I do enjoy Notes and all of the lovely conversations to be had but I’ve taken a step back from there in recent weeks. I needed to be more present in my real life and I needed to focus on my writing. So now, I only go on Notes twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. I know everyone is different and some can go in and out of Notes all day but I need that boundary right now 💛✨
That sounds so beautifully considered!! I really think there are different seasons in our week/ life for engagement and community and some for quieter times online... Substack makes space for both I think?! ✨✨🙏✨✨
Thanks so much for this article as I am defined struggling with the substack platform. Here now for six months. All my subscribers are my own - non paid! But I read about community, where I feel so alone. Two days ago another writer started following me. That a first and I was very happy. Still I can’t find my genre, since I meanly see people who blog. I write essays or more stories, only once a month. I am from mainland Europe. I do feel that’s also a different vibe as UK or USA. But mainly, how do I get I contact with other writers. I don’t see a message or an email adres. Does anybody sees or reads my posts?
I feel so invisible. Do have to say I don’t post in notes every day. I don’t want to be on the app every second. Also Don’t understand what my category is. And so on.
I’ll be taking your tips with me. So thanks so much for this article.
So many things more. I think I have to find some sense of community . It’s just hard. Especially when everybody celebrates it. I appreciate every answer or even a like as recognition that this post was read!
I'm also based in Europe, and don't worry, many people are feeling the way you are feeling on here. One of my recent posts was about feeling invisible! You don't need to be on Notes or posting every day, I certainly don't, but no unfortunately you can't message other writers directly yet.
Amber nice to meet you. You describe my feelings well. I feel the same but at the same time I don't post often and I don't interact often. Thats the only way to make connections. Comment and post and generously so. I should take my own advice! But I am shy and trying to get over the fear of being too vulnerable (most of my writing is that and so I don't share it here).
I love the sparkly signature! As for Notes, as someone who never really used social media, I find it quite noisy, to be honest. I agree that it's generally supportive. And I see the value for us as writers, especially in light of your excellent tips. So I do use it. But as a reader, I prefer to focus on the inbox, where there's more than enough great writing to keep me happy.
That’s the thing Jeffrey isn’t it - the inbox is BRILLIANT! I wish it opened that first when I opened the app... I’m thinking about just using Substack in google chrome in my phone instead...
I mostly use notes to find content and Substacks that are most likely going to be a good fit. It seems to work pretty well since the people I subscribe to or regularly commenting and referencing other Literature or Art posts and stacks. What I hadn't considered yet til this post using notes for one-off thoughts and/or images that aren't linked to other content... external content or just an image with a fleeting thought. I like to combine art with words and think I could likely use notes as an initial share of what might become a larger post later on... a way to overcome my fear which is that I don't have the time but more the skill to pull together a well thought out post with deep insights. But I certainly could post a drawing of a favorite author and a quote from them as a way to share a favorite author and short story. Thank you for the food for thought...!
Hi Claire, just watching your video about notes and where you are showing the tabs above the posts it says home, subscribed and my subscribers I don't have the my subscribers bit. Wonderign why i can't see it? It's not on my phone either.
I like notes.. it’s the ease of popping in with my thoughts easily. This week has been energy sapping and I’ve missed being in here but I have plenty to write about today!
Thank you for this brilliantly inspiring and insightful post Claire — I really value all of your thoughts and am grateful for all you do to help us all!! And a beautiful Notes round up xx
Thanks, Claire! I think your Notes roundup is one of my favorite bits. So many new rabbit holes to go down! I find Notes a lot like that actually, lovely and also easy to lose myself in. Perfect when I want to do this, but I think when I start posting to my Substack regularly, I’ll need to create times when I sit down and do things like Notes, comments, etc. It’ll help me actually get to invest time in those spaces and also keep writing!
Thanks so much for sharing my note Claire! Lots of great info in here too. I also love the Brene Brown quote, her research on vulnerability was a huge inspiration for my new Secrets chamber (need a proper name for it that won't reference Harry Potter 😂)
Link here in case anyone is wondering what I'm on about:
Ahh the community building is so so rewarding! I hear you on the overwhelm Cole. I taught a workshop on cadence and content pillars last month and it was really interesting to hear people’s light bulb moments.... sometimes the structure we’ve set for ourselves locks us in and we can afford to loosen its grip a little... I’m having a really experimental time over on my other publication. I love the flexibility here. ✨🙏
I do enjoy Notes and all of the lovely conversations to be had but I’ve taken a step back from there in recent weeks. I needed to be more present in my real life and I needed to focus on my writing. So now, I only go on Notes twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. I know everyone is different and some can go in and out of Notes all day but I need that boundary right now 💛✨
That sounds so beautifully considered!! I really think there are different seasons in our week/ life for engagement and community and some for quieter times online... Substack makes space for both I think?! ✨✨🙏✨✨
Oh, absolutely! Substack does make space for both 😊 💗
There's no doubt that Notes can be really distracting. Hello dopamine, goodbye focus for writing...
