Here to say that I completely share your view on affiliate links--I am happy to have a way to support those who are creating content that I value and sharing quality recommendations. I always appreciate the disclosure, of course. They are not a deal-breaker for me at all; if anything, they are helpful as I can decide when to spend money vs. having a monthly subscription fee.
So helpful! And I agree, and I'm pretty sure affiliate links are actually required to have a disclosure somewhere required by law, not that everyone does it all the time
Hi! Just here to say that affiliate links don’t bother me at all. I guess what does bother me is when all content becomes shopping-focused, when I am here for the musings :) Tbh sponsorships and ads don’t bother me much either -- I know writers need to make money, and I always appreciate when content is free to me.
I also have to admit that Substack paywalls are tough as a reader. Like you say, I want to pay writers for their work but paying each individual quickly becomes unrealistic with other budgetary priorities and the cost of living.
Thank you for this really important point! I agree I think it goes too far when content becomes too shopping focused (to support the use of more affiliate links, to make more money). What I wanted to put in this issue but it was already way too long is that when content is paywalled, it encourages writers (at least in my "sector," which is culture / personal essay) to write about juicy, more click-baity topics. And sometimes I find myself thinking about what topics to write about based on what would make people hit the "upgrade" button. It's different, but is it better?? I think they're both not ideal TBH–content becoming full of affiliate links, or encouraging writers to write about stories or topics they may have otherwise kept private is a slippery slope
I really appreciated the unpacking of the grey zone here! $15 per fleece!!!! That kind of pay transparency IS helpful to understand.
Where I lost trust in another blog you mention that no longer creates posts is that it was packed to the brim with “recommendations” in a way that lacked all credibility and perpetuated consumerism in a way that felt disingenuous. There is a threshold I think. Do you love it, or are you trying to make $15 per fleece? It becomes a REALLY fine line as a reader.
I can actually see some kind of “agreement” with readers being beneficial. A check in. How many links to keep your trust? Lol. Like right now my gut would say 2-3 links per issue, and the reiteration in every issue of a creator’s commitment to low affiliate link usage, would *probably* maintain my trust. More than that, and the motive is too murky. I online shop all day long, I too can find cool things on the internet, but there’s no curation when it’s packed. I don’t care about everything you love. I tell my husband this all the time: “you can’t LOVE everything, if you love absolutely everything, you really love nothing.” It’s just too obvious what is happening, and it perpetuates consumerism in the worst way.
I think people are over that level of consumerism which is why TikTok/Instagram are just ads and losing momentum. We don’t need every pair of jeans. We don’t need 5 tan trench coats. We don’t need 45 sweatsuits. It’s not realistic, our closets are too small. But what is TRULY special— what is really a great find— that can matter.
I guess this is to say that “no affiliate links” as a brand is similarly problematic. Okay so you still are telling me to buy things. I think maybe there’s something to your idea about communities of friendship and connection— I don’t want to buy more things. I can find enough things to buy. I do lack connection and avenues to foster more. That’s real.
Just wanted to say I thought this was a really refreshing take!! Have also been struggling with a lot of my favorite content being behind small paywalls now--feels very much akin to the streaming saga: breaking the cable monolith, having more consumer choice, but then ending up with more subscriptions and realizing you’re paying more overall per month than you might’ve been for your original cable bill. Now, I’m paying more for individual creator subscriptions than my NYT subscriptions. This makes me think of a similar convo I’ve been having recently with friends: we’re placing blame and responsibility with ourselves, when the system(s) should be held accountable. For example, online publications should hire writers, support unions, pay them well, and give them creative freedom. However, *we* are the aspects we can most easily control, and that type of larger change takes much more time. Making changes on individual levels gives us agency, but can take away + act as an immediate salve to the initiative needed to keep solving the larger problem en masse. Those publications are also just another entity within capitalism (#tearitalldown). So the brunt of solving systemic problems ends up being up to individual creators, although I equally understand how not having an editor to report into can feel like a huge sigh of relief. There are a lot of good reasons to say fuck it to a boss and work for yourself. All in all: I love the way you’re thinking about this, and would be down to see a few affiliate links per issue.
Yes!!! It's exactly like the streaming saga – at first it felt SO freeing and amazing etc etc and now I'm like wow I have to subscribe to YET ANOTHER service to watch that new show and all of a sudden it's more expensive than cable ever was. I still think it's *better* than cable because there are so many options and we can watch whenever we want, but has streaming spiraled out of control? Also yes. Thank you for all of this! x
Fellow marketer here going through the same identity/internet crisis you are. The joy! The night sweats!
