I don’t think of myself as a brand. In fact, I find “branding” (pun intended) distasteful.) I prefer to think of readers as a community that I’m grateful to be a part of. (I think your thought-provoking post may have touched a nerve.)
"How often do you set aside your chosen interest and go for something else, just because you feel like it?"
This is sort of my "true north": I write about the things I feel like writing about.
That being said, I will collect ideas over time and keep that idea repository running, and then, when it's time to write (every morning around 7 AM my time), I'll pick a number between 1 and 40. Whatever that number is, I'll count up from my most recent idea, and then write about that.
My idea here is to always write about something I want to write about, but also have an element of surprise every time I sit down.
Thanks Ramona, these are interesting questions to ponder. We can find ideas to back up both sides of the question of sticking to a stream or not. I have had two recent ah-ha moments around what I do, the first was when you explained what a narrative essay was and I realized that's what I do. It helped me a great deal to have this framework even if it doesn't change anything literally.
Secondly, when I was working on my recent series on creating meaningful change I experienced a lot of personal growth myself. Writing those pieces called on something in me even though it's material I've taught for ages. It helped me to get clear on my 'tagline' or whatever it's called, the description of what my newsletter is about. I had no plan to revisit my description but it just showed up and felt right.
However, I think I mostly write for myself so if something pops up that I want to write about, that doesn't fit that description, I will do so and likely will not explain. I believe if I find it interesting and worth my time it's likely one other person will too. Look at this post you just wrote for example, you didn't have a plan and yet it is very helpful to call us to this question.
I follow niche writers and I follow general writers and I love them both.
I can't wait to hear your conversation with Holly!!!
Thanks for the mention, Mona! I am SOOO excited to share our conversation.
I have a very similar draw to write about many things. I want to share essays with narrative arcs and intriguing story lines from my life vagabonding in a van and otherwise. I want to make social commentary. I want to create intricate gems about remote places. I want to share from other more deeply personal aspects of my life. I want to try my hand at wide, looping essays on specific topics. I want to write fiction.
I don't know if this strategy works for building any sense of authority. But I like to think of the central theme--what makes all of these different types of writings part of one whole--is what's central to who I am. I think that's exploring the mycelial-like invisible strands that I believe connect us all to each other and to the creatures and flora that make up our planet. Gives me pretty wide berth ;) Ha!
I do think of readers. But I wonder if I should do so more. I appreciate that this post is going to send me down a brain ponder of that question. Thank you! :)
I, for one, really appreciate seeing the breadth of your writing. It draws me to you. It demonstrates your personal evolution. And we're all so many things. Changing moods, exploring other interests reflects that truth that is in all of us.
In short, I'm here for whatever you want to write!
You've given me something to think about. I enjoy your frankness and respect for your audience. I do think we are all a bit hard on ourselves sometime. I just learned about Substack in mid-2023, and started my own blog without knowing anything about what I was getting into. So I'm still figuring out my "look" and my "brand." I did not promise any consistency. I do try to make a post about every 12 days or so. That may or may not change. I tend to post as soon as I finish and have not scheduled anything. I'm getting good feedback and interest. As I go on I see that I will be focusing more closely on three main topics and will cycle between them. Two of those topics will be woven into my next books. I'm excited to be here!
I think you have to clarify what your ambition is and what you are willing to do to feed it. That sort of singular branding can be more marketable, and potentially more "successful" as measured in the size of one's platform. If growing your platform is your primary ambition, maybe that makes sense. But there's also beauty in the hummingbird persona, flitting from interest to interest and pollinating across as you go. Maybe that's what brings you joy or satisfaction, and maybe feeling those things in relationship to your writing is your primary ambition. And whoever finds you, finds you.
I say do what you want. Readers respond to enthusiasm as much as consistency. And if you're consistently enthusiastic about whatever you happen to be writing about, all the better.
Funny you should write about this today, Ramona, because I’m taking a break myself to figure out what to write next. Quick takes: for me, cultivating a passionate curiosity about whatever I turn my attention to matters more than a single focus. If I just stay in one box, I don’t learn anything new. The confusing thing now is that, on a platform like Substack, publishing for money overlaps with writing as an ongoing process and way of thinking about the world. At this point, I need the latter far more than I need the former. I appreciate your own explorations and honesty, and I see nothing amateur about it - I love restless questioning and creativity.
I do understand why other writers put work into branding and being thought leaders (or whatever the latest jargon for expertise is). But the truth is, I’ve never been much into branding myself or the other ways social media pushes everyone to be an entrepreneur - it’s why I’m still so ambivalent about Notes and other algorithmic trends on Substack. Maybe that’s what I should write about next 😉
I hear you .. I believe that you being you and writing as you feel is true to yourself is 100% the best way to be.
