"Are you interested in other paid writing markets besides medium? Do you want to know how to get the gigs where you get paid several hundred for a story?"
Yes please! I've got room to finally take on more work, and I'd like to avoid the the race to the bottom at places like UpWork and Fiverr.
While I would still love to know more about Medium, I would like to learn more about Substack too. I’m hoping to join the platform next year, so it’d be nice to get an informative head start.
Linda. I feel as though you invited us to dinner. Your table is set with at least 24 different mouthwatering gourmet treats and I want spoonfuls from them all. Heck, big spoonfuls.( and yes, I did get a glance at the dessert table complete with peanut butter pie!)
All to say, yes please. May I answer yes to every suggestion you made, all questions you asked in this terrific Friday installment?
After much delay, procrastination and dealing with external-to-writing distractions, I hope I am close to relaunching “lobstersandwich” (yep, food) this time on Substack. Along with that, becoming consistent on Medium again. Etc.
On top of all the above, I am trying to figure out the promotion ( via my writing) of a business I own where I help people monetize hobbies and or passions into part time (or full time) businesses. This ultimately provides my clients with a back up revenue stream that has nothing to do with side hustle listicles.
So....to answer your question, this is what’s going on with me and all help will be welcomed with arms wide open.
I guess that's kind of what I did. Invited everyone to dinner. Like Santa, I'm making a list and checking it twice. But mine is just what to write about. lol.
These days I’m on Substack writing two posts a week--one paid and one free. Each week the topic mirrors my weekly podcast by the same name (podcast ranks top 80th in Apple US Mental Health market & top 1.5% globally). Substack subscription is being mentioned on the weekly audio podcast. Our growth is slow but consistent. Started actively pushing it 12 weeks ago. Almost to 100 free and 4 paid.
The free post introduces a new angle to the weekly topic and the paid expands it with practical tips, exercises, and takeaways on the same topic. I’d love to know if this is a good angle or if there’s a better way.
I have some thoughts already. Maybe I should add guests and tackle case studies. It sounds like a few tips to get your Substack growing faster might be helpful, too.
Hi Linda, writing is my main hobby and I love it. I tend to refer to myself as a blogger because of my informal style of writing - I don't overthink what I write and it is mostly things that are currently happening in my life - I write on 3 platforms - not planning on adding on anymore or branching out anytime soon - I love getting feedback from writers/editors that I hold in high esteem (like you) not only because I always learn something new but I feel like my writing also improves - can't beat the once over from an expert eye 😊💙🙏
I've started putting up my previously published short stories on Amazon for Kindle as you described. Since Medium deleted all of the ones I put up there when I left, and I don't know if Substack will do the same if I quit it, I wanted to make sure they had some sort of permanent record, even if no one buys them (and no one has yet).
You know how in the analog days people mailed copies of their work to establish themselves as the copyright owner? We need something that works like that for the writing scene now. It could be a potential editorial topic.
I also would like to know about what ways are best for trying to fund raise for publication costs. There's a wonderful press here in Manitoba I would like to work on to get some more professional looking copies of my work available, but they charge an arm and a leg for all their packages.
Those are great topics David, thanks. And yeah, there are much less pricey ways to get professional copies without paying for those packages. Will add that to my topic list for sure.
I'd be curious to hear more of your ideas on branching out into other platforms. That's been my approach for years, but these days Medium keeps me really busy. I appreciate it, but at the same time it's new to me to be so reliant on one platform.
You and me both, Walter. The boost program increased the amount of time I spend on Medium and I really want to be less focused on one place but without losing traction.
Linda, here’s what I’d like to know. I have a website. But I am building followership on Medium. How do I respectfully migrate people to my website where my personal mailing list exists? My mailing list is website integrated. Also, thanks for all you do here as a professional educator and mentor.
Easiest and fastest way would be to add your website right at the end of your bio. But don't spell it all lowercase, spell it RomanNewell.com -- you'd be surprised how many people will check it out. Also, at the end of your about page, where you have your email, change that to say you can contact me at RomanNewell.com and link it. You'll get less spam, too, because bots scrape email addresses off Medium all the time. And you're very welcome! :)
I really appreciate that. It's really kind of you to bring this kind of value. I don't know if you're a Gary Vaynerchuk fan, but you do a great job of bringing value first and making the ask later. It's a good formula and it worked on me.
I used to be a big Vaynerchuk fan and I've read all his books but he makes me tired just watching him so I don't watch as much as I did when I first discovered his work years ago. :)
The funny thing about consistency in execution is that we eventually out ourselves. We can't show up day after day and not eventually show the world who we really are under all the masks we started out wearing. And thank you for the last sentence. :)
Right? All that crappy purple prose and rambling out there, that's not writing. They didn't look. They didn't see. Writing is seeing. Remembering. Putting it down. :)
Dec 8, 2023·edited Dec 8, 2023Liked by Linda Caroll
I would like more on starting and succeeding on Substack. I launched my newsletter this summer way before I was ready, and am now in the planning stages for one I think is much more in line with my long term goals and true self!
