It’s not just you, Meg. Substack has grown to a point where the scales have tipped. There are more people unsubscribing than subscribing. It’s very hard to attract new readers. It’s best not to look at the stats too often. Just keep doing what you do.
Me, too. To hell with those metrics, Meg. I have been idling over here at Leaves for the last four months. I gain ten, I lose eight, I gain five, I lose four. It doesn't correlate in any way with what I write - comedy, tragedy, sci-fi, romance. My fiction has loyal fans,and it has casual subscribers. Substack is a vast universe of writers, and we cannot begrudge our un-subscribers. Not everyone's going to love us and it is okay. Just be you, girl.
I don't begrudge anyone for unsubscribing, I just miss, as one commenter mention, the discoverability I used to enjoy here. I'm mostly worried about Dot's debut ... despite the fact it's a bit early to start worrying ... but I'm a worrier, what can I say?
I couldn’t agree more with what everyone else has said, Meg. Keep being you and keep writing the stories you want to write. Look at all of your accomplishments leading up to this point! A Watty award…a Writer’s Digest award?! Stay the course, my friend, and good things will continue to happen. You were meant to write YA novels.
Oh and yes, you’re not alone regarding stats/subscribers. My statistics page resembles Death Valley. 🤣
Seems to be a trend RE: Death Valley metrics. As I suspected. Shame since we're all so dang cool aside from being kickass writers. But we still have each other and I'm very grateful for that.
And yes! So much is happening for my YA right now! Go YA go! ⭐⭐⭐Thanks for being on my cheer squad, friend. 😊
Agree with you, Ben. Something shifted about 6 months ago on the platform and I went from slow/steady growth to flat/down subs decline. I've checked with other authors and all are seeing the same trend. To me, the best feature of SS was the discoverability...not so much now.
I'll stay on the platform bc I love having a public space for long-form posts, but I've restarted a Kit acct and will also start to cross-post on a website blog. I feel like we've seen this movie before...
Thanks for this, David. Discoverability-YES! That's what made Substack so unique and so wonderful for so many new to this game writers. People could and would find you often!
I'm not familiar with Kit. Can you share a bit with me about what that is??
Kit, used to be ConvertKit, is a paid email svc, like MailChimp. One of the attractions of Substack for me initially was that I could host an author newsletter for free. From there, I found it to be a great community and host for long-form posts, etc. Kinda fell in love with the place.
That said, it's not great for newsletter-centered stuff, like sales or seasonal pushes, and doesn't do autoresponder sequences. Until recently, the discoverability of the platform made up for the downsides.
I guess my biggest concern is that if the platform rules are changing, will they allow us to retain our complete email list? You know what they say: if you're not paying for a service, you are product, not the customer....
Thank you, Ben. That is the plan. My hope is that eventually I'll be less beholden to Substack and will simply use it as a way to keep in touch with my die hardest hangers on. This will of course require me to step out of my comfort zone here and test the waters in more intimidating spaces ... like TikTok 🤮. Excuse me for barfing. But ... barf.
Dear Meg, a. I was reading that first quote thinking ‘that’s the way I’d describe your work’ … turns out that’s exactly how I’d describe it! 🤣 and 2. I get modest (I mean glacier slow) growth on the non-fiction encouragement stuff and zip/zilch/de nada on my fiction. I guess I should write a story maybe … I get the sense that the golden bubble of finding new folk and them finding us has burst. We’re all clinging on, wearing the rose tinted glasses we dropped too often so they’re all scratched. Anyhoo, I’m clumsily saying ‘you are not alone’. Keep being you. Write the good stuff. Oh, and dance on TikTok (maybe get a child to do it with you?!). Bon courage. X
Well said on the scratched glasses and bubbles burst. It's a shame we can't have nice things that last. As for TikTok, I will not be dancing. 😂. Unless of course I become a bestselling, overnight success, in which case the dancing will be strictly celebratory. 😁
Thank you, Caz! I so appreciate you sticking with me. 💜I've heard watercooler whispers about algorithm shifts, but since I've never understood how algorithms work anyway, I've just tried to look for ways I can improve my situation myself. But I'm not sure I can do much besides continue to show up and write my best stuff. So, that's what I'll be doing. Right after I gobble up the post you just shared.
That was a great article Caz, thanks for sharing. Oh, and I subscribed … free, naturally. Does that get me any points toward my continued survival on Substack?
Similar trickle of readers leaving mine too. I’ve read several pieces suggesting that it’s common to a maturing platform. I’m curious but indifferent to it I guess.
