“Eeek, am I really doing this?!” as I start posting on yet another content platform. And finally start typing after weeks of thinking about it (I have been IN my head, which I know you can relate to).
Here’s the context:
Since the start of this year, I’ve been deeply craving easier, more informal yet deeper connection to this community and a knowing that I should do more video (more on this below). I post a few times a week on LinkedIn about topics that aren’t really suitable-for-LinkedIn, meaning you don’t want to like my post about why your job is exhausting or how to find a new one when your boss might see it.
I pour hours every week into my current newsletter, but it often feels like a one-way conversation. I get the occasional response and it has a 77% open rate, so I know you’re reading it (!) but my current platform doesn’t lend itself to dialogue. Plus, there’s zero channel for organic discovery so I’m 100% responsible for driving all audience growth. As my marketers on this list know, that’s a tough game.
Yep, I tried Instagram. Fueled by my desire for connection, I had a spurt of creativity a few months ago and tried leaning into Instagram hard. I had fun! I felt creative! But after a few months, I realized that a) I’m much better at long-form writing than creating reels or pithy graphics (like any true elder millennial), and b) I like to be with my thoughts. I’m an inward person, and every time I had the choice to take a quiet meandering walk vs. post pictures and thoughts from my walk, I chose the quiet.
Lastly! You know that thing people are always telling you you should do? Because they can see your talents better than you can? For me, that’s hearing again and again that I should do more in front of audiences or on camera speaking or engaging so people can feel my “good energy.” This is flattering and I’ll take it, as I’ve worked hard on my public speaking over the past several years. I’m working on creating more speaking opportunities for myself, but hey, sometimes you need to create your own stage (podcast) right?
Here’s all the reasons I shouldn’t start a Substack:
Alright, I have been IN my head over the past several months swirling around the idea of expanding my social platforms. I know that I need more channels to engage with you AND open myself up to opportunities beyond just the LinkedIn orbit.
Yet, every time I consider another platform, I’m overwhelmed by how hard it’s going to be or why I’m too late to the game. Why even start, right?
This is what it’s been like inside my head…
Podcasts, ugh. The hey-day was in 2018 / 2019 and building an audience is impossible these days
Instagram: ha, should have started that in 2014.
Youtube: does anyone (in my audience) even go on Youtube?!
I need to take a ‘big swing’ to grow my audience, but Substack really the place?! Is this ‘big’ enough? I should be probably be spending my time on other business-driving things.
Like any good self-doubt soundtrack, there’s probably an ounce of good reason in that commentary but it’s mostly designed to keep me in my comfort zone.
So…
Here’s why I’m going for it:
Sometimes you just have to start. Get past all that negative talk in your head. And trust that you’ll be able to figure it out.
I don’t know if this will be successful. I don’t know if my community will grow on here. I don’t know if it will feel energizing or sustainable. I don’t know if I’m adding too much complexity to my business to manage an email list in Flodesk and in Substack.
But it’s worth a try — and like all my best business / life decisions, making it based on a mix of logical analysis and intuition. Substack seems like the right pilot for me as it:
Allows for comments, questions and dialogue on every article
Fosters more organic growth and discovery
Has an integrated Podcasting capability
So that’s the grounded business logic and I’m following that nudge that this is a good place for more connection and true conversation.
And as I coach every single one of my clients, comparing myself to others a few steps ahead of me won’t help anything! Just because others are further ahead, doesn’t mean we can’t or shouldn’t start.
…And here’s what you can expect:
I’ll continue to send my weekly Thursday newsletters — and with a huge disclaimer that this will evolve (and I hope that I’m not signing myself up for too much), my vision for this Substack is to share more varied content to teach, inspire and connect with you to help you create a life (and career) that feels as good as your resume looks.
That may include (see me hedging ;) ):
Weekly Thursday dispatches with mindsets and strategies to create and thrive in the career you want
Occasional (weekly? Sundays?) notes sharing my personal journey and how I use the tools I coach you on
Podcast episodes (Yes! A podcast!) featuring conversations with clients and other highly impressive women in my life and potentially even some coaching conversations
I’m also going to try to write shorter, more digestible newsletters. I’m declaring that here to hold myself accountable (I like my words!) and I know my newsletters are sometimes creeping into novel territory.
With that…
I’m so glad you’re here. And thank you for being here.
Let’s do this.