Thank you, John! Great points to keep in mind. I have actually had very few unsubscribe since I became active in January, so think this is good! In fact, I noticed a number of my followers turned into subscribers. I aim to publish 1 post a week and post daily notes. I love supporting and engaging with others.
That’s a great balance, and it’s clearly working. Consistent writing, daily engagement, and genuinely supporting others is how strong communities are built on Substack. 🤗
We all eventually grow to have subscribers who don’t read our work. This has increased since Substack grew and many writers subscribe in the hope we subscribe in return. Some of those people unsubscribe even if we subscribe to them as they go on their infinite search of more subscribers. Personally, I would rather have 100 subscribers who all read my stories than hundreds with only a percentage doing so.
I agree. Real connection and engaged readers will always matter more than chasing numbers. A smaller community that genuinely reads and connects with your work is far more meaningful.
Well, that's not necessarily true because I subscribe to a publication filled with valuable information and wonderful writers who deserve to be part of this Constellation. If someone subscribes to my publication I always read their content first trying to find out who they are and why they have subscribed to my publication. So, No I don't simply subscribe because they subscribed to my publication. Because, I don't run after the numbers of subscribers nor algorithmic data, I run towards valuable connections with authentic "People."
It’s been a pleasure connecting with you. I value positive, collaborative dialogue, particularly in conversations like this one here. This is very important to me.
It’s one very positive advantage of being able to write online and connect so easily with others. We know that there are those who use it for bad purposes but we can drown them out!
I agree with you on that. For the ones who have been here on Substack.com for multiple years-we know what to avoid, but for the new writers who don't know what to look for, they can easily get trapped with negative collaborators who's only motive is to remove, what they see as a possible threat to their successful business and publications. We have to make it a point to make them aware of the possible threat.
I may be the odd man out, but....I don't even know what my statistics are. I am enjoying the interaction between kindred souls. That's what I like about Substack.
Honestly, that’s probably the healthiest approach. The real value of Substack has always been the genuine connection and conversations between kindred souls.
Thank you for your honest reflection, this resonated much more than the posts focused on growing subscribers with an algorithm. I have been so touched and inspired by the connections and quality of people as much as their writing. 🙏🏼
I think that’s what keeps many of us here the genuine human connection behind the writing. The numbers may fluctuate, but meaningful conversations and supportive people leave a lasting impact. 🙏🏼
Awe, Thank you for sharing that with us. I don't focus on popularity, algorithmic cage matches, viral posts and notes. I respect and respond to my readers and writers connections and interactions with me. Asking myself on a dailybasis-what and how can I help readers, writers, publications and podcasters, and what do they need help with.
There is truth in some of this, particularly the parts about drift, audience mismatch, and the importance of genuine connection. But I also think pieces like this risk over-individualising what is often a structural problem. Not every unsubscribe is a lesson. Not every stagnation is a failure of authenticity. And not every struggling writer has simply “stopped being real.” We are writing inside ecosystems governed by attention economics, saturation, algorithmic visibility, financial instability, exhaustion, shifting cultural rhythms, and increasingly fragmented reader attention. A person can write with enormous honesty, consistency, depth, and humanity and still remain economically unsustainable. That reality matters too. What concerns me slightly in this kind of discourse is how easily it can push writers toward hypervigilance around their audience, where every departure becomes interpreted as evidence of personal failure, insufficient engagement, incorrect pacing, flawed positioning, or emotional inadequacy. Over time that can quietly deform the writing itself. The writer stops listening inward and begins continuously adjusting toward retention. And ironically, that often produces the very flattening the piece warns against.
Some subscribers leave because the work changed. Some because they changed. Some because life became expensive. Some because inboxes became overwhelming. Some because attention itself has become fractured almost beyond endurance. Not every ending contains a verdict. I think the healthier question is not “how do I stop people leaving?” but “what kind of work do I want to keep building even knowing some people inevitably will?”
This is an incredibly thoughtful perspective. I agree that not every unsubscribe or slowdown is a personal failure, and writers can lose themselves when they become too focused on retention instead of truth. I think your final point is the most important one building meaningful work that remains honest and sustainable even knowing not everyone will stay.
