A Substack Community Experiment

30-Days. 15 writers. Goal: 777 paid members across our community!

Let's face it—Substack can be a lonely highway. You're out there cranking out content, hoping to hit that magical "paid subscriber" milestone, all while juggling the million other things that make up a writer's life.

That's why I decided to skip the solo act and invite 10 fellow writers to join me on a 30-day Substack challenge.

Our goal: 777 paid members across our community.

A lofty ambition? Perhaps.

But the real prize isn’t just the numbers—it’s the chance to create a vibrant, supportive community where we can all learn, grow, and, dare I say, thrive and have fun!

Bob Lewis has been incredibly passionate about this challange:

Notion: Our Secret Weapon

To keep our motley crew organized, we enlisted the help of Notion. This powerhouse tool became our virtual headquarters, housing everything from our daily writing prompts and progress trackers to our ever-growing database of Substack wisdom. Think of it as our Swiss Army knife for community building.

A Strategic Approach to Substack Success

We didn't just dive in headfirst. We mapped out a strategic plan, tailored to the varying experience levels of our members.

• Newbies: We focused on getting them up and running, from crafting killer welcome emails to mastering Substack's basic functionalities.

• Seasoned Pros: We dug deeper into refining paid membership offers and exchanged invaluable feedback.

• The Whole Crew: We dove into the nitty-gritty of notes strategy, lead magnets, and interactive sessions where members could get personalized support.

The Power of Data-Driven Decisions

In the spirit of learning, we embrace a data-driven approach. We track everything—open rates, click-throughs, subscriber growth—and use those insights to refine our strategies and optimize our content.

Lessons Learned: Community Is Key

The 777 Club experiment is a whirlwind of creativity, collaboration, and a healthy dose of caffeinated late-night writing sessions.

Do we hit our goal?

I'll leave that as a cliffhanger for now. But the real takeaway was the power of community.

We discovered that by sharing our struggles, celebrating our wins, and pooling our collective wisdom, we could achieve far more than we ever could alone.

Janet Ridsdale : shared her learnings and experience with notes with us:

So, what's the secret to building a thriving Substack community?

• Embrace collaboration: Don't be afraid to reach out to fellow creators. Two heads (or ten!) are better than one.

• Leverage tools like Notion: They can streamline your workflow and keep everyone on the same page.

• Focus on data-driven decisions: Track your progress and use the insights to refine your strategies.

• Most importantly, foster a supportive environment: Remember, we're all in this together.

I invite you to join the conversation. Share your Substack experiences, challenges, and triumphs. Let's create a community where we can all learn, grow, and win together. Or send me a message saying that you would like to join the challenge.

Because in the world of Substack, community isn't just nice to have—it's the key to creating your own tribe.