This describes perfectly everything I feel about this platform. I really want to move to Beehiiv, but it's so daunting, and I'm terrified that even that small audience I have would leave me. But being on Substack makes me uncomfortable. My Substack content is free, and I won't monetise here, but I'm hoping to start a Patreon later this year.
Thank you so much, Ivy! I also considered beehiiv but just am not convinced they won't go the same way (platforming and promoting cryptocurrency does not align with my values) and exactly, the community here is like nothing else. So frustrating! Solidari-tea in not monetising, it is not easy, but you deserve compensation and I hope to see you on patreon soon!!
I only recently discovered Substack (as usual I am behind on the times), and am even considering starting to write again. But, like you, I have qualms about supporting any fascist business if I have an alternative - and of course, the last part of this statement is the issue, finding an alternative. For now I will keep reading on here, as I've found it's a wonderful way to discover amazing creators, but I will also be seeing if I can support those creators elsewhere (unfortunately, due to being unable to work due to disability I can't financially support as many creators as I would like, but I no longer want any of the money to be going to substack!), and following people like you when you do move to alternate places.
This is a fantastic piece, and really outlines a lot of the thoughts I’ve had myself. I’m so grateful to have found you here. You basically let me know right away what to look out for ethically here and elsewhere… for someone in their “launching” phase this spared me from creating accounts across numerous platforms.
I’m glad you’re staying here, I am too, because of the good. And when there’s hate, I will do my part in standing up to it. I also went paid on Patreon too and kind of restructured my original plan. I’m gonna use your code and meet you over there 💕
Thank you SO much Emily. Meeting you here is a large reason I didn't want to leave! Connecting with people like you is why I write. I am so glad it's been helpful for you and have loved seeing your patreon bloom!! Xx
I completely understand the complicated feelings on this, and feel simililary. Unfortunately almost all big tech companies are fascist. When I switched from Google to Proton I ran into the same isssue with the CEO being not so great despite that it's a Swiss company. Still couldn't find a better free alternative to Google Drive than Proton. Basically the solution is almost always to host your own (website, cloud, server) and that's so difficult to do. Substack is the only place I've actually been able to grow ans have community (I tried WordPress but the algorithms don't work well). I find myself stuck here as well, as it seems to be the best for writers out there.
Steph, I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to leave this comment. I am so glad I am not alone. Thank you for striving for better even though it is not possible yet. One day!!!! I also love your recent 'fighter' poem, I have subscribed! If you'd ever like to join a poetry orchard workshop please let me know! https://poetryorchard.com
You're welcome! Thank you for reading 'fighter' I'm so glad you enjoyed! I also saved the website you linked to my bookmarks for later, thank you for that as well.
Returning to this thread because I had yet another commenter on social media telling me how bad Brave (browser/seaech) CEO is and I'm just ugh. I get that tech CEOs are bad, but I switched to Brave because its not a monopoly that runs based on Google Search. I like DuckDuckGo too but it runs on Bing and Google for it's searches and I was getting away from other big search algorithms. But the true independent search algorithms are ones you have to pay subscriptions for or code yourself. Truely most tech products are made by bad people it's so hard to escape from especially if you're poor/disabled etc
I never quite recovered from the comments made by Chris Best about Musk et al. I had only been on Substack a short time and was liking it. I just don’t want to build an online home/community on what could become shifting sands, which is most of these. Plus I don’t like competing, ’spend your five bucks a month on me, not that other person!’. I already own my domain and have a Squarespace photo site (billcrandall.com) so I moved my newsletter there. Not a ton of subscribers but some, and growing slowly. It already feels so much better. I’d rather have my little tribe on real estate I can control and take my chances. All content free but I’m working on other ways to monetize a bit. Frankly I wasn’t getting a ton of traction on Substack anyway, though maybe I wasn’t being patient enough. I still hang around there, but without my newsletter I’m not sure how much longer Substack makes sense for me. It’s a rather stunning fall from grace, as I really liked it at first the art vibe and lack of snark.
This describes perfectly everything I feel about this platform. I really want to move to Beehiiv, but it's so daunting, and I'm terrified that even that small audience I have would leave me. But being on Substack makes me uncomfortable. My Substack content is free, and I won't monetise here, but I'm hoping to start a Patreon later this year.
