Why I will always keep my Substack paywall free.
The main reasons.
All 100+ posts of The Reluctant Tarot Reader are paywall free to read. To support my art, become a free / paid sub — or buy me a coffee. 🦅
1. I’m not a fan of paywalls and feel disinclined to support writers who lock up their content, especially rich writers.
It’s fine if writers on Substack want to paywall up their content. It doesn’t make me want to support them because I’m not of the belief that certain paying people should be treated “more special” than those who simply want to come and read. We should all be glad that people actually WANT to read these days. I like that people come and check out my posts, whether they sign up, like or comment, pay or not. I trust that those who want to support me will do it out of appreciation and kindness of their hearts, not by persuasion.
2. Some people won’t or can’t afford a subscription. That’s fine by me.
I love to engage with words and share information, yet fully realize that some people are not of the mindset to monetarily support artists or that they simply can’t. Others are sick of subscriptions, apps, etc and just want to hang out and read. Great. My Substack can be another library, a place of solace and no pressure. There are many ways to support me as a writer and if Substack is a hangout, cool. No big deal.
3. But wait — it says that I can’t comment if I’m not a paid sub, Raven. Isn’t that a paywall?
Yes. My freshest 1-2 posts are open for general comments, then lock up the privilege to paid subs. (I believe that anyone can still like posts but not comment after it is locked up.) As I’ve mentioned several times, I’m not on social media, including Substack Notes, nor do I open up DMs. I’ve learned that comments on old posts from whomever in the world wants to reply can be stressful and a full-time job. My time is precious and limited. I would rather be in my actual life; writing, having fun and reading Tarot for clients. If you want to interact with me on Substack, you can comment on a fresh post or become a paid sub. All 100+ posts are paywall-free and can be read by anyone.
4. I wondered if keeping my Sub paywall-free with no tiers would mean that no one would pay. I was wrong.
Substack highly encourages writers to do a paywall/tier system but I’m not a person that likes to be told how to do something. I do what I do in my particular Raven way and it generally works. 13% of my subs are paid subs, though they receive nothing but good karma and the ability to comment on old posts. I love them just as much as I love every reader who visits! Being paid is awesome because it is so easy and natural to write — but even if no one paid me, I’d still write. It is my offering in the sharing economy and I LOVE to write. I want people to read my work and have no desire to keep it from them, whether they pay me or not. Many shoot me coffee donations or sweet emails, which are just as welcome.
5. Readers come and go, sign up and unsubscribe. Such is life!
I’ve been writing blogs and books for decades and many of my devoted readers have stuck around from those days, still reading and supporting my work. It means the world to me. Yet I also understand when people unsubscribe if my writing is not their vibe or I write too much for their attention span/interest or they have “Substack overwhelm”. It used to bother me when people would unsubscribe from newsletters, blogs and whatnot but now I see that their vibe had to go so that fresh readers could arrive who get my words. Those who are truly interested in what I have to say. Writers may have tender souls but it does demand somewhat of a toughness to offer your words and art to the world.
There are those who will never understand your vibe or want to criticize from their insecurities, lack of creativity or pure jealousy. Ah, well. Fortunately, they are a very small minority and I’ll just keep writing . . .