1st of 3 Bonus Posts on Substack's 'contrarian market' ....
From the website link provided below, I learned several key Substack readership metrics. As of several months ago, the platform had at least 35 million subscribers. But many people visit Substack who have yet to become subscribers. The number of “monthly unique visitors” to the platform is a little over 50 million (and growing rapidly).
The same source also lists the top 27 Substack newsletters (based on estimates of annual projected revenues). Per my analysis, 5 out of the top 27 could be labelled “Covid” or “freedom” newsletters. These Substack newsletters are authored by Alex Berenson, Steve Kirsch, Matt Taibbi, Dr. Robert Malone and Dr. Joseph Mercola.
This means that 18.5 percent of Substack’s top newsletters basically cover the same topics as I do. For the purposes of this analysis, I assumed that the same percentage applies to all Substack newsletters. That is, a little less than 20 percent of Substack newsletters might be devoted primarily to Covid and “freedom”/alternative media content.
If 18.5 percent of Substack’s 50 million readers are reading “Covid” or “freedom” writers like these five authors, the market for such content would be 9.2 million readers. If one counts only current subscribers to Substack, this market would be approximately 6.5 million readers.
I currently have 5,646 subscribers. The market that might allow me to grow this number would seem to fall in a range between 6.5 and 9.2 million (median number: 7.85 million, or approximately 8 million prospective subscribers.)
Since its founding in 2017, Substack has experienced rapid growth in subscribers and unique monthly visitors. One would expect this growth to continue (then again, as I noted in a recent article, I once thought I would be at 10,000 total subscribers by now).
I formerly subscribed to all 5 of your listed newsletters, that are "covid" out of the 27 top newsletters. I cancelled 4 of the 5. Two because they got stuck on a tangent and went on and on and on about the same thing. Gone. The other 2, I cancelled because I wasn't allowed to read an entire post, because I don't have money to pay for articles. (Old, on very limited budget.) The last one standing I can't comment on, because I don't pay, but he allows people to read the articles. Some of the articles are really informative, so I stay.
Write more about your dog every once in awhile. Dogs rock!
Thanks, Bandit. You're not going to believe this; I was just feeding Annie some Chick-fil-A scraps and I thought of a great Dog Column. My first thought was that dogs are discriminated against because they don't get to eat people food ... and then I started thinking about all the dogs that have to get their rabies shots, which I've now concluded is a massive scam in itself. So I'm going to combine the two thoughts in an upcoming article. Don't let me forget.
Don't tell anyone, but I think my newsletter is just as good as those authors, who all (I think) have at least 250,000 subscribers!
(I now have 5,643 total subscribers - more than 40X fewer than the best-known "Covid" or "freedom" writers. As noted elsewhere, my subsciber numbers are now going DOWN. Two weeks ago, I had 5,655).
Some of us without kids spoil our dogs because we are crazy. My last dog, a black lab I picked up in Texas, I fed him at least 4 ounces of steak at dinner every day. Never could figure out why that dog never let me out of his sight...
I have to add that after switching our pup to a raw meat diet (w fruits and veggies), the change has been nothing short of miraculous. Limping, stiffness gone; calm energy, bright eyes and silky coat. I think it may even balance out financially due to lower vet bills. We don’t routinely use Dr. Marty’s freeze dried (always have some on hand though), but listen to his lengthy info-mercial on the benefits. All true!
I would hazard a guess that the 'covid writers' you speak of are the only ones still talking about it in the first place -- the fact that it's a smaller percentage of your work now is overshadowed (IMO) by the that you're still talking about it more than most. I think it's important to keep in the public consciousness - especially because they're still set up to do it again.
As far as being overwhelmed by the number of articles on Substack, that's a me problem, not a you problem. I do sometimes find myself deleting articles when I finally admit to myself I have no chance of catching up on them, but that just means I need to whittle down my subscriptions a little bit. I write about as much as you do, and haven't had complaints about it -- though I expect people just unsubscribe, which is fine, too.
Personally I don't like the crosspost emails because most of the time I already have the original in my inbox, but once again that's a me problem. Crossposting in general (or re-noting or whatever) is a great way to expand the audience for a good post.
I had lunch with a classmate last week, we see each other every twelve years or so. A bright research scientist/clinician, he still gets his news from CBC.
We have had single or dual source news for most of our lives and did not have to select articles by ourselves, our news was curated for us. 40 years ago one paper and one channel would suffice.
Now we have the responsibility to select our own "news" "feeds" and some of us understand how they are curated and personalised to cater to our revealed prejudices. What could go wrong?
I have to look at The Guardian at least once a month to keep track of the left wing narrative and use AlJazeera as a possibly balanced source for the war in Ukraine, and the Muslim view on Gaza.
