Man, if there was I feel like I would have found that short cut already!! I am a firm believer in patience. Not that I am amazing at it, but I've come to learn it is crucial. Many do see quick success but I never have. But I've never stopped.
I once asked our neighbor in The Bahamas who was an incredibly successful retired business man what, in his opinion, was the secret of success. He said, "keep going." So many times when he felt like he didn't know what he was doing, or that he was failing, he just kept going.
I am more worried about “trash” then saturation. What I don’t like in other platforms is that real value at some point does not exist ( and maybe in some of them never existed for me). Yes consistency and patience is key to grow, but an healthy environment is very important too.
I feel like there is somewhat of a correlation between the two. As the user base increases the quality of content has more chance to evolve. I believe feature changes will influence this as well. If SS opens it's API which would then allow everyone using a scheduling software to begin recycling their content here without effort it will change.
"Many of us are on Substack because our growth on LinkedIn, Twitter, Medium, or Instagram was stagnant." - You cannot compare LinkedIn and Instagram with platforms like Medium. You can hardly compare them with each other. LinkedIn only becomes stagnant if we don't have a proper strategy and being relentless in punch. LinkedIn is primarily focused on business and businesses, Instagram is part business and part SM for leisure, but lately mostly business.
"It’s difficult to grow a new YouTube channel today…" - This is not true at all. If you have the right plan and know the game, starting and growing a successful YouTube channel or channels is quite easy. I have had five successful YouTube channels, two of which now have millions of subscribers and a lot more views. I teach about all the above in my online courses, and I will bring my knowledge and expertise here to my three substack publications soon.
Thank you for sharing. I am happy you've had that success on YouTube, that's amazing. But I personally believe that it is harder to grow across these platforms than it was previously. And while I do agree that each platform has unique differences, many people are largely using them for the purpose of generating business, clients, personal brands. This is my personal view, that doesn't mean it's correct.
Interesting read! I'm new to Substack, and it doesn’t seem that easy to grow here. I'm also trying to build my LinkedIn from scratch... I hope in 5 years I'll have made progress! :P My impression so far is that both platforms are quite crowded, and it might have been a better idea to start 5 years ago when there was less content.
'5 years' - that is a good mindset. Content / audience / social / it's all a long term game. The trouble is when people start and expect to make 10k in 3-6 months. Could it happen? Yes. Are the odds high? No. I have some articles on getting started, would you like me to link them for you?
Yes, sure! I’m also wondering how fast we should grow and what’s normal anyway? And if Substack ever comes to an end, what’s next? It feels like the ones who get in early on new platforms always do the best
I'd encourage you to focus on the foundation first. There is no speed and normal is incredibly subjective to experience, person, goals, industry, etc. It's far to easy to get caught in comparison!! Try to embrace your own journey.
It's like the the saying that you don't need to outrun the bear, just need to outrun the person beside you ;-) Just Substack and business is a little less morbid haha
I agree with everything said here, but with a caveat: strategy always fosters growth, even on platforms that are harder than usual. The most successful people on any platform have a strategy—this strategy doesn't even have to involve many followers on all socials. Patience is definitely the way to grow anything and cook up something good, but that strategy makes an otherwise simple recipe into something that is remembered every year.
100%! If there was a shortcut other than consistency, everyone would be successful. But as the graveyard of podcasts, YouTube channels and Substack newsletters grows ever larger...it's apparent there is not said shortcut.
So many people ask me the fastest way to make money with writing--I always answer that there are very very few fast ways, but there are sustainable ways that can provide revenue long term. And that's what matters, I think. Be a flash in the pan or be the master chef.
This is spot on, Landon! We absolutely live in a world of instant gratification, and you're right—consistency and patience are rare but essential skills, especially for writers. The ones who succeed long-term are the ones who commit, show up every day, and trust the process, even when the results aren’t immediate.
Your point about not chasing short-term dopamine hits or algorithm 'hacks' is so true. It's about playing the long game, building something sustainable, and focusing on relationships and real value over fleeting metrics.
The concept of compounding results resonates deeply. Those moats of resilience and consistency really do set the long-timers apart from those who burn out chasing trends.
Love your reminder to deplatform audiences and focus on an email list—it’s timeless advice.
Outlasting is the goal, and you’ve laid out the perfect roadmap. 👏 Now, if I can just remember this...
It's like those two guys getting chased by a bear and the one stops to put on his sneakers. You don't have to outrun the bear, you just have to outrun the other guy.
I like your focus on patience, Landon. People need to understand that things take time and that results are the compound effect of years of trying.
There's no overnight success.
Man, if there was I feel like I would have found that short cut already!! I am a firm believer in patience. Not that I am amazing at it, but I've come to learn it is crucial. Many do see quick success but I never have. But I've never stopped.
I once asked our neighbor in The Bahamas who was an incredibly successful retired business man what, in his opinion, was the secret of success. He said, "keep going." So many times when he felt like he didn't know what he was doing, or that he was failing, he just kept going.
