ENTICE: What Spark Connects You with Readers?

Hang onto your hats ... we're going on an AI ride with CHAD!

Writing about ourselves is one of the hardest things we writers have to do and few of us do it really well. Let’s change that!

That’s the spark that launched me into a place I definitely didn’t expect to be and introduced me to my new writing buddy … CHAD (sometimes called ChatGPT).

Before we go too deeply into all of this, I’d love to know how you feel about all the self-description stuff required by Substack.

That spark launched a study of 20 Substack authors (chosen randomly from Notes) to look at how Substackers write about themselves in their bio-profiles and About Pages. The results only reinforced how hard it is to craft a compelling self-portrait of ourselves as writers.

For years I’ve helped artists write artist statements, so I know it’s easier to write someone else’s profile or artist statement than it is to write our own. I thought for a moment about offering to help you Substack authors write your self-descriptions. But, that would be hard, and I like easy.

Next, I began to distill suggestions that would help you spark a connection with readers when developing your bio-profile, About Page, and Welcome email … and these showed up:

• Unearth and tell your unique story

• Highlight your authentic voice

• Share your passions and purpose

• Connect through relatable experiences

Those might help, however, it still wasn’t going to be easy, especially when you could actually be writing what you want to write and what readers want to read rather than dinking around with wordsmithing self-promotion lines.

Then a golden email spun into my inbox and sat there pulsing … the equivalent of “thin thighs in 30 days,” this was about using AI in writing. And, son-of-a-gun, a light bulb lit up. Why not let CHAD (my new writing buddy) write those pesky bits?

Cut to the chase … and an offer … here’s my before and after:

I am an elder with a message: walk your own path ... in gratitude.

I became a writer in that old world and am grateful that it published five of my books focused on creativity and innovation. Now, I am even more delighted to be one of the thousands of bright lights here in the dawning of this Substack galaxy. 

Ewww! Before I get to the AFTER, I want to show you five versions CHAD spit out for me after I trained him on what I wanted. After doing this multiple times, I began to think that the results worked better for the opening of the About Page than the bio-profile which needs extreme crafting.

These suggestions are more an ice-breaker or starting place than a final result. And, of course, the results depend on the inputs and the training … we (CHAD and I) did about a dozen refinements to the training before reasonable results began to appear.

The offer below my final version will explain the inputs.

CHAD’s suggestions:

1. "Hello, I'm Joyce Wycoff, and I invite you to explore the world through the lens of gratitude and curiosity. Join me as we journey through words and images, finding inspiration in the beauty of life."

2. "Joyce Wycoff here, your guide to the fascinating world of gratitude and curiosity. Let's embark on a shared exploration, using words and images to uncover the inspiring wonders of our world."

3. "Welcome! I'm Joyce Wycoff, and my passion is to explore the world through words and images, fueled by gratitude and curiosity. Join me in this adventure of discovery."

4. "Join me, Joyce Wycoff, as we reflect on the beauty of our world through the art of writing and imagery. Curiosity and gratitude are our compass as we explore, connect, and inspire."

5. "Joyce Wycoff: Where gratitude and curiosity meet to ignite a journey of exploration through words and images. Let's share in the beauty and wonder of the world around us."

Final: (as if any of this is ever final)

Bio-profile: writer, artist, curator and synthesizer of life experiences and stories into into words and images filling weekly posts and tiny books. I want to encourage everyone to walk their own paths … in curiosity and gratitude.

About Page opener: Welcome! I'm Joyce Wycoff and my passion is exploring the world (both inner and outer) through words and images, fueled by curiosity and gratitude. Please join me in this adventure as we discover more about beauty and the wonder of the world around us.

Without asking permission, but with apology at the ready, I made up some inputs and asked CHAD for some suggestions for

Russell Nohelty

. This is what he came back with:

• "Hey there, I'm Russell Nohelty, your guide to the world of newsletter marketing. Join me as we explore the realms of fantasy books and comics, sharing insights and strategies for success."

• "Russell Nohelty here, bringing the magic of fantasy books and comics to your inbox through newsletter marketing. Let's embark on a creative journey together, sharing inspiring insights and tips."

• "Welcome! I'm Russell Nohelty, a passionate explorer of the fantasy world in books and comics, and I'm here to help you master newsletter marketing. Let's connect and make your creative dreams a reality."