We are all travelling in our own lanes some faster or more efficient, some with greater or lesser vulnerability, others changing mood or theme as they see fit. There’s no right and wrong, good or bad in my mind.
I have been guilty of feeling intense jealousy in the past of those who appear to produce a seamless, effortless flow of interesting and beautifully crafted words while monetising their writing with little difficulty.
I’m not in that position any more thankfully, I know that how something looks externally is rarely how things are in truth, the effortless nature of a gymnasts performance hides the many hours of physical pain, discomfort and practice. I now celebrate with those who are much further on than me and enjoy exploring my own writing practice and process.
I follow a wide variety of writers here which I feel is healthy. I am grateful for those who have found me and related to my posts, notes and comments.
Substack is becoming a home for me, a place I can be real, explore and experiment with words.
I’m glad I’ve found you here .. I’m in my sixties, live alone and live each day with a condition that causes chronic pain and saps my energy.
I relate to many writers on here for differing reasons and find I lose myself while reading / writing which causes the pain the be pushed into the background.
I do sometimes worry about not having a niche, but the reason I started my Substack is so I can write about whatever I want — and I'm interested in a lot of things! That seems fine to me, and if you have a voice that interests people, which you clearly do, they will read.
Slow and steady Ramona. I know we've talked about the fact that I gave up writing politics. I did that because it exhausted me. Write about things that make you feel good. That is what counts.
Ramona: I, as you may have noticed, don’t write much.
It’s not that I don’t h e anything to say, but I began on Substack, as a creative ( pick your art) and REALLY hoped to form a community. God knows I haven’t nurtured it: many reasons, mostly LIFE.
1. I share an office with my hubby who has sat at a desk his whole life. So he still spends more time in the office than any other part of the house. He doesn’t really understand the computer. It’s much more complicated...
2. I have physical limitations that I have not cared enough about. At 80, the years behind are way more than those ahead.
3. I’m an Empath. I’m smart about it. Not a victim, or a sponge. In the words of Clarissa Pinkola Estes, I am a Crone. Strong. Wise. Old. Sometimes “bent over”
4. I hate bull shit.
Well, that’s enough about me!
I love your writing! All of it! I’m a subscriber of both CC and this one. I scour Substack for your posts.
Here's my two cents: You won't know what your readers like until you publish and it either bombs or surprises the hell out of you and is very well received.
The wisest thing to do is ASK!
For example, I'm most about travel and life pivots, but every once in a while I need to slip in a random topic just to see if the people in the back are still awake 😁 Tomorrow morning my post is completely dog related lol. But at the end of the post I've included a poll ASKING them if they thought it was a bomb or a nice, fresh addition to my content.
Just ask...the people will let you know. Believe me.
Another option is ask them on Notes before publishing. Last week I asked, "Dogs or Cabins?" and responses were about a 50/50 split. So I published cabins last week and dogs are coming this week, tomorrow!
Some 14 years ago I burnt myself out on writing trying to get an arts and entertainment website to be profitable. It took me a decade to get back to writing seriously. In 2023 Shanti Arts published my collection of poetry, Tethers End, which includes poems written over a 40-year period. I'm proud of it, and when I lost my day job, I decided I'd retire rather than go back to the constant pressure to produce something journalistic for others at the expense of my own joy.
Now I only write what I feel compelled to write, and when I don't feel like writing on a given day, I draw or paint in watercolor, or make screenprints, or cook or read or houseplant garden, etc. The creative energy from the various activities feeds the other activities. The common denominator is contentment at being my own boss.
In marketing speak, I suppose I do have a brand of sorts but in truth, it means nothing in the scheme of things because I don't push the brand. I've never been happy pimping and perhaps my sales figures show that.
It might be easier when one offers a free newsletter and doesn't need to focus on numbers. That's probably the one thing that bugs me on Substack - the number of writers who are always on the lookout for more reads and money. It's how they measure success. Um, hello...
More important, I think, is to write from your heart and soul and if you switch subjects with each post, so what? Readers who are interested in you as a person, a person who is sage and wise and has something to offer (always) will stick with you.
That's what I hope for from myself and it's sure as hell what you give. Keep on keeping on!
I, too, think, we should write about what is on our minds. It seems like some readers subscribe because of a certain topic I mentioned - rather than being a part of a community of older adults wishing to age well.
I don’t think of myself as a brand. In fact, I find “branding” (pun intended) distasteful.) I prefer to think of readers as a community that I’m grateful to be a part of. (I think your thought-provoking post may have touched a nerve.)
