Don't be silly, we're past the formalities, I want you to question everything. WORKS has enough posts to let them speak for me as new work comes out, and folks like Joel Salatin and others can add their voices thanks to someone teaching me how to steal from the web.
Even though S&UP is getting traction, engagement in comments is low (the two of us are keeping it lively). Folks must be bashful, what do you think?
Going tomorrow morning. Got waylaid by a problem. But I'll let you know what I find, as I went through the store's inventory online and have an idea what to try. Exciting!
I finally managed to get to my local guitar store, which only sells vintage and used guitars and related equipment.
I tried quite a few guitars and was about to abandon the idea of playing at all because I am small and my hands are quite small, and I started to realize that I would get ongoing cramps if not carpel tunnel if I played. It was very uncomfortable as none of the guitars fit my body or my hands.
Then I tried a parlor guitar and, miracle!, the guitar fit my body and my hands. Not to mention, I'm a soprano, and apparently they were originally meant for the higher voices of women, from what I understand.
The store only had two versions of the same guitar in parlor size, which was a Paul Reed Smith SE P20E Tonare, made in 2021.
I already have a sense of how it diverges from what you recommended in terms of construction. (I showed Dougal, the sales guy, what you wrote, so he gave me a Martin to start off with.)
On the plus side, I've read and watched quite a few reviews since getting back home, and the consensus seems to be that it's a very easy guitar to play, has good midrange sound, and good quality control even though being made in China. At $400, I'm thinking it would be a good learning guitar, I can see how I like playing and whether I want to stay with it, and it won't break the bank. (I found a local guy I think I want to try a few lessons with.) I could trade up or add a better guitar later, if it sticks.
Also, a lot of guys in the videos found that it plays well acoustic or plugged in, so there's that.
But obviously I have no clue what I'm doing or how to assess, so your advice would be very welcome. I can keep looking to find other options in terms of parlor guitars. It will mean going further afield, but I'm fine with doing that. I don't have to rush into this.
So if you have reactions/advice, I would greatly appreciate hearing it. I tend to be decisive and want to check things off my 'to do' list, but if this is a mistake then better not to make it and hold off for a better option.
Take a look at a Taylor, Big Baby model 306-GB or equivalent currently around $450, but can be found used around $300. Look inside at the label, find one made in California. Avoid electric/acoustics and put the money into guitar instead. Have a Big Baby bought years ago, and it only improves in sound quality, has served as everyday player and has been used as a stage guitar. By far best bang for the buck.
I'm afraid we can't let you in the room if you're discovered carrying a cheap Chinese guitar, but a Taylor will keep you in good standing anywhere you go.
The Taylor Big Baby has attained near cult status and mine has a well-deserved reputation.
I can say that I didn't have much engagement on my stack for quite a while, and it's just started to pick up lately. I think that has happened because the content is more surprising or controversial, so people feel they want to say something about it. I find the stacks where people comment the most are quite provocative and you almost feel compelled to comment to give your opinion.
Your posts are explorations and sharings, so as long as people are reading, there's nothing wrong with that. I'm on quite a few substacks that I really enjoy and that have quite a few subscribers but people don't comment much. I remember some substack expert saying that engagement is only one indication of whether people value your work or not. If you're losing subscribers, that's another story, and indicates you should change strategy.
But thinking about what would engage me more, I think photos of your farm and not generic downloaded ones from Unsplash, if you're willing to do that. I have read that people ignore photos the minute they realize they are generic (who cares about any old farm, we want to see yours), which is why I spend a lot of time finding photos that are authentic and show exactly what I'm talking about. Having looked into copyright law, if someone wants me to remove them, I will. (The area where you have to be really careful is quoting song lyrics, which some people do but I avoid because you can get charged a lot of money for violating music copyrights.)
For me, even less than perfect cellphone photos would be of interest. And don't underestimate the value of including photos of animals -- which is probably why your two most popular posts have a rooster and a cat!
Even better, tell us an ongoing story about an animal or flock or crop on the farm. People eat that stuff up. It could be an addition to the bottom of your usual posts (or an ongoing series) giving us an update on Gertie the Goat. Or the latest on your dog, who's very cute! That will probably up the engagement quotient and also draw people to want to read the latest update right away. Believe me, people who have met my cat or seen photos of him are always asking me about him. It's like he's a celebrity or something. And as we know, animals are always doing silly things, which is why we love them.
But feel free to ignore this advice if it takes you away from your purpose in doing this. I'm just thinking about what the marketing people have always said -- animals, babies, and sex are what always sell even for serious things. These days, looking at social media, people find animals endlessly fascinating. (Which is why Brad Kyle always has a short clip of a cat getting up to mischief at the beginning of his posts.)
My other question, do you know who your readers are and why they're here? I did a survey with my readers and that helped me understand what they wanted. Substack has a survey function and I can certainly advise on how to use it (as I do surveys in my work!).
