#Substack Marketing Tips

[mehmetyildizmelbourne-blog]

Substack Mastery Book: Chapter 10

How to Use Substack Newsletters for Marketing and Sales for Supplementary Income One of the most common questions I receive is whether freelance writers can use Substack to market and sell their products or services and how to do it effectively. The short answer is yes, but it is crucial to understand the process, its nuances, best practices, and pitfalls, as I will cover in this chapter since…

[astroismypassion]

✨PART OF FORTUNE IN SIGNS AND HOUSES SERIES: 4TH HOUSE✨

Credit goes to astrology blog @astroismypassion

ARIES PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 4TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Aries and Cancer Sun people in your life. You could make money via starting your own small business from home or take a leadership role, especially in the kitchen, family matters, children, education, history and geography. You may be an excellent tour guide of your local town. You may also find wealth through becoming a coach, personal trainer or someone who suggest meal plan for a specific sport, for example meal plan for runners.

TAURUS PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 4TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Taurus and Cancer Sun people in your life. You could make money via real estate, gardening, landscaping, art and craftsmanship. You can sell handmade items, such as pottery, jewelry or home decor. You may also offer gardening services, sell plants or draw plants and sell your drawings online. You could start a home-based catering service, bakery or sell homemade goods at a local market. You might be able to create financial plans for families since you have a knack for helping others to manage their finances.

GEMINI PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 4TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Gemini and Cancer Sun people in your life. You could make money via writing articles, blogs, even e-books from home. Especially on platforms like Medium, Substack or starting your own blog from the comfort of your home. You may also offer tutoring services o reven create online courses in subjects you are passionate about (Udemy, Coursera, VIPKid).

CANCER PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 4TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Cancer Sun people in your life. You could make money via a home-based business, such as home bakery, daycare or arts and crafts. You could find abundance in life by becoming a life coach, counselor or therapist. You may earn money from a home-cooked meal delivery. You can also each yourself interior design.

LEO PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 4TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Leo and Cancer Sun people in your life. You could make money via music, singing, performing from home, tutoring someone in music and teaching them how to play an instrument. You may also post tutorials (for example guitar tutorials) online from the comfort of your home.

VIRGO PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 4TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Virgo and Cancer Sun people in your life. You could make money via selling your homemade jams, pies or granola mix. You may also offer healthy student snacks or offer tips on how to make those at home with cheap and easy ingredients. Again, you could feel abundant when starting a podcast or your own local book club or even themed book club.

LIBRA PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 4TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Libra and Cancer Sun people in your life. You could make money via designing and selling your own T-shirts, designing logos for other people. You could be good at doing make up for weddings or birthday parties. You have a knack to be an excellent host at your own home. You feel the most abundant when you have balanced family relations and friendships, partnership.

SCORPIO PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 4TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Scorpio and Cancer Sun people in your life. You could make money via teaching people how to overcome tough situations in life and helping them find their purpose, hosting a leadership course online or from home. You may also enjoy talking about mental health and psychology.

SAGITTARIUS PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 4TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Sagittarius and Cancer Sun people in your life. You could make money via showing tourists your hometown, hosting a culinary course in a foreign language on the local cuisine. You could also find abundance by becoming a local tour guide, even offering virtual tours of your local town.

CAPRICORN PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 4TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Capricorn and Cancer Sun people in your life. You could make money via working with your parents, helping other families finding structure and order in the home, organising someone's closet.

AQUARIUS PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 4TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Aquarius and Cancer Sun people in your life. You could make money via video gaming from home and streaming. You could also start a home-based business. You feel the wealthiest when you are being progressive, unique and standing out from the community. You may attract wealth by starting a podcast with your close friends, building websites from home or launching your own social media channel, platform.

PISCES PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 4TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Pisces and Cancer Sun people in your life. You could make money via taking photos of families or pregnant women. You may also do videos for someone's wedding, anniversary or birthday. You may host themed parties at home for your friends or poetry nights.

Credit goes to astrology blog @astroismypassion

[adickaboutspoons]

Happy sexual Sunday. In honor of Rhys announcing his upcoming substack by pointing at hand-written bulletpoints on a chalkboard with a screwdriver, I want to share the OnlyFans Stede idea that has been in my plot bunny pen for ages, but prolly isn't going to go anywhere. Stede's OF account was set up for him by Lucius, and is completely neutral content of him demonstrating basic auto maintenance and, like, how to tie a fishing lure, and a bunch of other Dad things, and he's completely oblivious to how unintentionally suggestive he's being. Like, he's filming himself working in the garden when it's super hot out, makes a "it's not the heat, it's the humidity" dad joke, strips off his shirt and uses it to mop his brow. He's on his hands and knees, pulling up weeds, and when he manages to pull up a particularly stubborn one, roots and all, kind-of-whispery/grunting-to-himself, "Aww, yeah. That's what you want, baby." Then he sits back and takes a deep drink from his water bottle, and accidentally holds it near his crotch while encouraging his watchers to stay hydrated. Ed is one of his subscribers and finds the whole thing just brain-meltingly hot. Eventually, they accidentally meet IRL, and Ed is trying to be SO COOL and not let it be known that he knows this guy and where from. And then they keep running into one another (by total coincidence - Ed hasn't become a convert to going to the farmer's market instead of just picking shit up from the grocery store on the off (likely) chance of running into Stede while he's there. Not at ALL.), and start becoming friendly. It's during one of these meetings Ed accidentally slips that he's a subscriber. He's mortified. For a moment he thinks Stede is going to get all weirded out. But Stede is just like "Oh! You like the feed? Why didn't you say so?! Always glad to meet my Only Fan!" (Stede has a v. healthy subscribership, but he thinks making the Only Fan joke is Hilarious) Stede asks for his username, and when he tells him, Stede is all "Oh! I know YOU! I can't tell you how much your feedback means to me. Always leaves me feeling all glowy for days!" Ed is all blushy and stammery and, "Uh... yeah, man. Me too." He offers Ed a hug, and Ed is internally combusting. Stede is all "If you've got any ideas for the feed, I'm always open to suggestions. Is there anything you'd like to see me doing?" There are MANY things Ed would like to see him doing. None of which are appropriate to give voice to in a crowded open-air market. Eventually eventually, after many instances where Ed is going crazy trying to figure out if it's a date or just a hang, there would be a v. thorough railing wherein Stede whispers all the tender, affirmational things Ed could ever have wished to hear. So! here's the only bit of it I've actually bothered to write:

The man on the screen smeared a little grease around the tight little hole, then inserted the cylinder into the gap in one smooth, gratifying motion. "There we are," he said, his voice a low, self-satisfied hum, "A nice, tight fit. And doesn't it feel good to do it yourself?"

