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.)
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.
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 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.
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.)
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 love the idea that you will share the writing of your subscribers. Thank you.
You hear that, guys? We’re Medicis! I’m gonna get gout and make my son the pope!
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.
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 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.
> 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.
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)