Passing the Hat

A yearly tradition

Since I first started publishing my writing online I have tried my best to not only post what I as a reader would want to read, but to also act in a way that I think a writer should act.

I have always endeavoured to make this Substack “an oasis of art in a desert of content”, which is to say a reprieve from the worse tendencies of the wider internet and Content Creator culture.

I know that as a reader, as a listener and as a viewer online I am sick and tired of pop-ups, of ad reads, of the continuous product shilling (‘Use promo-code SELLOUT for 10% off your first order’) and those endless Calls to Action- those ever-present inducements for you to ‘smash the like button’, to ‘hit that notification bell’, to upgrade your current plan and on and on and on.

It doesn’t have to be this way. I’m convinced of it.

And so I want to become an example of a better way of doing things. Here, then, is how I am going to approach ‘monetisation’.

Once a year- every January 24th¹ -I am going to simply send an email and put up a post (you are reading it right now) which reminds the readers that I offer paid subscriptions- both monthly and annual- as well as the option for them to donate me money on a one-off basis if they prefer.

That’s it.

No pushing, no manipulative tactics, no salesmanship, just the fact that you can follow the link below to become a paid subscriber if you so wish:

Or you can give a gift subscription to a friend if you so wish:

I will continue writing whether this approach works or not. If I have no paid subscribers and make zero income I will continue to write, if I somehow make enough money to buy a mansion I will still continue to write.

But I want to see if this can work. I want to see if forgoing the games and annoying sales tactics and instead simply and calmly reminding readers that they can throw a few $ my way if they so wish can get results. Because it would set a lovely precedent if it did.

To my mind a world with way less ads and ‘Calls To Action’ would be a beautiful thing. Which is why I feel compelled to act as an example of a better way of doing things, come what may.

This is my approach and that is my pitch.

Support me if you want to. Read my work for free if you want to. Honestly, I’m grateful that people read my writing and share it around and get something out of it.

That’s enough for me.

Money is a bonus.

But of course money is also a nice thing to acquire- it’s pretty useful- so if you do enjoy my writing and do want to send some my way then by all means become a paid subscriber or ‘buy me a coffee’ if you prefer.

Cheers,

Tom.

1. For no other reason than January 24th- today- is my birthday.