You're not a successful publisher until readers theatrically flounce and tell you about it in great detail, so the dramatic unsubscribes are a great sign. (Personally, I simply don't read your bad posts, and therefore am not bothered by them.)
In the time before Facebook and other social media became big, there was a lot more "friendly" content on the forum and thus much more relationship drama.
One couple met, hooked up, dated, got engaged and planned their wedding, then he dumped her just a couple weeks before the date.
This would make me so happy. Especially if they have a baby--a human life that wouldn't exist without this newsletter. It would be "our" baby in a way.
‘Met’ my husband 18 years ago on a discussion board. I was looking for a way to listen to music while swimming and the solutions were imperfect. We married 3 years later. As I was writing this post I realised tomorrow is our wedding anniversary. We are now laughing about the fact we forgot and planning an outing tomorrow to the garden centre to buy plants (and cards). 😂
I met my husband on a singles site back in '99 if you can believe it. A free stamp showed up in his account and he used it to connect to me because he liked the blurb I wrote about what type of mate I was looking for. It was a bit snarky and he is definitely a smart ass and keeps me in stitches - which is good because I am far too serious most days.
I know you’re all dying to know what special meal I’m making my husband today (our 15th wedding anniversary after meeting on a tech forum for something called an ‘otter box’). He asked for goat curry with rice and beans. No wine ever made goes with goat curry so we will drink it with some craft beer from our local brewery.
Well if I wasn't already a devoted reader, you'd have gotten me with "snuggle up." So pleased this is going well for you. But also selfishly pleased because of the many great people here I get to talk to every week.
It's kind of you to make posts generally available but don't work for free. There is nothing wrong with making money (even plenty of it). I know our economic philosophies differ. I subscribed and paid more than the minimum to support your writing. The excellent commentary from posters is icing on the cake. This here is a special internet place.
I actually think having a mix that leans mostly free with some paid is a good technique to gain subscribers, because it allows us to share interesting pieces with people who don't sub and aren't likely to do so just to read one article. But, over time, he gets more and more word-of-mouth that way, and that generally higher profile will probably net subs. I can't say for sure, but that's my intuition, at any rate.
Very much agree. There is a mature but creative vibe here, erudition and insight, and very little ad hominem. Probably my favorite board at the moment.
Congrats on 4000 paid subscribers! That’s amazing.
It’s very generous of you to allow subscribers to share links in a post that goes to thousands of people – actually, it’s such a great value that people might sign up just to share their work. I regularly get spam emails offering to tweet about my books (to an audience of bots / defunct accounts) for like $50.
I will think about submitting links to my books, or maybe my book review which I published elsewhere… as long as I don’t have to use my legal or commenting name (which is similar). I cherish this space because I can write honest comments without any personal or professional consequences.
Also, I really want to read Mick’s books, and he is also anonymous on here.
I've honestly wrestled with whether to have my real name on my profile or not. Relatedly, I'm also slowly (very slowly) starting to register some mild disagreements with the Zeitgeist on social media because I want to be "out." I'm obviously really worried that I'll basically lose all my friends - so is it better to get it over with now or later? I don't know.
I haven’t had this much fun on the Internet since forums were a thing. The writing is more than worth the price of admission on its own, but the community’s such a great perk. Thanks for all you do to cultivate it.
> I think having to pay to comment ensures that there’s a level of commitment to what people say...
I solidly agree with you here, and it's why I've been passively looking for a social network that is either subscription-based or uses a one-time fee. I think it's a good way to make people value their accounts and what they're posting. So far the only one I know of the implement such a feature is Pillowfort.
I subscribe because I value the quality of your thought and writing, even the parts with which I disagree. I'm happy to subsidize nonsubscribers having wider access to your best posts.
