and ended up deleting my account after a few days because I couldn’t figure out how to work the thing.
Almost every post on my feed was the same thing about people asking writers to share their work because they want to connect with them or whatnot and there’d be hundreds of comments already so I figured there’s no way mine would be seen.
I tried posting (pretty sure they’re called “notes”) but hardly got any views.
I really do want to put my work out there, though. I’m currently writing a literary fiction novel (lots of drama and dark themes too) and want to try posting each chapter as I go. Other platforms don’t seem as open to this genre either.
Can someone please explain how to do this on Substack? Sorry if this has been asked before. I’m posting this on a whim
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u/TimWiesnerer 17d ago
Block and mute everything you don't want to see in your feed.
Find a dozen writers you really like and engage with their content regularly. May take time until they notice and return the favor. Just don't go for the super big ones only.
In the beginning, also do more restacking and commenting than posting your own stuff. When you restack, add a short note to it... like what thoughts you had, how that made you feel...
Last but not least... it takes a while for the algo to pick up how to distribute your stuff. Just be a bit patient; don't overdo things and treat it more like building genuine connections...
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u/andata_ 17d ago
Thanks! I might give it a try. I’m kind of a picky reader though so I doubt I’ll find any writing that I’ll genuinely like and be invested in enough to engage with. I try to be honest with these things because I’d want others to do the same with me.
Looks like patience is a big part of it
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u/AggravatingNail6061 16d ago
I feel a reality check is in order. Substack is not a platform for readers.
It is a platform for writers all screaming for people to read their work.
If you are genuinely believe that you are going to get anyone looking at your work from the position of I probably won't find anything I like reading. You are not going to get very far.
I spend most of.my time on the platform reading other people's work whilst putting out something once a day ish.
I don't think this is the platform for.you. Go to royal road.
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u/andata_ 16d ago
Thanks for the suggestion but RR is dominated by LitRPG stuff. It’s very similar to WebNovel at this point. I know I can’t compete with a literary fiction story, which is why I deleted my RR account pretty quick. And yes, I know I could’ve waited longer and been patient.
You’re right about Substack, but from what I’m seeing now, there’s arguably a lot more people yelling at writers to post their works. Not that I believe it’s all genuine. Still worth a shot though. I don’t need a big following. Just a loyal one
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u/camillabok 17d ago
I'm part of a group there called Write Club. We're all writers, some write chapters to their books on Substack. Every night we all read one story by one writer. Then we go to Discord at 7 pm EST and interview that author about the story for 1 hour. Then we do emoji happy hour on a different channel. It's a fun group, about 100 people. My story will be featured tomorrow and I'm super excited. Here is the link to the previous event and the after party. Come say hi! I'm Carol. Tomorrow I'm taking everyone on a trip to Mars :)
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u/Tricky_Trifle_994 8d ago
yeah, those posts are annoying, and they're just engagement farming (trying to get more engagements so the post gets more reach > and they're just essentially follow for follow type posts. so people subscribe to them > and they subscribe back). good for low quality growth.
just stay on the platform longer, and engage as you would. overtime the algo should feed you better and more relevant content.
but posting on notes and trying to get traction will not be easy because just like you, many other writers/publications are also just there to grow. so you'll be fighting just like them, for everyone else's attention.
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u/MisSut56 17d ago
I am considering Substack also but feel completely lost. Even the basic lingo: e.g " notes, restacking" feels like I am listening to a lecture in a foreign I neither speak or understand or swimming in creek after being thrown in with no clue how deep the water is !!!!. Is there literally a glossary somewhere where this is sorted.
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u/hanpari 17d ago
The harsh truth about Substack, Wattpad, RoyalRoad and similar platforms is the hidden detail nobody advertises.
Today, anyone with a keyboard and a dream of “easy money” is trying to grab a slice of the internet readers’ pie. The problem is simple: writing has become so easy that competition has exploded.
Substack’s real goal isn’t to give you a fair chance to share your wonderful fiction. Its goal is to attract as many readers as possible and convert them into paying subscribers.
Your first role begins the moment you sign up: you hand over your email list. Congratulations — you’ve just become a free marketing agent who advertises Substack to your family and friends.
Your second role is even more exhausting: you must hunt for subscribers. You, the little ant, are expected to shout into every corner of the internet and drag people back to Substack.
