ENTICE: Insights for Emerging Substackers
Rewrite Challenge: Start Strong!
How do you get informed, objective feedback about your Substack?
Many of us jumped into Substack, filled in all the blanks, drafted our first posts, and checked DONE. Slowly, as we began to look around and engage with the generous community around us, we began to see things we wanted to change, ways to make our Substacks better.
Anyway, that’s pretty much what I did.
As I approached my first Substack anniversary, I began to rethink everything: my strategy, what I really wanted to write about, and how to do a better job of marketing and engaging with readers and the Substack community. I wanted … needed … feedback. Fortunately,
helped me find my path and inspired me to launch a new focus. That turned into the Substack Field Guide as a way to help newer Substackers get started more effectively. (Field Guide #1 is available here.)Feedback is critical for improvement in any endeavor. This Rewrite Challenge is an easy opportunity for you to test the three elements that are the equivalent of your Substack front door: your title, bio-profile, and brief description. These elements ENTICE readers, helping them find you.
How? Simply enter those three elements (nothing else) into the comment field and wait. (See the examples below for format … as much as comments allow for format.) I will personally respond to each submission and I know this generous community will also chime in. Deadline: August 18. (Plus, there are prizes!)
To help you rethink and rewrite your own identity elements, here are three examples from Substack guides (and mine) .
Your identity elements should telegraph who you are,
what you write about, and what value the reader will receive from you.
Title: Writers at Work with Sarah Fay
Bio-Profile: Author @HarperCollins, faculty@Northwestern, lover of all things Substack. Helping writers master the art (and business) of Substack. To read my Substack serial memoir ‘Cured,’ visit curedthememoir.com.
Brief Description: Master the art (and business) of being a writer, realize your potential as being a writer, produce your best work, and get paid (very) well to do it.
Title: The Author Stack (Russell Nohelty)
Bio-Profile: USA Today bestselling author of fantasy books and comics who sits at the intersection of craft and commerce, helping authors create sustainable businesses that light them up inside.
Brief Description: Helping create a sustainable path forward for authors to build businesses that thrive and lives that light them up inside.
Title: Sparkle on Substack (Claire Venus)
Bio-Profile: A creative who also writes. Powered by slow living, big dreams and quiet ambition in the changing seasons here by the Northumberland coast. Author of two creativity and wellbeing journals. ✨
Brief Description: A space to help you stay creative on Substack! 🧚♂️ Twice monthly co-working, chat, teaching, posts, threads, podcasts, thoughts and all the tools to help enhance your journey right here on Substack.
Title: Gratitude Mojo and Substack Explorers (Joyce Wycoff)
Bio-Profile: Practical gratitude grounds me ... the new world of publishing on Substack gives me voice ... and curiosity leads me into the enchanting and creaky bits of life.
Brief Description: Practical gratitude … stories, science, tips, exercises (Saturday) ; Substack Explorers' Club with field guide, best practices and insights for creating trusted friendships with readers. (Wednesday).
And, what about those prizes? The main gain, of course, is the feedback, but three rewrites will be featured in Field Guide #2 (to be released August 23) and promoted on Notes. How will these three be selected? There are highly qualified judges waiting in the wings to guide the selection and add to the feedback.
So, jump in, have fun, give feedback to others and let the community help polish your door to Substack.
(PS: Here’s a list of helpful Guides you might want to get to know and follow.)
In the meantime …
Angelina … good start ... a little more clarity on what you're offering is needed.
***** I’ve decided to react to just these 3 elements without looking at your Substack … to try to see them as a potential reader. I suggest that you invite all of Substack Notes into the Feedback process by Restacking this article and entering your elements into Notes, inviting feedback.
Good practice for becoming more familiar with Notes and meeting other writers.
*** My reaction to your 3 elements: I worry about the word “fairy” and it’s paranormal connotations. I assume you’re wanting to convey magical results, that working with you makes things seem simple and powerful. That’s good, but I worry about the word in the title. Probably depends on who your audience is … however, with the proximity to “airy-fairy” (impractical and foolishly idealistic.) it’s a concern. And, it’s a metaphor that carries into your brief description.
Your bio needs to be shorter: punchier and more focused on why YOU are the one to write this. I’m not sure if you’re teaching people how to do these things themselves (marketing, etc.) or if you’re going to do them for them. Are we talking about secrets, short-cuts, templates, processes … what is it that you can do for them that will make life seem like magic, easy-peasy. Are you going to help the save time, make more money, be more valued, climb the ladder … ? Would love to see a rewrite if you decide to make changes.
Sue ... have a great time at the shower and look forward to your participation!