I have never used the Follow button on Substack and doubt I will. I also never read Notes. If I see something new that's interesting, I do a free subscription then later upgrade to paid if I find I like the content. I came to read newsletters, the other things Substack has added (Notes, Chat, Follow, forced public profile) don't resonate with me at all and are actually quite annoying.
Great post. As a writer, subscriber,, and follower on Substack I feel like I definitely don't mind my info being given to things I subscribe to, but would hesitate a bit for things I Folllow. Follow seems like such a low bar compared to subscribing. I would be worried some, more nefarious, writers might take advantage of me and my personal info.
Having some way to establish trust after a Follow might work, so as a reader I can opt in to a closer relationship. That would sort of make two tiers of Follows:
1. The Follow - "What you just said there was fun/interesting/informative, here, have a Follow and let's start a relationship".
2. The Follow Up - "So I also totally agree with you there, that was also fun/interesting/informative. I now look out for your notes and like the good ones".
The second one could be more app driven and trigger after certain levels of engagement.
I have never used the Follow button on Substack and doubt I will. I also never read Notes. If I see something new that's interesting, I do a free subscription then later upgrade to paid if I find I like the content. I came to read newsletters, the other things Substack has added (Notes, Chat, Follow, forced public profile) don't resonate with me at all and are actually quite annoying.
Great post. As a writer, subscriber,, and follower on Substack I feel like I definitely don't mind my info being given to things I subscribe to, but would hesitate a bit for things I Folllow. Follow seems like such a low bar compared to subscribing. I would be worried some, more nefarious, writers might take advantage of me and my personal info.
Having some way to establish trust after a Follow might work, so as a reader I can opt in to a closer relationship. That would sort of make two tiers of Follows:
1. The Follow - "What you just said there was fun/interesting/informative, here, have a Follow and let's start a relationship".
2. The Follow Up - "So I also totally agree with you there, that was also fun/interesting/informative. I now look out for your notes and like the good ones".
The second one could be more app driven and trigger after certain levels of engagement.
Substack makes organizing and managing email newsletters easier. So of course they’re going to take too much.