I hadn't heard that rumor -- that SS would boot those of us who deign not to charge for our efforts ... and really hope it's not true. SS is a wonderful forum that revived the all-but-moribund blogosphere by offering a clean, no-frills, easily-accessable format.
I have nothing against those who charge, although that limits my choices -- hey, writers have to eat -- but if I paid for every SS I like, I'd soon be living in a cardboard condo under the nearest freeway overpass.
So, happy anniversary, and thanks for maintaining the no-charge policy!
Your right Tom, it's what I enjoy most when I read your post. Its authentic Tom, I can see you when I read it and hear you as if I was there. It's funny how getting out over are skis are completely different but the same . I use it in business. You use it as a challenge to write something on the edge or just personal most people would not dare write.
Bravo on remaining true to yourself and your ideals. If I ever get my own Substack off the ground (that's a serious IF btw), I do want to monetize mine but only because it's part of my goal and intention to do it.
But I completely respect the heck out of why people choose to do things and the guidelines and parameters they set. Therefore you're all aces in my book buddy! Keeping being yourself, and I'll keep happily reading about your adventures.
It has been wonderful getting to connect with you here. And I certainly agree, Substack has been a wonderful place to share one's thoughts, and in turn find so many great writers!
Tom, I am so glad that Substack introduced Out Over My Skies, and I got to know you and your writing. Keep writing! That's the only thing that matters!
Like you, I am steadfast about making my subscription free. If Substack has an option for free newsletter writers to pay a monthly fee (like Medium), I'd gladly do it. And I will be looking into how to implement a one-time payment to charitable organizations this year.
Looking forward to reading more of your writings and connecting with you through lived experiences!
Wow, has it been four years? It feels both longer and shorter than that. Congratulations, Tom! I've always enjoyed your pieces, so I don't think any of your posts have been horse shit. Also, if you're worried about getting kicked off, you could always build an archive on some other platform or on a personal website.
I know, it doesn’t feel so long. Glad you’ve like them, and I’m not really worried about getting kicked off. I had heard some rumor but I don’t buy it.
Thanks, Tom. I, too, love the interaction through comments and notes on Substack. I don't know why that doesn't happen on my blog or Medium. A mystery. Often, I find the comments spark ideas for what to write next. Love that. And, although I've read far too many pieces on how to succeed on Substack, I've come to the conclusion that I just need to do what I do. Last weekend, Robin was away. So lonely perhaps, or enjoying my freedom, I banged out eight pieces. I still can't believe I did that. Now I'm having trouble restraining myself from hitting publish daily or maybe hourly. I do love your writing and always look forward to what's beyond your skis. Best, Ted
Eight pieces!! That’s amazing. Yeah, hold on to them and string them along or people will just get overwhelmed. I really enjoy your writing as well Ted, as I’m sure you know. That’s for being along for the ride.
Hey - congrats on four years, Tom! That's an amazing accomplishment! Only 5.3% of new newsletters and blogs make it out of their first year.*
And hear, hear! on the writing community thing. That's been one of the most rewarding things on Substack. I've e-met a ton of interesting people from all over the world. Despite the distances and differences and dialects, I've found a ton of common ground with many people -- including not least of all you! I count myself lucky to have gotten in rather early. (Yes, before your famous 'why I'm not going paid' post...)
Pretty much my thinking on the topic. I am on Substack because it’s simple and because it does help you find readers and subscribers - I also have a traditional blog that more or less mirrors what I post here and that’s really hard to get readers on. But I don’t want money for writing about the stuff I write about. Like you, I enjoy the writing process and I have more than enough free subscribers to validate the worth of what I put out. Frankly I find it slightly grubby to expect to be paid for writing - my payment is that people read my stuff and having subscribed almost always stick around for the long haul.
Before retirement I was paid for my (professional) labour, and handsomely so, but the work I did actually benefitted the world in material ways. My writing today might entertain some people but the world would not lose anything if I simply stopped ... so why expect to be paid? I get slightly irked by people justifying asking for money "because this writing takes time to put together" ... I suspect that if that time was used otherwise much of it would be watching TV or a soccer match.
5 more months and I’ll be at 3years, wow. I think it was soon after that first post that I discovered Out Over My Skis. Tom, I wanna say I found you via a Substack subreddit that referenced your ‘not going paid’ post.
I hadn't heard that rumor -- that SS would boot those of us who deign not to charge for our efforts ... and really hope it's not true. SS is a wonderful forum that revived the all-but-moribund blogosphere by offering a clean, no-frills, easily-accessable format.
I have nothing against those who charge, although that limits my choices -- hey, writers have to eat -- but if I paid for every SS I like, I'd soon be living in a cardboard condo under the nearest freeway overpass.
So, happy anniversary, and thanks for maintaining the no-charge policy!
Congrats on the anniversary, Tom!
