I'm Trading Subscriptions for Sanity

I’ve been struggling with this Saturday issue for PHR+ members. In part because I’ve been traveling for the past two weeks, but also because this past week has been especially rough for reasons I won’t disclose in this email. I’m fine, or things will be fine. And my family and friends are okay, so that's what’s most important. Unlike Thursday’s issue, I’m starting this article with a gripe and I’m choosing violence, even though I’m actually at peace in Wilmington for the weekend for the NC Black Film Festival.

My Issue with Paid Memberships

Paid subscriptions live in Stripe, and any changes have to be handled there, not on the email platform. This experience is true on both Substack and beehiiv, so it's not a platform-specific issue. When I was moving from Substack to beehiiv, I had to go through an insanely complicated process with Stripe to move paid subscribers over. I did it incorrectly for this newsletter, so I had to re-do it and just gift paid subscribers complimentary access on Substack instead of cancelling their paid subscriptions on the platform. I just gave up on trying to do this for Melanin MVP. Instead of trying to move them over, I turned off the paid subscribers option on Substack and just let the monthly subscribers know to cancel their payments. Call me crazy, but there’s no reason moving, upgrading, or downgrading subscribers should be this complicated.

Doesn’t having a newsletter mean owning your audience without the need for a third party???

Paid subscriptions are too limited in their current form. Subscription fatigue is real for subscribers AND creators. Only having the options to pay per month or year limits creators’ ability to vary their upload schedule in case things change. And life happens, so things change. I would love to see the options to pay per article, pay per series, and paid subscriptions for creator networks/newsrooms and not just individuals.

There are better ways to support my work that don’t give me a headache, so I’m bringing back the tip jar on BuyMeACoffee, adding a 1:1 consulting option, brainstorming some in-person and virtual events, and will be releasing courses soon. I’ve been racking my brain about how to create a SaaS tool/product for creator networks (like creating your own Netflix-style or Wondery-style or Time Magazine-style home on the internet) that could work for independent media companies or creator collectives, but I’m not a developer, so that’s not an immediate solution. Better analytics, more personalized freemium content recommendations, and more control over how your work is monetized. A dream unto itself.

Owning media files + supporting creators? Imagine buying a short film from a creator just like you buy a movie on Amazon Prime? Or paying for a virtual film screening just like you pay for a movie ticket at a film festival with a q&a session with the filmmaker? I’ll let you know my progress on that as it comes. I’ve got some ideas on where to start.

If I had to start over, would I do it again?

Since I started my newsletters on Substack, I’ve had paid subscriptions turned on from the beginning, even when I wasn’t writing paywalled articles. Though it has been unnecessarily frustrating, I think it was worth it to experiment with that as a revenue stream. Trying to make a paid subscription more personalized for creators who make things across different mediums is probably next to impossible with my current capacity. So I'm just giving away whatever is in my brain and on my heart for free. If you want tailored feedback to your specific business, project, or pain point, I can help through a 1:1 consultation (direct link to book coming soon, but emails are open). There are enough information paywalls to go around. I don't feel the need to contribute to that through this newsletter anymore. My feelings may change in the future, but for now, I’m happy experimenting with other things that fill me up creatively and that will be helpful for you guys.

I’ll still be posting on Saturdays and doing this creative sprint to the best of my ability, but if there was ever a time for me to ask for grace, it is right now. You guys seem to dig the chill Saturday issue, and I like the thought of y'all reading this like a morning newspaper while you enjoy a glorious slow morning, indulge in brunch, sip on a beverage, and have cartoons playing in the background.

With every email being free, that does affect how we make revenue from the newsletter. Long story short, you may see more ads. Engaging with the ads, if they are relevant to you, helps me continue to create and curate free articles for you. But no ad today, just writing prompts. If you or an organization you’re affiliated with wants to sponsor the newsletter, please let me know. We have pricing and packages available.

P.S. On Monday, I'm sharing my thoughts on top headlines in the creator economy. I’m in the mood to yap on business that isn’t mine.

Before we get into some writing prompts, I need to say one more thing…

Thank you!

• Thanks to everyone who submitted an elevator pitch during this first round! I’m excited to dig into these on Honey & Hustle with a very special guest!

• Thank you to everyone who has supported me through a paid subscription! You'll still get all the emails and my eternal gratitude for just being awesome.

• Thank you to everyone who responded to Thursday's article! I promise I've read them and will respond once I have a moment to breathe and give a thoughtful answer.

• Thank you to everyone who came to hang out with myself, Michelle, and Sasha on Substack live! We had a great discussion, and it was cool to see how different our experiences were. We’ll be back this coming Thursday with Corey, and we’re excited to keep bringing new special guests into the rotation!

Enjoy the weekend and these writing prompts!

It can be difficult to navigate the delicate balance between creativity and business. These writing prompts invite you to explore two powerful themes: generosity and divine purpose. Inspired by Oprah Winfrey's philosophy on wealth and Rumi's timeless wisdom on love, these prompts encourage you to reflect on how your business journey intertwines with personal growth, community impact, and spiritual fulfillment. Take a moment to sit with these questions, let them ruminate in your mind (no pun intended), and respond to whichever ones resonate most deeply with your current season of life and business.

Wealth, according to Oprah

• Write about a time when giving led to unexpected growth in your business.

• Describe a moment when community support transformed your definition of wealth.

• What's one way your business could serve your local community better?

• What would your business look like if impact was your primary metric of success?

• Describe a leader who exemplifies the balance between profitable business and social good.

Love, according to Rumi

• When did you first realize your business wasn't just about making money, but about creating a life you love?

• Describe a morning ritual that grounds you and sets the tone for a productive yet peaceful workday.

• Share a moment when you chose self-care over hustle culture and how it positively impacted your business.

• What boundaries have you set in your business that protect your peace while serving others?

• How does your business reflect your deepest values and beliefs?