Hi Claire, this is brilliant! I love how you moved to annual only and got rid of monthly!
I had paid option on for a while but nothing paywalled and no extra offer so I turned it off again. I have one pledge for annual sitting there should I decide to turn paid on again. I have a lot of ideas but just not the bandwidth to put these into action at the moment. Frustrating but I guess this is just the season of life I’m in.
Would you say I should have paid turned on just in case people feel generous vs suggesting pledges? I tried buymeacoffee but wasn’t consistent and barely anyone used it anyway xx
Hey Carmen!! Thank you - so glad you found it helpful! It was hard to get everything across here. A lot of it is energetic which takes us back to trusting our gut.
It sounds like you’ve built a solid foundation, and it’s completely okay to be in a season where you’re gathering ideas for what paid for content might look but don’t have the bandwidth to act on them just yet. Those ideas aren’t going anywhere, and when the time is right, you’ll be ready to roll with them!
As for turning paid on, I’d say yes—why not? Even if you’re not actively offering extras, some people genuinely want to support your work, and having the option there makes it easy for them. It’s also a great way to normalize the idea that your writing has value. Pledges can work too, but I’ve found that a simple, open paid option tends to be more effective in the long run. Pledges tend to work when you are gathering evidence for paywalling stuff in the future. Eg the summit we did here last year had a couple of grand of pledges which told me I could potentially charge for one in the future…
And don’t stress about Buy Me a Coffee—not every platform fits everyone! Substack already has everything built in, so keeping it simple makes total sense. That said if you have a template post with it embedded you simply duplicate it or put it in your footer. I saw someone had “buy my a sunflower” linked somewhere the other day. Being open to being paid is important in our journey to understanding the value in our work. It’s not the be all and end all - that comes from feeling congruent. I often remind people of the average conversion too - cited above. If you think of it that way there’s never any rush. ✨💞
Wow I’m blown away and didn’t expect such a thorough response! Really appreciate it! I’m still exploring what “money via substack” could look like for me but whatever you said landed so deeply with me that I’m really close to just switching that button on again. Just need to figure out what that would mean tax wise for me. Germany is an absolute nightmare when it comes to anything bureaucratic, so much so that I have been offering mentoring / coaching and soundbaths mostly on a “donation” base and not promoting far and wide so I don’t have to figure the tax stuff out on the side of my fulltime corporate job. But it’s an excuse I hate so 2025 let’s see what we can do 😂😭
Ahh it can feel like a block can't it I know but my mindset shift is that my book keeper and accountant are like members of staff so although their services are 'expensive' my business couldn't run without them. I got by for years jumping in and out of these services but now I'm just all in and I don't have to do as much head scratching as it's their wheelhouse. Your sound baths sound so gorgeous.
100% agree worth the investment! At least once a week my husband and I joke that we should move back to the UK because we have our old tax consultants there. In Germany no one seems to take on new clients, especially those more complex ones like us with different income streams or business outside of country we reside 😂
This is on my list of 'to read' next week. I am having a full sparkle day next week. Goals, subscriptions, ecosystems. I can't wait! Thank you as always Claire for all you do, it is so helpful xx
Aww love that you have a sparkle on Substack to do list. Remember I always put stuff infront of folks but you just choose your own adventure. Your next steps belong to you! ✨💞✨
Hi Claire, interesting read, thank you. I tend to be an annual subscriber usually because I’m sucked in by most publications cheaper offer for a year but also I like the idea of paying up front & that being that. For myself, decided to turn off paid altogether because I only had 2 paid subs and although none of my content was behind a paywall I was feeling the pressure to post at least once a week as they were paying. I’m just not there yet in terms of consistency & it feels like the best decision.
That sounds a wonderful permission slip. There are so many models with paywalls. We have a fair few classes in the library now if you fancy joining us. I am also an annual subscriber everywhere because I love depth of connection and usually by the time I commit, I’ve read A LOT of free content. It’s nice to thing that the people you are nurturing will stick around if you do want to monetise again in the future - nothing’s wasted. There are still a fair few ‘patron’ models here ie publications that don’t paywall growing subscribers who pay. Anything’s possible and we have to do what we do for the joy first off - no pressure. Happy Friday to you Han.
I've been a member for a while but am terrible at venturing deep into publications & I have just seen your membership tab. I remember it from when I first signed up but then promptly forgot! I'm so easily distracted!!
Haha - you are not alone. The a-z library is super helpful too if you need something specific like a class on headers and footers or to organise your home page.