I appreciate your sincere support and uplifting feedbacks. Before I began setting up my publication I always knew that I wanted to help writers overcome negative narratives, bad advise given, so that they can feel free and happy reaching their ultimate milestone and goals-without having to endure the fragmented interruptions from envious writers who are weren't able to succeed. I had to endure a tremendous pushbacks from bigger publications and writers who were benefiting from seminars and online courses. As soon as I was able to comfortably sit down, after a long restructure of my publication, and write I kept receiving intense negative narratives asking telling me "stop knocking on big publications doors, what's your niche, and what on earth are you trying to do?" Laying a stumbling rock in my pathways. On purpose?! For sure. But now, I'm ensuring that noone else has to live through that while new writers are discovering their Voice and their Niche/Genre.
Yes, exactly. I think at some point the pressure to retain attention can quietly become pressure to continuously reshape the self around audience response. And that is where writing begins drifting away from exploration and toward behavioural calibration. There is of course value in listening, adapting, refining, and remaining connected to readers...but there is also a danger in interpreting every fluctuation through the lens of optimisation. Human attention is simply too unstable, economically pressured, emotionally fragmented, and environmentally overstimulated for every departure to carry deep interpretive meaning. Sometimes people leave because the work no longer meets them where they are. Sometimes because life narrows. Sometimes because the platform itself has become exhausting. And sometimes because meaningful work naturally sheds and gathers different readers over time.
I think the difficult balance is learning how to remain permeable enough to evolve without becoming so externally governed that the work loses its internal necessity.
This is beautifully articulated. “Behavioural calibration” is such an important distinction because it’s easy for writers to slowly drift from truth into performance without even realizing it. I think your final point captures the balance perfectly evolving without losing the internal reason the work exists in the first place.
Thank you. I think one of the strangest psychological risks of modern creative life is how gradually performance can begin masquerading as authenticity, not necessarily through deliberate dishonesty, but through subtle anticipatory adaptation. The writer begins unconsciously shaping tone, rhythm, subject matter, emotional exposure, even thought itself around projected audience reaction before the work has fully had the chance to become internally true. Because this process happens incrementally, it often feels indistinguishable from “being responsive,” “understanding your audience,” or “growing strategically.”
But there is a point where adaptation quietly stops serving the work and starts reorganizing the self around external reception. That is why I think preserving some protected interior distance matters so much for artists and writers. Not isolation. Not indifference to readers. But enough inward autonomy that the work can still emerge from genuine encounter rather than continuous predictive adjustment. Otherwise visibility itself slowly becomes co-author.
“Visibility itself slowly becomes co-author” is such a profound way to frame it. I think many writers experience this drift without fully recognizing it at first because the adaptation feels subtle, even responsible. Preserving that inward autonomy may be one of the most important acts a writer can protect today.
Thank you for this informative article. Losing a subscriber does sting a bit to be honest. But I get the reasons why and they’re all valid. One question I have for you is how often should anyone publish? What does over publishing look like?
Thank you. I think consistency matters more than volume. Over-publishing usually happens when content starts feeling rushed or overwhelming instead of meaningful.
Ms. Odile, if you are writing articles with valuable information where our supporters can walk away with great benefits-than you can never over publish. But that’s my opinion, and that may differ.
I never had anyone un-subscribe from my publication either. I have been here for 2 1/2 years already. Have a supportive and positive followers and subscribers who value my writing is absolutely amazing and wonderful to see.
I'm always going to stay true to my supporters. Nothing less.
A valid point that you make is: Overposting creates noise; underposting creates distance. Find your rhythm and protect it. I'm aware that I've missed a post to two but then I've been fighting an infection (am on antibiotics) and it's laid me low. That's just life getting in the way. The question is: Do I let people know or just carry on as best I can without revealing unnecessary detail. What would you do in this position?
Personally, I think honesty without oversharing is usually enough. Something simple like “Life slowed me down a bit this week, but I’ll be back soon” keeps connection without feeling obligated to explain everything. Most genuine readers understand that real life comes first.
