Love the idea and see many folks, including myself, getting spread thin by trying to do all of them.
Though I will say, it seems that we need at least to use one discovery platform like LinkedIn, Twitter etc, if we are heavily into a long form channel like blogs, YouTube etc. Because these places have better discoverability.
Doesn't mean we go everywhere, of course.
And what's cool is some places like Substack we get all in one! Discoverability via Notes, long-form via posts and retention via newsletters too.
Indeed, Substack is amazing place. But I believe we need a bit of diversification. That‘s why I write on Medium, post on Threads and host newsletter here.
Anyway, I think one platform - one product is the right strategy at the beginning.
the article you wrote says to focus on one platform but at the same time, you are on threads, medium substack. and you said you "believe we need a bit of diversification". I am confused now lol
Amazing article, Robin. Like you, it took me YEARS to realize that all the people who preach showing up everywhere often have teams (or at the very least, very different bandwidths) that I didn't have. Once I made deep cuts, my business actually grew because I stopped draining all my energy trying to be everywhere and do all the things. Now I'm finally starting to understand the second piece of your article - the one offer. Going all in on that this year. 😊
That's why I gave up Twitter last year. It was so energy drainer and yet 80% of my time was on scheduling, engaging and learning different strategies. Now I'm back but on Threads with more relaxed attitude.
I have three main things that have nothing really to do with each other. They kind of relate, but they don't. They could each go their separate ways and be just fine. Over the last year, I struggled with figuring out how to consolidate it. I couldn't focus on just one.
* What if the one didn't work out, and I needed the other one to pay bills still?
* Would ignoring one of them for a year make me look bad to prospective clients if I had to focus on it again alone?
There were more concerns than these.
Over the last two years, Substack has evolved to include the different types of media we're told by other platforms to use—all of them—in one place. Plus, you can have different sections now, so people can only subscribe to those sections if they want.
I decided to buy yet again another domain and consolidate all the postings I do here at Substack. Now, I can have all those things in one place yet separated. I had to choose an umbrella URL to make this work.
In my bios, I now add my professional domain (which has three buttons on it, one for each thing with a professional page for each and a home page that weaves all of them together under a higher, larger problem/solution), and this one.
I was worried about it looking "tacky," but it doesn't. I just added them together:
{emoji} [domain1] + [domain2] = the whole story.
Maybe the solution is to leverage Substack in other ways to give us more freedom in publishing and maintaining our work, offerings, and other things.
Hi Misty, thank you for sharing your business case. I believe that's a great example of the strategy I talked about. You mastered one platform and focus on it.
I think you don't need to ALWAYS stick to just one platform. This strategy is perfect at the beginning. Once you master one platform, you can move to another one having already your tested strategy.
Excellent advice. I’d also add, though, that you don’t want to have all your eggs in one basket always have a way to export your work and always have a backup plan because platforms can become unpredictable.
That's something I also wish I'd known earlier too. When you're spinning too many plates, you never give each your best attention and effort. - And then we wonder why we don't get the results we want.
And as for products, I used to have more of those than I had email subscribers : )
Istarted on substack last week and decided that my blog, community, + product is all in one now: on my substack. The product being the soon-to-be-released paid subscription + community. I love the simplicity + per of this change! I also fell in love with Threads this year. So that's my one social. 😊
I'm here to teach about real magic, manifestation, and spirituality. 🪄🧘🏻♀️💫✨️🕯🦄
Subcribers get access to the 10 posts (now my archives) I brought over from medium, like: turning getting dressed in the morning into a magical act, color magic, crystal magic, the most powerful type of mantras, the magic of the humble lime, + more. ✨️💫🪄
There are also exceptions - look at Dan Koe. He encourages creators to chose 2 types of platforms - for short form content (twitter, threads, instagram) & long form (youtube, newsletter).
I think your idea and his can be resumes to play strategically.
Such an insightful take! A business model that aligns with your strengths and values is so much more sustainable than forcing yourself into a structure that doesn’t fit. I see so many mission-driven creatives struggle with this—thinking they have to follow a traditional path when, in reality, the best approach is one that supports both their creativity and their goals. Love this perspective!
Love the idea and see many folks, including myself, getting spread thin by trying to do all of them.
Though I will say, it seems that we need at least to use one discovery platform like LinkedIn, Twitter etc, if we are heavily into a long form channel like blogs, YouTube etc. Because these places have better discoverability.
Doesn't mean we go everywhere, of course.
And what's cool is some places like Substack we get all in one! Discoverability via Notes, long-form via posts and retention via newsletters too.
Indeed, Substack is amazing place. But I believe we need a bit of diversification. That‘s why I write on Medium, post on Threads and host newsletter here.
Anyway, I think one platform - one product is the right strategy at the beginning.
the article you wrote says to focus on one platform but at the same time, you are on threads, medium substack. and you said you "believe we need a bit of diversification". I am confused now lol
Yes, all platforms play different role in my tech -stack:
Medium - writing content
Substack - hosting newsletter
Threads - social media platform
That's what I mean as a diversification. Different platforms for different solution. So just 1 social, instead X + Threads + Bluesky.
Same for newsletter. If you run more newsletters, move it to one place.
Also, according to this strategy, I also don't expand to Linkedin or start making podcasts or videos on YT.
I hope I clarified it.
makes sense! thanks for clarifying!
Choosing one tool from each area is a brilliant suggestion.
