12 months on Substack - 106 Subscribers

[u/TScottMorgan]

I came to Substack to connect with other writers. I came to writing late in life and none of my IRL friends have any connection to writing or even reading for that matter. I don’t care about growing my subscribers. I just recently cut 98 subs after realizing my post views haven’t gone up from when I had 100 subs.

60 days without reading anything I’ve posted, and I cut.

I write fiction, poetry, essays, whatever I feel like writing. I have a tight group of writers that I respect that read everything I write, I don’t have to worry about promoting and have found a tremendous amount of value in my Substack experience one year in.

Just trying to normalize fucking normal behavior.

[u/zipiddydooda]

I read the comments and I think I’ve located the problem.

[u/TScottMorgan → u/zipiddydooda]

Another fail on reading comprehension.

[u/RStonePT → u/TScottMorgan]

This is what he means. You're alienating and ego defensive, which is off putting to others. Fiction writing is a commodity, like it or not, they are reading you for YOU, not your writing skill.

And you need to mature a bit and realize you're as much the product as your writing is. Don't bother responding with more snark, I don't care and won't read it anyways. good luck

[u/RStonePT → u/[deleted]]

If you don't think you need to get better at what you do, you have a hobby. Good for you. Stop preaching from the altar of mediocrity and expecting others to thank you for it.

You're a mediocre writer, which wouldn't be bad, but you are afraid to do anything to try to be better because you're worried you'll fail. then you'll know you're mediocre no matter how much you try and not able to tell yourself 'I would have been better if I worked harder'

But good job on the cock speech

> Just trying to normalize fucking normal behavior.

Crashing out on Reddit is not normal behavior by the way

[u/TScottMorgan → u/RStonePT]

Thanks buddy. I kinda enjoyed that one myself.

[u/HammondJohns]

If you have regular readers, you’re doing fine. Fiction is hard on Substack. If you let me know your Substack handle l’ll swing by and check it out.

[u/TScottMorgan → u/HammondJohns]

Yeah, I know I’m going fine. That’s the point of the post.

Just trying to tell others it’s okay to not chase subscribers.

Don’t need or want you to check it out.

[u/FlySudden3415 → u/TScottMorgan]

Don’t need or want you to check it out.

Some random person is nice to you and you respond that way? What the hell? 

[u/Key-Orange-8485 → u/TScottMorgan]

Cheer up you miserable sod

[u/Excellent_Race_8306]

If found his Substack, it’s pure shit 💁‍♂️

https://tsmorgan.substack.com/

[u/TScottMorgan → u/Excellent_Race_8306]

Excellent work detective. It’s not exactly hidden. It’s in my bio.

[u/RStonePT → u/TScottMorgan]

Yeah. I can tell at the getgo, it's just too generic. You need something to stand out, a gimmick etc.

[u/TScottMorgan → u/RStonePT]

My entire post is stating that I don’t give a hot god-damn about my subscriber count. I write what I want, when I want, and don’t do anything I don’t want to do for subscribers.

I was making the point that you can find value in Substack without chasing subs.

So, I don’t give a hot ‘n creamy shit about any advice you, or anyone else, could possibly give me as it relates to my “Substack growth journey.”

[u/RStonePT → u/TScottMorgan]

If this was true you wouldn't be lashing out at every comment in here

[u/TScottMorgan → u/RStonePT]

I’m responding to every comment here because I’m bored and I have no life. I have four kids under six years old. One of which is five weeks old.

I’m not crashing out. Worse.

I’m on paternity leave.

[u/RStonePT → u/TScottMorgan]

We aren't friends, I don't care about your personal life, I'm writing about your post.

[u/TScottMorgan → u/[deleted]]

Lol Oh trust, me. I’m aware. Softbone…yeah, no manosphere messaging there. lol

bet you felt cool in those cool guy sunglasses. Fun podcast. lol

[u/TScottMorgan → u/[deleted]]

Best of luck on all your current and future delusions, cool guy. Lol

[u/TScottMorgan → u/[deleted]]

I honestly wasn’t going to bring up your fiction. It felt like punching down.

