Note
The app for independent voices
As a Substack writer, my big question about how Notes evolves is
Will this be a shared conversation like Twitter where posters generally need to engage with “the conversation” to stay relevant. Or will it be more like a Substack where authors have more latitude to drive the focus.
Related to that: How much will different newsletter writers interact and form one conversation vs publish notes in parallel aimed at their specific audiences?
I get that these divides aren’t so simple. Newsletters res…
Which would be best?
My inclination is that it would be better if Notes were pulling me toward staying on the topic of my Substack. Many reporters have crashed on the rocks on Twitter by opining on topics beyond what their readers care about. I feel like Notes would be most valuable if I’m talking to people interested in my newsletter topic (+ other writers). If I’m just chasing audience generally then there’s more of a pull to chatter about a broad range of topics. At the same time, it’s fun to think people care about your opinions on everything.
I wonder if there is a sweet spot somewhere in between. If you just want to talk to your audience about the exact topic, you can use comments/chat.
Ideally Notes feels like not one giant public place with everyone, but a circle with the parts of the Substack network that you participate in where you can have interesting conversations in (and around!) your interests.