The historic analogue is the US revolutionary pamphleteer, or the British equivalent. The centralised and homogeneous news "services" of the US 20th Century are failing despite co-option and subsidy (or vice versa) by powerful government interests. Your previous career "inside" is now finished, but there is no mechanism in "Substack" to "share the wealth." Many of us have limited resources of money, but all of us have limited time. I dropped my Globe and Mail subscription and switched to The Epoch Times, but I really can't add more feeds and services and still complete or attend to my chores.
The reason the wolves whisper is "fatal" is because in the mind of wolf - the wolves last forever they always have in the mind of the wolves - do you doubt that?
I don't - cause I heard the whisper - go read it if you doubt me.
I play for keeps and I play to win and I ain't kidding around - so Substack or not - that is true.
Finding our niche. I've accepted the fact that I'm not destined to be, nor would I want to be, a top writer with a large following. As a professional journalist prior to 2020 you obviously have a different set of operants driving your writing.
I rather suspect that a lot of unwanted attention comes with popularity of a writer. That could range from reputational attacks to attacks on income streams to denial of participation in normal societal functions, even trumped up criminal charges. There's a price to becoming a popular dissident.
So most of us will find our niche's, where we are contained or choose to be out of the primary crosshairs. Which comes with needing to find ways to sustain ourselves by lower standards of living and/or supplemental income streams. The price of truth telling. It's not a coincidence that monks and nun's who've dedicated themselves to God (all truth) have taken vows of poverty. With those atop churches living large becoming corrupt tools of Satan wearing crosses as camouflage.
It's the path truth tellers must often choose. You and I haven't chosen to take vows of poverty. We make our negotiations. Hoping to sustain ourselves comfortably enough, but always searching for and speaking our truths.
We find our niche. It won't be as breaking news and freedom movement leaders. It will be as writers who share subjects, topics, ways of thinking and analyzing the world around us, discovering and conveying patterns, rediscovering history lessons, inspiring others to do the same. Engaging in thought exercises, hoping our words and insights make their way into the public mind as others with more reach take in what our long form writing format provides and interpret, condense, share in their own unique ways. An idea "butterfly effect" of sorts.
At least that's my hope and aspiration. I don't seek a spotlight, I feel more liberated without one. Writing under Freedom Fox instead of my given name is a conscious choice that allows more freedom to speak my truth. As many other Substack writers have chosen to do. Even those who've become popular and enough paying subscribers to maintain better lifestyles. Which would be nice, too. But not a requirement for me to continue to share my insights and truths. We all make our negotiations. The most important choices we make are the difference between looking into our eyes in the mirror in our final moments with shame and regret or pride and satisfaction of a life well-lived.
Great thoughts (as usual), Freedom Fox. I really appreciate your posts, which do educate me and make me think of topics in new ways. As I've written, one of my hopes is that I might influence a few people who have actual influence.
And I definitely can now connect a lot more troubling dots.
Well, when our own gov't sets upon a plan to use a bioweapon jab to injure & kill us, along with corrupt hospital "protocols" & uses the excuse of a flu-like illness to close schools, shut down small businesses in favor of Walmart & Amazon types, demand masks for practically anyone still breathing....
It's time we wake up, & understand thugs in charge are serious about killing most of us! And if we don't have a right to LIFE, to breathe, all the other rights have just been demoted/eliminated. May God help us all to stand up against the thugs everyday!
Together we are better - Kropotkin expressed as much in the 19th century - we've only gone backwards since then and the elitist dimwits trying to stifle an idea better are destined to failure.
Bill, A handful of authors are always read. You are one of them. So you cannot fatigue me because your articles are always purposeful, pointed, and content laden. The truth eventually outs...sometimes you just have to tough through the apparent low points. But you have a quality stack and as long as it stays that way, I expect that world events will continue to point people your way once again, irrespective of any current fatigue (which is real).
I don't know about everyone else, but I want closure! And to me, closure means Nuremberg-style public hearings and then public executions via firing squad for Fauci, the head of Pfizer, and the other major offenders when they are found guilty of crimes against humanity, and long jail sentences for the enablers.
My major concern is that Trump is still touting Operation Warp Speed as a "win". This is probably because he never likes to admit that he made a mistake or was conned. So, I think Job #1 is getting Trump to admit that the Deep State lied to him about COVID and played him like a sucker. I think that admission will win him more votes and help justify draining the swamp. Trump is okay with admitting that they outsmarted him when they stole the election from him, so I hope he can be persuaded to admit that they lied to him about the jab.
This would be proactive because we all know that after a few more limited hangouts, the Demon-rats will blame Trump for the jabs being unsafe and ineffective. So, he needs to get out in front of that accusation and let America know that the deep state duped him but that he at least never mandated the jab the way the Demon-rats did. Also, he was in favor of an everything approach to COVID, including therapeutics like Ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine.
Dan, agreed on closure. Will it happen? By a miracle of God's intervention perhaps, otherwise no. We are moving relentlessly towards a collectivist globalist hive mind that is authoritarian at it's core and pushing the world towards the end-times as the bible speaks about.
