This is a timely piece for me, Katy. I’ve been considering contacting authors of my paid subscriptions to see if I can support their work and receive their writing outside of Substack.
Substack has morphed into a social media platform and that doesn’t jive with my personal algorithm!
You will be very happy to hear that payments for my paid subscriptions will no longer be flowing through Substack! I feel exactly the same way that you do ♡
All my Substack subscriptions are filtered into one folder instead of going straight to my inbox. I usually sit down a couple of times a week and read through them over coffee. That, and not using the Substack app is just the best because I'm with you, I moved over this way to get away from social media-ness. I wish there was a way to remove/hide/ignore all of the Dashboard statistics.
Agreed about filtering newsletters to one folder, Samantha! And also about the Dashboard stats as a writer. In my migration to a new newsletter service, I'm curious to see if I can make that less visible.
Agree! I’m retired and limited in my mobility and have all day every day to indulge in reading. Yet I, too, am overwhelmed by the everything everywhere all at once drumbeat of social media and the internet. Substack lured me into multiple subscriptions which are now whittled down to a precious few. Looking forward to seeing your upcoming changes! 💜📚
YES YES YES. I feel the "ick" as well. Instagram destroys my soul, I left a successful Bookstagram years ago. I've been grappling with all of these issues as well. I also ignore the app, and just "do Substack" through my laptop.
I'm so very sad that Substack is giving me the ick as well!! I'm definitely not going to stop reading or commenting on my favorite newsletters, but changing my flow was very much needed. As for this very newsletter ... well, it won't be on Substack soon, but it will very much still exist in your inbox!!
I’m torn on this. I actually came to the Substack app as an alternative to the many newsletters that filled my inbox, keeping me tied to mail when I wanted to read and making it harder to see / address the “real” email that required my action or response. The result, however, is that I’m more likely to miss newsletters from my favorite writers. I do find the home page and the endless scroll of notes a potential time waster, so I try to just go straight to my inbox and read the newsletters to which I’m subscribed.
Not sure if this is helpful at all, Erica, but creating a Gmail filter and folder just for newsletters can definitely help :-) Or I sometimes will click through from an email and read it in my browser. We all have different workflows! This newsletter will soon just be in your email inbox ~ I hope you will stick with me ♡
Sonya! If you're going to start a newsletter, may I suggest Buttondown? Or maybe you just want to do a free one via Substack, that's cool too. Either way, I'll read it!
I'm considering a hybrid via Substack where it's newsletter/quick stuff/blog free but also longer form that I might do a paid side. Still trying to work it all out in my head. But I'm writing down Buttondown to research!
I appreciate this. I was in college when Facebook first appeared—originally marketed specifically to college students. I remember standing in my friend’s dorm room as she explained to me its purpose. My gut reaction was “I don’t think this is for me”. That ended up sticking and I can’t quite say why. Substack is the closet to social media I have come since that day and like you I don’t want any of the social media aspects of it. I just want to read newsletters and I also appreciate opportunities to support writers work. So again, cheers Katy your point is timely and spot on.
Thank you for the kind words, Jacqueline! I so vividly remember writing a blog post in 2007 / 2008 titled "Finally Facebook" and then making my mom and sister join too. I'm so embarrassed. I am so excited to get to keep writing, and allow readers to support my work without Substack profiting!
Yes! I’m in the process of migrating, but need to do it slowly and thoughtfully enough to make sure everyone is set up correctly before fully flipping the switch. I love that it will be seamless for my subscribers, which migrate right over. Even paid subscribers, since all the payments are still through Stripe. No one has to re-enter payment info, I still don’t see any payment info, and best of all, Substack won’t be profiting off of my work any more. Amen to that!
Definitely plan on it being a true project, and I'll keep you posted. So far, it's taken quite a bit of time and I'm waiting for my account to be officially approved, but I'm counting on all of this being worth it! I was inspired by Kelly Jensen, my library hero ~ she spoke very highly of the Buttondown team and their helpfulness with migration.
I turned off all email a while ago for Substack to keep it all in the app but now you’re tempting me to turn it back on because the app is getting so distracting! Can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve 😊
I did that exact same thing, Michelle! I moved everything out of my inbox, but things have changed a lot around the Substack world so I reverted back to my email. I detest the "always on" notification alert about chats (that I don't use unless someone DM's me) in my Substack inbox, and although I love commenting and such, I don't love seeing alerts while I'm reading. I'm excited but very very nervous about the change I am making, but I'm trusting my heart and gut that it's the right thing.