You give me a lot to think about. Never viewed substack as anything other than a marketing problem (hate marketing), but since it's about the farmstead it's best to put aside the sentiment.
The goal has always been an income stream since output is dependent on input and realities are unavoidable. This farm, like any other has many needs, what it lacks the most is labor. There's a reason farms have big families. So, my priorities lie in securing the farmstead itself, allowing regeneration to take place, building soil, water management, good stewardship. The main crop here is raising a farm.
Money offsets shortfalls and is the second thing in short supply. My plan is to get to 100 subscribers then paywall a new series while keeping S&UP free. WORKS will appeal to the ag audience while S&UP does its thing. Very much familiar with my audience and correspond with them.
Readership is my most valuable metric and typically 50% or higher. As more people come in readership suffers. So, we will cull after reaching 100. Keep my subscriptions low so I can give personal attention to my reads list (bumped Patti Smith to put Jackie in my stacks).
What I've learned is people appreciate a personal touch so we DM all respondents, turning likes into follows and follows into subscribers.
So right now, it's full steam ahead putting a lot of time in just working the algorithm and treating people like people.
We're running lean and mean, sowing rows of words to maybe build infrastructure and growth and who knows, maybe profitability.
I've never thought of DMing respondents. That is quite an innovative idea!
If income stream is the goal, I wonder if you should have a coffee fund donation at the bottom of each email like some substacks do, for people who've liked the post and want to express their appreciation.
I also wonder if you should encourage people to become paid subscribers to support the farm, and tell them specifically what activities or projects they are supporting. I've been on substacks that are shameless in soliciting paid subscribers, and if done in good humor and with a rationale for why you should donate, I don't mind them myself and don't fault them for asking.
I now have some paid subscribers because I turned that function on right away, and most of them are people I already knew who want to support me and see my stack succeed. So I'm in the camp that thinks it's a good idea to give people options to provide support if they wish to do so. They are, after all, getting quality writing, and as Ted Gioia always argues, people should be willing to pay for it if they value it. But there are also people who cannot afford a subscription but are supportive in other ways, which is why I think a coffee fund gives them an opportunity to make a one-time donation and feel they're contributing something.
But we're all just feeling our way along here! Marketing is not something I love either. I'm mulling over different options myself.
Realistically, if 2-5% is the conversion rate to paid, it's going to take some time. We'll offer a bonus for donors and yes, make it about the farm. Woodwork is an agricultural pursuit so will offer that as an incentive, there are some nice pieces up for grabs already and more to come.
Not much into chat groups but since we DM, all those folks are already in the list.
Relying on a single platform and starting from scratch means getting to income will be a slog. Comes with the territory, as you no doubt know.
It's also only fair to be a contributor to the platform, since their revenue is derived from paid subscriptions.
In short, don't know what the hell I'm doing, just doing.
Me too. Really liked the video you put up in your last post. I see curating video for subscribers to view as another value added, because as an expert you're telling them here's something worth watching. I highly value sites that do that for topics I care about.
Anyway, agree, takes time and trying stuff. We'll get there.
So many acorns falling, I should look into what I could use them for.
Love that Fukuoka quote.
I have questions, should probably read your other posts before asking. I don't want to distract a farmer from farming during a busy season!
Don't be silly, we're past the formalities, I want you to question everything. WORKS has enough posts to let them speak for me as new work comes out, and folks like Joel Salatin and others can add their voices thanks to someone teaching me how to steal from the web.
Even though S&UP is getting traction, engagement in comments is low (the two of us are keeping it lively). Folks must be bashful, what do you think?
And more importantly, what did your guitar search reveal?
Going tomorrow morning. Got waylaid by a problem. But I'll let you know what I find, as I went through the store's inventory online and have an idea what to try. Exciting!
I finally managed to get to my local guitar store, which only sells vintage and used guitars and related equipment.
I tried quite a few guitars and was about to abandon the idea of playing at all because I am small and my hands are quite small, and I started to realize that I would get ongoing cramps if not carpel tunnel if I played. It was very uncomfortable as none of the guitars fit my body or my hands.
Then I tried a parlor guitar and, miracle!, the guitar fit my body and my hands. Not to mention, I'm a soprano, and apparently they were originally meant for the higher voices of women, from what I understand.
The store only had two versions of the same guitar in parlor size, which was a Paul Reed Smith SE P20E Tonare, made in 2021.
I already have a sense of how it diverges from what you recommended in terms of construction. (I showed Dougal, the sales guy, what you wrote, so he gave me a Martin to start off with.)
On the plus side, I've read and watched quite a few reviews since getting back home, and the consensus seems to be that it's a very easy guitar to play, has good midrange sound, and good quality control even though being made in China. At $400, I'm thinking it would be a good learning guitar, I can see how I like playing and whether I want to stay with it, and it won't break the bank. (I found a local guy I think I want to try a few lessons with.) I could trade up or add a better guitar later, if it sticks.
