This is such a good post and conversation! I’ve been noticing a thread running through so many Substack Notes lately—an irritating one, to be honest. Writers keep saying, in one form or another, “Pay no attention to the numbers.” But we’re writing on a platform that constantly measures, displays, and rewards numbers. Of course they affect us.
I don’t think the answer is to swing from one extreme to the other, pretending subscribers and numbers either mean everything or nothing at all. It’s all very mysterious.
I recently saw someone recommend the Midstack Friday Share. I'll share my experience: I’m very active there: I comment a tonne, genuinely read people’s articles, leave thoughtful responses, like and re-stack their work—and very rarely does anyone even read mine. It’s strange. I would have thought these were “my people,” yet sometimes it feels as though I don’t even exist there. I’ve never been a wallflower, so I find that disconcerting and not sure if I should persist in posting there.
Maybe success, like health, can’t be reduced to a single metric. We need richer measures. Numbers tell us something—but they really don’t tell us everything.
And Cathy, your writing has something many of us are actually looking for: not just readers, but conversation. You consistently generate such thoughtful, engaged responses. I haven’t done the math, but I suspect your comment-to-subscriber ratio would put many “bestsellers” to shame. That’s a metric Substack doesn’t celebrate nearly enough.
It may not be the kind of engagement the platform knows how to monetize or reward with greater visibility, but it tells me something far more important: your writing matters to people. You matter to people and "people" includes me!
Oh, Heidi, I so appreciate your very thoughtful comment. It is by the level of engagement in the comments that I can fully embrace we have created a community here, which was always my measure of success. Your comment proves the point - thank you!
Two people have now suggested I join Midstack. I love the concept of their Friday Share, but am holding myself back since I don't fit their demographic. It doesn't feel honest for me to join. But maybe I'll simply read and comment rather than highlight my own posts.
I fully agree that success, health, and I'm sure many more cannot be reduced to a single metric. Life is nuanced. There are shades of grey. Numbers tell a story, but not one that is complete.
Cathy, I resonated with so much of this. I also pulled back on much of what I was reading. It's impossible to keep up; it becomes a time-consuming project. I also had to ask myself what my definition of successful was, and what my goals were. It becomes so much easier to negotiate our paths here on Substack once we redefine our current goals. Turns out for me, money was never the goal. Writing and hopefully offering something positive to others was always my desire. For what it's worth, you are one of the Substacks I am still reading even during this time of letting go. I hope you will continue to share your light.
Thank you, Sue - it is worth quite a lot to me that you continue to read my work through the overwhelm and letting go. I greatly appreciate that!
I will definitely continue to write - and I feel so much stronger in that resolve with your response and the response of so many others. The unsubscribes have been put into a healthier perspective, and that feels good. 😊
Good to hear. I believe Substack is shifting requiring all of us writers to adjust accordingly. In the end, it's probably a very positive shift, but one we have to navigate. Stay the course!
Aw Cathy, if you start feeling like this, DM me! I'm happy to share my 2cents. Please KEEP WRITING! all caps plea!
I switched my newsletter delivery to "prefer in-app" a long time ago to stop myself from guilt-tripping about not being able to read everyone's articles. It's impossible given how many I subscribe to, nearing 3 years here.
A couple of tips for you anyone reading -
Find your peeps (you can include me) and probably everyone who's commented here - who you can DM or 'tag' in a note so that you feel the resonance
Find a few places like the Midstack Friday Share Thread - where you can share your work/articles with others (I can drop the link here if that helps)
FYI right at the start I defined what 'success' is for Carer Mentor ...here on Substack and in the other carer forums I participate in. To your point, it's the resonance, depth and qualitative feedback I receive.
I'm going to DM you with a couple of other tips. I won't be able to do any conversations. I don't do 'Lives' but I can share thoughts and if you ever need a random topic I've an overflowing content system for ideas you can tap into...but that's a whole other idea ;-)
Wow - thank you, Victoria! I so appreciate your thoughtful comment with so many terrific ideas. I am intrigued with your kind offer to tap into your overflowing content ideas and will definitely keep that in the back of my mind. Again - thank you!
Thank you for this post. Know this: even if you had no subscribers, you would be a success. Why? Because the Universe rejoices in acts of selfless love, creativity, and generosity. And your writing is all of that and more. Subscribers are people fortunate enough to have discovered your creativity. And those who unsubscribe? Maybe their cup is full or maybe the noise and distractions of life drown out the whispers of wisdom that gently call from your writing.
