I’m totally with you, David. Helping others should be your priority, and will in turn come back around to you in time. I think the fall of some social media has come because of endless scrolling of influencers and reels that dominate feeds. It seems to have changed a lot in the last few years to cater towards getting the most views and less about genuine content
David, your thoughts are so inspiring. We live in a world of "I win—I win." Your thoughts are the path of "I win—You win." If we don't change, we will all be on the path of "We lose—We lose."
It's great we might not need social media to expand our newsletters by 2024. Long-form content allows for deeper engagement, unlike my 1500+ Facebook and Instagram followers, who feel impersonal. I prefer creating thought-provoking content that builds connections and relationships. Your article's second part, "How to Succeed by Helping Others Succeed First," is refreshing and uplifting. It reminds us that success can be a group effort and creates hope for future digital interactions and personal growth. Thank you, David, for this insightful piece.
'...it’s a heck of a lot easier to pick up email subscribers within Substack than trying to grow a list on another provider using social media plugs.'
Yeah, I've personally found this to be the case as well in my experience so far here on Substack. It's more effective to gain more subscribers by engaging more with other writers on the platform.
Interesting points, David. It would indeed be great if long-form content becomes more dominating online.
My subscription is an example of what you’re talking about. 1.) Saw your article restacked by someone I respect and trust. 2.) Clicked on your post and read the whole thing (because it was engaging and honest.) 3.) Subscribed to your letter because it gave me something of value.
I think it's less that traditional social media (i.e. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook) is having less of an impact, and more so that people who were originally going to be impacted are leaving those platforms. It could be a selective bias.
I think you’re right about growing without social media. I’ve pretty much abandoned it for to focus completely on substack.
Playing the long game is also vital. I posted about this yesterday. Would love your thoughts on the growth rates I discuss here. Reasonable or pessimistic?
I love the vibe of this text. Thank you for writting it. The Hunger Games analogy is pretty accurate, although we are so immersed in it, we don't even notice.
Interesting post, David! I definitely believe long form content is slowly making a comeback. Social media has changed so much over the last few years and I think people are starting to crave information they can learn from.
I am in the process of growing a small channel on youtube. Whenever I stumble on some good content from a channel that is small like mine I make a point of engaging with their content. I'll leave a comment and a like, if the channel has interest for me I will subscribe. So often, when I do this, they will sub back even though I do not ask them to. It's pretty simple, be nice, be generous, it costs nothing and on occasion you may be surprised by the results.
Great essay. Personally I very much dislike the term solopeneur. It reeks of ego. We are social creatures. A lone wolf is a sick wolf. We work in teams for maximum benefit.
The other idea you touched on was the focus on the invididual knowlege and that's kind of a 'knowlege is power' sort of thing. I'm a big fan of knowlege Transfer is power. It's all about helping others out first I think.
“A rising tide lifts all boats, as they say.” - love this! I agree with everything in this article, thank you for articulating it so well : )
Thank you Laura!
I’m totally with you, David. Helping others should be your priority, and will in turn come back around to you in time. I think the fall of some social media has come because of endless scrolling of influencers and reels that dominate feeds. It seems to have changed a lot in the last few years to cater towards getting the most views and less about genuine content
David, your thoughts are so inspiring. We live in a world of "I win—I win." Your thoughts are the path of "I win—You win." If we don't change, we will all be on the path of "We lose—We lose."
It's great we might not need social media to expand our newsletters by 2024. Long-form content allows for deeper engagement, unlike my 1500+ Facebook and Instagram followers, who feel impersonal. I prefer creating thought-provoking content that builds connections and relationships. Your article's second part, "How to Succeed by Helping Others Succeed First," is refreshing and uplifting. It reminds us that success can be a group effort and creates hope for future digital interactions and personal growth. Thank you, David, for this insightful piece.
I have exactly the same feeling with my LinkedIn followers Mary!
Yes, Marie—such a blah experience. So much better here! Like meeting you. 😊
Thanks you David. It's the reason I have returned to Substack from Twitter. It is a much gentler and kinder space.
'...it’s a heck of a lot easier to pick up email subscribers within Substack than trying to grow a list on another provider using social media plugs.'
Yeah, I've personally found this to be the case as well in my experience so far here on Substack. It's more effective to gain more subscribers by engaging more with other writers on the platform.
Interesting points, David. It would indeed be great if long-form content becomes more dominating online.
My subscription is an example of what you’re talking about. 1.) Saw your article restacked by someone I respect and trust. 2.) Clicked on your post and read the whole thing (because it was engaging and honest.) 3.) Subscribed to your letter because it gave me something of value.
I look forward to reading more!
Great read - supports some of the other rumblings I've heard - and supports the style that I enjoy spending my time on.
I've never enjoyed spending any time on Twi-X, Instagram, LinkedIn and the lot - too much bro-culture for me.
And thank you for sharing.
I think it's less that traditional social media (i.e. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook) is having less of an impact, and more so that people who were originally going to be impacted are leaving those platforms. It could be a selective bias.
Nice, love it David.
I think you’re right about growing without social media. I’ve pretty much abandoned it for to focus completely on substack.
Playing the long game is also vital. I posted about this yesterday. Would love your thoughts on the growth rates I discuss here. Reasonable or pessimistic?
https://open.substack.com/pub/neverstoplearning1/p/the-full-time-substack-dream?r=1nyz10&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I read your post yesterday and found it quite insightful. Although, I still think phase 1 will take longer as the platform becomes more saturated.
Yeah, tricky to gauge. You’d hope that they design the platform so that quality regardless of following size comes to the top.
I love the vibe of this text. Thank you for writting it. The Hunger Games analogy is pretty accurate, although we are so immersed in it, we don't even notice.
Interesting post, David! I definitely believe long form content is slowly making a comeback. Social media has changed so much over the last few years and I think people are starting to crave information they can learn from.
I am in the process of growing a small channel on youtube. Whenever I stumble on some good content from a channel that is small like mine I make a point of engaging with their content. I'll leave a comment and a like, if the channel has interest for me I will subscribe. So often, when I do this, they will sub back even though I do not ask them to. It's pretty simple, be nice, be generous, it costs nothing and on occasion you may be surprised by the results.
I like the idea of growth without social media a lot David. I’m already wondering why I’m still on LinkedIn. And it feels obligated instead of fun.
I need to grow a lot in helping others- I always feel super grateful when somebody helps me, I should return the favour more often than not!
That we won't need social medias is encouraging news, fiuuu...🥴 What's the source of the prediction? Any Google update?
Great essay. Personally I very much dislike the term solopeneur. It reeks of ego. We are social creatures. A lone wolf is a sick wolf. We work in teams for maximum benefit.
The other idea you touched on was the focus on the invididual knowlege and that's kind of a 'knowlege is power' sort of thing. I'm a big fan of knowlege Transfer is power. It's all about helping others out first I think.
https://www.polymathicbeing.com/p/knowledge-transfer-is-power