Ed's breathing picked up pace a little.

"And that's how you replace a spark plug. Nothing shocking about it." He smiled a charming, little shit-eating grin and winked at the camera.

Ed's breath caught in his throat.

"So that's it for this one! Thanks, as always to my subscribers, and a special tip of the hat to this week's new friends," he looked away from the camera and put on a pair of gold wire-rimmed glasses. Ed swooned a little as he read out the names from an actual printed page.

At the end of it, he took off the glasses and looked directly into the camera again, his eyes soft and his smile genuine and kind. "Thank you for sharing this time with me. Lots of love!"

There was nothing explicitly sexual about the CapriSun_Erotica OnlyFans page. In fact, the most shocking thing about it was how roundly wholesome the content was. Just a man and his phone camera and a world of practical advice and dad jokes. An intensely hot man in the tiniest shorts or tightest jeans Ed had ever seen, who seemed allergic to doing up the top three buttons on his shirts, and that radiated so much DILF energy Ed was a little astonished the videos didn't just melt his phone screen. It was the most intensely arousing thing Ed had ever seen.

He eased himself out of his boxers and hit the replay button.

When he had cleaned himself up, he tapped out a quick reply. "Hey DaddyStede, great vid as usual. Really got my motor running. 😘"

[nanowrimo]

Journaling Practices to Help With Writing Funks

Feeling stuck in your writing? Journaling might be your answer to getting unstuck! NaNo Participant Ashley has some tips on using journaling as a guide to get you writing again. We all know writing is no easy feat, and it can be especially difficult when we find ourselves in a funk. Sometimes it’s best to take a break, reset, and turn our energy elsewhere and inward to help us get re-focused on the goal ahead. So, whether you’re struggling to start a new work or find yourself stumped on writing that next chapter, try these tips to help you get over the hump.

1. Brain dump

A brain dump is exactly what it sounds like. Grab a journal and write down everything on your mind. It can be specific to what you’re currently working on, or just anything that’s taking up space in your head. Set a timer for 5 minutes and let the thoughts flow. If you find this difficult to do, maybe start with one of these prompts:

What are five things I accomplished today?

How can I prioritize myself and my everyday tasks better?

Are there any goals I’d like to accomplish this week/month/year?

Pro tip: Using the voice note app on your phone works just as well! Go for a walk or hop in your car for a drive and talk all your thoughts out until there’s nothing left to say.

2. Use a guided journal

I’m a big fan of guided journals when I can’t seem to find the inspiration to write. Something about a journal prompt and the space to write freely about a variety of topics really helps me to get out of my head. There are a ton of guided journals out there, but these are a few of my favorites:

Cleo Wade’s Heart Talk

Rupi Kaur’s Healing Through Words

Michelle Obama’s Becoming

3. Keep a gratitude log

One of the best ways to get grounded and re-centered is by simply paying attention and being present to the world around us. Start your day or end your night making a list of 5-10 things you're grateful for. You can even take it a step further by choosing 1 or 2 things from your list and going into more detail about why you’re grateful for it. Give yourself a few minutes every day for this practice, and by the end of the week you’ll have a long list to look back on and come back to when you’re feeling stuck.

4. Get into nature

A change of scenery is another great way to switch up your writing routine. Find a new or familiar park, take a walk, and observe the nature around you. Take notes in your phone or in your journal of everything that comes to mind using your five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch). Get creative with what you jot down and write a poem from your observations, or perhaps a short story.

Ashley is a content marketer by day and aspiring nonfiction writer by night. She’s built a career of brand storytelling and now hopes to share stories from her own life on healing and self-care as she begins working on her first book. Follow her journey on Substack or Medium. Photo by Charlotte May from Pexels

[jonathanwrotethis]

Authenticity

Following the quite predictable implosion and subsequent exodus of users from the hellscape that Twitter became once Elon gave free reign to the toxic horde, I “followed the spiders” across the internet in search of somewhere better to procrastinate.

A part of me asks “why bother”. There will always be somewhere new to discover - the internet never slows down. I'm often caught between the idea of setting up a beach-head for myself - becoming a fool on a hill - or descending into any of the “town squares” - the various popular social networks that seem to rise and fall every few years.

I’ve been writing a public journal - a “blog” - for over twenty years. Along the way I’ve seen countless platforms come and go. In the beginning of course there were no platforms - if you wanted to publish your thoughts it meant signing up for a web hosting account. Everybody was an island, and we would spend time building bridges among the archipelago.

In the same way that Wells' martians gazed jealously towards Earth, so Meta must have looked upon Twitter, given the speed with which they resurrected a long dead social experiment, re-badged it “Threads”, and set out on a spectacularly successful user trawling expedition.

For a while Threads seemed like it might be the future for many - an advertising free micro-blogging platform - a free start initially absent of marketers, advertisers, and trolls. Notice the word “initially”. A tipping point has been reached in recent weeks - a critical mass that has drawn the gaze of the brands, marketers and trolls. Suddenly the small-town feel of Threads has begun to erode - with it’s numerous small communities seeing the arrival of chain coffee shops, restaurants, bill-boards, shopping malls, and the inevitable army of trolls, attention seekers and “influencers” that follow any community where they might command eyeballs, hearts and minds.

We’ve been here before.

Blogger, ICQ, Geocities, LiveJournal, Vox, Posterous, Yahoo 360, Jaiku, Plurk, Tumblr, Wordpress, TypePad, MySpace, MoveableType, Google+, Buzz… I could go on.

While a few of those platforms are still with us, they are a shadow of what they once were. As each platform has taken it’s place in the sun migrations have emptied each of it’s neighbours. In more recent times “the community” came together to “fix” the ever-repeating cycle of silos and ring-fenced communities - giving birth to “the fediverse” - the “federated internet” - where no one company owns or controls either a platform, or your data. The only problem with this lofty ideal? It requires effort on the part of it’s users.

People are lazy. And busy.

Why even think about building your own city, when you can arrive on the doorstep of an already thriving metropolis and immediately set about finding your tribe? It explains why Mastodon, Pixeltube, Peerfed, Friendica, and Writefreely have never gained significant traction against the likes of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.

I didn’t set out to write a monologue. I set out to wonder where might be best to “throw my hat” in the months ahead. Where might be “good enough”. Where I might find a tribe that doesn’t expect too much, but might also appreciate me quietly sitting in a corner and volunteering my tuppence-worth every now and again. Not sharing selfies every day like the attention-whore glitterati that have descended on Threads - more emptying my head into the keyboard about subjects that nobody else was thinking about, or really set out to read about.

