Aww, well said Sonya 👏 and well done to make the decision & the move. It’s all about doing what feels right for you. Social media is a never ending battle, the bubble is going to burst one day for sure. I’m right behind you here, & look forward to following your new journey moving forward 🤗🤎
Ah, Instagram has become a chore rather than a joy. I’m still there, though I mainly share on my stories. I rarely post on the grid any more — it’s rather pointless considering how dismal the views & engagement are. I’d rather pour my energy here and on my main blog, which I’ve had since over a decade!
Completely agree with you Shinjini, I post the odd story and don’t miss the pressure of posting daily for little or no engagement. Substack is far more enjoyable!
I hear you... I'm back doing instagram after a few months but I won't be worrying about the algorithm. Insta is just for the fun and company now, I know I won't be growing and that's fine! My priority is Substack now :) wishing you best of luck with your own journey here, always cheering you on ❤️ (love the magazine format!)
I've recently moved away from Instagram to Substack too and this is so refreshing to read - it feels like a much more personal way to connect rather than depending on the ever-changing algorithm!
Enjoyed reading your perspective. I used to enjoy IG but have fallen out of love with it too. I took a break in February and haven’t gone back. I prefer blogging, Pinterest and Substack!
Yeah for sure! Although there’s part of me that is okay. I got burned out with all the effort for content and how little it lasted on there. Happy to be doing other forms marketing!
That was one of the biggest factors of making the decision to move away from Instagram, so much time spent on creating content for little or no return.
I’m feeling the same way about Instagram, I’ve always liked it but it doesn’t seem like the same place now. I’m also hoping to switch over primarily to Substack.
Oh boy, I have indeed enjoyed reading this post as I am teetering on doing the same thing. I share your sentiments and your feelings about it, but haven’t quite made the move yet as many of my fellow artists are on there and this is how I get to see their art.
I will probably still pop over and see what everyone is doing, plus I do get a lot of inspiration from the platform, however moving away from posting on a regular basis has really freed my mind and lifted a huge weight I’ve been carrying around for a while.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this, Sonya! I feel the same about building a community - I don’t want to block anyone out with a paywall if I can help it. Although of course your work is valuable and so is mine!
I had to think long and hard about the paywall and removing it has taken the pressure off feeling I need to create additional content that is worthy of a paid subscription.
Hopefully over time people who choose to follow may want to share their appreciation if I’ve shared something of particular value.
Leaving it to the individual to make that decision has just given me the headspace to concentrate on sharing the content I wish to share, irrespective of a paid subscription 🤎
Evolving and finding new ways to collaborate and share your work seems to be right now, lots of options with no longer having to be reliant on the old same set-ups! Onwards and upwards for everyone! Also curious is anyone on this platform also present on Tik-Tok?
I do have a Tiktok account where I tend to share reels from Instagram, however in recent weeks I’ve had far more interaction over there with far fewer followers compared to Instagram, plus sharing carousel posts seems to be working well, my initial thoughts of Tiktok just being about a platform for sharing videos of people dancing has been proven wrong, which is refreshing.
Not sure if it would be for serious writers, however as a home stylist it works for me.
I’ve shared some of my posts on there as a photo carousel and have had a few people curious to check out my Substack from there. I always work on the basis of give it a try and see what happens, that’s one thing I do enjoy with TikTok you can experiment and no one really cares, unlike Instagram 🤎
Thanks Sonya for sharing your experience also l'm keen to know how you managed to add your recommend button into your profile? Is that a customized script or did you do it in the normal susbtack set up?
It’s all within the Substack set up, I think if you go into Site Design - Home Page - Advanced Layouts you can add a recommendations tab there, hope that helps 😍
Very well said Sonya. I’m so sick of Instagram. Unfortunately I can’t leave it yet due to brand work and needing the money, but if I could I would. It’s not a very nice place anymore. Well done you!
Oh thank you JP 😍 I’ve been deliberating over it for a while and it no longer gives me the joy it once did. Fortunately it was only ever used as a marketing tool for my business so hopefully some of my loyal followers will choose to enjoy the far more enjoyable Substack party 🎉
I've signed up for Claire's course too and I'm really looking forward to it. I would love to be much more here, than over there! I love the sound of your magazine style weekly roundup. I have subscribed and will enjoy receiving your stylish news! Good luck with it 😊
That’s amazing to hear, thank you Susan, I’ve a couple of posts to share that follow up from previous posts, then new exciting content will follow, I hope you enjoy it 🤎
Aww, well said Sonya 👏 and well done to make the decision & the move. It’s all about doing what feels right for you. Social media is a never ending battle, the bubble is going to burst one day for sure. I’m right behind you here, & look forward to following your new journey moving forward 🤗🤎
Absolutely and I really appreciate you’re continued support Sam, essentially same content just better platform to share it on 😉
Great 👍🏻
Ah, Instagram has become a chore rather than a joy. I’m still there, though I mainly share on my stories. I rarely post on the grid any more — it’s rather pointless considering how dismal the views & engagement are. I’d rather pour my energy here and on my main blog, which I’ve had since over a decade!
Completely agree with you Shinjini, I post the odd story and don’t miss the pressure of posting daily for little or no engagement. Substack is far more enjoyable!
I hear you... I'm back doing instagram after a few months but I won't be worrying about the algorithm. Insta is just for the fun and company now, I know I won't be growing and that's fine! My priority is Substack now :) wishing you best of luck with your own journey here, always cheering you on ❤️ (love the magazine format!)
I've recently moved away from Instagram to Substack too and this is so refreshing to read - it feels like a much more personal way to connect rather than depending on the ever-changing algorithm!
