Jessica, I too have a love-hate relationship with notes, but it is a necessary evil and it has helped me grow on Substack and connect with others like yourself and Midstack where we support each other's work.
I can't stand the notes that are obviously templated and the people who post the same thing pretty much over and over, yet they seem to get rewarded by the algorithm. I'm not going to do it anyway.
You can put up a nice photo and get a bunch of hearts, but that won't do anything ultimately for you, so I do a mix of posts that highlight my work and share some thoughts and getting to know you/fun posts without links for insights into who I am.
Here's an example of one of my notes from today that's the mix I mentioned:
I have found the exact same thing, Jessica. My most "successful" Notes have been the ones sharing my reading life or something inspiring. This was probably my most read note so far (shared yesterday):
"I conducted a survey of my subscribers recently, to see what they found value in here on Substack. My conclusion? Most readers are here for the deep literary analysis. They want intelligent, thought-provoking, long-form lit chat & to discover great writers & books. This is great news!
Long live deep reading, writing & discovery 🌟 📚 📖 📙 ✍️" (over 90 likes)
and a Note of someone else that I thought worked really well: "I’m 42 and I got accepted into law school …. That’s it, that’s the post!!" (this has over 92k likes!!)
I'm curious with 90 likes (and the l/c I just added) though Kate did you get any subscribers from this (if you don't mind sharing)?
I've found notes with a lot of likes that didn't link to any of my work are good for a morale boost but didn't tend to translate to much in the way of subscribers or followers.
Thank you so much for the mention! And I wholeheartedly agree with this--the notes that people respond to are true reflections and authentic observations. At least those are the ones that always pull me in!
Notes have been overwhelming! I was just thinking this morning how Substack could easily become just another mind-numbing scroll going through notes. I also thought about how the pressure to publish notes could lead to more stress when this is supposed to be something that is a relaxing release and a place to share my thoughts. Still contemplating how much I want to involve myself in all of it. I see a box to click that says "Also share to Notes." Think I'll click it. :)
Nicole, while I post 1-3 notes weekdays and 1 on weekend days, I've found it's more important to interact with the notes of others. Sometimes a comment or answer I give on someone else's piece makes a great note for me. A photo I take can inspire a note. i also keep tidbits on my phone and a running Google doc. Of course my actual posts are the sources of many notes.
I'm not a social media person and this is the only one I do.
You decide how much you want to do and set boundaries around when you are on Notes and you'll do fine. It has made a huge difference in building my audience. Hope that helps!
Thanks so much for including my Note 🥰. It's so interesting to me how some things get a stronger reaction than others. It's not planned and I'm not about to try and game the algorithm, but your "saying something true is the only notes strategy you need" advice is spot on 😊.
I agree Kimberlee. I actually ignore the algorithm. I don't even use my feed and just focus on what I've subscribed to, select groups with supportive threads like this one and people I've connected with whose work I enjoy and who support me (and vice-versa).
That was a good one l/c. If you are willing to add a pic of. the hopscotch you drew (no girls in it) and restack you'll probably get even more hearts :)
I can completely relate and I too have a love hate relationship with social media in general. The commitment to post, to read comments, to pay attention to the noise when life feels noisy enough in the real world. It takes work, I’m tired, and it can feel like another chore. I feel at peace and free when I write but often lack the motivation to bring myself to slow down, sit down, and do it. It’s hard to prioritize this personal project and self-healing when life and family demands so much of me. I love the advice to just write what feels true, let it be raw, unfiltered, and not perfect. Takes a lot of the pressure off that we put on ourselves.
Here is a note I just posted after this advice-
As a midlife woman who is going through the process of healing the inner child, becoming the cycle breaker, and transforming from the conditioned version of myself to the authentic one, I feel quite lonely in a life that used to work but just doesn’t seem to any longer. People in my close circle that used to refresh me, now drain me. Conversations seem superficial. Social events can seem dreadful. Very few, if any, can understand what I am processing and going through so I keep it to myself. I feel I have outgrown my body, my home, and my life. I need to find a way to expand and until that happens, everything feels so restricting, almost suffocating.
I am absolutely baffled by notes. And here's a perfect example, I tried writing one of those "Dear Substack" make me famous type things and it fell perfectly flat. I'm sure because I was just trying to be like everyone else it seems to work for:
But, the notes I really love to read, are offbeat, quirky and make me smile. They have nothing to do with algorithms or AI or automated garbage. Like this one:
Jes, in my experience with notes, while some of the templates out there might work for certain people, I find I am more aligned with what Jessica said. Like anything else, write what you feel, or you might want to tell a friend (but not too personal), and don't be afraid to also promote your work as well in a helpful way.
As I mentioned, I balance the two--get to know me, and get to know my writing. Feel free to check out some of my notes to see what I mean. Hope this helped some.
Here's a note I wrote about parking in the sidewalk that I wish more people could see:
https://substack.com/@diagnosticodyssey/note/c-241782905?r=79n9kb&utm_source=notes-share-action&utm_medium=web
I saw it and l/c :)
Jessica, I too have a love-hate relationship with notes, but it is a necessary evil and it has helped me grow on Substack and connect with others like yourself and Midstack where we support each other's work.
I can't stand the notes that are obviously templated and the people who post the same thing pretty much over and over, yet they seem to get rewarded by the algorithm. I'm not going to do it anyway.
You can put up a nice photo and get a bunch of hearts, but that won't do anything ultimately for you, so I do a mix of posts that highlight my work and share some thoughts and getting to know you/fun posts without links for insights into who I am.
Here's an example of one of my notes from today that's the mix I mentioned:
https://substack.com/@melanierjordan/note/c-252133963?r=304pj8&utm_source=notes-share-action&utm_medium=web
I love your intentional balance!