Truth 😂
This is true!! I often wish I could turn the tab off!
Thanks so much for this article as I am defined struggling with the substack platform. Here now for six months. All my subscribers are my own - non paid! But I read about community, where I feel so alone. Two days ago another writer started following me. That a first and I was very happy. Still I can’t find my genre, since I meanly see people who blog. I write essays or more stories, only once a month. I am from mainland Europe. I do feel that’s also a different vibe as UK or USA. But mainly, how do I get I contact with other writers. I don’t see a message or an email adres. Does anybody sees or reads my posts?
I feel so invisible. Do have to say I don’t post in notes every day. I don’t want to be on the app every second. Also Don’t understand what my category is. And so on.
I’ll be taking your tips with me. So thanks so much for this article.
So many things more. I think I have to find some sense of community . It’s just hard. Especially when everybody celebrates it. I appreciate every answer or even a like as recognition that this post was read!
Love from Berlin.
Amber
I'm also based in Europe, and don't worry, many people are feeling the way you are feeling on here. One of my recent posts was about feeling invisible! You don't need to be on Notes or posting every day, I certainly don't, but no unfortunately you can't message other writers directly yet.
Thanks so much Tamzin. I really appreciate your respond and will read your piece about invisibility. Also happy to know you are based in Europe.
Many thanks, Amber
Amber nice to meet you. You describe my feelings well. I feel the same but at the same time I don't post often and I don't interact often. Thats the only way to make connections. Comment and post and generously so. I should take my own advice! But I am shy and trying to get over the fear of being too vulnerable (most of my writing is that and so I don't share it here).
I love the sparkly signature! As for Notes, as someone who never really used social media, I find it quite noisy, to be honest. I agree that it's generally supportive. And I see the value for us as writers, especially in light of your excellent tips. So I do use it. But as a reader, I prefer to focus on the inbox, where there's more than enough great writing to keep me happy.
That’s the thing Jeffrey isn’t it - the inbox is BRILLIANT! I wish it opened that first when I opened the app... I’m thinking about just using Substack in google chrome in my phone instead...
I've been having a lot of fun on Notes, made some cool friends, and done some fun collabs.
You have indeed!! ❤️
I mostly use notes to find content and Substacks that are most likely going to be a good fit. It seems to work pretty well since the people I subscribe to or regularly commenting and referencing other Literature or Art posts and stacks. What I hadn't considered yet til this post using notes for one-off thoughts and/or images that aren't linked to other content... external content or just an image with a fleeting thought. I like to combine art with words and think I could likely use notes as an initial share of what might become a larger post later on... a way to overcome my fear which is that I don't have the time but more the skill to pull together a well thought out post with deep insights. But I certainly could post a drawing of a favorite author and a quote from them as a way to share a favorite author and short story. Thank you for the food for thought...!
Hi Claire, just watching your video about notes and where you are showing the tabs above the posts it says home, subscribed and my subscribers I don't have the my subscribers bit. Wonderign why i can't see it? It's not on my phone either.
They phased it out...
what a shame . Thanks xx
I like notes.. it’s the ease of popping in with my thoughts easily. This week has been energy sapping and I’ve missed being in here but I have plenty to write about today!
Ah I hear you it is both easy and a distraction isn’t it?! Hope you found some flow in your writing Carolyn. ✨💕
Thank you for this brilliantly inspiring and insightful post Claire — I really value all of your thoughts and am grateful for all you do to help us all!! And a beautiful Notes round up xx
Aw thanks Lyndsay and for being here! ❤️✨
Thanks, Claire! I think your Notes roundup is one of my favorite bits. So many new rabbit holes to go down! I find Notes a lot like that actually, lovely and also easy to lose myself in. Perfect when I want to do this, but I think when I start posting to my Substack regularly, I’ll need to create times when I sit down and do things like Notes, comments, etc. It’ll help me actually get to invest time in those spaces and also keep writing!
Yes it’s like we need to make a schedule for ourselves?!! 🤓
Thanks so much for sharing my note Claire! Lots of great info in here too. I also love the Brene Brown quote, her research on vulnerability was a huge inspiration for my new Secrets chamber (need a proper name for it that won't reference Harry Potter 😂)
Link here in case anyone is wondering what I'm on about:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1iqoms9eYYE79anzI_DMAhpNSNAekBUrDLKFlh2hw6H8/edit
I’ve had an idea for a piece for this! I think I’m brave enough! ✨✨
Ahh the community building is so so rewarding! I hear you on the overwhelm Cole. I taught a workshop on cadence and content pillars last month and it was really interesting to hear people’s light bulb moments.... sometimes the structure we’ve set for ourselves locks us in and we can afford to loosen its grip a little... I’m having a really experimental time over on my other publication. I love the flexibility here. ✨🙏