HOT TAKE: ecosystem feedback loops are stunting your growth
When I first started posting consistently on Substack back in March, I instantly got trapped in the algorithmic game.
I met some writers who Substack promoted on my algorithm and I fell into that ecosystem.
It became a game of obligatory reciprocity. Like for like. Sub for sub.
And it was a dangerous game too…
Because most people don’t actually want to see you grow… they want you to have to participate in the ecosystem the same way they do.
At first, it feels like it’s working. But when you look at the numbers… it doesn’t add up.
Most of these people have 100s of subs and 20-50 likes per post. Not bad, just average.
But I never wanted to be an average Substack writer. And falling into the algorithmic ecosystem made me forget that.
At the end of last month, I decided it was time to change. I wasn’t going to read everyone’s everything just to get some views on my own writing.
I turned inward and focused on what I wanted to create. I remembered I was writing for me, not them.
And since that day my growth has accelerated. It’s steady and my readers are here for me. Not out of social obligation.
I think this is an important message for any writer out there that feels stuck or like they have to perform for the Substack algorithm.
Pour into yourself. Forget the noise… and you will experience genuine growth.
And if anyone recognizes me from my substack page… no you don’t. ❤️