This is such a wonderful reminder that small numbers can carry big meaning. 115 true fans is pure gold. Here’s to writing with people, not just for them.
You are not wrong Neera, I look at some who have followed me and I wonder why? You get many likes, but know they haven’t even read what you wrote, why do they do that? It is the comments that make you feel connected, which is why I ALWAYS do so, just to let the writer know that I have associated with what they have taken the time to write about. I look at Substack to be a communicative site, talk to one another, not just about what has been written, but perhaps about something that has happened in your day. Become Substack friends, those you will never meet, but perhaps if the circumstances were different, would be someone you would like to go to lunch with, or go shopping, probably both…
You’re so right — Substack is a communication platform.
I’ve never felt this kind of connection on Medium or LinkedIn. Over there, people mostly “like” and move on. There’s little real engagement.
But here, it’s different.
On Substack, you don’t just find people whose writing you admire — you find people you’d genuinely love to grab coffee with. You can have conversations that stretch across days, months, even years.
I met you here. And somehow, it feels like I’ve known you forever.
Yes, it takes time to read through someone’s posts. But when I find a writer I really want to understand, I scroll back to their very first piece and read forward.
It’s slow. But by the end, I know them so well — I feel like I’ve made a new bestie.
Aww... You just touched my 🤍, dear Neera. Keep on being simply YOU. I was lured reading this til the last letter...and hooked to the deepest part of my core.
Hey! I saw your post pop up on my homepage and wanted to show some support. If you get a chance, I’d really appreciate a little love on my latest newsletter too always happy to boost each other!
Wow this is such a wonderful detective work that creates such an amazing wave of recognition and appreciation. Thanks for sharing this with us, you’ve given me the prompt to do the same. So the stars represent how much those people engage with the articles? I actually thought it meant how active they are on the platform 🙈
Star means how active they are with your publication. According to Substack, “five stars indicates that they are in the highest percentile of engagement with your publication, meaning they are very active and likely read most, if not all, of your posts. Subscribers with five stars are within the top 80th to 100th percentile of subscribers based on their activity over the last month, which includes email opens and web views.”
Hope you found yours too. Checked your newsletter. Journalist, ghostwriter, podcaster, and author with work in The Washington Post, Elle UK, Esquire and more. Wow! I am so glad I attracted you to the Author Circle. Hope we learn from each other. Thanks for your comment.
Welcome back to commenting, Isha. I missed you. You know you're my 5-Star reader. It is a worthwhile exercise and doesn't take too long if you don't have big subscriber numbers. Now my mission is to personally make connections with all these readers. Have fun when you find your true fans.
And I am so thankful for your consistent support Minaz. You have been reading my newsletter for many years now and always supporting me and uplifting me with your comments. Thank you for that. It's readers like you, I write for.
I am glad you liked it and going to implement it. I didn't cover it in the post but you should also look for 4-star readers. They are pretty consistent too. Once I get know my 5-star readers better, I am going to get to know my 4-star readers a bit better.
That was a wonderful, thoughtful post. Thank you for the insights. I need to learn more about how to effectively utilize the tools of Substack myself. I'd love to create a college of readers that I could be inspired by, just like you have. Thank you!
Thank you Ted. This was the whole idea of the post, so that those with low subscriber numbers (including me) start looking at numbers in a different way. You joined my newsletter in February this year and haven't missed reading an issue since then. Not only that, you became a paid subscriber. I am very appreciative of that. What's the biggest pain point you are facing at the moment? Chances are, others are facing it too. I would like to go deep into it and figure out a way for us.
My biggest pain point is my lack of new subscribers from within Substack. My second biggest pain point is my low number of comments and likes. My third biggest pain point is the low number of comments actually on my posts. I imported my 1500 followers from my mailing list. I get more comments in email and text than on my actual posts. Thanks Neera!
Looks like your 1500 subscribers are not on Substack app, that’s why they are commenting by email and text. They are resisting moving on to another platform. That’s natural.
Many of my subscribers respond by replying to the email they receive when I post on Substack. So they are on Substack. They are just not going to the Substack site.
I think these three are the pain points for majority of the Substackers. I had a quick look at your newsletter and could identify basic issues straight away. I will plan a series of articles and we can start fixing those.
Thanks Ibrahim. You subscribed to my newsletter in March this year and since then have been reading and restacking my posts without fail. I am so thankful for that. You, too, are my 5-star reader. Is there anything specific I can help you with? I see you haven't started your newsletter yet. Are you thinking of starting one? Do you need help to figure out your niche and do the initial plan? I can guide you through the process.
I am so glad! I would love to have you as my 116 True Fan. If the only thing this post achieves is to get you one more True Fan, it has served its purpose. I will be on the lookout for you, Reshma.
I look so cute! 🤣
Thanks Neera. You do great work, and I appreciate everything I have learned from you.
You're welcome, buddy. I am constantly learning from you. Loved your recent Nora Ephron-inspired essay. Keep writing more on those lines.
This is such a wonderful reminder that small numbers can carry big meaning. 115 true fans is pure gold. Here’s to writing with people, not just for them.
Thankyou George. You're right. We need to write 'with' people rather than 'for' them.
You are not wrong Neera, I look at some who have followed me and I wonder why? You get many likes, but know they haven’t even read what you wrote, why do they do that? It is the comments that make you feel connected, which is why I ALWAYS do so, just to let the writer know that I have associated with what they have taken the time to write about. I look at Substack to be a communicative site, talk to one another, not just about what has been written, but perhaps about something that has happened in your day. Become Substack friends, those you will never meet, but perhaps if the circumstances were different, would be someone you would like to go to lunch with, or go shopping, probably both…
You’re so right — Substack is a communication platform.
