Why Your Substack Isn’t Taking Off & How You Can Find Inspiration via Community Engagement
Success Requires Open Mind, Strategy, Plan, and Effort: Why a New Mindset and Meaningful Engagement Matter on Substack as Much as It Matters on Medium and Other Platforms.
Dear subscribers, our chief editor donated this story to our Substack Mastery publication as an educational and inspiration guide. Non-members of Medium can read the original copy via our friend link for free.
As a new writer on the platform years ago, I cherished Medium’s excellent audience-building focus for several years. This focus intensely motivated me to write better for my readers and engage deeply with other writers’ works to create a community around my work. This empowering focus helped me and many others thrive.
Every time I received a message from Medium saying my audience was growing, it was a boost. Messages like “This month, you gained 5,000 followers, and 1,000 of them found you through ILLUMINATION,” even though automated, were incredibly motivating. However, this motivating feature has faded for me, my peers, and my proteges. My large following does not help me reach a broad audience anymore.
Besides, I cannot grow anymore. For example, recent months have shown no increase in followers despite my active contributions. Despite having significant content like 2,500+ stories and engaging with others’ content daily, I haven’t gained any new followers. However, I gained 20,000+ subscribers in just one month on Substack.
I transparently explained the reasons for my plan in a previous story.
Why My Wise Mentors Advised Me 80% Substack, 15% NewsBreak, 5% Medium for My Writing Effort
I am sharing this important experience and observation not to criticize Medium, which still remains a valuable platform for many freelance writers, but to highlight that different writers may need different strategies, tools, platforms, and communities to grow. This story is also not about praising Substack but to show its potential for some writers based on experience.
Despite these challenges, I am deeply grateful for the opportunities Medium has provided me with multiple intangible benefits. I remain optimistic, knowing that recognizing and navigating through the lows can help us reach new highs. My goal is to bridge platforms and empower my readers and fellow writers for extended collaboration.
Here is the summary of my strategy and plan.
How I Architected a Charity Organization & Why I Will Run It Like a Business
Outline of my draft plan for creators, freelancers, and entrepreneurs empowered by the Substack networkmedium.com
Why did I write this important and empowering story today?
Recently, I have written several stories about alternative platforms for writers like Substack, Quora, NewsBreak, and X Premium. Each of these platforms has its own rules, goals, approaches, distribution systems, and audiences. They are distinct and not directly comparable, suiting some writers better than others.
Realistically and neutrally, we can’t say one platform is better or worse than another. Instead, we can acknowledge that a platform may work better for us at a particular stage while another might not. Therefore, we should stay open-minded, put in the effort, and make necessary adjustments based on the data we gather.
Some writers who read my stories shared their experiences on other platforms. A common pattern was statements like, “I tried Substack, and it does not work for me.” Such statements concern me because they are ambiguous and lack sufficient data to understand the situation.
I asked these writers what they exactly tried, how much effort they put in, what type of a plan they drafted, what strategies they followed, and what type of data they gathered.
Their responses surprised me as they seemed to jump to conclusions too quickly and unintentionally sabotaged their growth. Therefore, I want to unfold the situation by giving some examples and insights for your consideration.
This is not a criticism of these writers. I admire their sincerity in sharing their experiences and openly communicating with me as friends.
Why Some Writers Instantly Failed Substack?
When I asked these writers about their strategy, I noticed they didn’t have one. Some immediately began comparing Medium with Substack despite the two platforms' different capabilities and service offerings.
For example, some writers merely posted a story on Substack and expected readers to find them and start earning, similar to their experience on Medium. However, Substack has no metering system like Medium. Earning only happens when you build an audience willing to pay for valuable content, not randomly, by reading and engaging.
Comparing two platforms and using the same approach without a plan, strategy, effort, and engagement will not work.
Each platform requires a unique plan and strategy with consistent effort and meaningful engagement as an investment for growth and sustainability.
When I asked how much time they spent on Substack in the last 30 days, some couldn’t say more than an hour despite putting at least 10 hours of effort into Medium. Interestingly, these writers have a bigger audience on Medium and fewer or none on Substack.