Good questions today, Ramona.
"How often do you set aside your chosen interest and go for something else, just because you feel like it?"
This is sort of my "true north": I write about the things I feel like writing about.
That being said, I will collect ideas over time and keep that idea repository running, and then, when it's time to write (every morning around 7 AM my time), I'll pick a number between 1 and 40. Whatever that number is, I'll count up from my most recent idea, and then write about that.
My idea here is to always write about something I want to write about, but also have an element of surprise every time I sit down.
Thanks Ramona, these are interesting questions to ponder. We can find ideas to back up both sides of the question of sticking to a stream or not. I have had two recent ah-ha moments around what I do, the first was when you explained what a narrative essay was and I realized that's what I do. It helped me a great deal to have this framework even if it doesn't change anything literally.
Secondly, when I was working on my recent series on creating meaningful change I experienced a lot of personal growth myself. Writing those pieces called on something in me even though it's material I've taught for ages. It helped me to get clear on my 'tagline' or whatever it's called, the description of what my newsletter is about. I had no plan to revisit my description but it just showed up and felt right.
However, I think I mostly write for myself so if something pops up that I want to write about, that doesn't fit that description, I will do so and likely will not explain. I believe if I find it interesting and worth my time it's likely one other person will too. Look at this post you just wrote for example, you didn't have a plan and yet it is very helpful to call us to this question.
I follow niche writers and I follow general writers and I love them both.
I can't wait to hear your conversation with Holly!!!
Thanks for the mention, Mona! I am SOOO excited to share our conversation.
I have a very similar draw to write about many things. I want to share essays with narrative arcs and intriguing story lines from my life vagabonding in a van and otherwise. I want to make social commentary. I want to create intricate gems about remote places. I want to share from other more deeply personal aspects of my life. I want to try my hand at wide, looping essays on specific topics. I want to write fiction.
I don't know if this strategy works for building any sense of authority. But I like to think of the central theme--what makes all of these different types of writings part of one whole--is what's central to who I am. I think that's exploring the mycelial-like invisible strands that I believe connect us all to each other and to the creatures and flora that make up our planet. Gives me pretty wide berth ;) Ha!
I do think of readers. But I wonder if I should do so more. I appreciate that this post is going to send me down a brain ponder of that question. Thank you! :)
I, for one, really appreciate seeing the breadth of your writing. It draws me to you. It demonstrates your personal evolution. And we're all so many things. Changing moods, exploring other interests reflects that truth that is in all of us.
In short, I'm here for whatever you want to write!
You've given me something to think about. I enjoy your frankness and respect for your audience. I do think we are all a bit hard on ourselves sometime. I just learned about Substack in mid-2023, and started my own blog without knowing anything about what I was getting into. So I'm still figuring out my "look" and my "brand." I did not promise any consistency. I do try to make a post about every 12 days or so. That may or may not change. I tend to post as soon as I finish and have not scheduled anything. I'm getting good feedback and interest. As I go on I see that I will be focusing more closely on three main topics and will cycle between them. Two of those topics will be woven into my next books. I'm excited to be here!
I think you have to clarify what your ambition is and what you are willing to do to feed it. That sort of singular branding can be more marketable, and potentially more "successful" as measured in the size of one's platform. If growing your platform is your primary ambition, maybe that makes sense. But there's also beauty in the hummingbird persona, flitting from interest to interest and pollinating across as you go. Maybe that's what brings you joy or satisfaction, and maybe feeling those things in relationship to your writing is your primary ambition. And whoever finds you, finds you.
I say do what you want. Readers respond to enthusiasm as much as consistency. And if you're consistently enthusiastic about whatever you happen to be writing about, all the better.
Funny you should write about this today, Ramona, because I’m taking a break myself to figure out what to write next. Quick takes: for me, cultivating a passionate curiosity about whatever I turn my attention to matters more than a single focus. If I just stay in one box, I don’t learn anything new. The confusing thing now is that, on a platform like Substack, publishing for money overlaps with writing as an ongoing process and way of thinking about the world. At this point, I need the latter far more than I need the former. I appreciate your own explorations and honesty, and I see nothing amateur about it - I love restless questioning and creativity.
I do understand why other writers put work into branding and being thought leaders (or whatever the latest jargon for expertise is). But the truth is, I’ve never been much into branding myself or the other ways social media pushes everyone to be an entrepreneur - it’s why I’m still so ambivalent about Notes and other algorithmic trends on Substack. Maybe that’s what I should write about next 😉
Funny you should write about exhaustion. That's what I am this week! And it's what I'm weaving into my post that will publish on Friday. xx
I hear you .. I believe that you being you and writing as you feel is true to yourself is 100% the best way to be.