I’ve never felt this kind of connection on Medium or LinkedIn. Over there, people mostly “like” and move on. There’s little real engagement.
But here, it’s different.
On Substack, you don’t just find people whose writing you admire — you find people you’d genuinely love to grab coffee with. You can have conversations that stretch across days, months, even years.
I met you here. And somehow, it feels like I’ve known you forever.
Yes, it takes time to read through someone’s posts. But when I find a writer I really want to understand, I scroll back to their very first piece and read forward.
It’s slow. But by the end, I know them so well — I feel like I’ve made a new bestie.
Aww... You just touched my 🤍, dear Neera. Keep on being simply YOU. I was lured reading this til the last letter...and hooked to the deepest part of my core.
Oh, what wonderful feedback—thank you, Josh! Please keep it coming; it really motivates me to keep writing.
Such a lovely news letter Neera. Your true warmth and sincerity shines through! So glad I've met you online!
Hey! I saw your post pop up on my homepage and wanted to show some support. If you get a chance, I’d really appreciate a little love on my latest newsletter too always happy to boost each other!
Wow this is such a wonderful detective work that creates such an amazing wave of recognition and appreciation. Thanks for sharing this with us, you’ve given me the prompt to do the same. So the stars represent how much those people engage with the articles? I actually thought it meant how active they are on the platform 🙈
Star means how active they are with your publication. According to Substack, “five stars indicates that they are in the highest percentile of engagement with your publication, meaning they are very active and likely read most, if not all, of your posts. Subscribers with five stars are within the top 80th to 100th percentile of subscribers based on their activity over the last month, which includes email opens and web views.”
I love this. A brilliant way of finding out who your true fans are.
Hope you found yours too. Checked your newsletter. Journalist, ghostwriter, podcaster, and author with work in The Washington Post, Elle UK, Esquire and more. Wow! I am so glad I attracted you to the Author Circle. Hope we learn from each other. Thanks for your comment.
Neera, thanks for this much needed amazing reminder, it’s definitely not about building numbers but building connections.
I am going to try this exercise that you did to find my true fans too so that i can figure a way to cherish them💖.
Welcome back to commenting, Isha. I missed you. You know you're my 5-Star reader. It is a worthwhile exercise and doesn't take too long if you don't have big subscriber numbers. Now my mission is to personally make connections with all these readers. Have fun when you find your true fans.
Yes I missed it too, I am slowly getting back to reading and commenting more:) And I definitely want to focus more on making long term connections!
Such a heartwarming post Neera. I have always admired your work and your zest for writing. Glad to be part of this 115 strong community :)
And I am so thankful for your consistent support Minaz. You have been reading my newsletter for many years now and always supporting me and uplifting me with your comments. Thank you for that. It's readers like you, I write for.
loved this Neera, some great ideas, which I am going to implement, thanks
I am glad you liked it and going to implement it. I didn't cover it in the post but you should also look for 4-star readers. They are pretty consistent too. Once I get know my 5-star readers better, I am going to get to know my 4-star readers a bit better.
You are wonderful Neera, for the care and attention you give your community 💗
That was a wonderful, thoughtful post. Thank you for the insights. I need to learn more about how to effectively utilize the tools of Substack myself. I'd love to create a college of readers that I could be inspired by, just like you have. Thank you!
Thank you Ted. This was the whole idea of the post, so that those with low subscriber numbers (including me) start looking at numbers in a different way. You joined my newsletter in February this year and haven't missed reading an issue since then. Not only that, you became a paid subscriber. I am very appreciative of that. What's the biggest pain point you are facing at the moment? Chances are, others are facing it too. I would like to go deep into it and figure out a way for us.
My biggest pain point is my lack of new subscribers from within Substack. My second biggest pain point is my low number of comments and likes. My third biggest pain point is the low number of comments actually on my posts. I imported my 1500 followers from my mailing list. I get more comments in email and text than on my actual posts. Thanks Neera!
Looks like your 1500 subscribers are not on Substack app, that’s why they are commenting by email and text. They are resisting moving on to another platform. That’s natural.
Many of my subscribers respond by replying to the email they receive when I post on Substack. So they are on Substack. They are just not going to the Substack site.
I think these three are the pain points for majority of the Substackers. I had a quick look at your newsletter and could identify basic issues straight away. I will plan a series of articles and we can start fixing those.
Thank you, Neeva!
Great post!
Thank you Lynn. I am glad you liked it. And thanks for leaving me a comment. You know you're my 5-star reader, too. I am eternally thankful for that.
Great 👍
Thanks Ibrahim. You subscribed to my newsletter in March this year and since then have been reading and restacking my posts without fail. I am so thankful for that. You, too, are my 5-star reader. Is there anything specific I can help you with? I see you haven't started your newsletter yet. Are you thinking of starting one? Do you need help to figure out your niche and do the initial plan? I can guide you through the process.
Absolutely loved this post Neera! Thank you for such an authentic, vulnerable post! Happy to be your 116th subscriber!
I am so glad! I would love to have you as my 116 True Fan. If the only thing this post achieves is to get you one more True Fan, it has served its purpose. I will be on the lookout for you, Reshma.
Thanks for this Neera. - I’m clapping my hands. 🙌🏻
Thanks for your support Vikki. You are one of the 115. My true fan. How is the book coming up?
Still sitting there - waiting for me. I’m in Spain for the month walking part of the Camino. Inspired.
Walking part of the Camino is such a great opportunity. I bet you'll have a lot to share.