Most people are doing the right things — in the wrong phase.
The strategies that built the creator economy during COVID now work against you. If your writing, YouTube channel, or Substack isn’t growing, this will explain why.
Asking why system is broke, fighing the crowd push against your efforts.
Clarity missing, drowned in noise.
You explained in terms understandable to all, just what had happened in the last seven years. (2020 to 2026). Why people left the biggest online platforms.
What to do to actually earn, grow. And in passing, your struggle to be heard.
I did not fail to see the small embeded blocks, saying "subscribe" here and there. Indeed wall street has caught up with internet.
I like this. This makes a lot of sense and it reflects what I'm seeing in my own creator journey. This piece specifically taught me the missing name I didn't know I needed to define what I was seeing. I do feel the shift to smaller places and yet do question the degree somewhat since there's still quite a lot of activity on the larger networks and Substack writers and commenters seem to be heavily bought into the narrative (which is to Substack's benefit) that Substack is the place for more independent thought. It's interesting and conflicting. Great piece.
Yes, and don’t get me wrong i think there are two things happening simultaeously. The people who dominate the large platforms are doubling down…but even they are creating private communites or even in person events…which leads me to believe that there is general digital fatigue setting in
Dan Koe is the great example here of exactly what you're saying, throwing the in person event in Vancouver this year and migrating his newsletter to Substack. I will however say that it's still quite possible, since I've literally observed it with my own eyes and know a person personally now who did it, to grow on the general platforms or even find some meaningful success there. I additionally think of the indie hackers on X, several of them I know personally now. I even prefer the general platforms to Substack in some respects because Substack doesn't allow API access, and I want to post from my own software to the platforms and extract data from them. I wouldn't even be surprised somewhat if power laws govern Substack as well, even as I enjoy what I read here :).
All good points. I used the prompt and found it confirmed what my instincts were telling me. I used the follow up conversation to clarify my thesis and article framework. I wasn't far off, I just need to shift the structure. Really helpful!
This is excellent. I find so much signal when writers like you are trying to help others figure out how to succeed online, but then how does this signal you provide transition to domain specific writing outside of how to succeed online. I’m thinking on my own personal struggle writing about clinical psychology. Thanks and keep up the great work!
I also revise titles over and over again before publishing. It's such a small word count but decides whether an article gets read or not.
Thanks for the reminder to lead with curiosity and keep experimenting, and to collaborate to grow. Social networks are for networking, after all.
Preform ...acting in writing.
Just writing....the old way.
Asking why system is broke, fighing the crowd push against your efforts.
Clarity missing, drowned in noise.
You explained in terms understandable to all, just what had happened in the last seven years. (2020 to 2026). Why people left the biggest online platforms.
What to do to actually earn, grow. And in passing, your struggle to be heard.
I did not fail to see the small embeded blocks, saying "subscribe" here and there. Indeed wall street has caught up with internet.
I like this. This makes a lot of sense and it reflects what I'm seeing in my own creator journey. This piece specifically taught me the missing name I didn't know I needed to define what I was seeing. I do feel the shift to smaller places and yet do question the degree somewhat since there's still quite a lot of activity on the larger networks and Substack writers and commenters seem to be heavily bought into the narrative (which is to Substack's benefit) that Substack is the place for more independent thought. It's interesting and conflicting. Great piece.
Yes, and don’t get me wrong i think there are two things happening simultaeously. The people who dominate the large platforms are doubling down…but even they are creating private communites or even in person events…which leads me to believe that there is general digital fatigue setting in
Dan Koe is the great example here of exactly what you're saying, throwing the in person event in Vancouver this year and migrating his newsletter to Substack. I will however say that it's still quite possible, since I've literally observed it with my own eyes and know a person personally now who did it, to grow on the general platforms or even find some meaningful success there. I additionally think of the indie hackers on X, several of them I know personally now. I even prefer the general platforms to Substack in some respects because Substack doesn't allow API access, and I want to post from my own software to the platforms and extract data from them. I wouldn't even be surprised somewhat if power laws govern Substack as well, even as I enjoy what I read here :).
What are your thoughts on the number of bots following and subscribing on Substack? Looks like your audience is growing but maybe not in a good way.
There does seem to have been an increase recently. But substack has gone through waves of change so I’m hoping this is just a phase
All good points. I used the prompt and found it confirmed what my instincts were telling me. I used the follow up conversation to clarify my thesis and article framework. I wasn't far off, I just need to shift the structure. Really helpful!
So glad to hear that.
This was a great article.
That is a marvelous AI prompt!
yeah it’s Helpful to keep the structure and logical flow tight
Here the most important ideas I learned after reading all posts from the author:
- 9-5 job is leaked bucket of work. Build your asset (by writing)
- Don’t all in. Use 9-5 job to sponsor your journey
- Have clear identity & idea
- Have a product
- Write toward that idea and product. Do not digress.
Great essay!
This is excellent. I find so much signal when writers like you are trying to help others figure out how to succeed online, but then how does this signal you provide transition to domain specific writing outside of how to succeed online. I’m thinking on my own personal struggle writing about clinical psychology. Thanks and keep up the great work!