Why Isn't My Substack Gaining Any Traction?

Amran Gowani has written and published a Substack-based newsletter, Field Research, for two years, during which he has quintupled his audience. But only a couple dozen people have so far been willing to pay for his work.
Amran is starting to question the long-touted model of 1,000 True Fans that's been sold to all kinds of writers: the idea that if you can find 1,000 people to pay for what you do, that equates to a living.
Amran has ostensible structural advantages (e.g., wealthy readership, strong marketing skills). Is the Substack model one of broken economics, or is there some magic ingredient he's missing? Jane and Amran discuss possible changes to his approach and next steps.

[@nohabeshir1431]

This is a fantastic interview. So many nuggets of wisdom to apply

[@reginaclarke1574]

What a great and valuable conversation!

[@WildFoxAlchemy]

Thoroughly enjoyed this interview. I'm new to substack and so I'm soaking up info like a sponge. It's so easy to find people who wax lyrical and tell you their success stories, but hearing Amran talk about his challenges so openly was much more helpful. I loved the advice - sometimes I struggle to see the wood for the trees, even though I have a lot of theoretical knowledge about marketing, so I related to the mistakes Amran made that felt so obvious to him once they were pointed out. I also liked that he has some great pointers to add from his time on Substack. It felt like a mastermind more than a typical 'Here's where you're going wrong' session. Brilliant, thankyou both!

[@gabriellakorosi]

Thank you for sharing Jane

[@rachelbs]

This was a very helpful exchange for me to think through my own newsletter. I am in the same squad as Amran I think. I write about everything with no clear lane that would attract a certain type of subscriber. I'm a bit of a "bob-and-weave" when it comes to driving. My goal is to share my essays broadly to show my range and interests, not to exist in any one space. Amran and Jane, having this discussion and coming to the conclusion that it's ok to be wild and free with your topics if that is indeed the point, was affirming for me. Thanks, you two! @RachelBS

[@KidsBookWriting]

So much great info and insight provided here! Thanks so much for the conversation. Lots for me to consider for my own writing, marketing, substack, etc. etc.

[@amrangowani]

Awesome to hear the discussion proved insightful! I was learning on the fly myself and will be implementing some significant updates going forward.

[@allisonhowmann]

Value has to be tease and marketed, which is part of the hard part of being a novelist because copywriting isn’t your main thing.
That’s the hard part about demonetization, you have to be a one man show.

[@DonnellKing42]

Watching this in replay, but right off the bat, I'm wondering if Ream might be better for someone writing acerbic fiction.

[@amrangowani]

I'm not familiar with Ream but I'll check it out! Also, the "acerbic fiction" is a small percentage of my portfolio, so overall I'd say Substack is the right place for this newsletter.

[@JaneFriedman]

I do think Ream is a fantastic emerging platform for fiction writers, especially those who already reach their readers in some way.