My First Month Update for Substack and How Community Engagement Made Me Feel Confident
Now, I enjoy repurposing my content both on Medium and Substack to reach a broader audience and share some featured newsletters and stories from Substack Mastery publication.
As I mentioned earlier, reaching an audience before retirement was a challenge. In the past, without the Internet, we were limited to local readers. Being in Australia, a small and distant country, made it even harder to connect with international audiences. However, joining the digital world in the early 2000s was a game-changer for me.
At first, I enjoyed social media but eventually found it too overwhelming. It wasn’t until I joined Medium that I truly appreciated the power of an online community. Through Medium, I was able to connect with like-minded individuals, and it was thanks to this community that I recently discovered Substack.
I heard about it before but I had no idea about its potential until my mentor Dr Mehmet Yildiz gave me a free crash course. He thought me the essentiaal in a hour and helped me to create an account as he did for Medium. He also wrote an education piece which helped me improve my skills. It is titled How to Start Substack Instantly & Own Your Content/Audience Effectively.
I found Substack very easy to use. I joined his community as a founding member which gave me extra advantages. His curators promote my newsletter. I have no marketing skills. So I want to share my first my experience quickly and feature some great newsletters I discovered through featured collections of ILLUMINATION-Curators.
The most valuable resource for me has been the Substack Mastery publication on Medium, which now has a replica on Substack as well. It’s an excellent tool because many Medium writers have joined, sharing their newsletters and insights. I learned from their experiences, connected with them, and some even recommended my newsletters, which I reciprocated in kind. I’ve realized that without collaboration, the Substack journey can feel isolating. This led me to explore Substack Notes, where I started making friends and engaging in conversations.
On Medium, I was inspired by successful writers whose work and approach deeply resonated with me. Three Australian writers — Tim Denning, Dr. Mehmet Yildiz, and Aiden — stood out. Their leadership, courage, humility, and dedication to education made a lasting impression on me. Even though they are younger than I am, I learned a great deal from their experiences and admired their ability to connect with large audiences.
Each of these writers has built a presence on Substack, despite having significant followings on Medium and social media. Inspired by their success and the values they represent, I decided to explore Substack myself.
Dr. Mehmet Yildiz, whom I’ve known personally for many years, encouraged me to join Medium. He believed that my 53 years of research and life experience could enrich the platform and inspire younger generations. His commitment to diversity, inclusion, fairness, and collaboration motivated me to follow his lead
While Dr. Yildiz mentioned diversifying content across three platforms, NewsBreak didn’t resonate with me. Its advertisement-based content isn’t appealing to me in my old age. I prefer platforms that prioritize meaningful content and engagement. Medium’s community impressed me, but it also has issues like content censorship, algorithmic problems, distribution challenges, and account security concerns.
I’ve finally launched my newsletter on Substack.
Heath Science Research By Dr Mike Broadly | Substack
My personal Substack. Click to read Heath Science Research By Dr Mike Broadly, a Substack publication. Launched a day…drmikebroadly.substack.com
My plan is to publish all my stories on Substack first, then repurpose them on Medium to grow my newsletter. I also intend to curate standout pieces from my 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 as many writers as possible — perfectly aligning with my altruistic goals in retirement.
A Quick Update of My First Month
So, after creating my newsletter last month, I gained 204 subscribers, and thankfully, 3 of them became paid subscribers. I will donate the income to ILLUMINATION’s Substack Mastery as a founding member to contribute to the marketing initiatives for freelancers.
I noticed that 73 subscribers came from the Substack app. I don’t know who they are.
For me, the most important thing was 17 writers recommended my newsletters, bringing 49 new subscribers. I am very grateful for this support. This shows the importance of community collaboration.
I am now part of the editorial team of Substack Mastery and also the new publication called Curated Newsletters which Dr Mehmet replaced with former ILLUMINATION-Curated. He closed the old pub and resigned from the boost nominator role. We are now independent and can serve our freelance writers better in this journey.
I look forward to reviewing, publishing, and sharing stories through this publication. Join us on this journey and contribute to ILLUMINATION Curators on Substack. I also support ILLUMINATION’s Quora Spaces by sharing stories I read on this interesting platform. You can learn about our tailored social media platforms enabling Friends of Medium to share links of stories they read easily from the attached interview.
We now havetwo collaboration groups for Substack Mastery. One is on LinkedIn as a group and another on Quora as a space. You are welcome to share your newsletters and posts on both resources. They are free and moderated. I am a moderator in both groups.
ILLUMINATION Substack Community Support - Dr Mehmet Yildiz
This is a summary of 3-tier service offerings for creators, freelance writers, and content entrepreneurs on Substack…digitalmehmet.com
First, let me introduce you to introductory stories I read on Substack Mastery and then share the featured newsletters by ILLUMINATION-Curators so that you can learn from them and start collaborating with these community members who are writers like you and me.
Here are some samples from our writers that we published on Subtack Mastery publication on
Please engage and share these introductiontions.
