Thanks so much for your trust! And yeah, they have a ton of content and it’s genuinely valuable! So many creators on Substack have learned from them. I think it’s a great idea to set aside some time every day to go through their stuff. There is so much you can learn from them!
I am biased - this article has 4 of my first connections on Substack all together - and I think they are my friends! HaHa! LOVED this article, Riza, your reflection on a system is always inspirational to me. And since I am in the WBS coaching and subscription, I have loads of respect for @Philip Hofmacher, @Sinem Günel and @Jari Roomer 's expertise and support!
The fact that your first Substack connections are all in the same article, that's a sign you found the right corner of the Substack early on! ;) Really glad it resonated.
An insightful piece. I wonder if the success of Substack reflects a growing fatigue with algorithms and a renewed appetite for ideas that require more than a few seconds of attention.
Yeah that's exactly what I think is driving it. People are tired of performing for an algorithm. There's a real hunger for something slower and more honest.
This was a great breakdown. One thing I’m wrestling with is that I fall into the category you mentioned at the beginning.
I’m primarily a writer and storyteller. I’m documenting a journey, sharing observations, personal essays, and life experiences, with a long-term goal of writing a book/comedy series. I’m not currently selling coaching, courses, or consulting.
For writers whose primary asset is their voice, perspective, and storytelling rather than a specific transformation or business outcome, are there any growth or monetization models you’ve seen work particularly well on Substack?
Any articles or creators you’d recommend studying?
Frankie, for storytellers the model that works is paid subscriptions built on voice alone. People will pay to read someone they genuinely look forward to.
The newsletter becomes the longest running proof of concept for your book and comedy series! The audience you build here is the one who shows up when those come out.
Get specific about "who your reader is”, not what your topic is!
That's where the growth starts.
There is so many other ways to monetize your audience. But first, you need to build your community!
And, do not have a doubt. You can monetize your effort!
The idea of the newsletter being the longest-running proof of concept for a future book or series really clicked for me.
That’s actually one of the reasons I started writing on Substack in the first place. I wanted a place to develop my voice, tell stories, and see what resonates over time.
I appreciate the reminder that the audience I’m building now is the same audience that could show up for whatever comes next.
I sure would appreciate some advice because I get zero interaction, follows, and I have published about long-form articles, sharing my journey as the solo founder of mentionfox.com, foxapis.com, getfoxchat.com and in here, I have yet to see the light.
Usually, tends to be the same names, same stories, and inheritance that wins the attention. Gary Vaynerchuk shows up and gets the love.
See what I've published, maybe even what I've built ad continue to build out further, and I would appreciate any and all actually actionable suggestions. Tagging,what do do with a published post, etc.
Saul, the solo founder journey is genuinely interesting material. The issue is usually distribution, not the writing itself. Commenting on bigger publications in your space before you post, not after, makes a real difference. And going specific in the title matters more than most people think. Happy to take a look at a piece if you share one.
Saul, the volume is there. The angle might be the thing! One post this week about a specific frustration you hit while building, not just what you built. See what that does. 👌
Working on mentionfox.com and it's supporting products, getfox.com and foxapis.com and lcncagents.com I am the one-man-band who is pretty frazzled. I don't really have a shit-ton of time to pose, pander, placate and cozy up to the gods of each patform I post in. I share what I'm building, been sharing nearly every day. Crickets.
Saul, the frazzled part is probably what's working against you most right now. Building four products solo and sharing every day is already a lot. One thing worth trying: share the specific problem you ran into while building, not just what you built. That's where people actually stop and engage.
Thank you so much, Risa, for sharing this. You have no idea how happy it made me to read through your in-depth analysis. Thank you so much for helping us spread the word about the possibility of Substack. I couldn't thank you more for that. If there's ever anything you need, let me know!
Philip, this genuinely means a lot! I follow what you've built closely and learn from it all the time, so writing about it felt natural. Really glad it landed. And yes, definitely let's stay in touch. There's a lot of shared direction here.
so so good.
"They don’t just write to be read. They write to help. They write to transform!" this is everything.
So glad that part stood out. That's really the whole thesis of everything I write about here, too. 😅
yes. it's bang on!
Right?! 😄 thank you! :)
I've subscribed based on your recommendation. I'm still working through their stuff. There's a ton!
Thanks so much for your trust! And yeah, they have a ton of content and it’s genuinely valuable! So many creators on Substack have learned from them. I think it’s a great idea to set aside some time every day to go through their stuff. There is so much you can learn from them!