I can give you closure - they manipulated you and that's all. They are not going to apologise as it was very big success. Its on you to protect your self next time.
It was only psychological and digital warfare. Nothing else.
I never got the jab. If someone is pushing something, as hard as they were, that is supposedly good for me, I immediately become suspect. If something is truly in my best interest, a hard sell is not needed.
Most of the above data and extrapolations provide reasons for optimism for a Substack author trying to reach the “freedom” or “Covid Contrarian” target demo. That makes me think the number of my Substack subscribers will, perhaps, experience significant growth in the future.
Alas, I can also report that my last seven Substack articles have caused my subscriber numbers to decline by nine readers (from 5,655 total subscribers to 5,646 at this writing).
So, in half a month - for the first time ever - I’ve lost subscribers. As I pointed out in a previous article, I was adding 300 to 550 subscribers every month in the first eight months of my Substack. I’m not certain what explains this sudden and negative change, but it’s probably worth noting.
I can maybe put some light on this from let's say real world expirience. The situation is now, that after the Covid scam is over, we (normal people) expirience a lot of inflation and the money situation is very tight for many. The thing which is going on now is optimalization of costs, many people canceled their Netflix, Spotify, their subscription to multiple services and saving money also due to job market situation and recession ahead. That's natural and it's result of the consequences which we endured during covid era. I also had finally time to reshuffle and as tax season is coming, many people are forced to calculate their income and outcome which can be painful.
It's just general observation, what I see outside in everyday life.
With the Covid writer, basically I was forced to substack only due to Covid. It was only place. For me whole substack is community of people who were perseduced during covid. If you were not, you could happily post on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google and others. So whole Substack from beginning is only covid resistance. It was even funded as alternative during censorship period, when it was really hard to find any channel not jammed. Many topics which people mention and talking about is related to covid as well. The X is direct consequence of Twitter being weaponized against certain group probably since 2016 and Trump. Till covid it wasn't so obvious and it was going under radar. Same with Google search manipulation, YouTube censorship and others.
I am staying on Substack becouse the group which saw or atleast question or try to investigate the covid has still some critical skills and intelligence. For me those people are really smart and before maybe had some Blogs but were not searchable anymore, becouse that Substack is so interesting. It's platform for smart and intelligent people. It will probalby go away as more and more people will join but that's natural process with adopting any platform.
BTW. If you want to expand your readership, then I recommend to go back to Twitter, Facebook and attract new users there via sharing posts or propagating them. That's the easiest way I think now. And with non-covid topics, they will not censor it anymore.
Great additions. I agree with all your points. Basically, you are pointing out that an inflation work-around - cutting out or cutting back on paid subscriptions - is probably the main reason the subscriber growth rates of many "freedom writers" have plummeted.
Examples of real inflation might be the subject of my next column. I'm going to compare prices of today to those I remember from my childhood.
Long ago, Ron Paul knew that real inflation was THE story of our times.
... According to the same article, Substack has approximately 17,000 authors who have generated paid subscribers. (My guess is that I am already in the Top 10 percent of newsletters based on total subscribers and paid subscribers).
If 18.5 percent of Substack’s 17,000 newsletter authors write on similar topics, that would be 3,145 authors who are competing for readers who might share the same “target market” demo. (I actually don’t think the number is this large.
For example, I’ not aware of one other Substack newsletter author in Alabama who produces the same type content I do. If there’s only one fairly well-known Covid writer in Alabama, my thought is there can’t be more than 200 or 300 in the other 49 states).
My guess would be there are 50 to 100 prominent “Covid” or “freedom” writers (those with at least, say, 250 paid subscribers and at least 5,000 total subscribers) who are my primary competition for subscribers. Most of my readers could probably easily name 15 to 25 well-known Covid writers and many probably already subscribe to 50 to 75 percent of these writers.
This makes me think 100 or so fairly prominent or established Substack authors are competing for 6.5 million to 9.2 million readers who are interested in similar subjects and content.
Of course, this is a friendly competition. Just like my readers, I want all freedom writers to do well!
I would note if there are, at the most, approximately 3,000 “Covid” or alternative writers on Substack, this number pales in comparison to the number of salaried journalists and editors who work for corporate or legacy news organizations.
Regarding covid related writings, I enjoy these and others as related to the many false flags and other inhumane exercises and movements the gov, 'not so elites', business, WEF, Bankers are up to.
However, there is some fatigue (as I read a great deal in this space) with a relative lack of active strategies to address these inhumane exercises and movements, across all writers.
News is good, discussion is good, opinions are good, but personally I'm now looking for action options. I appreciate this is not easy, but I also have some ideas about strategies to add to comments in future.
Thanks. I'm fixated on possible "solutions" as well. It's demoralizing to our side when we realize there probably aren't going to be any big solutions (it could happen, but it's a long shot). This is because many of us now realize all the important organizations are completely captured. The organizations that should give us our solutions ... are actually complicit in the crimes and cover-ups and so they'll never give us any solutions or expose any wrong-doers.
