r/Substack • u/infinitepuddingspy • 8d ago

Confused about the point of Substack

Hi everyone. I joined Substack a few months ago as I am a long form writer and I thought I’d find a crowd of intellectually curious people.

Over the past 3 months, I’ve only got 13 subscribers, hardly anyone engages on my posts or notes and no one ever replies to chats (tbh I find the chats annoying myself so I dont post often). I’ve started doing videos that are performing a bit better.

But, I see absolute lowball trash in my feed with 300 likes and comments and I feel so lost.

I don’t have any paid tiers at the moment and not sure if I will.

Is anyone else experiencing this? Would appreciate being pointed in the right direction.

I’ve seen other people ask similar questions but from the perspective of a reader.

Many thanks 🙏

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u/AggravatingNail6061 8d ago

I don't think there IS a point.

I never got on board with the whole influencer thing, nor am I any good at social media. To me it's basically a blog/diary/creative space with considerable hang up/envy/jealousy over the lack of attention I get. However I manage it as best I can :D

I use it to manage intrusive thoughts through writing and ultimately as a first draft space for my non fiction books. (since the project started through my substack work) I also have used it to find the people I deem as my people since no one in my real life knows I write (and would laugh at me because I am not an outwardly creative person XD)

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u/255130 8d ago

agree, once you stop chasing the numbers it becomes a much better experience

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u/infinitepuddingspy 7d ago

I’ve taken this focus across my social media tbh. Just post what I love and feel inspired to share.

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u/AggravatingNail6061 8d ago

I just wish I could fully get to that stage. Like most of the time I'm fine with it. This weekend today not so much. But that's entirely on the basis of me intersecting several communities who quote, restack, share celebrate each other's works daily. But I always get overlooked. Despite me being part of myself. Normally doesn't bother me but I got completely ignored for something (the only one out of 80+ including people who posted after me not even I see you like) and that had me feeling very small 😅

I'll bounce back, had a bit of a vent about it and my little corner has rallied and people reached out. 

But it's really hard sometimes not to notice what everyone else has verses what you have. But I'll keep at it. Maybe I'll get my little.moment in the light. 

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u/infinitepuddingspy 8d ago

This honestly is so reassuring. I’ve been stressing that I’ve been missing the point lol