I agree with every word you wrote. If we are not willing to engage and support each other on this journey, then we are perhaps doing this writing thing for the wrong reasons. We can't only crave viral engagement. It has to be about personal passion.
Great post Lin. Kudos to you to put in the research to see if there is a magic formula which of course there isn't. Connection is key. I think in terms of my own Substack I am still finding my way. Essentially you want to post writing that is in some way useful to other people.
Man, how did you know that so naturally? It took me a long time to realize how important connection really is. That realization felt like a light bulb suddenly switching on. 😭
I always thought quality was everything—offering the best content, using the most correct grammar, and so on. I guess that's how I grew up.
The line about the familiar fragrance of your voice being what people actually remember, not the viral moment — that's the whole thing, isn't it.
I haven't been writing long, and for a while I was genuinely confused about what my niche even was. Is it women? Is it childhood and the things that leave a mark? Is it financial survival, the studio we lost, starting over? I kept trying to pick one lane because that's what everyone tells you to do.
In the end I realized it's not any single one of those. It's how I came out of all of them. That's the actual thread running through everything I write, I just didn't have language for it until now.
Reading this, I think that's exactly what you have too. Not a niche. A voice that's unmistakably yours.
Teresa, I'm telling you, You have a real talent with words.
Your authenticity, your warmth, and your clarity all come through so naturally. Every time I read one of your comments, it brings such a warm feeling to my heart.
I'm so glad you're here in this little corner of mine. ❤️
This resonated deeply. What stayed with me wasn't the discussion about algorithms or growth, but the reminder that our "why" shapes everything else. When we stop chasing numbers and start writing from lived truth, we stop trying to gather an audience and begin finding our people. I think the deepest kind of growth happens when someone reads our words and quietly thinks, "Yes... that's exactly how it feels." Thank you for such a thoughtful reflection.
Thank YOU so much for your thoughtful reflection. You said "we stop trying to gather an audience and begin finding our people". It's so true. The shift from treating people as "a collective audience" to "seeing them as real people, just like you and me" is subtle yet enormous. I think it's all in the energy. :)
Yes... that's exactly it. For me, writing stopped feeling like performing the moment I realised I wasn't speaking to an audience but to another human being. One person feeling seen is worth more than a thousand empty views. Thank you for such a thoughtful conversation.
Good points, good piece of research, good questions. I am on Substack because I want to share what I have found of value and of ideas I think might be helpful to consider. I'm not very keen on finding ways to court the algorithm. I write from my soul and I give the best I have to give, it's a creative endeavour that gives me a lot of joy. On the whole I trust that those people who might benefit from my writings will find me one way or another. Because I live in trust I also publish in trust. This way there is consistency. Love, Maria
I really really love your why, and your approach of "writing form your soul and giving the best you have to give.". Bringing joy to yourself is probably the most important reason for doing anything in this life.
I really need to remind myself of your wisdom, "to live in trust and to publish in trust". I'm really grateful for this reminder.
Perhaps the moment we stop asking how to make more people see us and begin asking what they will truly find when they do, something changes. Visibility may bring someone to the door, but only a recognizable voice and a genuine human connection give them a reason to stay. Growth, then, may be less about learning how to reach everyone and more about becoming unmistakably ourselves for the people who were already looking for something only we could give.
Antonio, thank you so much for this comment. I wanted to write something jus as good in reply, but I couldn't come up with anything. So I decided to restack it. 😅
You've got such a knack for writing insight that reads like peace and motivation at the same time! I 100 percent agree on building connection. Sometimes I hesitate for ages before hitting "publish" just because I'm not sure if it's too personal to make any sense to anyone. But you're right about writing for someone specific, even if it's just a version of myself right now.
And about that nagging question of "is this too personal? would anyone read it?", I totally get it. Turns out the more vulnerable a piece was, the more people felt it resonated. Weird, right?
Absolutely fantastic, Lin! 'Don’t write for the crowd. Write for someone. Maybe the person you used to be.' That closing piece of advice is truly inspiring. You’ve wonderfully expressed the idea that real growth isn't about amassing numbers, but about creating a supportive community where everyone feels seen and appreciated. It’s a meaningful and uplifting reminder for everyone on this platform!
Insightful post Lin. Yes our Substack numbers may be important, but the connections feel so much deeper for me. These algorithms always feel like a mystery to most of us, but your three points break things down with clarity. In the end it’s all about loving words and getting to know others. Thank you for sharing this.
I agree with every word you wrote. If we are not willing to engage and support each other on this journey, then we are perhaps doing this writing thing for the wrong reasons. We can't only crave viral engagement. It has to be about personal passion.
Personal passion! That‘s really what matters, doesn‘t it. I think it‘s the only sustainable way to keep doing anything in the long term.
Great post Lin. Kudos to you to put in the research to see if there is a magic formula which of course there isn't. Connection is key. I think in terms of my own Substack I am still finding my way. Essentially you want to post writing that is in some way useful to other people.