I am biased - this article has 4 of my first connections on Substack all together - and I think they are my friends! HaHa! LOVED this article, Riza, your reflection on a system is always inspirational to me. And since I am in the WBS coaching and subscription, I have loads of respect for @Philip Hofmacher, @Sinem Günel and @Jari Roomer 's expertise and support!
Cerina, this made me smile!
The fact that your first Substack connections are all in the same article, that's a sign you found the right corner of the Substack early on! ;) Really glad it resonated.
An insightful piece. I wonder if the success of Substack reflects a growing fatigue with algorithms and a renewed appetite for ideas that require more than a few seconds of attention.
Yeah that's exactly what I think is driving it. People are tired of performing for an algorithm. There's a real hunger for something slower and more honest.
This was a great breakdown. One thing I’m wrestling with is that I fall into the category you mentioned at the beginning.
I’m primarily a writer and storyteller. I’m documenting a journey, sharing observations, personal essays, and life experiences, with a long-term goal of writing a book/comedy series. I’m not currently selling coaching, courses, or consulting.
For writers whose primary asset is their voice, perspective, and storytelling rather than a specific transformation or business outcome, are there any growth or monetization models you’ve seen work particularly well on Substack?
Any articles or creators you’d recommend studying?
Frankie, for storytellers the model that works is paid subscriptions built on voice alone. People will pay to read someone they genuinely look forward to.
The newsletter becomes the longest running proof of concept for your book and comedy series! The audience you build here is the one who shows up when those come out.
Get specific about "who your reader is”, not what your topic is!
That's where the growth starts.
There is so many other ways to monetize your audience. But first, you need to build your community!
And, do not have a doubt. You can monetize your effort!
Thank you for such a thoughtful response 🙏
The idea of the newsletter being the longest-running proof of concept for a future book or series really clicked for me.
That’s actually one of the reasons I started writing on Substack in the first place. I wanted a place to develop my voice, tell stories, and see what resonates over time.
I appreciate the reminder that the audience I’m building now is the same audience that could show up for whatever comes next.
Really glad it clicked. And developing your voice and seeing what resonates over time IS the whole process. You're already doing it! :)
I am part of the now and the future ❤️ substack
Love the energy man. Glad you're here for it!
The energy that we focus must be something that brings joy to our day to day existence.
Have a Thankful Tuesday Riza !
Exactly Dino. Have a great Tuesday man!
I sure would appreciate some advice because I get zero interaction, follows, and I have published about long-form articles, sharing my journey as the solo founder of mentionfox.com, foxapis.com, getfoxchat.com and in here, I have yet to see the light.
Usually, tends to be the same names, same stories, and inheritance that wins the attention. Gary Vaynerchuk shows up and gets the love.
See what I've published, maybe even what I've built ad continue to build out further, and I would appreciate any and all actually actionable suggestions. Tagging,what do do with a published post, etc.
Thank you.
Saul, the solo founder journey is genuinely interesting material. The issue is usually distribution, not the writing itself. Commenting on bigger publications in your space before you post, not after, makes a real difference. And going specific in the title matters more than most people think. Happy to take a look at a piece if you share one.
Well, I'm sdoing this every day - https://substack.com/@saulfleischman not sure what else I must do
Saul, the volume is there. The angle might be the thing! One post this week about a specific frustration you hit while building, not just what you built. See what that does. 👌
Okay, thank you!
Working on mentionfox.com and it's supporting products, getfox.com and foxapis.com and lcncagents.com I am the one-man-band who is pretty frazzled. I don't really have a shit-ton of time to pose, pander, placate and cozy up to the gods of each patform I post in. I share what I'm building, been sharing nearly every day. Crickets.
Thanks for any and all advice,
Saul
Saul, the frazzled part is probably what's working against you most right now. Building four products solo and sharing every day is already a lot. One thing worth trying: share the specific problem you ran into while building, not just what you built. That's where people actually stop and engage.
The ecosystem that they have built is exceptional indeed @Riza
Yeah. @Philip Hofmacher, @Sinem Günel and @Jari Roomer , didn't just create another course, they actually built a self-sustaining architecture!
It is a masterclass in how community is supposed to work.👌
Thank you so much, Risa, for sharing this. You have no idea how happy it made me to read through your in-depth analysis. Thank you so much for helping us spread the word about the possibility of Substack. I couldn't thank you more for that. If there's ever anything you need, let me know!
Philip, this genuinely means a lot! I follow what you've built closely and learn from it all the time, so writing about it felt natural. Really glad it landed. And yes, definitely let's stay in touch. There's a lot of shared direction here.
This is amazing. Show you waht is possible with the right system.
That's exactly it. What's possible when you build with real intention.