In the name of transparency (your fave) I use to be a paying subscriber, but after buying a home and taking a hard look at finances, I realized my paid-subscriptions had snowballed and I needed to significantly cut back on all but a core few.
However, I too have come around on affiliate links, and hold the same position as you. Since I am only fed links from sources I choose to follow and trust, they feel less (spamy? pushy? markety?) and allow me to support voices with purchases that benefit my interests (win-win!)
The only thing that still gives me the heebie-jeebies are sponsored posts/ads. I 100% understand their place, but when I see 3, 5, 10 voices hawking the same product in the same week, it feels like I am deduced to a # that makes them money. It's the same, but it's different, ya know?
TL;DR: Affiliate links away! Would appreciate a different path to support while I recover from my subscription burnout.
Meghan this made me actually LOL! The joy! The night sweats! You get it lol. (Do we need a marketing emotional support group??? Not no.) This makes so much sense to me and I also hold a similar position on sponsored posts / ads. No brand has ever tried to work with me though lol. Subscription burnout! Yes! It's a critical point I think we may be reaching and it just makes me have SO MANY QUESTIONS about the future of monetization!!!
yes!!! Especially when the sponsored content is for stores/products that you know the writer does not use ( here's looking at you Walmart)!!! I also get tired of all disingenuine writing that comes from so many of these sponsored posts: I wear Vuori daily, Lululemon, daily, Athleta daily etc. Come on now, we all know that you do not. People can see through that very quickly
Also, I just noticed the asterick, but I don't think you need an editor! I think the same purpose would be achieved with some headers and subheaders to break it down a bit (instead of cutting down on the actual words/ content)
I’m completely ok with affiliate links! I agree that it’s kind of a finders fee and like you, I try to seek them out if buying something that was recommended.
The issue for me is more the business model of churning out a ton of gift guides etc that are hocking mostly high priced items so that there is a bigger roi (rather than genuine recommendations). Like when Shopbop has a sale and there is a gift guide on favorite items, it doesn’t really seem authentic, so much as an opportunity to use affiliate links on expensive items.
…But it’s also a catch 22 because I’d probably be ok with that kind of gift guide too, if I trusted the writer!
I am ok with affiliate links from a creator I trust. Joining the chorus here that I am constantly torn between wanting to support writers I love on Substack, and simply not being able to afford sooo many subscriptions. There are a core few, including yours, that I open without fail, but many (like Downtime) just remain unopened now as they are a bit pointless when I’m not behind the paywall.
Also, I love your long form essays, and I hope you continue doing them in some form even if not weekly. There is such a gap for honest, personal/cultural long form thinking and writing the way you do it.
Thank you so much Alea!!! We are very on the same page – I have this kind of running theory I've been thinking about a lot that every person has like a core 3-5 writers/creators that they love and will pay for gladly through a subscription. BUT – then there are plenty more creators outside this core group who we like/love but wouldn't pay for in the direct-payment model (but might support through an affiliate link or some other way) and that's where that model breaks down. As a reader, you have to decide who those core people are so you're not spending SO much money every month, but as a writer, it can be so hard/icky/weird to feel like you're almost begging people to consider you to be in their core 3-5 so you can (literally) afford to keep writing. (Obviously I am absolutely honored you consider me one of your core right now!!) But like you, there are plenty of publications I enjoy that I don't/won't pay $5/month for and don't read every single week, but that doesn't mean I don't want to read and support them in some way other than a subscription. At some point it's like yes, we are actually asking too much of readers.
And also THANK YOU so much – I am very committed to the long form essay I just think that right now I don't have one in me every week. I'm thinking of transitioning to a long essay every other week and having something else weekly... we'll see! xoxoxoxo
Agree that if the creators you’re following are open and honest about the products they’re promoting, affiliate links are more than okay!
As the consumers in this market, it’s up to us to decide if we like how our chosen creators are running their businesses. If you think a creator is toxic and only schilling products to make a buck, *unfollow*
I think you hit it on the head by mentioning if everything is behind a paywall, only those with the means are able to access the breadth of content that could benefit us all. The internet is weird and ever-evolving and I wish there was a simple way for everyone to make a living by simply creating good, solid content, but that’s just not the current climate.
