Yes, I would write for one person. So far, my newsletter audience is small but I do have a super fan who tells me to never stop because she counts on receiving my work. That feels like success!
I love this. I would indeed write for one person, but it took me a while to get there, because when you don't have "a lot" of readers, it can indeed feel like a shameful failure in this age of influencers! But my stint in radio actually helped me learn to value "the one"; we were taught to speak as if we were speaking to just one person, and when you're alone in the studio, you actually don't know how many listeners you're speaking to. You still show up and give your best! My faith is another key factor in why I would write for just one. If I believe God cares for each person uniquely, and if I believe Christ would have come for just one person, that places a huge value on the human soul. Like God, I want to honour the value of one human.
Similar story: New preacher at a small church in the Southwest worked all week on his first sermon and when he showed up on Sunday there was only one man in the congregation. He looked at the man and said, "I have this sermon here that I prepared but I don't know what to do, whether to give it or not". "Well," said the man, "I'm just a rancher and I don't know much about preaching but if one cow shows up, I feed it". "OK," said the preacher, and he launched forth and preached his 20 minute sermon, introduction, 3 points and a conclusion. When he finished, he looked out at the rancher and said, "How did I do?" "Well," said the rancher, "ike i said, I don't know much about preaching but if the one cow shows up, I don't give him the whole load."
I write for the joy of writing, creative expression, and bringing order from disorder. Would I write for one person? Yes. And, I have found that sometimes it's okay to discard the plan or script and just engage at the level of the moment.
Dan, I needed this reminder today. Thank you. The shift in perspective was much appreciated, because I have noticed that, as I double down on showing up here on Substack, it is beginning to feel an awful lot like social media to me (especially the Notes aspect, which I know is the social arm of Substack). Meaning: I'm getting caught up in the "why did that post get thousands of likes but mine only got a few" game. The METRICS game. And I hate that. It's a huge reason why I got off of social media.
On the flipside, I love the networking and the organic relationships I'm building from connecting with great artists here on Substack. What I mean is that some of these are relationships built outside of the network.
And finally: the ZZ Top story NEVER GETS OLD. It is such an inspiration. Thank you for sharing it again.
I would write for just one reader. I only have @25 subscribers on Substack right now, but I value every one of them, and thank them for reading my words. On the same theme, I recently read a fascinating story on Grant Faulkner's Substack about Marta Becket, a dancer who bought and fixed up an old theatre. She danced there three times a week - to an empty theatre. Now that's dedication! She began to draw an audience after two popular magazines wrote about her. I was reminded of the line from the movie Field of Dreams: If you build it, they will come.
I really love this article and how it expands basing on the band. This is my first time leaving a comment on Substack. Right now, I write for one person: myself. I started a writing project months ago as part of my effort to build self-trust. So, it’s for me. If some people write back and share what it evokes in them, that means far more to me than just a number of subscribers.
Dan I love this anecdote. I have only one book published; it was a children's book published by HarperCollins. I was so proud of being published, and over the moon when I was invited to do a book reading at Powell's Books (of notorious NW fame). I got there early (and nervous and eager) to see they'd set up a huge room with 100 chairs and a podium at the front. It felt daunting. They led me to a back room to wait as the audience arrived. Finally it was time to meet the people! When I walked out to the big room all the chairs were empty except for a mom and dad with their young son sitting near the front row. None of my friends had showed up. I was mortified, but these strangers were there, patiently waiting for me. So I walked past the podium and sat down with them, and proceeded to read my book aloud to the little boy and his parents. Then I gave them a signed copy and thanked them profusely for being there. It was a good lesson in humility and gratitude. And if I am ever in that situation again I'll ask the venue to provide a smaller room with less chairs! I am glad to know I'm not the only one this has happened to - and that I have something in common with ZZ Top! Who knew? lol.
Hi Dan. Ironically, you have somehow continued a conversation I was having recently with an art gallery owner! We were discussing how art goes where it's MEANT to go; a piece that has travelled to various shows isn't a failure because it hasn't sold yet, it simply hasn't found the home it's meant to live in.
