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 beho…