My Technology Excellence and Leadership Site on Substack Dr Mehmet Yildiz (Tech)
Why I Created a Substack Account Kenneth Silvestri
I’m Moving From Medium to Substack William Spivey
My Journey from Medium to Substack Tom Kane
Finally Joined Substack: A New Chapter in Supporting My Readers Mike Broadly, DHSc
A New Beginning: Join Me on My Writing Journey on Substack Dr. ADAM TABRIZ
Transitioning to a Focus on Newsletter Growth: My Shift from Five Years of Medium Publishing to… Lawson Wallace
Here’s The Ultimate Reason Why Substack Is Far More Rewarding Than Medium Raveen
Two Weeks Ago, I Decided To Get Serious On Substack. Sompa Mensah
Medium Marries Substack Brooklyn Muse (editor)
Dear Medium, I Like Substack Sylvain Zyssman
The Substack Learning Curve — As Told By A 3x Substack Editor Ellen “Jelly” McRae
Introducing My Substack Newsletter on Medium Waleed Mahmud Tariq
Pivoting On A Writer’s Digital Journey Liam Ireland
Substack rival Ghost federates its first newsletter James David
Dear Medium, I Have Avoided Substack Long Enough Le Voir N. Lewis
The Creator’s Guide to Substack Doris Walker
A Substack Community Experiment MAGDALENA PONURSKA
Introducing My Substack Newsletter on Medium 😀 Patrick OConnell
My stats after writing for 2 months on Substack and Medium Sonaakshi Sinha Jamwal
Dancing Elephants Press Magazine on Substack Dr. Gabriella Korosi
The Substack Learning Curve — As Told By A 3x Substack Editor Ellen “Jelly” McRae
Medium, Substack & Mailchimp — A Canonical Debate Sana Uqaili
Not in the Regular Direction Julie Chavanu — The Idea Compass
Where are all of my Substack Peeps? Shayla Renee 💖
The Great Purpose of the Great Reality Newsletter on Substack Chandni Challa
My Substack Journey: If You Want to Change Your Life, This Will Help Wendi Gordon
Permit me to introduce myself. Scarlet Ibis James 🦩
Here’s Why I’m Growing Fonder of Substack Every Day Sana Uqaili
Why I Decided to Add Publishing on Substack to Medium for My Writing David Mokotoff, MD
I’m Publishing on Substack (again), and on Medium. Bill Petro
Safe and Sound: A First Aid and Safety Newsletter on Substack Gill McCulloch
Why Writing Exclusively on Medium or Substack is a Mistake Joshua Mason
Here are the featured newsletters by ILLUMINATION-Curators
Please consider subscribing and sharing the ones in your interest areas.
Health and Wellness by Dr Mehmet Yildiz
Unfiltered by Tim Denning [see the Interview]
Cardiology Made Easy by David Mokotoff, MD [see the Interview]
Health Science Research by Mike Broadly, DHSc
Longevity Insights by Dr. med. Titus Maniera
Silver’s Substack by Michelle Mariscal [see the Interview]
THE BHIVE BUZZ by Elle [see the Interview]
Changing Lives Wendi Gordon [see the Interview]
Borlok VA Sanctuary Pam Lokker
Joshua Mason Weekly Joshua Mason [see the Interview]
Technology, Gaming, Movies, and Social Media Aiden (Owner of Illumination Gaming)
Abundant Creation by Cindy S. Yantis
Gabriella’s Addiction and Wellness. The Nurse’s Voice Dr. Gabriella Korosi:
Integrated Healthcare by Dr. ADAM TABRIZ [see the interview]
History of the Holidays by Bill Petro
Curiosity Unleashed by Sufyan Maan by Sufyan Maan, M.Eng
Lawson’s Newsletter Lawson Wallace
Bhunru’s Substack Brother Bhunru see the interview
Above The Middle, Joe Gibson by Joe Gibson, Above The Middle
Welcome to Safe and Sound! by Gill McCulloch
William F. Spivey’s History Channel by William Spivey [see the interview]
Say What?! Newsletter and Commentary by Joe Luca
Dancing Elephants Press by Libby Shively McAvoy
Wright’s View by John Worthington
Startup Tech Booster by Sylvain Zyssman
Shayla Renee’s Newsletter by Shayla Renee 💖
Kenneth’s Substack by Kenneth Silvestri
Scarlet Writes by Scarlet Ibis James 🦩
Tico Tales by Adelia Ritchie, PhD
Unpuzzling Human Nature by Wayne Stelk, PhD
The Content Profit Show Jeff the Content Profit Coach
The Connected Leader Community MAGDALENA PONURSKA
Jim’s Substack by James Boylan
Ossiana Tepfenhart | Substack by Ossiana Tepfenhart
Harry’s Newsletter by Harry Hogg
Ways We Can Fix Our Society Raveen
Brenda’s Newsletter by Brenda Mahler
The Academic Entrepreneur Geetanjali Bendale
Your Next Decision Nika Kabiri, JD PhD
Beginner’s Mind Podcast Notes Chris Soschner
The Lemon Tree Mindset Veronica Llorca-Smith
Kristina God’s Online Writing Club Kristina God, MBA
Health and Wellness by Dr Mehmet Yildiz
Thank you for reading my story. I wish you a healthy and long life with your loved ones.
I am a retired healthcare scientist in his mid-70s, and I have several grandkids who keep me going and inspire me to write on this platform. I am also the chief editor of the Health and Science publication on Medium.com. As a giveback activity, I volunteered as an editor for Illumination publications, supporting many new writers. I will be happy to read, publish, and promote your stories. You may connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Quora, where I share stories I read. You may subscribe to my account to get my stories in your inbox when I post. You can also find my distilled content on Subtack: Health Science Research By Dr Mike Broadly. Lessons Learned from My Personal Stories
This is a great update, Mike. congratulations on your progress. Thank you for featuring these introductions and newsletters. I appreciate your support as a founding member to Substack Mastery community.
Open mouth, Insert Foot https://open.substack.com/pub/michael880/p/open-mouth-insert-foot?r=3b6pw1&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web