I also wish you could recoup the money for those people who bought that coat! I almost bought it haha but realized I moved to Texas and probably don’t need another jacket.
All in all, you have an audience, and I don’t think you should feel bad about using your sphere of influence to make a buck if you genuinely enjoy a product. Hell, if I enjoy it, I’d be more than glad that you got a small cut of my original purchase! You’re providing a service at the end of the day, or none of us would be here.
At the risk of being long-winded, I think this long rambling issue of yours hit on so many valid parts of this larger conversation. We all like free stuff, but I think most of us here also want you and our other favorite content creators to be paid for their efforts. I would want to be paid for my work, and I think you deserve to be paid for yours.
Honestly, I so appreciate being let into your whole thought process here, even if it made it a longer read! I love the transparency and have also been struggling to figure out just how many Substacks I can subscribe to in order to support such brilliant writers while also being financial responsible to myself? I have no answers but fully support affiliate links!
Absolutely agree with everything you said about affiliate links. Please use them!
And I LOVE your essays. Will continue to follow and pay for the newsletter no matter what you do with it, but I do really really love your long form writing.
Affiliate links don’t bother me at all!!! I, like you, will purposely try to find one from the influencer who first introduced me to something. I never feel forced to buy anything. I’m a grown woman! I choose when to hit purchase! lol
Tbh, I subscribe to a handful of substack newsletters, but it’s not in my budget to pay for subscriptions for any of them. So instead, I enjoy the free content and work at not having FOMO on the content behind the paywall. I miss the Google reader/blog days!
I really respect how you’ve handled your newsletter and understand your dilemma!
If it’s an affiliate link to a product someone would recommend naturally, then I’m totally fine with it. But when people recommend a different “best X ever” every few weeks I feel taken advantage of, like there was a particularly good deal on the influencer side of the product.
I’d happily follow affiliate links if they came from you, because your writing style and thoughtful balance between paid and free posts makes me feel respected as a reader. I live in Europe though, so 99% of the products I see recommended can’t be easily purchased here. That can be pretty frustrating.
I also think that substack fees are difficult to afford! I just realised after a year that I accidentally had TWO paid subscriptions to the same substack. Ouch! Generally I feel like I need to decide on one substack to subscribe to, when it would be so wonderful to read them intertextually (for example, you and Leslie!)
Such a good point about the limitations of affiliate links if you have readers in different countries!! Makes so much sense. And yes, you can't have a new favorite of something every single week right haha, I get that feeling of being taken advantage of in that way. x
Hi Kelly! Just wanted to say that I don’t have (and never had) an issue with affiliate links :)
I can understand why some people might. But to me what feels ‘icky’ is more Instagram/blog post ads that really feel like an ad (as in, not something the person is genuinely excited about) or aren’t clearly signalled as such. Or when Prime puts an ad in-between every episode of a series *eyeroll*
And as another person said in the comments, for me ultimately it goes back to whether I ‘trust’ the writer to recommend items they actually like. And (again, for me) it’s done through reading honest/vulnerable/personalised essays like your newsletter usually are. For work I spend my days on LinkedIn sifting through AI or ‘catchy’ content about… nothing. Reading essays like yours is a personalised and human experience that takes me back to the early days of blogging :)
I completely agree with your view on affiliate links and am happy to support that shift for you! But, I really subscribed to you for the long-form essay content...so I hope that when you say "slightly less essay-heavy and more fun," there is still a focus on that piece in the revamped version!
As a marketer and person who is thoughtful about capitalism and overconsumption, I trust you to do affiliate links in a way that is not annoying or problematic. One thing I think about is with so many individual creators going behind paywalls and our budgets to subscribe to a few being finite, are our media diets going to shrink and we'll be listening to fewer voices? I know that I can only subscribe to a few and usually try to follow the free version of newsletters for months or years before I finally commit to a monthly payment. But since there are fewer publications pulling in a bunch of voices and I'm paying for insights piecemeal, am I actually limiting who I'm being influenced by? Obviously, you have to trust publications to vet their contributors and come with judgment to entertain ideas without just accepting them in an environment where there are a bunch big platforms that have a lot of contributors making content available for free. I've had all this same stuff on my mind, and none of it feels good or easy.
Here to say that I completely share your view on affiliate links--I am happy to have a way to support those who are creating content that I value and sharing quality recommendations. I always appreciate the disclosure, of course. They are not a deal-breaker for me at all; if anything, they are helpful as I can decide when to spend money vs. having a monthly subscription fee.
