Thank you for the shoutout and such a beautiful reflection on your success and joy for this platform. It’s been such a beautiful journey connecting and cross-pollinating creative shares with you this past month. Can’t wait for many more ♥️ ps I also love Jeff Goins ✨
Thanks Christine, so sweet of you 🥰 can’t wait to dig more through your archives as well, with all those posts I made this month no wonder I didn’t feel I had the chance to recharge with reading as much as I would’ve liked 😅 looking forward to what the future holds ❤️
Fantastic post Elin. Love it... really love it. Love your turn of phrases... you're educating me! The 'doom scroll'! And 'slow content creation / consumption' on Substack... love that. I've only created my Substack from early autumn. And I really don't have many subscribers Elin. But I'm proud of the quality of my posts and Q&A interviews with novelists, from recorded Zoom calls. And I have made some wonderful [and real] connections. I think yesterday I started realising that I need to 'hang out' here on Substack more and simply chat, and see where that leads! Thx so much Elin!
Thank you Glenn for your time to read and reflect! I’m glad it brought you much value and insight into how you can continue to grow your publication too.
I definitely think that to hang out and engage is a very good idea. Being new here I see it as part of the fun experimentation phase; engage, chat, try stuff and you’ll quicker see the response and figure out what works and what doesn’t (and what you enjoy and don’t). Wishing you all the best into the new year 🎉
I personally really enjoy reading posts such as this one, helps me understand strategy and jts just simply inspiring also. Congratulations on fantastic start!
Yay so glad you like it! I think the most important is just to observe the response and interactions around the platform and a strategy will begin to appear. Maybe that’s why I’m a bit of a “over-writer” in the beginning because I’m so excited to get feedback and be able to “see” how everything flows.
If I’ve got no data to steer me I could be shooting in thin air for all I know 🤷🏼♀️ not sure if it make sense, but hopefully so!
Honestly, I started writing on here because the energy felt cleaner then instagram and my work felt "safer" for lack of a better word. I was always the "continued in comments" type of writer on IG haha so coming here initially started as just a new place to share without thinking about growth. REcently it hit me that I could actually take my writing here and have that be my work, and have people see it who truly read and care. I really share and teach through personal shares at times, people need to truly be able to receive it. So excited to see how your journey unfolds and to learn from and with you! Also love that you're also an expat - hubby and I, and now our little boy, are also expats in Croatia! (although we also have roots in this region, but we were living in Canada previously).
Oh amazing! I absolutely love Croatia! My youngest is born in Slovenia earlier this year and we could see the Croatian mountains from the rooftop of our apartment. We lived in Montenegro previously as well. I think Croatia has the absolute best highway in all Europe haha
Germany is usually known for it, but it’s just boring roads - then you come to Croatia and your mind blown with its beauty 😍
Omgsh no way ! We are in Istria so we are close to Slovenia, maybe we were even somewhat neighbours and didnt even know it haha! Where are you now? I thought I read it somewhere but I seem to have forgotten now. It's funny you mention the highways, they really are so good, and they better be because the fees are definitely high haha!
Oh then you haven’t been driving too much in France or Italy..... then we can speak about high fees 😅😅 at least you get for what you pay for when you drive in Croatia 😆
Yeah the world is smaller than we think sometimes! We were based in Ljubljana during our time in Slovenia. Absolutely loved it and miss it a lot - our daughter talks about it daily too... but think we’ve found our long-term home in the countryside of Belgium. Wasn’t too motivated to learn Slovene as we already speak three languages at home 🙈
We haven't driven around there too much no! haha Really small world, I really love that city actually i find it so cute! I get the thing about the languages though, we have a similar situation, it will be interesting to see what our little one learns first.
Hey Martin! Thanks for your feedback! I had a read of the article and shared some reflections in a restack for more to see,
Having reached success on other social media in the past, I feel similar patterns repeat themselves of targeting big accounts as the problem rather than looking at what one can do on the micro level instead.
To some extent I want to be an example of doing the ground work and thank (which is strange to many) whatever algorithms or suggestions etc are at work because as you also mention in your text - the larger accounts help to bring more people and as such you have a greater chance or reaching more readers too (if you show up and do good work!)
I do think with three way Substack works it gives us more control over how we can elevate smaller publications. The power is more in our hands.
That’s why I always include a section in my weekly post advertising the best three posts I’ve read that week along with three of my recommended Substacks. My objective here is to build the network effect for all of us smaller guys.
Yes, I noticed how you’ve done that. It’s a really neat way of doing it. I might have a go at that soon. The network effect becomes part of your post. Love it.