Nice!! So it could work if you wanted to get a cohort together to follow a programme or challenge to turn off monthly for your/ their focus. Only an option.
Hi Claire. Your membership is attractive for me, BUT i am french, and your calls and podcasts are in english. I am not fluent enough to listen to without subtitles. And thé timelag is not favorable for me for thé live calls. That is my principal objection to suscribe. You have to know it. I would like to join you all, but conditions are défavorable for moment.
I understand. When you say the time lag - is that the subtitles translating? Forgive me - new language for me... All our replays are in the a-z library and I am always looking at ways to improve accessibility here.
Time lag : I mean the time in France vs the time hour in US. (Subtitles are à problèm only with live calls on Substack ; and à lot of people forget to turn ON possible subtitles on plateform vidéos)
I can resonate with this in so many ways… why I’ve made the decision I have or actually just froze really! But that’s ok… I do have a goal and your words have helped me see a potential destination. Not quite sure of the next step yet but much clearer… thank you 🤩
For me there’s a fine balance between being in control, guarding spaces, community and things being in flow. I didn’t fear anything much when I started, the fear grew with things feeling slightly off balance/ too fast. I knew my creativity was suffering - we are not machines are we? I just needed space and to re-create safety for myself and for the community I so deeply value. ❤️
It’s always an option and can really work in a launch to get everyone in to receive something you’re planning all at once. Glad it sparked something for you Chris!
This was such a big one to explain but I’m so glad I did it. It feels counter intuitive turning off the flow/ options especially as I’m a big believer in payment plans but it really helped me reframe the gift I could give folks!
This actually makes sense to me and what I offer. I am an artist who has a video watercolor course behind a paywall, and I have just been having people be honest about accessing for a years pricing vs a month to watch and then unsubscribe (it's not a big deal BUT as I revamp with a new offering this year-I am going to do this!
Hi Claire, this is brilliant! I love how you moved to annual only and got rid of monthly!
I had paid option on for a while but nothing paywalled and no extra offer so I turned it off again. I have one pledge for annual sitting there should I decide to turn paid on again. I have a lot of ideas but just not the bandwidth to put these into action at the moment. Frustrating but I guess this is just the season of life I’m in.
Would you say I should have paid turned on just in case people feel generous vs suggesting pledges? I tried buymeacoffee but wasn’t consistent and barely anyone used it anyway xx
Hey Carmen!! Thank you - so glad you found it helpful! It was hard to get everything across here. A lot of it is energetic which takes us back to trusting our gut.
It sounds like you’ve built a solid foundation, and it’s completely okay to be in a season where you’re gathering ideas for what paid for content might look but don’t have the bandwidth to act on them just yet. Those ideas aren’t going anywhere, and when the time is right, you’ll be ready to roll with them!
As for turning paid on, I’d say yes—why not? Even if you’re not actively offering extras, some people genuinely want to support your work, and having the option there makes it easy for them. It’s also a great way to normalize the idea that your writing has value. Pledges can work too, but I’ve found that a simple, open paid option tends to be more effective in the long run. Pledges tend to work when you are gathering evidence for paywalling stuff in the future. Eg the summit we did here last year had a couple of grand of pledges which told me I could potentially charge for one in the future…
And don’t stress about Buy Me a Coffee—not every platform fits everyone! Substack already has everything built in, so keeping it simple makes total sense. That said if you have a template post with it embedded you simply duplicate it or put it in your footer. I saw someone had “buy my a sunflower” linked somewhere the other day. Being open to being paid is important in our journey to understanding the value in our work. It’s not the be all and end all - that comes from feeling congruent. I often remind people of the average conversion too - cited above. If you think of it that way there’s never any rush. ✨💞
Wow I’m blown away and didn’t expect such a thorough response! Really appreciate it! I’m still exploring what “money via substack” could look like for me but whatever you said landed so deeply with me that I’m really close to just switching that button on again. Just need to figure out what that would mean tax wise for me. Germany is an absolute nightmare when it comes to anything bureaucratic, so much so that I have been offering mentoring / coaching and soundbaths mostly on a “donation” base and not promoting far and wide so I don’t have to figure the tax stuff out on the side of my fulltime corporate job. But it’s an excuse I hate so 2025 let’s see what we can do 😂😭
Ahh it can feel like a block can't it I know but my mindset shift is that my book keeper and accountant are like members of staff so although their services are 'expensive' my business couldn't run without them. I got by for years jumping in and out of these services but now I'm just all in and I don't have to do as much head scratching as it's their wheelhouse. Your sound baths sound so gorgeous.
