Because when I am out singing in the streets and people who hear me for one minute only, give me money for the experience they got from me, then those who receive my newsletter with my songs, videos, photos, poems or stories which they can't get from anyone else and which uplift their mood, a couple of times in a month again and again (and they can also access my songs etc, anytime), should definitely pay me at least a few bucks for it, shouldn't they?
Also, because with their support I would have more time for creating beautiful posts.
However, one thing have not worked for me here on Substack: pleading, asking for help so that I would be able to do more of my artistic creation.
Several times I have written about my situation: that because of a chronic illness (which is uncurable according to the medical profession) I can't take on even a part-time job, and I am standing in the streets with my diseased legs and sing so that I have a roof above my head at all and something to eat - there was only one single person here so far who heard my plea and supported me with $5.
One.
Well okay, I understand that each of us has different priorities: maybe fixing one's nails in the salon or having a beer or two is more important than dropping a few bucks in the virtual hat of an artist.
But if someone says to a video of mine that it gives them hope for Humanity, or a poem touches a person so deeply that they would cry for minutes, I think my works do deserve something in exchange so that I can sustaine myself.
I don't have a paid option yet. I'm trying to still build my community while improving on my writing and also connecting with my audience. In the coming days, I would love to explore the paid option.
If you are offering value, you can go ahead to make your substack paid.
I will try the buy me a coffee in my post one of this day
I wouldn't pay to read my substack, so I don't expect anyone else to.
There is currently one substack I might eventually consider paying for. There are three or four more than I read regularly, but wouldn't pay for them on their own.
If there was a substack magazine that included stories and articles by these authors and other like them, I just might pay for a subscription to that, if it was about the same price as subscribing to one substack.
My newsletter is a very introspective writing project which I expect very few people to relate to. The most I can hope is to make my writing entertaining enough to intrigue general readers. I seek to engage thought, not to make a few cents.
I write for myself in conjunction with an audience who chooses to enjoy it. I started here planning to eventually paywall but I’m reconsidering that expectation for a couple reasons 1. Although we pay for every other product we consume, I don’t wish to be a product. A producer maybe but not a product. 2. I’ve come to love the challenge of growing myself, and reflectively, my audience. This is a community and inside a community the booth in the diner or the overstuffed chair in the library are free. It’s where we meet up to enjoy company within the community. And 3. I’ve become entranced by the Tip Jar approach because it ain’t stripe who by the way wants to directly ‘converse’ with your bank accounts (vs simply dropping your earnings there like companies do with payroll checks) possibly to shut your pay capabilities down if they don’t like what they see, unless you’re rich enough to have a lawyer stop it. And, last but not least, the tip jar is your hat on the sidewalk to collect coins while bussing your wares. It doesn’t get much more honest than that. Thank you Kristi. I love this dialogue! Fascinating!
I have limited pay wall content and 37 paid subscribers who pay to support me. I'm in the process figuring out my paywalled content and it will be more along the lines of bugger meatier stuff - deep dives, habit reviews (I'm a habits writer), trackers, zines etc.
I enjoyed your reflections and appreciate the question, @Kristi Keller.
A little over 3% of my total subscribers have paid subscriptions. In addition to exclusive content, paid subscribers access exclusive weekly calls and monthly training to help them implement principles for building a fulfilling part-time business that fully funds their ideal lifestyle.
Being paid is farthest from my mind just now. I am new to the platform but have a few posts published. I wonder if my publication is set up right as I have very few notifications of any kind.
Yes they do, especially when out in nature learning about the healing benefits of our environment. We include aromatherapy and crystal healing in our sessions too.
You totally click baited me into thinking you were going to give me some hot tips on figuring that out!
I'm having some doubts lately, as it seems like there is more interest in paying for people's newsletters that are more about their life.
My newsletter, Channeling Chaos, is focused on educating people on ADHD, highlighting struggles and providing simplified solutions to manage them and ideally make their lives easier.
Maybe there aren't as many ADHD eyeballs as I expect. I'd be happy just to see non-paying growth to prove I'm helpful.