I hear where you're coming from and I'm happy you're finding an alternative that feels like a better fit for you. I read in both email and the app, but I have all notifications and alerts turned off. I don't spend too much time scrolling on the app, I tend to get irritated pretty quickly with all the "clickiness" (is that a word haha) of the same people commenting on and sharing each other's content. It reminds me of high school and I'm long past that, plus I want to find and connect with a variety of people and their writing, for me that's fun and a way I continue to learn
YES regarding the little bubble that seems to form in every online community! I am constantly seeking out content and links that other people aren't sharing ~ it takes effort for sure.
It does! Every now and then the Substack algorithm is introducing me to posts and people that I’m finding interesting so that’s probably my biggest use of the app outside of just trying to share things I enjoy
Thanks for starting this conversation! I love hearing how everyone makes this platform work for them. For me, I found I wasn’t reading the constant emails, so I changed my settings and don’t receive any emails from Substack, which also spares me the constant notifications about subscribes and other housekeeping.
I like the app, although I’ve turned off notifications completely. I find I have some really nice conversations in Notes, and love an ad-free space to share snippets of my life and participate in others’ lives. Something I do once a week or so is sending the latest posts from my favourite writers to Kindle, and then reading them with a cup of tea. It’s a lovely weekend ritual.
It is interesting to me, that like yourself, I left all other social media platforms behind to be inspired by intellects and Leila with opinions, not to be hit up daily by 5-7 men looking for a date! Argh!!
How do you turn off the email function. I was horrified the first time my email was flooded with new messages from SubStack. Every morning I delete delete delete them. I spend enough time IN the SubStack app. I don’t need the emails.
Can’t wait to hear what you have planned. I am going to think about what you’ve said about the app. I do agree— it has gotten better at capturing my attention than I like to admit. And also, it’s how I have found people to read and who are reading my writing.
This is a timely piece for me, Katy. I’ve been considering contacting authors of my paid subscriptions to see if I can support their work and receive their writing outside of Substack.
Substack has morphed into a social media platform and that doesn’t jive with my personal algorithm!
You will be very happy to hear that payments for my paid subscriptions will no longer be flowing through Substack! I feel exactly the same way that you do ♡
All my Substack subscriptions are filtered into one folder instead of going straight to my inbox. I usually sit down a couple of times a week and read through them over coffee. That, and not using the Substack app is just the best because I'm with you, I moved over this way to get away from social media-ness. I wish there was a way to remove/hide/ignore all of the Dashboard statistics.
Agreed about filtering newsletters to one folder, Samantha! And also about the Dashboard stats as a writer. In my migration to a new newsletter service, I'm curious to see if I can make that less visible.
Agree! I’m retired and limited in my mobility and have all day every day to indulge in reading. Yet I, too, am overwhelmed by the everything everywhere all at once drumbeat of social media and the internet. Substack lured me into multiple subscriptions which are now whittled down to a precious few. Looking forward to seeing your upcoming changes! 💜📚
Thank you for your support, Marcia! And thank you for coming along on a new adventure with me ♡
YES YES YES. I feel the "ick" as well. Instagram destroys my soul, I left a successful Bookstagram years ago. I've been grappling with all of these issues as well. I also ignore the app, and just "do Substack" through my laptop.
I'm so very sad that Substack is giving me the ick as well!! I'm definitely not going to stop reading or commenting on my favorite newsletters, but changing my flow was very much needed. As for this very newsletter ... well, it won't be on Substack soon, but it will very much still exist in your inbox!!
I’m torn on this. I actually came to the Substack app as an alternative to the many newsletters that filled my inbox, keeping me tied to mail when I wanted to read and making it harder to see / address the “real” email that required my action or response. The result, however, is that I’m more likely to miss newsletters from my favorite writers. I do find the home page and the endless scroll of notes a potential time waster, so I try to just go straight to my inbox and read the newsletters to which I’m subscribed.
Not sure if this is helpful at all, Erica, but creating a Gmail filter and folder just for newsletters can definitely help :-) Or I sometimes will click through from an email and read it in my browser. We all have different workflows! This newsletter will soon just be in your email inbox ~ I hope you will stick with me ♡
I read via the emails too. I cannot remember to go to another app. LOL Also very much thinking about starting my own because I kind of miss blogging.
Sonya! If you're going to start a newsletter, may I suggest Buttondown? Or maybe you just want to do a free one via Substack, that's cool too. Either way, I'll read it!