For me, I see more "Followers" and fewer "Subscribers". So, when Subscribers go away because of natural attrition (people come; people go...), they aren't replaced by new Subscribers like they used to be. They're replaced by Followers. Good for Substack. Bad for the writer.
...good for Substack, at least, in the short run. I have a feeling that many writers are feeling the shift of attention from writers to their readers as the people they want to hold on to. The less love us writers feel, the more likely we'll move on to a different platform (as so many already have).
I don't think this is the only reason subscribership is falling, but in my case, it's a pretty major one.
I have heaps of "followers" but since Substack doesn't show any of them my Notes, I have no way of reaching them so they are basically useless. It's a huge bummer, all of this. Makes me yearn for the good old days of roughly 3 years ago, when Substack was about helping writers grow. Not so much anymore. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Meg, speaking only for myself, your YA fiction has always delighted and inspired me. I go back into your archive OFTEN to re-read my favorites. So, for me, the more BDS fiction, the better. I don't subscribe for your pod casts, interviews, notes, chats, essays, etc. I am sure they are all wonderful, but it is just too much for me. I read your fiction, however, with gusto, the moment it arrives in my inbox.
Thank you, Sharron! Honestly, if I thought there were more YA fans in here, I would focus most of my attention on that. But Substack has always appeared to be populated by grownups seeking grownup writing about grownups, so I've strayed from my own literary sweet spot, sometimes with really fun results, since the beginning. I'll just have to be brave and try some new things outside the walls of Substack to bring people in. And if it continues to be cruddy for my book here, or I win a bunch of money, I might consider relocating to one of those fancy internet blog sites you pay for. But for now, I'll keep trucking here with you. I love your stories, too, by the way. And am so glad you haven't slowed down writing them for us.
Okay, then. But just let me add that I have personally never considered your YA stories to be for youngsters. Yes, the protagonists are usually teens, but their stories are complex and sophisticated. They are full of conundrums, full of desire and passion. You have teen brains pegged utterly and that makes them of high interest to adults. We were, after all, all of us teens, and see ourselves in your stories.
I've been on my substack for almost a year and I don't know what I am doing. I need someone to guide me step by step to point out what kind of substack I should write about. How I could turn around copy and promote my writing/
Check out Russell Nohelty's The Author Stack. https://www.theauthorstack.com/ It's LOADED with step-by-step courses. I was subscribed for a while, but was almost too overwhelmed by the amount of information he puts out. But it's worth checking out. He also co-wrote a book with fellow Substacker Claire Venus on "How to Build a World Class Substack."
These subscribers you’re losing, I wonder if they’re unfollowing because of anything you wrote or if they just oversubscribed trying to get subscribers and realize now that was a losing strategy? What I mean is, if they never opened an email/post, are you really losing them? You should be able to see how engaged your subscribers are. I remember the advice to cull the inactive subscribers every 3-4 months. (Confession: I only ever cull my parents’ email). If I get a subscriber who is following ten other substacks, I think it’s because I got a new reader. If I get a subscriber who is following 400+ other substacks, I wonder if they’re a robot.
And friendly reminder: your posts have incredibly active and enviable engagement!
Thank you, Wil. I suspect that yes, it's a lot of knee jerk subscriptions hoping for a knee jerk subscription back. Hence why I made a point of sharing my ABOUT page because I for one never subscribe to a new Substack without at the very least reading what it's ABOUT and that was my subtle way of telling the knee jerkers to do their homework. 😊
I do have good engagement ... you are right ... and thank you for the reminder. And for sticking with me all this time. Can't wait to hear about the next story you get published that your mom and dad won't be allowed to read. 😊 And I'm ready for more Walt Darling escapades whenever that inspiration strikes.
In the meantime, have a wonderful holiday season with your family.
Go Meg, Go! Love this :) Keep on rockin' it lady.
🥳🥳🥳
It’s not just you, Meg. Substack has grown to a point where the scales have tipped. There are more people unsubscribing than subscribing. It’s very hard to attract new readers. It’s best not to look at the stats too often. Just keep doing what you do.
I second this.
Me, too. To hell with those metrics, Meg. I have been idling over here at Leaves for the last four months. I gain ten, I lose eight, I gain five, I lose four. It doesn't correlate in any way with what I write - comedy, tragedy, sci-fi, romance. My fiction has loyal fans,and it has casual subscribers. Substack is a vast universe of writers, and we cannot begrudge our un-subscribers. Not everyone's going to love us and it is okay. Just be you, girl.
Thank you, friend.
