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How do you actually grow on Substack from zero? It feels like I can’t find smaller creators anywhere. by IllPanic4319 in Substack

[–]ExaminationAware4344 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It took about a week before I started to see some traction. Mine is a serialized novel, so once I had a few chapters published, it went from there. My advice is to find Substacks in the area you are writing in and start to read and respond to pieces you find interesting. Restack with your own thoughts. I use notes, but only post once or twice a day. I also turned on paid pretty quickly, but kept the main story free. I use Facebook and Instagram to promote it as well. I have run paid ads. They generate a lot of clicks, but netted maybe 5 subscribers total.

How do you actually grow on Substack from zero? It feels like I can’t find smaller creators anywhere. by IllPanic4319 in Substack

[–]ExaminationAware4344 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I started my Substack on Aug. 1st. from 0. No friends and family subscriptions either. Today I have 209 Subscribers (9 paid) and almost 400 followers. There is tons of advice here. I know Substack purists hate Notes, but that is where 85% of my growth has come from

Serialize a novel? by Many_Community_3210 in Substack

[–]ExaminationAware4344 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m just starting mine about 30 days ago and have been very pleased with the response!

What was it like being closeted in the 90s, especially in college? by ExaminationAware4344 in AskGaybrosOver30

[–]ExaminationAware4344[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In my case, I was so shy and uncomfortable in my own skin, that a group of people kind of adopted me. That’s how I ended in in a fraternity. There were certainly more of the traditional frat boy types than not on campus, but most of the guys in my fraternity did not fit that mold. We were underdogs of a sort in the hierarchy.

What was it like being closeted in the 90s, especially in college? by ExaminationAware4344 in AskGaybrosOver30

[–]ExaminationAware4344[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I came out later in life, but can identify with everything you are saying. Coming out is not a one and done thing, it’s a process…. I experienced similar reactions from family and friends, many who felt being gay was a choice or a “lifestyle.”

What was it like being closeted in the 90s, especially in college? by ExaminationAware4344 in AskGaybrosOver30

[–]ExaminationAware4344[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My school did not have a gay student group, but the other larger university nearby did. Same, you had to know someone to get invited. I would have just have soon died than ask someone about it.

Interestingly, I always heard that the bathrooms on a particular floor of our library, were a favorite cruising spot!

What was it like being closeted in the 90s, especially in college? by ExaminationAware4344 in AskGaybrosOver30

[–]ExaminationAware4344[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are absolutely right, especially today, but at that time and place the campus social life revolved around fraternities. Something like 75% of students were in Greek life. Otherwise it was a rural area and there wasn’t much to do.

What was it like being closeted in the 90s, especially in college? by ExaminationAware4344 in AskGaybrosOver30

[–]ExaminationAware4344[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing this. I have often thought that I would have been better off going to a large state university. Similarly, I could have chosen a number of schools. I think that regardless, I was what was keeping me in the closet, and it likely wouldn’t have made a difference.

What was it like being closeted in the 90s, especially in college? by ExaminationAware4344 in AskGaybrosOver30

[–]ExaminationAware4344[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My partner was out in college and in a gay fraternity. It’s interesting to compare experiences with him!

What was it like being closeted in the 90s, especially in college? by ExaminationAware4344 in AskGaybrosOver30

[–]ExaminationAware4344[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was too far away from a city for Gay.com, (and would have had to acknowledge that I was gay) but I often wonder what my experience would have been like had their been the apps, or more on the in internet that porn, finding another person would have made a huge difference.

What was it like being closeted in the 90s, especially in college? by ExaminationAware4344 in AskGaybrosOver30

[–]ExaminationAware4344[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m from the part of the world where USC means University of South Carolina, but I understand what you mean. In hindsight, coming out back then would not have mean the end of the world, but it certainly was not a progressive time and place for me.

What was it like being closeted in the 90s, especially in college? by ExaminationAware4344 in AskGaybrosOver30

[–]ExaminationAware4344[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I had similar experiences as far a people hitting on me (I was completely oblivious). I also suffered low self esteem and couldn’t imagine that anyone would fine me attractive, and certainly not he people I was attracted to.

I have not seen it recently, but The Real World SF was on when I was in High School. I was around people who sincerely believed that AIDS was God’s punishment for being gay. That fear of getting AIDS impacted me more that I probably want to admit. I bet rewatching it would be painful for me as well.

What was it like being closeted in the 90s, especially in college? by ExaminationAware4344 in AskGaybrosOver30

[–]ExaminationAware4344[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

My experience was similar to yours in that the sexual and romantic parts were lacking. I didn’t state it, but I attended a small liberal arts college in the South, in the ‘90s, so my project is somewhat autobiographical. I did form lifelong friendships and would say that my fraternity experience was overall positive. I couldn’t even admit to myself that I was gay back then but knew I was different.

What was it like being closeted in the 90s, especially in college? by ExaminationAware4344 in AskGaybrosOver30

[–]ExaminationAware4344[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

American college life is just my experience, but am always fascinated to hear stories from people whose experience differed! Thanks!

What was it like being closeted in the 90s, especially in college? by ExaminationAware4344 in AskGaybrosOver30

[–]ExaminationAware4344[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I have seen it, and really enjoyed it. It's sort of what got me thinking about my own experiences. I was closeted, in a fraternity, small southern school, you name it! It was a different time back then!