Yes, I love it. It's the unsexiest thing of all. No one wants to buy that course. But it has become a motto of mine. Just. Don't. Stop.
I am more worried about “trash” then saturation. What I don’t like in other platforms is that real value at some point does not exist ( and maybe in some of them never existed for me). Yes consistency and patience is key to grow, but an healthy environment is very important too.
I feel like there is somewhat of a correlation between the two. As the user base increases the quality of content has more chance to evolve. I believe feature changes will influence this as well. If SS opens it's API which would then allow everyone using a scheduling software to begin recycling their content here without effort it will change.
Every post counts
100%
be like a cockroach — don’t die
(and share meaningful work)
That summarizes me!
"Many of us are on Substack because our growth on LinkedIn, Twitter, Medium, or Instagram was stagnant." - You cannot compare LinkedIn and Instagram with platforms like Medium. You can hardly compare them with each other. LinkedIn only becomes stagnant if we don't have a proper strategy and being relentless in punch. LinkedIn is primarily focused on business and businesses, Instagram is part business and part SM for leisure, but lately mostly business.
"It’s difficult to grow a new YouTube channel today…" - This is not true at all. If you have the right plan and know the game, starting and growing a successful YouTube channel or channels is quite easy. I have had five successful YouTube channels, two of which now have millions of subscribers and a lot more views. I teach about all the above in my online courses, and I will bring my knowledge and expertise here to my three substack publications soon.
Thank you for sharing. I am happy you've had that success on YouTube, that's amazing. But I personally believe that it is harder to grow across these platforms than it was previously. And while I do agree that each platform has unique differences, many people are largely using them for the purpose of generating business, clients, personal brands. This is my personal view, that doesn't mean it's correct.
Interesting read! I'm new to Substack, and it doesn’t seem that easy to grow here. I'm also trying to build my LinkedIn from scratch... I hope in 5 years I'll have made progress! :P My impression so far is that both platforms are quite crowded, and it might have been a better idea to start 5 years ago when there was less content.
'5 years' - that is a good mindset. Content / audience / social / it's all a long term game. The trouble is when people start and expect to make 10k in 3-6 months. Could it happen? Yes. Are the odds high? No. I have some articles on getting started, would you like me to link them for you?
Yes, sure! I’m also wondering how fast we should grow and what’s normal anyway? And if Substack ever comes to an end, what’s next? It feels like the ones who get in early on new platforms always do the best
I'd encourage you to focus on the foundation first. There is no speed and normal is incredibly subjective to experience, person, goals, industry, etc. It's far to easy to get caught in comparison!! Try to embrace your own journey.
Your last line is brilliant. Outlast those around you. Love!
It's like the the saying that you don't need to outrun the bear, just need to outrun the person beside you ;-) Just Substack and business is a little less morbid haha
I agree with everything said here, but with a caveat: strategy always fosters growth, even on platforms that are harder than usual. The most successful people on any platform have a strategy—this strategy doesn't even have to involve many followers on all socials. Patience is definitely the way to grow anything and cook up something good, but that strategy makes an otherwise simple recipe into something that is remembered every year.
Very true Christine
I agree with you on this.
Thanks Kate!
Awesome!
100%! If there was a shortcut other than consistency, everyone would be successful. But as the graveyard of podcasts, YouTube channels and Substack newsletters grows ever larger...it's apparent there is not said shortcut.
Yes yes yes! But tactics and quick fixes still sell!
So many people ask me the fastest way to make money with writing--I always answer that there are very very few fast ways, but there are sustainable ways that can provide revenue long term. And that's what matters, I think. Be a flash in the pan or be the master chef.
Love the analogy. Everyone wants the fast pace to fame and success. If it exists, I've yet to find it !
This is spot on, Landon! We absolutely live in a world of instant gratification, and you're right—consistency and patience are rare but essential skills, especially for writers. The ones who succeed long-term are the ones who commit, show up every day, and trust the process, even when the results aren’t immediate.
Your point about not chasing short-term dopamine hits or algorithm 'hacks' is so true. It's about playing the long game, building something sustainable, and focusing on relationships and real value over fleeting metrics.
The concept of compounding results resonates deeply. Those moats of resilience and consistency really do set the long-timers apart from those who burn out chasing trends.
Love your reminder to deplatform audiences and focus on an email list—it’s timeless advice.
Outlasting is the goal, and you’ve laid out the perfect roadmap. 👏 Now, if I can just remember this...
Thank you so much for reading and leaving a thoughtful comment.
It's like those two guys getting chased by a bear and the one stops to put on his sneakers. You don't have to outrun the bear, you just have to outrun the other guy.
Which are you ;-)
I’m lacing up as we speak. :-)
So do you think the period of good growth on substack is still happening right now?
I do.
Good to hear :-)