I am in awe listening and watching these videos of you guys. I learn so much. And the Magic Dust of becoming a writer that others find interest in is feeding my need to make a valued difference and for me that is worth its weight in gold. Although having an opportunity to help our financial need may still be available to me only makes the magic seem that much more beautiful. As one of the “poor” writers in both content and financials I still feel like all I have to do is keep reading, subscribing and watching to be able to reach that golden ring you have created with this program and once that’s accomplished my words will live on after I’m gone. That magic dust is still raining down on me at least,
There will always be a tension between prophets and profits. I appreciate the way Substack allows for both. Free subscriptions make room for the prophetic. Paid subscriptions allow for profit.
Thanks. I love your enthusiasm, Chris and Hamish. And I don't mean that sarcastically. Traditional media is... difficult. But I am also still a little sceptical about your business model.
1) I read a lot of comments from people, complaining about writers complaining about, among other things, their getting zero traction. Clearly, it's not working for them, until, it seems, they subjectify themselves and start revealing personal stuff. Selfie-writing. I'm and old fart, but that's off-putting.
2) As a journalist still active in "legacy" media, I'm also concerned about the number of Substack posts that use images, which I imagine are under copyright but used here without license. So, Substackers appear to be sprinkling their own work with the "magic dust" of other people's work and that for free... In my day job, we couldn't get away with flouting copyright like that, nor would we want to... because photographers, painters, etc. need to get paid, too.
3) What's the plan when subscriptions hit saturation? I imagine a lot of people will only be able to afford a couple of paid subscriptions per year (I couldn't), so you might find a class system evolve with a top percentage earning loads and the rest on scraps. I'd be interested in your thoughts.
And finally 4) I'm a little sick of writers using (probably also unattributed) "artist" — but let's be frank — soft-porn images on Notes, without comment or contextualisation, to lure readers behind a paywall. Now, fine, I get, if I don't want it, I can look away. Or I may be a prude, but I find it "off". If I keep seeing stuff like that, despite my muting such channels, and your algorithm doesn't learn from my preferences (if I select "philosophy" it's not code for "t**s and a**e"), I'm going to turn away from the platform. But because am I correct in thinking that people feel they need to use such tricks to gain attention, then the business model is losing magic, and Substack is in danger of going the way of other social media platforms. And I really hope it doesn't, because I meant what I wrote at the top: it seems like your aims are true!
Love it. Great convo. The way I see it, creativity is the simple human act of making a change worth making happen. Economy is simply a mechanism for exchange of value. For me, community is the magic dust Substack provides.
Hamish’s piece on Bezos and traditional media’s conflagration was excellent and insightful. I’m old enough to be your father and a former liberal who worked in the US Senate for a liberal (now would be coined a moderate) turned moderate Republican.
Good to see article focuses on economics of media and its transformation.
Won’t read progressives who are economic illiterates, don’t see the erosion of social norms and personal responsibility or indeed have Trump derangement syndrome. We have four years of ‘testing’ that democracy is not in the balance.
More important, there are too many stakeholders and institutions that are dependent on the status quo and the revenue trough of the federal government to permit the status quo to be threatened, no matter how calcified and ineffective it’s become.
A good name for creator social networkers who write could be:
✒️ “Writerly” or “ScribeSphere”
Both names capture the essence of writing and creativity while suggesting a connected community of writers sharing and networking.
How about these dynamic options?
🖋 “InkLoom”
• Combines the ideas of weaving stories (like a loom) and the permanence of writing (ink), creating a strong image of interconnected writers crafting their narratives together.
🎶 “VerseVibe”
• Blends the literary concept of “verse” with the energetic, dynamic feel of a community vibe, perfect for writers who thrive in creative, social spaces.
Another bold suggestion is:
✍️ “Quillora”
• This name fuses the classic writing tool (quill) with a modern twist (ora), suggesting a new era or aura of creativity, perfect for writers producing fresh, high-quality work.
For those aiming to combine creativity with a solid business model:
📝 “Inscribe”
• Inscribe suggests both creative freedom and a robust business model, where writers can inscribe their value and ideas while networking and monetizing their craft.
🤝 “Quillance”
• Merges “quill” (symbolizing creativity) with “alliance,” implying a platform where independent creators form business partnerships, balancing creative expression with financial success.
If you’re leaning into the magic of creativity, try:
✨ “QuillDust”
• Blends the symbol of writing (quill) with the concept of magic dust, representing the transformative power of words, creativity, and independent writing within a social network.
🔮 “InkSpell”
• Brings together the magic of storytelling and the timeless medium of ink, suggesting a platform where writers cast spells with their words, turning their creativity into something magical and impactful.