I'm considering a hybrid via Substack where it's newsletter/quick stuff/blog free but also longer form that I might do a paid side. Still trying to work it all out in my head. But I'm writing down Buttondown to research!
I appreciate this. I was in college when Facebook first appeared—originally marketed specifically to college students. I remember standing in my friend’s dorm room as she explained to me its purpose. My gut reaction was “I don’t think this is for me”. That ended up sticking and I can’t quite say why. Substack is the closet to social media I have come since that day and like you I don’t want any of the social media aspects of it. I just want to read newsletters and I also appreciate opportunities to support writers work. So again, cheers Katy your point is timely and spot on.
Thank you for the kind words, Jacqueline! I so vividly remember writing a blog post in 2007 / 2008 titled "Finally Facebook" and then making my mom and sister join too. I'm so embarrassed. I am so excited to get to keep writing, and allow readers to support my work without Substack profiting!
I’ve been struggling with the same thing! There’s just too much noise for what used to be a simple platform.
And I'm just so sad and disillusioned by the fact that it's 100% by design and in the name of profitability of the platform :-(
I’ve seen a handful of people moving to Buttondown — are you considering that?
Yes! I’m in the process of migrating, but need to do it slowly and thoughtfully enough to make sure everyone is set up correctly before fully flipping the switch. I love that it will be seamless for my subscribers, which migrate right over. Even paid subscribers, since all the payments are still through Stripe. No one has to re-enter payment info, I still don’t see any payment info, and best of all, Substack won’t be profiting off of my work any more. Amen to that!
I’ve been considering it, too, but haven’t dug into the nitty gritty. Glad to be on the same wavelength. 🤓
Definitely plan on it being a true project, and I'll keep you posted. So far, it's taken quite a bit of time and I'm waiting for my account to be officially approved, but I'm counting on all of this being worth it! I was inspired by Kelly Jensen, my library hero ~ she spoke very highly of the Buttondown team and their helpfulness with migration.
Her migration was the one that got me excited about it, too! Haha!
I turned off all email a while ago for Substack to keep it all in the app but now you’re tempting me to turn it back on because the app is getting so distracting! Can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve 😊
I did that exact same thing, Michelle! I moved everything out of my inbox, but things have changed a lot around the Substack world so I reverted back to my email. I detest the "always on" notification alert about chats (that I don't use unless someone DM's me) in my Substack inbox, and although I love commenting and such, I don't love seeing alerts while I'm reading. I'm excited but very very nervous about the change I am making, but I'm trusting my heart and gut that it's the right thing.
I can't wait to hear more ◡̈
I hear where you're coming from and I'm happy you're finding an alternative that feels like a better fit for you. I read in both email and the app, but I have all notifications and alerts turned off. I don't spend too much time scrolling on the app, I tend to get irritated pretty quickly with all the "clickiness" (is that a word haha) of the same people commenting on and sharing each other's content. It reminds me of high school and I'm long past that, plus I want to find and connect with a variety of people and their writing, for me that's fun and a way I continue to learn
YES regarding the little bubble that seems to form in every online community! I am constantly seeking out content and links that other people aren't sharing ~ it takes effort for sure.
It does! Every now and then the Substack algorithm is introducing me to posts and people that I’m finding interesting so that’s probably my biggest use of the app outside of just trying to share things I enjoy
Thanks for starting this conversation! I love hearing how everyone makes this platform work for them. For me, I found I wasn’t reading the constant emails, so I changed my settings and don’t receive any emails from Substack, which also spares me the constant notifications about subscribes and other housekeeping.
I like the app, although I’ve turned off notifications completely. I find I have some really nice conversations in Notes, and love an ad-free space to share snippets of my life and participate in others’ lives. Something I do once a week or so is sending the latest posts from my favourite writers to Kindle, and then reading them with a cup of tea. It’s a lovely weekend ritual.
It is interesting to me, that like yourself, I left all other social media platforms behind to be inspired by intellects and Leila with opinions, not to be hit up daily by 5-7 men looking for a date! Argh!!
I am naive but I have noticed that only men try to friend me in notes.
How do you turn off the email function. I was horrified the first time my email was flooded with new messages from SubStack. Every morning I delete delete delete them. I spend enough time IN the SubStack app. I don’t need the emails.
Can’t wait to hear what you have planned. I am going to think about what you’ve said about the app. I do agree— it has gotten better at capturing my attention than I like to admit. And also, it’s how I have found people to read and who are reading my writing.