Freddy - very timely post, as it feels most writers here struggle with the free/paid gulf. I read you because it's precisely not precise and lazer-foused. Much like my life, and I suspect many of your readers as well. As a writer here, seeing more-established writers with proven-metric success, it's hard not to compare. But that is an unfair comparison, so your Open Threads really make a difference. Your idea to further expose writers here by including them in a 20K email blast is priceless. At least it would be for a writer with about 450 emails and 25 paid subscriptions.
Like you, I am experimenting with value-enhancements to my posts and platform. My current anxiety-inducer is the almost complete lack of comments on my posts. I lay awake wondering why? I love to comment and find it extremely helpful in understanding people and their motivations.
To that end, I have created new sections, adding a photo-journal, a foodie-trip, music playlists, book and documentary reviews. One of the big things I do is link to fellow Substackers, and then reach out to ask for collaborations. I linked to you last night here.
Freddy, have you ever thought of mentoring anyone in this space? Picking out a rando-writer to help out? Kinda like the Trading Places movie premise - without the $1 bet. You lay out the lesson, and the chosen interprets it in the context of their platform? And then implements those ideas into action. A real-time real-life thought-experiment.
I really think the part on the comments section is great proof of my "community norms are important" belief that not enough people share. As a hothead, I know there's been multiple times I've written a reply to someone before thinking "that's not really appropriate here" or "show more respect to Freddie's house" and not pressing send. Or I will viscerally disagree with someone and see they're a regular and think "hey, that's a good person, I just disagree with them, let it go." Can't imagine that's only me who does it.
For all the sturm and drang over regulatory or technological approaches to moderation I think the best approach is just encouraging people to not be assholes. As an asshole I find it hard at times, but rewarding.
Strong agree. I'm not proud of all of the things I've said or done online, but I do think this place brings out the best in me -- and others as well, it seems. I feel comfortable rambling about the things that interest me when they come up, spitballing half-formed ideas, and generally being unashamedly earnest instead of cowering behind a wall of sarcasm. Might be that Freddie's penchant for sincerity is contagious, and/or that he naturally attracts a crowd hungry for said sincerity.
"Or I will viscerally disagree with someone and see they're a regular and think 'hey, that's a good person, I just disagree with them, let it go.' Can't imagine that's only me who does it."
Definitely not just you. I've kept myself from poppin' off for all the same reasons. I find those little reminders (that I should behave like an actual human being rather than an internet asshat) quite valuable and good for my well-being, really.
You're in good company, Freddie: "The country needs and, unless I mistake its temper, the country demands bold, persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it: If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something." FDR (May 1932)
You're not a successful publisher until readers theatrically flounce and tell you about it in great detail, so the dramatic unsubscribes are a great sign. (Personally, I simply don't read your bad posts, and therefore am not bothered by them.)
all my posts are good
I'm just waiting for the day when two subscribers meet and fall in the love in the comments section. I think that would be a true sign of success.
😂
I run a large fan site for a major sports team and that's happened more than once in our forum.
Shut up!!!
In the time before Facebook and other social media became big, there was a lot more "friendly" content on the forum and thus much more relationship drama.
One couple met, hooked up, dated, got engaged and planned their wedding, then he dumped her just a couple weeks before the date.
Oh dear. I bet the message boards were going crazy.
The drama was OFF THE CHARTS. Both of these people were very active and popular members of the board. They were like a sports forum power couple.
The thread where the breakup got announced was crazy. It got deleted in fairly short order, but OMG. I may still have a pdf of it saved somewhere.
"sports forum power couple" :)
Sign me up! No. Wait. I'm not into sports.
This would make me so happy. Especially if they have a baby--a human life that wouldn't exist without this newsletter. It would be "our" baby in a way.
I smell a novel idea...
What are you doing in my bedroom?
I'm so sorry, everyone, but I am spoken for.
Oh, your husband didn’t tell you about the deal he and I… Well, this IS awkward.
When he was a police trainee one of his trainers was also married to someone named Erin. You can imagine the hilarity that ensued 🙄
The sitcom writes itself.
“Police Business!”