I love your idea of conversations with subscribers! That is a marvelous idea. And I’d be happy to talk with you.
I think I may need to frame this and constantly keep it within eyesight. You have been incredibly supportive since the very beginning of my time on Substack, Mark, and I cannot thank you enough. I so appreciate your encouragement and perspective, and so appreciate YOU!
As for a call, I'm still in the thinking phase and am thrilled that you'd be interested in speaking! I'm leaning towards "yes" and will reach out when the time is right.
Cathy, I love your writing and the insights it embodies. I don't have any specific suggestions for changing or evolving that. I find there's something inherently challenging about writing on platforms because they have a mind (an algorithm) of their own, regardless of the value of our content. I love that you have redefined success and are going with your own definition.
Thank you so much for this, Sandra! I thank algorithms for helping me find you on Medium and then here on Substack. There are some things it does very well! You are very much a part of why I look at this as being successful. 😊
I'm so sorry you're feeling down about all of this work we do here. But you are not alone. I pour my heart and soul into everything I do here and often (almost daily) question whether it is worthwhile. Think about quiting - or I should say shifting my energy to my local design business and my many many passions related to my art, garden, and such. I have no lack of things I love doing.
I'm not retired, I'm not wealthy, so my version of success here is earning an income at least sufficient to partly compensate for my time. And pay some bills. And even if unsubscribes are a natural part of the rythym when publishing/writing, it is painful. Each time.
I recently unscubscribed from many, many publications that I should could not keep up with - felt badly, and put out a note explaining why and my feelings about it, thinking it was the right thing to do. And - sort of funny in a weird way - but absolutely noone saw that note or commented. Ironic.
But I do think you're talking more about just the unsubscribes. And the numbers. It's deeper than that. I'm not sure what you are proposing, but I would very much love to collaborate more with you and other publishers I value here on the Stack - help support each other and bring each other up. Let's chat? Let's brainstorm a little? Let's not do this alone. LMK - you can DM me anytime 🌟💖
I received multiple responses from my apology Note, including from you, and all pointed to feeling overwhelmed with keeping up. Some were thinking of unsubscribing to many publications and some already did. We are not alone. And, for what it's worth, I think your definition of success sounds great!
I was proposing a way to connect deeper with people who read my work - an old fashioned direct conversation. I am all about meaningful human connection and interaction, so connecting one-on-one might be a logical expansion. A few months ago, the opportunity to do this came up organically when someone wanted to go deeper into exploring one of the topics I write about. I loved it!!
I'm still thinking through this and, no matter what, I want to take you up on your offer to chat. I'll circle back to you in a week or two in hopes of setting a time to speak. Please feel free to DM me, as well. (BTW, still no Alpine strawberries for sale at my farmers market - yet!)
Cathy, I understand your disappointment over numbers. It’s so easy to be caught up in a numbers game. My numbers have been rising, in part because of two separate notes that went viral (one 8k) neither of which was expected. But I am also aware that only 1/3 of my subscribers ever open my posts which is a quick way to sober up.
If it helps, I have unsubscribed to quite a few writers recently but NOT to yours.
And I would be delighted to talk via zoom if we can find a convenient hour with 5 hours difference.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Ann. Numbers are not the whole story and your example validates my thinking that I have to focus on those in this community who do read and engage and deepen the conversation. That is what I love about Substack and the writers, like you, who are such a pleasure to read and interact with.
I'm happy to know you would be interested in a call. I would love that! I'm still gathering my thoughts about this, but I'm leaning with starting with any of you who respond as you did. (We're now up to two!) I can test it out with a few people and that will help me understand what I do with it - if anything.
Thank you for your always thoughtful and welcome comment!
I always appreciate your willingness to be open, curious, and vulnerable. I completely understand and relate to feeling a bit overwhelmed by wanting to support so many writers I admire and love. And that initial ouch when a reader unsubscribes. What I want from my publication seems to shift and evolve over time. I think it's part of the process, but the discomfort is real. Whatever you choose to do, I'll be reading.
I second Paulette's appreciation of your 'willingness to be open, curious, and vulnerable.' Cathy - I think you tap into the underlying feelings of many people with your empathy and articulate things people have difficulty saying.
You are just too wonderful, Paulette! Thank you for sharing your experience and for all your support. I so appreciate that - and I sooo appreciate YOU!! 😍
Cathy, thank you for this vulnerable post. I always appreciate your honesty. I also value the way you find opportunities to be grateful and positive, even when life is challenging. Yes, this online platform (while wonderful) has its inherent obstacles and trials. Yet I love the conversations here, and the authentic connections. For my part, due to various factors, I've stepped back from writing newsletters for several weeks. But being able to connect here anyway, in Notes and via others' pieces such as yours, gives me a lift. I think we have to take care of ourselves and figure out what's right for us.