I can relate to this so much, John. I've been on Substack for over 3 years and it's been a huge rollercoaster for me - the learning curve, the growth, the plateaus, understanding my readers and letting the "traffic" come and go.
What's always been important to me is responding to each person who takes the time to comment. I still make time to do that, even though it's gotten a lot harder. I know how I feel when I subscribe to someone's publication and take time to leave a thoughtful comment - only for them to ignore it or maybe click the heart and that's it. Over time, I disengage. Then I unsubscribe.
I think it's helpful for me to keep in mind my habits and feelings as a READER when I am trying to discern what to do as a WRITER.
I recently posted on my publication an essay/letter called "You don't have to keep up with me." Essentially it is a permission slip for my readers to read what they want and leave the rest - without feeling guilty or unsubscribing, but trusting that what's meant to reach them, will. I tell them I can't keep up with all of the publications I'm subscribed to, either, and I don't expect them to read every single word I write. Still, I hope they stick around. That sort of thing...
This is such a thoughtful perspective, and I think many writers quietly feel the same way. Responding to readers and valuing the human connection behind the numbers matters deeply. I also love the idea behind “You don’t have to keep up with me.” That removes pressure and creates a healthier relationship between writers and readers built on trust instead of obligation.
That’s exactly what I wanted to do, John—remove the pressure. It seems people everywhere, not just readers, have this frenetic sense that they’re just not keeping up. And the thing is, we’re not machines. We’re human. We’re not supposed to function like 5G wi-fi!
Actually, I liken it to the Energizer Bunny commercials from the 80s/90s.
In any case, I wanted to just write the message that was on my heart, the one I think most of us are thinking about but haven’t really received permission to do.
Some good points here, great piece! Authenticity is what matters. There have also been reports of subs being unsubbed without their knowledge, this had been highlighted by some other writers here.
Thank you. Authenticity and real connection will always matter more than chasing numbers. And yes, I’ve heard similar concerns from other writers as well — another reminder not to take every unsubscribe personally.
You’re welcome. Most writers experience this when starting out, and it can feel discouraging at first. The important thing is to keep writing, stay consistent, and focus on genuine connection over numbers. The rest builds over time.
Thank you for the kick in the behind I needed, and for being so honest about it. Number ten especially settled deep in my gut. I'm going to paste it into my memo pad and read it every day. Thank you my friend.
That means a lot to hear. Sometimes we all need a reminder to stop doubting ourselves and keep showing up honestly. I’m glad it resonated with you, my friend.
Well, I've been trying to write a post after a long hiatus, but the words keep coming out wrong... And I kept thinking that perhaps I should just wait for them to come out right. But the situation is messy, and you helped me realize that all I need to do is just write my truth. And if my truth right now happens to be messy, I shouldn't polish it. I should just let it be.
So true. My subscriber list has grown very slowly over the past year, partly due to inconsistency on my part as I juggled responsibilities. I’ve also lost a few subscribers lately, I suspect due to some topics I addressed in my writing that weren’t acceptable to some people. And that’s okay. Thanks for weighing in on this subject, John.
And I think that’s a healthy way to look at it. Writing honestly will naturally draw some people closer and others away, but staying true to your voice matters more than trying to please everyone.
Thank you, John! Great points to keep in mind. I have actually had very few unsubscribe since I became active in January, so think this is good! In fact, I noticed a number of my followers turned into subscribers. I aim to publish 1 post a week and post daily notes. I love supporting and engaging with others.
That’s a great balance, and it’s clearly working. Consistent writing, daily engagement, and genuinely supporting others is how strong communities are built on Substack. 🤗
We all eventually grow to have subscribers who don’t read our work. This has increased since Substack grew and many writers subscribe in the hope we subscribe in return. Some of those people unsubscribe even if we subscribe to them as they go on their infinite search of more subscribers. Personally, I would rather have 100 subscribers who all read my stories than hundreds with only a percentage doing so.
I agree. Real connection and engaged readers will always matter more than chasing numbers. A smaller community that genuinely reads and connects with your work is far more meaningful.
Yes, absolutely 💯 agree with you on that.
