My primary motive on Substack is not for growth. I’m very grateful for those who follow along/read and feel no need to have bigger numbers just for the sake of it. I’d personally rather have ten engaged readers than hundreds who aren’t. Plus, since my newsletter is smaller, it feels easier for me to sustain, freely experiment, and have a more 1:1 connection with anyone who does share their thoughts. Years ago, I would’ve had a different approach or goal, but I like where I’ve landed now. It feels peaceful and more exciting to create from this place. 🤗
Yesterday, the YouTube algorithm showed me videos of artists who are basically changing their business because they are burned out. One is going to stop doing physical products and start doing digital. The other has stopped doing handmade ceramics and doing outsourced products.
The toll that comes from that life is huge. I’m sure it helped them financially and it’s great they are able to pivot.
I think I’m just starting out a lot slower, but I know that’s a privilege too.
You are going knowingly or unknowingly against traditional advice which works for you. It just shows. Put yourself out there as you are, as you feel is right for you, and good readers will come. Thanks for sharing, Mika. This is precisely what I needed to hear. I've been over-obsessing about renaming my publication-- this helped make a lot of decisions much easier ❤️
I’m glad that I get to show up in a way that feels right and also helps me to connect with such amazing people - like yourself! I’m also glad that you’ve gained a bit of clarity around renaming your publication. All the best with that!
I loved reading this! I remember I was very drawn by the name of your publication- it sounded intriguing, warm and inviting - so I think not following the name choice advice was great 😀 I changed my pub name from 'Wildmuse Portal' (which felt like 'my energy- kind of whimsical and creative) to 'Not Always Neurosparkly: Musings on AuDHD Life's to follow that advice about being specific and I do find it's made me feel more limited, like I can't write anything non-neurodivergent-related. I admit I check my stats way too often, especially after a recent big spike in numbers!
Thank you for the lovely feedback about the name. 💕
I definitely checked my numbers A LOT when I got a spike too. Then I had to deal with the everything “stalling” and slowing down. It made me question and second guess what I was doing. I had to regroup and get my head straight. 😄
Good morning from Melbourne (I am a NZer with a US green card so it is nice to be over this side of the world for a while). I also run a patron model - the wikipedia style and I sometimes tell people what I spend their contributions on - pigs and trees! I love that you chuck all the rules out the window and still have a lovely page - very welcoming - very warm.
Lovey to hear from Cecilia! That’s a great idea about telling people what you spend the contribution on - I think Anne Cadet does this too (usually with a bit of humour as well. I’m so glad that you feel it’s a welcoming space. That means a lot! 💕
It seems like you are also trying to build a nice, calming space on Substack that is good for your nervous system. I quickly turned on paid back in May and it’s been great. Because I don’t worry too much about any wording about upgrading, it’s just there in the background if people want to. If I do decide to offer something extra, I may change the way I do things, but for now, this is working for my mindset.
So many wonderful pieces of advice and gentle reminders packed in this newsletter, Mika. This is exactly why I’m proud to support your work! I love the tribe that you’ve grown for us to come and enjoy. 💕
I’m glad that you found it helpful Mica. As someone who is always trying to figure out the “right” way to do things, I am so grateful that I have been able to experiment with letting go of expectations and outside and internal pressures. I’m so grateful and glad that you’ve decided to come on this journey with me. xx
I resonate with so many of these Mika - especially having no Notes strategy, and no calls to upgrade. I post fortnightly instead of weekly (like most people here seem to do). I love this permission-giving piece, it's such a great reminder to do Substack your way 😃👍
If I have any kind of strategy it would be to show up authentically and to engage meaningfully with others. I try to keep to my fortnightly posting schedule, but not rigidly, and I allow myself to take breaks. I step away from Substack anytime I am feeling too much comparisonitis, envy, or pressure to perform/deliver. I try to stay soft with it and come back to what I enjoy about being here, rather than viewing it as a business. I'm not sure that's a strategy, but it's what's working for me right now 😊
Haha, I love your approach! I’m not really into growth hacks either. For me I think it’s important to enjoy myself here. Easy said than done, also for me. And I think it is more easy as I don’t have to earn money from my Substack.
You make such a great point. I don’t have to make money either - so I’m definitely coming from a space of privilege. Some people need to make money and would love to make it from their passion for writing (or podcast/videos) and may not have the luxury to abandon/ignore growth hacks.
At the beginning, I was just enjoying reading a lot, commenting a lot and sharing a lot. I also had some pieces written in case they came to check out my pieces.
People sharing my work has been the best way I’ve grown.