The Substack I am posting this from is free. All content. I do offer a paid option if people just wish to support my work, and I don’t take that for granted.
1) The podcast, which is serialized audiobook. It doesn’t seem fair to people who buy the books to give the same book away for free here.
That said, the first 18 segments are free. Also any segment that is critical to understanding the context of White Rose resistance, those are free as well.
Also, the “storybook” or short narrative of about 250 words (segments are about 1000 words) is free, as is the “why this matters” section. But footnotes and references, plus full audio segment, is for paid subscribers only.
2) The posts that are geared not to general public, but to scholars, professors, and teachers are paid only.
Otherwise, general posts about White Rose resistance, other resistance efforts, Shoah in general, travel tips for people interested in seeing Munich-Ulm-Stuttgart, those are all free.
All free posts allow comments from everyone.
If anyone has suggestions or comments that could improve my methodology, I’m listening!
they shouldn't. I do not have payments turned on because I don't want to leave anyone out. I'm more interested in creating connections than cash. I also prefer thinking of my space as a hang out space then a business. but that's me.
the one person I do pay and will continue to pay basically is a kind person who teaches art and that's what I want: kindness and humanity and art.
I'm pretty single-focused in my interests at present and I also have many classes in other places, waiting for me to get to them.
In all transactions there’s an exchange of perceived value. Our writing and their money. That perception and their final decision is always an emotional one.
If we write to provide value, someone will decide it’s good for them emotionally and they will pay.
There will be two reasons why they unsubscribe- first their perception of our value lessens or, second their needs for what we give them changes.
Thank you for asking!
Because when I am out singing in the streets and people who hear me for one minute only, give me money for the experience they got from me, then those who receive my newsletter with my songs, videos, photos, poems or stories which they can't get from anyone else and which uplift their mood, a couple of times in a month again and again (and they can also access my songs etc, anytime), should definitely pay me at least a few bucks for it, shouldn't they?
Also, because with their support I would have more time for creating beautiful posts.
However, one thing have not worked for me here on Substack: pleading, asking for help so that I would be able to do more of my artistic creation.
Several times I have written about my situation: that because of a chronic illness (which is uncurable according to the medical profession) I can't take on even a part-time job, and I am standing in the streets with my diseased legs and sing so that I have a roof above my head at all and something to eat - there was only one single person here so far who heard my plea and supported me with $5.
One.
Well okay, I understand that each of us has different priorities: maybe fixing one's nails in the salon or having a beer or two is more important than dropping a few bucks in the virtual hat of an artist.
But if someone says to a video of mine that it gives them hope for Humanity, or a poem touches a person so deeply that they would cry for minutes, I think my works do deserve something in exchange so that I can sustaine myself.
I feed your soul - you feed my body :)
Fair, isn't it?
I feel that way too, I'm just not quite there yet.
I don't have a paid option yet. I'm trying to still build my community while improving on my writing and also connecting with my audience. In the coming days, I would love to explore the paid option.
If you are offering value, you can go ahead to make your substack paid.
I will try the buy me a coffee in my post one of this day
I have forgotten I have an account with them
I wouldn't pay to read my substack, so I don't expect anyone else to.
There is currently one substack I might eventually consider paying for. There are three or four more than I read regularly, but wouldn't pay for them on their own.
If there was a substack magazine that included stories and articles by these authors and other like them, I just might pay for a subscription to that, if it was about the same price as subscribing to one substack.
This SS magazine is an excellent idea!
My newsletter is a very introspective writing project which I expect very few people to relate to. The most I can hope is to make my writing entertaining enough to intrigue general readers. I seek to engage thought, not to make a few cents.
