92 Comments
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Candice Lam's avatar

Love this post! It said everything I needed to hear and congratulations for sharing and writing about this milestone of yours. i think when people see the numbers or simple other people's "success" we often have no idea the Hard Work and went unseen, the non-billable hours of labour, for the work we believe in and love.

I especially resonated with: "I’ve tried hard to get over my fear of being seen, heard and criticized. And my fear of being cancelled for saying the wrong thing. And my fear of other people ripping off my writing or impersonating me online. And my fear of trolls. And my fear of accidentally offending someone. And my fear of looking dumb...."

I just started on Substack and published my first post last week! I am proud and terrified at the same time, it was a big step towards me confronting and facing all those very same fears you spoke of. Thank you

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Anna Mackenzie's avatar

Congrats!!! The first post is a massive milestone and you should be so proud ❤️

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Candice Lam's avatar

Thnak you Anna, and yes. I AM! 😊

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Castaly Haddon's avatar

I am still reading because you continue to show up, s#it scared or not, your voice is authentic and lifts and inspires, so I will keep reading, with gratitude. The numbers are nice, however it is the engagement between me (and all your readers) with who you be that makes the real difference. Numbers are nice, but do not reflect how you play in our minds and hearts. So mind the numbers, and celebrate the connections.

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Anna Mackenzie's avatar

Thank you so much, this made me tear up just a little. I totally agree - the numbers are nice but the community here is what's really changed everything for me ❤️

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Kirsten's avatar

Well said!

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Lisa Jane's avatar

This is absolutely outstanding! Congratulations!! I loved reading this post and others you've written, I'm now curious to go back to your very first post and see how much you've evolved as a writer. I've only just started writing (never pictured this for myself) and I'm enjoying the feeling that with each post I get a little better and a little more exited about writing. Your hard work is seen, that's for damn sure! Un beso 😘

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Anna Mackenzie's avatar

Thank you so much. And omg I am mildly embarrassed by my early posts 🤣

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Lisa Jane's avatar

Well, as I'm starting out…(never imagined ever becoming a writer!) I find I'm embarrassed by my current posts 🤣

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Anna Mackenzie's avatar

If you’re embarrassed you’re doing it right!

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Polina's avatar

Amazing milestone! Well done for putting in hard work. If you have more lessons to share, do not hesitate :)

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Anna Mackenzie's avatar

Thank you 🙏🏼

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Rhody Hill's avatar

This post is so inspiring to me.

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Anna Mackenzie's avatar

🥹

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Sinéad Connolly✨'s avatar

Oh I really really loved this! I listened too which is a substack first for me. A timely reminder as I wrestle a vulnerability hangover after sharing my latest post and getting lower than usual traction. Thank you for sharing this and congrats on the milestone!

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Anna Mackenzie's avatar

The vulnerability hangovers are real but they're a sign that you're on the right track ♡

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Laurie Gonzalez's avatar

Loved this!!! Thanks for the inspiration to keep trying hard!!

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Anna Mackenzie's avatar

🫶🏼

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Camille's avatar

Loved listening to this post :) anti niche crew 👊

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Anna Mackenzie's avatar

💪🏼

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Melissa Scala's avatar

Ummm... one of the best newsletter issues I've read in a long time. Thanks for the realness. This was very relatable.

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Anna Mackenzie's avatar

🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹 thank you!

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Ugo Physio's avatar

Well done! The niching down can be the hardest thing, right?

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Anna Mackenzie's avatar

Perhaps it's hard because we aren't meant to be doing it 🙈

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Grace Abbott's avatar

So inspiring! I just love listening to your voice overs. Big congrats - and you’re so right - the wisdom is in the process!

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Anna Mackenzie's avatar

Thanks lovely!

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Aneisha Velazquez's avatar

Congratulations!!! You deserve this. I started reading your work last year and it motivated me to keep writing and gave a name to the vague feeling of wanting to do work different - portfolio careers.

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Anna Mackenzie's avatar

Oh thanks so much Aneisha, I appreciate the support!

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Maghfoor's avatar

I recently joined substack and your writing is so good! I've binged so many of your posts. Keep going!

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Anna Mackenzie's avatar

This makes me happy!! Thank so much 🫶🏼

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Angela Hollowell's avatar

Congratulations on the huge milestone! And shout-out to effort, obsession, and consistency.

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Anna Mackenzie's avatar

Thank you 🥹

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Danielle Robinson's avatar

“Trying really hard” is so refreshing! Nowadays, people try to make growing online seem so easy. Although it can make these ppl seem impressive on the surface, it more often creates feelings of inadequacy in everyone else wondering why they can’t replicate the success.

Great lessons, as always, and congrats on 10k! 🥂

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Anna Mackenzie's avatar

Exactly! I don't think anyone benefits from the clickbait-y titles or painting a picture that doing this is easy. It's not, it takes a lot of work!! And I think that's something to be shared. Thanks for being here ❤️

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Mohammed Kiswani's avatar

Congrats on hitting 10K. I like your part about not putting yourself in a specific niche. Is that why your newsletter name is just your name /

stack?

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Anna Mackenzie's avatar

Thank you! I named it after my name because a) I like that in rhymed, b) I didn't have any other good ideas and c) I thought it would help build equity in me as the individual, as opposed to a publication.

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