I dunno Mic, back in the day (2007-10) I built up a modest 14-15K on Twitter, to which I added another 10-12k others as fellow networkers. We eventually set up a media business where you could ‘buy my space but not my opinion’ in a niche that was big enough to support $170k deals. We turned that into a handsome cash machine and after 7+ years I ended up with a 7 fig GBP retirement fund on which I really retired. I saw plenty of so-called journalists who were fab writers and even better schmoozers who jumped from one ship to another, shapeshifting to their publisher’s agendas which were 100% ad driven. Apart from the fact that model is a zombie economy ON its own, Substack is great for early adopters like you who don’t want the hassle of building a media prop (that’s what substack’s model is claiming but it’s really a network with a subs mod and a few frilly bits.) BUT it needs who it thinks are rock stars Aaronovitch? And whomever those other folks are. Really? Sigh!! What I’m saying is apart from hearing his name on a few occasions, I DON’T GIVE A FLYING FUCK about these people. They’re just not that interesting. Neither were the toss pots I saw fellating my customers and endng up giving head for little or no reward...so, except when they stole material, I refused to give them oxygen. Not worth the angst and a massive distraction to my business.
We're probably not her expected audience but Rebecca Reid's stack 'This is me trying' is very good. First discovered her via a column in The I Paper and followed her since.
It would be interesting to extend this series by reaching out to Sy Hersh, who was ex-communicated by the media and forced onto Substack. Given the content - and reach - of his reporting from there, that would be of great public interest too.
Popular Information by Judd Legum is a Substack I would strongly recommend. Investigative journalism which gets consistent tangible results is a rare thing these days.
Served with your Dad, back in the day. Great writing.
I dunno Mic, back in the day (2007-10) I built up a modest 14-15K on Twitter, to which I added another 10-12k others as fellow networkers. We eventually set up a media business where you could ‘buy my space but not my opinion’ in a niche that was big enough to support $170k deals. We turned that into a handsome cash machine and after 7+ years I ended up with a 7 fig GBP retirement fund on which I really retired. I saw plenty of so-called journalists who were fab writers and even better schmoozers who jumped from one ship to another, shapeshifting to their publisher’s agendas which were 100% ad driven. Apart from the fact that model is a zombie economy ON its own, Substack is great for early adopters like you who don’t want the hassle of building a media prop (that’s what substack’s model is claiming but it’s really a network with a subs mod and a few frilly bits.) BUT it needs who it thinks are rock stars Aaronovitch? And whomever those other folks are. Really? Sigh!! What I’m saying is apart from hearing his name on a few occasions, I DON’T GIVE A FLYING FUCK about these people. They’re just not that interesting. Neither were the toss pots I saw fellating my customers and endng up giving head for little or no reward...so, except when they stole material, I refused to give them oxygen. Not worth the angst and a massive distraction to my business.
We're probably not her expected audience but Rebecca Reid's stack 'This is me trying' is very good. First discovered her via a column in The I Paper and followed her since.
It would be interesting to extend this series by reaching out to Sy Hersh, who was ex-communicated by the media and forced onto Substack. Given the content - and reach - of his reporting from there, that would be of great public interest too.
Married to Melanie Phillips... wow.
Popular Information by Judd Legum is a Substack I would strongly recommend. Investigative journalism which gets consistent tangible results is a rare thing these days.