Now that I have access to use Substack Live! (and I hope you do as well) I can share with you this list I created immediately after I heard this Feature was coming and I assumed it would roll out to everyone that day. This list is more specific towards what I want to do as a fiction writer and so it might lean more towards that person but honestly, it can be adapted for anyone. Before I share my list I want to point out a few things:
Going on camera is hard. I know because I still have anxiety and imposter syndrome about it all the time. The camera is never right. My face always looks weird to me. And have I mentioned how much I hate the sound of my own voice? What I’m trying to say is, this Feature, while an amazing tool, it is just a tool and there are so many other tools at your disposal. You may never need to use this tool in order to create all that you want to create here, and that is OK. This list is just my list and I’m sharing it in case you could benefit from my ideas.
This Feature is only a mobile feature and while I’d love for it to be similar to streaming on Twitch, that is not what this is. And this point is very relevant for me as streaming Live on Twitch is something I have been doing for nearly the past decade of my life so I’m familiar with that format, which is why going Live on Substack, even though I outlined everything I dislike about myself, is rather easy. But, in order to use it and have others watch or chat or join you, they will need to have the Substack app on their mobile device as well.
My first EVER Substack Live is above. You may actually be watching the video right now instead of reading all the crap I have underneath it. They are essentially the same just delivered differently. I’m still trying to figure this all out. Whether or not it’s worth it to regurgitate the same information from the video in the body or have something different? Anyway, if you want to spare yourself having to watch me fumble around with my words as I go over my 11 ideas, you can have a more condensed version by just reading them for yourself below. I definitely go a bit more in-depth (I think) than I do in the Live setting.
Okay, with those three things out of the way, here are my 11 ideas. Read through them. Consider whether or not they might work for you. And at the end, share in the comments what ideas you may have now that you have access to this Feature.
Erica Drayton Writes
Listen with Me - I read my 100 word stories. I might do this once a week. Read 5 stories? Or just pick one fave from the week to read? Because one story would take less than :30 seconds to read, perhaps discussing the thought process for that story could happen after.
Write With Me - A weekly segment where we write micro fiction and then share it with each other. I would provide a random prompt. Maybe people can come join me and read their story or send me their story for me to read and give my thoughts.
Edit with Me - Pre-planned hour long session spent mostly in silence while we all bring something we need to edit.
Chat with Me - A time to ask me questions or discuss a topic. This can happen at any time. Random Chat with Me drops. Might make this a chat for paid subs only but everyone can view? Only paid subs can ask me questions that I’ll answer.
Unbox with Me - A chance for me to share when I receive something of interest in the mail, such as proof copies of my work or Kickstarters that I intend to use for my writing.
Behind the Scenes - Show my work flows and productivity hacks that I use all the time to help me stay on track with my writing projects.
Top in Fiction
The TiF Weekly, Live! - every Monday morning I’ll announce the 15 stories that made the list and then post the email shortly after. Attaching my announcement video to it.
Off the Stack Live - I purchase books from the Off the Stack directory and review them. This could be a space to announce new releases for authors and maybe invite them on for a short and sweet interview.
TiF Disruption Live - A Q&A with the creators of whatever event, collaboration, or contest has just disrupted Top in Fiction.
Two “Maybe” Ideas
Break it Down - quick, on the fly tips I discover while using Substack that other users might find…well…useful. As well as gripes I have about the service. Not sure if this will work unless I can screen record?
Watch with Me - pre-planned movie and tv show reviews after I’ve watching it. A short 5min or less segment with a few minutes for Live questions from the audience.
Thank you
, , , and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.
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