So helpful! And I agree, and I'm pretty sure affiliate links are actually required to have a disclosure somewhere required by law, not that everyone does it all the time
Hi! Just here to say that affiliate links don’t bother me at all. I guess what does bother me is when all content becomes shopping-focused, when I am here for the musings :) Tbh sponsorships and ads don’t bother me much either -- I know writers need to make money, and I always appreciate when content is free to me.
I also have to admit that Substack paywalls are tough as a reader. Like you say, I want to pay writers for their work but paying each individual quickly becomes unrealistic with other budgetary priorities and the cost of living.
Thank you for this really important point! I agree I think it goes too far when content becomes too shopping focused (to support the use of more affiliate links, to make more money). What I wanted to put in this issue but it was already way too long is that when content is paywalled, it encourages writers (at least in my "sector," which is culture / personal essay) to write about juicy, more click-baity topics. And sometimes I find myself thinking about what topics to write about based on what would make people hit the "upgrade" button. It's different, but is it better?? I think they're both not ideal TBH–content becoming full of affiliate links, or encouraging writers to write about stories or topics they may have otherwise kept private is a slippery slope
I really appreciated the unpacking of the grey zone here! $15 per fleece!!!! That kind of pay transparency IS helpful to understand.
Where I lost trust in another blog you mention that no longer creates posts is that it was packed to the brim with “recommendations” in a way that lacked all credibility and perpetuated consumerism in a way that felt disingenuous. There is a threshold I think. Do you love it, or are you trying to make $15 per fleece? It becomes a REALLY fine line as a reader.
I can actually see some kind of “agreement” with readers being beneficial. A check in. How many links to keep your trust? Lol. Like right now my gut would say 2-3 links per issue, and the reiteration in every issue of a creator’s commitment to low affiliate link usage, would *probably* maintain my trust. More than that, and the motive is too murky. I online shop all day long, I too can find cool things on the internet, but there’s no curation when it’s packed. I don’t care about everything you love. I tell my husband this all the time: “you can’t LOVE everything, if you love absolutely everything, you really love nothing.” It’s just too obvious what is happening, and it perpetuates consumerism in the worst way.
I think people are over that level of consumerism which is why TikTok/Instagram are just ads and losing momentum. We don’t need every pair of jeans. We don’t need 5 tan trench coats. We don’t need 45 sweatsuits. It’s not realistic, our closets are too small. But what is TRULY special— what is really a great find— that can matter.
I guess this is to say that “no affiliate links” as a brand is similarly problematic. Okay so you still are telling me to buy things. I think maybe there’s something to your idea about communities of friendship and connection— I don’t want to buy more things. I can find enough things to buy. I do lack connection and avenues to foster more. That’s real.
What a topic!!!
This is so helpful! What a topic indeed!!!!
Just wanted to say I thought this was a really refreshing take!! Have also been struggling with a lot of my favorite content being behind small paywalls now--feels very much akin to the streaming saga: breaking the cable monolith, having more consumer choice, but then ending up with more subscriptions and realizing you’re paying more overall per month than you might’ve been for your original cable bill. Now, I’m paying more for individual creator subscriptions than my NYT subscriptions. This makes me think of a similar convo I’ve been having recently with friends: we’re placing blame and responsibility with ourselves, when the system(s) should be held accountable. For example, online publications should hire writers, support unions, pay them well, and give them creative freedom. However, *we* are the aspects we can most easily control, and that type of larger change takes much more time. Making changes on individual levels gives us agency, but can take away + act as an immediate salve to the initiative needed to keep solving the larger problem en masse. Those publications are also just another entity within capitalism (#tearitalldown). So the brunt of solving systemic problems ends up being up to individual creators, although I equally understand how not having an editor to report into can feel like a huge sigh of relief. There are a lot of good reasons to say fuck it to a boss and work for yourself. All in all: I love the way you’re thinking about this, and would be down to see a few affiliate links per issue.
Yes!!! It's exactly like the streaming saga – at first it felt SO freeing and amazing etc etc and now I'm like wow I have to subscribe to YET ANOTHER service to watch that new show and all of a sudden it's more expensive than cable ever was. I still think it's *better* than cable because there are so many options and we can watch whenever we want, but has streaming spiraled out of control? Also yes. Thank you for all of this! x
Fellow marketer here going through the same identity/internet crisis you are. The joy! The night sweats!
