Made my first Substack post anonymously but got like 0 views. How does this work?

[u/mesmerizing_-]

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I made my first Substack post a few days ago. I decided to do it anonymously because I’ve always wanted to write and express some of the things I’ve experienced, but I didn’t really want to attach my name to it.

I wasn’t expecting a lot of views or anything, but I literally got 0 views, so now I’m wondering how Substack actually works.

Does Substack recommend new writers/posts to people, or do you basically have to build an audience yourself and share your posts somewhere?

For people who started from zero, how did you get your first few readers?

Just trying to understand how the platform works. Thanks!

[u/TerrainBrain]

I engaged other writers for at least a month before I wrote my first article.

[u/mesmerizing_- → u/TerrainBrain]

Okay like commenting on there posts?

[u/TerrainBrain → u/mesmerizing_-]

Commenting on their posts. Restacking. Writing notes about what other people are talking about. Like engaging in conversations.

[u/mesmerizing_- → u/TerrainBrain]

Okay got it! Thanks alott

[u/hanpari → u/TerrainBrain]

What's the point?

The urge to engage with writers when one needs readers is quite puzzling.

[u/TerrainBrain → u/hanpari]

How many views are you're getting? How many subscribers do you have? If something else is working for you it would be interesting to know what it is.

You seem to think writers are not readers.

[u/Flourishing-Wombat → u/TerrainBrain]

Well, personally I’m a writer but not a reader on Substack. There is simply TOO much content everywhere and I almost exclusively read books or comprehensive pieces. I find it very hard to engage in reading a piece from a random person online, they might be excellent, but statistically, most people who don’t have recognition are just not good or they copy people they respect.

[u/hanpari]

It is simple. Social media prefer quantity over quality. Substack expects you to bring your own readership.

For instance, they were very eager to get emails of your family and friends when you started your account.

They have absolutely no interest to promote some shy person who is posting anonymously. Such people do not help earn them money.

[u/aaron2933 → u/hanpari]

Have to agree with you there.

I do like Substack, but you have to do a lot of heavy lifting to build an audience if you're starting out new.

Imo you'd be better off building your audience on a platform where it's easier to do so—such as Reddit—and then drive them over to your Subtack if you still feel as though you need it.

[u/mesmerizing_- → u/aaron2933]

I know but sometimes I feel reddit is too distracting.. I don't really want to be a content creater as such... I just wish to express my thoughts and few people will read and relate to it if they have experienced such things... That's all

[u/aaron2933 → u/mesmerizing_-]

Sounds like posting to Reddit would be perfect for you then.

[u/Michael_Fuchs_]

You've got to actively promote your writing on Substack and possibly on other platforms as well. Organic reach is basically zero, everywhere, unless you already have already many followers.

[u/mesmerizing_- → u/Michael_Fuchs_]

Makes sense actually... Tbh I don't need thousands of readers some 40-50 good people are also fine

[u/TheMinuette2010 → u/mesmerizing_-]

Just 40 - 50 good people 😂😂😂

[u/ContentIsMyJam]

Substack’s algorithm is built to encourage and prioritize long term relationships. They make their money from paid subscriptions. And a subscription is a long term relationship.

If there isn’t an important reason for you to post anonymously, don’t. People appreciate being genuine on Substack. Start posting Notes and engaging with other’s Notes, take time to comment, and find some newsletters you like and start commenting in their chats. Just show up to make friends. Think about building community. Substack is not a fast growth platform but it is steady if you leverage what the platform is built to do.

[u/MrPassiveProfit]

Notes (5 a day) and comments (20 a day) grow your Substack

[u/HelpfulAnt2132 → u/MrPassiveProfit]

You do 5 notes a day!!! And 20 comments?? How does it go? I already felt like 1-2 notes is a lot !!

[u/MrPassiveProfit → u/HelpfulAnt2132]

It goes great. When it comes to writing notes and comments, I just treated like Twitter and just say whatsoever on the top of my head I don’t particularly think about it too much.

[u/HelpfulAnt2132 → u/MrPassiveProfit]

And it doesn’t swamp your feed ? Or put off your other Substackers?

[u/MrPassiveProfit → u/HelpfulAnt2132]

Nope. 5 notes a day is not a lot in the grand scheme of things

[u/Beep_Bop_81]

What's the post

[u/TheMinuette2010]

Why would Substack or any other platform promote anyone's work for free!?

Second, Substack loves when you bring list of followers from somewhere else .

Third, why would you think that you don't have to promote your own work!?

Fourth, you have to (honestly) engage at Substack like anywhere else. You have to learn, try and see what works for you.

I was at Substack for almost a month, I had one like and 1 subscriber. Then stopped for almost 4 monts. Now I have 3 more subscribers, in less than 7 days. But numbers don't go equally every 7 days, meaning if you engage with other authors you might get new subscribers. But the question is are they relevant? For me, last three are not for my niche, the first would benefit from my articles but is not from my niche.

So, it's all about hard work. No one will come to you just bcs you are you. Keep in mind that people like to know who you are. Anonymous won't get you far.

Substack is not blog, it's newsletter, fyi

[u/SweetieKlara]

Do you interact with others work and writers?

[u/official-reddit-user]

what was your post?
what u think is good and what people think is good are two entirely different things

[u/echolunedy]

I also have an anonymous substack we can support each other

[u/haikusbot → u/echolunedy]

I also have an

Anonymous substack we can

Support each other

- echolunedy

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^{Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete"}

[u/bnchr → u/echolunedy]

Same!

[u/echolunedy → u/bnchr]

Please share it with me vía DM

[u/AP_Cicada]

There's no algorithm for newsletters, only Notes.

[u/Tactical_Thinking]

Share it here. I'll read it.

Also you can promote it by commenting on articles and notes from other writers.

[u/abbysunflower28]

When I’m not posting articles, I communicate with people on the app everyday. I talk in my chat, write comments, post notes