These are the four ways to communicate with other humans on Substack. In one minute (literally), I take you through Notes, chat, threads, and comments and when to use each one.
Thank you for this! I've seldomly used chats or notes because I feel no one interacts. Both of these features seem to depend on readers using the app and I know most readers don't have the app. I'm trying to use them more though. I've shared a lot of notes recently and even started a drama Watching club in my chat thanks to your workshop yesterday! 😊
Completely with you Victoria, little or no interaction with either Notes and even less on Chat, again many of my subscribers don’t use the app, which I think is the key challenge here.
Thank you for this, I'm a complete newbie here! Is it OK to share your newsletter either in chat or notes or is that not the done thing? I did share my first post in notes today but now I'm questioning if i should have? Thank you.
I’m consistently amazed at how prolifically generous, helpful, insightful, and clear you are. I thought I understood how all of this worked already but this little video made everything click so simply. I am very grateful.
I agree, like DMs. I end up having conversations with writers in comments or on notes and it can be awkward-- knowing everyone else can read it too certainly colors what you say.
Are there any guidelines for how often you should post to Notes? For example, if I post a Note I want to get engagement on, is it not a good idea to restack to Notes 30 minutes later? Would my original Note be buried?
It can be very effective to tag writers that you think will be interested in your note / topic. Also, restacking someone else’s post with your personal note is great. You can even tag people there, including the original writer. (Although they will get notified that you’ve restocked the post.)
Thanks. I had NO IDEA that threads even existed. Go figure. I’ve been experimenting with chat, with some limited engagement. But not nearly as much as in the post comments and on notes. I’ll keep trying.
I had no idea about Threads. I’m going to go hunting for it when I’m back on my desktop. Lots of options for engagement no matter what stage you’re at on here.
Thanks for this! To me it feels fairly intuitive because I'm so used to FB groups lol. But I'm also super new to the platform so didn't have any "before" to be confused by. It's exciting to see the platform growing!
Thank you for this! I've seldomly used chats or notes because I feel no one interacts. Both of these features seem to depend on readers using the app and I know most readers don't have the app. I'm trying to use them more though. I've shared a lot of notes recently and even started a drama Watching club in my chat thanks to your workshop yesterday! 😊
Amazing! Yes, and give Notes a chance.
It was like that on Notes at the beginning for me too but people do interact once they see you are keen to learn about them. Will look out for you!
Yes!
Completely with you Victoria, little or no interaction with either Notes and even less on Chat, again many of my subscribers don’t use the app, which I think is the key challenge here.
I highly recommend developing a Notes strategy. It can be amazing. https://www.writersatwork.net/p/your-expert-guide-to-subscribers-on-substack
Thanks for sharing Sarah, I’ll have a look through this.
I use Notes on the website via phone. Never app.
Seems like a lot of people don’t use the app, I find chat is the most challenging, I don’t think it works unless on the app.
I have old tech so can’t get the app. That means I can’t use the chat. Substack doesn’t even work on laptop. Shame.
In case you’re interested: https://www.writersatwork.net/p/your-expert-guide-to-subscribers-on-substack
Beautifully simple, articulate and clear. Thanks, Sarah!
Thanks for this. Can you give examples of when/ how you’ve used each of these four, especially threads? When would you create a thread vs a post?
Threads are to spark discussion, not to have people read our work.
Ah, OK. Do I have it I right that only our subscribers can see Threads, so it’s an intimate discussion?
Yes. And you can paywall.
Thank you Sarah!
Thank you for this, I'm a complete newbie here! Is it OK to share your newsletter either in chat or notes or is that not the done thing? I did share my first post in notes today but now I'm questioning if i should have? Thank you.
Yes! Restack your on posts and other people’s. If you’re interested: https://www.writersatwork.net/p/your-expert-guide-to-subscribers-on-substack
Thank you Sarah! I will check out the link thanks very much. So much to learn!
Thank you! I never knew what threads were! I thought that was just a way to describe comments that went together.
That’s a logical conclusion.
One more question--what's the difference between threads and sending an email? Both just go to your subscribers, right?
Yes. Threads is just another type of post. It behaves as any post does.
Thank you. I'll have to try it out.
I’m consistently amazed at how prolifically generous, helpful, insightful, and clear you are. I thought I understood how all of this worked already but this little video made everything click so simply. I am very grateful.
Thank you! I’m smiling so big. You made my day, month, year!
I got all this...the one that is still confusing...is Chat.
What SubStack REALLY needs is Private Chat between creators for example.
Thanks For Sharing!!
I agree, like DMs. I end up having conversations with writers in comments or on notes and it can be awkward-- knowing everyone else can read it too certainly colors what you say.
Very good point.
Thank you for all your help!
You’re so welcome!
Great follow up to the workshop. Thanks!
OK, your explanation of threads is ......what? I'm not sure how they work, what is their purpose.
Same! 🤷🏼♀️
Same same. Why or when would you need or want your use Threads?
Threads is for your subscribers to take the stage. Comments are asking them to respond to your post. Very different vibe.
I agree! They feel like short posts!
Threads is for your subscribers to take the stage. Comments are asking them to respond to your post. Very different vibe.
They’re a way to hand the state over to your subscribers. It’s a way to ask them what they’re thinking vs comments where we’re asking them to respond to what we’ve written. https://www.writersatwork.net/p/friday-thread-tell-us-about-your
Are there any guidelines for how often you should post to Notes? For example, if I post a Note I want to get engagement on, is it not a good idea to restack to Notes 30 minutes later? Would my original Note be buried?
It can be very effective to tag writers that you think will be interested in your note / topic. Also, restacking someone else’s post with your personal note is great. You can even tag people there, including the original writer. (Although they will get notified that you’ve restocked the post.)
Yes!
I covered everything Notes related in this workshop if you’re interested. https://www.writersatwork.net/p/your-expert-guide-to-subscribers-on-substack
Thanks, I attended the workshop but didn't hear this mentioned. I'll give it a re-listen!
Thanks. I had NO IDEA that threads even existed. Go figure. I’ve been experimenting with chat, with some limited engagement. But not nearly as much as in the post comments and on notes. I’ll keep trying.
Try threads! Report back.
I had no idea about Threads. I’m going to go hunting for it when I’m back on my desktop. Lots of options for engagement no matter what stage you’re at on here.
OMG I so appreciate this recap, Sarah. I watched it 4 times until it all sank (sunk?) in. Bless you.
So glad!
Thanks for this! To me it feels fairly intuitive because I'm so used to FB groups lol. But I'm also super new to the platform so didn't have any "before" to be confused by. It's exciting to see the platform growing!