Category: InternetCategory: Internet

Using comfortable tools is important if we want to make the work we’re destined to make.

Note I didn’t say the “right tools.”

There’s lots of opinions and made up rules about the right tools to use, especially in the marketing of our creative work. The Social Media Escape Club is based upon dismissing the idea that social media is the right way to get our work out into the world.

For many, social media is uncomfortable. Dashboard metrics are uncomfortable. The idea of “creating content” to talk about work is uncomfortable. Using certain software tools, or computer programs – they’re uncomfortable.

We’re allowed to not use social media platforms, or perform at noisy bars.

We’re allowed to turn down opportunities that don’t align with our values.

We’re allowed comfort and ease in how we work, and how we make our art.

Says Kening Zhu in “the joy of missing out on platforms:”

“The more I’m nourished by my work, the more that others have the possibility of being nourished by it too.”

This is why I moved my paid members from Substack to Memberful. I don’t like what I’m seeing on that platform, and right now I wanted to ensure I could protect my member and data by moving somewhere else.

Was their discomfort in the move? Of course. But that’s what platforms do – they make it easy to stay. Untangling ourselves from these platforms is difficult work, but if there is comfort on the other side of that, then it’s worth it.

I spoke with Max Pete back in May, all about getting laid off, moving across country, and finding his way into a new role with a new company in a fun way. Today he writes about “removing what’s not good for you,” starting with removing Instagram.

“I don’t need to see every vacation or life update in real time. I don’t need to compare my life to someone else’s highlight reel. I just need to be where I am. And right now, that means making space. Tuning out some of the noise so I can actually hear myself think.”

Being present is one of the hardest things when breaking with social media, especially since we’re so used to picking up our phones and scrolling when waiting in line, riding on public transit, or making coffee in the morning.

When we stop seeing what everyone else is doing, we can get back to what we’re doing.

I don’t publish a paid newsletter, I host weekly Zoom calls with members. Substack’s ability to manage members is very limited, and they haven’t made any meaningful updates to their system in the four years that I’ve been using their platform.

That, along with other folks losing data without any help from the Substack team has made reassess how I want to run my business, which led to moving my paid subscribers to Memberful, who are owned by Patreon.

They were very extremely helpful, getting on Zoom calls with me to walk me through the process and answer my questions, which made the move that much easier. I’ve never had a Zoom call with anyone at Substack. Finding an email address to get the export process started was a challenge, too.

(more…)

A most gracious Michael Maupin wrote this tonight, after chatting with a stranger for a bit:

Live in the world, but your Substack (and online life) is a part of it. They feed each other. You can’t be online all the time.

OPEN UP. Git yer ass outside.

I only really know Michael via Substack, but we’ve talked once on the phone awhile ago. Online met offline, at least by way of actual conversation late one night.

Same as Michael’s conversation with someone at a closing eatery. Stories shared, and he got a new subscriber to his newsletter. It’s not all about “growing our audience,” of course, but it all takes place one person at a time, whether you’re trying to run a store front, sell a record, or live a good life.

From Bree Stilwell, talking about crying upon the experience of human nature and college radio, and how getting there came from a piece I helped with called “Ghosting Spotify: A How-To Guide.”

And here Kid is, with his own radio show, queuing up Amy Winehouse because he and his crew ‘blast her stuff all the time back home’ and telling his dad on-air that hosting his show would never have happened without him.

I cried into my breakfast not only because I’m a mom and often daydream about such flagrant and public gratitude from my own kids

Read the rest of “How a student DJ made me cry into my breakfast.” Then close your music streaming app and find a nearby radio station to listen to.