Good words Ernie, and in my book, good decision. I've got no business acumen, so that's why I haven't tinkered with monetizing my blogging or podcasting.
One thought I had as I read your article here, is this: that it takes a whole different approach to writing (typing) to cultivate total strangers who don't know you and to entice them to become paying subscribers. As for me and my sanity, that's definitely not for me.
I appreciate this openness, Ernie. All last year, during my unemployment, people kept telling me to start a Substack and implied that I should charge people. I don't want to "gamify" my writing, though, or try to turn myself into a mini-media small business.
I may eventually publish over here, but I will trust my gut about coming over here to try to earn money on that writing.
Yeah, the "monetize your expertise!" advice gets exhausting real fast. Everyone's out here trying to turn their thoughts into passive income streams like we're all supposed to be running solo media empires between unemployment checks.
The gamification thing is real. I tried it for a year, and the mental overhead was ridiculous—writing with this little subscription counter in the back of my head, wondering if this piece was "premium enough," whether I should tease the good stuff or give it all away. I don't wanna say "never again," but...
The paywall experiment taught me I'm wired more like a public radio station than a SaaS product. I want the work out there doing whatever good it can do, and if some folks want to kick in to keep it going, beautiful. But the core thing has to be free, or I can't sleep at night. I would still love to figure out how to get a side hustle that works, though.
Your gut's served you well this long though; trust it.
It's funny, my first instinct is nooooooooooo but also, 1) i'm not (yet) a paid subscriber of yours (I like to lurk for a long time first)(other than for people I know in person – which sort of proves your point) and 2) I run a live storytelling show that — same. I tried making money off it, it killed the enjoyment and increased the stress while pulling in very little. Now I do it for free and just think of my other paid work as paying me to do this thing I love to do.
And FWIW you're such a wonderful writer that I, too, want you to make a living from it, in some form.
We paid because we love you and we want life to be easier. Yes, your writing is entertaining, and that's why I've read your posts for the past... century? I may be rounding up. A long, long time. And I'll keep reading.
Yes, so we paid to be supportive. You should see what I had planned if my "win Megamillions" master plan had worked out!
Do what makes sense for you, lets you vent whatever you want, and makes you happy! We're here for you!
Good words Ernie, and in my book, good decision. I've got no business acumen, so that's why I haven't tinkered with monetizing my blogging or podcasting.
One thought I had as I read your article here, is this: that it takes a whole different approach to writing (typing) to cultivate total strangers who don't know you and to entice them to become paying subscribers. As for me and my sanity, that's definitely not for me.
I appreciate this openness, Ernie. All last year, during my unemployment, people kept telling me to start a Substack and implied that I should charge people. I don't want to "gamify" my writing, though, or try to turn myself into a mini-media small business.
I may eventually publish over here, but I will trust my gut about coming over here to try to earn money on that writing.
Thanks, Jason.
Yeah, the "monetize your expertise!" advice gets exhausting real fast. Everyone's out here trying to turn their thoughts into passive income streams like we're all supposed to be running solo media empires between unemployment checks.
The gamification thing is real. I tried it for a year, and the mental overhead was ridiculous—writing with this little subscription counter in the back of my head, wondering if this piece was "premium enough," whether I should tease the good stuff or give it all away. I don't wanna say "never again," but...
The paywall experiment taught me I'm wired more like a public radio station than a SaaS product. I want the work out there doing whatever good it can do, and if some folks want to kick in to keep it going, beautiful. But the core thing has to be free, or I can't sleep at night. I would still love to figure out how to get a side hustle that works, though.
Your gut's served you well this long though; trust it.
It's funny, my first instinct is nooooooooooo but also, 1) i'm not (yet) a paid subscriber of yours (I like to lurk for a long time first)(other than for people I know in person – which sort of proves your point) and 2) I run a live storytelling show that — same. I tried making money off it, it killed the enjoyment and increased the stress while pulling in very little. Now I do it for free and just think of my other paid work as paying me to do this thing I love to do.
And FWIW you're such a wonderful writer that I, too, want you to make a living from it, in some form.
We paid because we love you and we want life to be easier. Yes, your writing is entertaining, and that's why I've read your posts for the past... century? I may be rounding up. A long, long time. And I'll keep reading.
Yes, so we paid to be supportive. You should see what I had planned if my "win Megamillions" master plan had worked out!
Do what makes sense for you, lets you vent whatever you want, and makes you happy! We're here for you!