I love Notes. I gave up social media for the most part a few years ago bc it felt so toxic. Notes is different—people are nice and the content is mostly about writing and creativity bc I only see who I follow vs other social media pushing content you didn’t ask for.
I don’t really get much traction on Notes tbh. I have a few faithfuls who are writers as well as readers and they sometimes comment, but I don’t get a lot of my readers engage. Most of my subscribers read in their inbox and don’t use the app so I think until folks see Substack as a viable alternative to other social media platforms that won’t change. But I write for visual artists and that community is still faithful to Instagram, so I think Notes doesn’t work for all communities in its current format.
Ahh super interesting to hear this. Notes works for my work here but I'm well aware I'm teaching about Substack on Substack. I like that some other visual artists are brining some new language to our Notes feed - I'm here for it - beats being told off for my grammar lol. Thanks for being here Jacqueline - I'd love to hear more about how IG is working for you - I find it a little hit and miss but I like to be playful there.
Recently a gallery reached out to me about showing in an exhibition because they'd seen my work on Instagram. That simply can't happen on Substack yet because, for one, I've yet to see a gallery here, and two, there's no simple way to search for art. I use Instagram as a portfolio site and a way of seeing when galleries have calls for art, when their openings are, what other artists are creating, and reaching out directly to art collectors. I'm an art collector too and I buy a ton of art directly from Instagram. Again, I don't see that happening on Substack - I've yet to buy a piece from an artist here. Paywalls don't help. So I see artists building their email list here and that's great because it's free (I was so tired of paying mailchimp for my 100 subs) and I see them blogging here, but selling art? That's the missing link for the arts community I think.
Thank you Claire! I love reading others' notes and it's introduced me to some beautiful work I wouldn't otherwise have seen. I have a teeny group of subscribers at this time so I don't get engagement with my notes. I'm curious to see how I play more with them. Mostly it's me restacking something I love with a note 😊
This sounds great, so look forward to your wisdom as I have not journeyed into chat, threads or audio yet. I have already found your thoughts on Notes and how to use it incredibly helpful xx
I also don't seem to get much traction on notes either, and I feel for the same reason as @Jacqueline Calladine ..as folk read via their inbox. I do like to play around with it though and love to read others and comment, like etc other posts...I find that inspiring...Maybe I am just too nervous about it...too nervous to put myself out there more???? I will check time zones and will try to make it live. Thanks Claire.
I generally don't like social media. I'm not really on many other platforms as I find them anxiety-inducing and addictive but I like Notes. It's friendly. It feels smaller to me, and I engage much the way I would in a WhatsApp group or a Facebook group with strangers in - no schedule, when I'm able to, when something particularly catches my attention, when I have something to share that I think others might enjoy. It feels good like that.
I tend to use notes for restacking posts I love, or for ‘setting out my stool’ - these are the things I’m interested in etc etc, in a way I always felt inhibited to do on other social media. I don’t use them in a hugely focused way though…..
That’s the one and as comforting as echo chambers are there’s also the risk we feel like we say the same things as everyone else and it affects our creative genius… this is why I also love to read via the explore page…
Some of my most successful notes have been about sharing pieces of my own substack journey and encouraging others to connect and post notes. Talking to fellow substackers about what matters to them is key, and that stuff matters to me too 😊
I love Notes. I gave up social media for the most part a few years ago bc it felt so toxic. Notes is different—people are nice and the content is mostly about writing and creativity bc I only see who I follow vs other social media pushing content you didn’t ask for.
Yes Kirsten it's so true. My pal had to scale back as she kept seeing political stuff here - I don't see any... maybe because I sub to so many stacks?
Idk — I guess it just depends on who you follow and whether they’re sharing that. I see a little of it but nothing that would bother me.
Got you. I think being able to switch categories on/ off is a great feature.
I don’t really get much traction on Notes tbh. I have a few faithfuls who are writers as well as readers and they sometimes comment, but I don’t get a lot of my readers engage. Most of my subscribers read in their inbox and don’t use the app so I think until folks see Substack as a viable alternative to other social media platforms that won’t change. But I write for visual artists and that community is still faithful to Instagram, so I think Notes doesn’t work for all communities in its current format.
