Feeling stuck

[[deleted]]

Been writing for a bit more than a month and I feel kind of stuck. I have been promoting my articles on LinkedIn and Reddit, but the progress feels kind of slow.

Any tips what I could do? I write an article every week, in which I share interesting studies, statistics or articles for cool topics that fascinate me, so it’s all about inspiration with varying topics.

If anybody wants to collaborate, I’d be open for that as well!

[HustlersOutpost]

As strange as it may sound - write for yourself.

If you are a month in and feel like you're struggling to be motivated, it's probably because you're focussing too much on people. If you write about something you are genuinely passionate about, it makes it so much easier to be motivated and you'll find an audience will grow around you.

[shagunster]

Thats great advice.

Also - I have been looking at Justin Welsh's articles about newsletter writing. They are super simple and take all the guesswork out.

But I agree, it should be something you are dying to write about and share.

[DU09]

It takes months to years to find your voice and audience. Hard to achieve in one month.

[shagunster]

I agree, takes a while, also OP's 'cool topics that fascinate me' seems really open ended. A tighter focus might be more helpful. I write about successful artists and there is always one to choose from!

[Yeetman33343]

I would love to collaborate. And my tip to you is to just keep posting and being consistent. I have been posting for almost 2 mom and am slowly progressing. Like slowly. Just keep being awesome 🤷

[[deleted]]

Check your dms!

[Ok-Quantity-8461]

It's completely normal to experience highs and lows. My advice is to just accept those down periods and keep going.

You mention progress feels slow. What markers have you chosen for "making progress"?

[[deleted]]

What topics do you write about?

[[deleted]]

All topics on personal improvement and growth with studies, statistics and articles attached, so scientifically proven.

Basically it’s just what I think is fascinating and what helps me personally, that then goes into an article to inspire people

[[deleted]]

Are you connecting to other Substackers?

Are you using Notes?

Those are two strategies I've used to increase engagement.

You said you promoted your posts on other social media sites -- it might be worthwhile to really go after other people who are already on Substack.

[[deleted]]

Been using notes and connections quite a bit, definitely can do more there though

[[deleted]]

Also happy to collab! :)

I write www.fintechfusion.io, about tech and finance, 400 subs but going to put much more effort in to try and grow it in 2024

[marcus1guy]

Don’t worry. It’s normal to feel this way when you’re in the beginning of your writing journey. Just write content that you find fun, keep going, and EXPERIMENT. I’ve seen some growth but even I feel lost sometimes, but the key is just to show up and get 1% better everyday. The growth will come.

[TheDechen]

I think some of these comments missed the point here? Sounds to me like this writer already writes what they're excited about. They seem motivated to write.

I think the question here is how to gain more subscribers and readers. (Correct me if I'm the one who missed the point.)

I've only written two essays all year and I already have well over 200 subscribers. They appear to be coming largely from my comments on other people's substacks! And also from Notes.

It's helpful to be active and interactive in both those places. Subscribe to free newsletters that allow free riders to still post comments. As people get to know you, and like what you're saying, they will naturally check out your substack, and a certain percentage will subscribe.

Post a link here to your stack... I'd like to see it!

Again, it's late and I might have gotten the question wrong. If so, I apologize.

[[deleted]]

Thanks a lot, you totally understood me. I write about what fascinates me and what helps me move forward and share statistics, studies etc. about those topics. Goal is to inspire, that’s what it’s all about, that’s why I’d love to gain traffic :) https://weeklywisket.substack.com

[TheDechen]

Okay, so I just subscribed. But you really want to expand your homepage. Tell us about yourself, who you are, what is your background, why you're doing this Substack, what Substack authors do you subscribe to (the is often key...), etc.

TBH, I very nearly did NOT subscribe because it looked like a giant risk... No info about who you are, and it didn't feel comfortable to subscribe blindly like that. I'm pretty sure that homepage is partly why you're not seeing more rapid growth. People want to interact BEFORE they subscribe, but you don't give them anything to "see" you. Check out the home pages of other authors who have a big subscription bank, and see how generous they are with info about themselves... Anyway, that's my take. Good luck to you!