Ego and Self-Promotion on Substack: Why Writers Write
michaelmohr.substack.com
Recently two things collided: I started reading Michael Shelden’s biography on George Orwell (“Orwell”) and two Substack writers criticized me publicly on open threads about promoting myself too much. One writer referred to my adding of (my own) links as ‘obnoxious.’ Another said something about how I only respond to fill-in-the-blank posts with a few words or a sentence and then self-promote.
Thank you for this Michael. What you share here is such a valuable, well rounded perspective. For whatever it's worth, I've always respected how you left your link by your name. You're doing great things, you're confident, you give a damn, and you inspire me.
Very well said, Michael, and thank you for saying (writing) it! Please correct me if I'm wrong, however, I believe Substack came to being for the sole purpose of creating a better way for writers/authors to do what they love, build an audience for what they love, and ideally be paid for what they love, too. Furthermore, to your point, unless we have "super spreader fans" who help expand our reach (I dearly love Seth Godin's work) — we, ourselves are responsible for sharing (promoting) what we do or no one will ever know we do anything.
I would like to add, and would love to hear from others, that I am still needing to educate my readers on the ins and outs of Substack. To the writing community, it's clear, but my readers just see it as email and not a publication platform. They've written and asked if they are supporting me or the platform. Currently drafting up a post to help them understand, educate on the breakdown where their money is going and hope it helps a few of them consider becoming paying readers.
If I don't toot my own horn, who will? I'm pretty sure I'm here because I saw a link you shared. How else would anyone find someone to read in the Sea of Substack? Yes, I want to write, of course I do, but I also want to pay my bills and that means I need to promote. Sure, there's a fine line to walk, and like you indicated, we need to be self-aware.
It took me a long time to get over my shyness re: self-promotion. I'm still not great at it. But we write to be read. It's communication. It's art. We're here to share our thoughts and words. Thanks for this post, Michael. It gave me much food for thought.
What’s “over promoting” in the grand scheme of things when we have gun violence, wars, and nations disappearing due to environmental irresponsibility? Go for it! You come from a sincere place. On another note, you might be a lawyer disguised as a writer. The rigor and the logic of your arguments are to be admired.
Michael we've probably been on here for the same amount of time. I'm subscribed to you, and you're subscribed to me. I know where you're coming from. I try to leave a comment when I can, just so people will see me. I guess it's a form of self-promotion. I like to leave a link to my page (in fact, I think Terry asked me why I did that.) But like Brian, sometimes I just leave a like. I wouldn't call you obnoxious. Like you said, we're here to self-promote our writing. If we don't tell people what we have to offer, why be here? I enjoy my writing and putting my stuff out there. And yes, I do look at it as a business now because I'm retired. I'm now on a fixed income. That takes a little getting used to. If I can make a couple of extra bucks because someone wants to help, I'm not about to say no. If I don't promote myself, who's going to do it? (By the way, did I tell you I had a Substack page on here?) https://benwoestenburg.substack.com I haven't had anybody trolling me. I've had a few people leave, but I don't hold that against anyone. If they leave, that just opens things up for people who want to be with me. It might take me time to build up a following, but I've got plenty of that, don't I? So fill in the blanks, and self-promote, hit the like button, because there are not enough people leaving comments or hitting the like buttons on my page. And when they don't do that, self-doubt creeps in. You ask yourself if anyone even likes what you're writing. Oh, did I tell you I had a page, too? https://benwoestenburg.substack.com
Firstly, I think anyone who criticises publicly is pretty obnoxious. Secondly, I always wonder myself if some of my comments come over as spammy because, like you, I often include a link to something I've written. But:
1. I regard it as adding to the conversation, because the link is always relevant.
2. It's also a way of telling that writer: you're not alone in thinking x, or Were you also aware that...
3. I also link a lot to other people's newsletters, even if that person only seems to have three subscribers. So it's not just about self promotion.
4. What's wrong with honest self promotion as opposed to dishonest self promotion that takes the form of " I feel so humbled and honoured to tell you about the latest accolad e I've received "
Your comments, like your articles, are always worth reading, so those critics can, as far as I'm concerned, shove it
First, I think you make intelligent observations in various Substack comments sections. Second, I became aware of you on Substack Office Hours, which is a place where we Substack writers promote ourselves, and I'm very glad I did, because I really respect and appreciate your writing and always look forward to reading what you'll write next.
I find nothing wrong with self-promotion. No one else is going to do it for us, may as well it be us! Keep doing what you're doing. I love your insightful work and thoughts. Also, I didn't know this about Orwell. But it makes me respect him even more, he seemed analytical and critical--good qualities.
