How Facebook Helped Me Gain Over 20 New Substack Subscribers

You might think only one paid, but it is a big win. Try to get someone to pay for a newsletter that is already free. If you are a writer, having someone pay for your words is the best feeling in the world.

So, how did Facebook help me have a win?

Facebook, oh, how I love to hate you, but after last, I can’t deny your power. As of 2023, Facebook still has over 3 billion users.

Let that number sink in.

I will use my story to demonstrate what I am talking about. I am not a social media expert; I do not enjoy using social media.

I typically use it to spy on what people are doing or occasionally scroll through my feed. I use Instagram to connect with people via messaging and Facebook to promote my newsletter and videos (sometimes).

Sometimes, I reconnect with old friends and family. That is the extent of it.

I thought I had deactivated both Instagram and Facebook for the past six months, but I had not. I simply logged out and did not log back in until last week.

I thought maybe I should start promoting the Spanish school I work at, in backpacking groups since the power of Facebook groups is unreal.

People still search for advice from others, and sometimes, if your Google blog is out there, it is on page 10, and you will never be found.

So why not pop in and see if anyone is searching for what you have to offer?

That is what I did last week.

While in the Colombia Ex-Pat group, I noticed people asking questions about moving to Colombia.

Moving abroad and relocating is always a hot topic.

That is why I have dedicated my newsletter on Substack solely to this exact topic. I am not an expert, but I will share what I know.

Since rules and regulations change constantly in Colombia, my information is up to date since I am in the process of moving now.

I shared my newsletter under the post of those asking questions.

I am not good at self-promotion, but I want to grow, so why not?

It is free to sign up or read, so I decided to share it.

Some might not consider this a win, but I generated almost 20 new subscribers by using the group and sharing it on my personal Facebook page. I also got a paid subscriber.

I was shocked, first of all, that anyone even subscribed and, secondly, that I got my third paid subscriber! Yay, and thank you! ❤️

This is a huge deal to me in the world of entrepreneurship and as a writer.

Writing is a labor of love, and as you most likely already know, it does not always lead to a lot of money overnight.

We struggle some days to show up.

Most of us are introverts who hate self-promotion and want to remain hidden behind the screen—at least, I do.

So, when you put out helpful work that others want to read and receive immediate feedback, you feel like you are on the right track.

Let’s be honest. Some days, I feel down, wonder what I am doing with my life, and want to quit.

Is it just me?

At least this was me yesterday, and today, I feel great. Up and down, up and down.

So, will I continue using Facebook to promote myself?

Probably, but not very often.

There must be a healthy balance of self-promotion and sharing, just like anywhere.

Sometimes, I will post a video to promote my YT channel in my posts, but other times, I do not because I hate self-promotion. Yet, if I don’t do it, how will I grow?

It’s a tightrope to walk, but finding the balance is key.

So, yeah, Facebook still has power, and I do not have a huge following — mostly friends and family from high school — but sometimes it surprises me!

I hope my initial idea of promoting the school starts to pay off. Surprisingly, not many people are looking for Spanish schools. I would rather encourage someone else’s business than mine, but hopefully, mine can help theirs also!

So, do you use FB to promote yourself? If not, what do you do for self-promotion?

XOXO

S