In answer to your question, I would love to have a conversation with you sometime. Are you thinking of starting a podcast?
I would love to have a conversation with you at any time, Robin! I have no plans for a podcast. I am interested in exploring one-on-one conversations with subscribers which would most probably be over Zoom. This happened organically several months ago and I loved the experience. It’s what prompted me to think about making it an offering. At this point, it’s still just a thought.
As always, thank you for your ever-thoughtful comment!
I'm sorry you have been hurting. This space, like many others these days, can be challenging to navigate, especially when you include ideas like "success", "expectations", and "community." I don't have any profound input on how to lean in further to building this community, but I love the authenticity behind the suggestion. It feels entirely YOU.
Awww...thank you for all that you wrote here, Jess - I sooo appreciate it! I have a feeling that something was put in motion by simply asking the question. We'll see if and what that might be. 😊
It can be disheartening. Sometimes I post something and literally 50 people unsubscribe. I enjoy your postings for exactly what you wrote today. Every post you make is the joy of random? Of course random isnt “really” random. Post what you enjoy writing.
Thank you for your very kind words and for letting me know I was not clear. You were my inspiration when you asked if we could speak. I fully enjoyed having that opportunity connect with you on a call. Ever since, I have questioned if I should offer to speak directly with any subscriber who also shares this interest. At this point, it is just a thought I am exploring. ☺️
This is such a good post and conversation! I’ve been noticing a thread running through so many Substack Notes lately—an irritating one, to be honest. Writers keep saying, in one form or another, “Pay no attention to the numbers.” But we’re writing on a platform that constantly measures, displays, and rewards numbers. Of course they affect us.
I don’t think the answer is to swing from one extreme to the other, pretending subscribers and numbers either mean everything or nothing at all. It’s all very mysterious.
I recently saw someone recommend the Midstack Friday Share. I'll share my experience: I’m very active there: I comment a tonne, genuinely read people’s articles, leave thoughtful responses, like and re-stack their work—and very rarely does anyone even read mine. It’s strange. I would have thought these were “my people,” yet sometimes it feels as though I don’t even exist there. I’ve never been a wallflower, so I find that disconcerting and not sure if I should persist in posting there.
Maybe success, like health, can’t be reduced to a single metric. We need richer measures. Numbers tell us something—but they really don’t tell us everything.
And Cathy, your writing has something many of us are actually looking for: not just readers, but conversation. You consistently generate such thoughtful, engaged responses. I haven’t done the math, but I suspect your comment-to-subscriber ratio would put many “bestsellers” to shame. That’s a metric Substack doesn’t celebrate nearly enough.
It may not be the kind of engagement the platform knows how to monetize or reward with greater visibility, but it tells me something far more important: your writing matters to people. You matter to people and "people" includes me!
Oh, Heidi, I so appreciate your very thoughtful comment. It is by the level of engagement in the comments that I can fully embrace we have created a community here, which was always my measure of success. Your comment proves the point - thank you!
Two people have now suggested I join Midstack. I love the concept of their Friday Share, but am holding myself back since I don't fit their demographic. It doesn't feel honest for me to join. But maybe I'll simply read and comment rather than highlight my own posts.
I fully agree that success, health, and I'm sure many more cannot be reduced to a single metric. Life is nuanced. There are shades of grey. Numbers tell a story, but not one that is complete.
Thank you so much for this, my friend!! 💕💖💕
Cathy, I resonated with so much of this. I also pulled back on much of what I was reading. It's impossible to keep up; it becomes a time-consuming project. I also had to ask myself what my definition of successful was, and what my goals were. It becomes so much easier to negotiate our paths here on Substack once we redefine our current goals. Turns out for me, money was never the goal. Writing and hopefully offering something positive to others was always my desire. For what it's worth, you are one of the Substacks I am still reading even during this time of letting go. I hope you will continue to share your light.
Thank you, Sue - it is worth quite a lot to me that you continue to read my work through the overwhelm and letting go. I greatly appreciate that!
I will definitely continue to write - and I feel so much stronger in that resolve with your response and the response of so many others. The unsubscribes have been put into a healthier perspective, and that feels good. 😊
Good to hear. I believe Substack is shifting requiring all of us writers to adjust accordingly. In the end, it's probably a very positive shift, but one we have to navigate. Stay the course!
