Another great interview. It's interesting to hear Justin talk about not being comfortable with the voices that other platforms amplify – which surprised me, given some of the press that Substack has received regarding extremist content. I'm new here, and I've not come across anything despicable yet (give it time, I guess...). But things feel quite siloed, but in a good way. But without going into specifics or naming names, I'd be interested to know what he means by this comment.
It seems my answer is a little unclear – I’m uncomfortable with some of the voices *Substack* amplifies, which is why I’m nosing around other platforms.
It’s always informative to read other writers give their take on platform and newsletter writing. Thank you for sharing! Never come across Justin Myers so, thank you for the introduction. I sense some hesitation towards this platform and what I take is this constant move between platforms for many creators. Same goes for me. What I would like to know is how does a newsletter benefit you? Why do you write it?
I’m happy to answer that question. I write a newsletter because I love to write – I don’t know how to do anything else. After running my blog for a few years I wanted to write in a way that felt a little more intimate than whacking up a post and hoping someone saw it – the idea of a closed door, speaking directly to readers, appealed to me. Tinyletter was brilliant for that because you could hide your archive – if you weren’t signed up, you couldn’t see the piece – and once word of mouth spread and more people signed up, you could send the email straight out to them. A newsletter feels like you’re writing for people who actively want to read you, and you can get more of an immediate idea of what works and what doesn’t.
The main benefits are being read, creating a conversation, and feeling like you’re making a contribution, however small, to someone’s thinking.
I'm guessing this question's for Justin.... in case he doesn't see it, resend in a note so you can @ him. And I agree, so informative to read another writer's take on this platform.
Thank you for this. I was intending this for Justin but wouldn’t mind anyone else having a go at answering. I thought messages can be seen by you both…
Another great interview. It's interesting to hear Justin talk about not being comfortable with the voices that other platforms amplify – which surprised me, given some of the press that Substack has received regarding extremist content. I'm new here, and I've not come across anything despicable yet (give it time, I guess...). But things feel quite siloed, but in a good way. But without going into specifics or naming names, I'd be interested to know what he means by this comment.
It seems my answer is a little unclear – I’m uncomfortable with some of the voices *Substack* amplifies, which is why I’m nosing around other platforms.
My apologies, Justin. Reading it back now, it seems obvious what you meant. That'll teach me for trying to think before my first coffee! :)
Haha, no bother.
It’s always informative to read other writers give their take on platform and newsletter writing. Thank you for sharing! Never come across Justin Myers so, thank you for the introduction. I sense some hesitation towards this platform and what I take is this constant move between platforms for many creators. Same goes for me. What I would like to know is how does a newsletter benefit you? Why do you write it?
I’m happy to answer that question. I write a newsletter because I love to write – I don’t know how to do anything else. After running my blog for a few years I wanted to write in a way that felt a little more intimate than whacking up a post and hoping someone saw it – the idea of a closed door, speaking directly to readers, appealed to me. Tinyletter was brilliant for that because you could hide your archive – if you weren’t signed up, you couldn’t see the piece – and once word of mouth spread and more people signed up, you could send the email straight out to them. A newsletter feels like you’re writing for people who actively want to read you, and you can get more of an immediate idea of what works and what doesn’t.
The main benefits are being read, creating a conversation, and feeling like you’re making a contribution, however small, to someone’s thinking.
This resonates very well. Thank you so much.
I'm guessing this question's for Justin.... in case he doesn't see it, resend in a note so you can @ him. And I agree, so informative to read another writer's take on this platform.
Thank you for this. I was intending this for Justin but wouldn’t mind anyone else having a go at answering. I thought messages can be seen by you both…
Thanks so much, Eleanor!