I still think we need just one big "truth bomb" to detonate - somehow, by a miracle. Maybe one important "truth-seeking" organization that is currently captured leaves the club, goes apostate, and becomes uncaptured.
Let's look at the very top of the collection of valuable, potential life-changing material out there to be consumed, the Holy Bible.
Many people consider the Bible to be either fiction or doom porn, or both. And many people realize that it speaks timeless truth to that part of humanity that has ears to hear.
There are several hundred million copies of the Bible, in over a hundred languages, for sale at this very moment, and sales remain brisk.
We do not become oversaturated with reading material that is of real value to the reader.
I'm a firm believer in that you can never have to much data and I say that b/c traditionally when it comes to anything related to government the problem has been too little information. Even though substack isn't government run or affiliated which is a good thing for freedom of speech, you still can't get too much covid related info that challenges the Feds/Pharma Industries official narratives.
I will admit that I have Covid deception fatigue. You and others have made the argument that you have and in doing so, have completely won me over. Ergo, I don't need to hear any more evidence, unless it is totally new and narrative changing in nature.
I believe that our political class and the deep state have done us wrong. There is little put out by the MSM that I believe. I owe that to you and others. Thank you.
I don't feel there are too many emails but that's just my opinion. At this current stage I would prefer to read enlightening articles about the various aspects of the wide-ranging deception by our government and that includes both parties. Having said that, I'm not a fan of cross posts, I trust you to give it your spin.
It seems lately that you have added a bit of variety and I'm good with that choice. There seems to be a rush of writers moving to Substack and I would think that more choices presented to the audience and Covid fatigue are the factors that are presenting you with a challenge.
Uh with respect to "Covid fatigue" let me suggest it is one thing to be tired of something another entirely if there is no accountability - do you know the difference.
Now, I could happily present the Monty Python episode on accountants and how effing boring their job is - he wanted to be lion tamer - but really - without accountability, there can be no justice - so do you realize that fatigue is one thing but apathy another - I'll tell you what I'm tired of - apathetic privileged fools who don't want justice. Lately - they piss me off the most and sometimes their efforts are evident....I think you post is genuine, but not well thought out.
Time will tell I reckon.
I know that I call for Justified Retribution and when a Wolf whispers in your ears - I suggest you heed it. When the Wolf in my mind showed up UNexpected - I didn't believe it was real at first - me and "Jimmy T" without discussing this decided as such, but then the evidence just became overwhelming and now I crave justice.
Moreover, as they say - first they came for the folks in *kraine, then it was those living in Gaza - well the Covid was part of the plan evident - and NEXT they come for YOU direct.
Thanks, Ron. On the cross posts, I always try to add my two cents on why I think this subject is important. Whenever I get a significant boost in "reads" and then subscribers, it's usually because more people than usual (and bigger-audience Substackers) cross-posted one of my articles. I think the "share" button really helps, although I actually actually don't know where most people share these essays. Facebook censors them and I don't think X allows Substack links any more.
There's no doubt there's more writers I'm effectively competing against for readership numbers. At the same time, Substack ought to be growing as well which means there's more potential new readers who could discover my writing.
So..The basic question is: How do we educate the Politicians in DC to STOP this push to create RNA injections. How do we stop this continued push to inject all humans with unsafe RNA cell alerting virus like coding that changes the blueprint of life? The FDA is endorsing the continued injection of RNA via EUA authority that should have ended. Clearly, the science has been evolving for decades and the warning signs have been ignored and the great harm caused is being ignored or rationalized. National Geographic in 2017 ran an article entitled "The Next Human" the dangers ignored by the medicine man. We are all aboard a runaway medical freight train.
"Is this too many articles?" If people post on Substack too often, and too single-mindedly, there's a hazard of becoming too much like social media. A core problem with Twitter is that every day, all through the day, you can readily consume complaints about covid and lockdowns, especially masking and the vaccines. It becomes wearisome, no matter how much you agree.
So, I'm voting for more spacing out of articles, and not writing as much about covid.
1st of 3 Bonus Posts on Substack's 'contrarian market' ....
From the website link provided below, I learned several key Substack readership metrics. As of several months ago, the platform had at least 35 million subscribers. But many people visit Substack who have yet to become subscribers. The number of “monthly unique visitors” to the platform is a little over 50 million (and growing rapidly).
The same source also lists the top 27 Substack newsletters (based on estimates of annual projected revenues). Per my analysis, 5 out of the top 27 could be labelled “Covid” or “freedom” newsletters. These Substack newsletters are authored by Alex Berenson, Steve Kirsch, Matt Taibbi, Dr. Robert Malone and Dr. Joseph Mercola.
This means that 18.5 percent of Substack’s top newsletters basically cover the same topics as I do. For the purposes of this analysis, I assumed that the same percentage applies to all Substack newsletters. That is, a little less than 20 percent of Substack newsletters might be devoted primarily to Covid and “freedom”/alternative media content.
