I had a session with Erin the other day, she's great!
What I like about my homepage for my newsletter is the way that the visuals jump out -- it just looks like a creative, playful place: https://oliviarafferty.substack.com/
What I'm going to be working on next is making my 'About' page more conversational in tone and first-persony. It's a bit tight at the moment. Beyond that, I'm going to be adding some Sections to help clarify the different threads of my newsletter.
I found this so helpful! Nothing seems to escape your razor-sharp minds! It actually took me a while to get through the video because I kept stopping to put your advice into action. Somehow, for instance, I'd overlooked the section on settings where you can change the blurbs for your welcome message. It was great to look at some of those blurb options (I'm lucky enough to have a few) and choose which ones to use (weirdly, though, one can't be removed; it's from a writer no longer on the platform and their name doesn't come up on the list of blurbs).
This was very helpful, thank you both 🙏 You inspired me to refresh my photo, bio and short description. I don't think they're perfect or final, but I'm happy that they do feel a bit more like me. Look forward to learning more from you both. Thank you Amanda and Erin 🙏
It sounds like you are taking great pride in your Unchurched Manifesto and giving it the time it requires to come together. I feel like that kind of patience really pays off (for the end result, yes, but also for the process of writing/creating itself). I love that it's felt like a real achievement so far - I can't wait to read it one day!
(I'm about to answer your question, but I just want to share something as someone who created the video you just watched: Your art is a gift. How you wrap it up and present it matters, I really believe that, but never as much as what's inside. As you revisit your About page, bio, and short description, just remember to have fun and hold these things lightly, knowing that your writing is the most important part.)
Finally, to answer your question: When someone recommends your newsletter, they have the option of writing a little review or "blurb" about it. You can manage your blurbs (write your own and see if anyone's written one for you) by going to your Dashboard and clicking "Recommendations" in the navigation. Then click the Manage button and you'll see publications that you are currently recommending (click the three dots next to the publication to add a blurb). You can also click the Manage Blurbs button to see who has written you a blurb. People have different opinions on whether asking for recommendation blurbs is considered polite / in good taste, so I would just say to go with your gut :)
I relate a lot to the sentiments you’re sharing here. As an autistic woman myself, I retreated from all digital connections for several years precisely because I found it all very inauthentic (and draining). The only reason I feel interested in considering how readers experience me online is precisely because I have felt so misunderstood my whole life—and I have felt that there were social cues and maybe a few shifts in my own posture that could help us connect. I so honor the instinct to not want to consider these things at all (and in fact this is why in Ask an Editor I invite people to chime in with their writing questions AND to denote if they’re looking for readers or perhaps are in a space where they need to burrow into their writing space for themselves alone).
Thank you for reading and for chiming in. For what it’s worth, your honesty and vulnerability made a very lovely first impression on me. 🧡
I had a session with Erin the other day, she's great!
What I like about my homepage for my newsletter is the way that the visuals jump out -- it just looks like a creative, playful place: https://oliviarafferty.substack.com/
What I'm going to be working on next is making my 'About' page more conversational in tone and first-persony. It's a bit tight at the moment. Beyond that, I'm going to be adding some Sections to help clarify the different threads of my newsletter.
Great interview! Thanks Amanda & Erin ✨
I found this so helpful! Nothing seems to escape your razor-sharp minds! It actually took me a while to get through the video because I kept stopping to put your advice into action. Somehow, for instance, I'd overlooked the section on settings where you can change the blurbs for your welcome message. It was great to look at some of those blurb options (I'm lucky enough to have a few) and choose which ones to use (weirdly, though, one can't be removed; it's from a writer no longer on the platform and their name doesn't come up on the list of blurbs).
So thank you, both of you!
This was very helpful, thank you both 🙏 You inspired me to refresh my photo, bio and short description. I don't think they're perfect or final, but I'm happy that they do feel a bit more like me. Look forward to learning more from you both. Thank you Amanda and Erin 🙏
(Oh and here's a link to my Substack which is about life after trauma: https://clareegan.substack.com/)
It sounds like you are taking great pride in your Unchurched Manifesto and giving it the time it requires to come together. I feel like that kind of patience really pays off (for the end result, yes, but also for the process of writing/creating itself). I love that it's felt like a real achievement so far - I can't wait to read it one day!
(I'm about to answer your question, but I just want to share something as someone who created the video you just watched: Your art is a gift. How you wrap it up and present it matters, I really believe that, but never as much as what's inside. As you revisit your About page, bio, and short description, just remember to have fun and hold these things lightly, knowing that your writing is the most important part.)
Finally, to answer your question: When someone recommends your newsletter, they have the option of writing a little review or "blurb" about it. You can manage your blurbs (write your own and see if anyone's written one for you) by going to your Dashboard and clicking "Recommendations" in the navigation. Then click the Manage button and you'll see publications that you are currently recommending (click the three dots next to the publication to add a blurb). You can also click the Manage Blurbs button to see who has written you a blurb. People have different opinions on whether asking for recommendation blurbs is considered polite / in good taste, so I would just say to go with your gut :)
I relate a lot to the sentiments you’re sharing here. As an autistic woman myself, I retreated from all digital connections for several years precisely because I found it all very inauthentic (and draining). The only reason I feel interested in considering how readers experience me online is precisely because I have felt so misunderstood my whole life—and I have felt that there were social cues and maybe a few shifts in my own posture that could help us connect. I so honor the instinct to not want to consider these things at all (and in fact this is why in Ask an Editor I invite people to chime in with their writing questions AND to denote if they’re looking for readers or perhaps are in a space where they need to burrow into their writing space for themselves alone).
Thank you for reading and for chiming in. For what it’s worth, your honesty and vulnerability made a very lovely first impression on me. 🧡