I just started a new Substack (not fully launched yet) and I’m really glad I read this! Since my primary aim is to create a community and awareness around my short stories about dogs, subscriptions are not an essential for me. I could actually just put up a link to a tip jar for anyone who wants to show appreciation. And not be locked into the dictates of a subscription👍
Just dropped a new piece on Of Coin & Capital “When Time Pays Nothing” is a reflection on negative real rates, the erosion of time preference, and what it means to store value in a system that punishes patience.
This one explores what happens when the market forgets what time is worth and how those who remember can build with clarity while the rest chase speed.
If you’re thinking about capital, sovereignty, or how to move in a distorted world, I think this will resonate.
I have been so busy building my Substack, it's only now that I can stop for air and explore this platform and read other people's stories 🙂
Yes, Substack can take a little getting used to! The more you use it, the quicker you get at navigating it, though! Eventually, it will all be second nature!
I was doing the maths for when you and hubby met. Wow... 1992 or 1993 - You were online way back when it first started! Very cool that you met your hubby online before hook-up culture began!
I can relate in that I change my mind a lot! It's all part of the creative process! The last 5 weeks were very complicated, but I finally have a clear path forward and will be sticking with my Substack/YouTube plan for now.
I turned my Substack payments on, but for now, all of my stories are still free! I just see it more as an option for supporters who want to support my journey financially (an alternative to Ko-fi). I'm happy to run things this way. I'm not expecting any paying subscribers any time soon, but the option is there!
All the best with your Substack journey! It's been another six months since you wrote this post, so I'm sure you are a Substack wizz now! Hopefully, you have made some clear decisions (but have given yourself plenty of room to move freely!).
Thanks for your thoughts, Heidi! I’m so happy you’re enjoying Substack. I just wrote a 1-year update. Spoiler: I did not get used to it! haha I’m “leaving” Substack (not really, but I won’t be writing here) and sticking with Medium for now.
I was reading your story and then got to the part of your description, when I read Introverted Metalhead, I knew right away I was reading your stories on Medium as well!
I'm on my first week on Substack and you are right, it can be confusing! I still have more questions than answers!
haha that’s so funny. Yes, that’s me. The introverted metalhead. 🤘🏻 I hope you have a great experience at Substack. It’s not for me, but most people like it here.
I'm just making the transition here from Medium with my publication The Old Anorak, and it's confusing as hell. There's 3(3??) different sets of settings. Why?? Navigation here is a bit of a horror show.
In the way that Medium needs a bit more complexity, for example an editor worthy of the name, there's not even a 'back' button to roll back occasional errors- Substack needs a good dose of simplicity.
Apart from the above Medium's partner program is abysmal. in the middle of last year I thought I was making modest progress. Earning a pound of so a month by October I had enough to cover 25% of my subscription for 2025 (it was about £42). Very, very modest progress but progress all the same. It was very encouraging.
Since October, I've earned 18 cents in total (today is May 9th). Demoralising isn't the word. Medium's algo changes, in my limited experience of being with them 18 months-ish, are hugely chaotic and disruptive and never benefit the little guys.
As for Substack, it isn't perfect and I'm prepared to find more faults as I go along, but the basic thing I like about it-apart from a grown up document editor, oh joy!-is the money model. It costs you nothing until you start making money, and then they take 10%. That's not only fare, it's generous.
If I've put in enough work to begin earning money here, I know it'll be more than 2 or 3 cents a month, and I'll be cock-a-hoop with my 90% share of the spoils. I'll likely stay on Medium after such an investment of time and effort, but it'll be very much the copy to Substack's paste.
Thank you for this breakdown of your six months on here … I started awhile ago .. made very little progress with minimal interaction. I took an enforced pause due to a tech issue but have been back a little over a month.
Things are so different. I’m getting likes, followers, free subs and I feel accepted and heard which is great.
I’m taking time to learn eg re how to use tags and am playing with when / how often to post notes etc.
Thinking of going the digital download route and not keen on feeling trapped .
I agree with a lot of what you say here. I'm fairly tech savvy and find Sub's backend SUPER confusing - your case in point: the "home" options. Another example: I've drafted articles while in the app but then, when I go to the software on my laptop, that draft has disappeared! Thank you for sharing your honest thoughts with us here.
Agree with all your points on Substack - notes and trapped! I also change my mind a lot - it’s a creative mindset that explores, expands and experiments unlike one that likes routine repititiveness and regularity.
What's wrong with the woman? I like to use people (even though it's AI) because they're relatable and bright colors to make it eye-catching. That's all. But I'm glad you enjoyed the content anyway!
I just started a new Substack (not fully launched yet) and I’m really glad I read this! Since my primary aim is to create a community and awareness around my short stories about dogs, subscriptions are not an essential for me. I could actually just put up a link to a tip jar for anyone who wants to show appreciation. And not be locked into the dictates of a subscription👍
Thanks!!!!☺️
The tip jar is a good plan, and a lot of people do that instead of turning on paid subscriptions.
Just dropped a new piece on Of Coin & Capital “When Time Pays Nothing” is a reflection on negative real rates, the erosion of time preference, and what it means to store value in a system that punishes patience.
This one explores what happens when the market forgets what time is worth and how those who remember can build with clarity while the rest chase speed.
If you’re thinking about capital, sovereignty, or how to move in a distorted world, I think this will resonate.
Hey Christina,
I have been so busy building my Substack, it's only now that I can stop for air and explore this platform and read other people's stories 🙂
Yes, Substack can take a little getting used to! The more you use it, the quicker you get at navigating it, though! Eventually, it will all be second nature!