You know the funny thing? I may have found my ultimate destination some time ago, but didn’t realise it.

Substack.

Yes, they’re paying to attract influential writers, and yes, they could do with a small army of user interface and interaction designers, but my word has their trajectory been spectacular. Where else can you find the likes of Patti Smith, Margaret Atwood, Salman Rushdie, Stephen Fry, Chuck Palahniuk, Nick Hornby, Richard Dawkins and Pamela Anderson (yes, that Pamela Anderson) writing personal blogs, alongside a rapidly growing community of old-media journalists, retired columnists, and plain-old-garden-bloggers such as myself?

Of course this is me though, and rather than switch platforms yet again, I’m trying to be everywhere, for everybody, all at once (isn’t that a movie title?). I’m cross-posting to Wordpress, Tumblr, Medium, and Substack.

Now and again the urge to find out what other’s think of each platform overtakes me, and a quick search uncovers an entire universe of commercial bloggers espousing Wordpress rule over the internet universe, and how you can buy their get-rich-quick series of posts, videos, and podcasts about how you too can live happily ever after while holed up in a perfect cabin with a laptop somewhere.

It strikes me that the same writers that destroyed Wordpress - turning it into a publishing rather than a blogging platform - arrive at any sufficiently popular platform and mansplain to the masses what to write, how to write, when to write it, and so on - you know, instead of telling anybody how their day went - unless of course that doesn’t preclude carefully posed, heavily photoshopped gym-flex photos of themselves inbetween yoga and boutique coffee shop visits.

I’m not ranting. In the words of the Dowager Countess of Grantham, “I’m explaining”. And certainly not mansplaining - more muttering to myself while the rest of the world gets on with it’s day, oblivious to the unfolding idiocy that doesn’t seem to matter to anybody else.

This post doesn’t really have a point. It’s just me - emptying my head - and wondering how many plates I can continue to spin until they all come crashing down.

Perhaps I do have a point though.

The famous writers that have begun to gather at Substack seem to be mostly independent - devoid of any sort of agenda or mission to prove the validity of what they might share. They are without publishers, agents, or marketers filtering, shaping, or writing their words for them. It’s refreshing, and brings about an authenticity that a lot of the “social internet” has been missing for a long time.

[milkplusvn]

Soundless Art Update Release Window & Patreon Launch Date!

Tip: You can get posts like this sent directly to your e-mail by subscribing to the Substack!

There’s a LOT this update! Take a look!

First of all, the version of the opening with the updated artwork is now available to view on YouTube!

Next up, while the art stream (VOD here) unfortunately had to end before everything could be finished due to carpal tunnel pain…I did end up finishing the remaining “sepia” CGs. Here’s a bunch of them!

With these CGs completed, we’re at 17 CGs. That’s just a little over halfway to completing every single CG.

Next on the list are “simple” CGs—CGs that are fully colored, but are simple in various ways, like only one subject in the image or one variation.

We’re now comfortable enough to say that the art update patch is slated for Fall 2023 at the latest. It may release earlier than anticipated if things go smoothly.

Patreon Launch Date!

Our Patreon will be launching on Saturday, July 8th! That’s right! This week!

What you can expect from the first month of launch!

Monthly Stories — “Shopping Date” (Sweet) and “Devotion” (Spicy)

For the first of the bi-monthly special side stories, we’ll be seeing how Song Anna and Yu Huifang are doing after the events of Countryside, as well as a spicy story about the head of the Barrier family having a special encounter with Yiea in the middle of the night…

These stories come with art as promised! “Shopping Date” features artwork of Anna and Huifang shopping in a wet market while “Devotion” comes with a lovely ambient pin-up of Yiea. Please look forward to previews as we near the day of launch!

Patrons at the $5 tier and higher will then be able to vote on the September stories. The voting period lasts until the end of July—then, we spend the time in August to prepare the next one for you all. Please look forward to it!

Merch Rewards — “I LIKE GIRLS” 3” x 3” Sticker and “Mascots” 4” x 6” Mini Art Print

All throughout July, if you pledge at the appropriate tiers, you can start working towards these merch rewards that will be sent to you in September!

This merch will only be sent to you if you start your pledges in July and keep pledging until your September pledge is processed. Please do stick around to receive them! And be sure to provide your address so Patreon can send them over.

You’ll also be able to vote for what the merch for August will be! Per the Patreon Merch system, that August merch will be sent over to Patrons who successfully pledge from August to October. We’re excited to see what you want!

Special Unannounced Game News…With Concept Art!

We’ll be participating in something this month. What is it? What will we be doing for it? Well, pledge and see! You’ll get to see all of our preproduction stuff on it, so please look forward to it!

Keyword: Greece.

And of course, next week’s devlog posted nice and early for Patrons!

Patrons get all devlogs one day early!

While there’s no way to pledge or view the creator page yet, feel free to bookmark the Patreon URL here to check when it’ll be up on the day of. And of course, we’ll be sending out e-mails the moment it launches, so if you haven’t already, please subscribe to the Substack!

Art Patch Progress Summary

Sprites

Finished

CGs

17/31 completed

Implementation

All main sprites implemented

Toggle option implemented

Initial selection screen roughly implemented

Other

Updated art version of opening complete

You can download Soundless for free right now on Itch.io with the original art!

[creativestalkerrs]

the first ten pages

I posted this on my Substack blog as well, subscribe to that for more content. Apart of creativestalkerr’s writing lessons.

notes are taken from Kevin Kawa’s Skillshare class ‘The First Ten Pages,”

writing your first ten pages of your screenplay and making them the most important pages to write.

This lesson is more about the format of screenwriting and screenplays. The first ten pages are by far the most important to your script and should have extra care put into them. The reason why the first ten pages are crucial to your script is for time.

If you send a script, agents, producers, and even casual consumers want to be hooked on your ten pages so they want to read the rest of your story. Rejection is a huge part of the film industry, so you want to pull them in.

Executives Read Because:

Marketability: Is this going to grab the attention of viewers?

Castability: Would people want to audition for this project?

Genre: What type of story is this? How can it be made?

Budget: How much would this cost to produce?

Often, executives don’t need to read the whole script to know of its for them or not. The first ten pages can make or break it.

Five Major Rules: We’ll go into detail for each rule and how you can reveal them in your first 10 pages, but the five rules include;

Establish your genre

Introduce the main character(s) and possibly other major characters

Clarify the world and the status quo

Indicate the theme or the message

Set up the dramatic situation

Establish Genre: Genre is the easiest to reveal, however, it’s also overlooked. You want a good understanding of film genre and sub-genre to help meet your consumer's expectations. There are seven major film genres that you find in film and that being;

Seven Major Genres:

Action and Adventure

Comedy

Drama

Horror

Mystery and Suspense

Romance

Science Fiction and Fantasy

Before even writing, you want to know what genre your story and or screenplay is. When you do know what genre you’ll be writing in, make sure it is stated and clear. Know the convention of the genre you choose both visually as well as the story elements.

