If you want to be an entrepreneur, there are a number of questions to make sure you are in the right business for you before you start looking at who is in your market. Regardless, assuming you have already decided you are a writer and what you're going to write about,, once you determine the profile of your target customer, you need to find out where they live, work, and play like you say. Substack is obviously the perfect place to find writers and people who want to be writers. But what if you're writing a book, articles, or a website for a different group? Are there any potential customers on substack besides writers? For example, does anyone on substack want to start a business for anything other than writing?
You are right in that you have to be where your customers are.
I think you can build a successful Substack across pretty much any area.
You can browse around the different categories, from politics to spiritual, finance, etc and you will find a lot of successful examples there.
It’s true that if you write about a certain topic, the algorithm will feed you content that is aligned and so you might have the perception that everyone writes about writing.
I know some Substack Bestsellers in areas such as health and nutrition, history, AI, etc.
Hello. Veronika, you must have gained a lot of experience to solve these 3 questions easily. These 3 questions are important and guides that can help me. thank you
You are so right that they are hard. My entire work with people is helping them clear about those questions in their work. I believe it's that important!!
Thank you Veronica! I'm not hurry to publish a novel at this point, ever since I realized the fact that no one will bet on you anymore in the publishing world. J.K.Rowling's legend is no longer copiable in this digital age
I already did! It’s a novel though, and it’s extremely hard to get an agent or publisher for a debut (no previous records no established readers at all 🥹)
Thank you for sharing this easy-to-digest and solid advice. I’m nearly done my proposal and submitting to a publisher in a couple of weeks. This post was really validating and reassuring that I’ve done stuff right! And gave me a gentle push and inspo for where I can make some last minute changes! Awesome work, thank you.
Looks like you have done your homework and have your pitch ready.
If you are able to join (live or watch the replay), the webinar on self-publishing is super actionable and covers many points relevant to publishing in general.
If you want to be an entrepreneur, there are a number of questions to make sure you are in the right business for you before you start looking at who is in your market. Regardless, assuming you have already decided you are a writer and what you're going to write about,, once you determine the profile of your target customer, you need to find out where they live, work, and play like you say. Substack is obviously the perfect place to find writers and people who want to be writers. But what if you're writing a book, articles, or a website for a different group? Are there any potential customers on substack besides writers? For example, does anyone on substack want to start a business for anything other than writing?
Hi Brent,
You are right in that you have to be where your customers are.
I think you can build a successful Substack across pretty much any area.
You can browse around the different categories, from politics to spiritual, finance, etc and you will find a lot of successful examples there.
It’s true that if you write about a certain topic, the algorithm will feed you content that is aligned and so you might have the perception that everyone writes about writing.
I know some Substack Bestsellers in areas such as health and nutrition, history, AI, etc.
Such great tips. Thank you for sharing these with aspiring authors!
The marketing part is the most difficult, as most writers are not cut for that role.
Hello. Veronika, you must have gained a lot of experience to solve these 3 questions easily. These 3 questions are important and guides that can help me. thank you
Thank you and I'm very happy to hear this!
They sound easy but they are quite hard and you can apply them to many other things too.
Good luck!
You are so right that they are hard. My entire work with people is helping them clear about those questions in their work. I believe it's that important!!
Thank you Veronica! I'm not hurry to publish a novel at this point, ever since I realized the fact that no one will bet on you anymore in the publishing world. J.K.Rowling's legend is no longer copiable in this digital age
Halfway through a first draft. When the time comes, I’ll be back here to help myself make the most of it.
That's awesome, Jack.
Even now you can start talking about your book and building in public.
Good luck!
Thank you. This is very helpful. I’m going to work on those 3 questions.
Brilliant, Georgia, really happy to hear that and good luck with your writing.
Wish I’d read this 12 months ago!!
By the way- No. 3 is hard! Just saying!
It's the hardest: writers love writing, not selling their writing 😅
I wish I had known this before I wrote my first book too ;)
Hi Veronica, quick question: do you have an agent for your Penguin book deal?
Hi Almer,
I don't have an agent.
Are you planning to write a book?
I already did! It’s a novel though, and it’s extremely hard to get an agent or publisher for a debut (no previous records no established readers at all 🥹)
Good luck, Almer, it's really really hard but you can use your Substack and social media to start building your following. All the best!
Wow, that was really helpful. Marking it for future reference. Thanks and congrats to you!
Thank you Rancho,
I'm really glad to hear it was helpful!
Are you thinking about writing a book?
Currently focused on writing and improving on Substack.
In the future, yes some day I will definitely write!
That's smart. I wish I had had an established Substack when I wrote my first book. That's where your readers are ;)
Thank you for sharing this easy-to-digest and solid advice. I’m nearly done my proposal and submitting to a publisher in a couple of weeks. This post was really validating and reassuring that I’ve done stuff right! And gave me a gentle push and inspo for where I can make some last minute changes! Awesome work, thank you.
That's fantastic, Sam.
I wish you all the best!
Looks like you have done your homework and have your pitch ready.
If you are able to join (live or watch the replay), the webinar on self-publishing is super actionable and covers many points relevant to publishing in general.
Good luck!