Well, that's not necessarily true because I subscribe to a publication filled with valuable information and wonderful writers who deserve to be part of this Constellation. If someone subscribes to my publication I always read their content first trying to find out who they are and why they have subscribed to my publication. So, No I don't simply subscribe because they subscribed to my publication. Because, I don't run after the numbers of subscribers nor algorithmic data, I run towards valuable connections with authentic "People."
In general terms it is true, Ashley. Not in every case. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment.
It’s been a pleasure connecting with you. I value positive, collaborative dialogue, particularly in conversations like this one here. This is very important to me.
It’s one very positive advantage of being able to write online and connect so easily with others. We know that there are those who use it for bad purposes but we can drown them out!
I agree with you on that. For the ones who have been here on Substack.com for multiple years-we know what to avoid, but for the new writers who don't know what to look for, they can easily get trapped with negative collaborators who's only motive is to remove, what they see as a possible threat to their successful business and publications. We have to make it a point to make them aware of the possible threat.
I may be the odd man out, but....I don't even know what my statistics are. I am enjoying the interaction between kindred souls. That's what I like about Substack.
Honestly, that’s probably the healthiest approach. The real value of Substack has always been the genuine connection and conversations between kindred souls.
Thank you Mr. Thomas, an old GI,I completely agree with you on that. Authentic connections are moore valuable to myself personally, and my podcasts.
Thank you for your honest reflection, this resonated much more than the posts focused on growing subscribers with an algorithm. I have been so touched and inspired by the connections and quality of people as much as their writing. 🙏🏼
I think that’s what keeps many of us here the genuine human connection behind the writing. The numbers may fluctuate, but meaningful conversations and supportive people leave a lasting impact. 🙏🏼
Absolutely 💯 correct.
Awe, Thank you for sharing that with us. I don't focus on popularity, algorithmic cage matches, viral posts and notes. I respect and respond to my readers and writers connections and interactions with me. Asking myself on a dailybasis-what and how can I help readers, writers, publications and podcasters, and what do they need help with.
There is truth in some of this, particularly the parts about drift, audience mismatch, and the importance of genuine connection. But I also think pieces like this risk over-individualising what is often a structural problem. Not every unsubscribe is a lesson. Not every stagnation is a failure of authenticity. And not every struggling writer has simply “stopped being real.” We are writing inside ecosystems governed by attention economics, saturation, algorithmic visibility, financial instability, exhaustion, shifting cultural rhythms, and increasingly fragmented reader attention. A person can write with enormous honesty, consistency, depth, and humanity and still remain economically unsustainable. That reality matters too. What concerns me slightly in this kind of discourse is how easily it can push writers toward hypervigilance around their audience, where every departure becomes interpreted as evidence of personal failure, insufficient engagement, incorrect pacing, flawed positioning, or emotional inadequacy. Over time that can quietly deform the writing itself. The writer stops listening inward and begins continuously adjusting toward retention. And ironically, that often produces the very flattening the piece warns against.
Some subscribers leave because the work changed. Some because they changed. Some because life became expensive. Some because inboxes became overwhelming. Some because attention itself has become fractured almost beyond endurance. Not every ending contains a verdict. I think the healthier question is not “how do I stop people leaving?” but “what kind of work do I want to keep building even knowing some people inevitably will?”
This is an incredibly thoughtful perspective. I agree that not every unsubscribe or slowdown is a personal failure, and writers can lose themselves when they become too focused on retention instead of truth. I think your final point is the most important one building meaningful work that remains honest and sustainable even knowing not everyone will stay.
I appreciate your sincere support and uplifting feedbacks. Before I began setting up my publication I always knew that I wanted to help writers overcome negative narratives, bad advise given, so that they can feel free and happy reaching their ultimate milestone and goals-without having to endure the fragmented interruptions from envious writers who are weren't able to succeed. I had to endure a tremendous pushbacks from bigger publications and writers who were benefiting from seminars and online courses. As soon as I was able to comfortably sit down, after a long restructure of my publication, and write I kept receiving intense negative narratives asking telling me "stop knocking on big publications doors, what's your niche, and what on earth are you trying to do?" Laying a stumbling rock in my pathways. On purpose?! For sure. But now, I'm ensuring that noone else has to live through that while new writers are discovering their Voice and their Niche/Genre.