Explore your genre and play around with it. If you love your genre, it can make everything else so much easier to write. Write what you know and love, but don’t let it limit you. Play around with it!

Introduce Your Characters: The first character you want to think about introducing in your first ten pages is your protagonist. Although they don’t have to be the very first character that we see, we should see them within those first ten pages. While doing this think about introducing characters that are severe to the story--that are also important overall.

What is an Active Protagonist?: When creating your protagonist, you want to have a goal they have in your story. They should be able to work on that very goal. However, you also want to think of obstacles for them to overcome so they can finally obtain their goal and has the opportunity to do so.

Create a protagonist that meets those key points and the story will actively unfold because of them and their action and not because something is happening to them. Make them an active part of your story instead of them standing outside of it.

You want your protagonist to be an unforgettable character.

Tips for the First Ten Pages:

When writing in your protagonist, you want your consumer to truly care about them, they hope that they obtain their goals but fear they might fall short of them.

When writing, depending on how you have written your main character, your consumer should feel empathetic or sympathetic for them. But keep in mind that not every character deserves this, at least not yet. An example of this is an anti-hero. But you still want to be a little empathetic to them and their plight while writing.

Know everything about your main character. Know internally and externally, know their wants and their needs. These details can help your consumer relate to them and their cause.

Your main character cannot exist without conflict. You need enough for them to overcome it.

Creative weakness for your character. Your consumer can fear that they might not reach their goal because of it

Even better if they might not know/are oblivious to their own weakness or identical about it.

NOTE: Weaknesses and flaws need to be evident within the first ten pages. Later on, you understand your ability to emotionally engage your consumer.

While writing your character at their weakest point, you want to poke at them. Force them to reveal things they would normally be unwilling to share. A truly good character can be able to shine.

When writing, don’t allow your main character to see the full breadth of the theme at the beginning it’ll be too easy for them.

All characters need to change and grow.

Clarify the World and the Status Quo: When you start writing the first ten pages, it needs to give the consumer a taste of the world they’re about to enter. Ask yourself what makes it special. You want to show, not tell. Include a taste of the rules of this world, even if you don’t include much of it.

Details help consumers get sucked into the world and help make them believe it's real. Show off your voice as a storyteller as well as your creativity and originality.

The first ten pages should give your consumer enough. It’s important to know where your characters fit in the world you have built and how they affect it. How the world affects them as they move towards their goals.

You want to set up your status quo in these first ten pages alongside the rules that may follow your world status quo will move along as your story progresses but your rules should never.

Ask Questions About Your World:

Where is my story set?

What time period is it?

What is the culture and demographic of the story?

You want your status quo to relate to your character(s), you want this in order for it to change and for the story to begin. Your world should be a living breathing entity.

Indicate the Theme: This is the root of your screenplay, it’s what you’re writing about and your reason. This is a launching point for your writing.

Common Themes:

Good vs. Evil

Love Conquers All

Triumph Over Adversity

Individual vs. Society

The Battle

Death is Part of Life

Revenge

Loss of Innocence

Person vs. Themselves

Person vs. Nature

This is more about how the story is told and not the actual theming behind it, but it drives the element.

3 Key Points:

Why do we want to tell this story?

Guiding factors and questions behind the theme.

Exploration of the characters is crucial to the theme.

In the script you’ll find a conflict within the character--theme and conflict are linked.

Screenwriters can show them through their characters in a number of ways.

The theme always springs from the characters' main goals.

NOTE: Each script had to be about something to tackle some great human struggle regardless of what genre it is

Set Up the Dramatic Situation: By the tenth page, your consumer should know what your story is truly about and where it will go from there. They should understand what the story's genre, world, character, and theme are.

On page ten, your main character's world should flip its head. There should be an inciting incident that unfolds (the main complication or problem) This should push your character out of the status quo.

An immediate source of conflict should make your protagonist want to take action. You want to make that transition from a want/need to a desire and soon satisfy that said desire.

NOTE: Inciting incidents should appear around the ten percent mark--around the 10th page.

Project Details: Here is some writing exercise to help you know and flush out your ten pages. Write one to three loglines before writing your ten pages, This gives a brief summary of what your screenplay is all about.

This can help with feedback and help you out with your screenplay. Loglines can help with the first ten pages when you do begin to write them. Also, make sure you give yourself feedback as well. This can help with your own project overall.

Loglines Should Get Across:

The Protagonist: use a description rather than a name, but using one is necessary.

The Goal of the Protagonist: a second act turning point, the status quo to goal.

The Antagonist or Obstacle: how are they stopping the protagonist?

Loglines should show those three pieces and they can show your theme as well.

Example: When [inciding incident] occurs a [your protatonist] must [objective] or else [the stake]

After writing your logline and understanding it, you should be able to continue writing your first ten pages.

Outlining Your Script: The biggest rule to any storytelling, but especially with screenwriting, is to never write without a plan. Depending on what kind of writer you are, have a system to help to outline as it can help the flow of your writing process.

Some writers will outline everything while some will just pinpoint the main scenes. Find a way to outline that works for you, but always plan ahead.

Make a habit of writing ideas down, whether that’s action or dialogue, even if you don’t end up using it, you might come back to it to further projects.

Using Dan Harmon’s story circle is a great way to visualize and get a general idea of what your overall story might look like.

Story Breakdown:

Act One, Sequence One: Status Quo and Inciting Incident (what we’re looking for in those ten pages)

Sequence Two: Predicament and Lock-in

Sequence Three: Obstacle and Raising the Stakes

Act Two, Sequence Four: First Culmination and the Mid-point.

Sequence Five: Subplot and Rasing Action

Sequence Six: Main Culmination and the end of Act Two

Act Three, Sequence Seven: New Tention and a Twist

Sequence Eight: The Resolution (the ending)

Five Major Plot Points:

Inciting Incident

Lock-in

First Culmination

Main Culmination

Third Act Twist

Outline either the eight sequences or just your five major plot points. Writing these things down will make the writing process so much easier.

Formatting Your Script: I don’t want to get too personal here, but I really dislike manually formatting in the screenplay format. For me, it takes away time that I can be used to actually write, however, it is important to know and understand how to format manually, especially if you don’t have a program to help with that aspect yet.

