Hi Neera, your post today pretty much duplicates what I said to my husband today. I don’t paint for profit, and I don’t write for numbers of followers, I do both because they make me happy. Like you I stopped writing on Wordpress, no fault of theirs, it was I felt I didn’t want the pressure as I had another project on the go, that was writing my husbands life story which is now at the printers. Thank goodness! Now that was stress, making sure there were no errors grammatically or spelling wise, plus that the structure of the pages looked correct also. Another great book recommendation.
Thanks Sally. I have found anything I start on whim, without much expectation and for my own joy, turns out well. I started A Book A Week project to reignite my reading. I thought, if I write a post about it, I will read it with more concentration and finish it in one week. I thought when my readers start complaining of too many emails, I will just publish it and won’t email it. All the books I have recommended so far are well received. I am so pleased to be able to ‘be the gateway’ with book recommendations. I am so grateful for your support all the way. We are due for another phone chat. Let me know when can we have it next week.
This morning, I read Dan Blank’s article about your article and then commented. And now I’ve read your article. So how could I not comment again?
I’m happy to hear more details about Dan’s message. I really connect with the idea of not following the herd into the ratings game. As a Christian minister in a time of declining church attendance, I have been guided to the new mantra of focusing on relationships one at a time over Sunday morning attendance numbers. These philosophies are two sides of the same coin.
So I’ll keep doing what I’ve been doing, which is what Dan espouses. I’ll continue to fight the temptation to be jealous of other writers who began on Substack recently, as I have, when I read how they have 2 or 3 times the followers I do. I have a plan, a mission if you will, and I will continue to focus on that to the best of my ability.
Oh absolutely - I could not agree more! What a great book - I will find it! Also I feel a lot free'er after loosing the chains of linked in, too. This will be a great book for me! Have a great day wherever you are!!
Good to find you here Cecilia. I think it has been a long time since I heard from you. You too have said good bye to LinkedIn. Although I like the people there, I don't think it's for long form writing. Keep writing. And stay in contact.
Your struggles are similar to mine concerning the purpose of my writing and the means of evaluating the results. I have downloaded the Kindle version of the book.
I will remember this quote: "I will no longer be chasing numbers; instead, I will be focusing on the genuine impact my work can have on others. This shift has brought a sense of fulfillment and clarity, allowing me to pursue my creative journey with intention and heart."
Thanks, Neera, for recommending Dan. I shall subscribe and dive into his work 😊
This stood out to me: “I will no longer be chasing numbers; instead, I will be focusing on the genuine impact my work can have on others” — good on you 😊💕
This resonated with me so much, especially the part about feeling overwhelmed and directionless. I have so many creative ideas, but I often get stuck in the planning/procrastinating stage. The Clarity Cards and Creative Success Pyramid sound like great tools to help me focus and actually get my work out there. Thanks for sharing!
Wow, I didn’t know Dan wrote an article about me. I got to find that now. I can understand the synergies between building an audience and building a congregation. Such a great example. One person at a time.
Thanks for this great actionable summary of Dan Blank's book. I've been following him and always feel more grounded in my values and the true connection I want to make after reading his posts. The Clarity Cards are very revealing about what will make our work meaningful to readers and ourselves.
Hi Neera, your post today pretty much duplicates what I said to my husband today. I don’t paint for profit, and I don’t write for numbers of followers, I do both because they make me happy. Like you I stopped writing on Wordpress, no fault of theirs, it was I felt I didn’t want the pressure as I had another project on the go, that was writing my husbands life story which is now at the printers. Thank goodness! Now that was stress, making sure there were no errors grammatically or spelling wise, plus that the structure of the pages looked correct also. Another great book recommendation.
Thanks Sally. I have found anything I start on whim, without much expectation and for my own joy, turns out well. I started A Book A Week project to reignite my reading. I thought, if I write a post about it, I will read it with more concentration and finish it in one week. I thought when my readers start complaining of too many emails, I will just publish it and won’t email it. All the books I have recommended so far are well received. I am so pleased to be able to ‘be the gateway’ with book recommendations. I am so grateful for your support all the way. We are due for another phone chat. Let me know when can we have it next week.
Totally agree! I have read Dan's book (and written about it in one of my posts). This is a great recap!
Wow! Didn’t know that. I should go and read your post. What’s the link, if you don’t mind.
I couldn’t remember which post at first, but I found it! https://kelceyervick.substack.com/p/the-one-sentence-artist-statement
This morning, I read Dan Blank’s article about your article and then commented. And now I’ve read your article. So how could I not comment again?
I’m happy to hear more details about Dan’s message. I really connect with the idea of not following the herd into the ratings game. As a Christian minister in a time of declining church attendance, I have been guided to the new mantra of focusing on relationships one at a time over Sunday morning attendance numbers. These philosophies are two sides of the same coin.
So I’ll keep doing what I’ve been doing, which is what Dan espouses. I’ll continue to fight the temptation to be jealous of other writers who began on Substack recently, as I have, when I read how they have 2 or 3 times the followers I do. I have a plan, a mission if you will, and I will continue to focus on that to the best of my ability.
Thanks for your review. I look forward to more!
Thanks Neera your article and Dan's philosophies truly resonate! 🌸
Thanks Janet.
You are welcome Neera 🌸
Oh absolutely - I could not agree more! What a great book - I will find it! Also I feel a lot free'er after loosing the chains of linked in, too. This will be a great book for me! Have a great day wherever you are!!
Good to find you here Cecilia. I think it has been a long time since I heard from you. You too have said good bye to LinkedIn. Although I like the people there, I don't think it's for long form writing. Keep writing. And stay in contact.
Your struggles are similar to mine concerning the purpose of my writing and the means of evaluating the results. I have downloaded the Kindle version of the book.
I will remember this quote: "I will no longer be chasing numbers; instead, I will be focusing on the genuine impact my work can have on others. This shift has brought a sense of fulfillment and clarity, allowing me to pursue my creative journey with intention and heart."
Thank you, as always, for inspiration!
I am so glad it resonated with you John. I sincerely believe you have a lot to offer to others. This book might help you figure out.
This got me thinking…thank you.
What are you thinking Maria?
Maybe try haiku to free my soul a bit from the constraints of sentences.
Where I want my writing to go …
Thanks, Neera, for recommending Dan. I shall subscribe and dive into his work 😊
This stood out to me: “I will no longer be chasing numbers; instead, I will be focusing on the genuine impact my work can have on others” — good on you 😊💕
Thanks Jana. I will be the gateway.
This resonated with me so much, especially the part about feeling overwhelmed and directionless. I have so many creative ideas, but I often get stuck in the planning/procrastinating stage. The Clarity Cards and Creative Success Pyramid sound like great tools to help me focus and actually get my work out there. Thanks for sharing!
I am doing the exercises now. Do you want to hook up and do them together?
I’d love to sometime!
Wow -- thank you Neera for the incredibly kind and generous post!
You're welcome. You deserve it.
Wow, I didn’t know Dan wrote an article about me. I got to find that now. I can understand the synergies between building an audience and building a congregation. Such a great example. One person at a time.
Feels good to lead you (and many others) to this book. I am fulfilling my newly found purpose of being the gateway.
Thanks for this great actionable summary of Dan Blank's book. I've been following him and always feel more grounded in my values and the true connection I want to make after reading his posts. The Clarity Cards are very revealing about what will make our work meaningful to readers and ourselves.