OMG YES! Please normalize this! And I totally agree with you-- people don't need more necessarily. They pay because they value what you're already doing.
Hey, we both have the same paid subscription model—money for nothing and posts for free! I see it as a kind of patronage model, too. I think if my stuff was more transactional like courses, guides, reports, etc., it might make sense to do something different, but as it is now I wouldn't want to keep anything I make from anyone who put forth any effort in hearing about it.
I have wanted to do the same for a long time. I’ve been avoiding it because I haven’t been in the “back end” of my substack for a long time. And quite frankly I’ve been debating staying because of the slippery slope of feeling like I’m back on social media when I went off everything else a few years ago because it felt so shitty. Ack. What to do. What to do? I love the people I’ve met here and I am an avid reader (and paying subscriber to far too many!) I want to support as many as I can despite my limited funds. Best with your changes. I’ll likely be following suit or leaving altogether. Either way it sure has been an interesting ride.
It seems like a lot of people are thinking about leaving these days, which is a bummer. It’s definitely changing rapidly. I hope you can find a way to continue to enjoy it here and avoid the parts you don’t like!
Me too! That is my preference, although I'm finding it harder and harder. I do appreciate how they adopt suggestions from users as well. When they came out with the ability to 'hide stats' that was most helpful. And I also fully understand they must adapt the platform to make money. They are a business after all. So good to see you finding your way on here. Great job.
I feel like I need to be a Rockefeller to support all the voices I love here. Yours is definitely tops— I love Funny Story with you and Shelly. You two always manage to find some impossibly weird, hilarious tale... Like the one about the Norwegian poop golfer? Forget Karl Ove Knausgård! THIS is where it's at. 😂
That’s so nice, Alisa—thank you. And I feel the same way about wanting to support more people. There are a bunch that I wish I could pay for but unfortunately I have to eat!
This is such a great piece, you've hooked this Banana Bender right in! I have very little idea how Substack works at all, being a brand newbie. Thanks for the laughs and the insights.
Thanks, Eileen, and welcome aboard! There are some smart people writing about best practices around here, so you’ll probably be a pro in no time. But if there’s anything I can help you with, let me know.
I vote for the tip jar. I've often gotten a little grumbly at subscriptions. They're everywhere and some people just can't afford to shell out all of their money every month. A tip jar enables those who have a few extra dollars to spare to give when they can without feeling the pinch that inevitably is coming for 99.9% of people. I applaud your decision to go subscription-free. I know it can seem like a ledge you're about to throw yourself off of, but your words reach so many people and sometimes your words are the tether keeping THEM from going over the ledge. Thank you for being you. 💖
Thanks for such a kind and thoughtful comment, Aliah. I really appreciate it. I’m going to think more about the tip jar thing, because you do make a very good point.
Brilliantly explained - many thanks. As a late participant to Substack I just wanted to find another outlet to write about our walks ... oh, and to find new readers for my books. Think I'll just go back to the corner and write ...😒😊
Love the switch from Premier to Patron. This is more in line with how artist have supported themselves throughout time. If you really want to be historically accurate, you could write flowery sonnets praising the virtues of your Patrons.
OMG YES! Please normalize this! And I totally agree with you-- people don't need more necessarily. They pay because they value what you're already doing.
It feels so much better. No joke.
We should have a chat with a camera pointed at our snout. Could be fun.
I’m game if you are
Hey, we both have the same paid subscription model—money for nothing and posts for free! I see it as a kind of patronage model, too. I think if my stuff was more transactional like courses, guides, reports, etc., it might make sense to do something different, but as it is now I wouldn't want to keep anything I make from anyone who put forth any effort in hearing about it.
Yeah, it just didn’t fit quite right doing it the other way.
Love it, Chris!!
Thanks, Holly!
Great post.
For quite a while I tried had to get traction for my humor here.
I enjoy your humor pieces (including the punch lines in this one).
Much of my writing here has been political satire ... which can take a toll on the soul.
So I've basically gone dormant for now. May try again later.
Meanwhile ... best of luck to you, Chris!
Thanks so much, John! I hope you recharge and fire back up again.
Every time I come back to Substack and read one of your pieces, I’m reminded that:
1. “Chris is a pretty funny writer.”
2. “If I could ever fucking consistently write on here I could have an audience too.”
Hey, thanks Joseph. I hope you do start fucking consistently writing on here.
I have wanted to do the same for a long time. I’ve been avoiding it because I haven’t been in the “back end” of my substack for a long time. And quite frankly I’ve been debating staying because of the slippery slope of feeling like I’m back on social media when I went off everything else a few years ago because it felt so shitty. Ack. What to do. What to do? I love the people I’ve met here and I am an avid reader (and paying subscriber to far too many!) I want to support as many as I can despite my limited funds. Best with your changes. I’ll likely be following suit or leaving altogether. Either way it sure has been an interesting ride.
It seems like a lot of people are thinking about leaving these days, which is a bummer. It’s definitely changing rapidly. I hope you can find a way to continue to enjoy it here and avoid the parts you don’t like!
Me too! That is my preference, although I'm finding it harder and harder. I do appreciate how they adopt suggestions from users as well. When they came out with the ability to 'hide stats' that was most helpful. And I also fully understand they must adapt the platform to make money. They are a business after all. So good to see you finding your way on here. Great job.
Thanks, Kim! I hope you stick around!
I feel like I need to be a Rockefeller to support all the voices I love here. Yours is definitely tops— I love Funny Story with you and Shelly. You two always manage to find some impossibly weird, hilarious tale... Like the one about the Norwegian poop golfer? Forget Karl Ove Knausgård! THIS is where it's at. 😂
That’s so nice, Alisa—thank you. And I feel the same way about wanting to support more people. There are a bunch that I wish I could pay for but unfortunately I have to eat!
This is such a great piece, you've hooked this Banana Bender right in! I have very little idea how Substack works at all, being a brand newbie. Thanks for the laughs and the insights.
Thanks, Eileen, and welcome aboard! There are some smart people writing about best practices around here, so you’ll probably be a pro in no time. But if there’s anything I can help you with, let me know.
I'm struggling to resist your call to actions 😂
🤣
I vote for the tip jar. I've often gotten a little grumbly at subscriptions. They're everywhere and some people just can't afford to shell out all of their money every month. A tip jar enables those who have a few extra dollars to spare to give when they can without feeling the pinch that inevitably is coming for 99.9% of people. I applaud your decision to go subscription-free. I know it can seem like a ledge you're about to throw yourself off of, but your words reach so many people and sometimes your words are the tether keeping THEM from going over the ledge. Thank you for being you. 💖
Thanks for such a kind and thoughtful comment, Aliah. I really appreciate it. I’m going to think more about the tip jar thing, because you do make a very good point.
Really appreciate this overview and your take.
Thanks, Nancy. I really enjoyed your story on Wham…Slam! a couple of weeks ago, by the way.
My thoughts exactly
Brilliantly explained - many thanks. As a late participant to Substack I just wanted to find another outlet to write about our walks ... oh, and to find new readers for my books. Think I'll just go back to the corner and write ...😒😊
Thanks, Judith. I hope you’ve been finding it to be a good experience on here.
Love the switch from Premier to Patron. This is more in line with how artist have supported themselves throughout time. If you really want to be historically accurate, you could write flowery sonnets praising the virtues of your Patrons.
Can’t risk it. I’m afraid that once they see my sonnets they won’t want to be patrons anymore.
Sounds like a good plan. 👏👏
Thanks, CK