You built an entire publication, but plot twist: readers may be experiencing it one post, Note, or comment at a time on the app. Here are the differences...
I mostly use the mobile app, I had no idea they were this different! I think I might try to do more on the website 🤔. Thank you for highlighting this Rachel.
I’ve been a reader for ages via the app (practically since the day it came out - I think it was the first week maybe). So I have only visited individual author websites as a reader a couple times. I’m a fan of the website layout. I’m so used to single column scroll (mobile web design since I prefer to use my phone whenever I can for accessibility reasons), that I don’t know what to look at first.
As a writer, I am constantly frustrated that all the tips are for the website experience and mostly ignore that readers have a different mobile experience. I write my articles on my laptop, but use my phone for writing notes.
I would love for the mobile and website versions to be more consistent too!
Hi Dr. Amy, and thank you for sharing your thoughts. I'm no tech expert, but I imagine the app can't handle all the bells and whistles, which is why so many more options are available on the website.
As writers, it's important we know there's a difference!
Also, just one more thing. The search is horrible. Sometimes I want to see articles about something specific and the search returns. Horrible results. Like to find this article I typed in Substack app is horrible. Most of what was returned wasn’t even about the app. And putting quotes around a couple of words so that you find a particular phrase like in chrome, does not work here.
I usually view on the Substack app on my iPad. The app itself is horrible. For instance, just dictating this comment, if I put an asterisk *in front of some words and then close with an* asterisk at the end, it will remove the spaces between the words once I tap post. It’s going to happen here and I’m not even going to edit it so you can see what I mean. It just makes one run-on word. I absolutely can’t stand the app so I have to go into Chrome instead. And I don’t think they care about improving the app at all.
I had been suspecting this for a while Rachel. It explains why my ‘sharing’ posts are so helpful to get older stories read. Also explains why serialised stories are tough to get off the ground. You’ve put my thinking cap firmly ON! Thanks 🙏
Thanks, Posy, and awesome! IDK if I have any answers for you, but knowing what's different can help us as we continue to learn and grow on this platform.
I saw 3 writers going live on S/s and talking about serials. 1 guy (whose day job is marketing) pointed out that because it is newsletter format here, that makes it really hard to serialise fiction. To demonstrate - what if a person signs up & the first e-mail they receive is XYZ story, chapter 8? It could kill their interest stone dead (although something obviously made them sign up)
That has got me thinking that, even when I serialise, I should 'mix it up' to try to maintain subscriber interest. Don't know if you have thoughts / advice on that.
Great question, Posy. Mixing in other content can help maintain interest, but I don’t think it solves the Chapter 8 problem.
I suggest creating a “Start Here” post that lists every chapter, links to Chapter 1 at the top of each installment, and includes that link in the welcome email. You can even add a 'Start Here' tab to your Navigation.
Writing more about this in a future post because you got me thinking!
The lack of Sections in the App is very frustrating for me. I have several sections and for those on the App, they are essentially hidden and I have to constantly share links everywhere.
It’s the number one thing I wish Substack would change on the App!
"When you click the link on mobile, you only see my profile. No Substack Tips to be found." I can see all the articles, looking very organized and attractive, with a See More (I think) at the bottom which takes takes you to another page with much smaller print. Still, it has your articles.
What a lot of fine work you do discovering Substack's capabilities, and then sharing them with us. I appreciate it.
The app is nice for reading but I find it useless for creating content. I use my computer to manage and create posts, whether Notes or my weekly column. The desktop tool set is pretty nice.
The big change I would like to see is much better syncing between desktop and the app.
There is always something to learn—it sure keeps us on our toes! I signed up for Writer’s Bridge, so I assume I’ll get an email about your talk? I didn’t see anything specifically about it on the website. If there is a direct link floating around there, please let me know because I’d like to share it with a writing group.
I use the desktop all the time but I had completely missed the option to have all the sorts of things I had on my old WordPress site: books, extended bio etc. It’s hidden way. You have to go to a post by someone and then click the pic at the top of the page and who does that? Substack seems to be full of things that are hidden away. Weird.
I guess I now have to work out what I want to put on the page and then work out how to do it. Fun times! (I know sarcasm doesn’t work online so let me say, ‘No, not fun at all.’ But maybe useful.)
It was handy reading this today as I’m trying to work out whether I should have a paywalled archive. After a year, I only have 53 subscribers but I have a growing number of posts that I keep losing track of. I’d quite like to group these together. For example the series (started a year ago and still turning up every few weeks) about the fall of Napoleon. And there are some short stories that I don’t particularly want just hanging loose forever. I’d just like to tidy these up and keep them away from the general mass of random free stuff but I don’t know if this makes sense and how I’d do it if it did. Maybe something like your sub-groups but I’m not sure how to set it up.