I was doing the maths for when you and hubby met. Wow... 1992 or 1993 - You were online way back when it first started! Very cool that you met your hubby online before hook-up culture began!
I can relate in that I change my mind a lot! It's all part of the creative process! The last 5 weeks were very complicated, but I finally have a clear path forward and will be sticking with my Substack/YouTube plan for now.
I turned my Substack payments on, but for now, all of my stories are still free! I just see it more as an option for supporters who want to support my journey financially (an alternative to Ko-fi). I'm happy to run things this way. I'm not expecting any paying subscribers any time soon, but the option is there!
All the best with your Substack journey! It's been another six months since you wrote this post, so I'm sure you are a Substack wizz now! Hopefully, you have made some clear decisions (but have given yourself plenty of room to move freely!).
Best wishes,
Heidi
Thanks for your thoughts, Heidi! I’m so happy you’re enjoying Substack. I just wrote a 1-year update. Spoiler: I did not get used to it! haha I’m “leaving” Substack (not really, but I won’t be writing here) and sticking with Medium for now.
Aw, sorry to hear it Christina! Different strokes for different folks, right!? 😊
Good on you for following what feels right for you! Might see you around on Medium some day!
Or Substack! (Hopefully they will make it more user-friendly!)
All of the best with your writing career! 💛
https://substack.com/@quietlaunch/note/p-163315139?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=5oawtp
Hi,
I was reading your story and then got to the part of your description, when I read Introverted Metalhead, I knew right away I was reading your stories on Medium as well!
I'm on my first week on Substack and you are right, it can be confusing! I still have more questions than answers!
haha that’s so funny. Yes, that’s me. The introverted metalhead. 🤘🏻 I hope you have a great experience at Substack. It’s not for me, but most people like it here.
I'm not sure yet, too early too say, it's been maybe 5 days since I joined😄
I'm just making the transition here from Medium with my publication The Old Anorak, and it's confusing as hell. There's 3(3??) different sets of settings. Why?? Navigation here is a bit of a horror show.
In the way that Medium needs a bit more complexity, for example an editor worthy of the name, there's not even a 'back' button to roll back occasional errors- Substack needs a good dose of simplicity.
Apart from the above Medium's partner program is abysmal. in the middle of last year I thought I was making modest progress. Earning a pound of so a month by October I had enough to cover 25% of my subscription for 2025 (it was about £42). Very, very modest progress but progress all the same. It was very encouraging.
Since October, I've earned 18 cents in total (today is May 9th). Demoralising isn't the word. Medium's algo changes, in my limited experience of being with them 18 months-ish, are hugely chaotic and disruptive and never benefit the little guys.
As for Substack, it isn't perfect and I'm prepared to find more faults as I go along, but the basic thing I like about it-apart from a grown up document editor, oh joy!-is the money model. It costs you nothing until you start making money, and then they take 10%. That's not only fare, it's generous.
If I've put in enough work to begin earning money here, I know it'll be more than 2 or 3 cents a month, and I'll be cock-a-hoop with my 90% share of the spoils. I'll likely stay on Medium after such an investment of time and effort, but it'll be very much the copy to Substack's paste.
I wish you the best of luck on Substack, Jim! It sounds like you're determined to make it work for you.
Thank you for this breakdown of your six months on here … I started awhile ago .. made very little progress with minimal interaction. I took an enforced pause due to a tech issue but have been back a little over a month.
Things are so different. I’m getting likes, followers, free subs and I feel accepted and heard which is great.
I’m taking time to learn eg re how to use tags and am playing with when / how often to post notes etc.
Thinking of going the digital download route and not keen on feeling trapped .
That’s great news!
what an achievement, I hope I can do it greatly just like you
https://mamankur.substack.com/p/nine-years-still-one-story-a-love?r=5l6kl1
this is my latest post, I write about my 9yr marriage. I hope you guys can read and enjoy it :)
Thank you for this post. This makes me feel so much better about my journey and this platform.
I’m glad it helped!
I agree with a lot of what you say here. I'm fairly tech savvy and find Sub's backend SUPER confusing - your case in point: the "home" options. Another example: I've drafted articles while in the app but then, when I go to the software on my laptop, that draft has disappeared! Thank you for sharing your honest thoughts with us here.
It’s very hard to find anything in Substack. It can be pretty frustrating.
A transparent peek behind the curtain of content creation.
It’s the kind of real talk that helps others decide if Substack’s worth their time.
Thanks for checking it out!
This advice will go a long way for the people starting on substack.
Thanks for checking it out!
Agree with all your points on Substack - notes and trapped! I also change my mind a lot - it’s a creative mindset that explores, expands and experiments unlike one that likes routine repititiveness and regularity.
I’m glad this one resonated with you! I should post a follow-up, although, i don’t think my opinions have changed much.
Very useful article
Thanks for checking it out!
Come along, you will be glad you did
Over 80 new short-stories in since New Year’s
Several new short-stories each week
Funny, drama, spooky, mystery, and more
Read any 3-4, and you’ll want to read them all
Tell a friend
@the smell of smoke
I almost passed because of the pointless image of the women. Luckily I quickly scanned and seen some genuine content. Happy I read.
Still confused why the image but maybe it works for your audience.
What's wrong with the woman? I like to use people (even though it's AI) because they're relatable and bright colors to make it eye-catching. That's all. But I'm glad you enjoyed the content anyway!
Well that makes sense if that resonates with your audience. I’m not necessarily your audience but still a great article!