If 18.5 percent of Substack’s 50 million readers are reading “Covid” or “freedom” writers like these five authors, the market for such content would be 9.2 million readers. If one counts only current subscribers to Substack, this market would be approximately 6.5 million readers.
I currently have 5,646 subscribers. The market that might allow me to grow this number would seem to fall in a range between 6.5 and 9.2 million (median number: 7.85 million, or approximately 8 million prospective subscribers.)
Since its founding in 2017, Substack has experienced rapid growth in subscribers and unique monthly visitors. One would expect this growth to continue (then again, as I noted in a recent article, I once thought I would be at 10,000 total subscribers by now).
Link with excellent Substack data:
https://backlinko.com/substack-users#highest-earning-newsletters
I formerly subscribed to all 5 of your listed newsletters, that are "covid" out of the 27 top newsletters. I cancelled 4 of the 5. Two because they got stuck on a tangent and went on and on and on about the same thing. Gone. The other 2, I cancelled because I wasn't allowed to read an entire post, because I don't have money to pay for articles. (Old, on very limited budget.) The last one standing I can't comment on, because I don't pay, but he allows people to read the articles. Some of the articles are really informative, so I stay.
Write more about your dog every once in awhile. Dogs rock!
Thanks, Bandit. You're not going to believe this; I was just feeding Annie some Chick-fil-A scraps and I thought of a great Dog Column. My first thought was that dogs are discriminated against because they don't get to eat people food ... and then I started thinking about all the dogs that have to get their rabies shots, which I've now concluded is a massive scam in itself. So I'm going to combine the two thoughts in an upcoming article. Don't let me forget.
Don't tell anyone, but I think my newsletter is just as good as those authors, who all (I think) have at least 250,000 subscribers!
(I now have 5,643 total subscribers - more than 40X fewer than the best-known "Covid" or "freedom" writers. As noted elsewhere, my subsciber numbers are now going DOWN. Two weeks ago, I had 5,655).
Some of us without kids spoil our dogs because we are crazy. My last dog, a black lab I picked up in Texas, I fed him at least 4 ounces of steak at dinner every day. Never could figure out why that dog never let me out of his sight...
It does make you more popular. When we all sit down and eat, Annie, for some reason, sits right by my chair.
I always tell my kids, "If I was a dog, I'd want people food too."
I have to add that after switching our pup to a raw meat diet (w fruits and veggies), the change has been nothing short of miraculous. Limping, stiffness gone; calm energy, bright eyes and silky coat. I think it may even balance out financially due to lower vet bills. We don’t routinely use Dr. Marty’s freeze dried (always have some on hand though), but listen to his lengthy info-mercial on the benefits. All true!
My dad thinks I am insane, but has admitted, if reincarnation is an actual thing, he wants to come back as my dog.
I would hazard a guess that the 'covid writers' you speak of are the only ones still talking about it in the first place -- the fact that it's a smaller percentage of your work now is overshadowed (IMO) by the that you're still talking about it more than most. I think it's important to keep in the public consciousness - especially because they're still set up to do it again.
As far as being overwhelmed by the number of articles on Substack, that's a me problem, not a you problem. I do sometimes find myself deleting articles when I finally admit to myself I have no chance of catching up on them, but that just means I need to whittle down my subscriptions a little bit. I write about as much as you do, and haven't had complaints about it -- though I expect people just unsubscribe, which is fine, too.
Personally I don't like the crosspost emails because most of the time I already have the original in my inbox, but once again that's a me problem. Crossposting in general (or re-noting or whatever) is a great way to expand the audience for a good post.
Thanks, SC. I love your newsletter and all your comments on other newsletter sites.
It may be a structural problem.
I had lunch with a classmate last week, we see each other every twelve years or so. A bright research scientist/clinician, he still gets his news from CBC.
We have had single or dual source news for most of our lives and did not have to select articles by ourselves, our news was curated for us. 40 years ago one paper and one channel would suffice.
Now we have the responsibility to select our own "news" "feeds" and some of us understand how they are curated and personalised to cater to our revealed prejudices. What could go wrong?
I have to look at The Guardian at least once a month to keep track of the left wing narrative and use AlJazeera as a possibly balanced source for the war in Ukraine, and the Muslim view on Gaza.
The historic analogue is the US revolutionary pamphleteer, or the British equivalent. The centralised and homogeneous news "services" of the US 20th Century are failing despite co-option and subsidy (or vice versa) by powerful government interests. Your previous career "inside" is now finished, but there is no mechanism in "Substack" to "share the wealth." Many of us have limited resources of money, but all of us have limited time. I dropped my Globe and Mail subscription and switched to The Epoch Times, but I really can't add more feeds and services and still complete or attend to my chores.
I would agree that general oversaturation has nothing to do with Bills choice of article subject matter covid or otherwise.