Thanks Jessica!
I have found the exact same thing, Jessica. My most "successful" Notes have been the ones sharing my reading life or something inspiring. This was probably my most read note so far (shared yesterday):
"I conducted a survey of my subscribers recently, to see what they found value in here on Substack. My conclusion? Most readers are here for the deep literary analysis. They want intelligent, thought-provoking, long-form lit chat & to discover great writers & books. This is great news!
Long live deep reading, writing & discovery 🌟 📚 📖 📙 ✍️" (over 90 likes)
https://substack.com/@anarrativeoftheirown/note/c-253425552?r=1nbmz4&utm_source=notes-share-action&utm_medium=web
and a Note of someone else that I thought worked really well: "I’m 42 and I got accepted into law school …. That’s it, that’s the post!!" (this has over 92k likes!!)
https://substack.com/@momvlawschool/note/c-245193313?r=1nbmz4&utm_source=notes-share-action&utm_medium=web
Good for you for conducting surveys of your readers! They're always useful. I encourage all Substackers to do them at least occasionally.
I'm curious with 90 likes (and the l/c I just added) though Kate did you get any subscribers from this (if you don't mind sharing)?
I've found notes with a lot of likes that didn't link to any of my work are good for a morale boost but didn't tend to translate to much in the way of subscribers or followers.
Hi Melanie, I don’t mind at all. I hardly ever look at these things! But just checked and so far I have had 4 subscribers from this note.
Thanks for sharing that Kate. That’s good. You found some more readers :)
Thank you so much for the mention! And I wholeheartedly agree with this--the notes that people respond to are true reflections and authentic observations. At least those are the ones that always pull me in!
Notes have been overwhelming! I was just thinking this morning how Substack could easily become just another mind-numbing scroll going through notes. I also thought about how the pressure to publish notes could lead to more stress when this is supposed to be something that is a relaxing release and a place to share my thoughts. Still contemplating how much I want to involve myself in all of it. I see a box to click that says "Also share to Notes." Think I'll click it. :)
It's a tricky balance. Yes, Substack's Notes can be just another overwhelming social media feed, but I don't think it has to be!
Nicole, while I post 1-3 notes weekdays and 1 on weekend days, I've found it's more important to interact with the notes of others. Sometimes a comment or answer I give on someone else's piece makes a great note for me. A photo I take can inspire a note. i also keep tidbits on my phone and a running Google doc. Of course my actual posts are the sources of many notes.
I'm not a social media person and this is the only one I do.
You decide how much you want to do and set boundaries around when you are on Notes and you'll do fine. It has made a huge difference in building my audience. Hope that helps!
Thank you! I appreciate the advice!
Thank you for this post. It was exactly what I needed to hear this morning!
I'm so glad, Helen!
Thanks so much for including my Note 🥰. It's so interesting to me how some things get a stronger reaction than others. It's not planned and I'm not about to try and game the algorithm, but your "saying something true is the only notes strategy you need" advice is spot on 😊.
I agree Kimberlee. I actually ignore the algorithm. I don't even use my feed and just focus on what I've subscribed to, select groups with supportive threads like this one and people I've connected with whose work I enjoy and who support me (and vice-versa).
Yes! I wrote a quick note recently about drawing a hopscotch on my sidewalk that got more attention than my usual notes.
https://substack.com/@distractedbyprettythings/note/c-235220292?r=43tgx8&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
One of my few notes that went viral was about the wonder of seeing whales for the first time. Simple and true.
That was a good one l/c. If you are willing to add a pic of. the hopscotch you drew (no girls in it) and restack you'll probably get even more hearts :)
I can completely relate and I too have a love hate relationship with social media in general. The commitment to post, to read comments, to pay attention to the noise when life feels noisy enough in the real world. It takes work, I’m tired, and it can feel like another chore. I feel at peace and free when I write but often lack the motivation to bring myself to slow down, sit down, and do it. It’s hard to prioritize this personal project and self-healing when life and family demands so much of me. I love the advice to just write what feels true, let it be raw, unfiltered, and not perfect. Takes a lot of the pressure off that we put on ourselves.
Here is a note I just posted after this advice-
As a midlife woman who is going through the process of healing the inner child, becoming the cycle breaker, and transforming from the conditioned version of myself to the authentic one, I feel quite lonely in a life that used to work but just doesn’t seem to any longer. People in my close circle that used to refresh me, now drain me. Conversations seem superficial. Social events can seem dreadful. Very few, if any, can understand what I am processing and going through so I keep it to myself. I feel I have outgrown my body, my home, and my life. I need to find a way to expand and until that happens, everything feels so restricting, almost suffocating.
Thank you for this inspo Jessica 💛
Thank you for saying this!
I am absolutely baffled by notes. And here's a perfect example, I tried writing one of those "Dear Substack" make me famous type things and it fell perfectly flat. I'm sure because I was just trying to be like everyone else it seems to work for:
https://substack.com/@largehope/note/c-199283176?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=8x48m
But, the notes I really love to read, are offbeat, quirky and make me smile. They have nothing to do with algorithms or AI or automated garbage. Like this one:
https://substack.com/@shannanmann/note/c-249980965?r=8x48m&utm_source=notes-share-action&utm_medium=web
Jes, in my experience with notes, while some of the templates out there might work for certain people, I find I am more aligned with what Jessica said. Like anything else, write what you feel, or you might want to tell a friend (but not too personal), and don't be afraid to also promote your work as well in a helpful way.
As I mentioned, I balance the two--get to know me, and get to know my writing. Feel free to check out some of my notes to see what I mean. Hope this helped some.