Awww thank you, Cathy. I don't know why I kept thinking there's a magic formula. Like I was missing something. 😭
I like your why. Writing something that is useful to others shifts your perspective from chasing numbers to service to the world.
This is such a thoughtful piece Lin. I truly believe that connections make a lot of difference and knowing who you’re writing for and why.
Thank you for your reflections.
Man, how did you know that so naturally? It took me a long time to realize how important connection really is. That realization felt like a light bulb suddenly switching on. 😭
I always thought quality was everything—offering the best content, using the most correct grammar, and so on. I guess that's how I grew up.
This is brilliant, Lin.
The line about the familiar fragrance of your voice being what people actually remember, not the viral moment — that's the whole thing, isn't it.
I haven't been writing long, and for a while I was genuinely confused about what my niche even was. Is it women? Is it childhood and the things that leave a mark? Is it financial survival, the studio we lost, starting over? I kept trying to pick one lane because that's what everyone tells you to do.
In the end I realized it's not any single one of those. It's how I came out of all of them. That's the actual thread running through everything I write, I just didn't have language for it until now.
Reading this, I think that's exactly what you have too. Not a niche. A voice that's unmistakably yours.
Teresa, I'm telling you, You have a real talent with words.
Your authenticity, your warmth, and your clarity all come through so naturally. Every time I read one of your comments, it brings such a warm feeling to my heart.
I'm so glad you're here in this little corner of mine. ❤️
This resonated deeply. What stayed with me wasn't the discussion about algorithms or growth, but the reminder that our "why" shapes everything else. When we stop chasing numbers and start writing from lived truth, we stop trying to gather an audience and begin finding our people. I think the deepest kind of growth happens when someone reads our words and quietly thinks, "Yes... that's exactly how it feels." Thank you for such a thoughtful reflection.
Thank YOU so much for your thoughtful reflection. You said "we stop trying to gather an audience and begin finding our people". It's so true. The shift from treating people as "a collective audience" to "seeing them as real people, just like you and me" is subtle yet enormous. I think it's all in the energy. :)
Yes... that's exactly it. For me, writing stopped feeling like performing the moment I realised I wasn't speaking to an audience but to another human being. One person feeling seen is worth more than a thousand empty views. Thank you for such a thoughtful conversation.
Good points, good piece of research, good questions. I am on Substack because I want to share what I have found of value and of ideas I think might be helpful to consider. I'm not very keen on finding ways to court the algorithm. I write from my soul and I give the best I have to give, it's a creative endeavour that gives me a lot of joy. On the whole I trust that those people who might benefit from my writings will find me one way or another. Because I live in trust I also publish in trust. This way there is consistency. Love, Maria
Triple thank you, Maria. :)
I really really love your why, and your approach of "writing form your soul and giving the best you have to give.". Bringing joy to yourself is probably the most important reason for doing anything in this life.
I really need to remind myself of your wisdom, "to live in trust and to publish in trust". I'm really grateful for this reminder.
This was so on point, Lin. Makes a lot of sense.
I appreciate you, Monica. ❤️
Perhaps the moment we stop asking how to make more people see us and begin asking what they will truly find when they do, something changes. Visibility may bring someone to the door, but only a recognizable voice and a genuine human connection give them a reason to stay. Growth, then, may be less about learning how to reach everyone and more about becoming unmistakably ourselves for the people who were already looking for something only we could give.
Antonio, thank you so much for this comment. I wanted to write something jus as good in reply, but I couldn't come up with anything. So I decided to restack it. 😅
You've got such a knack for writing insight that reads like peace and motivation at the same time! I 100 percent agree on building connection. Sometimes I hesitate for ages before hitting "publish" just because I'm not sure if it's too personal to make any sense to anyone. But you're right about writing for someone specific, even if it's just a version of myself right now.
Thank you so so much for saying this! 🙏
And about that nagging question of "is this too personal? would anyone read it?", I totally get it. Turns out the more vulnerable a piece was, the more people felt it resonated. Weird, right?
I think we’ve all been struggling for so long at this point in adulthood that it’s refreshing to read honest, raw stories. Make us feel less alone.
True
Absolutely fantastic, Lin! 'Don’t write for the crowd. Write for someone. Maybe the person you used to be.' That closing piece of advice is truly inspiring. You’ve wonderfully expressed the idea that real growth isn't about amassing numbers, but about creating a supportive community where everyone feels seen and appreciated. It’s a meaningful and uplifting reminder for everyone on this platform!
What a great summary. Thank you for taking the time.
You are very welcome. 🌊🫶🌲
Insightful post Lin. Yes our Substack numbers may be important, but the connections feel so much deeper for me. These algorithms always feel like a mystery to most of us, but your three points break things down with clarity. In the end it’s all about loving words and getting to know others. Thank you for sharing this.
Oh thank you Alegria. I’m glad we share the same opinions. 😊
Ohh can’t wait to read this!
☺️