Your right Tom, it's what I enjoy most when I read your post. Its authentic Tom, I can see you when I read it and hear you as if I was there. It's funny how getting out over are skis are completely different but the same . I use it in business. You use it as a challenge to write something on the edge or just personal most people would not dare write.
Keep it.
Thanks man, good to see you here
Four years! Wow! My fourth anniversary arrives this April - a long time that's passed rather quickly. Congratulations!
congrats, Tom!
Thanks Paul
Glad you're here, Tom! Keep those posts coming. :-)
Bravo on remaining true to yourself and your ideals. If I ever get my own Substack off the ground (that's a serious IF btw), I do want to monetize mine but only because it's part of my goal and intention to do it.
But I completely respect the heck out of why people choose to do things and the guidelines and parameters they set. Therefore you're all aces in my book buddy! Keeping being yourself, and I'll keep happily reading about your adventures.
It has been wonderful getting to connect with you here. And I certainly agree, Substack has been a wonderful place to share one's thoughts, and in turn find so many great writers!
Feeling is mutual
Tom, I am so glad that Substack introduced Out Over My Skies, and I got to know you and your writing. Keep writing! That's the only thing that matters!
Like you, I am steadfast about making my subscription free. If Substack has an option for free newsletter writers to pay a monthly fee (like Medium), I'd gladly do it. And I will be looking into how to implement a one-time payment to charitable organizations this year.
Looking forward to reading more of your writings and connecting with you through lived experiences!
Thanks Yi, I’ve really enjoying getting to know you as well.
Wow, has it been four years? It feels both longer and shorter than that. Congratulations, Tom! I've always enjoyed your pieces, so I don't think any of your posts have been horse shit. Also, if you're worried about getting kicked off, you could always build an archive on some other platform or on a personal website.
I know, it doesn’t feel so long. Glad you’ve like them, and I’m not really worried about getting kicked off. I had heard some rumor but I don’t buy it.
Thanks, Tom. I, too, love the interaction through comments and notes on Substack. I don't know why that doesn't happen on my blog or Medium. A mystery. Often, I find the comments spark ideas for what to write next. Love that. And, although I've read far too many pieces on how to succeed on Substack, I've come to the conclusion that I just need to do what I do. Last weekend, Robin was away. So lonely perhaps, or enjoying my freedom, I banged out eight pieces. I still can't believe I did that. Now I'm having trouble restraining myself from hitting publish daily or maybe hourly. I do love your writing and always look forward to what's beyond your skis. Best, Ted
Eight pieces!! That’s amazing. Yeah, hold on to them and string them along or people will just get overwhelmed. I really enjoy your writing as well Ted, as I’m sure you know. That’s for being along for the ride.
Hey - congrats on four years, Tom! That's an amazing accomplishment! Only 5.3% of new newsletters and blogs make it out of their first year.*
And hear, hear! on the writing community thing. That's been one of the most rewarding things on Substack. I've e-met a ton of interesting people from all over the world. Despite the distances and differences and dialects, I've found a ton of common ground with many people -- including not least of all you! I count myself lucky to have gotten in rather early. (Yes, before your famous 'why I'm not going paid' post...)
Looking forward to reading you for years to come!
(*Another total bullshit stat for you. Enjoy!)
Thanks Graham, getting to know you has been one of the real highlights of my time on the platform
Right back attcha!
Always be true to youself Tom. Don't change to meet other people's needs.
Amen to that!
Pretty much my thinking on the topic. I am on Substack because it’s simple and because it does help you find readers and subscribers - I also have a traditional blog that more or less mirrors what I post here and that’s really hard to get readers on. But I don’t want money for writing about the stuff I write about. Like you, I enjoy the writing process and I have more than enough free subscribers to validate the worth of what I put out. Frankly I find it slightly grubby to expect to be paid for writing - my payment is that people read my stuff and having subscribed almost always stick around for the long haul.
Before retirement I was paid for my (professional) labour, and handsomely so, but the work I did actually benefitted the world in material ways. My writing today might entertain some people but the world would not lose anything if I simply stopped ... so why expect to be paid? I get slightly irked by people justifying asking for money "because this writing takes time to put together" ... I suspect that if that time was used otherwise much of it would be watching TV or a soccer match.
Yeah, we definitely share the same approach!
Horseshit indeed! https://newsletter.wirepine.com/p/first
5 more months and I’ll be at 3years, wow. I think it was soon after that first post that I discovered Out Over My Skis. Tom, I wanna say I found you via a Substack subreddit that referenced your ‘not going paid’ post.
Breadcrumbs my friend.
However you got here, I’m glad you’re here and I always enjoy your stuff as well.
Love your approach/attitude, Tom ("horseshit" is one of my all-time fave words, btw). Keep up the great work and...bravo!
Thanks Mark, you’ve got good taste in shit and newsletters apparently 😉