102 Comments

Any tips for finding out who your readers are? Whenever I get a little hint, they run back to hiding 😅

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Sarah, I needed to read this today. Totally agree it's about building relationships with readers, to acknowledge them for showing up and posting a comment, to thank them for reading and for sharing and for the $. Looking forward to your talk this weekend.

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B E A U T I F U L ✨

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I didn't know you interviewed the Sneaky Artist! Can't wait to check it out.

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I suspect a LOT of us Stackers write for our people. We're just not big enough for anyone to realize it...yet. The big promote the big around here 😁😁 But by the same token, the small fries boldly support other small fries which is the true definition of being here for our people.

I love the community I'm building and the people in it.

PS: I'm allergic to cats 😁 Dogs are all that matter.

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This was a helpful post. Thanks for the perspective shift.

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nicely done, Sarah 🙏🏼

sending you (and your cats) 💚

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Beautiful post, Sarah! Thanks for the reminders and inspiration!!!

And you know this vet loves those cat posts!!!

I am so grateful, at this special time of the year, for your wisdom, guidance and effervescence in sharing your gifts to us all!

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"Substack’s media assets for social don’t connect with people. Do your own." FIRE.

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Great angle using the mega superstar Ms. Swift as an example of legit connection.

I've really tried to love some of the "celebrity" stacks but they weren't for me. My favorites tend to be writers who have less than 500 subscribers.

I hope I'm connecting with my subscribers. Given the parties in the comments section I think I have a great community.:)

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This was a really smart and helpful post. Needed this reminder. Thank you! ✨

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You had me at Taylor Swift. Lol

Great advice here.Thanks so much!!

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This is very helpful, thanks Sarah! I tend to write for myself...I like this perspective much better. Is there a way to send my subscribers an email? ( not all use the app or chat) I did a welcome latter before I really knew what I was doing. I’d like to write them, explaining myself, using their names in relation to their comments, thank them etc.

I tried Substack help page... but not helping at all. 🤨thank you!

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Yes to all of the above. Except, dogs count right?

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Some good points here. Would be curious to know if you have a few recommendations for Substackers who are doing this well but who maybe don't yet have a huge following like Roxane Gay that they already came to the platform with? (Not that I don't love her, I do, just seeking some examples that seem less out of reach.)

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love this piece, Sarah! it's all about giving ourselves the permission to be seen by our readers *and* seeing them in their journeys

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