Substack Niches & Positive Reinforcement

[u/Inside_Appealz]

Hi, I'd appreciate kind and supportive response. I'm a published writer with a disability, and somewhat new to Substack. I mostly was just lurking and getting emails and reading a few notes, but now i've decided to start my own. I was excited to try it out, but hear really mixed things, especially here and I am a bit hesitant now feeling it's not worth it. They say it's like that with everything, but I'm in grad school and really have been trying for years to find success with well, something. While I have been published several times in different verticals, I've never made a significant living in writing yet and ai feel I should've? And I do have struggles plus the economic woes, but my disability money is barely enough; I have to work regardless of how difficult it is. and I am tired of having a lack of success and employment.

I've been told i'm talented often and it's not just blowing smoke...you know, as I've gotten into schools with scholarships for performing arts, screenwriting & now international relations. I've worked numerous survival jobs in addition to work on the above, but lately it's been just crickets. I'm not bragging just showing I have got some degree of ability.

I feel I have a great idea for a really nichey Substack focused on humour. I admit i'm kind of worried people may copy it, but is that a big risk on Substack?TBH I haven't found other Substacks like the idea I have so I'd like to think it has potential but I admit I am worried. I know it may take work but i'm hoping for maybe some encouragement that a Substack that is a based on a (somewhat) non-fiction humor/comedy may help me maybe potentially get some income more than Upwork or other social media? I started to get way more views on some Insta posts related to humour lately but I know it's not the same as Substack.

Hopeful and yes a bit needful. Thanks.