Have you read this story from "mwa" - I'm an early covid writer apparently:
https://buffaloken.substack.com/p/whisper-of-the-wolf
Just like you - simulation commander - I play for keeps.
The wolves whisper is fatal - so listen - to the early ones - like you, me, and Bill.
We knew better beforehand - that is fact.
Ken
The reason the wolves whisper is "fatal" is because in the mind of wolf - the wolves last forever they always have in the mind of the wolves - do you doubt that?
I don't - cause I heard the whisper - go read it if you doubt me.
I play for keeps and I play to win and I ain't kidding around - so Substack or not - that is true.
Finding our niche. I've accepted the fact that I'm not destined to be, nor would I want to be, a top writer with a large following. As a professional journalist prior to 2020 you obviously have a different set of operants driving your writing.
I rather suspect that a lot of unwanted attention comes with popularity of a writer. That could range from reputational attacks to attacks on income streams to denial of participation in normal societal functions, even trumped up criminal charges. There's a price to becoming a popular dissident.
So most of us will find our niche's, where we are contained or choose to be out of the primary crosshairs. Which comes with needing to find ways to sustain ourselves by lower standards of living and/or supplemental income streams. The price of truth telling. It's not a coincidence that monks and nun's who've dedicated themselves to God (all truth) have taken vows of poverty. With those atop churches living large becoming corrupt tools of Satan wearing crosses as camouflage.
It's the path truth tellers must often choose. You and I haven't chosen to take vows of poverty. We make our negotiations. Hoping to sustain ourselves comfortably enough, but always searching for and speaking our truths.
We find our niche. It won't be as breaking news and freedom movement leaders. It will be as writers who share subjects, topics, ways of thinking and analyzing the world around us, discovering and conveying patterns, rediscovering history lessons, inspiring others to do the same. Engaging in thought exercises, hoping our words and insights make their way into the public mind as others with more reach take in what our long form writing format provides and interpret, condense, share in their own unique ways. An idea "butterfly effect" of sorts.
At least that's my hope and aspiration. I don't seek a spotlight, I feel more liberated without one. Writing under Freedom Fox instead of my given name is a conscious choice that allows more freedom to speak my truth. As many other Substack writers have chosen to do. Even those who've become popular and enough paying subscribers to maintain better lifestyles. Which would be nice, too. But not a requirement for me to continue to share my insights and truths. We all make our negotiations. The most important choices we make are the difference between looking into our eyes in the mirror in our final moments with shame and regret or pride and satisfaction of a life well-lived.
Great thoughts (as usual), Freedom Fox. I really appreciate your posts, which do educate me and make me think of topics in new ways. As I've written, one of my hopes is that I might influence a few people who have actual influence.
And I definitely can now connect a lot more troubling dots.
Well, when our own gov't sets upon a plan to use a bioweapon jab to injure & kill us, along with corrupt hospital "protocols" & uses the excuse of a flu-like illness to close schools, shut down small businesses in favor of Walmart & Amazon types, demand masks for practically anyone still breathing....
It's time we wake up, & understand thugs in charge are serious about killing most of us! And if we don't have a right to LIFE, to breathe, all the other rights have just been demoted/eliminated. May God help us all to stand up against the thugs everyday!
Together we are better - Kropotkin expressed as much in the 19th century - we've only gone backwards since then and the elitist dimwits trying to stifle an idea better are destined to failure.
It is self-evident.
Well said!
Bill, A handful of authors are always read. You are one of them. So you cannot fatigue me because your articles are always purposeful, pointed, and content laden. The truth eventually outs...sometimes you just have to tough through the apparent low points. But you have a quality stack and as long as it stays that way, I expect that world events will continue to point people your way once again, irrespective of any current fatigue (which is real).
You are very kind, Dr. K. Thanks for sharing that. That's worth two new paid subscribers!
I don't know about everyone else, but I want closure! And to me, closure means Nuremberg-style public hearings and then public executions via firing squad for Fauci, the head of Pfizer, and the other major offenders when they are found guilty of crimes against humanity, and long jail sentences for the enablers.
My major concern is that Trump is still touting Operation Warp Speed as a "win". This is probably because he never likes to admit that he made a mistake or was conned. So, I think Job #1 is getting Trump to admit that the Deep State lied to him about COVID and played him like a sucker. I think that admission will win him more votes and help justify draining the swamp. Trump is okay with admitting that they outsmarted him when they stole the election from him, so I hope he can be persuaded to admit that they lied to him about the jab.
This would be proactive because we all know that after a few more limited hangouts, the Demon-rats will blame Trump for the jabs being unsafe and ineffective. So, he needs to get out in front of that accusation and let America know that the deep state duped him but that he at least never mandated the jab the way the Demon-rats did. Also, he was in favor of an everything approach to COVID, including therapeutics like Ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine.
Dan, agreed on closure. Will it happen? By a miracle of God's intervention perhaps, otherwise no. We are moving relentlessly towards a collectivist globalist hive mind that is authoritarian at it's core and pushing the world towards the end-times as the bible speaks about.
