362 Comments

dont forget us little authors as you invite more and more big shots into to make money. Paid is fine. But initial growth comes from free subscriptions for anyone building from scratch. A polite request...

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We'll be fine :)

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plz subscribe me

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I subscribe $$ to quite a few Substack accounts. I find the opinions and information provided here to be well researched, carefully edited, and thoughtfully prepared. The writers are not on deadline, unlike NY Times and Washington Post. The quality is much higher here and we can express our opinions and ideas in these comments. Thank you!

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Linda, love that you are from Evanston, my dream town. I hope to return there some day. Bookends and Beginnings is one of my all time favorite bookstores. Please check out my publication “Great Books, Great Minds” if you are so inclined.

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Jan 1, 2023Liked by Sophia Efthimiatou

I started mine today! Yay

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same here. wish you the best of luck!!

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Hi, my name is Louis and I’m so new here, I don’t know how to share my writings. Maybe I can start with you? I’m working on my autobiography on the back burner, 100’s of short stories, cooking on the front burners, poems, prose, unpublished books with digital art, plus song lyrics I’ve recorded while still dreaming of JUST one hit record, and I reference the stove because I love to eat and hate to cook, but I’ll do all the dishes. Can you help me? My songs and embodiment are for positive vibes.

--Louis

Louis2120pearl@gmail.com

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plz subscribe me!

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This feels like a real community 😍

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If you are coming from another platform, the community here will be a refreshing change.

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What a nice message to start the year, Sophia.

And I will add my, SUBSTACK CHANGED MY LIFE, to the mix. Only two months in and its totally worth all the energy I'm throwing at it. I even admit, I am a bit obsessed with how much fun the format is to curate. Thank you!

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Wonderful, Rachel!!! Lots of love xx

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So true! I relate. It is quite a playful process. A fluid tool for sure!

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I started in October 22. Substack has been life-changing, as a new writer starting from scratch. The structure of publishing weekly, the joy and freedom of a place to share my writing away from social media, not to mention finding the audacity to call myself a writer is just some of what has made my 2022. 127 subscribers, 12 posts and counting. Here's to 2023 and what it may bring...

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Hurrah!!!

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That’s brilliant Claire in such a short time. How have you been promoting your Substack?

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Thanks Martin! I started out with emailing my network, some individually , some en masse and inviting them to join if it sounded up their street. I also had a launch party over Zoom (that was fun!) for those who responded with particular enthusiasm and who had supported me reach this point in my creative journey. A number of those people have been generous word of mouth supporters, pointing others my way. I’ve done a couple of podcast interviews and I have guest-posted on colleagues email lists off Substack. The only regular ongoing action I take is sharing a short excerpt on LinkedIn most weeks, inviting people to sign up. I’m also not shy about asking subscribers to forward on what I write to others who might enjoy. You asking me this question is helpful. I haven’t paused to think about this until now. My favourite way to grow it so far was the party. I might do a birthday party when October comes around!

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Thanks for sharing this, Claire. As someone just beginning his journey on Substack, it's enlightening to hear how you've approached getting the word out. Nice work!

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Hi Bryce, It’s my pleasure! I’m wishing you all the best for your Substack adventure!

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Wow. A party! That sounds amazing. I’ve not heard anyone have a Substack launch party before.

Thanks for the insight. I love the stories about how people grow their substacks

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Thanks Astrid! Following a sense of joy and aliveness is a theme is a central theme in my writing, and so the idea for the party flowed from that. We even had a friend of mine sing for us 🎉🎶

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I started in 2022 as a New Years resolution. Substack is the real deal! Keep protecting free speech.

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I just started my substack! Super excited to be here.

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Jan 1, 2023Liked by Sophia Efthimiatou

Sophia, what a wonderful way to start the new year! I’ve been on Substack now for 18 months and while my subscriber base isn’t that big with each new subscriber that I don’t know (or do know personally) the exhilaration is amazing.

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That's the spirit!!!

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I feel the same. Every new reader that discovers you motivates you, it's encouraging, like a new friend or penpal. We don't know who they are but something in us resonates with them. The funny thing is that we just write about our life lessons, journeys, ideas, opinions... we write about Self. It's a greenlight!

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It’s crazy exhilarating for me to know that someone I’ve never met wants to read my incoherent drivel.

So, accepting any and all who want to read some ramblings about coffee.

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So well said! I just started and already have felt this with each new reader.

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I agree. It’s such a buzz when you get that new subscriber email. You know you are getting your message to one more person and that person really means something.

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Amen to all of the above! I've been with Substack for a little over four years now, and every year it gets better and better. Sending out a HUGE thank you to the team there, what you guys have done over the past year is amazing -- and I'm looking forward to this year too!

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Thank you to YOU for making Substack a home for your writing. Here's to many more years to come! Have a happy one, Terrell!

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Jan 1, 2023Liked by Sophia Efthimiatou

For 11 years I wrote a local Everyman column for a small local publication. The publication changed ownership and my column was no more (without any notice to me by the way, they just stopped running it, but that’s another story, not that I’m bitter...). Fortunately I had kept every email I had ever received from readers. In October I sent a blast to all of them plus everyone else I could think of, announcing my presence on Substack, and the response has been more than gratifying. Thank you, Substack, for allowing me to continue writing.

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thank you for sharing this!

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I have learned to improve my story telling and writing skills just from being in this forum. Writing is a new passion. Thanks!

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Agree that Substack makes it so easy for a new creator to begin without the need for extensive tech knowledge...thank you!

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TRUTH Jordan. If you can fog a mirror you can start a Substack. 😂 Happy New Year!

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Jan 1, 2023Liked by Sophia Efthimiatou

A fine read on the first day of the new year, Sophia! Thank you. I've been on Substack three months and really like it. I feel good after posting. Though slow, with patience and consistency, I hope to grow.

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Thank you!! And that's right, keep at it!

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Jan 1, 2023Liked by Sophia Efthimiatou

I’ve always loved exploring old antique shops, attics and used book stores. Substack feels like that; a place one can discover things one didn’t quite know existed. I use my Cabinet of Curiosities to practice my writing skills. I’m grateful for the increasing subscribers and hope you’ll want to visit and take a look!

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I had to chuckle -- yes, my first subscribers were friends and family, and it was so exhilarating to welcome somebody I didn't know -- especially when they opted for a paid subscription! Thank you, Sunstack team, for continuing to come up with great ideas that help us writers to grow, yes, even those like me who don't have a large base yet. And THANK YOU, Substack community -- for being civil, supportive, and friendly. This atmosphere means so much to me. Lastly -- I am encouraging some friends to sign up, I think they would benefit!

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Jan 1, 2023Liked by Sophia Efthimiatou

I took the leap in June 2021 to start my Substack and haven’t looked back. You’re not on your own here but have community to keep you going. It helps to hold yourself accountable for being consistent and delivering. Good luck to those who venture here this year.

I liked the quote about the small audience. While I hope to expand mine, I get such wonderful, genuine engagement. It’s really rewarding. Onward and upward!

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Thank you for this! Sending you love and all good things!

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Same to you! 🥰

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Always great to see your work Chevanne. Excited to see your continued growth in 2023. Onward my new Substack friend.

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👋🏾 Hello!

How kind of you! I’m manifesting a good year.

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Exactly. Especially on accountability ❤️

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I started writing on substack 6 months ago and it has totally changed things up for me. It’s a brilliant platform for writers.

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