Font: Courier New

Size: 14

Songlines: Around 1.5 inches

Dialogue: 3 tabs

Names: 5 tabs

Indents Dialogue Around 5.5

Cuts/Fades Ins: On the Right Side

Programs like Final Draft are extremely helpful, but if you can’t afford Final Draft, here are some alternative screenwriting programs;

Beat (Mac IOS) - Free (I personally use this for my scripts)

Arc Studio - Free, Paid Plan (70-100 dollars a year)

Trelby (Windows) - Free

WriterDuet - Free (Only 3 Scripts), Paid Plan

Highland 2 (Mac IOS) - Free

There are other programs out there, find one that works best for you and your writing style.

Good Writing Habits: Try things out and ask yourself what works and what doesn’t. Most writers have a driving reason to write. So ask yourself; what's your reason?

The best thing you can do is learn your craft, understanding how to write things you might be unsure about. Ask questions and ask for feedback. Being a part of writers' communities can be such a helpful tool as well.

Read other people's work, and see what works and what doesn't. Get inspired by others' work and try to channel that into your own writing.

You want to try and write regularly. Set goals for yourself and get those goals done.

Giving and Receiving Feedback: Feedback should never be overlooked especially from other screenwriters. Bad takeaways are always good to give a new perspective you might have seen beforehand.

Feedback isn’t meant as a personal attack.

Not every piece of feedback is valid in your situation. Pick and choose what make scents to you and your situation--but don’t disregard it. Not everyone will completely understand your story, genre, or them, however, if you notice many people not understanding, ask yourself what can be fixed and or changed.

As a writer, you put a lot of love into your work and feedback might not feel good but it’s important to always treat your consumers and comments with respect--they are usually wanting to help you and your story.

Lastly, respond to the feedback. Have a conversation about your work so you can improve it.

~Vocabulary~

Screenwriting: the activity or process of writing screenplays.

Screenplay: the script of a movie, including acting instructions and scene directions.

Crucial: of great importance.

Agent: a person who acts on behalf of another person or group.

Audition: an interview for a particular role or job as a singer, actor, dancer, or musician, consisting of a practical demonstration of the candidate's suitability and skill.

Produce: make (something) using creative or mental skills.

Genre: a category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter.

Status Quo: the existing state of affairs, especially regarding social or political issues.

Indicate: suggest as a desirable or necessary course of action OR point out; show.

Theme: the subject of a talk, a piece of writing, a person's thoughts, or an exhibition; a topic.

Convention: a way in which something is usually done, especially within a particular area or activity.

Obstacles: a thing that blocks one's way or prevents or hinders progress.

Empathetic: showing an ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

Sympathetic: (of a person) attracting the liking of others.

Plight: a dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation.

Culture: the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social groups.

Demographic: relating to the structure of populations.

Entity: a thing with distinct and independent existence.

Element: a part or aspect of something abstract, especially one that is essential or characteristic.

Inciting Incident: the event that sets the main character or characters on the journey that will occupy them throughout the narrative.

Immediate: nearest in time, relationship, or rank.

Transition: the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another.

Loglines: a brief summary of a television program, film, or book that states the central conflict of the story.

Outline: a general description or plan giving the essential features of something but not the detail.

Predicament: a difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation.

Lock-in: an arrangement according to which a person or company is obliged to deal only with a specific company.

Culmination: the highest or climactic point of something, especially as attained after a long time.

Mid-point: a point somewhere in the middle.

Communities: a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.

Channel: emulate or seem to be inspired by.

Valid: (of an argument or point) having a sound basis in logic or fact; reasonable or cogent.

Disregard: pay no attention to; ignore.

[janetrayo]

digital marketing can be designed to generate passive income, allowing you to earn money while you sleep 😴

📌 SAVE this for laterrrr & follow for more tips!

here are several strategies to achieve this: 👇🏼

1. affiliate marketing promote products or services through affiliate programs & earn commissions through your unique link

2. done for you digital products / master resell rights purchase a product that comes with a MRR license that allows you to sell a products to your customers. not only does this mean your customer can use this for personal use they can also resell it for 100% profits from any sales ** MY PERSONAL FAV 🙌🏼

3. automated email campaigns this helps nurture leads & drive sales [use tools like mailchimp or convertkit to schedule & automate your sequences

4. content monetization create valuable content such as e-books, online courses, or webinars [use teachable, udemy or IG / TikTok sell your digital products] * automate the delivery process 😉

5. subscription models create a membership site or subscription service to offer exclusive content & resources to subscribers [use patreon or substack to automate billing & delivery

6. SEO & passive traffic optimize your website content for search engines to attract organic traffic / use long tail keywords and create evergreen content that remains relevant over time

7. automated social media marketing schedule posts in advanced & use automation tools to engage w your audience, share content & drive traffic

8. invest in paid advertising [would recommend for established businesses] use paid advertising platforms like google ads or facebook / optimize campaigns for conversions and let them run continuously

9. chatbots for customer interaction implement chatbots on your website or socials to interact with customers use them to answer FAQs, guide users & even make sales!

just remember, achieving success in digital marketing does require effort & optimization. while automation can make processes more efficient, it’s essential to continue monitoring and adapting your strategies based on performance & market changes :)

comment “SLEEP” if you’re ready to make this a reality 💭

[ear-worthy]

Hot Pod Goes Cold; Substack & Spotify Team Up; IAB’s Digital Advertising Report

 Podnews reported lastweek that Hot Pod, one of the longest-running newsletters about podcasting, is to suspend publishing. Lead reporter Ariel Shapiro has announced that her last week with its owner, The Verge, will be next week. Deputy Editor Jake Kastrenakes added: “We won’t have a new writer in place by next week, so we’re planning to put Hot Pod on hiatus while we figure out next steps.” The publication’s writers, Ariel Shapiro, Ashley Carman, and Nick Quah, have been a vital part of the industry since 2014 and Podnews reported that "Hot Pod inspired them to produce this daily newsletter in 2017."

I'd like to start a campaign to convince The Verge to hire one of these three people to take over Hot Pod. All three are tremendously talented and know podcasting 

The three are Arielle Nissenblatt, Wil Williams, and Samantha Hodder.

First, Arielle Nissenblatt is well-known and highly regarded in podcasting circles. In today's fragmented media world, there are TikTok celebrities, Instagram influencers, and YouTube stars who are unknown outside their media universe. If you've been involved in podcasting in any way over the last few years, you know Arielle Nissenblatt.

"I've been working in the podcast space since early 2017 when I started a podcast recommendation newsletter called EarBuds Podcast Collective,"Arielle notes. "Since then, I've managed podcast studios, worked as an in-app curator, gone to school for audio production, produced several podcasts, run successful marketing and PR campaigns for several dozen shows, have organized podcast communities on Twitter, Discord, and Slack, and much more."