Sorry, just thinking aloud. Every time I think I might be understanding Substack, I realise I don’t.
Hi Tom! I'll send you screenshots via DM (and that's another thing), since we can't share visuals in comments, which is super annoying.
Go into Pub Settings and scroll down to Sections on the left-hand toolbar under the CONTENT section. Click on Section, then click on Add, and do your thing.
I don't have a smart phone, so I have only seen the desktop version 😅
Great information to have, never would have thought mobile users aren't seeing the navigation. Looking at my traffic 34% of it is mobile, with a large number of subs from that channel. So valuable to know the differences.
Rachel knows this. My comment is for Rachel-fans -- whenever you post an ARTICLE [not a "note"], Substack will send you a choice of "Shareable Assets." Since these are customized for mobile-phone viewers, the limitations are obvious: titles chopped off, only the center of an image displayed, etc. etc.
* * Suggestion: view Substack on your desktop now and then for the "full Rachel experience."
Yes, Rachel. Most of the time - - for my posts - - I can't use the Shareable Assets. Titles are clipped, etc. Even a person on the app would say, "What in Holy Heck...?" 🙃
I mostly use the mobile app, I had no idea they were this different! I think I might try to do more on the website 🤔. Thank you for highlighting this Rachel.
You're welcome! I had no idea either, and now I only ever compose on the site.
I’ve been a reader for ages via the app (practically since the day it came out - I think it was the first week maybe). So I have only visited individual author websites as a reader a couple times. I’m a fan of the website layout. I’m so used to single column scroll (mobile web design since I prefer to use my phone whenever I can for accessibility reasons), that I don’t know what to look at first.
As a writer, I am constantly frustrated that all the tips are for the website experience and mostly ignore that readers have a different mobile experience. I write my articles on my laptop, but use my phone for writing notes.
I would love for the mobile and website versions to be more consistent too!
Hi Dr. Amy, and thank you for sharing your thoughts. I'm no tech expert, but I imagine the app can't handle all the bells and whistles, which is why so many more options are available on the website.
As writers, it's important we know there's a difference!
Also, just one more thing. The search is horrible. Sometimes I want to see articles about something specific and the search returns. Horrible results. Like to find this article I typed in Substack app is horrible. Most of what was returned wasn’t even about the app. And putting quotes around a couple of words so that you find a particular phrase like in chrome, does not work here.
I agree. If I want to see what's trending in the world, I go to BlueSky or occasionally, X (though it's so skewed now). Search here is meh.
I usually view on the Substack app on my iPad. The app itself is horrible. For instance, just dictating this comment, if I put an asterisk *in front of some words and then close with an* asterisk at the end, it will remove the spaces between the words once I tap post. It’s going to happen here and I’m not even going to edit it so you can see what I mean. It just makes one run-on word. I absolutely can’t stand the app so I have to go into Chrome instead. And I don’t think they care about improving the app at all.
Oh great now it’s not gonna work of course.*Just my luck*
LOL, I swear I totally believe you. There are Substack shenanigans afoot.
I had been suspecting this for a while Rachel. It explains why my ‘sharing’ posts are so helpful to get older stories read. Also explains why serialised stories are tough to get off the ground. You’ve put my thinking cap firmly ON! Thanks 🙏
Oh thank you Rachel- that’s helpful and has sharpened my ideas. I’ll look forward to that post most keenly
Thanks, Posy, and awesome! IDK if I have any answers for you, but knowing what's different can help us as we continue to learn and grow on this platform.
1 thing to add.
I saw 3 writers going live on S/s and talking about serials. 1 guy (whose day job is marketing) pointed out that because it is newsletter format here, that makes it really hard to serialise fiction. To demonstrate - what if a person signs up & the first e-mail they receive is XYZ story, chapter 8? It could kill their interest stone dead (although something obviously made them sign up)
That has got me thinking that, even when I serialise, I should 'mix it up' to try to maintain subscriber interest. Don't know if you have thoughts / advice on that.
Great question, Posy. Mixing in other content can help maintain interest, but I don’t think it solves the Chapter 8 problem.
I suggest creating a “Start Here” post that lists every chapter, links to Chapter 1 at the top of each installment, and includes that link in the welcome email. You can even add a 'Start Here' tab to your Navigation.
Writing more about this in a future post because you got me thinking!
