Happy Monday!
I have been growing in so many ways since writing here and I wanted to share 10 things I’m learning to both encourage you and also me when I am further along in the journey and might need to be reminded of a few key things.
So here are some small and big things I’ve started doing to gain more traction the last few days. And by more traction I mean: hitting 250 subscribers (3 of which are paid, which is SUCH a blessing), getting on #27 Rising in Parenting List, my articles are getting over 20+ likes and several comments! It has been so exciting and surreal but let’s get into some lessons learned.
Be okay with starting small
Not too long ago I was writing to the void, but you know what? I enjoyed it. Getting 4 or 5 likes on my post was thrilling, and getting my 5th subscriber ever was such a joy! Do not fear small beginnings, it really is a chance to get comfortable on this platform and a safe place to start sharing your thoughts. Don’t worry with views or numbers because what actually matters is the ability to…
Make genuine connections
This is a special place where you aren’t just ‘talking to your followers’ but you have the chance to make real connections. Direct messages are actually my favorite part of being here and I feel like I am making virtual mom friends by the daily. Or sometimes I feel like an article was written exactly for me or what I wanted to share, just better. (In particular, words from these ladies always inspire me, just to name a few: Courtney McGee | stems from home | Hilary Simon) And on that note, always be ready to…
Support others
The best way to grow is to help others grow. Restacking posts and notes do not go unnoticed. I really think restacking is the nicest thing someone can do (besides of course supporting your work)! And when you support others, it just comes back around to you - I don’t know the science of it but just trust me on this!
Don’t overthink your notes
I know it’s easy to want to schedule your notes out or proofread them a lot before they go out but I think notes that are done quickly and straight to the point do a lot better than anything overly edited. My most viral note is of my car basket where I just snapped a quick picture of my passenger car seat!
Create a (publishing) structure for yourself
Deciding to challenge myself to write ONE article a week was such a good decision! One, it brought others into it who are also trying to do the same and we’ve kept each other accountable / cheer each other on (Kathryn and Kearstin | Among Friends) and it was just a good and attainable goal for myself. Once I decided to share a recipe, activity, and product each week - it helped me a lot with how I decided to focus on one consistent article.. which leads me to -
Consistency is E V E R Y T H I N G
I really do think Substack rewards consistency and connection over quick growth and I love that. But being consistent does require showing up even if you don’t feel a creative spark or don’t know what to write about. I try to keep a running list in my notes app or journal of different prompts I’m passionate about and can yap about so I can pull from that!
Update your bio
And ideally update your bio to what you are delivering. I think a big switch went off for me when I did this. Before it was more vague and something like: here to help you become the 90s mom you were meant to be, which is cute but then I changed it to: Hi, I’m Andi! ⭐️ Every week I share a recipe, activity, and product rec for moms who want to slow down and bring a little 90s magic back to everyday life 🌷 — which is so much more clear on what I am promising you as a subscriber. Take out the guesswork for someone who is new coming to your profile!
Don’t be too attached to the outcome
This one is so very important and it reminds me of the first point, be okay with starting small and talking to the void and making the list and then getting off the list. Once we become too attached to the outcome, it’s easy for things to make or ruin our day but in order to be consistent - just be okay with things being slow sometimes or not working out how we wanted it to. Substack really is just a big creative experiment and playground if you will for us to explore. As long as you keep going (for your 2028 self, I always like to say) one step at a time — that is all that matters.
Celebrate small wins
But at the same time, when you do achieve little milestones — celebrate them! Celebrate every single milestone because the small wins are what keep you going to the next one. And you deserve to be celebrated, showing up here and putting yourself out there each time is a small act of courage. I’m proud of you and you should be proud of you too!
It’s okay to ask for (paid) support
This one is new for me and honestly still scary. But a helpful reframe is that you are simply being honest about what you're building and inviting people into it. And I’m learning that people do genuinely want to support you and be a part of what you are building here, which is so cool! It’s okay to ask for that (even if it’s a little scary or out of your comfort zone!)
So with that, happy writing this week! And to practice what I preach, I’d love to invite you to become a paid subscriber to the 90s Mom Club. For $7/month or $60/year you get my weekly letter with a recipe, activity, and product recommendation — plus access to our club chat with weekly challenges launching in August.
Also, for this month, the first 10 paid subscribers get a free copy of Dopamine Kids by Michaeleen Doucleff (author of Hunt, Gather Parent), sent straight to your door. We’re at 7 spots left and trust me, this book is life-changing! 🌷
Thank you so so much for being here!
xoxo
Andi 🌷
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