I was introduced to Substack a few months ago. I have been working out what it looks like for me. I have loved the way the community here supports each other. I have loved the artistic and practical uses of it. I have loved sharing my writings. I have been astounded that people have subscribed to my Substack page! I feel honored that many of you take the time to read and comment on my writings. I feel even more honored when you share my substack with others.
One thing that I did not like initially was the paid subscription system. For me, it didn’t seem necessary. When I set up my account I saw I could offer a free level, but I could not see how to opt out of offering the paid levels. I wasn’t too worried about it though, because I did not expect anyone to pay for a local back-porch writer when the free option was one of the choices. What a great surprise it was to me when some of you did choose to invest your hard-earned money into me! Now that I have worked with Substack a little longer, I understand how the business model works for everyone. And I have learned I can eliminate the cost. But some of you have already paid for a subscription. I have wanted to honor that commitment while keeping most of my content free and have been unsure how to achieve this.
I have finally come to a solution that I feel will do both. I am excited to share a project I have had in the works for a few years now. It is a small, local writing showcasing what I consider to be the 7 wonders of the Jocassee Gorges. I will be sharing this in installments. If you are a paid subscriber, you will be receiving this. If you are not, you will continue to receive my random musings about the natural world.
So please, subscribe! Share my writings! That is free. And not many things in our world are free. But if you would like to read about the 7 Wonders of the Jocassee Gorges or a sneak peek into some of my other projects, be sure to join me at the paid level. I promise to honor your dollars.
Thank you for this post. I am new to Substack this year, and like you, have found a wonderful community of writers, especially from the nature persuasion. However, the thought of asking future subscribers to pay has been a sticking point for me to begin writing here myself. I have a blog on WordPress and like how it is free for others to read, as I feel that what I put there should be free, and am not all that sure if my writing is worth paying for! The solution that you write about here is a tactful and thoughtful way to negotiate the subscription system on Substack. It gives me positive food for thought.