Thanks for sharing.
Yes, it helps to focus on the right things. Quality over quantity.
Thank you for your comment Arham.
Amazing article, Robin. Like you, it took me YEARS to realize that all the people who preach showing up everywhere often have teams (or at the very least, very different bandwidths) that I didn't have. Once I made deep cuts, my business actually grew because I stopped draining all my energy trying to be everywhere and do all the things. Now I'm finally starting to understand the second piece of your article - the one offer. Going all in on that this year. 😊
Thank you for kind words Morgan!
That's why I gave up Twitter last year. It was so energy drainer and yet 80% of my time was on scheduling, engaging and learning different strategies. Now I'm back but on Threads with more relaxed attitude.
Let me know once you have your one offer!
I feel like Threads might be the only other platform that could make sense for me. But for now, I’m perfectly happy here. 😊 And thank you! I will.
As a Christian therapist and coach with 3 main brands built over several years, this would be challenging for me.
I have three main things that have nothing really to do with each other. They kind of relate, but they don't. They could each go their separate ways and be just fine. Over the last year, I struggled with figuring out how to consolidate it. I couldn't focus on just one.
* What if the one didn't work out, and I needed the other one to pay bills still?
* Would ignoring one of them for a year make me look bad to prospective clients if I had to focus on it again alone?
There were more concerns than these.
Over the last two years, Substack has evolved to include the different types of media we're told by other platforms to use—all of them—in one place. Plus, you can have different sections now, so people can only subscribe to those sections if they want.
I decided to buy yet again another domain and consolidate all the postings I do here at Substack. Now, I can have all those things in one place yet separated. I had to choose an umbrella URL to make this work.
In my bios, I now add my professional domain (which has three buttons on it, one for each thing with a professional page for each and a home page that weaves all of them together under a higher, larger problem/solution), and this one.
I was worried about it looking "tacky," but it doesn't. I just added them together:
{emoji} [domain1] + [domain2] = the whole story.
Maybe the solution is to leverage Substack in other ways to give us more freedom in publishing and maintaining our work, offerings, and other things.
Hi Misty, thank you for sharing your business case. I believe that's a great example of the strategy I talked about. You mastered one platform and focus on it.
I think you don't need to ALWAYS stick to just one platform. This strategy is perfect at the beginning. Once you master one platform, you can move to another one having already your tested strategy.
It takes time to find that one platform, but it really simplifies everything in the long term.
Seeds grow into trees and spread from a single location.
Our journey has similarities.
True. First I've tried Twitter. I gave up few months later. Now I'm back here.
The ONE affect has a knock on effect.
One solid strategy is better than 2 or 3 weak ideas…!
Yes. Strategy that we stick to it for long time.
Excellent advice. I’d also add, though, that you don’t want to have all your eggs in one basket always have a way to export your work and always have a backup plan because platforms can become unpredictable.
That‘s true. That‘s why we should all be some how active on other platforms too.
I keep them as backup and spare minimal attention for upkeep. Beyond that I absolutely agree.
I’m in Jay’s community rn. Just started. Looking forward to learning!
agreed - just brought everything onto one place
Substack?
Yep at least for now :)
I like this approach, clear, focused, and effective. One product, one platform, one strategy.
Thanks for reading my content!
That's something I also wish I'd known earlier too. When you're spinning too many plates, you never give each your best attention and effort. - And then we wonder why we don't get the results we want.
And as for products, I used to have more of those than I had email subscribers : )
Thank Barry for your comment. This concept also opened my eyes and changed my approach.
Istarted on substack last week and decided that my blog, community, + product is all in one now: on my substack. The product being the soon-to-be-released paid subscription + community. I love the simplicity + per of this change! I also fell in love with Threads this year. So that's my one social. 😊
I'm here to teach about real magic, manifestation, and spirituality. 🪄🧘🏻♀️💫✨️🕯🦄
Subcribers get access to the 10 posts (now my archives) I brought over from medium, like: turning getting dressed in the morning into a magical act, color magic, crystal magic, the most powerful type of mantras, the magic of the humble lime, + more. ✨️💫🪄
https://magicwithamanda.substack.com/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=3c45qq
There are also exceptions - look at Dan Koe. He encourages creators to chose 2 types of platforms - for short form content (twitter, threads, instagram) & long form (youtube, newsletter).
I think your idea and his can be resumes to play strategically.
Yes, this concept can work in many ways:
- short posts: Threads
- long posts/writing: Medium
- Newsletter: Substack
- ....
I would say, avoid being everywhere in similar platforms, like X/Threads/Instagram for short posts.
This post contains valuable advice I need to apply to my own creative work. Thanks for sharing it!
Thank you Gino for your kind words. I'm glad you find it helpful.
Such an insightful take! A business model that aligns with your strengths and values is so much more sustainable than forcing yourself into a structure that doesn’t fit. I see so many mission-driven creatives struggle with this—thinking they have to follow a traditional path when, in reality, the best approach is one that supports both their creativity and their goals. Love this perspective!
Thank you Marissa for such a kind words. Sometimes we need to take a step back and reduce things we focus on. That's the approach I was talking about.
You prefer Skool than the chat of Substack? Why?
Well, Skool is my community of like-minded people. On Substack I enjoy engaging with others via comments (like here with you) and Notes.
Thanks. I am thinking to select between Skool and the Chat of substack. Maybe you can write an article about it.