From my experience, it should be the other way around. They should have put more effort into a platform where they have a smaller audience.
Most of these writers said they felt cold and lonely on Substack. This did not surprise me, as I felt the same when I joined several years ago. It was cold and lonely; therefore, I neglected the fear of loneliness until I approached it with intellect and logic and refrained from emotions.
I asked them how many other writers they contacted, engaged with, and observed on Substack. The shocking answer was none, so it is not surprising they felt lonely like I did in the past.
I also asked whether they used Substack Notes (a new social media tool) to share thoughts and leave comments on other social messages on the platform. Again, the answer was none. So, it is no surprise they felt isolated like I did in the past.
When I join Substack Notes daily to connect with my audience, I see many inspiring and empowering messages from successful writers like Tim Denning, Sinem Günel, Ayodeji Awosika, Hudson Rennie, Meng Li, David McIlroy, Lawson Wallace, Mike Broadly, DHSc, Dr. ADAM TABRIZ, Sylvain Zyssman, Elle, Brooklyn Muse (editor), Aiden (Owner of Illumination Gaming), or Kristina God, MBA, sharing their ideas, daily experiences, interesting news, their stories, or prompting others to engage in conversations.
However, the writers who failed there did not send a single message on Substack Notes or engage in the messages of others.
How can we expect others to find us if we do not leave any digital traces?
With the support of volunteer editors, I recently established a publication called Substack on ILLUMINATION to give writers an opportunity to introduce their profiles and newsletters and share sample posts in short forms to give a quick taste of their content.
When I asked these writers whether they contributed to this publication, the surprising answer was NO. So, how can we expect others to find us if we don’t share what we offer?
In short, these writers who quickly gave up made no effort, or only a tiny bit, expecting big results like those who earn $100K monthly.
How to Start Substack Instantly & Own Your Content/Audience Effectively
Expanding Horizons for Writers by Leveraging the Power of Both Medium and Substack with a Diversification Strategymedium.com
Checklist: What differentiates successful writers from failed ones?
In this section, I will summarize what I shared with these struggling writers by giving examples from successful ones to inspire and motivate them. This list is not a criticism but a reality check to prevent undesired disappointments and empower them for their growth and sustainability.
🚀 Successful writers have a strategy and execute it with precision and consistency. They experiment constantly, fail quickly and cheaply, and make meaningful progress. They also adjust their strategy and add new tactics to support it.
❌ Failed writers have no strategy and act randomly with fear of failure.
🔄 Successful writers have a flexible plan. They change the plan based on the results they get and the feedback from their audience and peers.
📉 Failed writers often have no plan at all.
💡 Successful writers embrace failure. They see it as a lesson, learn from it, and use it as a valuable tool.
🚪 Failed writers try once, tentatively, and give up immediately without giving it another shot.
💪 Successful writers take personal responsibility and remain optimistic within realistic boundaries.
⚠️ Failed writers approach with pessimism, avoid taking responsibility, and harbor unrealistic expectations.
🤝 Successful writers collaborate with others, creating a community around their service offerings. This empowers others while allowing them to grow, creating a sustainable win-win scenario.
🙅♂️ Failed writers act selfishly, focusing solely on immediate gains with instant gratification and unrealistic expectations that others will follow them without considering the needs of others.
How to Write Content to Generate Steady Income
10 proven steps to build a writing business producing passive incomemedium.com
Conclusions: Your Path to Success as a Writer on Any Platform
Becoming a successful writer involves more than just a love for words. It requires a thoughtful strategy, consistent effort, and a mindset that welcomes successes and setbacks as part of the learning process.
Whether you are exploring the depths of Medium, navigating the opportunities on Substack, or engaging with audiences on other platforms, here are seven practical takeaways to guide your path from my experience:
1 — Develop a Clear Strategy: Understand your goals and each platform's unique strengths. Tailor your approach accordingly, recognizing that what works on one platform may not work on another. For example, Substack may require more direct engagement with your audience and providing exclusive content that readers are willing to pay for.