When I paint, write or sew quilts, I keep in mind that ONE person is going to be touched in some way by my work and that's all that matters. It's not about what the world says "success" is; I am Blessed to be able to do this work and honoured when people tell me that it means something to them.
This was an engaging read, Dan. I’m a content marketer by trade, and I’m laser focused on numbers all day long. I’m more than happy to kick metrics off the stage to perform creatively for an audience of even one whenever I get the chance. Also, you never know if that one person may be the one who truly needs to hear what you have to say.
I have a Fantasy-based Substack that is, at its core, written for other Fantasy nerds & geeks, and it often feels like a small group of us gathered together in a corner of the room, quietly geeking out over our shared enjoyment of a genre. And I love it!
And thank you for the ZZTop anecdote. If that doesn't show the importance of playing/writing for one...nothing does!
When I started serializing my memoir on Substack, I told myself I had to be okay with crickets, and that just one positive comment at the bottom of each chapter would be enough for me.
I've also realized that there's something about this world of social media and the internet that has gotten into our heads that we need thousands and millions of subscribers, followers, and fans. These numbers have become so inflated that these crazy expectations have become the norm.
Recently, I noticed a slight drop in the open rate, most likely due to posting twice a week because I'm doing a "What's on Your Desk?" series, as well, as a newsletter in addition to the memoir. So I asked my husband if he thought I should take a week off, to allow readers to 'catch up', and he said, "No, keep the momentum. Keep going."
I love the ZZ Top story, Dan, and your positivity, always. Your words are also reminding me of the person who opens up your newsletter and doesn't respond in any way, but they read it, and continue to read you every week. Thanks!
Yes, I would write for one person. So far, my newsletter audience is small but I do have a super fan who tells me to never stop because she counts on receiving my work. That feels like success!
Thanks Julie!
Well said. Gain readers one reader at a time. I like the part about honing your craft and your craft in reaching people.
Thanks David!
Welcome. Also, shouldn’t there be an “if” in the “One thing to consider …” sentence? 😊
Yes! Fixed! Thanks so much David.
I love this. I would indeed write for one person, but it took me a while to get there, because when you don't have "a lot" of readers, it can indeed feel like a shameful failure in this age of influencers! But my stint in radio actually helped me learn to value "the one"; we were taught to speak as if we were speaking to just one person, and when you're alone in the studio, you actually don't know how many listeners you're speaking to. You still show up and give your best! My faith is another key factor in why I would write for just one. If I believe God cares for each person uniquely, and if I believe Christ would have come for just one person, that places a huge value on the human soul. Like God, I want to honour the value of one human.
Thank you Lynette! Great point about being on radio. I was a DJ in college, and that is so true!
Similar story: New preacher at a small church in the Southwest worked all week on his first sermon and when he showed up on Sunday there was only one man in the congregation. He looked at the man and said, "I have this sermon here that I prepared but I don't know what to do, whether to give it or not". "Well," said the man, "I'm just a rancher and I don't know much about preaching but if one cow shows up, I feed it". "OK," said the preacher, and he launched forth and preached his 20 minute sermon, introduction, 3 points and a conclusion. When he finished, he looked out at the rancher and said, "How did I do?" "Well," said the rancher, "ike i said, I don't know much about preaching but if the one cow shows up, I don't give him the whole load."
Thanks Gary!
I write for the joy of writing, creative expression, and bringing order from disorder. Would I write for one person? Yes. And, I have found that sometimes it's okay to discard the plan or script and just engage at the level of the moment.
Thanks Mark!
Dan, I needed this reminder today. Thank you. The shift in perspective was much appreciated, because I have noticed that, as I double down on showing up here on Substack, it is beginning to feel an awful lot like social media to me (especially the Notes aspect, which I know is the social arm of Substack). Meaning: I'm getting caught up in the "why did that post get thousands of likes but mine only got a few" game. The METRICS game. And I hate that. It's a huge reason why I got off of social media.
On the flipside, I love the networking and the organic relationships I'm building from connecting with great artists here on Substack. What I mean is that some of these are relationships built outside of the network.
And finally: the ZZ Top story NEVER GETS OLD. It is such an inspiration. Thank you for sharing it again.
