If you want to find your people on Substack (readers, subscribers, colleagues, future BFFs), it’s time to delve into the ever-mercurial tab known as Notes.
In this live video,
and I talk about storytelling on Notes. How do you tell a story effectively and powerfully in a small space? You’ll learn how it can help you find your people and how to construct a Note that reflects who you are and what your Substack is about.As I’m sure you’ve guessed, some of the best Notes are thoughtful, well-honed micro prose. Even if you’re posting an image or a picture, the words that you post with that image can go a long way in letting people know who you are and what’s important to you.
If you’re new to Writer-ish and the art of writing short, you can learn more here.
Writing short is not just about word count, but about what and how you say it. Learn why Notes matters, how to give your Notes a boost to get them from good to great, and what goes into the making of a Note.
The live video was free; the replay is for paid subscribers. Paid subscribers also get immediate access to my 6-page PDF download, “Substack Storyteller Quick-Start Guide,” and later this week, my 20+ page PDF workbook, “Creative Sustainability on Substack.” (Limited time offer)
What We Covered
offers a great recap of our conversation/mini ad hoc Notes workshop on her Substack, Substack Writers at Work. I highly recommend Sarah because she’s also a multi-genre author who has seen success in many areas of her writing career (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, plus writing instruction). She is THE person to learn from re: all things Substack. She is the person I went to when I decided to give the platform a try, and I didn’t waste time spinning my wheels (well, I did, and then I went to Sarah because I have been down this path before with my food blog*, which I struggled to build for 15+ years before I sold it, praise be, in 2022). If the experts are there, learn from them. I’m older now with less time and less bandwidth. It isn’t as much fun to climb the steep learning curve alone. Here is Sarah’s overview of our conversation, including her comment about our live video and transcript, “This one’s a must-read (they all are, but this one for sure)”:
The power of stories that draw subscribers on Notes
The truth about Notes
How you can learn from Notes that go viral
The importance of white space, the five w's, being specific, creating emotional arcs, and tapping into universal experiences
Shareable, shareable, shareable
Storytelling Notes vs. Idea Notes
How to be funny
And why—if you do one thing in March—you should join the Notes Boost Challenge
Of course, I recommend watching the video and taking what you need right now from it. We are all here for different reasons, we all have different skills and strengths, and we all want to find connection. I hope this video will help. 🍀
Success Story
Here’s a lovely testimonial from
of Listen First in a Curious World:Darien, I wanted to let both you and
know that yesterday after listening to your joint post I wrote a little story about a recent moment and posted it as a note. It has taken off like none of my other notes. It has 250+ likes, many comments and conversations with readers and new subscribers! It was a small story about a small moment and I thought it might connect with others as it had with me—and it did. Thanks.Download “The Substack Storyteller Quick-Start Guide”!
Subscribers to Writer-ish have access to my 6-page “Substack Storyteller Quick-Start Guide” to help you assess where you are with your existing Notes, and how to uplevel your Notes creation going forward:
Part 1: The Power of Notes - Why they matter for your Substack presence
Part 2: Core Storytelling Techniques
Tip #1: Using the 5W’s + 1H framework
Tip #2: The art of restructuring your Notes
Part 3: Practical Tips for Better Notes
Tip #3: Read before you write
Tip #4: Trust your reader
Tip #5: Edit playfully and ruthlessly
Tip #6: Find your natural voice
Part 4: Take a Storytelling Challenge!
Challenge #1: Craft a 5W’s + 1H sentence
Challenge #2: Analyze your Note patterns
Challenge #3: Step outside your comfort zone
Part 5: Final Thoughts - Creating universal, shareable stories
Download this PDF guide here: Substack Storyteller Quick-Start Guide
You’ll get an announcement when the “Creative Sustainability on Substack” workbook is ready later this week. Thanks for being here!
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