Boneshakerbike

Substack or Bust A Blogger’s Crossroads

Written by

Bill

in

So, here I am, staring at my WordPress blog, wondering if it’s time to jump ship to Substack. On one hand, my current platform gives me full control … but let’s be real, when your audience is small enough to fit in a single group chat, is that control really necessary?

The Temptation of Substack

Substack promises an easier way to grow, with a built-in audience and a free starting point. Tempting. But do I really want to start fresh, or should I try to lug all my existing content over like a digital hermit crab moving shells?

The Role of AI and Social Media

Then there’s AI. It’s handy, sure, but I know that nothing beats real, unfiltered authenticity when trying to connect with readers. And what about Bluesky? Could it be a way to engage socially without feeling like I need a crash course in Neurotypical 101?

The Bottom Line: Simplicity Wins

At the end of the day, I keep coming back to one simple truth: the less overhead, the better. If I want to keep writing without burning out, a streamlined platform like Substack might just be the way to go. Besides, it’s not like I’m carving this decision into stone. Evolution is part of the process, and right now, simplicity sounds pretty damn good.

Acknowledgments

The author acknowledges the use of Perplexity for research and fact-checking, ChatGPT for proofreading and structural suggestions, and Gemini for the development of fact-checking prompts. These tools were used to enhance the accuracy and clarity of the manuscript. The author is solely responsible for the final content and its accuracy.

**Progress Summary Capture**

- **Core Context**  
  - I was evaluating whether to continue using my free WordPress blog (williammartin.com) or switch to Substack, considering factors like creative control, audience reach, and managing responsibilities to prevent burnout.

- **Key Parameters**  
  - **Creative & Technical Control:** My current free WordPress limits customization; Substack offers more simplicity but with different control constraints.  
  - **Audience & Monetization:** My site currently has very low traffic (1–2 visitors per month); Substack provides a built-in audience and free starting options with potential monetization later.  
  - **Content Quality & AI Use:** Concerns about the reception of AI-generated content on Substack versus its impact on my current blog.  
  - **Responsibility Management:** The need to minimize responsibilities to avoid burnout, especially given my neurological differences, was a significant factor.

- **Progress Snapshot**  
  - **Decision Leaning:** I am leaning towards moving to Substack to benefit from its built-in audience and simpler management, while potentially migrating or starting fresh with my content.  
  - **Content Strategy:** I’m considering how best to integrate AI-assisted content without compromising authenticity.  
  - **Social Outreach:** Incorporating Bluesky media for social engagement to ease societal pressures and re-engage with content creation.

- **Technical Details**  
  - **Platforms:**  
    - Free WordPress (williammartin.com) with limited customization.  
    - Substack.com offering a streamlined, audience-driven approach.  
  - **Custom Definitions & Considerations:**  
    - AI-generated content quality and its reception on different platforms.  
    - The trade-off between full content migration versus starting fresh on Substack.  
    - Integrating social outreach tools like Bluesky.

- **Continuation Point**  
  - **Next Steps:**  
    - Explore Substack’s content migration options and assess how my existing posts fit with the new platform’s audience.  
    - Further research the effective use of AI content on Substack.  
    - Plan integration of Bluesky for social outreach to maintain engagement without added stress.
  
- **Reference Context**  
  - **Examples & Scenarios:**  
    - The current low engagement on my WordPress blog contrasted with the potential reach on Substack.  
    - Concerns about AI-generated content potentially impacting reader trust and engagement.  
    - Balancing the simplicity of a single platform with the need to maintain quality and manage responsibilities.
  - **Frameworks & Process:**  
    - The iterative refinement process used to weigh pros and cons, ensuring a thorough evaluation of both platforms.

This summary captures my journey, key insights, and decisions, ensuring continuity for future exploration and decision-making.

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