I feel like the sharing has slowed down somewhat, so now recommendations are where I get a lot of my new subscribers.
Thanks for sharing these! I also don’t follow most of these, except for the upgrade to paid…though I do the bare minimum. No hard selling, that’s for sure.
Not checking my dashboard by far has been the best move. I need to figure out how to remove it from my profile!
We have similar notes strategies, I'm either all in or not at all there is no in between. 😅 I must say on the days that I'm "all in" it usually results in a few extra subscribers so it does make a difference.
Thanks, Mika! This is really insightful. I also operate with a patron model from a place of advocacy and peer support for others in neurodivergent menopause.
How do you find running a paid weekly chat thread given that you are in Aotearoa NZ? I’m in Kāpiti, and I’ve been wondering about this but I get stuck on the fact that our timezone is so far removed/ahead of many people in my community…
I’d appreciate your thoughts on this but no pressure :)
Kia ora Sam! So lovely to hear from you. Always love having another kiwi on Substack, thanks for following my journey for so long.
About the paid weekly chat thread. It's not an offering I advertise that you get with your paid subscription, so because of the low pressure, it's very low stakes. I don't have a set time I post it, I just post it some time during the day and I also send it to their email, so they get to check it at their leisure. I usually prompt a conversation, but with 20 paid subscribers, often there is 1-3 chatting in there. I am ok if I'm not on there straight away to respond. I guess it depends on how you want to use it. I've just used it as a place where people can drop in at their leisure.
Just showing up as your most authentic self is probably the best mentality one can have on here. Most other "growth hacks" seem to just get in the way of that. I do admire that you chose to stick to your authentic self on here. I try to do the same; and I wish more people would do the same.
I’m with you on many of these, Mika!
My primary motive on Substack is not for growth. I’m very grateful for those who follow along/read and feel no need to have bigger numbers just for the sake of it. I’d personally rather have ten engaged readers than hundreds who aren’t. Plus, since my newsletter is smaller, it feels easier for me to sustain, freely experiment, and have a more 1:1 connection with anyone who does share their thoughts. Years ago, I would’ve had a different approach or goal, but I like where I’ve landed now. It feels peaceful and more exciting to create from this place. 🤗
100%!
Yesterday, the YouTube algorithm showed me videos of artists who are basically changing their business because they are burned out. One is going to stop doing physical products and start doing digital. The other has stopped doing handmade ceramics and doing outsourced products.
The toll that comes from that life is huge. I’m sure it helped them financially and it’s great they are able to pivot.
I think I’m just starting out a lot slower, but I know that’s a privilege too.
You are going knowingly or unknowingly against traditional advice which works for you. It just shows. Put yourself out there as you are, as you feel is right for you, and good readers will come. Thanks for sharing, Mika. This is precisely what I needed to hear. I've been over-obsessing about renaming my publication-- this helped make a lot of decisions much easier ❤️
I’m glad that I get to show up in a way that feels right and also helps me to connect with such amazing people - like yourself! I’m also glad that you’ve gained a bit of clarity around renaming your publication. All the best with that!
I loved reading this! I remember I was very drawn by the name of your publication- it sounded intriguing, warm and inviting - so I think not following the name choice advice was great 😀 I changed my pub name from 'Wildmuse Portal' (which felt like 'my energy- kind of whimsical and creative) to 'Not Always Neurosparkly: Musings on AuDHD Life's to follow that advice about being specific and I do find it's made me feel more limited, like I can't write anything non-neurodivergent-related. I admit I check my stats way too often, especially after a recent big spike in numbers!
Thank you for the lovely feedback about the name. 💕
I definitely checked my numbers A LOT when I got a spike too. Then I had to deal with the everything “stalling” and slowing down. It made me question and second guess what I was doing. I had to regroup and get my head straight. 😄
Good morning from Melbourne (I am a NZer with a US green card so it is nice to be over this side of the world for a while). I also run a patron model - the wikipedia style and I sometimes tell people what I spend their contributions on - pigs and trees! I love that you chuck all the rules out the window and still have a lovely page - very welcoming - very warm.
Lovey to hear from Cecilia! That’s a great idea about telling people what you spend the contribution on - I think Anne Cadet does this too (usually with a bit of humour as well. I’m so glad that you feel it’s a welcoming space. That means a lot! 💕
Humour is a wonderful thing!
So much wonderful advice here Mika, thank you. I have turned off subscriptions because I felt icky but a patreon modell might work.
We have similar strategies on Notes and posts which takes off the pressure I felt on Insta etc.
