More Value, Less Noise: 5 Easy Ways to Maximize Your Subscription
Substack isn't just another email newsletter. It's a community experience to maximize your reading and living like a Gilmore-- so you can replace all that endless scrolling with what matters to you.
Hi Friday night readers,
I’ve been sharing with you from the Substack platform for a few weeks now, and I hope you like it as much as I do.
As I learn more about the platform, I'd like to share a few ways you can get the most out of it as a subscriber to my Substack, as well as other Substacks you may follow.
After all, one of the primary reasons I made this significant switch during my summer was to provide you with a better subscriber experience that allows you to fully immerse yourself in the feel-good vibes of Stars Hollow and eliminate (or at least reduce) toxic internet noise.
Reminder: What is Substack?
If you're not familiar, Substack is a platform built for writers and readers. It makes it easier for you to read, comment, and share posts you love than a traditional email provider. In other words, it offers a more community-like experience.
Substacks are reader-funded through paid subscriptions, and there are already millions of paying subscribers on the platform. Substack has also recently secured a significant investment, indicating its continued growth and bringing more tools to both users and creators.
Substack tends to be well-liked by very literary people, so you’ll find a lot of “us” here: people who appreciate the written word. For this reason, it also feels like a much softer and gentler place to hang out than social media.
How to Get the Most Out of Friday Night Readers’ Substack
First, know that you don’t “have to” do anything to enjoy mine or someone else’s Substack content. That’s because new posts are delivered to you via email! Just click open and consume at your leisure.
However, if you are looking for a more community-like experience with like-minded individuals, here are a few things you can do to enhance your experience on Substack.
1. Engage With Posts
Now, you can engage with my emails to you, and read what other people are saying on them, too. Like, comment, or share!
2. Read the Archives
My emails are now available on a beautiful Substack website. Visit the archives in a web browser to dive deep into anything you may have missed or want to find again.
3. Download the App
Trust me, this is one “social media” app you’ll actually enjoy scrolling. There, you’ll find “Notes,” which serve like a social media feed with text, links, and images to engage with, chat threads, suggested content, the posts of the Substacks you follow, and direct messaging.
While you can also access via email or web browser, it’s easier to use Substack from anywhere on the app.
So, how is it different than, say, Instagram? I think it comes down to Substack being smaller and reader-funded. It keeps the riff-raff out. What you won’t find? Anger, trolling, endless ads, constant motion, click or rage-baiting, pointless content, etc.
What you WILL find: a clean, aesthetic, customized feed of text and images that actually feel good. I find it so pleasing to consume and create on the app. I usually share several notes a day, from aesthetic pics to text inspo and personal thoughts. People are also NICE.
4. Chat With Others
Every Substack can set up its own Chat thread. Like Notes, these are easier to consume from anywhere when you have the app.
I have mine set for paid subscribers only because I want to maintain privacy and order for you. I want this to be a safe, like-minded space you feel comfortable retreating to when other places on the internet or in real life feel bad.
Paid subscribers can also start their own threads, which is great for crowdsourcing.
5. Upgrade Your Membership
While all subscribers will receive a lot of content for free, a paid membership offers you access to all my paywalled content, the chat, printables, direct access to me with your questions, etc.
I’ve carefully designed this space to maximize cozy feel-good vibes for people who like to read and live like the Gilmores. And to accomplish what’s best for our community as a whole, exclusivity is necessary.
There is endless free content available for your consumption on the internet, but true community is a much more special thing. Paid Substack memberships make it possible.
Now, I hope not to get too “into the weeds,” but there are a few ways you can upgrade, depending on your financial situation.
Here’s what one recent paid member had to say about it:
Want to support my work financially?
Then, you can pay for a subscription. Here are a few ways to do it “for less:”
For educators only, as a thank you for your service (your status will be confirmed through your email address):
For friends who want to join together:
For current members who wish to add someone to our community:
Low on cash right now? Earn Your Subscription.
If you’re low on cash but want to upgrade, I get it. That’s why I set up a referral system by which you can earn full access to my Substack content:
How to participate:
1. Share Friday Night Readers. When you use the referral link below, or the “Share” button on any post, you'll get credit for any new subscribers. Simply send the link in a text, email, or share it on social media with friends.
2. Earn benefits. When more friends use your referral link to subscribe (free or paid), you’ll automatically receive special benefits.
Get a 1 month comp for 3 referrals
Get a 3 month comp for 5 referrals
Get a 6 month comp for 15 referrals
Friday Night Readers is a reader-supported publication that has been reading the books on Gilmore Girls since 2020.
Disclosure: This email may contain affiliate links through which I earn commissions on purchases made through my links at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Ads, sponsored content, and paid opportunities in this email help contribute to my expenses and time, while keeping content accessible to readers. I appreciate your support.
I would've missed the Happy Planner launch. It's cute!