Thank you. You, as well!
Aw Cathy, if you start feeling like this, DM me! I'm happy to share my 2cents. Please KEEP WRITING! all caps plea!
I switched my newsletter delivery to "prefer in-app" a long time ago to stop myself from guilt-tripping about not being able to read everyone's articles. It's impossible given how many I subscribe to, nearing 3 years here.
A couple of tips for you anyone reading -
Find your peeps (you can include me) and probably everyone who's commented here - who you can DM or 'tag' in a note so that you feel the resonance
Find a few places like the Midstack Friday Share Thread - where you can share your work/articles with others (I can drop the link here if that helps)
FYI right at the start I defined what 'success' is for Carer Mentor ...here on Substack and in the other carer forums I participate in. To your point, it's the resonance, depth and qualitative feedback I receive.
I'm going to DM you with a couple of other tips. I won't be able to do any conversations. I don't do 'Lives' but I can share thoughts and if you ever need a random topic I've an overflowing content system for ideas you can tap into...but that's a whole other idea ;-)
Wow - thank you, Victoria! I so appreciate your thoughtful comment with so many terrific ideas. I am intrigued with your kind offer to tap into your overflowing content ideas and will definitely keep that in the back of my mind. Again - thank you!
Thank you for this post. Know this: even if you had no subscribers, you would be a success. Why? Because the Universe rejoices in acts of selfless love, creativity, and generosity. And your writing is all of that and more. Subscribers are people fortunate enough to have discovered your creativity. And those who unsubscribe? Maybe their cup is full or maybe the noise and distractions of life drown out the whispers of wisdom that gently call from your writing.
I love your idea of conversations with subscribers! That is a marvelous idea. And I’d be happy to talk with you.
I think I may need to frame this and constantly keep it within eyesight. You have been incredibly supportive since the very beginning of my time on Substack, Mark, and I cannot thank you enough. I so appreciate your encouragement and perspective, and so appreciate YOU!
As for a call, I'm still in the thinking phase and am thrilled that you'd be interested in speaking! I'm leaning towards "yes" and will reach out when the time is right.
One more time...thank you!
Cathy, I love your writing and the insights it embodies. I don't have any specific suggestions for changing or evolving that. I find there's something inherently challenging about writing on platforms because they have a mind (an algorithm) of their own, regardless of the value of our content. I love that you have redefined success and are going with your own definition.
Thank you so much for this, Sandra! I thank algorithms for helping me find you on Medium and then here on Substack. There are some things it does very well! You are very much a part of why I look at this as being successful. 😊
Dear Cathy, I'm right there with you.
I'm so sorry you're feeling down about all of this work we do here. But you are not alone. I pour my heart and soul into everything I do here and often (almost daily) question whether it is worthwhile. Think about quiting - or I should say shifting my energy to my local design business and my many many passions related to my art, garden, and such. I have no lack of things I love doing.
I'm not retired, I'm not wealthy, so my version of success here is earning an income at least sufficient to partly compensate for my time. And pay some bills. And even if unsubscribes are a natural part of the rythym when publishing/writing, it is painful. Each time.
I recently unscubscribed from many, many publications that I should could not keep up with - felt badly, and put out a note explaining why and my feelings about it, thinking it was the right thing to do. And - sort of funny in a weird way - but absolutely noone saw that note or commented. Ironic.
But I do think you're talking more about just the unsubscribes. And the numbers. It's deeper than that. I'm not sure what you are proposing, but I would very much love to collaborate more with you and other publishers I value here on the Stack - help support each other and bring each other up. Let's chat? Let's brainstorm a little? Let's not do this alone. LMK - you can DM me anytime 🌟💖
~M
I received multiple responses from my apology Note, including from you, and all pointed to feeling overwhelmed with keeping up. Some were thinking of unsubscribing to many publications and some already did. We are not alone. And, for what it's worth, I think your definition of success sounds great!
I was proposing a way to connect deeper with people who read my work - an old fashioned direct conversation. I am all about meaningful human connection and interaction, so connecting one-on-one might be a logical expansion. A few months ago, the opportunity to do this came up organically when someone wanted to go deeper into exploring one of the topics I write about. I loved it!!
I'm still thinking through this and, no matter what, I want to take you up on your offer to chat. I'll circle back to you in a week or two in hopes of setting a time to speak. Please feel free to DM me, as well. (BTW, still no Alpine strawberries for sale at my farmers market - yet!)
