If this was written in ancient Chinese, I wouldn’t understand it less.
I just started on Substack yesterday.
I’m not using 99% of the features here because I have no idea what they are.
I’m sitting here trying to figure out where my profile page went and how to post my thought for the day. I see lots of icons, but nothing points me to my page so I can post.
I have no idea what a MailChimp or any of that other software you referred to is.
I didn’t know about the About page on Substack, so I was hoping for an explanation, but I’m left more confused and bewildered than before when it was just a vacuum.
I've been hesitant to build the "About" page because I'm not yet clear on what to write. Perhaps there's an element of procrastination in there somewhere. Or fear of the unknown, thrown in with a dose of "lacking" in self-awareness? Tell me I'm not alone?
Also, I think it might be instructive to read the very first post of someone who has now been writing for a while, say at least a year or so. Sort of to compare where they are vs where they started? Any suggestions? Or is my question here just another form of procrastination?
It can be difficult to find that first post of someone who has been writing for a year unless you’re willing to scroll back that far on their page or they have it easily accessible for you somewhere (which, I imagine most ppl don’t). It is a good idea to look at other people’s about pages though, which this post is about. To see what information they are sharing and how they are sharing it. That is what I’ve done and still do to this day. Steal like an artist.
I just stumbled across this and PHEW was it helpful and so personally timely! I'm in the "in-between" process of setup and scheduling that first real post. Thank you!
That's where I am, too. I had my About page written already. (I stole like an artist from someone else's approach.) But after reading this, I went back and tweaked it a bit. Thanks!
I am glad my little post was helpful to you. Good luck on your killer about page! If you want a pair of eyes to take a look, let me know and I'll try my best to provide additional feedback.
Of course, when you're ready, throw me a DM and I'll take a look! No pressure and no rush! And if there's anything about Substack that you'd love for me to do in the similar vain as this post, let me know. I'm working on a series.
70+ Entrepreneur in love with all things business. Retired business coach specialized in big picture and zoomed in focus, Desert Garden Educator and Author. Discovering joy through writing fiction, art, the outdoors and travel.
Wow - this was jam-packed with awesome ideas. I'm in a slight analysis paralysis after reading, but I'm excited to come back to this again soon - thank you, Erica!
This guide is incredibly helpful, Erica. I haven’t posted yet, but I’ve been working on my About page and have just added my name at the beginning! Thanks for the info on the format of a Substack email address - useful to know!
This is excellent Erica. Invaluable advice. Revisiting about pages is always a good idea. Kind of like #Paris ;). My about page is too full of waffle...
And here I thought that giving readers my Substack email address to reply-to was unprofessional. But it makes complete sense to use it the way that you explained it. And just so you know, when you reply to emails sent to your Substack email, it reveals your real email address anyway.
I realize it does, but there are some instances where you don't want to initially have your email "out there" for anyone to see versus responding (if needed) to someone who emails you first. At least that way you can make the judgement call on what email you will and won't respond to without worrying that a total stranger has your real email up front.
Exactly. That way, it's totally your call on who you do and don't respond to. I'm going to remove my real email address from public view and substitute it with my Substack email address now, since it's just "myname@substack.com" anyway. Very good. Thanks.
Excellent, Erica! I think the ABOUT page is one of the most important facets of getting yourself out there. I like to stress that when you finish a project and start another, UPDATE your PAGE! The ABOUT page should be something you're always fixing, and updating, and trying to improve. Great piece!
I look forward to the improvements! Baby steps is really all it takes to make something out of what we thought was nothing. Everyone has an About page inside of them. Just a matter of figuring out how to best present it.
I hope they serve you well! And feel free to share any updates you made and if you want a pair of eyes to take a peek I can loan you mine. But not for very long! I kinda need them to see and live and stuff...
If this was written in ancient Chinese, I wouldn’t understand it less.
I just started on Substack yesterday.
I’m not using 99% of the features here because I have no idea what they are.
I’m sitting here trying to figure out where my profile page went and how to post my thought for the day. I see lots of icons, but nothing points me to my page so I can post.
I have no idea what a MailChimp or any of that other software you referred to is.
I didn’t know about the About page on Substack, so I was hoping for an explanation, but I’m left more confused and bewildered than before when it was just a vacuum.
