3 Comments

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.

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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.

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Substack makes organizing and managing email newsletters easier. So of course they’re going to take too much.

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