Arielle confesses to "love working in and around audio because it's my favorite way to consume content. I want to help more people find their next favorite podcast."

Arielle is the founder of EarBuds Podcast Collective, a podcast recommendation newsletter. She is on the community team at Descript, an AI-powered video and audio editing software service. She hosts three podcasts, Trailer Park: The Podcast Trailer Podcast,  Feedback with EarBuds and Daily Tips That May or May Not Help You with Arielle and Ned.

Then we have Wil Williams, who is currently a marketing specialist for Tink Media. Williams has written for Discover Pods, Polygon, Vulture, and The Takeout. She has appeared on KQED's Forum, WAMU's 1A, Slate's ICYMI; has cried listening to Wolf 359's "Memoria" at least five times.

Williams is also the CEO of Podcast Problems LLC (If you have a podcast, you have problems), and you should read her website if you are a podcaster. You can read her articles there, including Your Podcast Needs Better Show Notes, Your Podcast Needs Better Metadata and my favorite, How I Know So Much Shit.

Williams also writes and manages the Substack Podcast Marketing Magic. When it comes to podcast journalism, Wil Williams is one of the very best.

Then we have Samantha Hodder, who is a multihypenate -- someone who does several different jobs in the entertainment industry—and does them well. Her Substack newsletter Bingeworthy is the mother ship for narrative podcast opinion, review, trends, and analysis. Hodder began the newsletter in September 2022 and has already amassed an impressive following.

Samantha is an award-winning audio producer and writer. She has been making media across multiple formats for over two decades. She publishes regularly on Mediumand on Substack. Her narrative storytelling podcast This is Our Time launched in 2017. It is a memoir-based story about an all-women’s expedition to Antarctica for women. Season 2 was featured in the Hot Docs Podcast Festival in 2021. She works as a freelance podcast producer, editor and narration script advisor. This year, she began to teach and mentor students at TMU and OCADU in narrative podcasting.

She also works with other writers and creatives one-on-one to help them find a winning narrative structure for their projects. To see if this approach could be helpful to your work, find her free 5-day email course Find Your Fish, which draws on lessons from screenwriting, podcasting, journaling and mindful meditation.

Over the last two decades her writing has appeared in numerous newspapers and magazines and her interactive work has premiered at festivals internationally. She was the recipient of the Al Waxman Calling Card for her first documentary, The Mantelpiece, which was broadcast on TVOntario, and premiered at the Big Sky Documentary Festival in 2004. Her short film The Nothingness That Is Everything opened in Venice, Italy in 2018. 

And if all this information doesn't persuade you, Samantha is from Canada.

So I ask The Verge to consider these three talented women for the role at Hot Pod.  This esteemed publication deserves a person with a deep knowledge of podcasting and a lifelong passion for audio.

 **********************************************

Before I extol the virtues of this latest collaboration between Substack and Spotify, I must confess that I am a little wary. Spotify entered podcasting in earnest four years ago, and since then has created an industry-wide asset bubble that since has burst, purchased accomplished podcast studios like Parcast and Gimlet and dismantled them with no remorse, and produced and released a lot of crap. 

So, we'll see how this goes.  Podcasters on Substack are collectively earning more than $100 million in annual revenue, a number that has more than doubled in the past year. The number of active podcasters on the platform has also more than doubled in the same time span. And it’s not just that new opportunities are available to podcasters bringing their shows to Substack—it’s benefiting existing Substack publications too. Those writers and creators who have added audio and/or video to their Substacks grow their revenue more than 2.5 times as fast as those who haven’t.

Substack makes it dead simple for anyone to independently create, publish, distribute, grow, and monetize a show.

“We used to have two different feeds, one for our paying subscribers and one for everyone to listen to free shows,” says @Alex Kirshner, a host of @Split Zone Duo, the biggest sports podcast on Substack. “We were looking for a way to put everything under one roof and make the experience as easy as possible for the people who pay us for our work. Moving to Substack from Patreon has let us do that and been very, very good for our growth in not even half a year.”

**************************************************

The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy. Its membership comprises more than 700 leading media companies, brands, agencies, and the technology firms responsible for selling, delivering, and optimizing digital ad marketing campaigns. The trade group fields critical research on interactive advertising, while also educating brands, agencies, and the wider business community on the importance of digital marketing.

I know that's a mouthful, but the IAB holds an annual in-person and virtual meeting introducing new podcasts from some of the largest podcast networks.

 The IAB's report on advertising revealed that digital advertising revenues reached a record-high of $225 billion, increasing by 7.3% year-over-year overall (YoY) between 2022 and 2023, according to the newly released “IAB Internet Advertising Revenue Report: Full Year 2023,” conducted by PwC. The report found that Q4 saw the highest growth rate of 12.3% from the year prior (4.4%), with revenues rising to $64.5 billion. “Despite inflation fears, interest rates at record highs, and continuing global unrest, the U.S. digital advertising industry continued its growth trajectory in 2023,” said David Cohen, CEO, IAB. “With significant industry transformation unfolding right before our eyes, we believe that those channels with a portfolio of privacy by design solutions will continue to outpace the market. For 2023, the winners were retail media, CTV, and audio, which saw the highest growth.” Audio advertising also saw a robust expansion, growing 18.9% to reach $7 billion. It is still the fastest-growing channel, albeit at a slower pace than last year. 

I know that most podcast fans have little interest in advertising trends and finances, but ads pay the bills for many podcasts.

[kristenbrady]

Converting Free Subscribers to Paid Subscribers on Substack: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you a Substack writer looking to monetize your newsletter and convert your free subscribers into paid subscribers? This blog post is here to help you do just that! In this guide, I will explore effective strategies to engage and incentivize your audience, ultimately driving them to become paying subscribers.

1. Create Valuable Content

The key to converting free subscribers into paying subscribers is to consistently deliver high-quality content that adds value to their lives. Offer exclusive insights, expert advice, or in-depth analysis that they won’t find anywhere else. Make sure to stay true to your niche and provide a unique perspective that sets you apart from competitors.

Want To Experience Hypergrowth of Your Substack Newsletter? Try These Tactics.

Be the next Lenny Rachitsky!

medium.com

2. Showcase the Benefits of Paid Subscription

One of the best ways to convert free subscribers is to clearly communicate the benefits they will receive by becoming paid subscribers. Highlight premium features such as access to exclusive content or member-only perks. Use persuasive language to emphasize the value and advantages they gain by upgrading to a paid subscription.