Looking to highlight community and independence? Consider:
📜 “Scriptora”
• Evokes a sense of community and creativity, combining “script” (writing) with the grandeur of an era (ora), positioning it as a place where writers thrive independently.
📖 “Quillbound”
• Suggests both the act of writing and being connected by shared creativity and ambition, making it a compelling name for a network of independent, empowered writers.
For a future-focused platform:
🌊 “Inkstream”
• Conveys a continuous flow of ideas and creativity, emphasizing the platform’s role in helping creators build and monetize their own unique streams of content.
🔨 “StoryForge”
• Suggests a place where creators craft and shape their narratives with skill and independence, highlighting the power of storytelling and a sustainable business model for writers.
How does that look? It’s dynamic, engaging, and packed with that magic dust! ✨
🤖. Bagobits can be a bit too nerdy with these names. At least it tries.
You’re pulling in a strong that’s unearthing a broader problem, I believe. Every social media app eventually dissolves into the median of all the others. I foresee Sub-stackers teaming up and spreading subscriptions, I believer this is already part of the Substack platform. It’s been the same story with “chord-cutting.” Eventually all these streaming platforms have started returning back to a cable style process where one cost covers multiple apps.
Also, I appreciate your comment about soft-porn images on the timeline. Although I haven’t been super exposed to that-thank you algorithm-I appreciate a platform that has less of it. Our environment dictates what we do, so the more of that we find the worse people can be.
As I grow older and the years pass, I find myself becoming more selective about how I spend my time and the value, impact, and efficiency I seek in my digital activities. I notice the same trend among my colleagues. The main consumers of platforms like TikTok and Instagram will likely experience this shift sooner or later.
Looking to the near future, I am increasingly limiting my screen time, as prolonged exposure to screen light is becoming more tiring for me. Would it be a good idea to connect Substack with a device like Kindle? This way, emails could be read in a format that feels less taxing on the eyes.
well, I appreciate the thought, writers used to be more important… But that was the past, and frankly long before yesterday happened… Technology is the king here… I notice, I said king, because it’s a male sport… Just ask Scott Galloway Elon musk, and a host of others
Just love you guys (just saying!!) xx 😘 on so many levels xx 😘 xx (and Thank You 🙏 xxx
I am in awe listening and watching these videos of you guys. I learn so much. And the Magic Dust of becoming a writer that others find interest in is feeding my need to make a valued difference and for me that is worth its weight in gold. Although having an opportunity to help our financial need may still be available to me only makes the magic seem that much more beautiful. As one of the “poor” writers in both content and financials I still feel like all I have to do is keep reading, subscribing and watching to be able to reach that golden ring you have created with this program and once that’s accomplished my words will live on after I’m gone. That magic dust is still raining down on me at least,
There will always be a tension between prophets and profits. I appreciate the way Substack allows for both. Free subscriptions make room for the prophetic. Paid subscriptions allow for profit.
Thanks. I love your enthusiasm, Chris and Hamish. And I don't mean that sarcastically. Traditional media is... difficult. But I am also still a little sceptical about your business model.
1) I read a lot of comments from people, complaining about writers complaining about, among other things, their getting zero traction. Clearly, it's not working for them, until, it seems, they subjectify themselves and start revealing personal stuff. Selfie-writing. I'm and old fart, but that's off-putting.
2) As a journalist still active in "legacy" media, I'm also concerned about the number of Substack posts that use images, which I imagine are under copyright but used here without license. So, Substackers appear to be sprinkling their own work with the "magic dust" of other people's work and that for free... In my day job, we couldn't get away with flouting copyright like that, nor would we want to... because photographers, painters, etc. need to get paid, too.
3) What's the plan when subscriptions hit saturation? I imagine a lot of people will only be able to afford a couple of paid subscriptions per year (I couldn't), so you might find a class system evolve with a top percentage earning loads and the rest on scraps. I'd be interested in your thoughts.
And finally 4) I'm a little sick of writers using (probably also unattributed) "artist" — but let's be frank — soft-porn images on Notes, without comment or contextualisation, to lure readers behind a paywall. Now, fine, I get, if I don't want it, I can look away. Or I may be a prude, but I find it "off". If I keep seeing stuff like that, despite my muting such channels, and your algorithm doesn't learn from my preferences (if I select "philosophy" it's not code for "t**s and a**e"), I'm going to turn away from the platform. But because am I correct in thinking that people feel they need to use such tricks to gain attention, then the business model is losing magic, and Substack is in danger of going the way of other social media platforms. And I really hope it doesn't, because I meant what I wrote at the top: it seems like your aims are true!
Thanks if you read to the end, Zulfikar
Apologies... a few typos/mis-edits... I can't think or write on a phone :) . For instance, it should read: "Because *if* I am correct in thinking...".
