I have been considering my Substack and whether I should do more, think about a paid offering. Your thoughts and the other article make me wonder if it is worth even trying. Maybe I should stick to writing when inspiration strikes. I have found it is a good place to practice getting my writing out there, knowing that someone will read it even if it is only a handful x
As for the widget it reminds me of the frustration of trying to talk to someone at BT!! 😂😡
Ps I love your Substack and it is worth every penny. Also because of this platform I get to call you a friend and that’s really special. Like you say let’s stay for the connection xxxx🥰😘
It's such a tough one Nic. I oscillate between paywalling everything and making everything free, raising prices and offering more, dropping prices and offering less, and for my own wellbeing that's what I need to do right now. You can always turn paid on without paywalling posts if people want to support your work, but it comes back to - what are we here for?
I don't want to become dependent on such a shaky and unpredictable income stream, it's too stressful. The widget - don't even.
And thank you, I absolutely love our community and everything that we do within it. It's been such a joy to have met you as a real friend through here. I will definitely be staying ❤️
I gave just responded to a note you restacked. However your post sums up my feelings far better than the one you restacked. I joined Substack 4 years ago when it was still quite shiny, new and felt exciting. I made the decision not to turn on paid subscriptions Firstly, because I felt
a) there was no way an old curmudgeon line me who was not a writer was worth paying for
b) because it was so shiny and new I had no idea where I was going with it and not sure I would be committed.
I am really pleased I am still here and glad I made those decisions, for me. Yes I still worth about opens etc, which is silly. I have a solid number of subscribers, for whom and I am very grateful. I don't havevesrt shattering writing to share, just an old curmudgeon’s eclectic ramblings.
On notes etc put my little toe in occasionally, it is something I like at times but get frustrated with at others.
I am so, so, grateful to Substack for all the wonderful people I have ‘met’ in person and online I am so sad I cannot make the meet ups etc, hopefully in the future. I am also grateful for opportunities Substack has given me to write and ‘publish’ my ramblings.
Emma you are one of those people whose writing etc have been an inspiration to me. I was so sorry to miss your book club, I have read the books but the session clashes. I will try harder to come, but thank you for being herenand everything you do ❤️
Much as curmudgeon is one of my favourite words, you are not one my friend, although there is something quite charming about a curmudgeon! I too am so grateful for the connections and for meeting lovely people like yourself. Aah such a shame you can't get to book club but you are still part of it even if you can't make the calls! Am about to put the latest recording up. I'll run it going forwards and may change the day of the week as there are a few people it clashes for. I'm so grateful for you being here x
Lots to say here,(all in agreement ) but I'm just back from a mindfulness Buddhist retreat and that alone is making me rethink my path with Substack and social media. I've been without a phone for three days. It's been wonderful. Oh to be free of all this!
I’ve only ever had 1 paid subscriber - and she has just left Substack due to the changes. I don’t use a paywall though - so not many would pay if they don’t have to. I do think these apps/programs/companies start off with great intentions, and then are sucked into the whole constant need for growth which ultimately spoils the whole premise they started with. I can’t think of a business who has kept its initial integrity once game goes to its head! I too am staying for now, but am frustrated at the way things are going.
I agree, they do begin with great intentions but like mankind itself - we can never sustain the utopia. It will always inevitable decline but I am hugely grateful for what I have found here and the connections made with beautiful authors and people like you x
Oh totally, the connections made are wonderful, and if that and some writing practice is all I’ve got from Substack then it’s definitely been worth it 💚
It seems to me, sadly, that any type of social media moves far away from its original intentions and very quickly. The presumption that we only now get information from social media is also growing. I haven’t commented for a while as one comment some months back had someone “following” me! I have nothing of importance to say to the world and chose to follow a few people I respect and admire on Substack. I think it also sadly gives some people a place which has become a bit “look at me” rather than a platform for genuine people to share information, ideas and thoughts. This could have been such an original, useful platform had it not succumbed to the click bait, numbers and money gods.🙁 Chin up Emma. The good Substacks (including yours) will survive with genuine participation and mutual feelings of respect and support.