Yes it happened really organically to be honest! I didn’t even know what the network effect was at first I just had more to say than what I thought would fit in a comment.
Elin! I love this - Substack is my special interest! 😉✨ I’ve powered down for the holidays but just popping in to say thanks so much for the mention and so looking forward to more chats in 2024! 💫✨💫
Thank you so much Claire! I’m terribly sorry for this awful timing of the post... I contemplated on not posting it about a hundred times before I decided to just do it (which is the usual outcome in the end anyway 😅)
Please take some good rest and we’ll talk more in the new year 🥰 x
Really excited to follow your journey Elin! Particularly as someone who has also come from MSM (+ is how I make my freelance money!). Love the openness and transparency. I wonder, what’s the split for you between writing/posting and engaging with/commenting on other Substacks? Do you focus much more time/effort on the former? Bella x
Hey Bella! Welcome - so excited to have you here ❤️ awesome! What are you specialized on on msm? Which one especially?
That’s a great questions that I frankly haven’t paid too much attention to - but I’d definitely say I’m focused on writing at this stage. I’m just going back to myself - when I discover someone I like their style I want to check out several pieces to see how it translates. But also I really want to up my writing and the best way is to just write 🙌✨
Whenever I do engage and read others I’m trying to be as generous with likes and comments as I can, which goes quicker than to second think everything
Instagram! It all started with a passion project (@thedoorsofldn) that morphed into helping other small business owners with their Instagram and now I'm a full-time freelance social media manager among other things.
I think you've absolutely got the right approach right now. Someone told me not to get too distracted by Notes and focus more on the writing... though I think how much you're writing certainly helps! Plus its wonderful to read. Inspiring, motivating and great for the curious (read: nosey) among us.
I also kind of disagree with the person saying against notes... I share notes whenever I have something to say. An idea that comes up, I share it without thinking. Rather than focusing on the fear of doom scroll see it as a tool.
A lot of things from msm translates over here too even if I hardly dare to say it 🙈
Oh yes I agree with that! I think the person meant that the notes ‘feed’ can end up distracting / causing comparisonitis as it’s easy to get lost in what everyone else is doing vs posting your own notes.
I did read your 500k post! Many of your experiences mirror mine, though where I went ‘wrong’ in the beginning is that I didn’t have anything to sell and my subject matter (doors) isn’t easy to commercialise as it/they belong to someone else! I went ‘viral’ thanks to a Bored Panda article back in 2016 and grew by about 30k followers overnight. Nothing compared to you! But big growth nonetheless.
Over c*vid I began teaching others how to create content that attracts, nurtures and concerts followers but ended up pivoting about 18 months into social media management.
I found that almost all business owners are simply too busy to be making the kind (and quantity) of Reels/Canva graphics that will grow their following/generate sales. It was very frustrating to watch so I decided to (mostly) stop teaching and start doing the work for people instead.
Platforms like IG do work, but my god they require so much work! And too many business owners neglect email marketing, something I bang on about ALL THE TIME! Social media PLUS email has always been the best combination 🚀
Wow what a coincidence!! Also had a major viral video on bored panda early on too that got millions don’t remember how many followers it generated at the time though...
Incredible to me that so many still don’t do email... I felt late to the party as I didn’t realise the need until 2 years in.
It’s the one thing that makes Substack stand out in every regard to other social medias and yet I find some artists on here not realizing the power of it.
I’ve lived off my list for the past 3 years when I’ve hardly been able to post on social media due to motherhood and other personal events.
So excited to be connecting with you Bella!
Funny you went viral with doors.... I’ve done quite a few embroidered doors through the years 👏👏
Did you have a chance to read my 500k on msm post? You may find that interesting too... would love to hear your takeaways if you’ve got the chance!
It’s amazing how a platform like Instagram can lay the foundation for a professional career but I’m also starting to see the limit and want to explore other possibilities (which for now is Substack). From experience of Instagram, what made me explode in the past was to be the supplier rather than consumer... so I try to have that focus here too or else I guess I’d lose too much time and sink in the comparison trap 😅grateful to have you here!
Leave the earnestness and transparency here Elin! I’m all for taking a follow your gut approach and think it’s lovely that you’re giving yourself this space to reconnect with your creativity. I started my substack in much the same mindset! And wow, 16 pieces in one month? I’m impressed! That’s quite a feat and excited to see what you continue to come up with next year!