It seems like you are also trying to build a nice, calming space on Substack that is good for your nervous system. I quickly turned on paid back in May and it’s been great. Because I don’t worry too much about any wording about upgrading, it’s just there in the background if people want to. If I do decide to offer something extra, I may change the way I do things, but for now, this is working for my mindset.
So many wonderful pieces of advice and gentle reminders packed in this newsletter, Mika. This is exactly why I’m proud to support your work! I love the tribe that you’ve grown for us to come and enjoy. 💕
I’m glad that you found it helpful Mica. As someone who is always trying to figure out the “right” way to do things, I am so grateful that I have been able to experiment with letting go of expectations and outside and internal pressures. I’m so grateful and glad that you’ve decided to come on this journey with me. xx
I resonate with so many of these Mika - especially having no Notes strategy, and no calls to upgrade. I post fortnightly instead of weekly (like most people here seem to do). I love this permission-giving piece, it's such a great reminder to do Substack your way 😃👍
It seems we are on the similar page for a lot of things. Do you have any kind of strategy that you follow?
If I have any kind of strategy it would be to show up authentically and to engage meaningfully with others. I try to keep to my fortnightly posting schedule, but not rigidly, and I allow myself to take breaks. I step away from Substack anytime I am feeling too much comparisonitis, envy, or pressure to perform/deliver. I try to stay soft with it and come back to what I enjoy about being here, rather than viewing it as a business. I'm not sure that's a strategy, but it's what's working for me right now 😊
Thank you for sharing your approach to your Substack. It sounds very healthy and enlightened, Mika!
Thank you! I am a lot happier for it. Now I just have to adapt this “ease” into other parts of my life. ☺️
Haha, I love your approach! I’m not really into growth hacks either. For me I think it’s important to enjoy myself here. Easy said than done, also for me. And I think it is more easy as I don’t have to earn money from my Substack.
You make such a great point. I don’t have to make money either - so I’m definitely coming from a space of privilege. Some people need to make money and would love to make it from their passion for writing (or podcast/videos) and may not have the luxury to abandon/ignore growth hacks.
This is great to read. I’m not so good at following the rules or a set script for growth. What would say is your best move for organic growth?
At the beginning, I was just enjoying reading a lot, commenting a lot and sharing a lot. I also had some pieces written in case they came to check out my pieces.
People sharing my work has been the best way I’ve grown.
I feel like the sharing has slowed down somewhat, so now recommendations are where I get a lot of my new subscribers.
Thanks for sharing these! I also don’t follow most of these, except for the upgrade to paid…though I do the bare minimum. No hard selling, that’s for sure.
Not checking my dashboard by far has been the best move. I need to figure out how to remove it from my profile!
We have similar notes strategies, I'm either all in or not at all there is no in between. 😅 I must say on the days that I'm "all in" it usually results in a few extra subscribers so it does make a difference.
I love that we are both all or nothing with Notes! 😆 (By the way, I’ve really been enjoying your Notes lately. 😊)
Thanks, Mika! This is really insightful. I also operate with a patron model from a place of advocacy and peer support for others in neurodivergent menopause.
How do you find running a paid weekly chat thread given that you are in Aotearoa NZ? I’m in Kāpiti, and I’ve been wondering about this but I get stuck on the fact that our timezone is so far removed/ahead of many people in my community…
I’d appreciate your thoughts on this but no pressure :)
Kia ora Sam! So lovely to hear from you. Always love having another kiwi on Substack, thanks for following my journey for so long.
About the paid weekly chat thread. It's not an offering I advertise that you get with your paid subscription, so because of the low pressure, it's very low stakes. I don't have a set time I post it, I just post it some time during the day and I also send it to their email, so they get to check it at their leisure. I usually prompt a conversation, but with 20 paid subscribers, often there is 1-3 chatting in there. I am ok if I'm not on there straight away to respond. I guess it depends on how you want to use it. I've just used it as a place where people can drop in at their leisure.
Love how you keep it real Mika! Feels so much more sustainable. :)
Sustainability and enjoyment is key for me.
Thank you so much for supporting me on this journey Noor!
Just showing up as your most authentic self is probably the best mentality one can have on here. Most other "growth hacks" seem to just get in the way of that. I do admire that you chose to stick to your authentic self on here. I try to do the same; and I wish more people would do the same.
Thank you for your kind words.
I find it so much more easier to find authentic voices on Substack than any other place.
That’s probably why I keep returning to it. The energy here feels great.
But I also know that I’ve worked really hard to bat away anything that encroaches on that peace and cultivated some amazing people into my community.
Thank you for being part of it Michael!
Love this!
Thanks for reading! I’m excited that you have a new home for your words and music!