Write Less, Please [updated 2025]

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When this first appeared, it created some controversy. It even sparked an excellent counter-post. (I joked that his post would have been better if it had been shorter.)

Today, we look at readers' habits and what that means in terms of writing on Substack. Length doesn’t equal greater creativity or artistry. More words don’t create complexity or depth. Think of the three s’s: synthesis, selection, and subtext.

00:00 Why writing less on Substack matters

01:05 Improving Your Writing on Substack

03:06 Understanding Reader Habits

03:42 The Importance of Writing Less

06:39 Data on Reader Engagement

10:46 Design and Medium Considerations

14:00 Thinking in terms of quality, not quantity