When are you successful on Substack?

having grown up in communist Czechoslovakia, I don’t take freedom of expression for granted, so I'm exploring the this topic little deeper

The idea of success on Substack has been on my mind lately. With so many posts and notes floating around about gaining more subscribers, earning more money, and stories of people making a living from their writing, it’s easy to get inspired, but at times you can find yourself a little overwhelmed. These posts have prompted me to reflect on what writing means to me, and to explore the deeper idea of success beyond financial reward.

It would, of course, be wonderful if everyone could make a living through writing. The fact that many do so, is inspiring, but when we measure success only through financial gain, or from the number of subscribers, we risk overlooking the other rewards writing can bring. Writing has a value that transcends money, it can connect us to ourselves and others, foster understanding, and create a space for sharing in ways that are uniquely fulfilling.

One of the most meaningful aspects of being on Substack is the culture of sharing. It’s not just about articles, essays or blogs, it’s about people opening a window into their lives. I love seeing people of all ages share their thoughts, photos, ideas, and their experiences, whether it’s a discovery they’ve made, or a journey they’re on, or something that inspires them, I just love to see it.

To have a platform where we can do this freely, without fear of censorship, is a success in and of itself.

Having grown up in communist Czechoslovakia, I don’t take freedom of expression for granted. In my early twenties, I escaped that regime, where even sharing a joke lead to my arrest. I remember being punished for speaking out and expressing myself in ways that were considered dangerous. Having lived through that suppression, I will never stop appreciating the ability to freely share my thoughts or to read someone else’s uncensored perspective. For me, this freedom to express is one of the greatest measures of success as a writer.

Success in writing means different things to different people. Some might define being a great writer, as being a recognised, or even famous writer. I believe that as long as you love writing, you are already a great writer. History is filled with artists, musicians, painters and writers who were overlooked, or not recognised enough in their time, yet are celebrated today.

Fame or recognition doesn’t necessarily reflect the quality of one’s work or the depth of its impact.

Especially in today’s culture, external validation is often left defining our worth. You’re deemed successful when others say you are. We need to remember that satisfaction, valuing yourself, and a sense of achievement, are internal measures of success too. It’s an inside job.

Writing, especially, requires us to ask important questions: Who am I writing for? What are my goals when I am putting these words out into the world? Sometimes it takes years for your words to reach the people who need them most, but that doesn’t diminish their value.

In 1996, I wrote a book called Hope – Understanding Eating Disorders, which was published in 1998. My dream had always been to become an author, not a full-time writer, but an author, and that dream came true. Writing Hope was a journey filled with detours and lessons, but my main goal was always to bring hope to others, as for so many years, I had lived without any hope myself.

We sold a few thousand copies of the book, and with the profit, we printed more and gave it to people who needed it most, for free. Recently, twenty-six years after its publication, two people have reached out to thank me for writing it. Hope was never a bestseller; it has been out of print for years, but knowing that it touched even a few lives is priceless. Success, for me, is knowing that my words mattered to someone.

I’ve been writing all my life. When I escaped communism, I struggled with trust and loneliness. Writing became my solace. I carried a notepad and pen everywhere I went. I wrote to God when I felt down, I wrote several hundreds of letters to my father, who later returned them to me before he passed away. In those letters, I focused on the beauty that I saw around me. I didn’t want to burden him with my struggles, but in writing about beauty, I learned to see it more clearly myself. Writing became my way of navigating life, of finding hope and meaning even in difficult times.

Now, as I share these thoughts, I feel compelled to remind other writers something I believe to be of importance. Writing is not just about likes, followers, or metrics. Those things are nice, but they don’t define the value of your work. What matters is the act of writing itself, the connections it creates, and the joy it brings.

Even if your audience is small, your words have the power to make someone’s day brighter, to inspire reflections, or to offer comfort. Many of your blogs are bringing these experiences to me. I love taking the time to look through people’s notes and to read their sharing.

To anyone who writes, please, keep writing. Your words are important. They matter, even if it takes some time for others to see their value. Success is not measured by how many people read your work but by the impact it has and by the satisfaction it brings to you as well.

Thank you for sharing on this platform.

Marie