So, to answer your question, no. :)
I write for myself in conjunction with an audience who chooses to enjoy it. I started here planning to eventually paywall but I’m reconsidering that expectation for a couple reasons 1. Although we pay for every other product we consume, I don’t wish to be a product. A producer maybe but not a product. 2. I’ve come to love the challenge of growing myself, and reflectively, my audience. This is a community and inside a community the booth in the diner or the overstuffed chair in the library are free. It’s where we meet up to enjoy company within the community. And 3. I’ve become entranced by the Tip Jar approach because it ain’t stripe who by the way wants to directly ‘converse’ with your bank accounts (vs simply dropping your earnings there like companies do with payroll checks) possibly to shut your pay capabilities down if they don’t like what they see, unless you’re rich enough to have a lawyer stop it. And, last but not least, the tip jar is your hat on the sidewalk to collect coins while bussing your wares. It doesn’t get much more honest than that. Thank you Kristi. I love this dialogue! Fascinating!
And I love your answer. It was very unique among all the why's of this thread.
Thanks Cori!
Because I’m selling something they want.
Your presence?
Let’s say 😆
I have limited pay wall content and 37 paid subscribers who pay to support me. I'm in the process figuring out my paywalled content and it will be more along the lines of bugger meatier stuff - deep dives, habit reviews (I'm a habits writer), trackers, zines etc.
I enjoyed your reflections and appreciate the question, @Kristi Keller.
A little over 3% of my total subscribers have paid subscriptions. In addition to exclusive content, paid subscribers access exclusive weekly calls and monthly training to help them implement principles for building a fulfilling part-time business that fully funds their ideal lifestyle.
Being paid is farthest from my mind just now. I am new to the platform but have a few posts published. I wonder if my publication is set up right as I have very few notifications of any kind.
Yes they do, especially when out in nature learning about the healing benefits of our environment. We include aromatherapy and crystal healing in our sessions too.
That sounds amazing, what milestone was reached?
You totally click baited me into thinking you were going to give me some hot tips on figuring that out!
I'm having some doubts lately, as it seems like there is more interest in paying for people's newsletters that are more about their life.
My newsletter, Channeling Chaos, is focused on educating people on ADHD, highlighting struggles and providing simplified solutions to manage them and ideally make their lives easier.
Maybe there aren't as many ADHD eyeballs as I expect. I'd be happy just to see non-paying growth to prove I'm helpful.
It may take time to build your audience but I promise you they're here!
The Substack I am posting this from is free. All content. I do offer a paid option if people just wish to support my work, and I don’t take that for granted.
My primary Substack is deniseelaineheap.substack.com. I have two types of paid content there.
1) The podcast, which is serialized audiobook. It doesn’t seem fair to people who buy the books to give the same book away for free here.
That said, the first 18 segments are free. Also any segment that is critical to understanding the context of White Rose resistance, those are free as well.
Also, the “storybook” or short narrative of about 250 words (segments are about 1000 words) is free, as is the “why this matters” section. But footnotes and references, plus full audio segment, is for paid subscribers only.
2) The posts that are geared not to general public, but to scholars, professors, and teachers are paid only.
Otherwise, general posts about White Rose resistance, other resistance efforts, Shoah in general, travel tips for people interested in seeing Munich-Ulm-Stuttgart, those are all free.
All free posts allow comments from everyone.
If anyone has suggestions or comments that could improve my methodology, I’m listening!
they shouldn't. I do not have payments turned on because I don't want to leave anyone out. I'm more interested in creating connections than cash. I also prefer thinking of my space as a hang out space then a business. but that's me.
the one person I do pay and will continue to pay basically is a kind person who teaches art and that's what I want: kindness and humanity and art.
I'm pretty single-focused in my interests at present and I also have many classes in other places, waiting for me to get to them.
* actually I have 4 paid subs, 2 are annual so I guess I'll be down to 2.
This is great! We are all here for our own reasons and I support them all!
Great question.
Your paying option should be ready valuable
In all transactions there’s an exchange of perceived value. Our writing and their money. That perception and their final decision is always an emotional one.
If we write to provide value, someone will decide it’s good for them emotionally and they will pay.
There will be two reasons why they unsubscribe- first their perception of our value lessens or, second their needs for what we give them changes.
We’re in control of only one of these things.