Welcome to the Substack family! Hanna, as someone who loves your blog, I'm excited to see you here.
I also have lots of resistance when thinking of a newsletter as a form of pitching your sales, just like many other creators do. However, once I shifted the language and decided to call it a cozy letter, it changed everything for me. Instead of writing with the purpose of selling, I write it first because I love writing and write as if I were sending the letter to a dear friend who loves to get updated about what I do in my life. I enjoy that, and the ones who receive it love it too.
Oh wow, thanks Ngan! That is so sweet of you, and maybe what I needed to hear tonight. I definitely should read less Hardcore Lady Boss Biz Advice and more of the things you're taking about: writing form the heart. I love that. Thank you!
Yes, yes Hanna, let your creation be inspired by authentic creators who write from their hearts.
Here are a few of my favorite voices on Substack who make me believe that before selling anything, we are here first to share our most authentic stories and connect as humans:
And, a (controversial) video from my heart-based business mentor. It may provide you with insights and motivation to move away from viral marketing techniques and embrace genuine connections with your audience https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=435nmWCQsiQ&ab_channel=GeorgeKao
Hi Hanna! I was scrolling back through here catching up and I can't tell you how much this post resonates with me!!! I haven't sent out a "newsletter" since January and I know that I need to sending something out to at least remind my subscribers that I'm here and I actually do have new work available, but I just dread it! I've gotten back to blogging (thanks for stopping back in) and, like you, that feels much more natural to me. I'd love to exchange a few emails with you to hear what you've learned about Substack and how you imported your email list from you newsletter carrier over to here.
Thanks Kelly! I'm still fumbling around here, not at all sure what I really want this space to be. A regular newsletter, essays or an extension of the blog world. But while mulling it over I just decided to jump in and let everyone who wants to follow along know about the change and why. You're more than welcome to email me too, of course.
Hello! You opened my eyes to the behind the scenes angst and cost of newsletters… I was clueless! As a creative, I can definitely relate to the shyness and vulnerability of sharing one’s artwork. As I have gotten older, I have become bolder in approaching shops and art centers, offering my items for sale or to teach a class. Thank you for the iHanna card swap! I am participating now and have done so several times. 👏🫶🏻
Thanks for leaving me a comment Judy, letting me know you read me and "get it". I am so happy you enjoyed the Postcard Swap that I host as well, that makes me happy to hear. Cheers!
This essay is so helpful. I have just been encouraged to create a newsletter for my business and the entire concept makes me cringe! and I had no idea about the cost. Your honesty helps me to understand that the newsletter thing does not come "easily to everyone" and its normal to feel resistance to yet another thing to do~
Thank you for sharing all of your thoughts and feelings and introducing (those of who don't know 'bout it) Substack -
Thank you Sue! It felt quite negative to me, but I needed to get this out in order to move forward. And I agree with and understand that you "have to have" a Newsletter as an online business, so I hope you will find a way forward!
There are people who does newsletters in a great way, I think, giving great inspiration as the base and then their own more "salesy stuff" added to the end, which I think works great. We can do this!
We all have different ways of consuming content, and different attention spans I guess. I have already gotten more responses to this essay than I was expecting, so I am not worried about that.
And as a writer I love writing (and reading) longer texts, and I know others are too, and those are my people. ❤
Welcome to the Substack family! Hanna, as someone who loves your blog, I'm excited to see you here.
I also have lots of resistance when thinking of a newsletter as a form of pitching your sales, just like many other creators do. However, once I shifted the language and decided to call it a cozy letter, it changed everything for me. Instead of writing with the purpose of selling, I write it first because I love writing and write as if I were sending the letter to a dear friend who loves to get updated about what I do in my life. I enjoy that, and the ones who receive it love it too.
I hope to see you more here. Sending you love.
Oh wow, thanks Ngan! That is so sweet of you, and maybe what I needed to hear tonight. I definitely should read less Hardcore Lady Boss Biz Advice and more of the things you're taking about: writing form the heart. I love that. Thank you!
Yes, yes Hanna, let your creation be inspired by authentic creators who write from their hearts.
Here are a few of my favorite voices on Substack who make me believe that before selling anything, we are here first to share our most authentic stories and connect as humans:
https://thesoiree.substack.com/about
https://hunterburgtorf.substack.com/
https://www.theunraveledheart.com
https://everydayknitter.substack.com
https://andreagibson.substack.com/about
And, a (controversial) video from my heart-based business mentor. It may provide you with insights and motivation to move away from viral marketing techniques and embrace genuine connections with your audience https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=435nmWCQsiQ&ab_channel=GeorgeKao
Hi Hanna! I was scrolling back through here catching up and I can't tell you how much this post resonates with me!!! I haven't sent out a "newsletter" since January and I know that I need to sending something out to at least remind my subscribers that I'm here and I actually do have new work available, but I just dread it! I've gotten back to blogging (thanks for stopping back in) and, like you, that feels much more natural to me. I'd love to exchange a few emails with you to hear what you've learned about Substack and how you imported your email list from you newsletter carrier over to here.
Thanks Kelly! I'm still fumbling around here, not at all sure what I really want this space to be. A regular newsletter, essays or an extension of the blog world. But while mulling it over I just decided to jump in and let everyone who wants to follow along know about the change and why. You're more than welcome to email me too, of course.
Hello! You opened my eyes to the behind the scenes angst and cost of newsletters… I was clueless! As a creative, I can definitely relate to the shyness and vulnerability of sharing one’s artwork. As I have gotten older, I have become bolder in approaching shops and art centers, offering my items for sale or to teach a class. Thank you for the iHanna card swap! I am participating now and have done so several times. 👏🫶🏻
Thanks for leaving me a comment Judy, letting me know you read me and "get it". I am so happy you enjoyed the Postcard Swap that I host as well, that makes me happy to hear. Cheers!
Thank you for your honesty and authenticity, Hanna! And, as always, for your creative work and sharing <3
Thank you for letting me know you've read me here, and before, that is so sweet to know.
This essay is so helpful. I have just been encouraged to create a newsletter for my business and the entire concept makes me cringe! and I had no idea about the cost. Your honesty helps me to understand that the newsletter thing does not come "easily to everyone" and its normal to feel resistance to yet another thing to do~
Thank you for sharing all of your thoughts and feelings and introducing (those of who don't know 'bout it) Substack -
Thank you Sue! It felt quite negative to me, but I needed to get this out in order to move forward. And I agree with and understand that you "have to have" a Newsletter as an online business, so I hope you will find a way forward!
There are people who does newsletters in a great way, I think, giving great inspiration as the base and then their own more "salesy stuff" added to the end, which I think works great. We can do this!
Honestly it is difficult to keep up with lengthy posts... you might get more response with content shared in smaller bits.
We all have different ways of consuming content, and different attention spans I guess. I have already gotten more responses to this essay than I was expecting, so I am not worried about that.
And as a writer I love writing (and reading) longer texts, and I know others are too, and those are my people. ❤