I, er, dislike the sado-masochistic social media (both are S&M) pattern of seeking likes which just about all of us, myself very much included, are engaged in here, and everywhere online these days. That pattern certainly persists here on Substack even as it is attenuated by the fact that it's not feeding the advertising-industrial complex in quite the same way as it does on FB, Insta etc. Here, we're feeding—and consuming—each other. Better, I think, but still, it momentarily makes me wish for the fantasy past where all a writer would do was writing, and an editor, agent, and publisher would handle the dirty parts of the business. Now it all falls to all of us, FB&FW.
At the same time, I do love the way that digital platforms make it easier to make connections and, sometimes, actual community—which, by the way, is not exclusive of compensation. I don't use that word as some sort of euphemism for an altruistic free-for-all where we all just hug and like and no money is exchanged. The village square is a place of social _and_ commercial exchange, and they are woven together so tightly as to be, well, part of the same fabric.
As it happens, prior to remembering my third career as a writer, I had a business for 15 years building and providing community, and I was well paid for it.
"It is funny about money. And it is funny about identity. You are you because your little dog knows you, but when your public knows you and does not want to pay for you and when your public knows you and does want to pay for you, you are not the same you."
This is important. Self promotion is important for any content creators. But we live in the hostile world of the internet where many troubled and angry individuals hang out - and engage in the self promotion they criticize.
Important to use the feature SubStack provides to ban certain folks and their comments. I have had people make direct attacks on me. They get an immediate and unsympathetic permanent ban.
Hi Michael, I think it's an important topic. One thing I do is scan the comments and look to see if I'm contributing to the conversation. If something is already said, then I'll just like that comment, but I won't add a response. If I had written an article related to the topic, I would probably post a link and mention why it's related. I don't think there's anything wrong with that.
On the matter of gaining subscribers, though, I feel differently. I'm here for an active community of readers that engage with me and each other. I don't want "followers". If you told me I could have 30k subscribers, but no interaction or 100 subscribers who all contribute, I would choose the latter. I've noticed the top Substacks in any category often have 30-100k+ subscribers, but less engagement than I do with 300 subscribers. I don't ever want that.
Thank you for this Michael. What you share here is such a valuable, well rounded perspective. For whatever it's worth, I've always respected how you left your link by your name. You're doing great things, you're confident, you give a damn, and you inspire me.
I really like your transparency. Thanks.
Very well said, Michael, and thank you for saying (writing) it! Please correct me if I'm wrong, however, I believe Substack came to being for the sole purpose of creating a better way for writers/authors to do what they love, build an audience for what they love, and ideally be paid for what they love, too. Furthermore, to your point, unless we have "super spreader fans" who help expand our reach (I dearly love Seth Godin's work) — we, ourselves are responsible for sharing (promoting) what we do or no one will ever know we do anything.
I would like to add, and would love to hear from others, that I am still needing to educate my readers on the ins and outs of Substack. To the writing community, it's clear, but my readers just see it as email and not a publication platform. They've written and asked if they are supporting me or the platform. Currently drafting up a post to help them understand, educate on the breakdown where their money is going and hope it helps a few of them consider becoming paying readers.
If I don't toot my own horn, who will? I'm pretty sure I'm here because I saw a link you shared. How else would anyone find someone to read in the Sea of Substack? Yes, I want to write, of course I do, but I also want to pay my bills and that means I need to promote. Sure, there's a fine line to walk, and like you indicated, we need to be self-aware.
It took me a long time to get over my shyness re: self-promotion. I'm still not great at it. But we write to be read. It's communication. It's art. We're here to share our thoughts and words. Thanks for this post, Michael. It gave me much food for thought.
What’s “over promoting” in the grand scheme of things when we have gun violence, wars, and nations disappearing due to environmental irresponsibility? Go for it! You come from a sincere place. On another note, you might be a lawyer disguised as a writer. The rigor and the logic of your arguments are to be admired.
