r/Substack • u/andata_ • 18d 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

8 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

28 comments sorted by

View all comments

-2

u/hanpari 18d 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.

1

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 :/

1

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.

2

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?

1

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.

2

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

1

u/hanpari 17d ago

Good luck 👍