Substack Rebel
Do you want to be one, too?
Hello, Dear Reader.
I’ve been writing on Substack for two years. This means I’ve been reflecting and thinking (okay, overthinking) about how things have been going thus far and what changes I may or may not implement going forward.
Regardless if you’re a reader, a writer, or both here on Substack, I can’t wait to hear from YOU. After all, we are in this together.
So, let’s talk about what it means to be a Substack Rebel, and be sure to let me know in the comments if you are one, too. Or would like to be. Readers can be Substack Rebels, too, by the way, so everyone is invited to this conversation.
Substack Rebel
Do you want to be one, too?
If you’ve been reading Nancy’s Point for awhile, you already know I am not a fan of the typical rah-rah cancer made me a better person narrative, nor am I a fan of pink ribbon shenanigans. I continue to stubbornly resist the notion that cancer ‘gifts’ anything other than upheaval and heartache. Cancer can keep its f***ing lessons, too.
Cancer sucks. Period. That’s my story, and I’m sticking with it.
In other words, I’m a Cancer Rebel.
I’ve decided I am also a Substack Rebel. You might be asking, “Okay, woman, what are you talking about?” Let me explain what this means—to me anyway.
Below are a few ways I’m rebelling. If you feel inclined, join me!
LESS CHECKING AND STRESSING
I am done worrying about how many Subscribers I have and how many likes and comments my essays and Notes get. I mean it. I am DONE.
This does not mean I don’t care about these things; it just means I’m not stressing about them anymore. Big difference. I would LOVE more readers, more free and paid subscribers, more engagement, more comments, more everything. But I’m done opening my phone umpteen times a day to check on metrics. And I will try harder to not let it bother me when folks unsubscribe.
In short, I am done comparing myself to other Substack writers. (This time I mean it.) Comparison kills creativity. Comparison kills joy.
HOW I WILL SPREAD THE LOVE
I am changing up how I spread the love, and it’s what I am going to do from here on out. Or until I change my mind.
I will be as generous as f***k with likes and hearts because why not?
I scroll and skim just like you do. If I like a piece or Note, or sense great effort was put into it, or just want to encourage, I am going to click away on those heart buttons. It’s the easiest way to offer support and encouragement, and it takes hardly any time at all to do it. It’s like smiling at a stranger (or a friend) in real life.
A writer I love and respect who will remain nameless once mentioned on a Note I wrote that she only restacks articles she thinks the world should read. I respect that. However, that’s a pretty high bar, don’t you think? (I realize she didn’t literally mean the whole world, but still…)
Observation has shown me that some writers rarely restack, which is entirely their prerogative, of course. But I don’t get that strategy. Sharing/restacking is easy, too. So, yeah, I will restack to my heart’s content. It’s another easy way to spread the love.
PRIORITIZING
We are ALL short on time, so I’ve decided the first articles I read and comment on will be those written by writers/readers who’ve read and commented on mine. Petty? Maybe. Maybe not. I prefer thinking of it as following the Golder Rule. After I’ve followed said Golden Rule each day, I will move on to reading and commenting on other Substacks as much as time permits.
Those that ignore—I can do that as well.
Does this make sense? (I hope so.)
TO PAY OR NOT TO PAY
Okay, this change is big for me. I have dropped all my paid subscriptions and even some free ones to Substacks that offer advice on how to grow and monetize my Substack. I am not going to fall into that rabbit hole anymore. Don’t get me wrong, some advice Substacks are great (who doesn’t want those five KEYS to Substack success?); but none seem to fit me or warrant a paid subscription.
I am not a brand, I am a person. I don’t think of myself as a content creator or an influencer either. I’m a woman who writes about cancer, loss, grief, pets, family, writing, politics, our democracy, and whatever else I choose. To hell with niching down. Uh-uh. Me, I niche out. (This is why a memoir category on Substack would be nice. None of the available categories fit.)
Instead of paying for advice I never take anyway, I started upgrading to paid subscriber status on some of my favorite fellow writers because THAT is where I choose to put my $$$. Writing is work and writers deserve to be paid for it.
I am loving this change already. I only wish I could afford to upgrade on more Stacks I love.
Does my writing have enough value that readers like you want to pay for it?
Maybe. Maybe not. Each reader gets to decide, and I’m okay with what each one decides. Even if you choose not to pay with $$$, every time you read and comment you are ‘paying’ me by giving me some of your precious time. I never take that for granted.
