13 Comments
User's avatar
Midwestern OG punk rocker's avatar

I'd like to pay but money is super tight right now with a spouse out of a career at this time and our tanking retirement plans. I wish there was a way to bundle writers you enjoy on this forum. Appreciate your views and wisdom and respect whatever you decide. Thank you for advocating for the vulnerable and those often forgotten by our society.

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Barton Lane's avatar

I'll pay, it's worth it, whatever. I have no clue as to monetization of anything. I'm just a doctor.

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GeroDoc's avatar

I appreciate that Dr. Lane! One option I was considering was making any and all “advocacy” & opinion posts about COVID free.

Longer form & more educational pieces maybe would be for paid, I DK.

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Joe's avatar

i would be happy to pay! You have shown great courage to speak out. You have brought to light the harm these lock downs have done to the very people Fauci etc claimed to care about.. thank you

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GeroDoc's avatar

I really appreciate that. What I'd like to do is keep an overwhelming majority, if not all of my posts still free for the public - but, let people who are willing or able donate (that way Substack can get a cut too - and frankly they deserve it - they are really helping to facilitate a fantastic service to the world).

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Susan's avatar

It would depend on cost - money isn't flowing freely here either. I would very much like to support you, though, because what you're doing is so valuable.

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SomeDude's avatar

I'm still subscribed to several people on substack who only allow comments from paid subscribers and lock most of their posts.

The little bit of free content is still good enough to stay on their lists.

100% paywall on all articles, I'm done though. I can barely afford my own subsistence, much less paid subscriptions

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GeroDoc's avatar

Ugh right?

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Woman in tech's avatar

Same as the dude here.

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Heardoc's avatar

My 2¢... with the cost of everything being more expensive now, fewer people have disposable income to spend on luxuries, like subscriptions, etc. I would leave it free if you could, hoping to reach more readers. You have a wonderful manner of writing and important messages to share for a population often overlooked or forgotten. Why restrict those who would like to hear more of it?

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GeroDoc's avatar

My wife tells me we are not in need of money and I'm providing a public service, so why go paid?

I think she's probably pretty smart. I may let this go for a year as a free blog and re-evaluate later.

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James Wilkinson's avatar

First, thank you for advocating for those who cannot always do so for themselves, and lending a compassionate view into their lives.

As a consumer of information demonstrating our humanity, and sometimes lack thereof, I certainly enjoy your essays. Who doesn't like everything for free?

As a business person, I would suggest building up your subscriber base more. When you go paid, people will expect regular content, even when you don't feel the urge. :-) Just make sure that is what suits you.

In addition, you will find that you will post a provocative article because that is what you want to talk about, and some people will take offence and drop their subs. Basically, people are more likely to ask for your 'service' in the form of confirmation of what they believe when they pay than when they do not. That may or may not be worth the coffee money to you.

You have (imho) a good plan, give it some time, see how you feel. Who knows, maybe this is a good gig for later and this is the pre-season. Good luck, and your wife is (always) right.

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yendi's avatar

we will understand if you choose to limit to paid Substack, good luck and thank you for everything.

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