I have been considering my Substack and whether I should do more, think about a paid offering. Your thoughts and the other article make me wonder if it is worth even trying. Maybe I should stick to writing when inspiration strikes. I have found it is a good place to practice getting my writing out there, knowing that someone will read it even if it is only a handful x
As for the widget it reminds me of the frustration of trying to talk to someone at BT!! 😂😡
Ps I love your Substack and it is worth every penny. Also because of this platform I get to call you a friend and that’s really special. Like you say let’s stay for the connection xxxx🥰😘
It's such a tough one Nic. I oscillate between paywalling everything and making everything free, raising prices and offering more, dropping prices and offering less, and for my own wellbeing that's what I need to do right now. You can always turn paid on without paywalling posts if people want to support your work, but it comes back to - what are we here for?
I don't want to become dependent on such a shaky and unpredictable income stream, it's too stressful. The widget - don't even.
And thank you, I absolutely love our community and everything that we do within it. It's been such a joy to have met you as a real friend through here. I will definitely be staying ❤️
I gave just responded to a note you restacked. However your post sums up my feelings far better than the one you restacked. I joined Substack 4 years ago when it was still quite shiny, new and felt exciting. I made the decision not to turn on paid subscriptions Firstly, because I felt
a) there was no way an old curmudgeon line me who was not a writer was worth paying for
b) because it was so shiny and new I had no idea where I was going with it and not sure I would be committed.
I am really pleased I am still here and glad I made those decisions, for me. Yes I still worth about opens etc, which is silly. I have a solid number of subscribers, for whom and I am very grateful. I don't havevesrt shattering writing to share, just an old curmudgeon’s eclectic ramblings.
On notes etc put my little toe in occasionally, it is something I like at times but get frustrated with at others.
I am so, so, grateful to Substack for all the wonderful people I have ‘met’ in person and online I am so sad I cannot make the meet ups etc, hopefully in the future. I am also grateful for opportunities Substack has given me to write and ‘publish’ my ramblings.
Emma you are one of those people whose writing etc have been an inspiration to me. I was so sorry to miss your book club, I have read the books but the session clashes. I will try harder to come, but thank you for being herenand everything you do ❤️
Much as curmudgeon is one of my favourite words, you are not one my friend, although there is something quite charming about a curmudgeon! I too am so grateful for the connections and for meeting lovely people like yourself. Aah such a shame you can't get to book club but you are still part of it even if you can't make the calls! Am about to put the latest recording up. I'll run it going forwards and may change the day of the week as there are a few people it clashes for. I'm so grateful for you being here x
Lots to say here,(all in agreement ) but I'm just back from a mindfulness Buddhist retreat and that alone is making me rethink my path with Substack and social media. I've been without a phone for three days. It's been wonderful. Oh to be free of all this!
I’ve only ever had 1 paid subscriber - and she has just left Substack due to the changes. I don’t use a paywall though - so not many would pay if they don’t have to. I do think these apps/programs/companies start off with great intentions, and then are sucked into the whole constant need for growth which ultimately spoils the whole premise they started with. I can’t think of a business who has kept its initial integrity once game goes to its head! I too am staying for now, but am frustrated at the way things are going.
I agree, they do begin with great intentions but like mankind itself - we can never sustain the utopia. It will always inevitable decline but I am hugely grateful for what I have found here and the connections made with beautiful authors and people like you x
Oh totally, the connections made are wonderful, and if that and some writing practice is all I’ve got from Substack then it’s definitely been worth it 💚
Good for you Em
As for the widget….. 🫨
It seems to me, sadly, that any type of social media moves far away from its original intentions and very quickly. The presumption that we only now get information from social media is also growing. I haven’t commented for a while as one comment some months back had someone “following” me! I have nothing of importance to say to the world and chose to follow a few people I respect and admire on Substack. I think it also sadly gives some people a place which has become a bit “look at me” rather than a platform for genuine people to share information, ideas and thoughts. This could have been such an original, useful platform had it not succumbed to the click bait, numbers and money gods.🙁 Chin up Emma. The good Substacks (including yours) will survive with genuine participation and mutual feelings of respect and support.