Digital Creatives are Allowed to Make Money (on Substack)
Why is this even a debate?
I had a fantastic time hosting the Make Money Daily workshop last night. Fun was had and I love the opportunity to serve my wonderful community members. My cheeks hurt from laughing so much.
Upcoming Community Events
All Subscriber Meet and Greet/Q & A-It has been way too long since we’ve hung out. Join me on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 for a casual Meet and Greet/Q & A at 4:00 pm MTN/6:00 pm EST
Zoom link will be shared the day before
Beginner Make Money Online Workshop-Tuesday, June 25 at 6:00 pm MTN/8:00 pm EST.
Cost: $47
Paid subscribers-Get your 50% discount behind the paywall. Sign up using the link behind the paywall.
What is in the workshop? We will work on 3 different monetization strategies that all content creators need to get started.
Understanding how to evaluate your brand for potential money making opportunities.
How to design a pitch (to collaborate or sponsor your work)
Finding brands to work with or start affiliate marketing with
2 Years On Substack
When I decided to start a newsletter on Substack I had the vision of building out a tool that helped creators build recurring revenue. I wasn’t a regular consumer of content on Substack even though I was a subscriber of several writers’ work. Instead I wanted to create an anti-bro culture resource that highlighted how cool people I knew or had heard of were making money online.
Without being jerks. Without the bro-culture posturing.
Creators who normally wouldn’t get shared as often as I feel like they should. I share this to say that I designed Creators Getting Paid as a resource vs. as a space or portfolio for my creative work.
This project is now just shy of 1700 subscribers and over 1700 followers. I’m amazed by how much I continue to enjoy and love working on this project. It has been so much fun to build.
Affiliate Disclosure
“In order for me to support this newsletter, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog.”
Listen to the Podcast Episode
I share some additional thoughts in this week’s episode of Creators Getting Paid. Why I’m confused about the resistance around marketing creative work and some important lessons learned after 2 years of being on Substack. And the real question you should be asking yourself about Substack.
Here’s a link to the podcast player.
Writing as a (Paid) Art Form
It may surprise you that I have a pretty lengthy writing career. I starting writing my first fiction as small kid. In fact, on a recent trip to visit my relatives my Uncle asked if I was still writing. I laughed and shared that I sure was. In 2012 I launched my first blog that still exists to this day “Michelle is Money Hungry” (that’s the rebranded name) there I spent a lot of time musing about personal finance, financial policy and American money.
Because of that blog, I started getting to write for other people in different ways.
Freelance writing-Working with brands and individuals primarily in the personal finance/banking and some financial apps.
Course creation-One of my greatest joys was designing courses that helped writers start and finish their books. Many of the creators I serve are Women of Color.
Consulting-Helping organizations create a content interface that expands their services and impact to their clientele.
Affiliate marketing-Which really is copywriting in order to get affiliate conversions.
Substack Newsletter-I have free and paid subscribers who have a certain expectation of getting some type of helpful written content from me at least once a week.
Podcasting-Specifically, creating a run of show, scripts for solo episodes, etc. Prior to recording. I currently use Descript or CastMagic to create transcripts for guest episodes (I’m testing them both out)
I’ve gotten paid for each one of the writing activities that I’ve shared above. I love this for me and I want this for other writers. Each deposit into my bank account was validation that creative work can be paid work. And, if scaled right, well paid work.
What About the Romance Books?
Yes, I write and publish romance and in a few weeks I’m heading to the mountains to write my first book in years. The creative inspiration is back and I’m so excited to work on the story that keeps asking me to be writing. This will be the first book in a trilogy.
Why am I sharing all of this?
All of this is written (adjacent) work. Most of it is creative in some way.
How Do People Find Out About My Substack?
It isn’t by chance.
After focusing on newsletter quality and impact-I spend a lot of time thinking about the following:
How to help people find Creators Getting Paid
Diversifying discovery traffic to this work
Figuring out what resources to include in the newsletter-that aren’t shared elsewhere. There’s a reason why I curate my experts in the way that I do.
Today for Paid Subscribers
Behind the paywall I share the following in a 23 minute video…
How I’m growing my list
Why paid subscribers are NOT my #1 monetization strategy
Diversifying organic traffic to your newsletter
List Hygiene
Lessons learned along the way
Money Mindset and Marketing
Are you wondering what paid community members get? I’ve shared below.
Community Member Resources
Become a paying community member of “Creators Getting Paid”
A paid subscription gives you access to the following:
📹 Pre-recorded and live-conversations with content creators who have grown online brands in thoughtful and empathetic ways.
🧠 🏛Pre-recorded or live-workshops on different topics related to monetizing an online brand. Free and paid workshops. Discounts on paid workshops are offered to paid subscribers
🙍🏿♀️ Zoom and In-person Q & A’s and meet and greets with Michelle and the Creators Getting Paid Community