I don't begrudge anyone for unsubscribing, I just miss, as one commenter mention, the discoverability I used to enjoy here. I'm mostly worried about Dot's debut ... despite the fact it's a bit early to start worrying ... but I'm a worrier, what can I say?
I couldn’t agree more with what everyone else has said, Meg. Keep being you and keep writing the stories you want to write. Look at all of your accomplishments leading up to this point! A Watty award…a Writer’s Digest award?! Stay the course, my friend, and good things will continue to happen. You were meant to write YA novels.
Oh and yes, you’re not alone regarding stats/subscribers. My statistics page resembles Death Valley. 🤣
Thank you, Justin!
Seems to be a trend RE: Death Valley metrics. As I suspected. Shame since we're all so dang cool aside from being kickass writers. But we still have each other and I'm very grateful for that.
And yes! So much is happening for my YA right now! Go YA go! ⭐⭐⭐Thanks for being on my cheer squad, friend. 😊
💜💜💜💜💜
Agree with you, Ben. Something shifted about 6 months ago on the platform and I went from slow/steady growth to flat/down subs decline. I've checked with other authors and all are seeing the same trend. To me, the best feature of SS was the discoverability...not so much now.
I'll stay on the platform bc I love having a public space for long-form posts, but I've restarted a Kit acct and will also start to cross-post on a website blog. I feel like we've seen this movie before...
Thanks for this, David. Discoverability-YES! That's what made Substack so unique and so wonderful for so many new to this game writers. People could and would find you often!
I'm not familiar with Kit. Can you share a bit with me about what that is??
Kit, used to be ConvertKit, is a paid email svc, like MailChimp. One of the attractions of Substack for me initially was that I could host an author newsletter for free. From there, I found it to be a great community and host for long-form posts, etc. Kinda fell in love with the place.
That said, it's not great for newsletter-centered stuff, like sales or seasonal pushes, and doesn't do autoresponder sequences. Until recently, the discoverability of the platform made up for the downsides.
I guess my biggest concern is that if the platform rules are changing, will they allow us to retain our complete email list? You know what they say: if you're not paying for a service, you are product, not the customer....
Thanks for the info. And for the reminder I should back up my posts and lists again. For that rainy day scenario. 🥂
Thank you, Ben. That is the plan. My hope is that eventually I'll be less beholden to Substack and will simply use it as a way to keep in touch with my die hardest hangers on. This will of course require me to step out of my comfort zone here and test the waters in more intimidating spaces ... like TikTok 🤮. Excuse me for barfing. But ... barf.
Dear Meg, a. I was reading that first quote thinking ‘that’s the way I’d describe your work’ … turns out that’s exactly how I’d describe it! 🤣 and 2. I get modest (I mean glacier slow) growth on the non-fiction encouragement stuff and zip/zilch/de nada on my fiction. I guess I should write a story maybe … I get the sense that the golden bubble of finding new folk and them finding us has burst. We’re all clinging on, wearing the rose tinted glasses we dropped too often so they’re all scratched. Anyhoo, I’m clumsily saying ‘you are not alone’. Keep being you. Write the good stuff. Oh, and dance on TikTok (maybe get a child to do it with you?!). Bon courage. X
Well said on the scratched glasses and bubbles burst. It's a shame we can't have nice things that last. As for TikTok, I will not be dancing. 😂. Unless of course I become a bestselling, overnight success, in which case the dancing will be strictly celebratory. 😁
Better start practicing that celebratory dance now!! 💃
Ummm. No idea, other than the algorithms, which resulted in low and no growth for many newsletters - smaller newsletters - but not abandonment.
Most put the trend down to it being a US seasonal thing, but the algorithms did actually change.
Still, that doesn't explain your current circumstance.
And yeah, I'm still here, through all of your iterations, so definitely the wrong person to ask.
Thank you, Caz! I so appreciate you sticking with me. 💜I've heard watercooler whispers about algorithm shifts, but since I've never understood how algorithms work anyway, I've just tried to look for ways I can improve my situation myself. But I'm not sure I can do much besides continue to show up and write my best stuff. So, that's what I'll be doing. Right after I gobble up the post you just shared.
https://open.substack.com/pub/speterdavis/p/substack-is-your-boss-and-hes-dissatisfied?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=s4cns
That was a great article Caz, thanks for sharing. Oh, and I subscribed … free, naturally. Does that get me any points toward my continued survival on Substack?