Thank you so much Kerani for such a sweet words of support ❣️ yeah... I’m actually quite surprised of the amount of texts I posted and got another 16 in drafts (not all completed ones though lol) it’s like I’ve been shut quiet for years and it just comes flying out... or my babies just sleep a lot 😂😂 wishing you all the success into the new year 🎉
Aw thank you Ella (though feels maybe weird to say as I noted it’s your pseudonym... 😅) I contemplated on using a pseudo too at first (for about 2 years to be frank) until I got fed up trying to make up my mind and just went on with my own instead 🤷🏼♀️
Ooh how cool that would be ! November 25th is scheduled 📆
I totally understand your “what am I doing” questions - I’ve had them tons of times too. At first I thought I’d write solely about motherhood, but every time I found myself inspired about something more business or personal development/life-philosophy related...
My strategy is to try and write down any ideas that sparks an interest. I run a note folder in my phone and jot down titles for potential posts and as soon as there’s one that I just can’t wait to write about I do it and publish before giving it a second thought. Cus all that I don’t publish immediately remains in the drafts folder for the same reason you mention....
I’m also thinking that I (or you) can’t know what willl kick off or what you’ll enjoy to write the most before you’ve actually written it and thus it’s better to just get on with it and you can adjust as you go ❤️
✨🤍 I see your beautiful work. I think the deleting process is part of it... I’ve not done that here but did lots of it on Instagram over the years. Sending sparkles. ✨💫
Thank you for the shoutout and such a beautiful reflection on your success and joy for this platform. It’s been such a beautiful journey connecting and cross-pollinating creative shares with you this past month. Can’t wait for many more ♥️ ps I also love Jeff Goins ✨
Thanks Christine, so sweet of you 🥰 can’t wait to dig more through your archives as well, with all those posts I made this month no wonder I didn’t feel I had the chance to recharge with reading as much as I would’ve liked 😅 looking forward to what the future holds ❤️
Well-deserved readership, Elin! 16 posts in 30 days wow, I could do only 5.
Thank you Sekar! 🙏🏼
I was even surprised myself how many I ended up posting... it’s a bit like unblocking a tap, it just keeps pouring out 😅😂
Fantastic post Elin. Love it... really love it. Love your turn of phrases... you're educating me! The 'doom scroll'! And 'slow content creation / consumption' on Substack... love that. I've only created my Substack from early autumn. And I really don't have many subscribers Elin. But I'm proud of the quality of my posts and Q&A interviews with novelists, from recorded Zoom calls. And I have made some wonderful [and real] connections. I think yesterday I started realising that I need to 'hang out' here on Substack more and simply chat, and see where that leads! Thx so much Elin!
Thank you Glenn for your time to read and reflect! I’m glad it brought you much value and insight into how you can continue to grow your publication too.
I definitely think that to hang out and engage is a very good idea. Being new here I see it as part of the fun experimentation phase; engage, chat, try stuff and you’ll quicker see the response and figure out what works and what doesn’t (and what you enjoy and don’t). Wishing you all the best into the new year 🎉
I personally really enjoy reading posts such as this one, helps me understand strategy and jts just simply inspiring also. Congratulations on fantastic start!
Yay so glad you like it! I think the most important is just to observe the response and interactions around the platform and a strategy will begin to appear. Maybe that’s why I’m a bit of a “over-writer” in the beginning because I’m so excited to get feedback and be able to “see” how everything flows.
If I’ve got no data to steer me I could be shooting in thin air for all I know 🤷🏼♀️ not sure if it make sense, but hopefully so!
Xx
Honestly, I started writing on here because the energy felt cleaner then instagram and my work felt "safer" for lack of a better word. I was always the "continued in comments" type of writer on IG haha so coming here initially started as just a new place to share without thinking about growth. REcently it hit me that I could actually take my writing here and have that be my work, and have people see it who truly read and care. I really share and teach through personal shares at times, people need to truly be able to receive it. So excited to see how your journey unfolds and to learn from and with you! Also love that you're also an expat - hubby and I, and now our little boy, are also expats in Croatia! (although we also have roots in this region, but we were living in Canada previously).
Oh amazing! I absolutely love Croatia! My youngest is born in Slovenia earlier this year and we could see the Croatian mountains from the rooftop of our apartment. We lived in Montenegro previously as well. I think Croatia has the absolute best highway in all Europe haha
Germany is usually known for it, but it’s just boring roads - then you come to Croatia and your mind blown with its beauty 😍
Omgsh no way ! We are in Istria so we are close to Slovenia, maybe we were even somewhat neighbours and didnt even know it haha! Where are you now? I thought I read it somewhere but I seem to have forgotten now. It's funny you mention the highways, they really are so good, and they better be because the fees are definitely high haha!