3. Offer Limited-time Promotions

Running limited-time promotions can create a sense of urgency and motivate free subscribers to take the leap and become paid subscribers. Consider offering discounts, free trials, or special bonuses for those who upgrade within a certain time frame. These promotions can entice your audience and provide an extra push towards conversion.

Use a Newsletter Referral Program on Substack to Increase Subscriber Growth

Slow subscriber growth on Substack? Try these tips.

medium.com

4. Engage with Your Subscribers

Building a genuine connection with your subscribers is essential. Make an effort to interact with them regularly, whether it’s through responding to comments, hosting live Q&A sessions, or sending personalized emails. Show them that you value their support and appreciate their engagement. This personal touch can significantly increase the likelihood of converting free subscribers to paid subscribers.

5. Leverage Social Proof and Testimonials

Human psychology naturally gravitates toward social proof. Utilize this to your advantage by showcasing positive testimonials and reviews from satisfied paid subscribers. This social validation can build trust and credibility, convincing your free subscribers of the value they will receive by upgrading their subscriptions.

6. Create Exclusive Content for Paid Subscribers

To incentivize free subscribers to upgrade, provide exclusive content that is only accessible to paid subscribers. This could include bonus articles, interviews, behind-the-scenes content, or special offers. By creating a premium experience, you give them a compelling reason to become paying subscribers.

7. Engage in Email Marketing

Email marketing is a powerful tool for converting free subscribers into paid subscribers. Regularly send out newsletters or updates that provide a taste of your premium content. Include compelling calls to action that encourage them to upgrade their subscription. Remember to segment your email list to personalize your messages and target specific demographics.

8. Offer Multiple Subscription Tiers

Not all free subscribers may be ready or willing to commit to the highest-tier subscription. By offering multiple subscription tiers, you provide options that cater to different budget levels and preferences. This flexibility can increase conversion rates as it allows your audience to choose the plan that suits them best.

Converting free subscribers to paid subscribers on Substack requires a combination of valuable content, effective communication, and strategic incentives. By implementing the strategies outlined in this guide and consistently engaging with your audience, you can maximize your conversion rates and build a loyal base of paying subscribers. Remember, the key is to continuously provide value and create a sense of exclusivity that will entice your readers to invest in your premium content.

🍉Sign up here to catch every story when Kristen publishes.

Originally posted on Medium

[mehmetyildizmelbourne-blog]

Substack Mastery Book: Chapter 14

How to Add Interactive Educational Programs Using One of the 6 Globally Recognized Tools to Inform, Educate, Inspire, and Retain Your Subscribers Dear Beta Readers, Thank you for your feedback so far. You honor my content on multiple platforms. I understand this chapter may seem quite technical to beginners, as I designed it to benefit advanced freelance writers and content entrepreneurs who…

[bethestaryouareradio]

Garden Trends #2,True Leaf Market, Planning and Budgeting for 2024

Tune in LIVE weekly to the upbeat, positive lifestyle broadcast where producer and host Cynthia Brian showcases strategies for success on StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!®. Available wherever you listen to your favorite programs!

The 2024 Garden Media Garden Trends Report shares information to enhance garden customer experiences and shape winning new products. The theme for 2024 is Eco-Optimism. The growing awareness of our global climate’s volatility has increased the number of people planting for pollinators. Cynthia Brian weaves the trend report into what’s growing in her garden.

Managing editor at True Leaf Market, Ashleigh Smith joins Cynthia Brian to discuss the seeds of True Leaf Market where building strong relationships with suppliers, customers and home garden seed industry helps them provide the best seeds possible. True Leaf Market is a national certified organic, non-GMO seed and horticultural company that specializes in supplying a large selection of conventional, heirloom and organic seeds to home gardeners everywhere. True Leaf Market believes that when we all grow together, we grow together. www.trueleafmarket.com

Have you made a plan on how to budget this year? What are your goals? If you want to increase your net worth, have money for retirement, and dollars to spend, you need a plan! Stop stressing and start setting t a personal goal to get your finances and investments on track. These budgeting tips will help you get ahead in 2024.

Follow StarStyle®:

Bio:  Ashleigh Smith is the managing editor at True Leaf Market, with a bachelor's degree in Horticulture from Brigham Young University - Idaho. True Leaf Market is a national certified organic, non-GMO seed and horticultural company based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Ashleigh and the True Leaf Market staff specialize in supplying a large selection of conventional, heirloom and organic seeds to home gardeners everywhere. Company Website: www.trueleafmarket.comCompany Social Media Channels: 

·       Facebook: True Leaf Market

·       Instagram: trueleafmarket

·       Twitter: @TrueLeafMarket

·       Pinterest: True Leaf Market

·       TikTok: trueleafmarket

·       YouTube: @TrueLeafMarket

Listen at the Voice America Network, Empowerment Channel: https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/148480/garden-trends-2true-leaf-market-planning-and-budgeting-for-20

RECENTLY PUBLISHED BOOK: Family Forever: https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/p/family-forever Available at www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store or  www.StarStyleStore.net

LIVE SHOW 4-5pm PT: https://bit.ly/3cDti0Z

Places to Listen to StarStyle Radio:

Apple Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/starstyle-be-the-star-you-are/id669630180?mt=2

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Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/voice-america/be-the-star-you-are

IHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-starstyle-be-the-star-you-31083110/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zDdwzlsHH44caWiMQdD25

SubStack: https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/228120.rss

Pocketcasts: https://pca.st/mjw2ng5n

Be the Star You Are! 501 c3 charity offers help, hope, and healing for women, families and youth in need.

BTSYA Operation Disaster Relief. Please donate. http://ow.ly/ks8A30lekGe

Read how BTSYA is Making a Difference: https://www.ibpa-online.org/news/460747/IBPA-Member-Spotlight-Cynthia-Brian.htm 

Read our Newsletter:With appreciation and positivity

Read Cynthia’s Voice America Blog Press Pass: https://blog.voiceamerica.com/author/cynthia-brian/

Make a DONATION through PAYPAL GIVING FUND and PAYPAL with 100% going to BTSYA with NO FEES:  https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504

Or you can choose to make the donation using many different payment methods which may have fees via by Givebutter at https://givebutter.com/be-the-star-you-are-charity.

Small DONATIONS Make a Big Difference to Others: Decrease Violence. Increase Literacy. 

$25 provides 5 new books.

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Donate via Paypal Giving Fund

or Visit www.BTSYA.org

Discount Software, Digital content. Ebooks, Games: http://www.humblebundle.com/store?partner=1504&charity=1504

Shop at over 2000 stores and save BIG: https://www.iGive.com/BTYSA

[myopinionbookofficial]

How to Monetize Your Blog: A Guide to Profitable Blogging Platforms

Blogging has become a viable and lucrative career path for many in recent years. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the question arises: how can you monetize your blog successfully? In this guide, we will explore the various strategies to make money from your blog and highlight some of the best blogging platforms to achieve your financial goals.

