was gonna send you a chat, but I'm not yet able to support my favorite subscribers, financially but I can participate to help the algorithm so they are seen.
Loved how you described your moms flighty brain. and mom brain is very real.
Would you please explain the 'algorithm' to me? This is the first I've heard of there being one. I've been here since last Christmas but I guess I still have a LOT to learn about how Substack works. How many ways can we as writers get paid besides subscriptions? Thank you, Megan. hugs
Hey there: I used to work in tech. The algorithm. Because of how much content flows through the internet and this platform: Developers write code (the algorithm) to show levels of importance that decides what information will be shown to others. Every time someone comments, likes, clicks, spends extended time on your page... it shows the website/developers/system/the program that people are interacting with your page. Then it will conclude- this will be interesting for others who like the same information. so your writing will show up in the Notes more frequently or be in suggested content. This allows your post to get more traction, more views, more visibility.
I believe in reciprocity and giving as much as I take. So I try to use my actions to click on/ interact with/participate with content I like to boost the writer. This isn't Paid participation but could create and find more subscribers as they can more easily find you.
There are ways to strategically post content or only allow those who pay to participate in certain ways to encourage paid subscription (putting comments behind a paywall for example or having "premium articles"- that are only accessible to your paid viewers) to shift your subscriber base from just passively reading to investing in Higher priority stuff. it can benefit your time work output as well : for example: you aren't weeding through 1000 chats... because it's only available to the 100 that paid for your time. Those are some very basic ideas. Some people offer downloadable books, exclusive chapters from books, guide to ___ or, courses based on an expertise you have. Those are other ways to get payments outside of subscribers.
The internet has learned to be a taking culture. taking what they can for free. so learning how to incentivize paid participation has been important for online creators to become financially sustainable and not just giving everything out for free hoping that people will send them money.
Megan, you have been a treasure trove of useful information. Thank you so very much. I had no preset notions of how it worked here, other than someone saying: once you get to 1000 subscribers, then you can start making money. I still don’t know what that was all about.
I do too, I often say I would like a thumb drive to plug into my brain for the overflow of thoughts. Which is why I like to write! My sister and I often do ‘motherisms’ our mother used to say and do. We should have written them all down.
You are a kindred spirit, Valerie, or should I say our mothers probably were. My mama had dozens of what I’ve always called “Mom-isms”. The majority of them we all heard as we were leaving for school in the mornings … two of my favorites:
“Share your smile!”
“Be nice. Everyone is Someone. You might be the only one who is nice to them all day.”
Wanted to let you know Liz Gilbert is on substack recently: https://substack.com/@elizabethgilbert
was gonna send you a chat, but I'm not yet able to support my favorite subscribers, financially but I can participate to help the algorithm so they are seen.
Loved how you described your moms flighty brain. and mom brain is very real.
Would you please explain the 'algorithm' to me? This is the first I've heard of there being one. I've been here since last Christmas but I guess I still have a LOT to learn about how Substack works. How many ways can we as writers get paid besides subscriptions? Thank you, Megan. hugs
Hey there: I used to work in tech. The algorithm. Because of how much content flows through the internet and this platform: Developers write code (the algorithm) to show levels of importance that decides what information will be shown to others. Every time someone comments, likes, clicks, spends extended time on your page... it shows the website/developers/system/the program that people are interacting with your page. Then it will conclude- this will be interesting for others who like the same information. so your writing will show up in the Notes more frequently or be in suggested content. This allows your post to get more traction, more views, more visibility.
I believe in reciprocity and giving as much as I take. So I try to use my actions to click on/ interact with/participate with content I like to boost the writer. This isn't Paid participation but could create and find more subscribers as they can more easily find you.
as for paid: i'm still figuring that out. I've been following other writers who share how to better use the platform to encourage paid participation LIke https://veronicallorcasmith.substack.com/p/substack-10-ideas-for-your-paid-subscribers/comments
There are ways to strategically post content or only allow those who pay to participate in certain ways to encourage paid subscription (putting comments behind a paywall for example or having "premium articles"- that are only accessible to your paid viewers) to shift your subscriber base from just passively reading to investing in Higher priority stuff. it can benefit your time work output as well : for example: you aren't weeding through 1000 chats... because it's only available to the 100 that paid for your time. Those are some very basic ideas. Some people offer downloadable books, exclusive chapters from books, guide to ___ or, courses based on an expertise you have. Those are other ways to get payments outside of subscribers.
The internet has learned to be a taking culture. taking what they can for free. so learning how to incentivize paid participation has been important for online creators to become financially sustainable and not just giving everything out for free hoping that people will send them money.
hope that made sense and is helpful in some way
Megan, you have been a treasure trove of useful information. Thank you so very much. I had no preset notions of how it worked here, other than someone saying: once you get to 1000 subscribers, then you can start making money. I still don’t know what that was all about.
you are so welcome. Happy to help. your encouragement on here has been invaluable to me. Go make some money girl.
Thank you again, Megan. You’ve been a huge help.
Bless your heart, Megan. I appreciate your continued support. Yes, mom brain is real … I’m finding there’s a Grammy brain, too. I have it. (giggling)
hahah Exhibit A: .Support my favorite Writers. Writers. (cackling)
I do too, I often say I would like a thumb drive to plug into my brain for the overflow of thoughts. Which is why I like to write! My sister and I often do ‘motherisms’ our mother used to say and do. We should have written them all down.
You are a kindred spirit, Valerie, or should I say our mothers probably were. My mama had dozens of what I’ve always called “Mom-isms”. The majority of them we all heard as we were leaving for school in the mornings … two of my favorites:
“Share your smile!”
“Be nice. Everyone is Someone. You might be the only one who is nice to them all day.”
I'm like your mama. I too get distracted with all of the things!
Hello Jenny —there seem to be a lot of us like that. Thank you for sharing!
She would have loved knowing you, Kristin. Your sense of humor would have tickled her! ❤️💕
You’re too funny, Lady K. I would love having coffee with you at the kitchen table!
Thank you, Mark. Your comments are very supportive.