• "Join me, Russell Nohelty, in a world where fantasy meets marketing. Let's share insights and practical strategies to promote your creative work through the enchanting realms of books and comics."

• "Russell Nohelty: Navigating the fantastical and the practical. Let's dive into the worlds of fantasy books and comics while mastering the art of newsletter marketing, connecting creativity and success."

  Thanks, Russell … I hope! … and happy wordsmithing to all of you. Remember, this is all about helping your readers connect with the real, authentic YOU.

  ---

And, the offer? 5 Self-description Suggestions from CHAD for a ONE Month Subscription ($6)

If you know how to use ChatGPT, you probably don’t need any help. However, the rest of you might be interested in having CHAD and I give you some suggestions for those elements of Substack that require all that self-description.

I will be happy to feed your inputs into Chad and have him create 5 suggested profiles for you if you do a paid subscription for ONE MONTH. (Feel free to cancel after that.) Once I see your subscription, I’ll email you about your inputs and process details.

---

Below is the study that convinced me that “we” (pretty much ALL of us) need help writing about ourselves. Plus, this is the post I wrote before CHAD came along. No need to read it now except for possible ideas.

As I’ve been trying to distill helpful suggestions for connecting with readers, I looked at 20 writers who happened to post on or be mentioned on Notes during a short time period. Taking away names, Substack titles and other identifying specifics, here are their bio-profiles and a brief capture of what they say about themselves on their About Page.

No judgment … just examples which might spark some ideas about how to describe yourself to your readers. As you read these, think about whether or not they draw you in and make you want to connect with the writer. Is there a spark?

Here’s a question to think about:

If you wanted to recommend any of these writers to a friend (and assuming you knew the writer’s name and Substack title, and had read enough to want to recommend her/him) … would the information here give you words that would help you interest your friend?

Full disclosure: I added my info and hated the results so much I changed my profile. I fully believe that these aspects of our Substacks will never be done … and, for sure, never be perfect.

Profile and About Page excerpt:

Writer | Book inhaler | Tea drinker | Over-thinker | If I’m not on Ilkley Moor, I’ll be sat with a mug of tea, scribbling furiously in my notebook, trying to make sense of this creative, messy life.

I've spent years writing for other people, helping them to find their words but I'm doing it for me now, and it's been, and still is, a challenge. But over the past few years and through a lot of trial and error I’ve created a writing life, and Substack is now part of that. Sometimes I write about the rhythm and routine of writing because creating this writing life has given me space to start...

***

author, dancer, writer, traveller, deep feeler and overall, a curious life enthusiast. Exploring life's vital force. I'm here to write about emotions, health, empathy, hope, and everything that makes life feel good!

I'm a Costa Rican writer, MD, author, dancer, traveller, polyglot (on my fifth language and loving it!), and overall, a curious human in love with the world, its cultures, languages, landscapes, dances, food, you name it. I'm too curious to stay put!

***

A brand designer, creative mentor + writer based in the Scottish Borders. I craft brands that feel like home + take a gentle, nurturing + playful approach to strategy, styling + storytelling.

I enjoy crafting brands that feel like home.

Collaborating with clients to define their vision, craft beautiful visuals and discover their voice is at the heart of my creative practice.

***

Gathering ideas to help people build new ways to live their lives.

— no more specifics about the writer on the About Page

***

I have a profound sense of wonder and awe about all that's changing in today's world. I want to share that with you.

I’m a senior-dog whisperer, a writer, a 4th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a business owner, and a lifetime learner. I want to share my view of the world with you, mainly because I think I have things to say, and because I feel a burning passion to create.

***

Short stories and more. Animal lover. Contributed over 100 pieces to Forbes, HBR, and Huffington Post. Author of a memoir and a book about three dogs.

I have contributed over 100 articles to Forbes, Harvard Business Review, The Huffington Post, Equine Journal, and other publications.

***

A traveller in an antique land.

Ever since I was given a globe as a small child, I have been obsessed with faraway places, old maps, and stories of adventurous explorers. As a teenager, I spent hours staring at distant place names on the six-foot map of the world I had pinned to my bedroom wall. I always used to wonder: Who lived there? What were they like? What did they do?

These questions led me first into dusty books, then to travel …

***

 travel writer, former archaeologist, now chronic misadventurer and tedious enthusiast, chasing his curiosity to see what trouble it can get him into.