Yes, exactly. I think at some point the pressure to retain attention can quietly become pressure to continuously reshape the self around audience response. And that is where writing begins drifting away from exploration and toward behavioural calibration. There is of course value in listening, adapting, refining, and remaining connected to readers...but there is also a danger in interpreting every fluctuation through the lens of optimisation. Human attention is simply too unstable, economically pressured, emotionally fragmented, and environmentally overstimulated for every departure to carry deep interpretive meaning. Sometimes people leave because the work no longer meets them where they are. Sometimes because life narrows. Sometimes because the platform itself has become exhausting. And sometimes because meaningful work naturally sheds and gathers different readers over time.
I think the difficult balance is learning how to remain permeable enough to evolve without becoming so externally governed that the work loses its internal necessity.
This is beautifully articulated. “Behavioural calibration” is such an important distinction because it’s easy for writers to slowly drift from truth into performance without even realizing it. I think your final point captures the balance perfectly evolving without losing the internal reason the work exists in the first place.
Thank you. I think one of the strangest psychological risks of modern creative life is how gradually performance can begin masquerading as authenticity, not necessarily through deliberate dishonesty, but through subtle anticipatory adaptation. The writer begins unconsciously shaping tone, rhythm, subject matter, emotional exposure, even thought itself around projected audience reaction before the work has fully had the chance to become internally true. Because this process happens incrementally, it often feels indistinguishable from “being responsive,” “understanding your audience,” or “growing strategically.”
But there is a point where adaptation quietly stops serving the work and starts reorganizing the self around external reception. That is why I think preserving some protected interior distance matters so much for artists and writers. Not isolation. Not indifference to readers. But enough inward autonomy that the work can still emerge from genuine encounter rather than continuous predictive adjustment. Otherwise visibility itself slowly becomes co-author.
“Visibility itself slowly becomes co-author” is such a profound way to frame it. I think many writers experience this drift without fully recognizing it at first because the adaptation feels subtle, even responsible. Preserving that inward autonomy may be one of the most important acts a writer can protect today.
Yes, John. Thank you.
Some people rush in and rush out, still searching for their own meaning.
Your tribe moves differently.
They pause.
They stay.
They grow with you.
Their leaving is about their journey.
Their staying is about your Alignment.
Have a Mindful Monday!
🙏🤗✌️
Thank you for this informative article. Losing a subscriber does sting a bit to be honest. But I get the reasons why and they’re all valid. One question I have for you is how often should anyone publish? What does over publishing look like?
Thanks again!
Thank you. I think consistency matters more than volume. Over-publishing usually happens when content starts feeling rushed or overwhelming instead of meaningful.
Like with everything, consistency matters. Thank you!
Ms. Odile, if you are writing articles with valuable information where our supporters can walk away with great benefits-than you can never over publish. But that’s my opinion, and that may differ.
I understand. It’s not really about quantity, but quality. Thank you for responding.
That's the secret, "Quality over Quantity." Thank you for participating in this collaboration. I value your views.
I never had anyone un-subscribe from my publication either. I have been here for 2 1/2 years already. Have a supportive and positive followers and subscribers who value my writing is absolutely amazing and wonderful to see.
I'm always going to stay true to my supporters. Nothing less.
And that’s exactly why people stay. Genuine support, consistency, and staying true to your readers builds a real community… not just numbers. ✌️
I highly agree with you Mr. John Rinaldo. Valuable readers, subscribers and supporters over-trumps any numbers and algorithms.
🙏🤗✌️
Some just get too many emails. That's life.
Very true...
A valid point that you make is: Overposting creates noise; underposting creates distance. Find your rhythm and protect it. I'm aware that I've missed a post to two but then I've been fighting an infection (am on antibiotics) and it's laid me low. That's just life getting in the way. The question is: Do I let people know or just carry on as best I can without revealing unnecessary detail. What would you do in this position?
Personally, I think honesty without oversharing is usually enough. Something simple like “Life slowed me down a bit this week, but I’ll be back soon” keeps connection without feeling obligated to explain everything. Most genuine readers understand that real life comes first.
