Thanks, Steve. Hope it's helpful. Based on trying to figure it out for myself and document it so I don't have to keep retracing my steps. If you figure out a better or different way, do let me know.
My advice to authors is put the most important keyword or keywords in the title of your post, so your post shows up at the top of search results for that keyword. Otherwise your post will appear further down the results, and a lot of people don't look beyond the listings at the top.
Good to know about you. I'll check out your stack.
I should say I'm not an expert and some recommend short, pithy titles, but I think they tend to work in very popular areas, like politics and food.
I'm going in the other direction, making it as true to the subject as possible but putting in artist names and song titles because that's what people are interested in when it comes to music. I don't worry about long titles anymore because I have seen some ridiculously long ones by other authors.
So it's probably good to experiment and see what works. I find growth in music substacks tends to be a slow, steady process if you're not a big name. But that's just my own personal experience -- for what it's worth!
I wonder if your suggestion of using keywords would also apply to then Substack Notes. That way I can keep the clean "Song-Singer" format in my titles but go crazy in the Notes to get as much traction as possible. I'll try that and report back!
I don't do a lot in the way of Notes except to advertize my posts there. From what I've read, notes bring a lot of followers but not necessarily a lot of subscribers. So it depends on what your goals are.
The reason for using keywords in your post title is to have them come up in searches on both substack and google etc. Those search algorithms from what I understand search posts but not notes.
But it's good to experiment and see what works for you. Please do report back on what you find, as I'm always interested in finding out what works for others. My strategy may be all wrong!
Thanks Ellen. I’ve just started posting, from a music and history of the times slant, and call it Rearview mirror. Not looking to make money, just a retiree’s pastime on something I enjoy.
Welcome to the site. Lots of music. I’ve written theee books on Dylan, stuff on Bruce, Roxy Music, The Who, The Clash,The Band, Stones, Creedence, Clapton.
If you go to that post in your author dashboard and look at Reach, you can check out Recipients below Traffic and see where those views are coming from. I find that if someone has left my post open on a device, or on multiple devices, it can rack up a lot of views. I think that happens because they check back on that tab and every time they do it logs a view. Or maybe it got recommended, so there could be a good explanation. But looking there may give you some insight into why that post had so many views, which can be helpful in repeating it.
this is incredibly helpful, thank you. also continuing to be very mixed feelings about those lists now being flooded with musicians vs. writers.... for entirely selfish reasons.
Thanks, Gabbie, and yes, I have mixed feelings about that too. Would be good if they separated them now that so many musicians are joining, but not sure that's in the cards just yet. Might have to be bigger numbers so it becomes a real problem for us writers.
Love this! I’m Harrison, an ex fine dining industry line cook. My stack "The Secret Ingredient" adapts hit restaurant recipes (mostly NYC and L.A.) for easy home cooking. Dm me if interested in a recommendation swap — we’re growing fast!
Ellen, I really liked your post about how to support musicians from May 6th. I'm a guitarist and educator who's been teaching for as long as I can remember (20+ years). My newsletter has been gone out every single Sunday on a few platforms, but for the past couple of years it's been on Substack. If your readers would enjoy learning about guitar, they should check out Six String Sunday - https://chasingsound.substack.com
Thanks so much, Brian. And thanks for bringing your stack to my attention. I've subscribed and added it to my recommendations.
It will be of much interest to me because I recently bought a guitar. I took guitar lessons when I was 13 and dropped them because the old guy at the music store teaching me clearly wasn't interested in working with a girl. Plus you're speaking my language and love all the documentary and reading suggestions.
What an amazing piece of research! Thank you 👏 Going to dig into this properly tomorrow 👍
Thanks, Steve. Hope it's helpful. Based on trying to figure it out for myself and document it so I don't have to keep retracing my steps. If you figure out a better or different way, do let me know.
Thank you!
Exactly what I need. Thanks !
Hello,
I’m one of those elusive music writers.
I use it as a springboard for social commentary and personal reflection.
With literature as my compass, I map songs onto stories about culture, identity, and what it means to be human.
https://substack.com/@maninplaid
My advice to authors is put the most important keyword or keywords in the title of your post, so your post shows up at the top of search results for that keyword. Otherwise your post will appear further down the results, and a lot of people don't look beyond the listings at the top.
Good to know about you. I'll check out your stack.
I know! You are definitely right.
I struggle with that as I am trying to showcase a particular song or musician as opposed to myself and my musings.