Love it. Great convo. The way I see it, creativity is the simple human act of making a change worth making happen. Economy is simply a mechanism for exchange of value. For me, community is the magic dust Substack provides.
Hamish’s piece on Bezos and traditional media’s conflagration was excellent and insightful. I’m old enough to be your father and a former liberal who worked in the US Senate for a liberal (now would be coined a moderate) turned moderate Republican.
Good to see article focuses on economics of media and its transformation.
Won’t read progressives who are economic illiterates, don’t see the erosion of social norms and personal responsibility or indeed have Trump derangement syndrome. We have four years of ‘testing’ that democracy is not in the balance.
More important, there are too many stakeholders and institutions that are dependent on the status quo and the revenue trough of the federal government to permit the status quo to be threatened, no matter how calcified and ineffective it’s become.
Hello sir please send me message
A good name for creator social networkers who write could be:
✒️ “Writerly” or “ScribeSphere”
Both names capture the essence of writing and creativity while suggesting a connected community of writers sharing and networking.
How about these dynamic options?
🖋 “InkLoom”
• Combines the ideas of weaving stories (like a loom) and the permanence of writing (ink), creating a strong image of interconnected writers crafting their narratives together.
🎶 “VerseVibe”
• Blends the literary concept of “verse” with the energetic, dynamic feel of a community vibe, perfect for writers who thrive in creative, social spaces.
Another bold suggestion is:
✍️ “Quillora”
• This name fuses the classic writing tool (quill) with a modern twist (ora), suggesting a new era or aura of creativity, perfect for writers producing fresh, high-quality work.
For those aiming to combine creativity with a solid business model:
📝 “Inscribe”
• Inscribe suggests both creative freedom and a robust business model, where writers can inscribe their value and ideas while networking and monetizing their craft.
🤝 “Quillance”
• Merges “quill” (symbolizing creativity) with “alliance,” implying a platform where independent creators form business partnerships, balancing creative expression with financial success.
If you’re leaning into the magic of creativity, try:
✨ “QuillDust”
• Blends the symbol of writing (quill) with the concept of magic dust, representing the transformative power of words, creativity, and independent writing within a social network.
🔮 “InkSpell”
• Brings together the magic of storytelling and the timeless medium of ink, suggesting a platform where writers cast spells with their words, turning their creativity into something magical and impactful.
Looking to highlight community and independence? Consider:
📜 “Scriptora”
• Evokes a sense of community and creativity, combining “script” (writing) with the grandeur of an era (ora), positioning it as a place where writers thrive independently.
📖 “Quillbound”
• Suggests both the act of writing and being connected by shared creativity and ambition, making it a compelling name for a network of independent, empowered writers.
For a future-focused platform:
🌊 “Inkstream”
• Conveys a continuous flow of ideas and creativity, emphasizing the platform’s role in helping creators build and monetize their own unique streams of content.
🔨 “StoryForge”
• Suggests a place where creators craft and shape their narratives with skill and independence, highlighting the power of storytelling and a sustainable business model for writers.
How does that look? It’s dynamic, engaging, and packed with that magic dust! ✨
🤖. Bagobits can be a bit too nerdy with these names. At least it tries.
You’re pulling in a strong that’s unearthing a broader problem, I believe. Every social media app eventually dissolves into the median of all the others. I foresee Sub-stackers teaming up and spreading subscriptions, I believer this is already part of the Substack platform. It’s been the same story with “chord-cutting.” Eventually all these streaming platforms have started returning back to a cable style process where one cost covers multiple apps.
Also, I appreciate your comment about soft-porn images on the timeline. Although I haven’t been super exposed to that-thank you algorithm-I appreciate a platform that has less of it. Our environment dictates what we do, so the more of that we find the worse people can be.
Thanks for the thoughts and insight.
shots fired
But but, why not both?
You guys nailed it, let’s see how it goes.
As I grow older and the years pass, I find myself becoming more selective about how I spend my time and the value, impact, and efficiency I seek in my digital activities. I notice the same trend among my colleagues. The main consumers of platforms like TikTok and Instagram will likely experience this shift sooner or later.
Looking to the near future, I am increasingly limiting my screen time, as prolonged exposure to screen light is becoming more tiring for me. Would it be a good idea to connect Substack with a device like Kindle? This way, emails could be read in a format that feels less taxing on the eyes.
Just imagine if a Homeless person had a cellphone and this App!
Life changing conversations would happen on there!
Thank you 2 for creating This App (Substack)
👏👏👏
well, I appreciate the thought, writers used to be more important… But that was the past, and frankly long before yesterday happened… Technology is the king here… I notice, I said king, because it’s a male sport… Just ask Scott Galloway Elon musk, and a host of others