Thanks Jeannie!
I would write for just one reader. I only have @25 subscribers on Substack right now, but I value every one of them, and thank them for reading my words. On the same theme, I recently read a fascinating story on Grant Faulkner's Substack about Marta Becket, a dancer who bought and fixed up an old theatre. She danced there three times a week - to an empty theatre. Now that's dedication! She began to draw an audience after two popular magazines wrote about her. I was reminded of the line from the movie Field of Dreams: If you build it, they will come.
Thanks Linda! Great story.
I really love this article and how it expands basing on the band. This is my first time leaving a comment on Substack. Right now, I write for one person: myself. I started a writing project months ago as part of my effort to build self-trust. So, it’s for me. If some people write back and share what it evokes in them, that means far more to me than just a number of subscribers.
Thank you Xingdi!
Dan I love this anecdote. I have only one book published; it was a children's book published by HarperCollins. I was so proud of being published, and over the moon when I was invited to do a book reading at Powell's Books (of notorious NW fame). I got there early (and nervous and eager) to see they'd set up a huge room with 100 chairs and a podium at the front. It felt daunting. They led me to a back room to wait as the audience arrived. Finally it was time to meet the people! When I walked out to the big room all the chairs were empty except for a mom and dad with their young son sitting near the front row. None of my friends had showed up. I was mortified, but these strangers were there, patiently waiting for me. So I walked past the podium and sat down with them, and proceeded to read my book aloud to the little boy and his parents. Then I gave them a signed copy and thanked them profusely for being there. It was a good lesson in humility and gratitude. And if I am ever in that situation again I'll ask the venue to provide a smaller room with less chairs! I am glad to know I'm not the only one this has happened to - and that I have something in common with ZZ Top! Who knew? lol.
Aw, what a touching story. Thank you Ashley!
Hi Dan. Ironically, you have somehow continued a conversation I was having recently with an art gallery owner! We were discussing how art goes where it's MEANT to go; a piece that has travelled to various shows isn't a failure because it hasn't sold yet, it simply hasn't found the home it's meant to live in.
When I paint, write or sew quilts, I keep in mind that ONE person is going to be touched in some way by my work and that's all that matters. It's not about what the world says "success" is; I am Blessed to be able to do this work and honoured when people tell me that it means something to them.
Thanks as always for these conversations Dan!
Thanks Lori!
Most of us have been playing to one person all our lives : )
Thanks Richard!
Vonnegut wrote for one person, his sister. King wrote for one person, his wife.
Thanks John!
Vonnegut wrote for one person, his sister. King wrote for one person, his wife.
This was an engaging read, Dan. I’m a content marketer by trade, and I’m laser focused on numbers all day long. I’m more than happy to kick metrics off the stage to perform creatively for an audience of even one whenever I get the chance. Also, you never know if that one person may be the one who truly needs to hear what you have to say.
Thanks!
I have a Fantasy-based Substack that is, at its core, written for other Fantasy nerds & geeks, and it often feels like a small group of us gathered together in a corner of the room, quietly geeking out over our shared enjoyment of a genre. And I love it!
And thank you for the ZZTop anecdote. If that doesn't show the importance of playing/writing for one...nothing does!
Thank you Carolyn!
When I started serializing my memoir on Substack, I told myself I had to be okay with crickets, and that just one positive comment at the bottom of each chapter would be enough for me.
I've also realized that there's something about this world of social media and the internet that has gotten into our heads that we need thousands and millions of subscribers, followers, and fans. These numbers have become so inflated that these crazy expectations have become the norm.
Recently, I noticed a slight drop in the open rate, most likely due to posting twice a week because I'm doing a "What's on Your Desk?" series, as well, as a newsletter in addition to the memoir. So I asked my husband if he thought I should take a week off, to allow readers to 'catch up', and he said, "No, keep the momentum. Keep going."
I love the ZZ Top story, Dan, and your positivity, always. Your words are also reminding me of the person who opens up your newsletter and doesn't respond in any way, but they read it, and continue to read you every week. Thanks!
Aw, thank you Lani!!!!