Molly this is so inspiring. I started a blog in 2015, and that's where my love of sharing online started. Then I've gone to pretty much every other platform and it's honestly burning me out. I'm currently in the process of trying to strip back and see where I actually want to post and what I can leave behind. YouTube and Substack are two I'm leaning towards too
What a beautiful gentle reminder that we don't have to do it all, rather do what resonates and do it well. Our energies work best when we feed them the nourishment they need to grow, and that at times means not doing things that drain us. Thank you once again for an empowering thought provoking read. I do love your weekly reads, Molly.
So many good points here, Molly! It's so easy to feel that we need to be on all the platforms, doing all the things. Thanks for sharing your experience 😊
LOVED this. I am getting into a bit of a tizzy over substack/LinkedIn/Instagram/Threads whatever-the-fuck-else. I need to scale it back a bit and focus on the platforms that matter!!
I hear you on this I’ve felt much better and actually much more strategic since I just chose two! I’ve been working on revolving insta and substack for over a year and then last month ditched insta for linked in til Sept!
Ooooh! I am giving Threads a week long experiment then i'm going to reevulate. I feel LinkedIn is essential for the BUSINESS side of my writing but I don't know what social media to use for the personal side of my writing (my substack). I'm working on Instagram right now but it's just giving me such an ICK i don't know if i'm completely wasting my time on it....
I have but I'm still a bit stumped on how to use it. I don't really see stuff I'm intersted in in my feed and idk how to fix. Plus my notes get zerooo interaction lol
So inspired, thank you. I was wondering where you learnt “strategy” for Substack? It’d be great to hear what you’ve learnt in your 2 year journey about connecting with others on this platform
Yes, I think I had about 300-400 before which I carried over. A big driver was leaving Instagram as I started my Substack at the same time and promoted this as my main platform so had a fair few come over then :)
This resonates so much, I've been thinking about how to get back to blogging after years feeling swamped by all of social media. It feel like we've come full circle and we're getting back to the joy of writing and reading actual curated text.
I loved this post. It so closely mirrors my own journey over the last few months, and since I've focused in on creating what's in my heart and doing so on my own terms rather than chasing the measures of success, I've been so much more fulfilled. I really enjoy your writing style and look forward to your posts.
I loved reading this! It was very inspiring, thank you for sharing your wisdom so kindly. I’d love to know more! Did you have an established mailing list before Substack? How long did it take you to get those sorts of numbers? What have you learnt here? Sorry, so many questions but I find it all so interesting and inspiring to talk to someone who’s been there, done that!
Thank you lovely! I did have a mailing list of about 300-400 before I started my SS and then had an initial boost when I left Instagram in August 22 as let people know they could follow me here, which got me up to about 700-800.
Then its pretty much been steady growth since that point, but I've noticed its been growing faster since spring when I've been putting more effort into my writing.
Inspiring and validating for those of us trying to calm down and slow down, whilst the Internet continually cranks out ways to divert and distract us. It's a constant battle. Thank you for expressing this so well and for offering some valuable tips. It makes me trust you all the more, because you're truly living the values you espouse, and resisting the allure of "more more more." 😊
I really enjoyed reading this Molly. I too, recognised I was heading towards ‘burn out’ with Instagram, always being there, showing up, interacting and producing new art and stories everyday. I’ve taken a break from Instagram, for the summer at least. I am focusing on my Substack blog and YouTube and staying as authentic as possible. I have read so many people’s blogs over the last few days and it seems there are a lot of writers and artists who are coming to the same conclusions. Are you able to share with how you managed to become so successful on this platform? Thank you Molly and congratulations. 💜🙏
Thank you so much for sharing this, Molly. I've been blogging and YouTubing and Instagramming and all the things for so many years, and I definitely struggle with making succinct content. I'm all over the place and find myself trying to fit into every new thing, and I love that you've been able to make a career out of staying in your lane, and doing what feels best for you. This is so inspiring!
Thanks for sharing this Molly, it’s inspiring and encouraging and also massive well done on being able to leave your job soon! I’m curious - did you get many followers on your YouTube that came over from your Instagram account?
Thank you! I didn't get that many. I think maybe 200 came over when I had 20k followers on Instagram. I did find it difficult to move my audience from that platform, but I've built a whole new community on here and YouTube now which I'm very grateful for :)
Hi Molly! Such an inspiring read. Congrats on your YouTube growth. Do you think the platform still offers opportunity for reach to complete newbies now? I, too, left a TikTok with 100K+ followers behind to escape social media and focus on Substack, but after reading this, I’m wondering if I should give YouTube a shot. I did enjoy making videos. What do you attribute your success on YT to? 🙏
Molly this is so inspiring. I started a blog in 2015, and that's where my love of sharing online started. Then I've gone to pretty much every other platform and it's honestly burning me out. I'm currently in the process of trying to strip back and see where I actually want to post and what I can leave behind. YouTube and Substack are two I'm leaning towards too
Thank you for sharing your experience! I hope you find a balance that works for you :)
What a beautiful gentle reminder that we don't have to do it all, rather do what resonates and do it well. Our energies work best when we feed them the nourishment they need to grow, and that at times means not doing things that drain us. Thank you once again for an empowering thought provoking read. I do love your weekly reads, Molly.
