The honest and upfront "meta-reflection" on sensitive topics like pricing is really what draws geeks like me to your content. Of course we love the reputable instruction on deeply technical topics, but articles such as this are what make you so personably relatable.
If I was in a financial situation to support you and read more from you, I would.
Just to confirm: I'm on the $56 (first year) and $70 renewal plan -- will that still renew at $70 on March 2nd (my subscription anniversary) or will annual renewal be subject to the new pricing?
I hadn't contemplated trying to get my employer to pay for this subscription (although I probably could).
I appreciate your sharing your thought process on pricing. I’m planning to launch a paid model for my Substack blog this year, and I’ve been going in circles about what goes in the free subscription model and what in the paid. The impression I get from looking at other Substack blogs is that people are willing to pay for a modest amount of additional or deeper content, plus access. I get the impression that once they decide to pay, they feel that they are paying for the entire package, even though they could get much of it for free. And that the free subscription has to be of real value, or you won’t attract the people willing to pay for a bit more. Since my blog is just a personal one, I’ll probably be pricing the paid model in that lowest tier.
The interesting lesson from Substack for me is that these "niches" can be surprisingly large given that "the English speaking world" is your audience. Good luck! LMK if I can help.
Here for now. I try to keep my life simple if I can. If I could afford to hire a community manager, then sure, take it wherever. But first I'd like to see the conversation really take off. Does that make sense? What extra value would you get from hosting this convo on Discord?
I think Discord breaks some barriers. Getting in touch with people who will share similar placements, scheduling meetings and also projects can be done here? Yes! But at least for me, there is nothing better than creating mechanisms to bring together people close.
It's different than just know a guy that that already worked with you or a university friend...
I am very interested in paying for a subscription, but I'm also nonplussed at funding functional Nazi sympathizers (meaning Substack). I understand individuals making choices (like not migrating platforms for all kinds of reasons), but I'm also an individual making a choice. What are your plans vis-a-vis substack's Nazi problem?
I'll write a longer, public answer soon. The short answer is that I don't plan to drive change, but I would be glad to join a community pressuring Substack to take responsibility for the social harm it is causing as well as the benefit it creates.
I am not sure how easy or difficult Substack is to tune to a multi level pricing model. You can consider providing content for the normal substack pricing. And keep it fairly basic content. For people that value more deep level content you can offer a subscription with a higher price. And for the real juice, like book chapter drafts you can provide yet another level.
It doesn't offer that level of control. Nor would I trust myself to use that level of control wisely. People who want more access can buy a founding subscription.
Until the very end of this post, I assumed prices were going up for current users as well and I was assessing whether or not I would stay. When I realized they weren't, I was relieved and then felt this surge of satisfaction that I had a hold of this tremendous "bargain" due to the large difference between $7 and $25.
I'm not surprised that this resulted in a surge of subscriptions, but I am surprised that you set the increase date so close and with so little fanfare. Perhaps you should try the "offer extended" trick? Assuming you don't set it too far out, I don't think you'd offend those who just signed up.
The honest and upfront "meta-reflection" on sensitive topics like pricing is really what draws geeks like me to your content. Of course we love the reputable instruction on deeply technical topics, but articles such as this are what make you so personably relatable.
If I was in a financial situation to support you and read more from you, I would.
Just to confirm: I'm on the $56 (first year) and $70 renewal plan -- will that still renew at $70 on March 2nd (my subscription anniversary) or will annual renewal be subject to the new pricing?
I hadn't contemplated trying to get my employer to pay for this subscription (although I probably could).
The price should stay at $70. Definitely expense it! They are getting the benefit.
I appreciate your sharing your thought process on pricing. I’m planning to launch a paid model for my Substack blog this year, and I’ve been going in circles about what goes in the free subscription model and what in the paid. The impression I get from looking at other Substack blogs is that people are willing to pay for a modest amount of additional or deeper content, plus access. I get the impression that once they decide to pay, they feel that they are paying for the entire package, even though they could get much of it for free. And that the free subscription has to be of real value, or you won’t attract the people willing to pay for a bit more. Since my blog is just a personal one, I’ll probably be pricing the paid model in that lowest tier.
The interesting lesson from Substack for me is that these "niches" can be surprisingly large given that "the English speaking world" is your audience. Good luck! LMK if I can help.
Do you plan to keep the community gathered here or do you intend to create some discord/slack channel for knowledge sharing?
Here for now. I try to keep my life simple if I can. If I could afford to hire a community manager, then sure, take it wherever. But first I'd like to see the conversation really take off. Does that make sense? What extra value would you get from hosting this convo on Discord?
I think Discord breaks some barriers. Getting in touch with people who will share similar placements, scheduling meetings and also projects can be done here? Yes! But at least for me, there is nothing better than creating mechanisms to bring together people close.
It's different than just know a guy that that already worked with you or a university friend...
But i got the "keep my life simple" hehehe
I absolutely hope we grow to there. And the annual conferences. And embossed index cards. Maybe a rock opera.
I am very interested in paying for a subscription, but I'm also nonplussed at funding functional Nazi sympathizers (meaning Substack). I understand individuals making choices (like not migrating platforms for all kinds of reasons), but I'm also an individual making a choice. What are your plans vis-a-vis substack's Nazi problem?
I'll write a longer, public answer soon. The short answer is that I don't plan to drive change, but I would be glad to join a community pressuring Substack to take responsibility for the social harm it is causing as well as the benefit it creates.
Hi Kent, Thank you for the openness here. I was charged $70 on Dec 29, 2023 so does that mean I'm locked in for the $70/year for lifetime? Thanks!
Yes!
I am not sure how easy or difficult Substack is to tune to a multi level pricing model. You can consider providing content for the normal substack pricing. And keep it fairly basic content. For people that value more deep level content you can offer a subscription with a higher price. And for the real juice, like book chapter drafts you can provide yet another level.
It doesn't offer that level of control. Nor would I trust myself to use that level of control wisely. People who want more access can buy a founding subscription.
Until the very end of this post, I assumed prices were going up for current users as well and I was assessing whether or not I would stay. When I realized they weren't, I was relieved and then felt this surge of satisfaction that I had a hold of this tremendous "bargain" due to the large difference between $7 and $25.
I'm not surprised that this resulted in a surge of subscriptions, but I am surprised that you set the increase date so close and with so little fanfare. Perhaps you should try the "offer extended" trick? Assuming you don't set it too far out, I don't think you'd offend those who just signed up.
I wanted to learn more about this marketing tactic, so I Googled it and found https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/understanding-grandfather-pricing-model-magnaquest-technologies-ltd/. I'm guessing this isn't news to you, but figured I'd pass it on.