In the name of transparency (your fave) I use to be a paying subscriber, but after buying a home and taking a hard look at finances, I realized my paid-subscriptions had snowballed and I needed to significantly cut back on all but a core few.
However, I too have come around on affiliate links, and hold the same position as you. Since I am only fed links from sources I choose to follow and trust, they feel less (spamy? pushy? markety?) and allow me to support voices with purchases that benefit my interests (win-win!)
The only thing that still gives me the heebie-jeebies are sponsored posts/ads. I 100% understand their place, but when I see 3, 5, 10 voices hawking the same product in the same week, it feels like I am deduced to a # that makes them money. It's the same, but it's different, ya know?
TL;DR: Affiliate links away! Would appreciate a different path to support while I recover from my subscription burnout.
Meghan this made me actually LOL! The joy! The night sweats! You get it lol. (Do we need a marketing emotional support group??? Not no.) This makes so much sense to me and I also hold a similar position on sponsored posts / ads. No brand has ever tried to work with me though lol. Subscription burnout! Yes! It's a critical point I think we may be reaching and it just makes me have SO MANY QUESTIONS about the future of monetization!!!
yes!!! Especially when the sponsored content is for stores/products that you know the writer does not use ( here's looking at you Walmart)!!! I also get tired of all disingenuine writing that comes from so many of these sponsored posts: I wear Vuori daily, Lululemon, daily, Athleta daily etc. Come on now, we all know that you do not. People can see through that very quickly
Also, I just noticed the asterick, but I don't think you need an editor! I think the same purpose would be achieved with some headers and subheaders to break it down a bit (instead of cutting down on the actual words/ content)
I’m completely ok with affiliate links! I agree that it’s kind of a finders fee and like you, I try to seek them out if buying something that was recommended.
The issue for me is more the business model of churning out a ton of gift guides etc that are hocking mostly high priced items so that there is a bigger roi (rather than genuine recommendations). Like when Shopbop has a sale and there is a gift guide on favorite items, it doesn’t really seem authentic, so much as an opportunity to use affiliate links on expensive items.
…But it’s also a catch 22 because I’d probably be ok with that kind of gift guide too, if I trusted the writer!
I am ok with affiliate links from a creator I trust. Joining the chorus here that I am constantly torn between wanting to support writers I love on Substack, and simply not being able to afford sooo many subscriptions. There are a core few, including yours, that I open without fail, but many (like Downtime) just remain unopened now as they are a bit pointless when I’m not behind the paywall.
Also, I love your long form essays, and I hope you continue doing them in some form even if not weekly. There is such a gap for honest, personal/cultural long form thinking and writing the way you do it.
Thank you so much Alea!!! We are very on the same page – I have this kind of running theory I've been thinking about a lot that every person has like a core 3-5 writers/creators that they love and will pay for gladly through a subscription. BUT – then there are plenty more creators outside this core group who we like/love but wouldn't pay for in the direct-payment model (but might support through an affiliate link or some other way) and that's where that model breaks down. As a reader, you have to decide who those core people are so you're not spending SO much money every month, but as a writer, it can be so hard/icky/weird to feel like you're almost begging people to consider you to be in their core 3-5 so you can (literally) afford to keep writing. (Obviously I am absolutely honored you consider me one of your core right now!!) But like you, there are plenty of publications I enjoy that I don't/won't pay $5/month for and don't read every single week, but that doesn't mean I don't want to read and support them in some way other than a subscription. At some point it's like yes, we are actually asking too much of readers.
And also THANK YOU so much – I am very committed to the long form essay I just think that right now I don't have one in me every week. I'm thinking of transitioning to a long essay every other week and having something else weekly... we'll see! xoxoxoxo
Agree that if the creators you’re following are open and honest about the products they’re promoting, affiliate links are more than okay!
As the consumers in this market, it’s up to us to decide if we like how our chosen creators are running their businesses. If you think a creator is toxic and only schilling products to make a buck, *unfollow*
I think you hit it on the head by mentioning if everything is behind a paywall, only those with the means are able to access the breadth of content that could benefit us all. The internet is weird and ever-evolving and I wish there was a simple way for everyone to make a living by simply creating good, solid content, but that’s just not the current climate.
I also wish you could recoup the money for those people who bought that coat! I almost bought it haha but realized I moved to Texas and probably don’t need another jacket.