I absolutely adore Montenegro as well.
Oh then you haven’t been driving too much in France or Italy..... then we can speak about high fees 😅😅 at least you get for what you pay for when you drive in Croatia 😆
Yeah the world is smaller than we think sometimes! We were based in Ljubljana during our time in Slovenia. Absolutely loved it and miss it a lot - our daughter talks about it daily too... but think we’ve found our long-term home in the countryside of Belgium. Wasn’t too motivated to learn Slovene as we already speak three languages at home 🙈
We haven't driven around there too much no! haha Really small world, I really love that city actually i find it so cute! I get the thing about the languages though, we have a similar situation, it will be interesting to see what our little one learns first.
The Belgium countryside sounds beautiful <3
Loving your publication, you’ll have an amazing 2024
Thank you Alexander!! Truly appreciate it 🙏🏼
What an amazing start! You seem to be doing all the right things.
You will find a welcoming community and some great people on here.
The platform has evolved massively over the 18 months I’ve been here.
I recently wrote this about how I see Substack right now. Feel free to jump in and get involved in the comments.
https://open.substack.com/pub/neverstoplearning1/p/substack-isnt-the-enemy?r=1nyz10&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Hey Martin! Thanks for your feedback! I had a read of the article and shared some reflections in a restack for more to see,
Having reached success on other social media in the past, I feel similar patterns repeat themselves of targeting big accounts as the problem rather than looking at what one can do on the micro level instead.
To some extent I want to be an example of doing the ground work and thank (which is strange to many) whatever algorithms or suggestions etc are at work because as you also mention in your text - the larger accounts help to bring more people and as such you have a greater chance or reaching more readers too (if you show up and do good work!)
Thanks so much for reading and great to meet you.
I do think with three way Substack works it gives us more control over how we can elevate smaller publications. The power is more in our hands.
That’s why I always include a section in my weekly post advertising the best three posts I’ve read that week along with three of my recommended Substacks. My objective here is to build the network effect for all of us smaller guys.
Have a great Christmas and new year.
I think it’s a great initiative and way to strategies the network effect.
So far I’ve tried to contribute it by integrating a lot of references throughout my texts to what I’ve read previously.
More than not, a post has been triggered by something I read, which I always reference too.
I love how the tagging and recommendation system works here, it’s really fun!!
Look forward to read more of your stuff, I like how it was an easy flow in your text
Yes, I noticed how you’ve done that. It’s a really neat way of doing it. I might have a go at that soon. The network effect becomes part of your post. Love it.
Yes it happened really organically to be honest! I didn’t even know what the network effect was at first I just had more to say than what I thought would fit in a comment.
You should try it! It’s super fun 🤩
Have a great Christmas and new year 🎉
Elin! I love this - Substack is my special interest! 😉✨ I’ve powered down for the holidays but just popping in to say thanks so much for the mention and so looking forward to more chats in 2024! 💫✨💫
Thank you so much Claire! I’m terribly sorry for this awful timing of the post... I contemplated on not posting it about a hundred times before I decided to just do it (which is the usual outcome in the end anyway 😅)
Please take some good rest and we’ll talk more in the new year 🥰 x
😆 it’s all a beautiful test isn’t it. I’m somehow still here double checking my scheduled posts - I will turn off though, I will! ✉️✨💫
That’s passion and more than ok as long as it brings you that itch of excitement ❤️🔥 chat soon xx
Go go go!
Thanks Jeff! 🎊
Hi Ellin and to other fellow substack writers. I'm still new here, so I would like to learn from those who precede me.
Really excited to follow your journey Elin! Particularly as someone who has also come from MSM (+ is how I make my freelance money!). Love the openness and transparency. I wonder, what’s the split for you between writing/posting and engaging with/commenting on other Substacks? Do you focus much more time/effort on the former? Bella x
Hey Bella! Welcome - so excited to have you here ❤️ awesome! What are you specialized on on msm? Which one especially?
That’s a great questions that I frankly haven’t paid too much attention to - but I’d definitely say I’m focused on writing at this stage. I’m just going back to myself - when I discover someone I like their style I want to check out several pieces to see how it translates. But also I really want to up my writing and the best way is to just write 🙌✨
Whenever I do engage and read others I’m trying to be as generous with likes and comments as I can, which goes quicker than to second think everything
Instagram! It all started with a passion project (@thedoorsofldn) that morphed into helping other small business owners with their Instagram and now I'm a full-time freelance social media manager among other things.