5 points for reading the essay, 10 points for subscribing to fellow Australian. You're good for a while longer. 😁
Similar trickle of readers leaving mine too. I’ve read several pieces suggesting that it’s common to a maturing platform. I’m curious but indifferent to it I guess.
For me, I see more "Followers" and fewer "Subscribers". So, when Subscribers go away because of natural attrition (people come; people go...), they aren't replaced by new Subscribers like they used to be. They're replaced by Followers. Good for Substack. Bad for the writer.
...good for Substack, at least, in the short run. I have a feeling that many writers are feeling the shift of attention from writers to their readers as the people they want to hold on to. The less love us writers feel, the more likely we'll move on to a different platform (as so many already have).
I don't think this is the only reason subscribership is falling, but in my case, it's a pretty major one.
I have heaps of "followers" but since Substack doesn't show any of them my Notes, I have no way of reaching them so they are basically useless. It's a huge bummer, all of this. Makes me yearn for the good old days of roughly 3 years ago, when Substack was about helping writers grow. Not so much anymore. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Love this!!! You rock, sweetie!
Thank you, my dear! I shall try to keep rockin'.
Meg, speaking only for myself, your YA fiction has always delighted and inspired me. I go back into your archive OFTEN to re-read my favorites. So, for me, the more BDS fiction, the better. I don't subscribe for your pod casts, interviews, notes, chats, essays, etc. I am sure they are all wonderful, but it is just too much for me. I read your fiction, however, with gusto, the moment it arrives in my inbox.
Thank you, Sharron! Honestly, if I thought there were more YA fans in here, I would focus most of my attention on that. But Substack has always appeared to be populated by grownups seeking grownup writing about grownups, so I've strayed from my own literary sweet spot, sometimes with really fun results, since the beginning. I'll just have to be brave and try some new things outside the walls of Substack to bring people in. And if it continues to be cruddy for my book here, or I win a bunch of money, I might consider relocating to one of those fancy internet blog sites you pay for. But for now, I'll keep trucking here with you. I love your stories, too, by the way. And am so glad you haven't slowed down writing them for us.
Okay, then. But just let me add that I have personally never considered your YA stories to be for youngsters. Yes, the protagonists are usually teens, but their stories are complex and sophisticated. They are full of conundrums, full of desire and passion. You have teen brains pegged utterly and that makes them of high interest to adults. We were, after all, all of us teens, and see ourselves in your stories.
I agree with all of this. And my heart knows it, too. ❤️
I've been on my substack for almost a year and I don't know what I am doing. I need someone to guide me step by step to point out what kind of substack I should write about. How I could turn around copy and promote my writing/
Bill Sokolic
Hey Bill!
Check out Russell Nohelty's The Author Stack. https://www.theauthorstack.com/ It's LOADED with step-by-step courses. I was subscribed for a while, but was almost too overwhelmed by the amount of information he puts out. But it's worth checking out. He also co-wrote a book with fellow Substacker Claire Venus on "How to Build a World Class Substack."
If you want more guidance on publishing fiction here, you should visit Simon K. Jones https://simonkjones.substack.com/ and check out our archive of posts of Fictionistas, too. https://fictionistas.substack.com/.
All the best!
I will check out Russell's work and see how I stack up.
Great piece, Meg. Your writing is special, and your readers (and fellow writers) appreciate that. We're in it together!
Cheers, Amanda! In it together, indeed! 🥂🥂
These subscribers you’re losing, I wonder if they’re unfollowing because of anything you wrote or if they just oversubscribed trying to get subscribers and realize now that was a losing strategy? What I mean is, if they never opened an email/post, are you really losing them? You should be able to see how engaged your subscribers are. I remember the advice to cull the inactive subscribers every 3-4 months. (Confession: I only ever cull my parents’ email). If I get a subscriber who is following ten other substacks, I think it’s because I got a new reader. If I get a subscriber who is following 400+ other substacks, I wonder if they’re a robot.
And friendly reminder: your posts have incredibly active and enviable engagement!
Thank you, Wil. I suspect that yes, it's a lot of knee jerk subscriptions hoping for a knee jerk subscription back. Hence why I made a point of sharing my ABOUT page because I for one never subscribe to a new Substack without at the very least reading what it's ABOUT and that was my subtle way of telling the knee jerkers to do their homework. 😊
I do have good engagement ... you are right ... and thank you for the reminder. And for sticking with me all this time. Can't wait to hear about the next story you get published that your mom and dad won't be allowed to read. 😊 And I'm ready for more Walt Darling escapades whenever that inspiration strikes.
In the meantime, have a wonderful holiday season with your family.