This piece so beautifully echoes my own sentiments. "Content Creator" is such an empty word. We're writers, comedians, musicians, educators, chefs, etc. with a platform to showcase our craft. I'd love it if talented people stopped calling themselves Youtubers, Reelers, Tiktokers and the like and instead introduce themselves by their professions. The only people that should hide behind that term are jerks harassing old couples for TikTok. Good read Thomas!
I truly love your approach! And I would absolutely support you if I could afford it, specially because you don't plaster every word you post with petitions for money or "calls for action". At the moment, though, I'm unemployed and sick, going through a rough financial time, so I can't throw any money your way even if I'd love to do so, specially considering that my currency conversion rate to dollars is awful. But, if I ever get out of this whole I'm in, I swear I'll be here and subscribe to you as fast as I can. In the meantime, thanks for sharing your work for free, and HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY! :)
As someone who has known both unemployment and sickness I get it, I really do. I hope you feel better soon.
With this voluntary approach there will be several ‘whales’ who have the resources and generosity to pay more than there share which will then allow others to read for free. But having said that I will keep writing regardless even if there is no money coming in whatsoever.
I think this is the way it has to be for both my own sanity and the quality of the readers experience.
No, no, thank YOU for being an oasis of art AND decency in an online world more and more dominated by anything else but that. :) Thank you for sharing your work online with us! And take good care. ;)
I love the simplicity and sincerity of this approach to monetization. Your commitment to creating an oasis of art without the usual pop-ups and sales tactics is refreshing. It's a great reminder that readers can support writers without the constant pressure, and it's up to them to choose if and how they want to contribute. Kudos for setting a better example in the online content world! 💰📝👏
Thanks for this Jonah, I’m glad that this came across as I hoped it would. The hard sell just seems like a lose lose to me. Because even if it ‘works’ you are then beholden to the treadmill of growth and delivering what the audience expects to a strict deadline. Can only lead to burnout as far as I can see.
With this approach I can take as long as I need to write something (because all payment is more of a gift rather than a quid pro quo) which in turn will make the work better which will then improve the readers enjoyment. A win win. And life, I believe, is all about trying to find the win win.
From a Scotsman this is about as strong an endorsement as you can get! But seriously, thanks , it’s been great to have you on board since the very beginning.
Piquing curiosity rather than trying to finesse people for money is the way to go I’d say. My next piece will be out a week on Monday, touch wood. No pesos required ofc, but I won’t say no if they happen to come my way…
Happy birthday Tom! You’re one of the first ever people I followed on Substack and I respect your mission a lot. I hope the approach works, I’m rooting for you 🤲🏻
This piece so beautifully echoes my own sentiments. "Content Creator" is such an empty word. We're writers, comedians, musicians, educators, chefs, etc. with a platform to showcase our craft. I'd love it if talented people stopped calling themselves Youtubers, Reelers, Tiktokers and the like and instead introduce themselves by their professions. The only people that should hide behind that term are jerks harassing old couples for TikTok. Good read Thomas!
Happy Birthday. One more turn around the sun! Glad you were born to write. :-)
I truly love your approach! And I would absolutely support you if I could afford it, specially because you don't plaster every word you post with petitions for money or "calls for action". At the moment, though, I'm unemployed and sick, going through a rough financial time, so I can't throw any money your way even if I'd love to do so, specially considering that my currency conversion rate to dollars is awful. But, if I ever get out of this whole I'm in, I swear I'll be here and subscribe to you as fast as I can. In the meantime, thanks for sharing your work for free, and HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY! :)
As someone who has known both unemployment and sickness I get it, I really do. I hope you feel better soon.
With this voluntary approach there will be several ‘whales’ who have the resources and generosity to pay more than there share which will then allow others to read for free. But having said that I will keep writing regardless even if there is no money coming in whatsoever.
I think this is the way it has to be for both my own sanity and the quality of the readers experience.
Thanks for the lovely comment.
No, no, thank YOU for being an oasis of art AND decency in an online world more and more dominated by anything else but that. :) Thank you for sharing your work online with us! And take good care. ;)
I love the simplicity and sincerity of this approach to monetization. Your commitment to creating an oasis of art without the usual pop-ups and sales tactics is refreshing. It's a great reminder that readers can support writers without the constant pressure, and it's up to them to choose if and how they want to contribute. Kudos for setting a better example in the online content world! 💰📝👏
Thanks for this Jonah, I’m glad that this came across as I hoped it would. The hard sell just seems like a lose lose to me. Because even if it ‘works’ you are then beholden to the treadmill of growth and delivering what the audience expects to a strict deadline. Can only lead to burnout as far as I can see.
With this approach I can take as long as I need to write something (because all payment is more of a gift rather than a quid pro quo) which in turn will make the work better which will then improve the readers enjoyment. A win win. And life, I believe, is all about trying to find the win win.
Right on Tom, I think this is an admirable approach.
Thanks very much Tom, we’ll see how it pans out. You never know…
Happy birthday Tom, my founder's subscription here is the happiest money that leaves my account every year.
From a Scotsman this is about as strong an endorsement as you can get! But seriously, thanks , it’s been great to have you on board since the very beginning.
Happy Birthday and Χρόνια πολλά!
Спасибо!
I like the cut of your jib Thomas
Thank you kindly. I think I finally hit my intrusive ad threshold and thought ‘this cannot stand! Someone has to try and buck this trend’
I tend to get like that.haha.
I agree with pretty much everything you said in this piece. Shilling is not 'cool'. I mean, I get why people do it, but I would never
Yeah, whatever happened to playing it cool?
You’ve piqued my curiosity. I’d like to see a bit before before I depart with my hard earned pesos. Keep writing!! 😂
Seriously, this looks like something good.
Piquing curiosity rather than trying to finesse people for money is the way to go I’d say. My next piece will be out a week on Monday, touch wood. No pesos required ofc, but I won’t say no if they happen to come my way…
Happy birthday Tom! You’re one of the first ever people I followed on Substack and I respect your mission a lot. I hope the approach works, I’m rooting for you 🤲🏻
Thanks a lot, that means a lot! Fingers crossed, hey?
Nice approach. And happy bathday!
We’ll see how it pans out. Cheers Terry!
😁
Thanks on both counts, Jamie!