My First-Ever Open Thread …
Besides Covid outrages, what topics interest you? Also, why do some readers make comments but most do NOT?
I’ve perhaps now got enough subscribers and readers to do what other Substackers occasionally do - “An Open Thread” where readers opine on topics of interest to them.
My conversation-starting question today:
Besides Covid topics, what would readers like to read at Substack newsletters like this one?
Also, do you plan to keep reading Substack if and when Covid topics start to “get old?”
My first comment: I think uncensored and unmoderated “Reader Comments” are one of the best features Substack offers. I’m thrilled to see a growing number of comments at my own newsletter.
From Substack-provided metrics, I’ve picked up on an interesting point - the vast majority of subscribers do NOT make comments.
I currently have 4,260 total subscribers. From metrics provided by Substack, I can see how many of these readers make comments. Of my 4,260 subscribes, it looks like only about 100 people make comments - some on a regular basis and some only every now and then.
Also, some Reader Comments come from people who are not my subscribers but find my site from other Substacks.
That is, it seems that only about 2.5 percent of readers actually make Reader Comments. Said differently, about 98 percent of Substack readers never make comments.
“Not that there’s anything wrong with this” … I just thought this percentage might be higher.
So another question for an Open Thread might be:
Why do you make Reader Comments?
Or, for those who rarely make comments: Why don’t you comment (or rarely comment)?
So today’s two questions:
Besides Covid topics, what would readers like to read at Substack newsletters like this one?
Why do you make reader comments (if you do)?
Also, readers can now “buy me a cup of coffee” …
Thanks to my beautiful and tech-savvy wife, Carrie, I am now able to offer ko-fi’s “tip” function/link at my newsletter.
This will allow readers who may not want to subscribe for a year or a few months to make a donation if they’re so inclined.
When I held my first “Subscription Telethon” a few months back, several readers mentioned they wish they could make smaller donations.
I understand this sentiment as I know it can get expensive for readers who are financially supporting many Substackers with paid subscriptions. (In fact, one idea I’ll develop in the future is a business idea that would offer independent writers a “micro-payment” option. )
Ko-fi “tips” are not as cheap as the nickel my business idea envisions, but they do start at $1. My default “Tip Jar” is set at $3 but readers can make smaller or larger tips.
Monetary tips are always appreciated, but so are old-fashioned “story tips” …. which you can make in the … Reader Comments … Random comments are always welcome!
(As always, no Censorship at Bill Rice Jr’s Newsletter.)
I just got my first-ever "cup of coffee" gratuity. I just assumed it would be for $3. But I assumed wrong. It was for $50! An annual subscription is $40. So I guess my wife did a good thing installing that ko-fi function. And the reader, who I won't name, added that he doesn't make comments. But he's reading them. Many thanks. That made my day.
I’ll make the first comment: I’m not going to do any more Open Thread articles … if I don’t get any comments today!