In today’s episode we dive into this letter from a listener: Like a lot of people, I’ve moved my newsletter from a more traditional email software product over to Substack. As a writer, I also host a lot of my work on my website in a blog. The intention was always for the blog to host SEO friendly pillar content and for the newsletter to speak to more distinct, current or personal topics.
Feb 4Liked by Jen Carrington, Sara Tasker - Me & Orla
I really really love how you point out the question of “what are you trying to do with your substack?” That’s such a helpful framing. I feel like there’s a lot of push to go paid on here, but since I’m on substack for discoverability and putting my art out into the world, it feels counterproductive to put stuff behind a paywall. My purpose for being here is to share it after all.
Feb 4Liked by Jen Carrington, Sara Tasker - Me & Orla
This is an absolute gem. Such genius conversation - love love love listening to you both. And I love that you've shared this on a Sunday morning, I've had the freedom to listen while having my breakfast, tidying up after everyone 🙄 and sorting the never ending laundry. I have been thinking about what I'm doing with my Substack - I've been using it to be completely free and creative and I want to keep that feel, but I do want to explore how to make more of my paid offering. This has given me so much to think about. 💛💛💛
Feb 4Liked by Jen Carrington, Sara Tasker - Me & Orla
Wow - this is HUGE! Thank you so much Jen and Sara. I'm going to let this all percolate in my brain for the rest of the day. And such a brilliant post to listen to on a Sunday! 😍😍😍
What a lovely episode! Not only did it help to reassure me on steps I've already taken, but it also gave me quite a bit to think about regarding ideas I have simmering on the back burner. Thanks!
Loved hearing this episode, aalways, but this struck a cord. First, fyi: I started a Substack and began hearing about, because of you two. Really sounded like a place I'd love, and I do. Also, I had been working on my own website for too long, and had a few technical issues that set me back. I thought of Substack as a great alternative to having my own place to write and share at will, while I worked on the website, taking that pressure off of me (which I was and am the only one responsible for).
Just for context, I'm giving my first steps, finally, as a crochet designer, and apparently as a workshop facilitator too, which I didn't really expect so soon. I would really love to grow my Substack as a substitute for my own website, while I'm still at an initial stage, and it works together nicely with Payhip and Ravelry to actually sell crochet patterns.
What I'm trying to figure out is how can I provide support content to my patterns and make this a perk of the people who buy them, and do it on Substack without turning on paid (which I can't, but it would be great if Substack includes the option to create codes to access individual posts, for example...) Or how can I keep this support content open for all, since it doesn't include the pattern itself, but create something special for paying subscribers in the future, when I have enough patterns and tutorials that can justify the commitment from subscribers.
I have some ideas of how I can make this work, or at least experiment with, but it would be lovely to hear your thoughts on the podcast about this specific niche of crochet/knitting pattern design. Just an idea to consider, Jen and Sara!
I really really love how you point out the question of “what are you trying to do with your substack?” That’s such a helpful framing. I feel like there’s a lot of push to go paid on here, but since I’m on substack for discoverability and putting my art out into the world, it feels counterproductive to put stuff behind a paywall. My purpose for being here is to share it after all.
This is an absolute gem. Such genius conversation - love love love listening to you both. And I love that you've shared this on a Sunday morning, I've had the freedom to listen while having my breakfast, tidying up after everyone 🙄 and sorting the never ending laundry. I have been thinking about what I'm doing with my Substack - I've been using it to be completely free and creative and I want to keep that feel, but I do want to explore how to make more of my paid offering. This has given me so much to think about. 💛💛💛
Will definitely be listening to this later. As this is my huge debate. My blog vs substack. How does it all work together or not.
Wow - this is HUGE! Thank you so much Jen and Sara. I'm going to let this all percolate in my brain for the rest of the day. And such a brilliant post to listen to on a Sunday! 😍😍😍
What a lovely episode! Not only did it help to reassure me on steps I've already taken, but it also gave me quite a bit to think about regarding ideas I have simmering on the back burner. Thanks!
Loved hearing this episode, aalways, but this struck a cord. First, fyi: I started a Substack and began hearing about, because of you two. Really sounded like a place I'd love, and I do. Also, I had been working on my own website for too long, and had a few technical issues that set me back. I thought of Substack as a great alternative to having my own place to write and share at will, while I worked on the website, taking that pressure off of me (which I was and am the only one responsible for).
Just for context, I'm giving my first steps, finally, as a crochet designer, and apparently as a workshop facilitator too, which I didn't really expect so soon. I would really love to grow my Substack as a substitute for my own website, while I'm still at an initial stage, and it works together nicely with Payhip and Ravelry to actually sell crochet patterns.
What I'm trying to figure out is how can I provide support content to my patterns and make this a perk of the people who buy them, and do it on Substack without turning on paid (which I can't, but it would be great if Substack includes the option to create codes to access individual posts, for example...) Or how can I keep this support content open for all, since it doesn't include the pattern itself, but create something special for paying subscribers in the future, when I have enough patterns and tutorials that can justify the commitment from subscribers.
I have some ideas of how I can make this work, or at least experiment with, but it would be lovely to hear your thoughts on the podcast about this specific niche of crochet/knitting pattern design. Just an idea to consider, Jen and Sara!
Thank you!
From a hopeful creative ❤