But that’s the algorithm game, I guess. I’ll start experimenting with new titles and see if I start getting more traction.
Thank you for the chat and advice!
I should say I'm not an expert and some recommend short, pithy titles, but I think they tend to work in very popular areas, like politics and food.
I'm going in the other direction, making it as true to the subject as possible but putting in artist names and song titles because that's what people are interested in when it comes to music. I don't worry about long titles anymore because I have seen some ridiculously long ones by other authors.
So it's probably good to experiment and see what works. I find growth in music substacks tends to be a slow, steady process if you're not a big name. But that's just my own personal experience -- for what it's worth!
I wonder if your suggestion of using keywords would also apply to then Substack Notes. That way I can keep the clean "Song-Singer" format in my titles but go crazy in the Notes to get as much traction as possible. I'll try that and report back!
I don't do a lot in the way of Notes except to advertize my posts there. From what I've read, notes bring a lot of followers but not necessarily a lot of subscribers. So it depends on what your goals are.
The reason for using keywords in your post title is to have them come up in searches on both substack and google etc. Those search algorithms from what I understand search posts but not notes.
But it's good to experiment and see what works for you. Please do report back on what you find, as I'm always interested in finding out what works for others. My strategy may be all wrong!
Great resource!
Thanks Ellen. I’ve just started posting, from a music and history of the times slant, and call it Rearview mirror. Not looking to make money, just a retiree’s pastime on something I enjoy.
It can be fun and hope you enjoy it.
Here’s one of many
https://open.substack.com/pub/johnnogowski/p/can-a-song-help-chart-your-life?r=7pf7u&utm_medium=ios
Cool!
Welcome to the site. Lots of music. I’ve written theee books on Dylan, stuff on Bruce, Roxy Music, The Who, The Clash,The Band, Stones, Creedence, Clapton.
And…a Paul Westerberg post that’s gotten 10,000 views. Really!!
https://open.substack.com/pub/johnnogowski/p/the-sadly-silent-paul-westerberg?r=7pf7u&utm_medium=ios
No idea why. Good story but….
If you go to that post in your author dashboard and look at Reach, you can check out Recipients below Traffic and see where those views are coming from. I find that if someone has left my post open on a device, or on multiple devices, it can rack up a lot of views. I think that happens because they check back on that tab and every time they do it logs a view. Or maybe it got recommended, so there could be a good explanation. But looking there may give you some insight into why that post had so many views, which can be helpful in repeating it.
this is incredibly helpful, thank you. also continuing to be very mixed feelings about those lists now being flooded with musicians vs. writers.... for entirely selfish reasons.
Thanks, Gabbie, and yes, I have mixed feelings about that too. Would be good if they separated them now that so many musicians are joining, but not sure that's in the cards just yet. Might have to be bigger numbers so it becomes a real problem for us writers.
Thank you for including The Music Directory <3
It's so great you're doing it! Thanks also for reposting.
Love this! I’m Harrison, an ex fine dining industry line cook. My stack "The Secret Ingredient" adapts hit restaurant recipes (mostly NYC and L.A.) for easy home cooking. Dm me if interested in a recommendation swap — we’re growing fast!
check us out:
https://thesecretingredient.substack.com
Looks great, Harrison!
Wondering if any of the lists you mention have @Temple of Artists: music, art, books, creation, spirit, jazz.
Sorry, Su, I don't know if they do. You might try the category that seems closest and check it out, as they're alphabetical lists.
This is super helpful and comprehensive, thank you for your work!
Glad it's helpful. Thanks for letting me know.
Thank you, this is great!
Thanks, April!
I did not know there was half this much music and music writing on Substack!
I didn't either until I stumbled across it. A bounty of riches!
Ellen, I really liked your post about how to support musicians from May 6th. I'm a guitarist and educator who's been teaching for as long as I can remember (20+ years). My newsletter has been gone out every single Sunday on a few platforms, but for the past couple of years it's been on Substack. If your readers would enjoy learning about guitar, they should check out Six String Sunday - https://chasingsound.substack.com
Thanks so much, Brian. And thanks for bringing your stack to my attention. I've subscribed and added it to my recommendations.
It will be of much interest to me because I recently bought a guitar. I took guitar lessons when I was 13 and dropped them because the old guy at the music store teaching me clearly wasn't interested in working with a girl. Plus you're speaking my language and love all the documentary and reading suggestions.
That's great to hear you've picked it up again. If you ever have any guitar questions, send 'em my way. Just subbed to Rock 'n' Roll with Me!