The Messy Middle is...entering a new middle. Here's what you can expect from this mental health meets human being space, and how to share your story with my audience (and meet more messy middlers).
Love so much about this and appreciate the mention a lot.
I started out in May with the goal of trying to get 1000 paying subscribers as well ... not because of the numbers specifically but because that's the amount I would need to be able to make this a full time job. I have self-funded working here full-time since May because I believe in the work that I'm doing ... but the money isn't working out and that's something that I'm grappling with right now as I try to figure out what's next for me here.
On the one hand, I find much much value here - in the collaboration and community. There are non-financial rewards here every day. And there are indirect financial possibilities in terms of utilizing the work in other spaces. And yet, without payment from a certain number of people, it's simply not sustainable. So that's what I'm reckoning with here right now while I continue to enjoy the amazing people in this space. Loved learning about what's working for you and especially loved the reminder that failing isn't failing.
Yep--that was my goal too. 1000 paid subscribers would allow me to use Substack as my full-time job. I struggle to ask people to pay and feel guilty putting anything behind a paywall, but I know that's something I need to get over as that only perpetuates the idea that blog posts are "free for all" and not writing that needs to/could/should be paid for.
I also find the community/learning/collaboration here to be fruitful and rewarding, so I also sometimes ask myself if this is where I want to be full-time or if it is merely a space for me to seek connection. I still don't know.
I don't have any qualms about asking people to pay but I'm still mulling over exactly what I want that to look like. I love the idea of keeping everything free and if people believe in it then they support it financially in whatever way they can (which is why I offer a sliding scale). But that isn't working well so ... I'm figuring out what I think about paywalls, trying to dig deep before making any decisions. I have an idea for an alternative model that I'm toying with it but the seeds are still germinating.
I love to extreme coupon and I have a stockpile that has made it possible for me not to buy many essentials for the past 7yrs. You should not have to pay for razors, toothpaste, shampoo conditioner or sanitary products if you coupon correctly lol During the covid pandemic I was set 🤣
Thanks for the shout out! As you already know, I'm grappling with similar things. How to have a business and recurring revenue without obsessing about metrics and content and all those things nor oversharing the intricacies of my personal & emotional life. (While also stay true to myself, authentic and aligned...) Le sigh. Maybe it isn't as hard as I think, we used to do it pre-social media somehow. (Did we?)
I'm looking forward to this new chapter for you and what is to come. It feels as if there's more of us questioning these elements and I'm here for it. Is it sharing on the internet for over a decade (actually I think I got Facebook in like 2007?), a millennial thing or simply being in our 30s?
I love this times a million and it made me laugh out loud totally three times. I have sooo much to say in response but hold up cause I actually came on substack to write my own actual post. I will be back but until then thank you for inspiring me to cultivate a community cause let me tell you, I def thought you had 5900 subscribers, not 59. AND I had a dinner party tonight, I bitched leading up to it about the people that cancelled until my brother was like "i'll be there. you'll have fun" and don't you know I peed my pants laughing tonight.
As promised I have returned, that gunk was gunking up my brain.
1. I love that your post and my upcoming post are the same but opposites. It's realizing what's healthiest for us as beings but I'm also like, I'm the only being that matters right now so bye?
2. I love the mission statement you have for your writing. I was in Target tonight and walked past a book that I would never buy but I just felt a light in me like damn, that person has their book in Target. Isn't that so crazy for them? And it made me happy that mine will be there one day too. And if you want that, yours will be too. Leaning into a Cheryl Strayed quote (as always), "your book has a birthday. you just don't know it yet." How exciting for our books! Despite the numerous live journals and blogspots I started as a teenager, I never knew my blog would have my actual factual name on it AND followers. We are doing it (I am picturing a very specific energy with that statement and I hope you are too).
3. Thank you for shouting me out in such a genuine way. You help me in ways you can't quite imagine and I hope helping me (specifically me duh) makes it onto the list you create when your next birthday comes around.
Love so much about this and appreciate the mention a lot.
I started out in May with the goal of trying to get 1000 paying subscribers as well ... not because of the numbers specifically but because that's the amount I would need to be able to make this a full time job. I have self-funded working here full-time since May because I believe in the work that I'm doing ... but the money isn't working out and that's something that I'm grappling with right now as I try to figure out what's next for me here.
