I feel you big time about the Substack situation. I plan to stay on Substack too but strictly on the free tier and I encouraged my subscribers to stay on the free tier and I made a list of other ways they can support me financially.
Another day, another onslaught of exhausting news. I think it's okay to restrict the energy spent trying to solve it on your end; every company seems to be run by "the enemy" anyway. Focus on paying your bills, staying alive, and sticking around. That's what's more important!
I'm in the same spot as you. Feeling stuck because of financial pressures. I resolved never to turn on paid as they took their stance, but I'm still looking around at what other providers might be out there. Hopefully some of the pressure from the bigger publications can drive some change
There are options and alternatives to consider but your mental health and timeline are paramount. As a WordPress specialist, I'm looking at ways to make onboarding for *self-hosted* WordPress newsletter subscription sites easier (as opposed to paying wordpress.com for their hosting, which the IndieRPG newsletter did). And I have to figure out how newsletter writers can (optionally) make money on the self-hosted platform. I'm looking forward to momentum on this as we try a nazi-interaction-reduced 2024.
I've been thinking through all of this stuff too on my end. I'm the solo income in my household at the moment and I don't know if I can justify the added monthly expense of shifting off from Substack. I think I may follow your lead (for now anyway) and put that worry (and expense) off for the future. I may deactivate paid subs tho (but I have almost none of those and don't do exclusive content as is) to make sure they ain't getting money.
I hear you. It’s depressing and I hate what the modern internet has become. But, as you said, it doesn’t matter where we go because they’ll eventually be there, too. So we might just as well take a stand on a platform where there is an established audience. Especially if one’s livelihood depends on it. I for one, am standing with you, for whatever that’s worth. You’re not alone. :)
I really, really appreciate you staying for now, and especially love your reasoning for it. I learned recently in a university class about bar queerings, where a huge group of 2SLGBTQIA+ folks would show up at a regular degular bar and transform the space for the night. As fantastic as it would be for people across all spectrums and intersections of oppression to flood substack loudly and abruptly and make it an uninhabitable space for bigots, I think it is an equal valid and necessary strategy to refuse to cede space at all. For what it's worth, I'm here with you until you're not, too.
You describe well how I feel and I am in a very similar situation materially-speaking. So it's a dilemma. I can't afford much and had hoped substack would be a place for me to build a audience/community (we need a new word) with who i could share the resources i've gathered in my 40+ years of community organizing and popular education work and maybe earn a wee bit to cover expenses. But now I'm not sure. I'm inclined to leave if Substack doesn't deal with this issue better. THus far their behaviour is definitely making the world a worse place.
It's though out there right now, especially for smaller creators and I don't think anyone following you is going to judge you for staying, when your livelihood is on the line. I know some of the bigger newsletters are moving and they can afford it, but if you can't and given the state of social media with the lack of accessible alternatives, I'll keep following you here (and on bluesky - just saw you have an account there).
I'm mostly sad because this is the first I have heard about this. It's exhausting just keeping up with the state of social media as a consumer. I can't begin to imagine what life would be like if I depended on this stuff to make a living. Take care and I'll support you wherever you feel the need to be.
I feel you big time about the Substack situation. I plan to stay on Substack too but strictly on the free tier and I encouraged my subscribers to stay on the free tier and I made a list of other ways they can support me financially.
Another day, another onslaught of exhausting news. I think it's okay to restrict the energy spent trying to solve it on your end; every company seems to be run by "the enemy" anyway. Focus on paying your bills, staying alive, and sticking around. That's what's more important!
I'm in the same spot as you. Feeling stuck because of financial pressures. I resolved never to turn on paid as they took their stance, but I'm still looking around at what other providers might be out there. Hopefully some of the pressure from the bigger publications can drive some change
Hi, Chris. I hear you. Check this out: https://ttrpg.in/leaving-substack/
There are options and alternatives to consider but your mental health and timeline are paramount. As a WordPress specialist, I'm looking at ways to make onboarding for *self-hosted* WordPress newsletter subscription sites easier (as opposed to paying wordpress.com for their hosting, which the IndieRPG newsletter did). And I have to figure out how newsletter writers can (optionally) make money on the self-hosted platform. I'm looking forward to momentum on this as we try a nazi-interaction-reduced 2024.
i feel you, and totally understand the frustration. hang in there.
Deeply relatable stuff. I see you. I hear you. You’re doing what you can.
Here is a blog on moving to Wordpress, in case it is of use to you... https://ttrpg.in/leaving-substack/
I've been thinking through all of this stuff too on my end. I'm the solo income in my household at the moment and I don't know if I can justify the added monthly expense of shifting off from Substack. I think I may follow your lead (for now anyway) and put that worry (and expense) off for the future. I may deactivate paid subs tho (but I have almost none of those and don't do exclusive content as is) to make sure they ain't getting money.
So deeply appreciate you sharing. See you hear you and stand with you!!! Sending you lots of strength and love 💪🫶
I hear you. It’s depressing and I hate what the modern internet has become. But, as you said, it doesn’t matter where we go because they’ll eventually be there, too. So we might just as well take a stand on a platform where there is an established audience. Especially if one’s livelihood depends on it. I for one, am standing with you, for whatever that’s worth. You’re not alone. :)
I really, really appreciate you staying for now, and especially love your reasoning for it. I learned recently in a university class about bar queerings, where a huge group of 2SLGBTQIA+ folks would show up at a regular degular bar and transform the space for the night. As fantastic as it would be for people across all spectrums and intersections of oppression to flood substack loudly and abruptly and make it an uninhabitable space for bigots, I think it is an equal valid and necessary strategy to refuse to cede space at all. For what it's worth, I'm here with you until you're not, too.
You describe well how I feel and I am in a very similar situation materially-speaking. So it's a dilemma. I can't afford much and had hoped substack would be a place for me to build a audience/community (we need a new word) with who i could share the resources i've gathered in my 40+ years of community organizing and popular education work and maybe earn a wee bit to cover expenses. But now I'm not sure. I'm inclined to leave if Substack doesn't deal with this issue better. THus far their behaviour is definitely making the world a worse place.
We love you. Period.
It's though out there right now, especially for smaller creators and I don't think anyone following you is going to judge you for staying, when your livelihood is on the line. I know some of the bigger newsletters are moving and they can afford it, but if you can't and given the state of social media with the lack of accessible alternatives, I'll keep following you here (and on bluesky - just saw you have an account there).
Big mood. I have similar conflicting issues. Feels like I only just got settled with a good list of things to read here too.
Hope things work out
I'm mostly sad because this is the first I have heard about this. It's exhausting just keeping up with the state of social media as a consumer. I can't begin to imagine what life would be like if I depended on this stuff to make a living. Take care and I'll support you wherever you feel the need to be.