A New Journey on Substack: Connecting with Readers Authentically
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Chapter 1: Embracing New Platforms
Throughout my professional journey, reaching an audience for my scientific work has been a significant hurdle. It was challenging to simplify complex topics for the general public, and even harder to find readers who appreciated those simplified ideas. Traditionally, researchers relied on publishing in peer-reviewed journals, which often proved costly and tedious unless the research was particularly sensational. The intricate details of biochemical processes in animal models rarely captured public interest.
In recent years, I turned to social media, but attracting readers' attention was still problematic. Important messages often became obscured by the noise of vanity metrics, such as random likes and follows on platforms like Twitter and Facebook, leaving genuine engagement feeling scarce.
Two years ago, I was invited to join Medium, where I finally experienced substantial interactions with like-minded individuals from various backgrounds. Sharing my experiences and thoughts on different issues led to the formation of several meaningful online relationships.
Inspiration from Remarkable Writers
During my time on Medium, I encountered several successful writers whose work and styles resonated with me. Notably, three Australian writers—Tim Denning, Dr. Mehmet Yildiz, and Aiden—stood out with their impressive leadership, educational insights, and humility.
Despite being younger than me, I found their experiences enlightening and admired their ability to connect with a broad audience. Each of these writers also maintains a presence on Substack, despite their significant followings on Medium and social media. Motivated by their success and the values they promote, I decided to explore Substack.
Dr. Yildiz, whom I have known for a long time, encouraged me to join Medium, believing my extensive research experience could inspire younger generations. His commitment to diversity, inclusion, and collaboration motivated me to follow his lead. Tim Denning, despite facing some criticism, is another community builder whose work I respect. I have reviewed and published many of his articles on ILLUMINATION-Curated and found them to be consistently educational. His adept use of social media and Substack newsletter impressed me.
Aiden, who is the same age as my oldest grandchild, possesses remarkable intellectual and emotional intelligence. He juggles multiple roles, from editing and curating to media coordination, showcasing his ability to foster community.
Why Substack Over Medium
While Dr. Yildiz mentioned diversifying content across three platforms, I found NewsBreak unappealing due to its advertisement-driven nature, which does not resonate with me in my later years. I prefer platforms that emphasize meaningful content and foster genuine engagement.
Although I was impressed by Medium's community, I encountered issues such as content censorship, algorithmic challenges, and account security concerns that hindered my success as a writer. Particularly troubling was Medium's censorship of critical societal issues, prompting me to seek a more reliable platform for sharing my work without constraints.
My interest in Substack began after reading an eye-opening article by Dr. Yildiz, which detailed his observations, analyses, and insights from his mentors. He also provided a step-by-step guide that helped me grasp the Substack process, a valuable resource for newcomers like myself.
With his guidance, I finally launched my Substack yesterday. My goal is to publish all my stories on Substack first, then repurpose them for Medium. Additionally, I plan to curate exceptional articles from my new Health and Science publication on Medium and promote them through Substack. This strategy will allow me to reach a wider audience without censorship while supporting numerous writers, aligning with my altruistic goals in retirement.
Once I establish a substantial audience on Substack, I intend to monetize the newsletter, donating the income to a new initiative by ILLUMINATION-Curators—a team of 155 volunteer editors dedicated to supporting Substack creators via a new publication on Medium. They will also promote writers' profiles and works through newsletters on Substack. Here are the links to the sites:
- ILLUMINATION Library for Freelance Writers | Substack
- ILLUMINATION Writing Academy | Substack
- Invitation to ILLUMINATION Curators on Substack
- Publication on Medium
I believe this new publication presents an excellent opportunity for emerging writers like myself who are struggling to find readers. The team sent an invitation earlier today, and I’m sharing it here for interested writers and readers.
I am now part of the editorial team and eagerly anticipate reviewing, publishing, and sharing stories through this platform. Join us on this exciting journey and contribute to ILLUMINATION Curators on Substack.
I also support ILLUMINATION's Quora Spaces by sharing stories I discover on this engaging platform. You can learn about our tailored social media initiatives that enable Friends of Medium to easily share links to stories they read through the attached interview.
We look forward to your contributions to this new publication. Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Wishing you a healthy and fulfilling life.
If you write about health and science, you are welcome to join my publication. Here is the link to the initial submission guidelines. You can see how I curate stories from the Health & Science publication on Medium.com.
Uplifting Update on My New Publication
My new little publication, Health and Science, has made a significant impact and is growing rapidly, similar to its larger counterpart, ILLUMINATION. I penned my first newsletter yesterday, which garnered thousands of views in May 2024. You can read the details in my first exciting newsletter titled "Exciting Updates from the 1st Successful Month of Health and Science Pub on Medium."
Recently, I introduced three writers to my Health and Science publication. More introductions will follow soon. Meanwhile, let’s support Dr. Adam Tabriz, Naya Monroe, MA, LCDC-I, and Lawson Wallace. 🙏
- Meet Dr. Adam Tabriz, MD, on Health & Science Publication of ILLUMINATION
- Meet Naya Monroe on My Health & Science Publication of Illumination on Medium.com
- Meet Lawson Wallace on My Health and Science Publication on Medium
I also curate stories from ILLUMINATION publications. Here is a recent sample version, showcasing eclectic topics.
- Mike's Favorite Stories on ILLUMINATION Publications — #150 💐
About Me
I am a retired scientist in my mid-70s, motivated by my grandchildren who inspire my writing on this platform. As a way to give back, I volunteer as an editor for Illumination publications, supporting many new writers. I would be delighted to read, publish, and promote your stories. You can connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Quora, where I share stories I discover. Subscribe to my account to receive my posts directly in your inbox.
The video titled "How to Grow Organically to 25k Readers on Substack with David Adeleke" provides valuable insights and guidance for writers looking to expand their audience on Substack. Through practical tips and experiences, it serves as a motivating resource for anyone interested in enhancing their writing journey on this platform.