I think you've absolutely got the right approach right now. Someone told me not to get too distracted by Notes and focus more on the writing... though I think how much you're writing certainly helps! Plus its wonderful to read. Inspiring, motivating and great for the curious (read: nosey) among us.
Can't wait to follow along x
I also kind of disagree with the person saying against notes... I share notes whenever I have something to say. An idea that comes up, I share it without thinking. Rather than focusing on the fear of doom scroll see it as a tool.
A lot of things from msm translates over here too even if I hardly dare to say it 🙈
Oh yes I agree with that! I think the person meant that the notes ‘feed’ can end up distracting / causing comparisonitis as it’s easy to get lost in what everyone else is doing vs posting your own notes.
I did read your 500k post! Many of your experiences mirror mine, though where I went ‘wrong’ in the beginning is that I didn’t have anything to sell and my subject matter (doors) isn’t easy to commercialise as it/they belong to someone else! I went ‘viral’ thanks to a Bored Panda article back in 2016 and grew by about 30k followers overnight. Nothing compared to you! But big growth nonetheless.
Over c*vid I began teaching others how to create content that attracts, nurtures and concerts followers but ended up pivoting about 18 months into social media management.
I found that almost all business owners are simply too busy to be making the kind (and quantity) of Reels/Canva graphics that will grow their following/generate sales. It was very frustrating to watch so I decided to (mostly) stop teaching and start doing the work for people instead.
Platforms like IG do work, but my god they require so much work! And too many business owners neglect email marketing, something I bang on about ALL THE TIME! Social media PLUS email has always been the best combination 🚀
Wow what a coincidence!! Also had a major viral video on bored panda early on too that got millions don’t remember how many followers it generated at the time though...
Incredible to me that so many still don’t do email... I felt late to the party as I didn’t realise the need until 2 years in.
It’s the one thing that makes Substack stand out in every regard to other social medias and yet I find some artists on here not realizing the power of it.
I’ve lived off my list for the past 3 years when I’ve hardly been able to post on social media due to motherhood and other personal events.
So excited to be connecting with you Bella!
Funny you went viral with doors.... I’ve done quite a few embroidered doors through the years 👏👏
Ah awesome I’ll check it out!
Did you have a chance to read my 500k on msm post? You may find that interesting too... would love to hear your takeaways if you’ve got the chance!
It’s amazing how a platform like Instagram can lay the foundation for a professional career but I’m also starting to see the limit and want to explore other possibilities (which for now is Substack). From experience of Instagram, what made me explode in the past was to be the supplier rather than consumer... so I try to have that focus here too or else I guess I’d lose too much time and sink in the comparison trap 😅grateful to have you here!
Leave the earnestness and transparency here Elin! I’m all for taking a follow your gut approach and think it’s lovely that you’re giving yourself this space to reconnect with your creativity. I started my substack in much the same mindset! And wow, 16 pieces in one month? I’m impressed! That’s quite a feat and excited to see what you continue to come up with next year!
Thank you so much Kerani for such a sweet words of support ❣️ yeah... I’m actually quite surprised of the amount of texts I posted and got another 16 in drafts (not all completed ones though lol) it’s like I’ve been shut quiet for years and it just comes flying out... or my babies just sleep a lot 😂😂 wishing you all the success into the new year 🎉
I love that! Let that creativity flow 🥰 it’s so exciting when it just feels natural like that and you have that momentum. Happy holidays!
Aw thank you Ella (though feels maybe weird to say as I noted it’s your pseudonym... 😅) I contemplated on using a pseudo too at first (for about 2 years to be frank) until I got fed up trying to make up my mind and just went on with my own instead 🤷🏼♀️
Ooh how cool that would be ! November 25th is scheduled 📆
I totally understand your “what am I doing” questions - I’ve had them tons of times too. At first I thought I’d write solely about motherhood, but every time I found myself inspired about something more business or personal development/life-philosophy related...
My strategy is to try and write down any ideas that sparks an interest. I run a note folder in my phone and jot down titles for potential posts and as soon as there’s one that I just can’t wait to write about I do it and publish before giving it a second thought. Cus all that I don’t publish immediately remains in the drafts folder for the same reason you mention....
I’m also thinking that I (or you) can’t know what willl kick off or what you’ll enjoy to write the most before you’ve actually written it and thus it’s better to just get on with it and you can adjust as you go ❤️
✨🤍 I see your beautiful work. I think the deleting process is part of it... I’ve not done that here but did lots of it on Instagram over the years. Sending sparkles. ✨💫
David showed me. ❤️✉️❤️