Monetization Strategies for Your Blog

Monetizing your blog is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor; it depends on your niche, audience, and content. Here are some proven strategies to help you turn your blog into a profitable venture:

1. Affiliate Marketing: Affiliate marketing involves promoting products or services and earning a commission for each sale or action. Some of the best affiliate programs can be found on platforms like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, and ClickBank.

2. Ad Revenue: Displaying ads on your blog can be a steady source of income. Google AdSense is a popular choice, but there are other ad networks, such as Media.net, that offer competitive payouts.

3. Sell Digital Products: If you have expertise in a particular area, create and sell e-books, courses, or digital products directly from your blog. This strategy is particularly effective for platforms that support e-commerce functionality.

4. Sponsored Content: Partnering with brands and businesses to create sponsored blog posts or reviews can be a profitable venture. As your blog's reputation grows, companies may reach out to collaborate.

5. Subscription Models: Implement a subscription model where readers pay for premium content. Substack, Patreon, and Memberful are platforms that make this approach straightforward.

6. Freelancing and Consultation: If your blog establishes you as an expert in your niche, you can offer freelance services or consultation. Many bloggers find this to be a lucrative addition to their income streams.

Choosing the Best Blogging Platform to Make Money

Selecting the right blogging platform is crucial to your monetization success. Here are some of the best options to consider:

1. WordPress.org: WordPress.org is the gold standard for bloggers looking to maximize their income. You have complete control over your blog and can implement a wide range of monetization strategies, making it the best blogging platform to make money.

2. Blogger: Blogger, owned by Google, is an excellent option for beginners. It's easy to set up, and you can start monetizing your blog with Google AdSense from day one.

3. Wix: Wix is a user-friendly website builder that allows you to create a beautiful blog. While it's not as flexible as WordPress, it still supports various monetization methods.

4. Medium: Medium is a content platform where you can reach a broad audience. While it may not offer as many monetization options as other platforms, it's a great place to start building your reputation.

5. Squarespace: Squarespace is known for its stunning templates and supports e-commerce features, making it an excellent choice for bloggers who want to sell products.

Remember that the best blogging platform for you depends on your goals, technical skills, and budget.

Maximizing Your Earnings

Regardless of your chosen blogging platform, here are some additional tips to maximize your earnings:

Produce high-quality, engaging, and valuable content.

Promote your blog on social media and through email marketing.

Optimize your content for search engines to attract organic traffic.

Diversify your income streams to reduce risk and increase your overall earnings.

In conclusion, monetizing your blog is a journey that requires dedication, patience, and smart strategies. By selecting the best blogging platform to make money and implementing a variety of monetization methods, you can turn your passion for blogging into a profitable career. Remember, success doesn't happen overnight, but with persistence and the right strategies, it is entirely achievable.

[aubigney]

i'm going to get more personal on here.

[posted 14 days ago]

my problem is not that i’m a jack of all trades and a master of none, but that i can never ever decide what i want to do on any given day—except for the day i decided i’m pivoting my business. it’s official. instead of Theirwulf Media it’s going to be Theirwulf Consulting. i’m so passionate about educating people—whether that’s through my youtube channel, tutoring high school students, or helping people with their businesses. i just love it.

so i’m going to stop with the preachy bullshit “how to write” stuff. every single author wants to teach people how to write and it was too clickbaity anyway. what i want to focus on here on substack is longer-form posts about my life and my work. one thing alex hormozi talks about is how cool it would be if business giants like [puke] jeff bezos and [double puke] elon musk had documented their business adventures. don’t get me wrong, i hate these stupid bitches, but alex hormozi is, for me, on the money about 97 per cent of the time. he has such insightful advice—not all the time, but most of it.

hearing that made me want to do it. i want to post on my youtube and on here about what i’m doing with my business. the first thing: teaching people how to educate. when i was explaining this it sounded like a multi-level marketing scheme, honestly. but the thing i’m passionate about is teaching and there just aren’t enough good educators out there. so teaching teachers to teach is somewhere i want to explore.

another idea i have is curriculum overhaul. i’m probably not the best person to do this though seeing as i have zero contacts in the education sector. but week after week i get complaints from my students about the bullshit they have to do at school, and my biggest gripe is that school (barely) prepares them to pass tests instead of teaching them the skills they need to become lifelong learners. i’m not teaching my students how to analyse a text for class, i’m teaching them the media literacy skills they need to sift through information to figure out what’s good, what’s shit, and what’s worth taking note of—a skill they need when faced with shit like the propaganda hate machine of terfery or the feces that comes out of right wingers’ mouths. school kids just aren’t taught how to differentiate that shit and then the teachers wonder why neo nazis are gathering with terfs as an act of genocide against trans people. well, they probably don’t. so many teachers just grab the bag and piss the holidays away.

(i’m usually working during the holidays. i can’t remember the last time i took a week off because i can’t afford to. tutoring is like being part of a wait staff, which i’ve also done for many years: you get treated like shit by the public because they think your job isn’t important enough, you do the work that people in positions of actual power should be doing, and you get paid shit money by people earning over 6 figures a year who haven’t done half as much work as you since they got the job. can you tell i’m salty about it.)

another thing i want to teach people is finance and poverty literacy. according to ACOSS, over 3 million people in australia (almost 15 per cent of our population) live in poverty. 19 per cent of children in australia live in poverty. i’ve lived in poverty for most of my life. i lived with my abusive, alcoholic, bipolar father for the first 14 years of my life in poverty, then with my abusive, uncaring mother who married rich for 10, and since 2016 i’ve been juggling poverty with jobs that give me enough money to get by. i’m finally in a position where my wife and i can breathe, but it is fucking hard work. i work at least 10 hours a day juggling youtube, tutoring and ghostwriting, as outlined in this video. i just released a video on practical tips for escaping poverty, financial survival mode, and the poverty mindset here. if you want to give that a look and tell me what you think, go ahead, make me a samwedge.

wow, this got long. i guess i’ll leave it there. that’s all i wanted to say for now. i’m struggling this month because i haven’t yet reached the 25,000 word minimum i need for my ghostwriting gig to get paid in april, and i need to get paid in april so that we can get our car. it’s also my birthday in april so it would be nice to take my wife’s family out to dinner or maybe even host a birthday party. i love entertaining and haven’t been able to do it for years. so i’ll hit that minimum, prommy, and i’ll have a nice birthday. here’s to shit-kickin’ it for another year. seeya later, dummies.