This is so helpful, I know I need to be more consistent, so this helps. I agree that too much posting is annoying-I can’t possibly read them all.
Absolutely. Consistency and meaningful posts will always matter more than nonstop posting.
I can relate to this so much, John. I've been on Substack for over 3 years and it's been a huge rollercoaster for me - the learning curve, the growth, the plateaus, understanding my readers and letting the "traffic" come and go.
What's always been important to me is responding to each person who takes the time to comment. I still make time to do that, even though it's gotten a lot harder. I know how I feel when I subscribe to someone's publication and take time to leave a thoughtful comment - only for them to ignore it or maybe click the heart and that's it. Over time, I disengage. Then I unsubscribe.
I think it's helpful for me to keep in mind my habits and feelings as a READER when I am trying to discern what to do as a WRITER.
I recently posted on my publication an essay/letter called "You don't have to keep up with me." Essentially it is a permission slip for my readers to read what they want and leave the rest - without feeling guilty or unsubscribing, but trusting that what's meant to reach them, will. I tell them I can't keep up with all of the publications I'm subscribed to, either, and I don't expect them to read every single word I write. Still, I hope they stick around. That sort of thing...
This is such a thoughtful perspective, and I think many writers quietly feel the same way. Responding to readers and valuing the human connection behind the numbers matters deeply. I also love the idea behind “You don’t have to keep up with me.” That removes pressure and creates a healthier relationship between writers and readers built on trust instead of obligation.
That’s exactly what I wanted to do, John—remove the pressure. It seems people everywhere, not just readers, have this frenetic sense that they’re just not keeping up. And the thing is, we’re not machines. We’re human. We’re not supposed to function like 5G wi-fi!
Actually, I liken it to the Energizer Bunny commercials from the 80s/90s.
In any case, I wanted to just write the message that was on my heart, the one I think most of us are thinking about but haven’t really received permission to do.
I think many people needed that reminder. Your message gave people permission to slow down and simply be human again.
I hope so, John. We live in such a frenetic world.
We do…
Some good points here, great piece! Authenticity is what matters. There have also been reports of subs being unsubbed without their knowledge, this had been highlighted by some other writers here.
Thank you. Authenticity and real connection will always matter more than chasing numbers. And yes, I’ve heard similar concerns from other writers as well — another reminder not to take every unsubscribe personally.
Exactly. Just keep doing what we do best:)
🙏🤗✌️
Hey John
For a writer like me who still learning to get subscribers, likes , comments , this article is indeed useful.
It is true that I have faced. this ar times and I didn’t understand how to deal with it when I was kinda new as a beginner
Thanks for sharing this article
💜☮️💜☮️💜
You’re welcome. Most writers experience this when starting out, and it can feel discouraging at first. The important thing is to keep writing, stay consistent, and focus on genuine connection over numbers. The rest builds over time.
Thank you for the kick in the behind I needed, and for being so honest about it. Number ten especially settled deep in my gut. I'm going to paste it into my memo pad and read it every day. Thank you my friend.
That means a lot to hear. Sometimes we all need a reminder to stop doubting ourselves and keep showing up honestly. I’m glad it resonated with you, my friend.
Well, I've been trying to write a post after a long hiatus, but the words keep coming out wrong... And I kept thinking that perhaps I should just wait for them to come out right. But the situation is messy, and you helped me realize that all I need to do is just write my truth. And if my truth right now happens to be messy, I shouldn't polish it. I should just let it be.
Exactly. Sometimes the most honest writing arrives messy because life itself is messy. Readers connect far more deeply with truth than perfection.
So true. My subscriber list has grown very slowly over the past year, partly due to inconsistency on my part as I juggled responsibilities. I’ve also lost a few subscribers lately, I suspect due to some topics I addressed in my writing that weren’t acceptable to some people. And that’s okay. Thanks for weighing in on this subject, John.
And I think that’s a healthy way to look at it. Writing honestly will naturally draw some people closer and others away, but staying true to your voice matters more than trying to please everyone.
Agreed. ☺️