Do you think there is a sweet spot for how many other newsletters you recommend? I feel it could feel like too much if I recommend everyone that I love!
Kristi, a question for you. If I go in and recommend a publication, does that automatically send out an email to all my subscribers that I'm recommending that publication? I would really like to recommend some publications, but I don't want to blast my subscriber base every time I make one. Thank you if you can help me be sure it wont.
Such an important reminder … it is easy to make a feature of it with personalised comments about why you are recommending (which can then be shared regularly in Notes or a ‘30 days of Recommendations’ post). We did that for Christmas 2024 https://encouragementmanifesto.substack.com/p/recommended-by-us
We would love if loads of folk celebrated others, rippling out the recommendations. I always used to say “if you look at the idea twice it is research not plagiarism!” 🤣 You are very welcome to try it for size.
I've filled it out, blurbs and all. It's a link in my Header, which I've noticed shows up blank sometimes when I click on it. 🤨 I'd put it in my sidebar module, but when I peruse others Recs there I end up going down a rabbit hole and forget the stack I started from. It's in my footer too though and that link seems to always work.
Hmmmm that's interesting. I've not heard that before. I'm not sure that's accurate because once a week or so, I get emails notifying me of several pubs recommending mine. Almost like a weekly summary notification.
Update with confusion 🤪. Go to your Home (not the Dashboard) and click More in bottom left corner, then Settings, there scroll down to Notifications and click Connections, and there is a ‘New recommenders - Notify me when another writer recommends my publication’ checkbox. That’s for email notifications I’m pretty sure and so contradicts my previous comment and source? Eh.
Ahh but you see, this isn't about giving recommendations to get them in return. It's about giving them because you LIKE the person you're reading. Their Substacks don't have to relate to yours. I certainly don't relate or even read The Biblical Man and yet, he has brought me over 800 subscribers! This is about paying it forward by recommending Substacks you enjoy and NOT focusing on giving to receive. 😊
In your Dashboard in the left menu, under Creator Tools, there's Reccomendations - go there and scroll down for a toggle that says 'Show recommendations on homepage' and check if that's on.
When I started on Substack - about 8 months ago - I searched for publication that dealt with subjects similar to mine - subscribed and recommended them - and was so flattered when they recommended me back - and yes it did bring me new subscribers - I didn’t know I could add my own other Substack account - so thanks again for a wonderful tip - I’ll be doing that later today
Excellent! And yes, it's always fun to recommend your own. In the space where you can write why you're recommending it, I'm fully transparent, saying that it's my other publication 😁
Do you think there is a sweet spot for how many other newsletters you recommend? I feel it could feel like too much if I recommend everyone that I love!
Nah, I wouldn't worry about it. If you love them, you love them! Spread the love!
Great article, Kristi! Recommendations are an incredible boost for new creators. Thanks, Kristi!
You're welcome! 😊
Kristi, a question for you. If I go in and recommend a publication, does that automatically send out an email to all my subscribers that I'm recommending that publication? I would really like to recommend some publications, but I don't want to blast my subscriber base every time I make one. Thank you if you can help me be sure it wont.
No it does not, you don'thave to worry about that. But Substack email the person you recommended, just to let them know.
Thank you 🙏
Thanks for this. And of course I just recommended you! Love you lots, Kristi! 😉
Awww thank you Marcella!! And it's my pleasure 😊
I’m also guilty of not checking my recommendations as my reading evolves!
Such an important reminder … it is easy to make a feature of it with personalised comments about why you are recommending (which can then be shared regularly in Notes or a ‘30 days of Recommendations’ post). We did that for Christmas 2024 https://encouragementmanifesto.substack.com/p/recommended-by-us
Loved this idea too - and your recommendations!
There are SO many creative folk her to celebrate. I am overdue updating my list!!
Love that 30-day idea! How wonderful 🙂
Thank you so much. We do love to celebrate others.
I like that idea too!
Can I use it? 😁
(Seriously, I want to use it, or a similar idea....)
👍
We would love if loads of folk celebrated others, rippling out the recommendations. I always used to say “if you look at the idea twice it is research not plagiarism!” 🤣 You are very welcome to try it for size.