Look forward to hearing back when you’re ready, Cathy.
Looking forward to speaking!
Be at peace with it. All of it. And keep writing. 🌻
Thank you so much for your very kind comment, Rena. It touches me deeply and I greatly appreciate it. 💕
Cathy, I understand your disappointment over numbers. It’s so easy to be caught up in a numbers game. My numbers have been rising, in part because of two separate notes that went viral (one 8k) neither of which was expected. But I am also aware that only 1/3 of my subscribers ever open my posts which is a quick way to sober up.
If it helps, I have unsubscribed to quite a few writers recently but NOT to yours.
And I would be delighted to talk via zoom if we can find a convenient hour with 5 hours difference.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Ann. Numbers are not the whole story and your example validates my thinking that I have to focus on those in this community who do read and engage and deepen the conversation. That is what I love about Substack and the writers, like you, who are such a pleasure to read and interact with.
I'm happy to know you would be interested in a call. I would love that! I'm still gathering my thoughts about this, but I'm leaning with starting with any of you who respond as you did. (We're now up to two!) I can test it out with a few people and that will help me understand what I do with it - if anything.
Thank you for your always thoughtful and welcome comment!
happy to be a guinea pig. It might work or might not, but nothing much lost if it doesn’t.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Ann! I so appreciate your willingness to be a guinea pig!!
I always appreciate your willingness to be open, curious, and vulnerable. I completely understand and relate to feeling a bit overwhelmed by wanting to support so many writers I admire and love. And that initial ouch when a reader unsubscribes. What I want from my publication seems to shift and evolve over time. I think it's part of the process, but the discomfort is real. Whatever you choose to do, I'll be reading.
I second Paulette's appreciation of your 'willingness to be open, curious, and vulnerable.' Cathy - I think you tap into the underlying feelings of many people with your empathy and articulate things people have difficulty saying.
Yes! I second you now, Victoria!
Thank you, Victoria - my heart is bursting reading this!
You’re welcome Cathy
You are just too wonderful, Paulette! Thank you for sharing your experience and for all your support. I so appreciate that - and I sooo appreciate YOU!! 😍
Back atcha!
Cathy, thank you for this vulnerable post. I always appreciate your honesty. I also value the way you find opportunities to be grateful and positive, even when life is challenging. Yes, this online platform (while wonderful) has its inherent obstacles and trials. Yet I love the conversations here, and the authentic connections. For my part, due to various factors, I've stepped back from writing newsletters for several weeks. But being able to connect here anyway, in Notes and via others' pieces such as yours, gives me a lift. I think we have to take care of ourselves and figure out what's right for us.
In answer to your question, I would love to have a conversation with you sometime. Are you thinking of starting a podcast?
I would love to have a conversation with you at any time, Robin! I have no plans for a podcast. I am interested in exploring one-on-one conversations with subscribers which would most probably be over Zoom. This happened organically several months ago and I loved the experience. It’s what prompted me to think about making it an offering. At this point, it’s still just a thought.
As always, thank you for your ever-thoughtful comment!
I'm sorry you have been hurting. This space, like many others these days, can be challenging to navigate, especially when you include ideas like "success", "expectations", and "community." I don't have any profound input on how to lean in further to building this community, but I love the authenticity behind the suggestion. It feels entirely YOU.
Awww...thank you for all that you wrote here, Jess - I sooo appreciate it! I have a feeling that something was put in motion by simply asking the question. We'll see if and what that might be. 😊
It can be disheartening. Sometimes I post something and literally 50 people unsubscribe. I enjoy your postings for exactly what you wrote today. Every post you make is the joy of random? Of course random isnt “really” random. Post what you enjoy writing.
50 unsubscribes?! UGH!!! That makes me feel a bit better than the one that arrived today in response to this post. Thank you for this, Steve!
I'm not sure I understand exactly what you're proposing. But I have immensely enjoyed hearing your perspective and experiences, Cathy. You're a gem.
Thank you for your very kind words and for letting me know I was not clear. You were my inspiration when you asked if we could speak. I fully enjoyed having that opportunity connect with you on a call. Ever since, I have questioned if I should offer to speak directly with any subscriber who also shares this interest. At this point, it is just a thought I am exploring. ☺️
If I’m not mistaken, you offered to talk to me and I was flattered. ;)
It’s definitely an act of generosity and connection.
Ha! Just another reminder that my memory cannot be trusted - though I stand by the memory that it was delightful to speak with you. 💕💖💕