The lack of Sections in the App is very frustrating for me. I have several sections and for those on the App, they are essentially hidden and I have to constantly share links everywhere.
It’s the number one thing I wish Substack would change on the App!
Girl, same. Everything. They definitely need a better UX all around, especially for creators.
"When you click the link on mobile, you only see my profile. No Substack Tips to be found." I can see all the articles, looking very organized and attractive, with a See More (I think) at the bottom which takes takes you to another page with much smaller print. Still, it has your articles.
What a lot of fine work you do discovering Substack's capabilities, and then sharing them with us. I appreciate it.
Thanks, my friend. I swear I figure out something new here every day, and just when I have it down, they change it LOL. Welcome to the digital age.
What? Digital apps change almost every day? Who’da thunk it? 🤪😂
Thank you for another great post and learning opportunity. The Writer's Bridge looks like an awesome resource. I signed up.
So glad! I learn so much from them. It's a wonderfully supportive group, too.
The app is nice for reading but I find it useless for creating content. I use my computer to manage and create posts, whether Notes or my weekly column. The desktop tool set is pretty nice.
The big change I would like to see is much better syncing between desktop and the app.
Samesies.
There is always something to learn—it sure keeps us on our toes! I signed up for Writer’s Bridge, so I assume I’ll get an email about your talk? I didn’t see anything specifically about it on the website. If there is a direct link floating around there, please let me know because I’d like to share it with a writing group.
I just got the direct link: https://writingcraft.com/event/the-writers-bridge-author-marketing/
wootwootwoot
Thank you, Rachel! I’m Director at Large for Detroit Working Writers—Will be sharing.
Oh yay! My understanding is you go to the site to sign up, and they’ll send the Zoom link once you register.
I use the desktop all the time but I had completely missed the option to have all the sorts of things I had on my old WordPress site: books, extended bio etc. It’s hidden way. You have to go to a post by someone and then click the pic at the top of the page and who does that? Substack seems to be full of things that are hidden away. Weird.
I guess I now have to work out what I want to put on the page and then work out how to do it. Fun times! (I know sarcasm doesn’t work online so let me say, ‘No, not fun at all.’ But maybe useful.)
It was handy reading this today as I’m trying to work out whether I should have a paywalled archive. After a year, I only have 53 subscribers but I have a growing number of posts that I keep losing track of. I’d quite like to group these together. For example the series (started a year ago and still turning up every few weeks) about the fall of Napoleon. And there are some short stories that I don’t particularly want just hanging loose forever. I’d just like to tidy these up and keep them away from the general mass of random free stuff but I don’t know if this makes sense and how I’d do it if it did. Maybe something like your sub-groups but I’m not sure how to set it up.
Sorry, just thinking aloud. Every time I think I might be understanding Substack, I realise I don’t.
Hi Tom! I'll send you screenshots via DM (and that's another thing), since we can't share visuals in comments, which is super annoying.
Go into Pub Settings and scroll down to Sections on the left-hand toolbar under the CONTENT section. Click on Section, then click on Add, and do your thing.
I don't have a smart phone, so I have only seen the desktop version 😅
Great information to have, never would have thought mobile users aren't seeing the navigation. Looking at my traffic 34% of it is mobile, with a large number of subs from that channel. So valuable to know the differences.
Thanks so much. And right? Most of us Substackians have no idea, because why would mobile be different? Oh, yea, because of course.
Good point about seeing how much of our traffic comes from mobile. Important! Thanks for that reminder, Nemo.
IG is less robust on laptop, more robust on phone....differences are everywhere..
True, website and mobile are usually different. I just didn't realize HOW different until I did more research.
Substack is more than a social platform - our publications are considered websites, etc. Honestly, that's why I think it's confusing.
Indeed, I’ve haven’t looked at that. Yet.
Rachel knows this. My comment is for Rachel-fans -- whenever you post an ARTICLE [not a "note"], Substack will send you a choice of "Shareable Assets." Since these are customized for mobile-phone viewers, the limitations are obvious: titles chopped off, only the center of an image displayed, etc. etc.
* * Suggestion: view Substack on your desktop now and then for the "full Rachel experience."
I usually screenshot rhe square outlined version to share. Shareable assists are useless!
Thanks, LindaAnn! Such a great point. The Shareable Assets are great, though they can look a bit wonky, like stretched out. It's weird. 🤔
Yes, Rachel. Most of the time - - for my posts - - I can't use the Shareable Assets. Titles are clipped, etc. Even a person on the app would say, "What in Holy Heck...?" 🙃
Definitely room for improvement.