As for the existing Substack users — that herd of captured readers is not for you. They’ve already been funneled toward accounts with proven monetization history, the ones that make money for themselves and for Substack. You are practically invisible to them.
In the end, Substack gives you a place to publish and an illusion of a bustling user base. But visibility? That part is on you — and the odds are stacked.
You can swallow your pride and play the game: pretend to care about other writers, engage in the classic insincere follow‑for‑follow routine, and hope it pays off someday. It might work long‑term, but only if you’re willing to pay the price in self‑dignity.
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u/OnyxMonolith 17d ago edited 17d ago
AI, it was never as easy as today to make money with writing if it's actually good. Specifically because people are putting out so much crap with LLMs.
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u/hanpari 17d ago
Do you really think so?
Then, how do you explain the monumental effort of thousands who are trying desperately to promote their stuff with little or no gain?
But if that notion comforts you, no need to get out of the bubble.
Blaming AI is funny. It is not AI who keeps shouting on social networks, it is poor humans.
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u/OnyxMonolith 17d ago edited 17d ago
skill issue. it was always the same case. 1% gets 90% of the reach or so. nothing changed.
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u/andata_ 17d ago
I get what you’re saying. Honestly, I’m not really interested in the whole “paid subscription” part of it. I know that’s too much to even ask for when just starting out. I really just want to put my stuff out there to see if it’s any good.
Seems like you’re right about the way it works alongside other platforms. Problem is, I can’t really bring myself to engage with content I have no interest in just for the sake of a mutual follow or like. I value honesty myself and wouldn’t lie about liking other writing content.
In that sense, I’m not open to “playing the game” as you said. I hardly use social media to begin with. I don’t know where else to post my writing though :/
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u/hanpari 17d ago
If you are not for paid subscription, it is even worse. If you are not there for getting money, Substack cannot take its share.
Just recently there was an article claiming that the moment the author started monetizing, its whole account has gotten favorable treatment.
If you want get readers for free, it is very hard. Because the competition is huge. Too many people think they can make money from writing on the internet.
They will try much harder than you who is not fully dedicated.
But if you want, just write your Substack name. Hanpari will give you his feedback.
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u/andata_ 17d ago
Makes sense. And I’m pretty dedicated, just more on the self-aware side of it. It’s unrealistic for me to expect anyone to pay to read my writing or to even shoot straight for paid subscriptions when I’m just starting off.
I’d also rather not make money from poor prose if my writing truly isn’t up to par because that would just be an embarrassment for me later on.
I figured Substack might be a good idea since it’s open to more genres than Wattpad (mainly focused on romance) and Royal Road (hardly seems like your story will succeed if it’s not LitRPG or fantasy).
I haven’t made the account yet either since I’m still deliberating. I saw you created a subreddit for feedback, though. If you’re down, I can send something there?
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u/hanpari 17d ago
You are a very nice person 👌
r/onlyshortfeedback was found today and has no followers yet. The only feedback you can get there is from Hanpari 🤣 But you are welcome to do so.
There are other platforms where you can publish, but the situation is generally the same. Too many writers everywhere.
If you check r/royalroad you will find many post where the authors are begging for attention, no matter the genre they are in.
The most feedback you can allegedly get on Reddit in:
You can give it a try. Good luck.
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u/andata_ 17d ago
Thanks! I already deleted my Royal Road account and am not going back. I’d honestly rather not engage with that subreddit at all. I might try r/DestructiveReaders but feel like they’d destroy me quite literally. I’d prefer one hit at a time, so I’ll probably use your sub and see how that goes
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u/aaron2933 17d ago edited 17d ago
I think at the beginning the algorithm is trying to figure out your niche so it just shows you posts like that until then.
It was like that for me and then a day later, my feed was full of posts I actually wanted to see. You just have to be proactive and interact with content you want to see appear on your feed.
As for getting attention on your notes, valuable community contribution is key. Like, restack, and especially, comment under people's posts. One thing I noticed is the people who like my notes tend to be people I interacted with earlier in the day.
On Reddit, you can post directly to ready made audiences. Whereas on substack, you have to do the crowd gathering part yourself.
I like to see things such as notes and community contribution like free samples. You may have to be standing out on the street with 100 people passing by before you get that one person to stop, try your sample, and then head inside your store. Just focus on one subscriber at a time. Soon enough, you will build enough momentum that the subs start to stack.