I haven't quite figured out how best to navigate Substack tags, but I do have a few recurring features (record reviews, weekly playlists, etc.). Like you, my audience is in chunks- some people really show up for content about X, and others for Y. I certainly don't expect every one to show up for everything, but I *do* want them to keep showing up, and I think this helps make that happen.
Here's a question for you. Do you know if adding a tag to a particular post, something more narrow than the larger navigational tag, would help people find the post? For instance, I have a navigational section on "amphibians" but the particular post is about specific species of frog. If I add "frog" as a tag is there any point? I see it gets added to our settings options, which could end up creating a very long list of tags. Any insight?
Thank you for this explanation. Somehow, when I read it on Substack, I felt like it wasn't going to be useful for me, but now I think I see the beauty parts. I've gotta go do some playing around with it!
Linda, for your sake, I regret to say we are alike. I write and travel in a wide lane. Niches aren't me, even if that is what I help others do as a consultant. There is simply too many interesting ideas and topics to pursue. This week I wrote about ChatGPT/prompt engineering and then on "moving meditation," followed by standing on the mountain of "no's." The only common ground is that they have nothing in common but me as their author.
Bottom line: I salute your diversity of writing, and I enjoy it immensely. Please don't change.
Thanks for this! Also, yeah, I struggle with niching. I believe we are diverse enough to talk to different people depending on where they are in their lives. But, thanks.
I saved this post and re-read it now that I've (finally!) set up my Substack and scheduled 4 posts for June. Like you, I just can't seem to niche down, and this phrase of yours resonates with me: I like the people who are like roman candles, and you just never know what they’re going to come up with . . .". However, on my Substack, I'm focusing on aging in a way that's joyful but thoughtful, as well as real. No advice on how to be a super ager from me!
Hi Linda, I use lists on Medium to group my posts theme. I was also confused when I joined Medium as to how to structure my content list. And yes, very happy about tags here, but some key tags should be given, so they are searchable beyond your own publication.
This is great. I can target my Substack writing posts to the audiences that will actually appreciate them. I was having trouble with that before.
I haven't quite figured out how best to navigate Substack tags, but I do have a few recurring features (record reviews, weekly playlists, etc.). Like you, my audience is in chunks- some people really show up for content about X, and others for Y. I certainly don't expect every one to show up for everything, but I *do* want them to keep showing up, and I think this helps make that happen.
Wow I did learn a lot from this - but why doesn't the tags display at the bottom of the post like on Medium?
Linda, did you put tags on this story? I'm asking because I don't see any at the bottom and I am using the app on my android. Just curious...
Here's a question for you. Do you know if adding a tag to a particular post, something more narrow than the larger navigational tag, would help people find the post? For instance, I have a navigational section on "amphibians" but the particular post is about specific species of frog. If I add "frog" as a tag is there any point? I see it gets added to our settings options, which could end up creating a very long list of tags. Any insight?
Thank you for this explanation. Somehow, when I read it on Substack, I felt like it wasn't going to be useful for me, but now I think I see the beauty parts. I've gotta go do some playing around with it!
Linda, for your sake, I regret to say we are alike. I write and travel in a wide lane. Niches aren't me, even if that is what I help others do as a consultant. There is simply too many interesting ideas and topics to pursue. This week I wrote about ChatGPT/prompt engineering and then on "moving meditation," followed by standing on the mountain of "no's." The only common ground is that they have nothing in common but me as their author.
Bottom line: I salute your diversity of writing, and I enjoy it immensely. Please don't change.
Thanks for this! Also, yeah, I struggle with niching. I believe we are diverse enough to talk to different people depending on where they are in their lives. But, thanks.
I have been using tags in the last 5 posts/articles but I am not sure that it does anything. Do we get any feedback abut the effect of tags?
I saved this post and re-read it now that I've (finally!) set up my Substack and scheduled 4 posts for June. Like you, I just can't seem to niche down, and this phrase of yours resonates with me: I like the people who are like roman candles, and you just never know what they’re going to come up with . . .". However, on my Substack, I'm focusing on aging in a way that's joyful but thoughtful, as well as real. No advice on how to be a super ager from me!
I'm with Holly as a poet. Poetry - a niche but beyond that - all topics!
Hi Linda, I use lists on Medium to group my posts theme. I was also confused when I joined Medium as to how to structure my content list. And yes, very happy about tags here, but some key tags should be given, so they are searchable beyond your own publication.