I've been hesitant to build the "About" page because I'm not yet clear on what to write. Perhaps there's an element of procrastination in there somewhere. Or fear of the unknown, thrown in with a dose of "lacking" in self-awareness? Tell me I'm not alone?
Also, I think it might be instructive to read the very first post of someone who has now been writing for a while, say at least a year or so. Sort of to compare where they are vs where they started? Any suggestions? Or is my question here just another form of procrastination?
It can be difficult to find that first post of someone who has been writing for a year unless you’re willing to scroll back that far on their page or they have it easily accessible for you somewhere (which, I imagine most ppl don’t). It is a good idea to look at other people’s about pages though, which this post is about. To see what information they are sharing and how they are sharing it. That is what I’ve done and still do to this day. Steal like an artist.
I just stumbled across this and PHEW was it helpful and so personally timely! I'm in the "in-between" process of setup and scheduling that first real post. Thank you!
That's where I am, too. I had my About page written already. (I stole like an artist from someone else's approach.) But after reading this, I went back and tweaked it a bit. Thanks!
I am glad my little post was helpful to you. Good luck on your killer about page! If you want a pair of eyes to take a look, let me know and I'll try my best to provide additional feedback.
Oh my, thank you! Such a generous offer that I would love to take you up on.
Of course, when you're ready, throw me a DM and I'll take a look! No pressure and no rush! And if there's anything about Substack that you'd love for me to do in the similar vain as this post, let me know. I'm working on a series.
This is my current Substack Bio. Please comment!!
70+ Entrepreneur in love with all things business. Retired business coach specialized in big picture and zoomed in focus, Desert Garden Educator and Author. Discovering joy through writing fiction, art, the outdoors and travel.
Wow - this was jam-packed with awesome ideas. I'm in a slight analysis paralysis after reading, but I'm excited to come back to this again soon - thank you, Erica!
This guide is incredibly helpful, Erica. I haven’t posted yet, but I’ve been working on my About page and have just added my name at the beginning! Thanks for the info on the format of a Substack email address - useful to know!
You’re very welcome. I hope to write more “evergreen” posts like this one that can be helpful to you and others.
This is excellent Erica. Invaluable advice. Revisiting about pages is always a good idea. Kind of like #Paris ;). My about page is too full of waffle...
Merci
Judy MacMahon
Wow I really like this! Your flow is great and catch :)
Glad you found it and I hope it helped you in some small way!
And here I thought that giving readers my Substack email address to reply-to was unprofessional. But it makes complete sense to use it the way that you explained it. And just so you know, when you reply to emails sent to your Substack email, it reveals your real email address anyway.
I realize it does, but there are some instances where you don't want to initially have your email "out there" for anyone to see versus responding (if needed) to someone who emails you first. At least that way you can make the judgement call on what email you will and won't respond to without worrying that a total stranger has your real email up front.
Exactly. That way, it's totally your call on who you do and don't respond to. I'm going to remove my real email address from public view and substitute it with my Substack email address now, since it's just "myname@substack.com" anyway. Very good. Thanks.
A novel about how a genius chess master settles the score
Awesome read! I like your analogy about the bookstore. We all write in our own way and in our best way. One article at a time. Thanks for sharing.
I'm glad it could be of help to you all this time later.
Excellent, Erica! I think the ABOUT page is one of the most important facets of getting yourself out there. I like to stress that when you finish a project and start another, UPDATE your PAGE! The ABOUT page should be something you're always fixing, and updating, and trying to improve. Great piece!
so helpful! thank you.
Very thorough and helpful for a newb like me. Thank you!
If you need any assistance like another pair of eyes on your about page, more than happy to help.
Much appreciated!
Well if this doesn’t get me started on updating my Substack I don’t know what will. Thank you for this.
I look forward to the improvements! Baby steps is really all it takes to make something out of what we thought was nothing. Everyone has an About page inside of them. Just a matter of figuring out how to best present it.
These are great tips Erica! I appreciate you putting this all together 👍🏼🤗
I hope they serve you well! And feel free to share any updates you made and if you want a pair of eyes to take a peek I can loan you mine. But not for very long! I kinda need them to see and live and stuff...