Arthur Meek

Really useful, but completely optional stuff to look at.

* Here's Jeff Tweedy's subscription tier page for reference

* Here's the official written how-to

* Here's a back-end view how people pay you and what it costs you when they do

Your VALUE PROPOSITION - are you more comfortable in subscription mode or patronage mode?

Here's good thinking about your VALUE PROPOSITION from Substacker Jane Friedman - note that whether you're thinking in the patronage or subscription mode, the language in the Substack settings is always 'subscribe' - so this is more about the LANGUAGE you use in your descriptions of 'subscriber benefits', and later, your about page.

I’ve been running a paid newsletter for nearly 10 years, and with the advent of Substack, so many more people are throwing their hat in the ring.

To stand out and make progress, think about whether you’re better off operating on a subscription model (providing value for money, reliably) or a patronage model.

Patronage: When people want to support your art or mission.

Subscription: When people want the value/information/experience you provide.

Patronage: Your work might be less commercial or you just want to write whatever you want.

Subscription: You work has market value and you write and publish for an existing or identifiable readership.

Patronage: You can disappear for a while and it’ll probably be okay.

Subscription: You commit to a schedule and pause subs if you take an unexpected break.

Patronage: You want your work to be widely available to everyone or you seek greater influence or you’re building platform.

Subscription: You only want paying people to see or read your work and/or you don’t care how far it travels.

Obviously, these models can overlap. And even subscription models generally offer some kind of free content to get new subs in the door.

But think through which way you lean. It’ll help you better position your subscription/patronage deals and tell people why they should subscribe or support.

Looking for more on paid newsletter strategy? I’m teaching an affordable class this week (see comments).

From Substacker Jane Friedman

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit arthurmeek.substack.com

You'll need to have the bank details and IDs you'd need to set up a bank account.

You can follow the official written version if you find that easier here

You can do it in-app too

Arthur

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit arthurmeek.substack.com

NOTE: Do this on a laptop or desktop. Not on your phone.... (too fiddly)

Let's help you to claim your Substack and set it to private mode so we can play around.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit arthurmeek.substack.com

Joe Biden steps down. He doesn't endorse his VP. The coast is clear for a demented comedy-satire about a delightfully earnest Kiwi academic who enters the US with an oddly plausible plan to save the Free World by winning the heart of America's Next Top Mama. Only one thing stands in his way: the department of Homeland Security.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit arthurmeek.substack.com

The pilot of an innovative new (occasional) series in which I sample municipal tap water from interesting places around the world and propose its relative pros and cons.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit arthurmeek.substack.com

I go too hard at Dad's 5-a-side soccer. It causes a splitting headache, and invites me to ponder the paradoxical unities of suffering and grace, convenience and death.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit arthurmeek.substack.com

After 5 weeks of playing Dad's League 5-a-side soccer it's time to get serious and buy some proper soccer boots. This sends me on a reverie to Thailand, then the Basin Reserve cricket ground, then to the doctor to get a tetanus shot.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit arthurmeek.substack.com

A God's eye view of everyone's cards makes for smug binge-watching of the Main Event at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit arthurmeek.substack.com

I stay up way past my bedtime to witness UK democracy in action, and reflect on US democracy on an auspicious date - July fourth - that gathers both streams of democracy in unusual confluence. Discursions beyond what's on the Cursive page include a reverie on Chesterton's Fence.

Vote for me!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit arthurmeek.substack.com

I'll read my handwriting for those of you who can't or prefer to hear. You'll also get me speaking some Shakespeare and additional thoughts on life and Substack. All spoken in the early morning, against the clock while my kids sleep in bed.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit arthurmeek.substack.com