We are all travelling in our own lanes some faster or more efficient, some with greater or lesser vulnerability, others changing mood or theme as they see fit. There’s no right and wrong, good or bad in my mind.
I have been guilty of feeling intense jealousy in the past of those who appear to produce a seamless, effortless flow of interesting and beautifully crafted words while monetising their writing with little difficulty.
I’m not in that position any more thankfully, I know that how something looks externally is rarely how things are in truth, the effortless nature of a gymnasts performance hides the many hours of physical pain, discomfort and practice. I now celebrate with those who are much further on than me and enjoy exploring my own writing practice and process.
I follow a wide variety of writers here which I feel is healthy. I am grateful for those who have found me and related to my posts, notes and comments.
Substack is becoming a home for me, a place I can be real, explore and experiment with words.
I’m glad I’ve found you here .. I’m in my sixties, live alone and live each day with a condition that causes chronic pain and saps my energy.
I relate to many writers on here for differing reasons and find I lose myself while reading / writing which causes the pain the be pushed into the background.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts today.
I do sometimes worry about not having a niche, but the reason I started my Substack is so I can write about whatever I want — and I'm interested in a lot of things! That seems fine to me, and if you have a voice that interests people, which you clearly do, they will read.
As for what I think of having a brand: https://flowerchild.substack.com/p/i-dont-want-a-personal-brand ;-)
Slow and steady Ramona. I know we've talked about the fact that I gave up writing politics. I did that because it exhausted me. Write about things that make you feel good. That is what counts.
Ramona: I, as you may have noticed, don’t write much.
It’s not that I don’t h e anything to say, but I began on Substack, as a creative ( pick your art) and REALLY hoped to form a community. God knows I haven’t nurtured it: many reasons, mostly LIFE.
1. I share an office with my hubby who has sat at a desk his whole life. So he still spends more time in the office than any other part of the house. He doesn’t really understand the computer. It’s much more complicated...
2. I have physical limitations that I have not cared enough about. At 80, the years behind are way more than those ahead.
3. I’m an Empath. I’m smart about it. Not a victim, or a sponge. In the words of Clarissa Pinkola Estes, I am a Crone. Strong. Wise. Old. Sometimes “bent over”
4. I hate bull shit.
Well, that’s enough about me!
I love your writing! All of it! I’m a subscriber of both CC and this one. I scour Substack for your posts.
Here's my two cents: You won't know what your readers like until you publish and it either bombs or surprises the hell out of you and is very well received.
The wisest thing to do is ASK!
For example, I'm most about travel and life pivots, but every once in a while I need to slip in a random topic just to see if the people in the back are still awake 😁 Tomorrow morning my post is completely dog related lol. But at the end of the post I've included a poll ASKING them if they thought it was a bomb or a nice, fresh addition to my content.
Just ask...the people will let you know. Believe me.
Another option is ask them on Notes before publishing. Last week I asked, "Dogs or Cabins?" and responses were about a 50/50 split. So I published cabins last week and dogs are coming this week, tomorrow!
Some 14 years ago I burnt myself out on writing trying to get an arts and entertainment website to be profitable. It took me a decade to get back to writing seriously. In 2023 Shanti Arts published my collection of poetry, Tethers End, which includes poems written over a 40-year period. I'm proud of it, and when I lost my day job, I decided I'd retire rather than go back to the constant pressure to produce something journalistic for others at the expense of my own joy.
Now I only write what I feel compelled to write, and when I don't feel like writing on a given day, I draw or paint in watercolor, or make screenprints, or cook or read or houseplant garden, etc. The creative energy from the various activities feeds the other activities. The common denominator is contentment at being my own boss.
Golly interesting questions, Ramona.
In marketing speak, I suppose I do have a brand of sorts but in truth, it means nothing in the scheme of things because I don't push the brand. I've never been happy pimping and perhaps my sales figures show that.
It might be easier when one offers a free newsletter and doesn't need to focus on numbers. That's probably the one thing that bugs me on Substack - the number of writers who are always on the lookout for more reads and money. It's how they measure success. Um, hello...
More important, I think, is to write from your heart and soul and if you switch subjects with each post, so what? Readers who are interested in you as a person, a person who is sage and wise and has something to offer (always) will stick with you.
That's what I hope for from myself and it's sure as hell what you give. Keep on keeping on!
I, too, think, we should write about what is on our minds. It seems like some readers subscribe because of a certain topic I mentioned - rather than being a part of a community of older adults wishing to age well.