Michael we've probably been on here for the same amount of time. I'm subscribed to you, and you're subscribed to me. I know where you're coming from. I try to leave a comment when I can, just so people will see me. I guess it's a form of self-promotion. I like to leave a link to my page (in fact, I think Terry asked me why I did that.) But like Brian, sometimes I just leave a like. I wouldn't call you obnoxious. Like you said, we're here to self-promote our writing. If we don't tell people what we have to offer, why be here? I enjoy my writing and putting my stuff out there. And yes, I do look at it as a business now because I'm retired. I'm now on a fixed income. That takes a little getting used to. If I can make a couple of extra bucks because someone wants to help, I'm not about to say no. If I don't promote myself, who's going to do it? (By the way, did I tell you I had a Substack page on here?) https://benwoestenburg.substack.com I haven't had anybody trolling me. I've had a few people leave, but I don't hold that against anyone. If they leave, that just opens things up for people who want to be with me. It might take me time to build up a following, but I've got plenty of that, don't I? So fill in the blanks, and self-promote, hit the like button, because there are not enough people leaving comments or hitting the like buttons on my page. And when they don't do that, self-doubt creeps in. You ask yourself if anyone even likes what you're writing. Oh, did I tell you I had a page, too? https://benwoestenburg.substack.com
I think you should promote the hell out of yourself, because no one else is going to do it for you.
Firstly, I think anyone who criticises publicly is pretty obnoxious. Secondly, I always wonder myself if some of my comments come over as spammy because, like you, I often include a link to something I've written. But:
1. I regard it as adding to the conversation, because the link is always relevant.
2. It's also a way of telling that writer: you're not alone in thinking x, or Were you also aware that...
3. I also link a lot to other people's newsletters, even if that person only seems to have three subscribers. So it's not just about self promotion.
4. What's wrong with honest self promotion as opposed to dishonest self promotion that takes the form of " I feel so humbled and honoured to tell you about the latest accolad e I've received "
Your comments, like your articles, are always worth reading, so those critics can, as far as I'm concerned, shove it
First, I think you make intelligent observations in various Substack comments sections. Second, I became aware of you on Substack Office Hours, which is a place where we Substack writers promote ourselves, and I'm very glad I did, because I really respect and appreciate your writing and always look forward to reading what you'll write next.
I find nothing wrong with self-promotion. No one else is going to do it for us, may as well it be us! Keep doing what you're doing. I love your insightful work and thoughts. Also, I didn't know this about Orwell. But it makes me respect him even more, he seemed analytical and critical--good qualities.
Glad you wrote this Michael!
Odi et Amo, as Catullus put it https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catullus_85 -- "I hate and I love."
I, er, dislike the sado-masochistic social media (both are S&M) pattern of seeking likes which just about all of us, myself very much included, are engaged in here, and everywhere online these days. That pattern certainly persists here on Substack even as it is attenuated by the fact that it's not feeding the advertising-industrial complex in quite the same way as it does on FB, Insta etc. Here, we're feeding—and consuming—each other. Better, I think, but still, it momentarily makes me wish for the fantasy past where all a writer would do was writing, and an editor, agent, and publisher would handle the dirty parts of the business. Now it all falls to all of us, FB&FW.
At the same time, I do love the way that digital platforms make it easier to make connections and, sometimes, actual community—which, by the way, is not exclusive of compensation. I don't use that word as some sort of euphemism for an altruistic free-for-all where we all just hug and like and no money is exchanged. The village square is a place of social _and_ commercial exchange, and they are woven together so tightly as to be, well, part of the same fabric.
As it happens, prior to remembering my third career as a writer, I had a business for 15 years building and providing community, and I was well paid for it.
"It is funny about money. And it is funny about identity. You are you because your little dog knows you, but when your public knows you and does not want to pay for you and when your public knows you and does want to pay for you, you are not the same you."
-- Gertrude Stein
My recent post on the subject:
https://bowendwelle.substack.com/p/the-keys-to-building-real-community
This is important. Self promotion is important for any content creators. But we live in the hostile world of the internet where many troubled and angry individuals hang out - and engage in the self promotion they criticize.
Important to use the feature SubStack provides to ban certain folks and their comments. I have had people make direct attacks on me. They get an immediate and unsympathetic permanent ban.
Hi Michael, I think it's an important topic. One thing I do is scan the comments and look to see if I'm contributing to the conversation. If something is already said, then I'll just like that comment, but I won't add a response. If I had written an article related to the topic, I would probably post a link and mention why it's related. I don't think there's anything wrong with that.
On the matter of gaining subscribers, though, I feel differently. I'm here for an active community of readers that engage with me and each other. I don't want "followers". If you told me I could have 30k subscribers, but no interaction or 100 subscribers who all contribute, I would choose the latter. I've noticed the top Substacks in any category often have 30-100k+ subscribers, but less engagement than I do with 300 subscribers. I don't ever want that.
https://ofsoundandfury.substack.com/
Love me!
https://neverstoplearning1.substack.com 😉