And ya know... one subtle point I hope you build on in the book is how Substack's creator tools can be a boon to folks who've never considered themselves writers. With the addition of recording tools for video, audio, and podcasting, they've opened the platform up to a wide range of storytelling forms including voice, video, presentations, and creative multimedia forms.
In the Projectkin.org/members-corner, I'm trying to reserve at least one publishing slot a month for posts including at least one bit of recorded media. So far, so good!
Even though I’m relatively new, I do seem to have a lot of followers/subscribers and I may just “rip the bandage off” and make some of my posts paid. I can do the free trials, discounts, group subscriptions, and even see if there’s a way to bundle with other platforms (I know there’s a setting for that and I believe I have it turned on), but I don’t want to wait too long, and I don’t believe it would have a detrimental impact. My weekly newsletter would be free but the personal travel stories and day trips would be paid. That’s at least the thought for now!
Sounds like a good plan, Louis. You can also do a mix and match - free post with paid aspects like the personal stories - in the same post. Equivalent to a medium preview, but decided by you on where the paywall starts. Am working on a monetization strategy post too!
The teaser post option is a strange one. When a Substack user requests a free post from an author, the user never gets the option for a teaser post on any other newsletters. The wording says the freebie is "courtesy" of the author, but seems to be a 'one-and-done' on Substack's end.
That makes the option confusing for both writers and readers for different reasons.
As for the option to paywall further down the line, that seems like a really useful balance. I'll give that serious consideration, so many thanks for pointing it out, Jayshree.
Interesting, I didn't know they were limiting it to one per user, versus one per author which makes more sense! Another list to add to in my 'Substack .....' post :-) It would be useful to let the user know this as well. It is courtesy of the author as if we turn off the setting, we don't get included in the option, and the user only gets a trial (if turned on by the author) or has to upgrade.
Absolutely, a good first step is to paywall the archive! Thanks for sharing!
I am new to the platform and am slowly beginning to see the relevance it might have in my world as artist/instructor and possibly being compensated for my knowledge. Your article was very helpful. I appreciate the fact that you are keeping it simple
I turned off the Free Trails a week or so before finally putting my archives behind the paywall and for some reason I can't get that Free Trial Option back. I am adding related posts from the paywall to some new posts now. I hope in time it helps.
I've just signed up for your list!
And ya know... one subtle point I hope you build on in the book is how Substack's creator tools can be a boon to folks who've never considered themselves writers. With the addition of recording tools for video, audio, and podcasting, they've opened the platform up to a wide range of storytelling forms including voice, video, presentations, and creative multimedia forms.
In the Projectkin.org/members-corner, I'm trying to reserve at least one publishing slot a month for posts including at least one bit of recorded media. So far, so good!
Thanks Barbara, it is not on the list yet, maybe you need to confirm the request in email?
Yes, I will include it as features. I still want to keep it simple for newcomers.
Even though I’m relatively new, I do seem to have a lot of followers/subscribers and I may just “rip the bandage off” and make some of my posts paid. I can do the free trials, discounts, group subscriptions, and even see if there’s a way to bundle with other platforms (I know there’s a setting for that and I believe I have it turned on), but I don’t want to wait too long, and I don’t believe it would have a detrimental impact. My weekly newsletter would be free but the personal travel stories and day trips would be paid. That’s at least the thought for now!
Sounds like a good plan, Louis. You can also do a mix and match - free post with paid aspects like the personal stories - in the same post. Equivalent to a medium preview, but decided by you on where the paywall starts. Am working on a monetization strategy post too!
The teaser post option is a strange one. When a Substack user requests a free post from an author, the user never gets the option for a teaser post on any other newsletters. The wording says the freebie is "courtesy" of the author, but seems to be a 'one-and-done' on Substack's end.
That makes the option confusing for both writers and readers for different reasons.
As for the option to paywall further down the line, that seems like a really useful balance. I'll give that serious consideration, so many thanks for pointing it out, Jayshree.
Interesting, I didn't know they were limiting it to one per user, versus one per author which makes more sense! Another list to add to in my 'Substack .....' post :-) It would be useful to let the user know this as well. It is courtesy of the author as if we turn off the setting, we don't get included in the option, and the user only gets a trial (if turned on by the author) or has to upgrade.
Absolutely, a good first step is to paywall the archive! Thanks for sharing!
I keep all my ideas to write about in MindNode (Mind map app) and then re-write them in Bear Notes.
I just hope Substack adds Markdown so its easier to copy and past into substack from Bear.
Cool. Thanks for sharing. MindNode is similar to SimpleMind which is also a great mindmap tool. Bear is interesting.
I am new to the platform and am slowly beginning to see the relevance it might have in my world as artist/instructor and possibly being compensated for my knowledge. Your article was very helpful. I appreciate the fact that you are keeping it simple
Thanks, and for sharing, Robin!
I turned off the Free Trails a week or so before finally putting my archives behind the paywall and for some reason I can't get that Free Trial Option back. I am adding related posts from the paywall to some new posts now. I hope in time it helps.
I'm somewhere in between and some days I feel like I'm a beginner.
Thanks for sharing, Senetta. Are there specific challenges you face on those days?
Maybe a bug - raise a ticket? It should show.