Alternative title: “Do You Have a Warrant?”
Lol
Content idea: Freddie’s Personals! A pitch from one of us lonely hearts, perhaps included in the weekend digest.
Blocked and Reported did that already
And then got rid of it, because it was a lot of work (and nobody murdered anyone or got married, much to their disappointment).
Well, marriage (and murder) can take a while to develop, so the jury is still out.
Fair enough.
So does Astral Codex
Or just a comment thread for personals ads. I'd be interested to see what happens, though for myself I wouldn't have high expectations for success.
That’s a great idea! (And same here.)
As a longtime member of a message board I can confirm this will happen eventually. Ours resulted in about ten marriages.
‘Met’ my husband 18 years ago on a discussion board. I was looking for a way to listen to music while swimming and the solutions were imperfect. We married 3 years later. As I was writing this post I realised tomorrow is our wedding anniversary. We are now laughing about the fact we forgot and planning an outing tomorrow to the garden centre to buy plants (and cards). 😂
Sounds like you are well-matched.
This is so lovely! Happy anniversary to you both!
Happy Anniversary! Enjoy your day.
I met my husband on a singles site back in '99 if you can believe it. A free stamp showed up in his account and he used it to connect to me because he liked the blurb I wrote about what type of mate I was looking for. It was a bit snarky and he is definitely a smart ass and keeps me in stitches - which is good because I am far too serious most days.
I know you’re all dying to know what special meal I’m making my husband today (our 15th wedding anniversary after meeting on a tech forum for something called an ‘otter box’). He asked for goat curry with rice and beans. No wine ever made goes with goat curry so we will drink it with some craft beer from our local brewery.
I love the idea that you will share the writing of your subscribers. Thank you.
It's an awesome and generous idea.
I second this!
Me too! Finally I have a venue for all my unreleased "Bosom Buddies" Fanfic erotica!
It’s what we’ve all been waiting for!
You hear that, guys? We’re Medicis! I’m gonna get gout and make my son the pope!
Wondering who’s doing Thanksgiving this year?
I'm planning to poison some folks.
I'm enjoying it all though I haven't got into the book club. I'll probably jump into it in the future when I have more time to devote to it.
Well if I wasn't already a devoted reader, you'd have gotten me with "snuggle up." So pleased this is going well for you. But also selfishly pleased because of the many great people here I get to talk to every week.
It's kind of you to make posts generally available but don't work for free. There is nothing wrong with making money (even plenty of it). I know our economic philosophies differ. I subscribed and paid more than the minimum to support your writing. The excellent commentary from posters is icing on the cake. This here is a special internet place.
I actually think having a mix that leans mostly free with some paid is a good technique to gain subscribers, because it allows us to share interesting pieces with people who don't sub and aren't likely to do so just to read one article. But, over time, he gets more and more word-of-mouth that way, and that generally higher profile will probably net subs. I can't say for sure, but that's my intuition, at any rate.
It's a classic business concept called a loss-leader. And, it works, too.
Very much agree. There is a mature but creative vibe here, erudition and insight, and very little ad hominem. Probably my favorite board at the moment.
Congrats on 4000 paid subscribers! That’s amazing.
It’s very generous of you to allow subscribers to share links in a post that goes to thousands of people – actually, it’s such a great value that people might sign up just to share their work. I regularly get spam emails offering to tweet about my books (to an audience of bots / defunct accounts) for like $50.
I will think about submitting links to my books, or maybe my book review which I published elsewhere… as long as I don’t have to use my legal or commenting name (which is similar). I cherish this space because I can write honest comments without any personal or professional consequences.
Also, I really want to read Mick’s books, and he is also anonymous on here.
I've honestly wrestled with whether to have my real name on my profile or not. Relatedly, I'm also slowly (very slowly) starting to register some mild disagreements with the Zeitgeist on social media because I want to be "out." I'm obviously really worried that I'll basically lose all my friends - so is it better to get it over with now or later? I don't know.
