25 Comments

I work in a field where it is very difficult to discount because I basically sell my time. Also, I have loyal clients, some of whom have worked with me for 30 years, and they are responsible for my (relative) success.

I have never discounted my fees, especially for newcomers, because I felt it would be an insult to my existing, full price paying clientele. So my approach is to incentivize my existing clients to bring in new people, and give them some kind of give back when they refer new clients. I love the new clients, but don’t feel it’s right to ‘give them a break,’ over the clients who have paid full price all along.

Now I am not saying I’m insulted by your discount. I’m just suggesting another possible way to bring in new readers that actually may be more effective than a typical discount.

I love your Substack and pass it on on a regular basis!

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Thanks for the advice, I'm constantly experimenting with new ways to bring in subscribers. Full price is best for me and I agree I don't want to insult new subscribers but some say they can only afford a lower amount.

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On the other hand, I get to lord it over the newcomers: I pay full fare. You?

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NE’s stack is money we’ll spent. There is such value in the variety of articles and it keeps my echo chamber in check. I also enjoy the dialogue In the comment’s section.

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Worth every dollar -- just for the daily summaries of sources. The rest is just icing on the cake...but yummy icing. I have always felt I am getting way more than my money's worth.

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Thanks for the endorsement!

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Shhh!

(Keep it down, will ya! Let's not give NE the notion he might be able to actually charge what he's worth to us.)

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Hmmm...you know that is a very good point. My lips are now sealed...

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We are working on a way to combat this, NE! Would love to discuss it further with you.

As an example, one thing we have done is crated a Substack Scraper of community sourced independent writers on a wide array of topics- our community has selected you and you're included in it as well. https://theinterestingtimes.news

Hope to hear from you!

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Yes, one marketplace subscription to multiple providers is a good idea. Why should someone subscribe to 10 different Covid/Health substacks if one works. It is more like a newspaper model where multiple columnists contribute.

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And all who the community wants to support receives an agreeable monthly payment worth more than an individual subscription!

Among creating a more holistic ecosystem and place of engagement to Sleuth for those truths, together!

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"...crated a Substack Scraper..."

You actually caught one and you have it trapped in a box?!?! (I've been trying to get me one of those suckers for years!)

(Sorry, I just could not resist...)

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What would we be without a little comedy!

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My thought(s) exactly.

Thank you for the gracious response, M. A Secret Sleuth, and for noticing I poke fun at the typo police, not you.

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And check out my companion compendium: httbs://thenoninterestingtimes.snews*

* (not real)

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Not everyone can afford or will want to subscribe to everything they read, even if the information is very useful. The Internet has a lot of free and useful information. I don't even have time to keep up with the 'free' stuff.

This is a tough challenge for creators but many have thrived on ad based models. I'm not sure if Substack has an ad model. If not, they should definitely explore it. Even fee based papers (e.g NYT, WSJ) need ad support.

That said, a 'contribute' option may generate some revenue.

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Whew!

(i.e. Just a solicitation, not another stack of red pill reading!)

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Speaking of red pills, I've O.D.'ed.

(Not really, but, perhaps ironically, it IS helping with my O.P.* timewise!)

*Over-Posting

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Not that anyone might notice.

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this was fabulous!!

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