On the one hand, I find much much value here - in the collaboration and community. There are non-financial rewards here every day. And there are indirect financial possibilities in terms of utilizing the work in other spaces. And yet, without payment from a certain number of people, it's simply not sustainable. So that's what I'm reckoning with here right now while I continue to enjoy the amazing people in this space. Loved learning about what's working for you and especially loved the reminder that failing isn't failing.
Yep--that was my goal too. 1000 paid subscribers would allow me to use Substack as my full-time job. I struggle to ask people to pay and feel guilty putting anything behind a paywall, but I know that's something I need to get over as that only perpetuates the idea that blog posts are "free for all" and not writing that needs to/could/should be paid for.
I also find the community/learning/collaboration here to be fruitful and rewarding, so I also sometimes ask myself if this is where I want to be full-time or if it is merely a space for me to seek connection. I still don't know.
I don't have any qualms about asking people to pay but I'm still mulling over exactly what I want that to look like. I love the idea of keeping everything free and if people believe in it then they support it financially in whatever way they can (which is why I offer a sliding scale). But that isn't working well so ... I'm figuring out what I think about paywalls, trying to dig deep before making any decisions. I have an idea for an alternative model that I'm toying with it but the seeds are still germinating.
If you need to brainstorm or run ideas by someone, I’m here!
I love to extreme coupon and I have a stockpile that has made it possible for me not to buy many essentials for the past 7yrs. You should not have to pay for razors, toothpaste, shampoo conditioner or sanitary products if you coupon correctly lol During the covid pandemic I was set 🤣
Omg I love this fun factoid! Have you seen the movie Queenpins on Netflix?? It's all about extreme coupon-ing
Thanks for the shout out! As you already know, I'm grappling with similar things. How to have a business and recurring revenue without obsessing about metrics and content and all those things nor oversharing the intricacies of my personal & emotional life. (While also stay true to myself, authentic and aligned...) Le sigh. Maybe it isn't as hard as I think, we used to do it pre-social media somehow. (Did we?)
I'm looking forward to this new chapter for you and what is to come. It feels as if there's more of us questioning these elements and I'm here for it. Is it sharing on the internet for over a decade (actually I think I got Facebook in like 2007?), a millennial thing or simply being in our 30s?
I love this times a million and it made me laugh out loud totally three times. I have sooo much to say in response but hold up cause I actually came on substack to write my own actual post. I will be back but until then thank you for inspiring me to cultivate a community cause let me tell you, I def thought you had 5900 subscribers, not 59. AND I had a dinner party tonight, I bitched leading up to it about the people that cancelled until my brother was like "i'll be there. you'll have fun" and don't you know I peed my pants laughing tonight.
As promised I have returned, that gunk was gunking up my brain.
1. I love that your post and my upcoming post are the same but opposites. It's realizing what's healthiest for us as beings but I'm also like, I'm the only being that matters right now so bye?
2. I love the mission statement you have for your writing. I was in Target tonight and walked past a book that I would never buy but I just felt a light in me like damn, that person has their book in Target. Isn't that so crazy for them? And it made me happy that mine will be there one day too. And if you want that, yours will be too. Leaning into a Cheryl Strayed quote (as always), "your book has a birthday. you just don't know it yet." How exciting for our books! Despite the numerous live journals and blogspots I started as a teenager, I never knew my blog would have my actual factual name on it AND followers. We are doing it (I am picturing a very specific energy with that statement and I hope you are too).
3. Thank you for shouting me out in such a genuine way. You help me in ways you can't quite imagine and I hope helping me (specifically me duh) makes it onto the list you create when your next birthday comes around.
I LOVE YOU
RACHEL. YOU HAVE A BOOK. WOW. YOU'RE NOT EVEN *DOING* IT. YOU DID IT. i love this for us.
OKAY. NOW I AM ON AMAZON AND YOU HAVE A MILLION BOOKS. this is so good news.
oh my god. now I am very kindly going back and forth with an audible agent at 3am so I can listen to your book.
Love to see the courage shown by you to evolve your content to what matters to you.