I've filled it out, blurbs and all. It's a link in my Header, which I've noticed shows up blank sometimes when I click on it. 🤨 I'd put it in my sidebar module, but when I peruse others Recs there I end up going down a rabbit hole and forget the stack I started from. It's in my footer too though and that link seems to always work.
This feature really helped me grow my subscription base.
That is fantastic, David! I'm so happy to hear that!
That's the thing, Kristi.
When I started out, the only person whose writing I knew was the person the led me to Substack.
(That's why I have 2 "identities," cuz I started out as just a "reader," then I became a "creator.")
But, I didn't know anyone else's writing! 🤔
(And, as it turned out, the person I recommended changed her writing! Now I think it kinda sucks...so I don't rec her....um...ha!)
😁
But anyway, maybe you can see how that can work against a person just starting out on Substack. 😱
So now I have to spend the time reading others atuff.
I do that, but I haven't found others that write about the same stuff.
Well, actually, I have.
I did rec them, but they didn't return the favor.
Also didn't follow me back.
But, I don't take it personally, cuz I think it's the problem I had at first.
It takes time!
Still, good advice!
Just wanted to stick another viewpoint in here ....
👍
I'm pretty sure I've read that the 'recommendee' only receives notification that you rec'd them *after* they've gotten a subscriber from it.
Hmmmm that's interesting. I've not heard that before. I'm not sure that's accurate because once a week or so, I get emails notifying me of several pubs recommending mine. Almost like a weekly summary notification.
I found it! The thing I read it from, in a Substack help article (updated 5 days ago):
"How are recommended creators notified?
Recommended creators will receive an email notification letting them know that you are recommending their Substack.
If you recommend a creator who subscribes to your Substack, they’ll receive the email within an hour.
If the creator isn't subscribed to you, they'll receive the notification later when the recommendation has resulted in some new subscribers."
Source: https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/5036794583828-How-can-I-recommend-other-publications-on-Substack
Update with confusion 🤪. Go to your Home (not the Dashboard) and click More in bottom left corner, then Settings, there scroll down to Notifications and click Connections, and there is a ‘New recommenders - Notify me when another writer recommends my publication’ checkbox. That’s for email notifications I’m pretty sure and so contradicts my previous comment and source? Eh.
Ahh but you see, this isn't about giving recommendations to get them in return. It's about giving them because you LIKE the person you're reading. Their Substacks don't have to relate to yours. I certainly don't relate or even read The Biblical Man and yet, he has brought me over 800 subscribers! This is about paying it forward by recommending Substacks you enjoy and NOT focusing on giving to receive. 😊
Had no idea about this! It's a great way to connect people to my favourites and maybe even gain a few. Thank you!
You're welcome 😊
"If you have more than one publication, you can even recommend your own!"
I'll be darned, never woulda guessed... that sounds perfect for a narcissist like me!! 😅
Best comment so far today 👌 😆
Great reminder Kristi. My recs are not showing on my homepage. I'm using 'newspaper' format. Is that why?
In your Dashboard in the left menu, under Creator Tools, there's Reccomendations - go there and scroll down for a toggle that says 'Show recommendations on homepage' and check if that's on.
Yup, I wrote that post a couple of months ago and it turned out to be my most popular post of ALL-TIME!!
https://unstackit.substack.com/p/no-thanks-i-dont-want-to-read-your?r=2qffbg&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Could be, yes. Now that they have changed the functionality of our homes pages, you might have to go in and make adjustments.
Here's a post I did a few weeks ago that might help:
https://unstackit.substack.com/p/substack-homepage-design?r=2qffbg&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I love recommends.
Ditto!
When I started on Substack - about 8 months ago - I searched for publication that dealt with subjects similar to mine - subscribed and recommended them - and was so flattered when they recommended me back - and yes it did bring me new subscribers - I didn’t know I could add my own other Substack account - so thanks again for a wonderful tip - I’ll be doing that later today
Excellent! And yes, it's always fun to recommend your own. In the space where you can write why you're recommending it, I'm fully transparent, saying that it's my other publication 😁
Thanks for the reminder, Kristi... must admit, I have not looked at or revised my recs in ages!
It's easy to forget. I realized I hadn't either until I was writing this post!