I can give you closure - they manipulated you and that's all. They are not going to apologise as it was very big success. Its on you to protect your self next time.
It was only psychological and digital warfare. Nothing else.
I never got the jab. If someone is pushing something, as hard as they were, that is supposedly good for me, I immediately become suspect. If something is truly in my best interest, a hard sell is not needed.
3rd of 3 "Bonus" Posts ...
Most of the above data and extrapolations provide reasons for optimism for a Substack author trying to reach the “freedom” or “Covid Contrarian” target demo. That makes me think the number of my Substack subscribers will, perhaps, experience significant growth in the future.
Alas, I can also report that my last seven Substack articles have caused my subscriber numbers to decline by nine readers (from 5,655 total subscribers to 5,646 at this writing).
So, in half a month - for the first time ever - I’ve lost subscribers. As I pointed out in a previous article, I was adding 300 to 550 subscribers every month in the first eight months of my Substack. I’m not certain what explains this sudden and negative change, but it’s probably worth noting.
I can maybe put some light on this from let's say real world expirience. The situation is now, that after the Covid scam is over, we (normal people) expirience a lot of inflation and the money situation is very tight for many. The thing which is going on now is optimalization of costs, many people canceled their Netflix, Spotify, their subscription to multiple services and saving money also due to job market situation and recession ahead. That's natural and it's result of the consequences which we endured during covid era. I also had finally time to reshuffle and as tax season is coming, many people are forced to calculate their income and outcome which can be painful.
It's just general observation, what I see outside in everyday life.
With the Covid writer, basically I was forced to substack only due to Covid. It was only place. For me whole substack is community of people who were perseduced during covid. If you were not, you could happily post on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google and others. So whole Substack from beginning is only covid resistance. It was even funded as alternative during censorship period, when it was really hard to find any channel not jammed. Many topics which people mention and talking about is related to covid as well. The X is direct consequence of Twitter being weaponized against certain group probably since 2016 and Trump. Till covid it wasn't so obvious and it was going under radar. Same with Google search manipulation, YouTube censorship and others.
I am staying on Substack becouse the group which saw or atleast question or try to investigate the covid has still some critical skills and intelligence. For me those people are really smart and before maybe had some Blogs but were not searchable anymore, becouse that Substack is so interesting. It's platform for smart and intelligent people. It will probalby go away as more and more people will join but that's natural process with adopting any platform.
BTW. If you want to expand your readership, then I recommend to go back to Twitter, Facebook and attract new users there via sharing posts or propagating them. That's the easiest way I think now. And with non-covid topics, they will not censor it anymore.
Great additions. I agree with all your points. Basically, you are pointing out that an inflation work-around - cutting out or cutting back on paid subscriptions - is probably the main reason the subscriber growth rates of many "freedom writers" have plummeted.
Examples of real inflation might be the subject of my next column. I'm going to compare prices of today to those I remember from my childhood.
Long ago, Ron Paul knew that real inflation was THE story of our times.
Bonus Post, 2 of 3 ...
... According to the same article, Substack has approximately 17,000 authors who have generated paid subscribers. (My guess is that I am already in the Top 10 percent of newsletters based on total subscribers and paid subscribers).
If 18.5 percent of Substack’s 17,000 newsletter authors write on similar topics, that would be 3,145 authors who are competing for readers who might share the same “target market” demo. (I actually don’t think the number is this large.
For example, I’ not aware of one other Substack newsletter author in Alabama who produces the same type content I do. If there’s only one fairly well-known Covid writer in Alabama, my thought is there can’t be more than 200 or 300 in the other 49 states).
My guess would be there are 50 to 100 prominent “Covid” or “freedom” writers (those with at least, say, 250 paid subscribers and at least 5,000 total subscribers) who are my primary competition for subscribers. Most of my readers could probably easily name 15 to 25 well-known Covid writers and many probably already subscribe to 50 to 75 percent of these writers.
This makes me think 100 or so fairly prominent or established Substack authors are competing for 6.5 million to 9.2 million readers who are interested in similar subjects and content.
Of course, this is a friendly competition. Just like my readers, I want all freedom writers to do well!
I would note if there are, at the most, approximately 3,000 “Covid” or alternative writers on Substack, this number pales in comparison to the number of salaried journalists and editors who work for corporate or legacy news organizations.
Thanks Bill, really enjoy your writings.
Once per week is often enough for a post, for me.
Regarding covid related writings, I enjoy these and others as related to the many false flags and other inhumane exercises and movements the gov, 'not so elites', business, WEF, Bankers are up to.
However, there is some fatigue (as I read a great deal in this space) with a relative lack of active strategies to address these inhumane exercises and movements, across all writers.
News is good, discussion is good, opinions are good, but personally I'm now looking for action options. I appreciate this is not easy, but I also have some ideas about strategies to add to comments in future.
