8 Comments

I second this. Although I was never on Medium, I've been on Substack for over a year, and I agree that it emphasizes the power of direct reader connections, encouraging more purposeful and valuable content creation.

Expand full comment

Absolutely! It’s the best place to write if you want to become better.

Expand full comment

They are definitely two very different worlds, even though they are almost always associated, one complementing the other.

The near anonymity on Medium and the limited options to contact our readers were likely designed by the company for a specific purpose.

However, in the long run and in terms of real audience engagement, I think this approach reveals some drawbacks.

Thanks a lot for the piece, Yana.

Expand full comment

I agree fully. Building a community is at the core of platforms like this and Medium just don’t want to focus there, because it’s tied to earnings right now. So the more engagement the more cost for them :)

Expand full comment

It makes a difference. Even more when you know some of your readers in person.

Writing on Substack is way more personal, more direct. As if you have the person sitting at your table. That's how I imagine when I write...

Expand full comment

As if you’re talking to a friend, yes :)

Expand full comment

Is that something I’d send over the email to someone who pays me? You’ve really made me think differently about my writing with that idea Yana, thank you ☺️

Expand full comment

This exact thought transformed my writing here. Thank you, Shelly :)

Expand full comment