Beyond the Noise: The Power of Listening in a World of Digital Noise
What “listening” means for your Substack newsletter
About our guest author: It’s such a treat to get unique points-of-view from our guest writers. Elizabeth is a fan-favorite—and she’s tuned in to the art of listening. BTW if you have a story idea for the Inkspired Community newsletter, direct message Maryn Pelland.
Ever feel like you’re drowning in a sea of digital noise?
Tweets, posts, emails—so many voices competing for attention. But what if the secret to standing out isn’t shouting louder but listening better?
How do you get in on the conversations?
Imagine walking into a buzzing party where everyone seems to know someone—except you. Just as you start feeling invisible, a familiar voice calls out, “Hey, Elizabeth, come join us!”
That moment of recognition changes everything.
Online spaces work the same way. When we listen and engage authentically, we create moments that turn strangers into connections.
A modern tale of listening
I love the story marketing expert Chris Brogan tells about wanting to know where to stay while attending a bloggers’ event in New York City. He tweeted, “Where’s a cool place to stay in Manhattan?”
A few seconds later, a friend tweeted, “The Roger Smith Hotel.” A little later, a second person tweeted, “The Roger Smith Hotel.” The third tweet came from the Roger Smith Hotel, which said, “You should come. We have a blogger’s special.”
Guess where he stayed?
Chris didn’t choose the Roger Smith Hotel because of an ad. He chose it because someone there was listening. That’s the power of online connection—it’s not about broadcasting; it’s about paying attention.
So learn to listen…really listen. Then reach out to people in a warm, authentic way. This is the good stuff of social media.
What does online listening look like on Substack?
On Substack, meaningful engagement happens in three key places: 1) In the comments section, where replies build relationships; 2) in CHAT, where real-time discussions unfold; and 3) in NOTES, where fresh ideas spark conversation.
Each interaction is a chance to say, “I hear you.”
No matter how cool AI and technology become, genuine connection is essentially a human skill based on an age-old, deeply embedded desire to be seen and heard. Forget formulas and algorithms—connection isn’t about strategy; it’s about sincerity. Show up, listen, and let people know they matter. That’s how real and lasting relationships are formed.
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You might also enjoy this from Elizabeth’s blog, “Start by Listening.”
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Spot on, Elizabeth. And I can vouch from first-hand experience - you are meaningful 'engagement' personified. Thank you.
Thank you for your experience with noise and attention. There are fascinating essays surfacing on the old economy (money) and the new economy (attention). Trying to understand political shifts? It's about attention. Trying to understand the online world and Substack? It's about attention, not fame or money. Trying to understand mental health? It's about where you put your attention and the time remaining in your one, precious life.