Thanks. I'm fixated on possible "solutions" as well. It's demoralizing to our side when we realize there probably aren't going to be any big solutions (it could happen, but it's a long shot). This is because many of us now realize all the important organizations are completely captured. The organizations that should give us our solutions ... are actually complicit in the crimes and cover-ups and so they'll never give us any solutions or expose any wrong-doers.
I still think we need just one big "truth bomb" to detonate - somehow, by a miracle. Maybe one important "truth-seeking" organization that is currently captured leaves the club, goes apostate, and becomes uncaptured.
“lack of active strategies” 🎯
I read them all. Cross posts are always welcome.
Let's look at the very top of the collection of valuable, potential life-changing material out there to be consumed, the Holy Bible.
Many people consider the Bible to be either fiction or doom porn, or both. And many people realize that it speaks timeless truth to that part of humanity that has ears to hear.
There are several hundred million copies of the Bible, in over a hundred languages, for sale at this very moment, and sales remain brisk.
We do not become oversaturated with reading material that is of real value to the reader.
US Federal Government Dictionary Volume 2024.a
FDA Approved (Noun): to approve upon receipt of payment from the pharmaceutical industry to do so (aka bribe), an item waiting for approval
I'm a firm believer in that you can never have to much data and I say that b/c traditionally when it comes to anything related to government the problem has been too little information. Even though substack isn't government run or affiliated which is a good thing for freedom of speech, you still can't get too much covid related info that challenges the Feds/Pharma Industries official narratives.
Bill,
I will admit that I have Covid deception fatigue. You and others have made the argument that you have and in doing so, have completely won me over. Ergo, I don't need to hear any more evidence, unless it is totally new and narrative changing in nature.
I believe that our political class and the deep state have done us wrong. There is little put out by the MSM that I believe. I owe that to you and others. Thank you.
I don't feel there are too many emails but that's just my opinion. At this current stage I would prefer to read enlightening articles about the various aspects of the wide-ranging deception by our government and that includes both parties. Having said that, I'm not a fan of cross posts, I trust you to give it your spin.
It seems lately that you have added a bit of variety and I'm good with that choice. There seems to be a rush of writers moving to Substack and I would think that more choices presented to the audience and Covid fatigue are the factors that are presenting you with a challenge.
Uh with respect to "Covid fatigue" let me suggest it is one thing to be tired of something another entirely if there is no accountability - do you know the difference.
Now, I could happily present the Monty Python episode on accountants and how effing boring their job is - he wanted to be lion tamer - but really - without accountability, there can be no justice - so do you realize that fatigue is one thing but apathy another - I'll tell you what I'm tired of - apathetic privileged fools who don't want justice. Lately - they piss me off the most and sometimes their efforts are evident....I think you post is genuine, but not well thought out.
Time will tell I reckon.
I know that I call for Justified Retribution and when a Wolf whispers in your ears - I suggest you heed it. When the Wolf in my mind showed up UNexpected - I didn't believe it was real at first - me and "Jimmy T" without discussing this decided as such, but then the evidence just became overwhelming and now I crave justice.
https://buffaloken.substack.com/p/pee-wees-and-a-wolf
Not kidding around and well wishes to you - but really - only the resilient will survive - not the apathetic - they will die in apathy.
Moreover, as they say - first they came for the folks in *kraine, then it was those living in Gaza - well the Covid was part of the plan evident - and NEXT they come for YOU direct.
Do you want justice or just comfort in thinking?
If the latter you do yourself no favors.
I want justice.
Thanks, Ron. On the cross posts, I always try to add my two cents on why I think this subject is important. Whenever I get a significant boost in "reads" and then subscribers, it's usually because more people than usual (and bigger-audience Substackers) cross-posted one of my articles. I think the "share" button really helps, although I actually actually don't know where most people share these essays. Facebook censors them and I don't think X allows Substack links any more.
There's no doubt there's more writers I'm effectively competing against for readership numbers. At the same time, Substack ought to be growing as well which means there's more potential new readers who could discover my writing.
So..The basic question is: How do we educate the Politicians in DC to STOP this push to create RNA injections. How do we stop this continued push to inject all humans with unsafe RNA cell alerting virus like coding that changes the blueprint of life? The FDA is endorsing the continued injection of RNA via EUA authority that should have ended. Clearly, the science has been evolving for decades and the warning signs have been ignored and the great harm caused is being ignored or rationalized. National Geographic in 2017 ran an article entitled "The Next Human" the dangers ignored by the medicine man. We are all aboard a runaway medical freight train.
"Is this too many articles?" If people post on Substack too often, and too single-mindedly, there's a hazard of becoming too much like social media. A core problem with Twitter is that every day, all through the day, you can readily consume complaints about covid and lockdowns, especially masking and the vaccines. It becomes wearisome, no matter how much you agree.
So, I'm voting for more spacing out of articles, and not writing as much about covid.
Thanks for your vote, Arne. Duly noted.