On my way to the library where I often work, I stop to get a cup of coffee from the local diner. I could easily bring coffee from home, but I enjoy the ritual of stopping by. The coffee is great. I enjoy saying hi to the people working there. A few dollars is well worth the price to support the people and business that help me start my day.
For those who don’t know, my work is pretty diverse. I consult with non-profits, teach at two different universities, do freelance writing for magazines, write children’s books, host a podcast and write these weekly notes. It all shares the common thread of trying to help people move up in life as others once helped me. Some of the work pays better than others. Some, like these posts, don’t pay at all. Until now.
Starting this week, I’m turning on the Substack option to have paid subscribers. I hope you will be among the first to join.
Why Become a Paid Subscriber?
I started writing Moving Up Mondays to help me make sense of the world and my place in it. Make no question, I probably get more value out of it than anyone else. Which in part is why I’ve never asked anything in return. Yet increasingly people tell me how much these notes also mean to them. The feedback has been incredibly gratifying:
“Always thought provoking, thanks for taking me to another place for a few moments.”
“Thanks, Bob. A massively important topic for all of us.”
“So important, so necessary, and beautifully said.”
“Wow. I love this so much! Thanks for this sweet reminder today.”
“Beautiful! I just sent it to a dear friend who is struggling. Thanks for sharing these thoughts.”
“You don’t know how much I needed your words this morning.”
“Just a quick note to thank you for getting each week started on a positive note for me. I often share Moving Up Mondays with friends or family.”
“Once again your words ring true for me. Thanks for putting your thoughts out there to be seen, listened to, and valued.”
If any of these sentiments resonate with you, I hope you will consider becoming a paid subscriber.
What’s changing?
In short, not much and everything.
Not much: Others on Substack, opt to put all or most of their writing behind a paywall. I want to avoid doing that. There are students and other subscribers on tight budgets. Furthermore, there are people who could elect not to pay and miss that one note that could help them or a loved one through a particularly hard time.
So for now, whether paid or not, everyone will continue to receive the weekly newsletter.
Everything: Your support will be a signal to me that you value the time and thought I have been putting into this every week over the last decade. It will allow me to make this newsletter even better and focus more time on the book I’m working on based on these posts.
So why should I subscribe?
There are two main reasons to subscribe:
- Because you find these notes a helpful and valuable way to start your week.
- Because you want to support me and my work
But I’m also going to tinker with a few perks for paid subscribers including:
- Receiving discounts on my children’s books
- Sharing early drafts of chapters from my new book for adults
- Hosting an annual zoom chat to check in to see how everyone is doing
- Providing a year end list of recommendations for Moving Up
I’m also open to any suggestions you might have to make a paid subscription more valuable.
What will it cost?
$8 a month – the equivalent of two-three cups of your preferred morning beverage (or one if you get something fancy at Starbucks and leave a tip) or $68 a year (29% off the monthly price.)
Appreciating that different people have different budgets and perceptions of value. I’m also offering a Founding Member rate. Here you can set your own value proposition. If you think this is only worth one cup of coffee a month, you can go as low as $40 a year. If you want to show some extra love and support you can put in a price as high as you like.
Why now?
Many of my students often tell me that they don’t think that their stories are worth sharing or they feel like imposters and are afraid to put themselves out there in a vulnerable way. In short, they question the value of their words.
I have felt the same way. It is probably the primary reason I have resisted turning on the paid subscriber button for so long.
Yet I tell them that if they put themselves out there and share a part of themselves that people find of value, they will eventually be rewarded.
I’ve decided to take my own advice.
So, if you’ve found value in this newsletter, or just want to support the work I’m doing, consider becoming a paid subscriber. It would mean the world to me. 🙏
With gratitude,
Bob