I don’t have a product (other than my books) or course to offer. When you upgrade to paid, you are saying yes to supporting my writing. My writing IS my product. Along with being part of an amazing community.
Oh, and since we’re talking about advice Substacks, here’s one more irritant about them for me. Whenever an advice person starts off saying something like: Unless you’re writing here on Substack as a hobby…
Sounds more than a bit condescending, don’t you think?
I mean, even if you are writing here as a hobby, (I am not) your time is valuable, too. You have bills to pay like everyone else. Whenever I hear that, I’m gone.
RECOMMENDATION LIST
One of the best ways to spread more love (and to receive it) is to add Substacks to your Recommendation List. I only add Substacks I truly love, but I don’t always keep the same ones in view. I shuffle my list from time to time. This keeps it fresh.
I am soooo grateful to those who’ve added me to their Recommendation Lists. Thank you. (You know who you are. Obviously.)
WRAPPING UP
I will end this article by saying thank you to all my readers new and old, free and paid. Some readers have been reading for over a dozen years. (I’m not kidding!) Precious gems, that's what long-time readers are to me. Others just started reading. Whether you are a newbie or an oldie, I’m grateful you are here.
My best Substack advice (for what it’s worth) for fellow Substackers is to tend to the community you have—whether it be big or small in number.
That’s what I intend to do. Build and nurture this community. Deepen the trust and the connections with dear readers like you.
My other piece of advice—shocker—do Substack your own way, too. As I've said a gazillion times about cancer, grief, and other stuff:
Be real. Be you. It's enough.
You don’t need hundreds of subscribers to validate your worth, your writing. Your story matters, and you need no one's permission to share it.
A tip for readers: Comment, like, share whenever you can. It means a lot, provides valuable feedback, and gets more eyes on writers you love. Also, feel free to email or message anytime. Your thoughts and opinions matter.
One more thing—a confession: I still suck at NOTES, and I still cannot make sense out of the ‘following’ option vs subscribing. Hint, hint. If you’re a follower, consider subscribing. Follows are nice, but subscriptions are what matter.
You can turn off receiving emails/notifications. This eliminates flooding your inbox while still allowing you to support Stacks you like with a subscription. It’s a win-win!
YOUR TURN!
Are you a Substack Rebel, too, and if you are, in what way(s)?
Writer or reader—how do you prioritize which Substacks to read first, and do you have notifications for emails turned on or off?
What’s your best Substack tip? (as a writer or as a reader)
What moves you to upgrade to paid subscriptions?
If you think my essay has value, thank you for restacking and considering becoming a paid subscriber when you feel ready.
Paid subscription not your thing?
Leave me a one-time tip (you set the amount) and know you are doing something meaningful to support independent writing. No commitment needed. You choose the amount.
Earlier essay about writing on Substack you might want to read:
“If you write it, they will read.” (maybe. maybe not.)
SHOUT OUT to Nancy’s Point Loyalty+ Subscriber, Mary Robinson Prody, RN CEO of PROMEDICS PRODUCTS LLC. Click on the link to visit Mary’s website and learn more about her amazing products to help manage those dreaded post-surgical drains. Read my review of one of those products HERE.
Find out how YOU can become a Nancy’s Point Loyalty+ Subscriber HERE.
Thank you for reading. I appreciate you.
I see you. I hear you, and I care about what YOU have to say.
Until next time…
Take care of yourself, be kind to someone, be a light, and keep going.
With gratitude,
Nancy
xoxo
"Rebel Rebel", indeed! Bowie himself would approve! I suppose I’m a bit of a Substack Rebel in my own quiet (poet) way, too. For I buck the trend without really trying ... as I couldn’t care less about numbers or any stats either. Instead, I’m more happy to have met around thirty kindred spirits, including yourself dear Nancy, and that, well that ... feels more than enough to be going on with.
Silent follows and silent subscriptions drift past me like weather. I remember in the early days when I first joined someone once asked me ... so why do you write? And I answered without thinking: to connect. You see for me, "connection" is the whole point of everything I do here. And from that everything else follows. Thanks so much for inviting us to join you! Love and much rebellion! 🙏💖
I've not been a fan of "Survivor" of breast cancer. Made it sound like it was in the past and done with. I can wrap my head around "Rebel" because it is present tense and on the move. Now maybe my family will "get" what I'm going through. My deepest thank you for your insight. Cancer sucks.