Long reads strategy

Since I started this blog, I've had in the back of my mind the idea that I would add longer reads at some point. I'm glad I didn't go straight for longer content at the beginning, since these short notes have been a great way to build my writing muscle and work my thoughts out. But now that I've kept this habit for some time, I'm starting to think a bit more about the mechanics of actually putting long reads down on paper.

Coincidentally, the launch of Substack Notes provides an interesting avenue that isn't exactly related, but makes my strategy a bit clearer. Previously, I had given thought to how to get some eyeballs on my little corner of the web, and although I don't think I'm at the point where I need that, I was halfheartedly shuffling towards re-posting salient bits from my notes onto Twitter. I say halfheartedly because I really didn't and still don't feel excited about putting my personal thoughts on Twitter. Given the dynamics of how it is basically a place to score points at the expense of others, I had this feeling that I might regret putting my content there, even if it was just a broadcast of something that lives somewhere else.

Substack Notes on the other hand, seems like a pretty natural place where I could broadcast my notes. And if I want to make the most of Substack Notes, it probably makes sense to have some content on the platform. Therefore, I'm thinking that my long reads could be something like a twice a month newsletter hosted on Substack that connect the best threads from my notes here. Then I can post some Substack Notes not only about that content, but also from my shorter content. As an added bonus, a lot of the people who inspire my thoughts on this blog are Substack writers, so I can ping them on Notes and let them know when I've riffed on one of their ideas.

I still don't have this 100% worked out yet, but this is the direction I'm heading in for my long reads strategy.