Thanks for the s/o. This is what I mean by the re-ordering I was talking about on Twitter… here’s what I think could be a salve though:
- in person events
- publishing in larger pubs
- finding your niche and committing to it
It’s much harder than it was right now. I regret not hustling harder to get my book out in 2022. Didn’t feel ready. I’m not totally blackpilled though. It’s just going to take more work.
As a budding novelist, it’s encouraging to know I’m missing out on nothing by staying off Twitter…I hated Twitter long before Musk took over.
Substack has actually restored some faith in humanity for me. Truly the only place online that makes me think “found my people” on a regular basis. My problem is I have no experience writing essays (and that’s all these are) and don’t want to put people off my writing due to my poor grasp of this form.
Well, I can tell you one thing: it isn't just you. Ask a musician how long they've been discouraged from trying to move their music on Twitter, or FB for that matter; the answer is, since those platforms' inception.
It seems like more of a shock to writers, I understand, bc writers have at times received favorable treatment on Twitter; but now those days are gone.
Substack is a writers' platform, so you should be much better off here. As for me and other 'non-famous' musicians, we do what we can. Ain't much, but it's that or nothing.
There’s also the fact that Twitter encourages dunking on people. It’s embarrassing to me to see writers I respect engage in this sort of childish behavior. But, when you’re on the platform daily, it’s hard to resist and becomes normalized. I’m sure when Twitter kicks the bucket people will look back and cringe at all the mean-spirited stuff they posted. Or who knows, maybe they won’t.
The fact that SubStack notes doesn't have a quote-tweeting function shows that they are appropriately building it to avoid internecine warfare of that sort.
This is entirely factual. The platform is overrun with drama, conflict, and childish nonsense. I love how Substack is very different from that, and rewards intellectual content.
Keep in mind too the massive bot problem in Twitter, which makes me pretty sure you have more human followers on Substack.
Another prolific writer told how a million plus follower Twitter account linked to his blog post, and it barely got a bump that day. Twitter is largely a solo, even without the throttling.
I wouldn't discount it altogether, as indies have still effectively used it to great success. Devon Erikson is one who comes to mind. He has a brilliant Twitter presence that moves tons of books.
Admittedly part of this post is just a rant that I'm not better at using the platform. I imagine for someone with my personality SubStack just folds into what I'm good at much better.
I only recently came back to Twatter after a decade+ long layoff. Can confirm its uselessness for finding readers (and dependable illustrators), although I've managed some modest networking there. Have been on MeWe and Gab for a long time. MeWe is pretty much a ghost town, now. I've got thousands of followers on Gab, but only get significant engagement when sharing political news. Gab was great at first, but I suspect they do their own deboosting, now, for non-pros. Anyway, not the place to find readers, either.
I haven't found many readers on Substack, either, but I haven't been here long. What engagement I've got comes mostly from fellow authors. I plan to stick with it because it does seem pretty creator-friendly. Social media has NEVER helped me find an audience. I guess I keep at it because marketing is crucial and I have to try SOMETHING.
If you're going to be on twitter at all, it's best to use it mostly for recreation, and then for networking and finally just a little self-promotion. Don't take your own posting seriously, but also don't go out of your way to sound like an inflammatory idiot. It's a place for quips, asides, observations you could develop in longer forms, if anything. On occasion, you'll meet people who can help you, or who you can help. Substack is dubious, too, though it's better than twitter. Substack also plays its part in the acceleration of consumption, reinforcing a dependence on feedback and stimulation that seems ever more threatening to the soul
Your observations here are exactly I got myself am urbit planet. Also why instead of pay content I just throw up a crypto donations page.
I have a super secret guerilla marketing campaign where I place QR code stickies in bars and airport bathrooms that pull you into my X page or substack. Finding real people and exclusive knowledge through the digital noise is of immense value, and can only skyrocket with time.
I subscribe to this substack, so I mean this less insultingly than it sounds, but maybe your twitter just isn't "a good twitter". It's a very specific vibe there and you have to be interacting with people who have lots of followers themselves, regularly, in a way that identifies you and is participating in the discourse of the moment. I'm just restating some of the things you wrote. But it's not really your bag, is it? I am not sure it was ever actually useful for new authors in any general sense, so much as the new authors you did find there were of a particular moment. Substack is a perfect place for what you're doing.
I had no idea that Twitter punished links outside of the platform. Back when I was on Twitter I had 0 luck marketing my books and all of my other projects. I quit all social medias entirely then moved to Substack, where I have seen 100% more growth for my writing then on all other social medias combined. This platform is a godsend. Every time I would open twitter, and let me tell you I was deep into “Author twitter” all i’d see was meaningless, time-sensitive drama and conflict on my feed that I would never even interact with. Left me with nothing so show for after half a year of marketing. When they say social media elevates negative content to encourage more interaction, they are 100% correct.
Thanks for the s/o. This is what I mean by the re-ordering I was talking about on Twitter… here’s what I think could be a salve though:
- in person events
- publishing in larger pubs
- finding your niche and committing to it
It’s much harder than it was right now. I regret not hustling harder to get my book out in 2022. Didn’t feel ready. I’m not totally blackpilled though. It’s just going to take more work.