Thank you so much, Ivy! I also considered beehiiv but just am not convinced they won't go the same way (platforming and promoting cryptocurrency does not align with my values) and exactly, the community here is like nothing else. So frustrating! Solidari-tea in not monetising, it is not easy, but you deserve compensation and I hope to see you on patreon soon!!
I only recently discovered Substack (as usual I am behind on the times), and am even considering starting to write again. But, like you, I have qualms about supporting any fascist business if I have an alternative - and of course, the last part of this statement is the issue, finding an alternative. For now I will keep reading on here, as I've found it's a wonderful way to discover amazing creators, but I will also be seeing if I can support those creators elsewhere (unfortunately, due to being unable to work due to disability I can't financially support as many creators as I would like, but I no longer want any of the money to be going to substack!), and following people like you when you do move to alternate places.
At least we are in this together! Solidari-tea xx
This is a fantastic piece, and really outlines a lot of the thoughts I’ve had myself. I’m so grateful to have found you here. You basically let me know right away what to look out for ethically here and elsewhere… for someone in their “launching” phase this spared me from creating accounts across numerous platforms.
I’m glad you’re staying here, I am too, because of the good. And when there’s hate, I will do my part in standing up to it. I also went paid on Patreon too and kind of restructured my original plan. I’m gonna use your code and meet you over there 💕
Thank you SO much Emily. Meeting you here is a large reason I didn't want to leave! Connecting with people like you is why I write. I am so glad it's been helpful for you and have loved seeing your patreon bloom!! Xx
This is brilliant and horrific and the truth. WHY is fascism and patriarchy the water we swim in.
Gosh how beautifully put I wish I had said that in the post!! Thank you Katy, at least we are drinking the toxic water together?! AHHHHHH
I completely understand the complicated feelings on this, and feel simililary. Unfortunately almost all big tech companies are fascist. When I switched from Google to Proton I ran into the same isssue with the CEO being not so great despite that it's a Swiss company. Still couldn't find a better free alternative to Google Drive than Proton. Basically the solution is almost always to host your own (website, cloud, server) and that's so difficult to do. Substack is the only place I've actually been able to grow ans have community (I tried WordPress but the algorithms don't work well). I find myself stuck here as well, as it seems to be the best for writers out there.
Steph, I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to leave this comment. I am so glad I am not alone. Thank you for striving for better even though it is not possible yet. One day!!!! I also love your recent 'fighter' poem, I have subscribed! If you'd ever like to join a poetry orchard workshop please let me know! https://poetryorchard.com
You're welcome! Thank you for reading 'fighter' I'm so glad you enjoyed! I also saved the website you linked to my bookmarks for later, thank you for that as well.
Of course! I hope to see you soon, so glad to connect with someone likeminded xx
Returning to this thread because I had yet another commenter on social media telling me how bad Brave (browser/seaech) CEO is and I'm just ugh. I get that tech CEOs are bad, but I switched to Brave because its not a monopoly that runs based on Google Search. I like DuckDuckGo too but it runs on Bing and Google for it's searches and I was getting away from other big search algorithms. But the true independent search algorithms are ones you have to pay subscriptions for or code yourself. Truely most tech products are made by bad people it's so hard to escape from especially if you're poor/disabled etc
I thought DDG was just Bing?
I never quite recovered from the comments made by Chris Best about Musk et al. I had only been on Substack a short time and was liking it. I just don’t want to build an online home/community on what could become shifting sands, which is most of these. Plus I don’t like competing, ’spend your five bucks a month on me, not that other person!’. I already own my domain and have a Squarespace photo site (billcrandall.com) so I moved my newsletter there. Not a ton of subscribers but some, and growing slowly. It already feels so much better. I’d rather have my little tribe on real estate I can control and take my chances. All content free but I’m working on other ways to monetize a bit. Frankly I wasn’t getting a ton of traction on Substack anyway, though maybe I wasn’t being patient enough. I still hang around there, but without my newsletter I’m not sure how much longer Substack makes sense for me. It’s a rather stunning fall from grace, as I really liked it at first the art vibe and lack of snark.