Ask HN: Took me almost 2 months and 8 posts to get 100 newsletter subscribers

3 pointsrafapaez2y ago5 comments

How do you stay motivated to keep writing despite slow progress?

5 comments

I advise "write for yourself" as motivational reminder. If you're not interested in it; why would you expect anyone else to be?

If your motivation is pleasing others then you're likely to get trapped into doing things that do not please you.

I don't do subscriptions. after 4 months of publishing with some effort at promotion; i have maybe a dozen daily average readers. Have even had donations that outstrip those from open source begware that's been in use for 4+ years.

I hafta count that as success; even if it's nowhere near the levels of engagement and income i might fantasize about.

rafapaezOP2y ago

This is great advice. I have to "write for myself" otherwise I won't be consistent in the long term.

Actually, since I started writing, I'm discovering my creative side, and it's helping me a lot to think clearly and expressing my thoughts in a way which is mind-blowing. It's kind of magic, to be honest.

I wish I could have started writing consistently earlier.

Thanks for your comment.

throwaway5982y ago

That's 100 people that are interested in what you have to say. Each one of them made a decision they'd like to hear more.

They could be 100 clients. 100 potential employers. 100 people that will go on and tell others.

Often sales is about "I have a product, now I need an audience" rather than "I have an audience, what do they need?" The latter's surely far more powerful.

pinkmuffinere2y ago

I think the advice intended by Mr throwaway is “if you want a larger audience, figure out what those 100 people like, and make more of that”

rafapaezOP2y ago

That's a good point. The problem is most of those 100 people are from my network. But it seems now other people I don't know are also joining. I guess the best thing for me is to keep being consistent at writing and forget a bit about numbers, for now. Thank you for your comment.

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5 comments

h2odragon2y ago

I advise "write for yourself" as motivational reminder. If you're not interested in it; why would you expect anyone else to be?

If your motivation is pleasing others then you're likely to get trapped into doing things that do not please you.

I hafta count that as success; even if it's nowhere near the levels of engagement and income i might fantasize about.

rafapaezOP2y ago

This is great advice. I have to "write for myself" otherwise I won't be consistent in the long term.

I wish I could have started writing consistently earlier.

Thanks for your comment.

throwaway5982y ago

That's 100 people that are interested in what you have to say. Each one of them made a decision they'd like to hear more.

They could be 100 clients. 100 potential employers. 100 people that will go on and tell others.

Often sales is about "I have a product, now I need an audience" rather than "I have an audience, what do they need?" The latter's surely far more powerful.

pinkmuffinere2y ago

I think the advice intended by Mr throwaway is “if you want a larger audience, figure out what those 100 people like, and make more of that”

rafapaezOP2y ago

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse