#Boost Your Substack subscribers

[mehmetyildizmelbourne-blog]

Where can you buy the new Substack Mastery book for freelance writers authored by Dr Mehmet Yildiz?

Substack Mastery: Insider Secrets from a Content Strategist & Seasoned Author: Learn the Basics, Stay Motivated, Grow Your Paid Subscribers, & Thrive with a Community. 

Check out the official page at digitalmehmet.com!

You can find future updates on my Content Strategy, Development, & Marketing Insights

I provide discounted books on my Patreon page.

I also update my readers on Medium.

[sl-walker]

Help a starving artist

Or, at least, one who is trying quite hard not to.

As people relatively close to me know, I lost my job last July. It was a shitty situation all around, but I survived on savings and unemployment. But frankly, having been a toilet scrubber for most of my life, I never had a huge amount of savings and now unemployment has run out; did last month, in fact. I've sent out well over a thousand applications. I've rejiggered my resume, asked people for letters of recommendation, wrote too many cover letters, etc. I was hired for a job in early January and did my drug test two weeks ago, but I still haven't heard back from that employer, so I'm now staring down the barrel of ah, as if I somehow forgot what terror and poverty felt like again. Delightful. 0/10, would not recommend, though honestly, a lot of people I know already know the feeling.

What can you do?

You can subscribe to my Substack as a paid subscriber. Not only do you get my hopefully entertaining writing in your inbox -- which is free to everyone anyway -- you also get to request things if you're a paid subscriber. If it's monthly, every three months you can request a sketch or a specific comic review or even a fanfic review for yourself or someone else (within reason, like under 10K words). If it's as a founding member, you can request something every single month in the same vein. (Believe me, you're getting a bargain on those requests.)

You can commission me for art. I'm a decent artist. My rate is $25 an hour and I am not swift at it, but I am pretty damn okay and certainly cheaper than a professional artist. To give you a rough idea, that half-body pic I did of Guy was about ten hours, where the one I did of Ted was more like 15. A really good portrait sketch is probably about an hour. The more detailed, the more time.

I might be talked into writing commissions, depending on the writing. You can absolutely talk to me about hiring me if you want me to write your cover letters, because it's a hateful task, but I'm not too bad at it.

I can design letterheads like a boss. I was a printer for over sixteen years.

If you just want to throw money at me, I mean-- who turns that down? (Though I tend to prefer to do something for it, which is probably more evidence than anyone actually needs for what kind of childhood I had. HA!) But my paypal is:

paypal.me/steelandfic

Current utility bills under the cut. Like-- that's not counting groceries, pet food, the roof over my head, the filling in my tooth that I'm waiting for the bill for or anything else. That's just utilities.

And if you can't do anything else, please consider signal-boosting? Thanks.

[sagedbysi]

Juuuuuuune, is that you buddy?

Saged by Si is definitely a publication that is growing to be sooooo impactful! The official, paid newsletter is going to be ran on substack so if you would like to read the Element of Fiction: Setting series pleeeeeease subscribe, this is fiction writing content you don't want to miss.

For $10 per month I am going to deep dive into 18 features of an amazing setting.

For the people who love to write fantasy, science fiction, and even historical fiction this is going to take your writing to a brand new level while also exploring how this boosts creativity and deepens relationships.

Tonight, I've spent about 3-4 hours queuing content for Instagram, Facebook, and organizing the introductory newsletter. I am beyond excited for this month because there's going to be content for Sage and @blckhxtry as well. I'm going to be feeding both feeds with so much because these are rabbit holes I find myself down that I genuinely enjoy.

When I created these 18 different elements I tried to group them together based on what seemed to flow well together. I didn't want to do things out of order, I tried my hardest to write this according to how someone would chronologically place a story together. My thought was, "if I started writing a setting, what would I consider?" So many of my posts are going to be about consideration.

May was a lot, a lot of fun and it ended with a bang because I was so into history. I learned a lot about my city, Richmond, VA, and it helped me with understanding how I feel towards politics, and made me feel good to know that I can make informed decisions while also keeping my hopes for the future alive.

May wasn't the best month in other areas of my life, but it was a creative month: I am more than excited for what June has in store!

[arijensineink]

Greetings Tumblrverse

I have been in a wicked funk. Thankfully, Mercury Retrograde is ALMOST OVER.

Is everyone hangin' in okay?

If you need a boost, may I humbly recommend my Substack?

I'm working to expand my subscribers list and I would very much appreciate you checking it out and sharing with your friends! <3

It's free, of course, although there is a paid option if you'd like to support me.

Take care darlings!

[ameliasoulturner]

3 Best Platforms for Aspiring Writers to Launch a Solo Business and Break Free in 2025

If you've ever dreamed of turning your passion for writing into a full-time income and finally saying goodbye to your 9-to-5, you're not alone. Thousands of people are making the leap every year, using their writing skills to build solo businesses that give them freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.

The good news? You don’t need a traditional publishing deal or a journalism degree to make it happen. In 2025, there are more opportunities than ever for writers to carve out their own paths and make real money doing what they love. The internet has leveled the playing field—and with the right tools and platforms, you can create your own lane, attract a loyal audience, and turn your words into income.

But with so many platforms out there, where should a new writer begin? In this article, we're diving into the three best platforms for aspiring writers in 2025—whether your goal is to build a personal brand, create a steady stream of income, or simply do meaningful work on your own terms.

Let’s break it down.

1. Substack: Your Launchpad for Independent Publishing

If you enjoy writing essays, newsletters, or commentary and want to build an email-based audience, Substack is your best friend.

Substack allows writers to create and send email newsletters to their readers, monetize through paid subscriptions, and build a direct connection with their audience. What makes it so appealing is its simplicity. You don’t need to know how to build a website or learn marketing funnels—just write, publish, and share.

But here’s where Substack really shines: it lets you own your audience. Unlike social media platforms where algorithms control who sees your content, Substack delivers your writing directly to inboxes. And in 2025, email is still one of the most powerful tools for building trust and loyalty.

Why It Works for Solo Writers:

Direct Monetization: You can start with free content and slowly introduce paid options as your audience grows. Substack handles payment processing, so you can focus on writing.

Community Tools: You can host discussions, comments, and even podcasts, building a real community around your work.

No Gatekeepers: No editor telling you what to write. Your voice, your topics, your rules.

Writers making anywhere from $500 to over $10,000 per month have built their businesses one email at a time. The key? Show up consistently, be authentic, and deliver value.

Best For: Writers who want to build a loyal readership, share their thoughts or expertise, and get paid directly by subscribers.

2. Medium: Reach a Built-In Audience While You Learn the Game

Medium is like the digital version of a glossy magazine mixed with a public journal. It's perfect for new writers who want to find their voice, test ideas, and reach people without worrying about promotion or SEO right out of the gate.

With Medium’s Partner Program, you can actually earn money based on how much time paying members spend reading your stories. This performance-based model means that high-quality, engaging content can get rewarded—even if you're just getting started.

In 2025, Medium continues to be a top pick for new writers because it takes care of the technical side of blogging. No hosting. No themes. Just you and your writing.

Why It Works for Solo Writers:

Built-In Exposure: Medium’s curated content system can help you reach thousands—even tens of thousands—of readers if your content resonates.

Monetization Without Selling: You don’t need to pitch anything or sell a product. Just write, and if your content performs well, you get paid.

Credibility Boost: Medium content ranks well on Google, so it’s a smart way to build authority in a niche or industry.

A well-written story can live on Medium for years, continuously driving traffic and passive income. That’s not just side-hustle potential—that’s digital real estate.

Best For: Writers who want a clean, focused platform to build a portfolio, grow their reputation, and earn based on content performance.

3. Fiverr: Turn Your Writing Into a Freelance Business

While Substack and Medium are great for content-driven business models, Fiverr is the fast track to getting paid for your writing services.

Fiverr has evolved a lot since its early days of $5 gigs. Today, it’s a thriving marketplace where writers are earning serious money offering services like blog posts, email copy, product descriptions, LinkedIn bios, and more.

What sets Fiverr apart is its reach. Millions of buyers are already looking for help with writing projects. All you have to do is show up with a strong profile and quality samples, and you’re in the game.

Why It Works for Solo Writers:

Immediate Income: You can start earning as soon as someone places an order. No need to build an audience first.

Skill-Based Scaling: As you get more orders and positive reviews, Fiverr ranks you higher in search, which means more visibility and better-paying clients.

Niche Opportunities: You can specialize in areas like resume writing, technical writing, or even writing social media posts. There's room for everyone.

Some freelancers earn $2,000 to $5,000 per month on Fiverr alone. And with the right strategy, you can turn one-time gigs into recurring clients and long-term contracts.

Best For: Writers looking to get paid quickly, build a service-based business, and grow into a full-fledged freelancing career.

Bonus Tips for Building a Sustainable Writing Business

Choosing the right platform is important—but equally crucial is how you show up. Here are a few quick tips to make your writing business thrive in 2025:

1. Niche Down Early: Pick a niche that matches your skills and interests. The more specific your content or services, the easier it is to attract loyal followers or buyers.

2. Focus on Quality Over Quantity: Writing every day won’t matter if it’s not useful, interesting, or original. Take your time, research deeply, and make each piece count.

3. Build Your Brand: Whether it’s your tone, your story, or your values—make sure people know what you stand for. A strong personal brand is what separates you from the crowd.

4. Diversify Your Income: Don’t rely on just one source. You can write on Medium, run a Substack newsletter, and freelance on Fiverr—all at the same time. Diversifying your income streams adds stability and growth potential.

5. Invest in Learning: From SEO and digital marketing to storytelling and productivity, investing in new skills can 10x your results. The more value you bring to the table, the more you can charge—and the faster you grow.

Final Thoughts: Why Now Is the Best Time to Go All-In

There’s never been a better time to be a writer. The barriers are lower. The tools are better. The market is global. And if you play it right, you can build a writing career on your own terms—one that pays the bills, fuels your creativity, and gives you the freedom most jobs never will.

Whether you’re sharing your voice on Substack, building authority on Medium, or landing clients on Fiverr, you have everything you need to launch a solo business in 2025. So if you’re sitting at a desk right now, dreaming of quitting your job—this is your sign. Start writing. Start building. Your solo journey begins now.

[bynataliezubi]

The Cognitive Benefits of Video Games 🎮🧠

Video games are more than just entertainment—they’re a powerful workout for your brain! From improving attention and memory to enhancing problem-solving skills, gaming engages distinct brain regions and promotes neuroplasticity. Whether it’s competitive games boosting reaction time or cozy games reducing stress, there’s a genre for every cognitive need.

In my latest Substack article, I explore the neuroscience behind gaming, its mental health benefits, and how different genres strengthen your mind in unique ways. Curious about how video games can make you sharper, more resilient, and even happier?

✨ Dive deeper into this fascinating topic by reading the full article on my Substack! Let’s rethink the way we view gaming. Subscribe to my substack for more on psychology, mental health, personal growth, productivity, life, and more!

[theoutdoorgoon]

Radical Acceptance: Transform Anxiety and Boost Personal Growth

Radical Acceptance: Transform Anxiety and Boost Personal Growth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMDmF4mitls Radical acceptance is a powerful awareness that can help you transform anxiety and boost personal growth. In this video, we delve into the concept of radical acceptance and its profound impact on our mental well-being and personal development. By learning to accept where we are, we can break free from the cycle of repeating mistakes and start making meaningful progress toward our goals. Discover practical strategies for embracing radical acceptance, reducing anxiety, and unlocking your true potential. Whether you're struggling with anxiety or seeking personal growth, this video offers valuable insights and actionable steps to help you on your journey. 🔔 Love adventure and self-discovery? Subscribe for weekly meditations, mountain travel stories, insights on life, inner work, and overcoming trauma! https://www.youtube.com/@theoutdoorgoon/?sub_confirmation=1 ✅ Important Links to Follow 🔗My Substack Newsletter https://ift.tt/8fT7Uql 📚 Learn to free your mind! Get my book, Your Mind Is A Prison https://ift.tt/QgUEFhb 👥 Follow Me on Social Media: 👉 Instagram: https://ift.tt/FZcusnd 👉 Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/theoutdoorgoon 👉 Website: https://ift.tt/yiMSOzY ============================= 🎬 WATCH MY OTHER VIDEOS: 👉 Why Mindset Hacks Are Holding You Back | TOG124 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h96AKFwAnfw 👉 Your Path to Awakening: How Far Are You Willing to Go? | TOG122 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IitQAShzs4 👉 Find Peace: Understanding the True Cause of Anger | TOG119 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKm-RvtDYJM 👉 Are You Missing the Real Cause of Your Issues? | TOG118 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtTguL_Bjz8 👉 Hidden Fears: What's Fueling Your Anxiety? | TOG117 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EupW892Ooys ============================= ✅ About The Outdoor Goon. Welcome to The Outdoor Goon! Join me, Jason, as I explore the mountains and share insights into the mind, life, and nature. As a veteran and climber, I combine my wild camping and hiking adventures with weekly meditations and personal reflections. Follow my journey to understand inner work, subconscious thoughts, and overcoming trauma. Subscribe for unique perspectives and inspiring content! 🔔 Explore the mind, life, and nature with weekly meditations! Subscribe to The Outdoor Goon for unique insights on inner work and mountain adventures. https://www.youtube.com/@theoutdoorgoon/?sub_confirmation=1 ================================= #RadicalAcceptance #OvercomeAnxiety #PersonalGrowth #MentalWellBeing #SelfImprovement #AnxietyRelief #Mindfulness #EmotionalHealth #TransformYourLife #positivechange ⚠️ Disclaimer: I do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred from you acting or not acting as a result of watching any of my publications. You acknowledge that you use the information I provide at your own risk. Do your research. Copyright Notice: This video and my YouTube channel contain dialogue, music, and images that are the property of The Outdoor Goon. You are authorized to share the video link and channel and embed this video in your website or others as long as a link back to my YouTube channel is provided. © The Outdoor Goon via Messages From the Mountains - Inner Work https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTANtVq4l_m-ECqUvb35pdg August 08, 2024 at 10:00PM

[kristenbrady]

Are Social Media Influencers Getting Rich or Barely Getting By?

So the Wall Street Journal just put out an article entitled, “Social-Media Influencers Aren’t Getting Rich — They’re Barely Getting By.” They are basically saying that “platforms are paying less for popular posts, brands are pickier about partnerships and a possible TikTok ban looms.”

The article goes on to say that “Many people dream of becoming social-media stars like YouTube’s MrBeast or TikTok’s Charli D’Amelio. But for most who pursue careers as content creators, just making ends meet is a lofty goal.”

So, is this true?

Well, most of us are members here on Medium.com. Are your earnings decreasing? I’ve heard a mixed bag from different writers here on this platform. Some say they actually left the platform because of low earnings month after month, and I’ve heard some say that their earnings are only getting better month after month.

Speaking only for myself, last month I had my highest earning month on record on Medium. But this month, I seem to have hit a brick wall. No matter how much work I put into it, I can’t seem to get the numbers to move up significantly.

I have not been able to sell any eBooks on Gumroad and I lost 3 paid subscribers on Substack last week.

So, what’s going on? Is the competition for an audience growing fierce? Is the content creator industry getting oversaturated, so these platforms are deciding to pay less?

According to Forbes magazine, in 2021, the creator economy was valued at $104 billion, and it is projected to reach nearly half a trillion by 2027.

I don’t know about you, but I’m gonna stay on the content creator train and see how far it can take me. With that said, let’s go over 4 great places for content creators to hang out:

Heepsy

Heepsy is a social media influencer marketing solution made for agencies and brands. Users can gain access to millions of social influencers worldwide, in addition to the tools needed to discover the proper one for your campaigns on social media.

Not only will Heepsy provide the choice for brands to locate influencers, it’ll also introduce the choice of a Marketplace in which influencers may sift through campaigns that are published by brands. There, creators possess the flexibility to pick campaigns matching their interests that have features enabling them to filter based on the network for the promotion, the campaign’s location, the category being promoted, and much more. It ensures that social influencers are able to conveniently find campaigns aligning with their target audience’s preferences, as well as their own style of content creation.

Grin

Grin is a platform for creator management that helps e-commerce businesses construct more valuable brands using the power of content-creator partnerships.

Mention

Mention is a marketing platform that enables agencies and brands to recognize audience perception around social media and the Internet while additionally providing the capability of organizing their campaigns on social media.

By using this social media marketing platform, it’s easily possible to monitor what’s being said on the internet about a product or brand, gain analytics on their industry, as well as calculate the impact of your PR and marketing activities.

Current

Current is a platform for brands that want to maximize their influencer marketing, build their ambassador programs, as well as boost their revenue.

So, which is it for you? If you are a writer here on Medium, how’s your earnings going? Let me know in the comments section.

🍉Kristen is a contributor on Medium. Sign up here to catch every story when she publishes.

Continue reading on Medium

[amplifyingbirdiesam]

✳️ Who is Birdie Sam?✳️

Birdie (they/them) is a 2Spirit Alaskan Tlingit activist fighting for Indigenous and climate justice across the US. They began creating & donating masks at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. Since the summer of 2021, they have been making media content to advocate for Climate Action and to Amplify Indigenous issues, and are now partnered with the independent newsletter Popular.Info.

✳️Is this Tumblr run by Birdie?✳️

Nope, just a supporter. I first followed them on TikTok, and I do what I can to boost their content, amplify actions, and sign petitions as part of my own activism. While they can be found on other social media, I noticed there was very little coverage here on Tumblr about them or their projects. There are lots of allies here that are looking for more ways to make a difference in the fight against climate change, so I started this sideblog as a way to bring those allies more resources and information.

✳️ What do you post here? ✳️

This blog will be sharing and reposting Birdie's videos, information, projects, calls to action, newsletter, and ways to support them, as well as reblogging related and informative news and info. All "original" posts, images, and information are solely the intellectual property of and directly originated from Birdie Sam. None of the otherwise reblogged information or opinions or "non-original" posts or tags are endorsed by or associated with Birdie Sam.

✳️How can I help?✳️

🔹 Watch Birdie's videos and share them with your friends and allies!

🔹Follow Birdie on their own social media! Bluesky, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok linked respectively. Also consider supporting them on Patreon!

🔹Click here to browse their website for more information and actions, including recommended book lists for Indigenous and climate causes and links to donate to them directly!

🔹Click here to subscribe to their free newsletter on Substack!

🔹Click here to check out their merch on Shopify!

🔹Support and share their GoFundMe to help fund their travel for repatriating the historical remains of Indigenous Alaskan victims of racist institutions.

🔹Watch the documentary Bad River!

🔹Learn about and amplify the Lost Alaskans Project on their website!

🔹Learn about the history of residential schools in North America, also on their website!

🔹Check out their extensive resources and information on fighting climate change and oil executives, also on their website!

✳️Other Ways To Help✳️

🔹Center Indigenous voices and causes.

🔹Respect the Earth and each other.

🔹Find and support your local causes and communities.

🔹Continue to educate yourself and your loved ones on racism, anti-Indigeneity, classism, and anthropomorphic climate change, and the ways these overlap.

[mehmetyildizmelbourne-blog]

On the Path to Substack Success

How I’m building my Substack newsletters one step at a time with a supportive community I love to write. I love to write about what I love. Travel, relationships, books, deep insights, AI, photography, storytelling and a whole lot of interesting, sparkly, pretty topics that catch my eye. I like to think I’m good at it, with people who follow me and a steady income on Medium. A pleasant little…

[depressedhouseplant]

So I Created a Substack

It’s linked in the Masterlist post under “WIP Wednesday / Teasers”. It was unofficial homework from my creative writing teacher because apparently that’s where all the legit writers are hanging out these days.

It is easily the most user unfriendly interface I’ve used for a blogging site. I hate it. My first post will go up at noon today EST & I’ve got a few more scheduled. It’s all WIPs where I basically changed the names to English & made a few minor tweaks to make them look a little less like fanfic. Full disclosure - any work that’s been broken up into parts only the first post is free. After that it’s paywalled. These are all WIPs that have never seen the light of day either on AO3 or here (though there’s a slight chance I’ll post the toxic Chanlix and the Bbangju royalty which y’all have seen).

I would greatly appreciate if y’all subscribed because even free subscriptions boost visibility. I’ve linked it in this post as well for your convenience. I tried to make paid subscriptions as affordable as possible:

$5/month

$50/yr (17% off)

$150/“founding member” (which I think means lifetime? I honestly don’t know. It was so vague I was about ready to lose my damn mind)

Again, please don’t feel pressured to get a paid subscription. I feel really skeevy about having paywalled posts & trying to sell it to y’all in the first place, but it’s a thing that’s done so I’m doing the thing.

I will (obviously) keep posting my JFW here daily for free. If you want to see what could have been, the freebies will be up on Substack (have I mentioned how much I hate the interface? Because I hate it) Mondays at noon.

C U Soon with today’s JFW 😘

[shadowfromthestarlight]

The moment a group of people stormed the Capitol building last Wednesday, news  companies began the process of sorting and commoditizing information that  long ago became standard in American media.

Media firms work backward. They first ask, “How does our target demographic want to  understand what’s just unfolded?” Then they pick both the words and the facts  they want to emphasize.

It’s why  Fox News uses the term, “Pro-Trump protesters,” while New York and The Atlantic use “Insurrectionists.” It’s why conservative media today is stressing how Apple, Google, and Amazon shut down the “Free Speech” platform Parler over  the weekend, while mainstream outlets are emphasizing a new round of  potentially armed protests reportedly planned for January 19th or 20th.

What happened last Wednesday was the apotheosis of the Hate Inc. era, when this  audience-first model became the primary means of communicating facts to the population. For a hundred reasons dating back to the mid-eighties, from the advent of the Internet to the development of the 24-hour news cycle to the end of the Fairness Doctrine and the Fox-led  discovery that news can be sold as character-driven, episodic TV in the  manner of soap operas, the concept of a “Just the facts” newscast designed to  be consumed by everyone died out.

News companies now clean world events like whalers, using every part of the  animal, funneling different facts to different consumers based upon  calculations about what will bring back the biggest engagement kick. The  Migrant Caravan? Fox slices  off comments from a Homeland Security official describing most of the  border-crossers as single adults coming for “economic reasons.” The New York Times counters  by running a story about how the caravan was deployed as a political issue by a Trump White  House staring at poor results in midterm elections.

Repeat this info-sifting process a few billion times and this is how we became, as none other than Mitch McConnell put it last week, a country:

Drifting apart into two separate tribes, with a separate set of facts and separate realities, with nothing in common except our hostility towards each other and mistrust for the few national institutions that we all still share.

The flaw in the system is that even the biggest news companies now operate under the assumption that at least half their potential audience isn’t listening. This leads to all sorts of problems, and the fact that the easiest way to keep your own demographic is to feed it negative stories about others is only the most  obvious. On all sides, we now lean into inflammatory caricatures, because the  financial incentives encourage it.

Everyone monetized Trump. The Fox ��wing surrendered to the Trump phenomenon from the start, abandoning its  supposed fealty to “family values” from the Megyn Kelly incident on. Without  a thought, Rupert Murdoch sacrificed the paper-thin veneer of  pseudo-respectability Fox  had always maintained up to a point (that point being the moment advertisers  started to bail in horror, as they did with Glenn Beck). He reinvented Fox as a platform for  Trump’s conspiratorial brand of cartoon populism, rather than let some more-Fox-than-Fox imitator like OAN sell the  ads to Trump’s voters for four years.

In between its titillating quasi-porn headlines (“Lesbian Prison Gangs Waiting To Get Hands on Lindsay  Lohan, Inmate Says” is one from years ago that stuck in my mind), Fox’s business model has  long been based on scaring the crap out of aging Silent Majority viewers with  a parade of anything-but-the-truth explanations for America’s decline. It  villainized immigrants, Muslims, the new Black Panthers, environmentalists —  anyone but ADM, Wal-Mart, Countrywide, JP Morgan Chase, and other sponsors of  Fortress America. Donald Trump was one of the people who got hooked on Fox’s  narrative.

The rival media ecosystem chose cash over truth also. It could have responded to  the last election by looking harder at the tensions they didn’t see coming in  Trump’s America, which might have meant a more intense examination of the  problems that gave Trump his opening: the jobs that never came back after  bankers and retailers decided to move them to unfree labor zones in places  like China, the severe debt and addiction crises, the ridiculous  contradiction of an expanding international military garrison manned by a  population fast losing belief in the mission, etc., etc.

Instead, outlets like CNN and MSNBC took a Fox-like approach, downplaying issues in  favor of shoving Trump’s agitating personality in the faces of audiences over  and over, to the point where many people could no longer think about anything  else. To juice ratings, the Trump story — which didn’t need the slightest  exaggeration to be fantastic — was more or less constantly distorted.

Trump  began to be described as a cause of America’s problems, rather than a symptom,  and his followers, every last one, were demonized right along with him, in  caricatures that tickled the urbane audiences of channels like CNN but made  conservatives want to reach for something sharp. This technique was borrowed  from Fox,  which learned in the Bush years that you could boost ratings by selling  audiences on the idea that their liberal neighbors were terrorist traitors.  Such messaging worked better by far than bashing al-Qaeda, because this enemy  was closer, making the hate more real.

I came  into the news business convinced that the traditional “objective” style of  reporting was boring, deceptive, and deserving of mockery. I used to laugh at  the parade of “above the fray” columnists and stone-dull house editorials  that took no position on anything and always ended, “Only one thing’s for  sure: time will tell.” As a teenager I was struck by a passage in Tim  Crouse’s book about the 1972 presidential campaign, The Boys in the Bus, describing  the work of Hunter Thompson:

Thompson  had the freedom to describe the campaign as he actually experienced it: the  crummy hotels, the tedium of the press bus, the calculated lies of the press  secretaries, the agony of writing about the campaign when it seemed dull and  meaningless, the hopeless fatigue. When other reporters went home, their  wives asked them, “What was it really like?” Thompson’s wife knew from  reading his pieces.

What Rolling Stone did in  giving a political reporter the freedom to write about the banalities of the  system was revolutionary at the time. They also allowed their writer to be a  sides-taker and a rooter, which seemed natural and appropriate because biases  end up in media anyway. They were just hidden in the traditional dull  “objective” format.

The  problem is that the pendulum has swung so far in the opposite direction of  politicized hot-taking that reporters now lack freedom in the opposite  direction, i.e. the freedom to mitigate.

If you  work in conservative media, you probably felt tremendous pressure all  November to stay away from information suggesting Trump lost the election. If  you work in the other ecosystem, you probably feel right now that even  suggesting what happened last Wednesday was not a coup in the literal sense  of the word (e.g. an attempt at seizing power with an actual chance of  success) not only wouldn’t clear an editor, but might make you suspect in the  eyes of co-workers, a potentially job-imperiling problem in this environment.  

We need  a new media channel, the press version of a third party, where those  financial pressures to maintain audience are absent. Ideally, it would:

not be aligned with either Democrats or Republicans;

employ a Fairness Doctrine-inspired approach that discourages       groupthink and requires at  least occasional explorations of alternative points of view;

embrace a utilitarian mission stressing credibility over ratings, including by;

operating on a distribution model that as  much as possible doesn’t depend upon the indulgence of Apple, Google, and Amazon.

Innovations like Substack are great for opinionated individual voices like me, but what’s  desperately needed is an institutional reporting mechanism that has credibility with the whole population. That means a channel that sees its mission as something separate from politics, or at least as separate from politics as possible.

The media used to derive its institutional power from this perception of separateness. Politicians feared investigation by the news media precisely because they knew audiences perceived them as neutral arbiters.

Now there are no major commercial outlets not firmly associated with one or the other political party. Criticism of Republicans is as baked into New York Times coverage as the lambasting of Democrats is at Fox, and politicians don’t fear them as much because they know their  constituents do not consider rival media sources credible. Probably, they  don’t even read them. Echo chambers have limited utility in changing minds.

Media companies need to get out of the audience-stroking business, and by extension  the politics business. They’d then be more likely to be believed when making  pronouncements about elections or masks or anything else, for that matter.  Creating that kind of outlet also has a much better shot of restoring sanity  to the country than the current strategy, which seems based on stamping out  access to “wrong” information.

What we’ve been watching for four years, and what we saw explode last week, is a paradox: a political and informational system that profits from division and  conflict, and uses a factory-style process to stimulate it, but professes  shock and horror when real conflict happens. It’s time to admit this is a  failed system. You can’t sell hatred and seriously expect it to end.

Matt Taibbi is one of the only people I subscribe to. He’s one of the few journalists I like because I actually believe he’s genuine.

[4noki-vns]

Lachesis or Atropos Steam Delay (7/18) + Short Story Poll

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Two topics today! One slightly unfortunate and one that you might enjoy:

Lachesis or Atropos Steam Release Delay

Short Story Poll — New Newsletter Content Type

LoA Steam Delay

The Lachesis or Atropos Steam release (and corresponding itch update) will be delayed to July 18th due to the original date’s overlap with the Steam Summer Sale.

Although Valve let us set our original date to publish on Steam, Valve then contacted us to recommend pushing the date back as our release’s initial algorithm boost would overlap with the Steam Summer Sale.

As it turns out, new releases on Steam get a period of algorithmic visibility boosting. Unfortunately, if your new release algo boost period overlaps with a major Steam event such as the Steam Summer Sale, then your boost is destroyed. The eternal battle between indie dev and storefront algorithm…?

As such, we’ve decided to push back the date of the Lachesis or Atropos Steam release to July 18. Thank you for the patience, everyone.

I’d like to note that the extra music, art, and other content are all in the game. Please look forward to the updated edition of our horror-mystery yuri visual novel Lachesis or Atropos!

If you haven’t yet and use Steam, why not drop us a wishlist? (And as always, you can play the jam edition on itch right now if you don’t want to wait)

Re: Short Stories?

Onto the second topic: short stories.

Recently, I asked on Twitter and Tumblr whether or not people would be interested in short side stories of my free games.

The results were mostly positive. As such, going forward, I may occasionally share short side stories of my free games (not necessarily canon) as a fun bit of extra content.

Not all of them will be vote-able, but to commemorate this decision, let’s have a poll! This poll will last one week on Substack (and 2 days on Twitter/Tumblr starting from when posted there—you’re welcome to vote on all three platforms).

Select the option you want to read the most, or pick “surprise me” if you can’t choose.

<Find the poll in the newsletter>

<Tumblr Edition Poll>

I’ll write a short story corresponding to the results.

More yuri, one story at a time!

shino

[arijensineink]

Hiya Writing Fighters!

I know I haven't been around these parts much, but I have been busy working on more great stuff for you!

I'm super excited to introduce you to the weekly Writer's Tarot Forecast--every Sunday I'll be sending out a newsletter and posting the card draw on my Instagram.

The first draw is rather intense, but I'm excited to see how it reflects the week ahead. Here's the link!

Don't forget to hit the Subscribe button while you're on Substack🥰

Let me know if you have any thoughts, questions, or comments! Instagram is the best place to get ahold of me, or you can send your words straight to my inbox💖📖

Much love, everyone, and take care!

-Ari

[bynataliezubi]

Unlock the Power of Journaling for Personal Growth

In today's fast-paced world, journaling offers a powerful tool for stress relief, self-discovery, and personal growth. By putting pen to paper, you can enhance emotional intelligence, reduce stress, and boost creativity. Techniques like reflective journaling, gratitude journaling, and stream of consciousness writing can help you unlock your full potential.

Want to dive deeper? Check out my full article on Substack for more insights and effective journaling techniques. Subscribe for free to support my work and get new posts delivered right to your inbox!

[kristenbrady]

Lead Magnet Ideas for Influencers

The following is a list of 7 lead magnet ideas for influencers:

Behind-the-Scenes Content

Share some exclusive content or behind-the-scenes footage with subscribers, that gives them a glimpse into an influencer’s creative process and daily life.

Lead Magnet Ideas for Repair and Home Improvement Services

Seven lead magnet ideas for repair and home improvement services

medium.com

Challenges

Provide a free challenge associated with your audience’s niche. It’ll help followers take action on your tips and remain engaged with your content.

Resource List

Provide a free resource list of products and tools associated with your expertise or niche. It’ll offer value to followers and assist them in discovering new services or products they might be interested in.

Group or Community Access

For your email subscribers, provide exclusive access to a group or community. It’ll offer a space for followers to connect with you and one another, share insights and knowledge, as well as build a sense of community that surrounds your brand.

Coupons or Discounts

Provide exclusive coupons or discounts to email subscribers for services or products associated with your niche. It’ll incentivize followers to buy something and help drive sales.

Giveaway or Contest

Hold a giveaway or contest and require people to submit their email address in order to enter. It’ll help boost engagement with followers as well as encourage them to share all of your content with their very own followers.

Exclusive Content

Provide exclusive content to followers in exchange for an email address. It might include personalized recommendations and tips, early access to new services or products, or accessibility to behind-the-scenes content.

😃Kristen is a contributor on Medium. Sign up here to catch every story when she publishes.

Kristen is a writer of over 14 years. She can write:

Articles

Blogs

Website copy

Podcast show notes

Substack newsletters

Medium posts

Linkedin Newsletters

eBooks

Contact her on Upwork for more details: https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/kristenbrady

Originally posted on Medium