Absolutely, it’s my first week of not posting on Instagram and I feel so much lighter for it, definitely the way forward ☺️
Enjoyed reading your perspective. I used to enjoy IG but have fallen out of love with it too. I took a break in February and haven’t gone back. I prefer blogging, Pinterest and Substack!
Completely with you Angela, it’s such a shame as Instagram was so good at one point.
Yeah for sure! Although there’s part of me that is okay. I got burned out with all the effort for content and how little it lasted on there. Happy to be doing other forms marketing!
That was one of the biggest factors of making the decision to move away from Instagram, so much time spent on creating content for little or no return.
Yes exactly. I also didn’t like fitting my thoughts into one box / post. I crave depth and genuine connection. Feels good to be in this space.
I’m feeling the same way about Instagram, I’ve always liked it but it doesn’t seem like the same place now. I’m also hoping to switch over primarily to Substack.
I think there’s a lot of us all feeling the same Cait.
Oh boy, I have indeed enjoyed reading this post as I am teetering on doing the same thing. I share your sentiments and your feelings about it, but haven’t quite made the move yet as many of my fellow artists are on there and this is how I get to see their art.
Oh that’s wonder to read Hazel.
I will probably still pop over and see what everyone is doing, plus I do get a lot of inspiration from the platform, however moving away from posting on a regular basis has really freed my mind and lifted a huge weight I’ve been carrying around for a while.
I have fallen out of love with Instagram too. And I also am moving toward cultivating and growing Behind the Lens here. Thank you for reaffirming!
Oh you’re more than welcome Clee, I think there’s a lot of us all feeling the same 🤎
I just referred to this in my own writing.
Thank you Bob, I’ve just popped over and had a read, what an incredible compliment thank you so much for referencing me in your post 😍
Wonderful! I’m sure that cleared up headspace with bring you peace and increased creativity and unknown adventures ahead
Absolutely Lolly 💯
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this, Sonya! I feel the same about building a community - I don’t want to block anyone out with a paywall if I can help it. Although of course your work is valuable and so is mine!
Thank you for reading Lolly.
I had to think long and hard about the paywall and removing it has taken the pressure off feeling I need to create additional content that is worthy of a paid subscription.
Hopefully over time people who choose to follow may want to share their appreciation if I’ve shared something of particular value.
Leaving it to the individual to make that decision has just given me the headspace to concentrate on sharing the content I wish to share, irrespective of a paid subscription 🤎
Evolving and finding new ways to collaborate and share your work seems to be right now, lots of options with no longer having to be reliant on the old same set-ups! Onwards and upwards for everyone! Also curious is anyone on this platform also present on Tik-Tok?
Absolutely Salem’s.
I do have a Tiktok account where I tend to share reels from Instagram, however in recent weeks I’ve had far more interaction over there with far fewer followers compared to Instagram, plus sharing carousel posts seems to be working well, my initial thoughts of Tiktok just being about a platform for sharing videos of people dancing has been proven wrong, which is refreshing.
oh ok interesting to hear. I just don't think of Tik Tok as a serious place for writers so your saying Tik Tok is an option?
Not sure if it would be for serious writers, however as a home stylist it works for me.
I’ve shared some of my posts on there as a photo carousel and have had a few people curious to check out my Substack from there. I always work on the basis of give it a try and see what happens, that’s one thing I do enjoy with TikTok you can experiment and no one really cares, unlike Instagram 🤎
Thanks Sonya for sharing your experience also l'm keen to know how you managed to add your recommend button into your profile? Is that a customized script or did you do it in the normal susbtack set up?
It’s all within the Substack set up, I think if you go into Site Design - Home Page - Advanced Layouts you can add a recommendations tab there, hope that helps 😍
Super thanks Sonya l asked the ai help but couldn't get a answer! Yep l cannot see it tried that, oh well never mind.
I love so much of what you write and as a new subscriber I’m looking forward to receiving my first Digital magazine soon xx
Oh that’s amazing to read, thank you Hayley, I’ve a couple of posts to still share following on from topics I’ve already started.
Hopefully my new direction won’t disappoint 🤎
The CARA app may become a viable alternative. I’m on it.
Oh that’s a new one for me, ’ll have to a take a look, thanks Bob
I think you’ll like it
cara.app
Very well said Sonya. I’m so sick of Instagram. Unfortunately I can’t leave it yet due to brand work and needing the money, but if I could I would. It’s not a very nice place anymore. Well done you!
Oh thank you JP 😍 I’ve been deliberating over it for a while and it no longer gives me the joy it once did. Fortunately it was only ever used as a marketing tool for my business so hopefully some of my loyal followers will choose to enjoy the far more enjoyable Substack party 🎉
I just left Instagram with a sense of relief and grief. Thank you for sharing Claire’s course 🙌
I completely get that, a sense of mixed emotions, and you’re more than welcome 🤎
Thank you Sonya 🙌
I hope they do. So much more fun over here.
Absolutely 💯
I've signed up for Claire's course too and I'm really looking forward to it. I would love to be much more here, than over there! I love the sound of your magazine style weekly roundup. I have subscribed and will enjoy receiving your stylish news! Good luck with it 😊
That’s amazing to hear, thank you Susan, I’ve a couple of posts to share that follow up from previous posts, then new exciting content will follow, I hope you enjoy it 🤎
I've just noticed you're in Suffolk too! I spent the first 30 + years of my life there 🙂
Oh what a coincidence, yes Suffolk born and bred, although have traveled around quite a bit, although now back “home” 🤎
It's a beautiful county 😊
We’re very lucky ☺️
I will look forward to it! 😁