Good luck with your new strategy, Bin. I have yet to really get the "notes" strategy because it feels too much like Instagram. Instead, I mainly restack others' work with a comment, and that fits me better.
Substack is a very different platform to Medium, so it takes a while to get a feel for the culture, features, and to ascertain what works.
I get the impression that Substack is evolving quite quickly into a multimedia platform, so may not be the best place for specialised writers in the near future - it may be that the most successful are those who can both write and present podcasts.
Medium seems virtually finished - nearly a year since the earnings crash now, and no real sign of recovery, though I do hear of a couple of writers still doing well so it's worth keeping a toe in the door! I am so rude about the platform that I expect to get banned soon. 😀
Substack is coming to a theater near you. At least I’m grateful I can have more than 1 Medium account, not a lot of difference but when an article is moving more than a day or 2 I’d appreciate…
Good summary of your experience. I think you are on track, now.
Notes that are meaningful, from the heart, not always about what you are writing at all...genuine conversation, as we texted about a few days ago. I don't think there exists a "strategy" but just that notes should vary like everyday conversations do.
I always like to read posts and notes from people who show themselves, who they are in their writing, and this one does it for you.
Thanks for posting this (and for mentioning me--I'm glad our exchange resonated).
I really appreciate the analysis and experimentation you are doing. First, it lets me know I am not alone in this forest of diverging pathways, wondering which way to go. Also, you are giving me more metrics and new perspectives to consider with my own data.
I wish you much success, Bin. I think Substack in 2026 will explode with YouTube-like shorts, and other video and podcast-related incentives re: distribution.
You're right - Growth isn’t a straight line; it’s more like a zigzag through a maze of trial and error. And you'll probably have more errors than successes on the way. : )
Good luck with your new strategy, Bin. I have yet to really get the "notes" strategy because it feels too much like Instagram. Instead, I mainly restack others' work with a comment, and that fits me better.
That’s also a great way of using it as it will build up stronger connection than getting a random person to know and like what we have to say.
Some good observations Bin.
Substack is a very different platform to Medium, so it takes a while to get a feel for the culture, features, and to ascertain what works.
I get the impression that Substack is evolving quite quickly into a multimedia platform, so may not be the best place for specialised writers in the near future - it may be that the most successful are those who can both write and present podcasts.
Medium seems virtually finished - nearly a year since the earnings crash now, and no real sign of recovery, though I do hear of a couple of writers still doing well so it's worth keeping a toe in the door! I am so rude about the platform that I expect to get banned soon. 😀
Substack is coming to a theater near you. At least I’m grateful I can have more than 1 Medium account, not a lot of difference but when an article is moving more than a day or 2 I’d appreciate…
I am fairly new to Substack and still finding my way around. Good luck with your strategy.
Thanks, best of luck to you too.
Good summary of your experience. I think you are on track, now.
Notes that are meaningful, from the heart, not always about what you are writing at all...genuine conversation, as we texted about a few days ago. I don't think there exists a "strategy" but just that notes should vary like everyday conversations do.
I always like to read posts and notes from people who show themselves, who they are in their writing, and this one does it for you.
Thanks for posting this (and for mentioning me--I'm glad our exchange resonated).
I’m glad there was something meaningful like a real conversation happening.
As for notes it’s very much splits in few categories, where everyone has a taste for.
But you’re right able to talk like text with notes is way better than just following along with some growth or motivational tips.
I just try to blend in sometimes.
I really appreciate the analysis and experimentation you are doing. First, it lets me know I am not alone in this forest of diverging pathways, wondering which way to go. Also, you are giving me more metrics and new perspectives to consider with my own data.
Thanks, very glad it sparked something. More break down to come.
I wish you much success, Bin. I think Substack in 2026 will explode with YouTube-like shorts, and other video and podcast-related incentives re: distribution.
Thanks for the kind wish, I’ll try my best.
You're right - Growth isn’t a straight line; it’s more like a zigzag through a maze of trial and error. And you'll probably have more errors than successes on the way. : )