*If you’re reading this via email, you may want to view it directly via Substack here so that you can see the entire post*
Hello lovely readers,
Just a quick one from me today to update you with a few things, including:
A reminder of why I started in the first place
Why reading posts is so much better on the Substack app
How the new Substack referral feature works
An update on what’s to come over the summer
My top 5 posts for you to share with your friends
A big thank you from me
Why I started a Substack
This Substack was a chance for me to share the things I wanted to read around 5 years ago. Back then, I craved education on how to slow down and live a simple life, but I couldn’t find anyone out there to teach me. I had to figure this out on my own.
Once I did figure it out, I just had to share what I’d learned over the years with other people who were in a similar situation as I was back then. And so, this Substack was born.
I share the exact ‘how-to’s’ in my Simple & Calm course which is for paid subscribers, and something I’m so super proud of. It’s everything I learned over the years to help me live a slower, more intentional life. But, I also share my musings, my feelings, what’s on my mind and anything else that’s niggling me, for my free subscribers every Sunday.
This Substack is everything I needed in my inbox, and I honestly believe in, and am passionate about everything I write here. The community of people I’ve grown here is just spectacular, and made up of the most wonderful, creative folks. I feel so grateful to my community here on Substack, and I’ve never known how to say thank you to you all, until now!
Substack have brought in a way to reward subscribers with their new referral program, which is just amazing! I talk about it a little further down, but for now, THANK YOU for being here with me on this journey. It means the world.
Substack App
Looking at my stats, I can see that most of you read my newsletters/ posts (still not sure what to call them) via email to your inbox. I know inboxes are a sacred space, (mine certainly is, and I like to closely guard who I let in to it), so thank you for reading, I really do appreciate your support.
Because I know that inboxes are precious, I wanted to let you know about the Substack app. I personally find reading posts by other writers so much better when I read them via the app instead of via email.
Downloading the app allows you, the reader, to like, comment and engage with posts, instead of replying via email. Substack is a wonderful place to be right now, and the community over there is just so incredible. If you’d like to be a part of that community, I’d highly recommend downloading the Substack app. You can download it here:
You can then choose, via your settings within the app, to receive newsletters/ posts via the app only, which will free up your email inbox. All you need to do is switch smart notifications on. Sounds perfect to me!
Another reason to download the app instead of receiving posts via email, is because some email providers, like Gmail, won’t show a full Substack post. They’ll crop it and this means you won’t benefit from seeing the full post in all its glory.
Not only is the reading experience so much better via the app, you also get access to the private Chat feature so you can literally text (it’s like Whatsapp) your favourite writers!
Substack Referrals
What is it?
Substack have recently released a new feature allowing users to share their favourite writer’s work, and be rewarded for it.
Referrals means that we can grow this Simple & Calm community even further, and reach even more stressed out individuals and help them realise that they don’t HAVE to live a stressful life.
Word of mouth is how this Substack has grown so far, and I’m so grateful for all of you who have shared or recommended Simple & Calm.
How it works
If you share my Substack with your audience/ readers/ friends & family, then if they subscribe to my Substack (free or paid), you will be rewarded with special access to Simple & Calm.
Share Simple & Calm. When you use the referral link below, restack any of my posts, or click 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.
What counts as a referral?
- Clicking the ‘refer a friend’ button within my posts
- Clicking the ‘share’ button where ever you see them
- Restacking a post (possibly the easiest way to refer a new subscriber)
- Using the referral link on the Leaderboard page
Earn benefits. When more friends use your referral link to subscribe (free or paid), you’ll receive special benefits, including:
Get 1 month access (known as ‘comp’) to Simple & Calm for 3 referrals
Get 3 months access to Simple & Calm for 5 referrals
Get 6 month access to Simple & Calm for 10 referrals
The ‘Leaderboard’ (I hate that it’s called that!) is where you can keep an eye on how close you are to your reward.
I’d really love to do something special for the top referrer each month/ each quarter. I’m not so sure what yet, or what would be of benefit to you, dear reader, so please let me know in the comments section of this post what you’d value from me.
A freebie (not sure what yet), a Zoom chat, a PDF, or a digital download of a print? I’m open to any suggestions you may have.
Plans for the summer
If you missed the Note I shared on Substack a few weeks ago, I was on the hunt for members of the slow living community to interview for my new simple living interview series. You can read the Note here if you’d like.
I’ve had such an amazing response, and lots of wonderful creatives have already sent in their answers to the interview questions. I’m in the process of writing up the posts and scheduling them to share with you over the summer holidays, but I can tell you that you’re going to love it!
The simple living interview series is an idea I’ve had floating around my head since joining Substack, so I’m super excited that it’s coming to life very soon.
Its aim is to share some of the incredibly talented writers with you, but also, because I’m launching this series over summer, it means I can be more flexible with my time with the children being off school, whilst still providing you with wonderful content to consume. A win-win if you ask me!
If you’d like to be interviewed for the series, please pop me an email at: simpleandcalm@substack.com and I’ll send you some more details.
My top 5 posts in case you missed them
Thank you for reading Simple & Calm. In case you missed them, here are my top 5 posts worth sharing:
A BIG Thank you!
I just wanted to quickly say a huge thank you to you. I’ve shared some pretty vulnerable posts recently, and instead of running for the hills, you’ve stayed and supported me.
So, THANK YOU! I’m shocked and overwhelmed with how incredibly kind the community is here on Substack. I’m so, so grateful for your continued support and wonderful conversations that we have. Your support not only allows me to keep doing this work, but also keeps my dream alive, and that means the world to me.
I’m thoroughly enjoying getting to know you all, and I can’t wait to build more connections as we move forward.
Thank you, again, for reading.
Until next time,
Sophie thank you for this. I have been trying to craft a letter to my readers who are wondering what the app is and how it works and you just summed it up beautifully! I wasn't sure if they were able to comment and like from the email version but it sounds like they have to be on the app to do so.
Lovely way into everything! A friend asked where do I start the other day and I was like emmmm - this is perfect! ✨🙏