Yes, some of this is about me chasing my own specific nerdy interests - and as the designated crash-test dummy for this newsletter, I will be putting myself through the most spectacular indignities on the path to hopeful enlightenment. If you occasionally learn something new and laugh at me for making a total fool of myself, I’ll be doing my job properly.

***

AI & Tech Ethicist - Privacy Advocate - Ops Wizard - Product Leader - CIPP/E, CIPP/US, CIPM | Actual Ninja

passionate technologist dedicated to exploring the profound impact of technology and AI on our world. With a bachelor's degree in rhetoric, a master's degree in media studies, multiple certifications in privacy law, and nearly 20 years of experience in the tech industry, I bring a rare blend of expertise to the table.

***

I write lyrical historical essays about "The Future" and Science Fiction novels. History, Mythology, and Technology in the mix.

— no more specifics about the writer on the About Page

***

OB/GYN, author of *** & *** (NYT and Canadian bestsellers), appropriately confident, lasso of truth.

I am an OB/GYN and a pain medicine physician, and it would be hard to find someone who knows more about the vulva and vagina. I’ve been called Twitter’s resident gynecologist, the Internet’s OB/GYN, and one of the fiercest advocates for women’s health. And I’m here to build a better medical Internet.

***

Electrical Engineer

I wrote a book, do a podcast, run an entrepreneurial community, yada yada yada. 

But you know what I’m really excited about?  I just hit 365 days in a row on Duolingo!

I know, it’s not that impressive. In fact, according to Duolingo, they have more than 2,000,000 people who have streaks of more than 365 days, so I’m a pretty small deal.

Still, I’m pleased with myself. There is only one other thing that I do that consistently, and that’s write.

***

Getting older. If I don't write now, I never will. Retired Professor Emeritus of Nursing. Frustrated writer trying to lose the habit of academic writing. Reader, writer, knitter, walker, gardener, critic.

I’m older, and certainly wiser than at any other point in my life, and I try to put myself on the page, whatever I’m writing about. Come and chat in Comments, on Chat, on Notes/Explore. It’s Life, according to me.

***

Writer working at the intersection of art and mental health, looking not just at art as therapy but also at the myriad ways that mental health symptoms impact artistic content, process, medium, and productivity.

I do this using lived experience, interviews with contemporary artists, art history research, and a Masters level education in both Psychological Studies (completed) and Visual Critical Studies (in process).

***

Let’s unpack the human experience on mid-life, motherhood (little ones + teens), mental health, slow(er) and mindful living. Current: *** Past: newspaper reporter, tech PR

Ex-newspaper reporter (I went bankrupt with the industry) and former PR rep in the tech industry. Now I blab about the many realities of motherhood as co-host of *** podcast.

***

I am an elder with a message: walk your own path ... in gratitude.

I became a writer in that old world and am grateful that it published five of my books focused on creativity and innovation. Now, I am even more delighted to be one of the thousands of bright lights here in the dawning of this Substack galaxy. 

***

photographer / teacher / island dweller / collector of moments and memories / occasional artist / constant dreamer

— no more specifics about the writer on the About Page

***

Creative nonfiction, poetry dabbler, photographer, naturalist, art and history lover, who loves to travel. Life-long learner - M.A. (2019) in English, Creative Writing, former political blogger and entrepreneur.

I’m a former two-time entrepreneur, and political blogger. I have a B.A. in Creative Writing & Digital Communications, undergrad certificates in Journalism and Digital Communications, and I have an M.A. in English - Creative Writing and a grad certificate in Digital Studies.

I didn’t take the traditional route to college, I waited a bit… In fact a few decades. A life long learner I started my academic quest in 2013, from scratch, when I was 56. I finished my B.A in December 2016 and jumped right into my M.A. in January 2017. It was quite a journey. In 2019 I completed my M.A. at 62 years old and took a well deserved rest.

***

Reader, writer always searching for stories that help me understand the world a little better.

I write. My first novel is the story of a successful defense industry executive who must face the consequences of her choices when her son returns from war altered in ways neither of them expected. When I’m not writing, I’m reading, walking, or dreaming about writing, reading, or walking.

***

Freelance writer. Mental health guide. Nature photographer. I write to change lives, starting with mine! 

— no more specifics about the writer on the About Page