100% agree worth the investment! At least once a week my husband and I joke that we should move back to the UK because we have our old tax consultants there. In Germany no one seems to take on new clients, especially those more complex ones like us with different income streams or business outside of country we reside 😂
Oh that’s frustrating isn’t it. It seems such an old fashioned system in lots of ways
This is on my list of 'to read' next week. I am having a full sparkle day next week. Goals, subscriptions, ecosystems. I can't wait! Thank you as always Claire for all you do, it is so helpful xx
Aww love that you have a sparkle on Substack to do list. Remember I always put stuff infront of folks but you just choose your own adventure. Your next steps belong to you! ✨💞✨
Hi Claire, interesting read, thank you. I tend to be an annual subscriber usually because I’m sucked in by most publications cheaper offer for a year but also I like the idea of paying up front & that being that. For myself, decided to turn off paid altogether because I only had 2 paid subs and although none of my content was behind a paywall I was feeling the pressure to post at least once a week as they were paying. I’m just not there yet in terms of consistency & it feels like the best decision.
That sounds a wonderful permission slip. There are so many models with paywalls. We have a fair few classes in the library now if you fancy joining us. I am also an annual subscriber everywhere because I love depth of connection and usually by the time I commit, I’ve read A LOT of free content. It’s nice to thing that the people you are nurturing will stick around if you do want to monetise again in the future - nothing’s wasted. There are still a fair few ‘patron’ models here ie publications that don’t paywall growing subscribers who pay. Anything’s possible and we have to do what we do for the joy first off - no pressure. Happy Friday to you Han.
I've been a member for a while but am terrible at venturing deep into publications & I have just seen your membership tab. I remember it from when I first signed up but then promptly forgot! I'm so easily distracted!!
Haha - you are not alone. The a-z library is super helpful too if you need something specific like a class on headers and footers or to organise your home page.
I think I need them all!!
It’s a bold idea! Just checked mine though and the majority are annual…
Nice!! So it could work if you wanted to get a cohort together to follow a programme or challenge to turn off monthly for your/ their focus. Only an option.
I don’t think I will as don’t want to make it so that people can’t afford it. I pay monthly for almost all of my paid subs on here.
Right there are so many ways with payment models- MMR is a consideration and pay it forward spots like you do. x
Hi Claire. Your membership is attractive for me, BUT i am french, and your calls and podcasts are in english. I am not fluent enough to listen to without subtitles. And thé timelag is not favorable for me for thé live calls. That is my principal objection to suscribe. You have to know it. I would like to join you all, but conditions are défavorable for moment.
I understand. When you say the time lag - is that the subtitles translating? Forgive me - new language for me... All our replays are in the a-z library and I am always looking at ways to improve accessibility here.
Time lag : I mean the time in France vs the time hour in US. (Subtitles are à problèm only with live calls on Substack ; and à lot of people forget to turn ON possible subtitles on plateform vidéos)
I’m in the UK. I can turn subtitles on on zoom. I also post replays to YouTube as unlisted. Let me know if you’d like the link to see how you find it?
Good idea. I Could try it ! Thank you
Yes absolutely - let me dm you a call to check
I can resonate with this in so many ways… why I’ve made the decision I have or actually just froze really! But that’s ok… I do have a goal and your words have helped me see a potential destination. Not quite sure of the next step yet but much clearer… thank you 🤩
…. I have a small and beautiful community that I want to serve no matter my decision. That’s part of the reason why I froze… thawing a bit x
Thanks Hayley!
For me there’s a fine balance between being in control, guarding spaces, community and things being in flow. I didn’t fear anything much when I started, the fear grew with things feeling slightly off balance/ too fast. I knew my creativity was suffering - we are not machines are we? I just needed space and to re-create safety for myself and for the community I so deeply value. ❤️
Thanks for this Claire. I have not turn on paid yet, but when I do I will consider to turn off monthly.
It’s always an option and can really work in a launch to get everyone in to receive something you’re planning all at once. Glad it sparked something for you Chris!
Yup, I know, I need to work on that 'launch'. Thanks again.
I love seeing you experiment, Claire, and learning from it 🙌🏻
This was such a big one to explain but I’m so glad I did it. It feels counter intuitive turning off the flow/ options especially as I’m a big believer in payment plans but it really helped me reframe the gift I could give folks!
This actually makes sense to me and what I offer. I am an artist who has a video watercolor course behind a paywall, and I have just been having people be honest about accessing for a years pricing vs a month to watch and then unsubscribe (it's not a big deal BUT as I revamp with a new offering this year-I am going to do this!