Substack Has A Influencer Problem
The growing trend of Influencers cos-playing as writers.
The loudest person in the room doesn’t learn anything.
It can also be said that the loudest person in the room is often the most insecure and the most annoying.
Nothing screams insecurity like someone always grabbing for attention regardless of the situation. They have to be the centre of attention, the talking point of the conversation or the one to bring it all back to themselves. They divert whole scenes and scenarios just to make it about them. Their opinion matters most, their experiences are better and the way they live their lives is the only “correct” way. No matter the topic at hand, they bring it back around. They want the accolades, the social clout and the eyes on them.
Do you know the name for someone like that? A narcissist.
But do you know what people call them these days? Influencers.
I have noticed something happening on Substack since I joined. It is slowly creeping into the space, and it’s getting to the point where it is irritating me: Influencers are trying to become writers.
Or at least they are cosplaying as writers. Let me explain:
You are scrolling on Substack, as you do, and you come across a few articles. Some pass your vision, some you don’t see and then suddenly: Bam! There’s a title that catches your eye and a photo to go with it.
You’re intrigued, so you click the article and then the profile. You find out quite easily that the photo in the article is of the writer. It’s a particularly risky photo, something you would see on Instagram, and, oh look, there’s an article as well. You read it and find out it’s just a bunch of nothing. Empty words and meaningless drivel.
But it has a lot of likes and views. Why?
Because of the photo. It has nothing to do with the article or the message. It’s a hack.
Show more, say less. It is literally Instagram “models” looking for more validation. And I am growing tired of it.
How absolutely narcissistic do you have to be to post articles with your own photos? Be real for a moment. You post a selfie in an article and the writing itself is dull, uninspiring and bland. It’s your photo that gets the click, not your prose. You half-arsed Instagram and now you’re half-arsing Substack.
You’re not a writer, OK? You’re not even a book reader. You’re looking for attention. Let’s be fucking real now. You’re looking for attention just like you do on other platforms and probably in real life.
You rehash ideas and talking points that have been said before; your worldview is exactly the same as the person you follow. There is no substance to anything you stand on. The foundation beneath your feet is as thin as ice. My patience for these so-called “Writers” is gone.
You’re not a writer; you’re an influencer. Anyone can write a bland article and fill it with nothingness, buzzwords and talking points heard thousands of times. You’re not unique. OK? Your opinion doesn’t matter because it has been said and debunked many times already.
If you want to be an influencer, go. The world is yours and I hope you find what you’re looking for. Be a content creator, awesome. Best of luck. Do your dances, your rebuttals on social issues or anything else. Get the likes and attention that you’re clearly looking for.
But let’s make one thing clear: You are not a writer.
You’re an influencer cosplaying as a writer, most likely using AI to throw up copy-pasted articles. You take more selfies than you read paragraphs.
You are free to be whoever you want to be; that is the beauty of living. But I also have the right to call out people who want to be public figures. It’s called accountability. You can post a selfie or an article, but don’t expect zero feedback. And when you do catch heat, is it everyone else’s fault? No, it doesn’t work like that.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but the world doesn’t revolve around you. If you want to be in a public space and grab people’s attention, then expect some of them to cop onto your grift.
It’s just laziness at this stage. It’s boring. You’re not bringing anything new or bold to the table. You’re not pushing boundaries or reshaping anything. It’s rinse and repeat, and the act you’re portraying is obvious. It’s been done to death.
Just write something interesting. Have a well-thought-out opinion or a detailed counter argument.
But, no. It’s all about “Me.” And that’s the problem.
It’s all about you. No one else. And that is literally the whole point of an influencer:
It’s all about you and that’s it.
That’s the problem.
A writer at least creates a story, characters, scenes and scenarios. They take you on a journey and build the story through arcs, twists and turns until you get to the climax. That, at least, is giving someone something.
You, on the other hand, just take.
So, please, all you so-called “Writers” and “Content Creators,” do us all a favour and stick to the platforms that actually reward you with the likes, comments and attention you are looking for.
Because Substack ain’t the place for your bullshit.
Now, go.
Don’t trip on the tripod on your way out the door.
If you found this article of mine enjoyable and you like my writing, please consider subscribing/following my work. Just below is one of my other article’s, check it out and let me know your thoughts.