Ahh super interesting to hear this. Notes works for my work here but I'm well aware I'm teaching about Substack on Substack. I like that some other visual artists are brining some new language to our Notes feed - I'm here for it - beats being told off for my grammar lol. Thanks for being here Jacqueline - I'd love to hear more about how IG is working for you - I find it a little hit and miss but I like to be playful there.
Recently a gallery reached out to me about showing in an exhibition because they'd seen my work on Instagram. That simply can't happen on Substack yet because, for one, I've yet to see a gallery here, and two, there's no simple way to search for art. I use Instagram as a portfolio site and a way of seeing when galleries have calls for art, when their openings are, what other artists are creating, and reaching out directly to art collectors. I'm an art collector too and I buy a ton of art directly from Instagram. Again, I don't see that happening on Substack - I've yet to buy a piece from an artist here. Paywalls don't help. So I see artists building their email list here and that's great because it's free (I was so tired of paying mailchimp for my 100 subs) and I see them blogging here, but selling art? That's the missing link for the arts community I think.
The other day I used the chat and asked if anyone saw it and used it. No answer. So I will give up on it 🤣 Notes is a better jam for me.
Notes is great - super social! Chat 💬 is really only for people who use the app or are super familiar with SS I think?
And so say all of us!
Thank you Claire! I love reading others' notes and it's introduced me to some beautiful work I wouldn't otherwise have seen. I have a teeny group of subscribers at this time so I don't get engagement with my notes. I'm curious to see how I play more with them. Mostly it's me restacking something I love with a note 😊
This sounds great, so look forward to your wisdom as I have not journeyed into chat, threads or audio yet. I have already found your thoughts on Notes and how to use it incredibly helpful xx
Thank you Lyndsay see you Friday lovely! 🥰
I also don't seem to get much traction on notes either, and I feel for the same reason as @Jacqueline Calladine ..as folk read via their inbox. I do like to play around with it though and love to read others and comment, like etc other posts...I find that inspiring...Maybe I am just too nervous about it...too nervous to put myself out there more???? I will check time zones and will try to make it live. Thanks Claire.
I feel like it’s just a lovely “water cooler” moment in my day… that’s how I approach it.. ✨✨ See you Friday!
A water cooler moment in the day...that sounds very lovely...Thank you for that analogy 💫
✨✨🙏✨✨ like slightly awkward but lovely and fine vibes? Anyway best get back to work? 😆
I generally don't like social media. I'm not really on many other platforms as I find them anxiety-inducing and addictive but I like Notes. It's friendly. It feels smaller to me, and I engage much the way I would in a WhatsApp group or a Facebook group with strangers in - no schedule, when I'm able to, when something particularly catches my attention, when I have something to share that I think others might enjoy. It feels good like that.
That is such a healthy take on it Rahma. I love looking at it that way. ✨🙏
I like Notes because I come across really great writing that people share that I wouldn’t see otherwise 📝💛
Same same! Great point!
I tend to use notes for restacking posts I love, or for ‘setting out my stool’ - these are the things I’m interested in etc etc, in a way I always felt inhibited to do on other social media. I don’t use them in a hugely focused way though…..
I like that Bonnie - does it feel good?
Here’s lookin’ at you, Venus. 😎
☺️☺️
“Eco-chamber” I see what you did there! Eco(logy) = relationship to our environment.
Vs. echo-chamber = hearing our own voice projected back to us.
Now I’ll try to make my Notes feed a good eco-chamber without it becoming an echo-chamber. 😊
That’s the one and as comforting as echo chambers are there’s also the risk we feel like we say the same things as everyone else and it affects our creative genius… this is why I also love to read via the explore page…
I really enjoy using notes, that's where I find my sense of community on here. Sharing a little bit of wisdom on there can go a long way
Love that Tania - what sort of wisdom do you share?
Some of my most successful notes have been about sharing pieces of my own substack journey and encouraging others to connect and post notes. Talking to fellow substackers about what matters to them is key, and that stuff matters to me too 😊
So generous of you