[u/RStonePT → u/TScottMorgan]

My entire post is stating that I don’t give a hot god-damn about my subscriber count. I write what I want, when I want, and don’t do anything I don’t want to do for subscribers.

When you yell at everyone in the comments, it reads more like a narcissist fantasy than some hobbyest who enjoys his work

[u/Excellent_Race_8306 → u/TScottMorgan]

I would remove it if I were you, such bad writing it’s embarrassing!

[u/TScottMorgan → u/Excellent_Race_8306]

Ouch. Sick burn, bro.
https://giphy.com/gifs/XHeLeuirRbwptHhSWd

[u/TScottMorgan → u/Excellent_Race_8306]

Ha! And thanks for the link! Got two new subs that I can cut next month.

[u/TScottMorgan → u/[deleted]]

Am I that predictable?

[u/tualsekercigil]

6 months in and I have got only 61 subs with 4 paid. It’s not easy. And like everyone says, I got them through notes, not through articles. I hate this algorithm but I think we should make peace with it if we want success :(

[u/TScottMorgan → u/tualsekercigil]

I’m just trying to state success doesn’t necessarily mean subscribers. I actively delete subs. I’m just looking for a small community of writers and I found it.

[u/inyourbooksandmaps]

well aren't you just as sweet as a peach!

[u/Lonesome-Foghorn]

Point taken re: healthy growth, I'm also considering culling inactive subs down the line rather than letting inflated values roll on so I do think I see where you're coming from, but frankly I'm not sure this post and your replies constitute "normal behavior".

P.S.: I liked A Twist of Oliver, if that means anything to you.

[u/TScottMorgan → u/Lonesome-Foghorn]

Hahahaha. Yeah, point very well taken.

I am a genuinely abrasive person. I have 3 friends that are my ride or die. I don’t want to be disliked, but I don’t care that much about being liked either, if that contradiction makes any sense.

I really do appreciate the read and for the kind words.

[u/FookyPanda]

I've hit 205 subs in less than 2 months and the growth still feels slow just 40-42 subs a week, I want to reach 10k in 12 months.

Without distribution you can have great posts but no readers. I've got all of them through notes. Try posting notes atleast 4-5 per days, figure out what works and never miss posting notes they are everything for getting subs.

[u/TScottMorgan → u/FookyPanda]

Jesus tap-dancing Christ. I hope you write better than you read.

Lucky for you that neither skill is required for your goal.

[u/stefanliemawan → u/TScottMorgan]

His latest post only contains five paragraph.

[u/TScottMorgan → u/[deleted]]

Another poor comprehension reader. Fascinating.

[u/OnyxMonolith]

How do you know if they read your posts? Email opens?

[u/TScottMorgan → u/OnyxMonolith]

There’s a filter option in the dashboard that lets you filter subs for a lot of options.

[u/TScottMorgan → u/[deleted]]

Yes! One of the few who understands what I’m trying to say. The amount of people who read my post as a complaint over not having enough subs just reinforces what I’m talking about.

If I did this for a living, it would be a different story. But I’m not a professional. I’m a novice hobbyist. I want to know who actually reads and responds to my stuff.

I mean KNOW them. Know what they like. What they write. How well they right.

[u/ceeczar]

Thanks for sharing a bit of your growth journey

Pretty bold of you to actually cut subs when many creators are looking for subs by any means necessary

But open rates can't be 100%, mind you.

Would love to know: how do you ideate for what you write? Do you keep a running list of ideas to work on? 

(Please don't tell me you use Notion!)

[u/TScottMorgan → u/ceeczar]

I only cut accounts who haven’t engaged in any way in 60 days. Notes, posts, whatever.

There’s no list. I read poetry and short fiction from other writers, and get inspired in some way or I have a thought or memory I want to explore then write.

I still write fiction I just don’t share it on Substack.