Thank you lovely! I'm so glad you find value in my writing :)
So many good points here, Molly! It's so easy to feel that we need to be on all the platforms, doing all the things. Thanks for sharing your experience 😊
Thank you for your comment! :)
LOVED this. I am getting into a bit of a tizzy over substack/LinkedIn/Instagram/Threads whatever-the-fuck-else. I need to scale it back a bit and focus on the platforms that matter!!
I hear you on this I’ve felt much better and actually much more strategic since I just chose two! I’ve been working on revolving insta and substack for over a year and then last month ditched insta for linked in til Sept!
Ooooh! I am giving Threads a week long experiment then i'm going to reevulate. I feel LinkedIn is essential for the BUSINESS side of my writing but I don't know what social media to use for the personal side of my writing (my substack). I'm working on Instagram right now but it's just giving me such an ICK i don't know if i'm completely wasting my time on it....
Are you using Notes? I’ve grown so much within substack I don’t feel I need to publicise outside of it tbh...
I have but I'm still a bit stumped on how to use it. I don't really see stuff I'm intersted in in my feed and idk how to fix. Plus my notes get zerooo interaction lol
Have you tried just interacting with your “subscribed” and “subscriber” tab?
🤦♀️ never considered this!! you're a genius x
Thank you! There is definitely a case of too much choice...:)
So inspired, thank you. I was wondering where you learnt “strategy” for Substack? It’d be great to hear what you’ve learnt in your 2 year journey about connecting with others on this platform
Thank you! I've had some similar feedback, so I'll for sure create a post on this soon :)
Oh, I’d love to read this as I am interested in this topic as well Molly 🥰
Such an interesting topic! Did you have a mailing list before SS?
Yes, I think I had about 300-400 before which I carried over. A big driver was leaving Instagram as I started my Substack at the same time and promoted this as my main platform so had a fair few come over then :)
Ahh brill! I’ve found my Instagram audience have been tough to bring over. I’m on a break until sept!
So so inspiring and so so important! Thanks Molly! ✨
Thank you lovely! :)
This resonates so much, I've been thinking about how to get back to blogging after years feeling swamped by all of social media. It feel like we've come full circle and we're getting back to the joy of writing and reading actual curated text.
I completely agree! :)
I loved this post. It so closely mirrors my own journey over the last few months, and since I've focused in on creating what's in my heart and doing so on my own terms rather than chasing the measures of success, I've been so much more fulfilled. I really enjoy your writing style and look forward to your posts.
Thank you! It sounds like you have a wonderful approach :)
Thank you for sharing so much! It is so helpful to gain this kind of overall insight. 🙏
I'm so glad you found it useful :)
Oh so very useful Molly! 🙏
I loved reading this! It was very inspiring, thank you for sharing your wisdom so kindly. I’d love to know more! Did you have an established mailing list before Substack? How long did it take you to get those sorts of numbers? What have you learnt here? Sorry, so many questions but I find it all so interesting and inspiring to talk to someone who’s been there, done that!
Thank you lovely! I did have a mailing list of about 300-400 before I started my SS and then had an initial boost when I left Instagram in August 22 as let people know they could follow me here, which got me up to about 700-800.
Then its pretty much been steady growth since that point, but I've noticed its been growing faster since spring when I've been putting more effort into my writing.
I'll defo do a proper post on this soon!
That’s wonderful! Can’t wait to read more 🤩
Inspiring and validating for those of us trying to calm down and slow down, whilst the Internet continually cranks out ways to divert and distract us. It's a constant battle. Thank you for expressing this so well and for offering some valuable tips. It makes me trust you all the more, because you're truly living the values you espouse, and resisting the allure of "more more more." 😊
Aw thank you lovely! It is tricky, but I just try and do what feels right for me and I'm always happier for it :)
I really enjoyed reading this Molly. I too, recognised I was heading towards ‘burn out’ with Instagram, always being there, showing up, interacting and producing new art and stories everyday. I’ve taken a break from Instagram, for the summer at least. I am focusing on my Substack blog and YouTube and staying as authentic as possible. I have read so many people’s blogs over the last few days and it seems there are a lot of writers and artists who are coming to the same conclusions. Are you able to share with how you managed to become so successful on this platform? Thank you Molly and congratulations. 💜🙏
Thank you lovely! Yes, I've learnt quite a lot with my time of Substack, so I'll make a note and maybe write a dedicated post soon :)
Thank you so much for sharing this, Molly. I've been blogging and YouTubing and Instagramming and all the things for so many years, and I definitely struggle with making succinct content. I'm all over the place and find myself trying to fit into every new thing, and I love that you've been able to make a career out of staying in your lane, and doing what feels best for you. This is so inspiring!
Thank you lovely! I've found that keeping things simple just works best for me :)
Thanks for sharing this Molly, it’s inspiring and encouraging and also massive well done on being able to leave your job soon! I’m curious - did you get many followers on your YouTube that came over from your Instagram account?
Thank you! I didn't get that many. I think maybe 200 came over when I had 20k followers on Instagram. I did find it difficult to move my audience from that platform, but I've built a whole new community on here and YouTube now which I'm very grateful for :)
Hi. I found you from someone else's suggestion and I love your YouTube! I subscribed. So glad I found you. I hope to enjoy your Substack as well.
Hi Molly! Such an inspiring read. Congrats on your YouTube growth. Do you think the platform still offers opportunity for reach to complete newbies now? I, too, left a TikTok with 100K+ followers behind to escape social media and focus on Substack, but after reading this, I’m wondering if I should give YouTube a shot. I did enjoy making videos. What do you attribute your success on YT to? 🙏