I am interested in using Medium, also, but I haven't figured out yet how to use both platforms wo constant repetition, so any input on that is most welcome!
The main reason I caught it is because my maiden name was Colson, and then there was the Watergate-criminal- born-again Christian Chuck Colson.
I should have added that it's a great article and wonderful idea! I'm a new-ish writer, not prolific as I'd like to be, but can use all the help I can get. Do you coach?
Sign me up. My main objective these days is to stay alive long enough to do some of the things I want to. I'm also keeping my day job until I fall out of the chair.
If it's me, no you shouldn't. lol. Because black Friday presale, black Friday, cyber Monday, black Friday returns spread across 5 websites and email for every brand makes for the worst month of the year. But if it's anyone else, it depends if they also have a day job in ecommerce.
I'm not writing freelance except for Medium and Substack, and submitting short stories and essays to lit mags and contests (just gone another one accepted today!) — and now I have a middle grade series under contract with a publisher (who I'm not at liberty to name yet, but I'm VERY excited). Having said that, anything you have to say about writing, especially on Medium and Substack, is something I know I'll learn from. So bring it on, please.
Great read, Linda! I would desperately LOVE to know those formulas you mentioned for how to look at a topic and write originally without it reading like a formula. For me, formulas are the way my brain translates the kind of big concept writing I want to create. When I can translate it in my brain by using a formula it makes me feel alive. So yes, please please please share what you know❤️🙌
"Are you interested in other paid writing markets besides medium? Do you want to know how to get the gigs where you get paid several hundred for a story?"
Yes please! I've got room to finally take on more work, and I'd like to avoid the the race to the bottom at places like UpWork and Fiverr.
I hear you, those places eat your soul. I used to do more of that and haven't for too long, so that's a topic that's near to my heart.
I tried Upstart and my first two contacts were scammers.
While I would still love to know more about Medium, I would like to learn more about Substack too. I’m hoping to join the platform next year, so it’d be nice to get an informative head start.
Good to know. That's a topic I can write a ton about. I learned everything by doing it all wrong. lol
Lol that’s how I feel about Medium. I definitely had to learn the platform step by step.
Linda. I feel as though you invited us to dinner. Your table is set with at least 24 different mouthwatering gourmet treats and I want spoonfuls from them all. Heck, big spoonfuls.( and yes, I did get a glance at the dessert table complete with peanut butter pie!)
All to say, yes please. May I answer yes to every suggestion you made, all questions you asked in this terrific Friday installment?
After much delay, procrastination and dealing with external-to-writing distractions, I hope I am close to relaunching “lobstersandwich” (yep, food) this time on Substack. Along with that, becoming consistent on Medium again. Etc.
On top of all the above, I am trying to figure out the promotion ( via my writing) of a business I own where I help people monetize hobbies and or passions into part time (or full time) businesses. This ultimately provides my clients with a back up revenue stream that has nothing to do with side hustle listicles.
So....to answer your question, this is what’s going on with me and all help will be welcomed with arms wide open.
I guess that's kind of what I did. Invited everyone to dinner. Like Santa, I'm making a list and checking it twice. But mine is just what to write about. lol.
Whoops I replied to you just now but messed up, I think, because it shows later in this thread as a separate comment.
lol. You can just paste it in thread and delete the original if you want. :)
Duuuuuuh. Why didn’t I think of that! You should see me shaking my head AND the smile on my face right now🙄😀 Here is what I wrote as a reply earlier:
What you want to do is really needed, my friend. Bring it home in 2024!
I am laughing. We have ALL been there. lol
I publish once a week on Substack. I’d like to hear your take on Substack and everything about newsletters. Thanks for all your insights.
Thanks Don. That's a good one to have on the list.
These days I’m on Substack writing two posts a week--one paid and one free. Each week the topic mirrors my weekly podcast by the same name (podcast ranks top 80th in Apple US Mental Health market & top 1.5% globally). Substack subscription is being mentioned on the weekly audio podcast. Our growth is slow but consistent. Started actively pushing it 12 weeks ago. Almost to 100 free and 4 paid.
The free post introduces a new angle to the weekly topic and the paid expands it with practical tips, exercises, and takeaways on the same topic. I’d love to know if this is a good angle or if there’s a better way.
I have some thoughts already. Maybe I should add guests and tackle case studies. It sounds like a few tips to get your Substack growing faster might be helpful, too.
Yes! Thank you. This is Kerry McAvoy btw! The podcast also is now following you.
I think you have a great idea! Offering some for free and more specifics for paid subscribers.
Yeah, that's a great idea. It would let me spend more time doing what I love. :)
Hi Linda, writing is my main hobby and I love it. I tend to refer to myself as a blogger because of my informal style of writing - I don't overthink what I write and it is mostly things that are currently happening in my life - I write on 3 platforms - not planning on adding on anymore or branching out anytime soon - I love getting feedback from writers/editors that I hold in high esteem (like you) not only because I always learn something new but I feel like my writing also improves - can't beat the once over from an expert eye 😊💙🙏
I'm curious which platforms you write on. :)
I've started putting up my previously published short stories on Amazon for Kindle as you described. Since Medium deleted all of the ones I put up there when I left, and I don't know if Substack will do the same if I quit it, I wanted to make sure they had some sort of permanent record, even if no one buys them (and no one has yet).
