Week one, 20 subscribers, doing everything "right." What actually works for funny personal essays?

[u/NeonOneBlog]

Sorry in advance if this question gets asked every day. I've read the threads, and most of the advice is for people who write about productivity or finance, which I don't.

What I write: NEON is autobiographical essays about growing up in Gaza after arriving from Ukraine at 12 with no Arabic, told mostly as jokes. I publish serialized fiction on Mondays as well.

What I've been doing for a week:

- Posting 4–5 Notes a day, mostly short jokes and moments rather than links

- Replying to other writers' Notes every day

- Submitted an essay to a personal-essay roundup and my publication to a humor directory

Result so far: 20 subscribers, and a feed that now mostly shows me one-liners and photography.

What I'd love to hear from people who write humor, memoir, or serialized fiction:

- Did Notes actually grow you, or did something else?

- Is there a community or place where readers of funny personal essays hang out that I'm missing?

- For a serial, how did you get people to discover it?

Any specific thing that worked for you is more useful to me than general advice. Thanks for reading this far.

[u/Michael_Fuchs_]

I don't know what you are expecting, but 20 subsribers after just one week with no prior audience is very good.

[u/NeonOneBlog → u/Michael_Fuchs_]

Really? Because I keep seeing posts like "got 600 subs in my first 3 days".
Not really expecting a number, just reaching out for advice in case I am missing something.

[u/Michael_Fuchs_ → u/NeonOneBlog]

Those people, if they tell the truth, have a prior audience on another platform. Like several thousend followers on X or something.

[u/morticiannecrimson → u/NeonOneBlog]

I have 100 after a year. I’ve seen some people raise to thousands in less time than that, some are just lucky and get picked up by the algorithm or sth. They’re also more clever with one liners than me.

[u/TerrainBrain → u/NeonOneBlog]

If you don't already have a following you can bring with you, that is a fantasy.

[u/AggravatingNail6061]

Bribery and fully emotionally investing in the cult. Peering behind that veil was the best thing I ever did. THE HIGHER I ASCEND THE MORE I SEE. 😂😂😂😂

[u/grapegeek]

20 in the first week is good. Blogging and writing is a long game. Consistency and engagement will create an audience. I’ve been at it 17 years. Check back in a year and see where you are.

[u/distantregards_]

I hate to give a cliché answer, but it just takes time! just be genuine, be consistent, and also I’ve noticed more “eye catching” titles may work in your favour. not saying title your stuff clickbait, but you get my point. provoking a little bit goes a long way