I haven’t had this much fun on the Internet since forums were a thing. The writing is more than worth the price of admission on its own, but the community’s such a great perk. Thanks for all you do to cultivate it.
I always wanted to be a Medici.
Also, congrats on 4000 subscribers! I'm super happy for you.
so many Savonarolas today.
> I think having to pay to comment ensures that there’s a level of commitment to what people say...
I solidly agree with you here, and it's why I've been passively looking for a social network that is either subscription-based or uses a one-time fee. I think it's a good way to make people value their accounts and what they're posting. So far the only one I know of the implement such a feature is Pillowfort.
I subscribe because I value the quality of your thought and writing, even the parts with which I disagree. I'm happy to subsidize nonsubscribers having wider access to your best posts.
Freddy - very timely post, as it feels most writers here struggle with the free/paid gulf. I read you because it's precisely not precise and lazer-foused. Much like my life, and I suspect many of your readers as well. As a writer here, seeing more-established writers with proven-metric success, it's hard not to compare. But that is an unfair comparison, so your Open Threads really make a difference. Your idea to further expose writers here by including them in a 20K email blast is priceless. At least it would be for a writer with about 450 emails and 25 paid subscriptions.
Like you, I am experimenting with value-enhancements to my posts and platform. My current anxiety-inducer is the almost complete lack of comments on my posts. I lay awake wondering why? I love to comment and find it extremely helpful in understanding people and their motivations.
To that end, I have created new sections, adding a photo-journal, a foodie-trip, music playlists, book and documentary reviews. One of the big things I do is link to fellow Substackers, and then reach out to ask for collaborations. I linked to you last night here.
https://riclexel.substack.com/p/1st-take2nd-look-3?s=w
Freddy, have you ever thought of mentoring anyone in this space? Picking out a rando-writer to help out? Kinda like the Trading Places movie premise - without the $1 bet. You lay out the lesson, and the chosen interprets it in the context of their platform? And then implements those ideas into action. A real-time real-life thought-experiment.
Just a thought,
I'll keep reading,
Ric
It's been a great year. Thrilled to be a subscriber. Thanks to Elizabeth Bruenig for the twitter heads up.
I really think the part on the comments section is great proof of my "community norms are important" belief that not enough people share. As a hothead, I know there's been multiple times I've written a reply to someone before thinking "that's not really appropriate here" or "show more respect to Freddie's house" and not pressing send. Or I will viscerally disagree with someone and see they're a regular and think "hey, that's a good person, I just disagree with them, let it go." Can't imagine that's only me who does it.
For all the sturm and drang over regulatory or technological approaches to moderation I think the best approach is just encouraging people to not be assholes. As an asshole I find it hard at times, but rewarding.
Strong agree. I'm not proud of all of the things I've said or done online, but I do think this place brings out the best in me -- and others as well, it seems. I feel comfortable rambling about the things that interest me when they come up, spitballing half-formed ideas, and generally being unashamedly earnest instead of cowering behind a wall of sarcasm. Might be that Freddie's penchant for sincerity is contagious, and/or that he naturally attracts a crowd hungry for said sincerity.
Freddie's Trenchant Penchant.
(Had to...)
I think people don't show -off here--they share stuff they know and it shows.
The diatribes I’ve written directed at you and then deleted…
Save those for the podcast!
More people need to start sentences with the phrase “as an asshole….” That’s extremely funny.
Proud of Dan’s self awareness.
"Or I will viscerally disagree with someone and see they're a regular and think 'hey, that's a good person, I just disagree with them, let it go.' Can't imagine that's only me who does it."
Definitely not just you. I've kept myself from poppin' off for all the same reasons. I find those little reminders (that I should behave like an actual human being rather than an internet asshat) quite valuable and good for my well-being, really.
You're in good company, Freddie: "The country needs and, unless I mistake its temper, the country demands bold, persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it: If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something." FDR (May 1932)