You know how in the analog days people mailed copies of their work to establish themselves as the copyright owner? We need something that works like that for the writing scene now. It could be a potential editorial topic.
I also would like to know about what ways are best for trying to fund raise for publication costs. There's a wonderful press here in Manitoba I would like to work on to get some more professional looking copies of my work available, but they charge an arm and a leg for all their packages.
Those are great topics David, thanks. And yeah, there are much less pricey ways to get professional copies without paying for those packages. Will add that to my topic list for sure.
I'd be curious to hear more of your ideas on branching out into other platforms. That's been my approach for years, but these days Medium keeps me really busy. I appreciate it, but at the same time it's new to me to be so reliant on one platform.
You and me both, Walter. The boost program increased the amount of time I spend on Medium and I really want to be less focused on one place but without losing traction.
Linda, here’s what I’d like to know. I have a website. But I am building followership on Medium. How do I respectfully migrate people to my website where my personal mailing list exists? My mailing list is website integrated. Also, thanks for all you do here as a professional educator and mentor.
Easiest and fastest way would be to add your website right at the end of your bio. But don't spell it all lowercase, spell it RomanNewell.com -- you'd be surprised how many people will check it out. Also, at the end of your about page, where you have your email, change that to say you can contact me at RomanNewell.com and link it. You'll get less spam, too, because bots scrape email addresses off Medium all the time. And you're very welcome! :)
I really appreciate that. It's really kind of you to bring this kind of value. I don't know if you're a Gary Vaynerchuk fan, but you do a great job of bringing value first and making the ask later. It's a good formula and it worked on me.
I used to be a big Vaynerchuk fan and I've read all his books but he makes me tired just watching him so I don't watch as much as I did when I first discovered his work years ago. :)
It gets a little redundant, large in part because the concepts aren't complicated. The consistency in execution is the hard part. I appreciate you.
The funny thing about consistency in execution is that we eventually out ourselves. We can't show up day after day and not eventually show the world who we really are under all the masks we started out wearing. And thank you for the last sentence. :)
Mmmmm, you said writing is seeing. Mmm. Yes. The inclinations and perspectives, angles and yes, you’re absolutely right.
Right? All that crappy purple prose and rambling out there, that's not writing. They didn't look. They didn't see. Writing is seeing. Remembering. Putting it down. :)
I'd love to publish another novel on KDP but my email list is small and I have zero money for advertising on Amazon.
I could publish 3 novels a year on KDP if they'd sell.
I'm back to Medium, hoping to publish 3 stories a week for Publishous/The Taoist Online.
Thanks for this SS!
Linda
I have one series already on my list because of all the people who are exactly where you are.
I would like more on starting and succeeding on Substack. I launched my newsletter this summer way before I was ready, and am now in the planning stages for one I think is much more in line with my long term goals and true self!
I am interested in using Medium, also, but I haven't figured out yet how to use both platforms wo constant repetition, so any input on that is most welcome!
That's a great topic.
pretty sure it's Colson Whitehead Linda!
It totally is. Lordy I needed one more coffee before I hit send. I corrected it in the web version as soon as I hit publish and saw it. Crikey
The main reason I caught it is because my maiden name was Colson, and then there was the Watergate-criminal- born-again Christian Chuck Colson.
I should have added that it's a great article and wonderful idea! I'm a new-ish writer, not prolific as I'd like to be, but can use all the help I can get. Do you coach?
I don't coach right now, but it's something I've considered. I've done small group coaching in the past and it was a lot of fun.
Sign me up. My main objective these days is to stay alive long enough to do some of the things I want to. I'm also keeping my day job until I fall out of the chair.
If I haven’t heard from a Medium publication editor I submitted to two weeks ago, should I assume I never will?
If it's me, no you shouldn't. lol. Because black Friday presale, black Friday, cyber Monday, black Friday returns spread across 5 websites and email for every brand makes for the worst month of the year. But if it's anyone else, it depends if they also have a day job in ecommerce.
I'm not writing freelance except for Medium and Substack, and submitting short stories and essays to lit mags and contests (just gone another one accepted today!) — and now I have a middle grade series under contract with a publisher (who I'm not at liberty to name yet, but I'm VERY excited). Having said that, anything you have to say about writing, especially on Medium and Substack, is something I know I'll learn from. So bring it on, please.
Great read, Linda! I would desperately LOVE to know those formulas you mentioned for how to look at a topic and write originally without it reading like a formula. For me, formulas are the way my brain translates the kind of big concept writing I want to create. When I can translate it in my brain by using a formula it makes me feel alive. So yes, please please please share what you know❤️🙌