Chapter 1: The Impact of Substack on My Writing

Substack has significantly improved my writing abilities. I can confidently state that the platform has transformed my approach to content creation.

Writing on Medium taught me an essential lesson: focus on your reader. Not a crowd, not a specific niche, not even a persona—just one individual. It’s a direct connection, a one-on-one relationship.

But who is that reader, especially on Medium?

On Medium, it's often a mystery. You may accumulate followers, yet they seldom engage with your content, similar to other social media platforms. You end up casting a wide net with no real target, leading to a focus on consistency alone. You write for an imagined audience, and that's where it ends.

However, that changed with Substack.

Substack has redefined how I perceive my audience. Unlike on Medium, where it's unclear who will read my work, Substack allows me to send my articles directly via email to people I actually know.

How do I know them?

It's not about close friendships, but rather the fact that I have their email addresses. I can interact with them, receive feedback, and cultivate genuine relationships.

The crucial distinction here is:

When writing an article, you often envision an abstract or hypothetical reader. In contrast, when crafting an email, you have a specific audience in mind.

Now, before I begin writing, I pause to ask myself these questions:

• Is this something I would share via email with someone who subscribes to my content?
• Better yet, would this be valuable enough for someone to pay for?

As a result, I've shifted away from discussing the platform's issues or my daily frustrations—nobody is interested in that. What people truly crave is knowledge and learning.

I realized I had been approaching writing incorrectly all along. Substack illuminated this for me, and I am grateful for that.

Now, it’s clear why I consistently encounter higher quality content on Substack compared to Medium.

Thank you for reading!

Yana

If you enjoyed this, you’ll appreciate the exclusive content I share on Substack.

Chapter 2: Insights from Fellow Writers

This video, titled "What One Year of Writing on Substack Has Taught Me," dives into the lessons learned and offers valuable advice for writers who may lack confidence.

In another insightful discussion, Joe Pine shares his experiences writing his book "Transformations" on Substack, shedding light on the process and benefits of this platform.