STOP COUNTING, WRITE BETTER: 8 Ways to Stop Playing the Numbers Game (plus 2 to help you bounce back tomorrow)
Stressing about the number of subscribers, followers and likes? Here's how I check out and stop counting the numbers.
Lately, Substack Notes feed seems to be overflowing with Number Notes, notes that whine the number of subscribers, followers and likes - or lack thereof.
Look, we get it, building a following is frustrating as hell and requires crazy hard work, talent and dedication (on this platform, at least).
I know the feeling, I just refuse to carry it.
I put Number Notes into two categories: The “Humble” Brag or the Needy Note.
The “Humble” Brag
It usually reads like this:
I finally hit a paltry 100 subscribers today! Yay me. Celebrate and pity me because, even though it’s 100 subs, it’s only 100 subs.
You get the point.
The Needy Note
The Needy Note takes various forms, but it often reads as attention seeking or, worse yet, lazy.
Posting a generic line for exposure then complaining when you have only written three pieces?
Be serious and give me something worth following.
The worst Needy Note features whining over having no followers and few subs, yet you check out their publication and, lo and behold, over 100 followers?
Dozens of likes on published pieces, nonetheless Notes?
What bullshit.
As I noticed these Number Notes, I started to notice the impact on other Substackers. It’s the same as other social media platforms:
It’s toxic to chase clout.
But when you are consistently putting forth your most vulnerable pieces with your amazing talent to the point of exhaustion?
The lack of dopamine HITS EXTRA HARD.
So, for all of you whose top performing Note scores in the double digits and your sub numbers are even lower? I see you.
Here’s how I take a break and reset.
8 Ways to STOP Playing the Numbers Game (plus 2 to help you bounce back tomorrow)
1. Focus on Quality.
This given is cliche but we all need that reminder. You are here to create.
CREATE SOMETHING AMAZING.
Produce something you love and are proud of - those are the endorphins that matter.
Personalize quality interactions on Substack - comments, DMs, however. Read pieces of quality. Restack high quality Notes (with a comment!).
Savor the interactions, wonderful conversations and supportive strangers.
Produce work that raises your game - even if it is filler content.
2. Why are you writing (besides the endless riches)?
There are so many pieces on this.
Does your message really need to be liked by a million people?
Or does it need to impact those you strive to inspire?
Do you have a message?
Every writer should be writing for their audience, for a reader - if not, it’s called a diary. Which brings me to….
3. De-center yourself by focusing on your reader.
You serve your highest self by serving others.
Keep a visible note of questions:
Who is my reader?
What appeals to my reader?
What message does my reader need and how do they need to hear it? With empathy? Should I write harsh truths with snarky sarcasm to people in mourning (probably not?).
How does this help the reader?
It can help to go read your work as your reader would - aloud. Does your writing need sharpening? Is your tone hitting?
Write what they need, how they need it and they will find it.
4. Post quality Notes outside of your comfort zone.
Go outside of your comfort zone. You won’t care as much when people don’t like the Note, but you’re still active.
Better yet, you may discover a new niche and one person you never would have known otherwise who is suddenly willing to pay for your work.
Now, this does NOT mean to post shitty Notes. Make them quality pictures, interesting thoughts, something funny.
Don’t spam any of us. Not ever.
Filler content is useful here, but it may not get you a single like.
Or it could.
For example, I posted the below a week ago:
I expected a whopping 11 likes but wow, 45?
Dang, I’m practically famous with that all-time high score.
Is it my capstone piece the world should celebrate? Nope.
Is a picture of a flower as powerful as my story of surviving a mass shooting? Fuck no.
But hey, some people liked it.
Then they read my real stuff.
5. READ, READ AND READ!
Are YOU being a good reader? Have you been reading any of the phenomenal pieces on fascinating subjects from other writers? Did you comment?
Turns out, our fellow writers also like to be read - and are pretty inspiring, to boot.
Reading others’ work also distracts from your own problems.
Have 60 seconds? That’s all it takes to savor
’s A Story in 60 Seconds - complete with delicious twists, twisted humor and sure to provoke your thoughts for hours.Find a way to transform yourself in
’s publication, Dare to Fail.Savor the beautiful artwork of
or get spooked her husband, ’s thrilling series, The Unexpected Exorcist.Or
quenches your thirst for beauty and spirituality in Lighthouse.You get the point.
READ. COMMENT. RESTACK. SUBSCRIBE.
Speaking of….
6. Embrace being unknown.
Heroines and AntiHeroines wear masks. Being unknown allows you to be more harshly honest with the world.
There is freedom in being low profile, but far more in not caring what other people think.
Vincent Van Gogh died AND Edgar Allen Poe died in obscurity.
Are you better than Van Gogh or Poe?
Either way, I’d join any club with those two members.
7. Subscribers as friends.
I gather there are a lot of introverts on Substack (which may be why it’s awesome?).
Let’s think of our Subscribers/Followers as friends for a minute.
Would you rather have a large quantity of friends who never read your work or get to know you?
Or would you rather have a tight knit, supportive group of friends who know your dirty secrets and love you more for them?
Apply it here and retreat if you’d like. Friends understand.
8. Subscribers are people.
If you are STILL frustrated or down once you reach this point, remember: subscribers are people.
And sometimes, people suck.
So put on your best Philly accent and say it with me now:
Fuck this.
Now put your device away and be strong enough to not care whether people like you.
For today, at least.
Because, tomorrow, when you return to Substack like the brilliantly tortured artist you are?
Start by visiting
’s Unfiltered with Tim Denning and follow him for brilliant Notes.Then head over to
’s Maximize Your Minutes for unique and practical advice.
Write on, my pretties.
*, it wouldn’t allow me to tag you properly in the caption, but I think your Notes are brilliant. Which you know because I restack them regularly.
It was good to read this today, Allison! We have been discussing the impact of Notes on Longform etc., but it is great to come back to center and remember why we're doing this. Great timing, and thanks for suggesting my serial! :-)
Very good post, great advice! Thanks for the mention too!