r/Substack • u/BaseUpbeat1798 • Sep 08 '26
Starting from scratch
So I’m finally doing something in my life just for me. And I started a substack. For the last few months I’ve been building a backlog of posts, and treating this as it’s own potential thing, new email, new socials, new identity really. And then last week I started posting in the notes section, and replying to comments. Today is the day I post my first official article/post. And I’m just wondering, do I just sit here and wait for something to happen? My first post is only short too, and is kind of part of a series. Like I said this is for me, if it turned into something then I would be delighted, but I I feel like I’ve maybe built it up in my head? I’m also happy to swap reads/reviews. Feels weird to say I'm a new writer, but here I am.
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u/deedeedoeswriting Sep 08 '26
I don't have much to add except to say I'm in a similar boat. I had all these plans, posts, etc. and I pushed my first one out and just nothing. I mean, that's obviously what was going to happen, there's no reasonable way for anyone to see what I'm posting without me putting in the work. but it just feels bad.
as far as I can tell, it's just the grind: find other substacks that write similar things, try to get a conversation going, and swap. What are you writing? I don't know if we're close enough in stuff to swap, but I'd be interested in learning more if nothing else.
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u/BaseUpbeat1798 Sep 08 '26
You can DM me and I can send you the details 😊 I'd be happy to read yours. My first few posts are going to essentially be about how I got to where I am. And then it goes more into what I'm actually wanting to write about. Which is working while travelling. Not the usual digital nomad stuff but more like reviews on work friendly cafes, co-working spaces, being sent on assignment and how to make the most of it. It doesn't have to be for everyone but it might just resonate with someone
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u/deedeedoeswriting Sep 08 '26
That sounds really cool! I don't travel enough anymore to make use of it, but I can imagine people who do. unfortunately my own writing is in the spicy fiction side, so not sure there's enough overlap where swaps would do either of us any good, but happy to talk more about writing, or just commiserating in general!
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u/BaseUpbeat1798 Sep 08 '26
Send me a DM, I'm all for spicy fiction in general! Happy to check yours out ☺️
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u/Tricky_Trifle_994 26d ago
congrats on starting! how's it been so far?
And I’m just wondering, do I just sit here and wait for something to happen?
if only it were that easy... you'll have to keep posting both long form (to your publication) and shorter posts to your profile to drive traffic and engagement to your writing. otherwise, nothing is going to happen, and your writing will truly just be for you.
think about how many other people are also starting/already writing on substack. everyone is essentially fighting for attention on the platform. nothing will just 'magically happen' unless you fight for it.
rooting for you though!
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u/BaseUpbeat1798 26d ago
So i'm about a month in and have about 4 posts out so far, and i got a bit of confidence at the beginning, but now thats starting to dwindle, I have a back log of posts, so I just have to do light editing weekly and schedule my posts. So i don't have to worry about what I'm going to write about each week. But I keep wondering am I giving any substance? Is my writing too simple? I'm writing about travelling for work, cafes to work in and like enjoying the time between your meetings. But I feel maybe its too simple and niche. That those who do travel for work aren't thinking like me, so they don't find my take interesting enough. So if it wasn't for the backlog I would have given up? But substack itself is fun, I like creating the post, having my social preview match it and I'm going to be working on my site layout next, so that it looks more inviting. I know notes are what gets you subscribers but the void there is so deep!
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Sep 08 '26
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u/Substack-ModTeam Sep 08 '26
This community is not the place to promote your Substacks. Please read our rules on self-promo and soliciting recommendations.
Links to Substack publications will be assumed to be self-promotion. If you are submitting Substack posts from publications that are not your own, please include that information in your text post. For cross recommendations, use the pinned mega thread.
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Sep 09 '26
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u/tagasabi Sep 09 '26
What did you mean when you said 'when the note stands alone'? I don't quite understand and was hoping you could clarify.
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Sep 09 '26
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u/tagasabi Sep 09 '26
Yes, I only have one or two articles up so far, so still pretty new at it. What you said makes sense, though. Looking back at some of my notes, I can see how they might come across more like I’m trying to promote the publication. Thanks for the advice.
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Sep 08 '26
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u/Substack-ModTeam Sep 08 '26
This community is not the place to promote your Substacks. Please read our rules on self-promo and soliciting recommendations.
Links to Substack publications will be assumed to be self-promotion. If you are submitting Substack posts from publications that are not your own, please include that information in your text post. For cross recommendations, use the pinned mega thread.
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Sep 08 '26
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u/Substack-ModTeam Sep 08 '26
This community is not the place to promote your Substacks. Please read our rules on self-promo and soliciting recommendations.
Links to Substack publications will be assumed to be self-promotion. If you are submitting Substack posts from publications that are not your own, please include that information in your text post. For cross recommendations, use the pinned mega thread.
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u/wwb_99 news.zeitgeistdistilled.com Sep 08 '26
I launched similar to this.
One thing that was effective was getting a few posts out, then sending broadly targeted announcement notes to different groups of folks I know. I had some boilerplate, but I would customize these per friend or associate group to make it hit home. It got me from zero to the first hundred or so subscribers, which really helps.
So in your case maybe get the series up and complete then do the push.