2 — Be Flexible and Adaptable: Your initial plan is just a starting point. Be ready to pivot based on the feedback you receive and the results you observe. This iterative process of testing and refining is crucial to finding what resonates with your audience.
3 — Embrace Failure as a Learning Tool: Instead of seeing failures as setbacks, view them as opportunities to learn and grow. Each misstep provides valuable insights that can help refine your strategy and improve your future efforts.
4 — Take Responsibility and Stay Optimistic: Your success is a reflection of personal accountability and a positive outlook. Take charge of your actions, stay realistic about your goals, and maintain optimism despite challenges.
5 — Focus on Community and Collaboration: Building a supportive network can amplify your efforts. Engage with other writers, share insights, and contribute to the broader community. This will enhance visibility and create a mutually beneficial environment where everyone can thrive.
6 — Remain Consistent: Dedicate time to create and engage with your audience regularly. Whether through posting, commenting, or sharing insights, consistent interaction helps build a loyal readership that values your contributions.
7 — Leverage Platform Features: Make full use of the tools and features each platform offers. For instance, Substack’s Notes can be a powerful way to share thoughts and connect with readers outside of your main content.
By integrating these practices into your writing journey, you can navigate the complexities of various platforms and establish a path that leads to meaningful and sustained success.
Remember, every writer’s journey is unique, but with dedication, adaptability, and a collaborative spirit, we can achieve our writing goals and inspire others along the way. Keep writing, keep learning, and keep growing. Your story is just beginning. Success is in the offing!
I recently answered the most frequently asked questions from freelance writers based on my experience.
Should I Launch a Public Publication on Medium as a Freelance Writer?
Should I Join Quora to Monetize My Content?
Should I Upgrade to X Premium to Reach a Broad Audience
Should I “Block AI Training” on Substack?
Do you have a practical checklist for freelance writers?
I want to introduce my three Substak sites, which serve different audiences. They may also inspire you to create similar newsletters for your tailored audience.
Health and Wellness by Dr Mehmet Yildiz | Substack
Content Strategy, Development, & Marketing Insights | Dr Mehmet Yildiz | Substack
Technology Excellence and Leadership | Dr Mehmet Yildiz | Substack
You are welcome to join the ILLUMINATION Community on Medium and Substack.
Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.
I wrote numerous stories about writing and content strategy to guide new writers. You may find some relevant ones from the attached list. I will distill all these stories in my Content Strategy, Development, & Marketing Insights soon.
Writing, Content Development & Marketing Strategy Guides
Edit descriptiondr-mehmet-yildiz.medium.com
To inform my new readers, I wrote articles that might inform and inspire you. Some of my topics include brain, mental health, cognitive function, significant health conditions, longevity, nutrition/food, valuable nutrients, ketogenic lifestyle, self-healing, weight management, writing/reading, including 100+ Insightful Life Lessons from My Circles for the Last 50+ Years.
I publish my health and wellness stories on EUPHORIA and share distilled versions on SUBSTACK. My posts do not include professional or health advice. I only document my reviews, observations, experiences, and perspectives to provide information and create awareness.
If you are a writer, you are welcome to join my publications by sending a request via this link. I support 31K writers who contribute to my publications on this platform. I also have another profile to write and curate tech stories. Friend Links to My Sample Boosted Stories for Non-Members of Medium. This story was also shared on Substack.
Get an email whenever Dr Mehmet Yildiz publishes. He is a top writer and editor on Medium. dr-mehmet-yildiz.medium.com
You are welcome to join the ILLUMINATION Community on Medium and Substack. Here is the Importance and Value of Medium Friendship for Writers and Readers
Join me on Substack too, where I offer experience-based content on health, content strategy, and technology topics to inform and inspire my readers.
Health and Wellness by Dr Mehmet Yildiz
 | A guest post by
|
 | A guest post by
|
 | A guest post by
|
 | A guest post by
|
 | A guest post by
|
 | A guest post by
|
 | A guest post by
|
 | A guest post by
|
 | A guest post by
|
 | A guest post by
|
Some great insights, thank you 😊
Thank you for sharing your wisdom and experience with us Dr. Mehment in the different type of platforms and how to achieve success.