All in all, you have an audience, and I don’t think you should feel bad about using your sphere of influence to make a buck if you genuinely enjoy a product. Hell, if I enjoy it, I’d be more than glad that you got a small cut of my original purchase! You’re providing a service at the end of the day, or none of us would be here.
At the risk of being long-winded, I think this long rambling issue of yours hit on so many valid parts of this larger conversation. We all like free stuff, but I think most of us here also want you and our other favorite content creators to be paid for their efforts. I would want to be paid for my work, and I think you deserve to be paid for yours.
Thank you Cait!!! And yes I've never been to Texas but my gut tells me you do not need another fleece haha x
Honestly, I so appreciate being let into your whole thought process here, even if it made it a longer read! I love the transparency and have also been struggling to figure out just how many Substacks I can subscribe to in order to support such brilliant writers while also being financial responsible to myself? I have no answers but fully support affiliate links!
Absolutely agree with everything you said about affiliate links. Please use them!
And I LOVE your essays. Will continue to follow and pay for the newsletter no matter what you do with it, but I do really really love your long form writing.
Thank you Amanda! That is really nice!!! 🥹
Affiliate links don’t bother me at all!!! I, like you, will purposely try to find one from the influencer who first introduced me to something. I never feel forced to buy anything. I’m a grown woman! I choose when to hit purchase! lol
Tbh, I subscribe to a handful of substack newsletters, but it’s not in my budget to pay for subscriptions for any of them. So instead, I enjoy the free content and work at not having FOMO on the content behind the paywall. I miss the Google reader/blog days!
I really respect how you’ve handled your newsletter and understand your dilemma!
Thank you Megan!!
If it’s an affiliate link to a product someone would recommend naturally, then I’m totally fine with it. But when people recommend a different “best X ever” every few weeks I feel taken advantage of, like there was a particularly good deal on the influencer side of the product.
I’d happily follow affiliate links if they came from you, because your writing style and thoughtful balance between paid and free posts makes me feel respected as a reader. I live in Europe though, so 99% of the products I see recommended can’t be easily purchased here. That can be pretty frustrating.
I also think that substack fees are difficult to afford! I just realised after a year that I accidentally had TWO paid subscriptions to the same substack. Ouch! Generally I feel like I need to decide on one substack to subscribe to, when it would be so wonderful to read them intertextually (for example, you and Leslie!)
Such a good point about the limitations of affiliate links if you have readers in different countries!! Makes so much sense. And yes, you can't have a new favorite of something every single week right haha, I get that feeling of being taken advantage of in that way. x
Hi Kelly! Just wanted to say that I don’t have (and never had) an issue with affiliate links :)
I can understand why some people might. But to me what feels ‘icky’ is more Instagram/blog post ads that really feel like an ad (as in, not something the person is genuinely excited about) or aren’t clearly signalled as such. Or when Prime puts an ad in-between every episode of a series *eyeroll*
And as another person said in the comments, for me ultimately it goes back to whether I ‘trust’ the writer to recommend items they actually like. And (again, for me) it’s done through reading honest/vulnerable/personalised essays like your newsletter usually are. For work I spend my days on LinkedIn sifting through AI or ‘catchy’ content about… nothing. Reading essays like yours is a personalised and human experience that takes me back to the early days of blogging :)
I completely agree with your view on affiliate links and am happy to support that shift for you! But, I really subscribed to you for the long-form essay content...so I hope that when you say "slightly less essay-heavy and more fun," there is still a focus on that piece in the revamped version!
As a marketer and person who is thoughtful about capitalism and overconsumption, I trust you to do affiliate links in a way that is not annoying or problematic. One thing I think about is with so many individual creators going behind paywalls and our budgets to subscribe to a few being finite, are our media diets going to shrink and we'll be listening to fewer voices? I know that I can only subscribe to a few and usually try to follow the free version of newsletters for months or years before I finally commit to a monthly payment. But since there are fewer publications pulling in a bunch of voices and I'm paying for insights piecemeal, am I actually limiting who I'm being influenced by? Obviously, you have to trust publications to vet their contributors and come with judgment to entertain ideas without just accepting them in an environment where there are a bunch big platforms that have a lot of contributors making content available for free. I've had all this same stuff on my mind, and none of it feels good or easy.
Oh wow the idea of a "media diet" is going to haunt me for the rest of the day!!