as someone who has no idea how the fuck to grow beyond where i'm at and have been plateauing for about a year now, this is so so so damn helpful thank you Max
It's true - I was a free subscriber for a long time but needed the book recommendations. Just finished Temporary by Hilary Leichter and loved it, so, thanks. And congrats!
I never know what to expect from you - that’s the point - but today I definitely didn’t expect this much practical advice for my own Substack. Thank you!!
Also, a Read Max paid subscription costs LESS than a beer/month, at least if it’s tap beer in my neighborhood. So worth it
"Before you start the Substack you need to ask yourself: Can I put a couple thousand words out on the internet under my name every week? Even when there’s no news? On a slow week in the middle of July, can I pull 1,200 relatively lively words out of my ass by Friday? Maybe most importantly, can I do so without feeling embarrassed, ashamed, or anxious about what I’m producing?"
That's so true and relatable! Long way to go, but seems like it's worth it. Great write-up, thank you!
Love the honesty and clarity—I’ve also been thinking about the “textual YouTube” metaphor.
It shines light on how much better this platform is compared to YT: audience ownership, no ad spam, and actual possibility to monetize. Being a YT creator is so precarious by comparison.
Just discovered you with this article. Very helpful thanks! I've started over after some years off and yes, it all starts w/ consistency. One topic I've been wanting to ask more about is tags here. I feel like I'm back in the WordPress days of topical tags until we learned they weren't great for SEO and shaved back to 3-7 per site. Should we view Substack the same way? I'm still debating between using specific people"s names, for example, or just sticking with general categories like "history" and 'pop culture." Anyway, glad to find your work.
Worth celebrating! Grateful for your work
Max on DoomScroll would be huuuuge!
Are you two going to do an ep of Doomscroll?
Me too ✌️👽
🌚🤝🌝
This was fascinating. Thanks for the insights.
Your first anniversary post convinced me to start a newsletter. Thanks for all the great writing over these three years. Congrats!
as someone who has no idea how the fuck to grow beyond where i'm at and have been plateauing for about a year now, this is so so so damn helpful thank you Max
Is a gold-star subscriber one who's never subscribed to another substack?
It's true - I was a free subscriber for a long time but needed the book recommendations. Just finished Temporary by Hilary Leichter and loved it, so, thanks. And congrats!
Ah I'm so glad you liked it !!
I never know what to expect from you - that’s the point - but today I definitely didn’t expect this much practical advice for my own Substack. Thank you!!
Also, a Read Max paid subscription costs LESS than a beer/month, at least if it’s tap beer in my neighborhood. So worth it
Thanks for this Max and congratulations! Yours is one of my favorite newsletters.
Congrats, Max! (Loved this post.)
Amazing! Thanks for breaking that down for me. Super helpful!
"Before you start the Substack you need to ask yourself: Can I put a couple thousand words out on the internet under my name every week? Even when there’s no news? On a slow week in the middle of July, can I pull 1,200 relatively lively words out of my ass by Friday? Maybe most importantly, can I do so without feeling embarrassed, ashamed, or anxious about what I’m producing?"
That's so true and relatable! Long way to go, but seems like it's worth it. Great write-up, thank you!
The strategy of free posts pointing to paid is great advice!
This is one of the best growth advice posts I've read. I'm at 10 of 18 months so your reassurance to wait helps. Thanks!
Love the honesty and clarity—I’ve also been thinking about the “textual YouTube” metaphor.
It shines light on how much better this platform is compared to YT: audience ownership, no ad spam, and actual possibility to monetize. Being a YT creator is so precarious by comparison.
you want to see Megalopolis more than once???
Gonna give it a read!
Just discovered you with this article. Very helpful thanks! I've started over after some years off and yes, it all starts w/ consistency. One topic I've been wanting to ask more about is tags here. I feel like I'm back in the WordPress days of topical tags until we learned they weren't great for SEO and shaved back to 3-7 per site. Should we view Substack the same way? I'm still debating between using specific people"s names, for example, or just sticking with general categories like "history" and 'pop culture." Anyway, glad to find your work.