Well said, Ashlee--it is a dance for sure, to find that balance between writing and 'hey, read my writing!' Right?
FWIW, Anne Lamott was my first writing hero and I remember very clearly when her first book came out--1979, the year my daughter was born. I don't think websites were even invented then, right?
Relatable x 100 not only for enneagram 3, Jenna Kutcher and the lead magnet pull but because this tension is real and you always find a way to acknowledge that with wisdom.
I laughed so hard at this. I did the EXACT same thing as you back in my early blogging days because surprise, surprise, I learned it from Jenna Kutcher. I've been here on Substack for four years and I have probably fifty more subscribers now than I did four years ago. I have no lead magnets, no social media on which to promote my work, no website even. Just a belief that I happen to like what I'm writing and that the right people will find me if they're meant to. And, if not? Well, I've had a lot of fun writing on Substack all these years and no words are ever wasted.
This absolutely makes my day! Thanks for making us laugh, smile, and nod our heads a thousand times over at every turn of this piece. You’re a great writer, Ashlee!
Loved this and I also clicked on that lead magnet - I read every word and felt inspired! The book stack poetry idea is so fun!!!
But yes - I could FEEL it when you were talking about the process of creating it and all the hours - I relate to what that feels like mentally, physically and emotionally!
I laughed, cried, and painfully related to every word. I remember when I was researching my own lead magnet, I stumbled across the exact same realization about Patron Saint Anne and thinking - What on earth am I doing? I loved the way you invite the challenge while not putting writing and marketing entirely against one another.
Found this at 3am. I felt so seen. I smiled a lot too.
Well said, Ashlee--it is a dance for sure, to find that balance between writing and 'hey, read my writing!' Right?
FWIW, Anne Lamott was my first writing hero and I remember very clearly when her first book came out--1979, the year my daughter was born. I don't think websites were even invented then, right?
Thank you for the smiles and sharing your story.
oh goodness YES. this made me laugh and smile so much. WWALD
My new motto is going to be: What would Ashlee Gadd do?
Relatable x 100 not only for enneagram 3, Jenna Kutcher and the lead magnet pull but because this tension is real and you always find a way to acknowledge that with wisdom.
April Hoss and I used to have sticky notes on our phones with,"What would Emily do?" on it. Probably NOT be checking her phone, is what.
Hey and also, this is a story about not writing, yeah? You and I, we should write a book.
I loved this, made me smile.
1. I love your lead magnet.
2. I hope you get to me Anne one day!
I laughed so hard at this. I did the EXACT same thing as you back in my early blogging days because surprise, surprise, I learned it from Jenna Kutcher. I've been here on Substack for four years and I have probably fifty more subscribers now than I did four years ago. I have no lead magnets, no social media on which to promote my work, no website even. Just a belief that I happen to like what I'm writing and that the right people will find me if they're meant to. And, if not? Well, I've had a lot of fun writing on Substack all these years and no words are ever wasted.
Loved reading this. AND I have never read a book by Anne Lamott. Where should I start?
I couldn’t love this more. Now I have to search my aging brain for what we called these “back in the day.”
This absolutely makes my day! Thanks for making us laugh, smile, and nod our heads a thousand times over at every turn of this piece. You’re a great writer, Ashlee!
Loved this and I also clicked on that lead magnet - I read every word and felt inspired! The book stack poetry idea is so fun!!!
But yes - I could FEEL it when you were talking about the process of creating it and all the hours - I relate to what that feels like mentally, physically and emotionally!
oh goodness YES. this made me laugh and smile so much. WWALD
How did you know I needed this today? I am forever borrowing those two questions. Brilliant.
I love this so much!
I laughed, cried, and painfully related to every word. I remember when I was researching my own lead magnet, I stumbled across the exact same realization about Patron Saint Anne and thinking - What on earth am I doing? I loved the way you invite the challenge while not putting writing and marketing entirely against one another.