Hyper-bullish on IRL events for sure. And I'm looking forward to your book!
As a budding novelist, it’s encouraging to know I’m missing out on nothing by staying off Twitter…I hated Twitter long before Musk took over.
Substack has actually restored some faith in humanity for me. Truly the only place online that makes me think “found my people” on a regular basis. My problem is I have no experience writing essays (and that’s all these are) and don’t want to put people off my writing due to my poor grasp of this form.
It's the premier place for serious writers at this point IMO.
Well, I can tell you one thing: it isn't just you. Ask a musician how long they've been discouraged from trying to move their music on Twitter, or FB for that matter; the answer is, since those platforms' inception.
It seems like more of a shock to writers, I understand, bc writers have at times received favorable treatment on Twitter; but now those days are gone.
Substack is a writers' platform, so you should be much better off here. As for me and other 'non-famous' musicians, we do what we can. Ain't much, but it's that or nothing.
There’s also the fact that Twitter encourages dunking on people. It’s embarrassing to me to see writers I respect engage in this sort of childish behavior. But, when you’re on the platform daily, it’s hard to resist and becomes normalized. I’m sure when Twitter kicks the bucket people will look back and cringe at all the mean-spirited stuff they posted. Or who knows, maybe they won’t.
The fact that SubStack notes doesn't have a quote-tweeting function shows that they are appropriately building it to avoid internecine warfare of that sort.
This is entirely factual. The platform is overrun with drama, conflict, and childish nonsense. I love how Substack is very different from that, and rewards intellectual content.
Keep in mind too the massive bot problem in Twitter, which makes me pretty sure you have more human followers on Substack.
Another prolific writer told how a million plus follower Twitter account linked to his blog post, and it barely got a bump that day. Twitter is largely a solo, even without the throttling.
I wouldn't discount it altogether, as indies have still effectively used it to great success. Devon Erikson is one who comes to mind. He has a brilliant Twitter presence that moves tons of books.
Admittedly part of this post is just a rant that I'm not better at using the platform. I imagine for someone with my personality SubStack just folds into what I'm good at much better.
It’s impossible to grow on twitter now
I only recently came back to Twatter after a decade+ long layoff. Can confirm its uselessness for finding readers (and dependable illustrators), although I've managed some modest networking there. Have been on MeWe and Gab for a long time. MeWe is pretty much a ghost town, now. I've got thousands of followers on Gab, but only get significant engagement when sharing political news. Gab was great at first, but I suspect they do their own deboosting, now, for non-pros. Anyway, not the place to find readers, either.
I haven't found many readers on Substack, either, but I haven't been here long. What engagement I've got comes mostly from fellow authors. I plan to stick with it because it does seem pretty creator-friendly. Social media has NEVER helped me find an audience. I guess I keep at it because marketing is crucial and I have to try SOMETHING.
If you're going to be on twitter at all, it's best to use it mostly for recreation, and then for networking and finally just a little self-promotion. Don't take your own posting seriously, but also don't go out of your way to sound like an inflammatory idiot. It's a place for quips, asides, observations you could develop in longer forms, if anything. On occasion, you'll meet people who can help you, or who you can help. Substack is dubious, too, though it's better than twitter. Substack also plays its part in the acceleration of consumption, reinforcing a dependence on feedback and stimulation that seems ever more threatening to the soul
Your observations here are exactly I got myself am urbit planet. Also why instead of pay content I just throw up a crypto donations page.
I have a super secret guerilla marketing campaign where I place QR code stickies in bars and airport bathrooms that pull you into my X page or substack. Finding real people and exclusive knowledge through the digital noise is of immense value, and can only skyrocket with time.
That's awesome!
I also do the QR code sticker thing! It has actually proved to be a bit fruitful!
I hope you've cranked more hits out of it than I have. Still, I imagine it's gotta leave a lasting impression.
I subscribe to this substack, so I mean this less insultingly than it sounds, but maybe your twitter just isn't "a good twitter". It's a very specific vibe there and you have to be interacting with people who have lots of followers themselves, regularly, in a way that identifies you and is participating in the discourse of the moment. I'm just restating some of the things you wrote. But it's not really your bag, is it? I am not sure it was ever actually useful for new authors in any general sense, so much as the new authors you did find there were of a particular moment. Substack is a perfect place for what you're doing.
You're right on all points and the fact is I'm simply not constitutionally suited to that type of constant online activity + ultra-short-form posting.
Partly this is just me complaining lol
(from time to time, I enjoy complaining)
You had me at "psycho-security."
I had no idea that Twitter punished links outside of the platform. Back when I was on Twitter I had 0 luck marketing my books and all of my other projects. I quit all social medias entirely then moved to Substack, where I have seen 100% more growth for my writing then on all other social medias combined. This platform is a godsend. Every time I would open twitter, and let me tell you I was deep into “Author twitter” all i’d see was meaningless, time-sensitive drama and conflict on my feed that I would never even interact with. Left me with nothing so show for after half a year of marketing. When they say social media elevates negative content to encourage more interaction, they are 100% correct.
It's incomparably better, couldn't agree more.
Twitter is just for shitposting/group DM's at this point.