Also, a lot of guys in the videos found that it plays well acoustic or plugged in, so there's that.
But obviously I have no clue what I'm doing or how to assess, so your advice would be very welcome. I can keep looking to find other options in terms of parlor guitars. It will mean going further afield, but I'm fine with doing that. I don't have to rush into this.
So if you have reactions/advice, I would greatly appreciate hearing it. I tend to be decisive and want to check things off my 'to do' list, but if this is a mistake then better not to make it and hold off for a better option.
Take a look at a Taylor, Big Baby model 306-GB or equivalent currently around $450, but can be found used around $300. Look inside at the label, find one made in California. Avoid electric/acoustics and put the money into guitar instead. Have a Big Baby bought years ago, and it only improves in sound quality, has served as everyday player and has been used as a stage guitar. By far best bang for the buck.
Thanks for that advice. I'll see what I can find.
I'm afraid we can't let you in the room if you're discovered carrying a cheap Chinese guitar, but a Taylor will keep you in good standing anywhere you go.
The Taylor Big Baby has attained near cult status and mine has a well-deserved reputation.
I can say that I didn't have much engagement on my stack for quite a while, and it's just started to pick up lately. I think that has happened because the content is more surprising or controversial, so people feel they want to say something about it. I find the stacks where people comment the most are quite provocative and you almost feel compelled to comment to give your opinion.
Your posts are explorations and sharings, so as long as people are reading, there's nothing wrong with that. I'm on quite a few substacks that I really enjoy and that have quite a few subscribers but people don't comment much. I remember some substack expert saying that engagement is only one indication of whether people value your work or not. If you're losing subscribers, that's another story, and indicates you should change strategy.
But thinking about what would engage me more, I think photos of your farm and not generic downloaded ones from Unsplash, if you're willing to do that. I have read that people ignore photos the minute they realize they are generic (who cares about any old farm, we want to see yours), which is why I spend a lot of time finding photos that are authentic and show exactly what I'm talking about. Having looked into copyright law, if someone wants me to remove them, I will. (The area where you have to be really careful is quoting song lyrics, which some people do but I avoid because you can get charged a lot of money for violating music copyrights.)
For me, even less than perfect cellphone photos would be of interest. And don't underestimate the value of including photos of animals -- which is probably why your two most popular posts have a rooster and a cat!
Even better, tell us an ongoing story about an animal or flock or crop on the farm. People eat that stuff up. It could be an addition to the bottom of your usual posts (or an ongoing series) giving us an update on Gertie the Goat. Or the latest on your dog, who's very cute! That will probably up the engagement quotient and also draw people to want to read the latest update right away. Believe me, people who have met my cat or seen photos of him are always asking me about him. It's like he's a celebrity or something. And as we know, animals are always doing silly things, which is why we love them.
But feel free to ignore this advice if it takes you away from your purpose in doing this. I'm just thinking about what the marketing people have always said -- animals, babies, and sex are what always sell even for serious things. These days, looking at social media, people find animals endlessly fascinating. (Which is why Brad Kyle always has a short clip of a cat getting up to mischief at the beginning of his posts.)
My other question, do you know who your readers are and why they're here? I did a survey with my readers and that helped me understand what they wanted. Substack has a survey function and I can certainly advise on how to use it (as I do surveys in my work!).
You give me a lot to think about. Never viewed substack as anything other than a marketing problem (hate marketing), but since it's about the farmstead it's best to put aside the sentiment.
The goal has always been an income stream since output is dependent on input and realities are unavoidable. This farm, like any other has many needs, what it lacks the most is labor. There's a reason farms have big families. So, my priorities lie in securing the farmstead itself, allowing regeneration to take place, building soil, water management, good stewardship. The main crop here is raising a farm.
Money offsets shortfalls and is the second thing in short supply. My plan is to get to 100 subscribers then paywall a new series while keeping S&UP free. WORKS will appeal to the ag audience while S&UP does its thing. Very much familiar with my audience and correspond with them.
Readership is my most valuable metric and typically 50% or higher. As more people come in readership suffers. So, we will cull after reaching 100. Keep my subscriptions low so I can give personal attention to my reads list (bumped Patti Smith to put Jackie in my stacks).
What I've learned is people appreciate a personal touch so we DM all respondents, turning likes into follows and follows into subscribers.
So right now, it's full steam ahead putting a lot of time in just working the algorithm and treating people like people.
We're running lean and mean, sowing rows of words to maybe build infrastructure and growth and who knows, maybe profitability.
I've never thought of DMing respondents. That is quite an innovative idea!
If income stream is the goal, I wonder if you should have a coffee fund donation at the bottom of each email like some substacks do, for people who've liked the post and want to express their appreciation.
I also wonder if you should encourage people to become paid subscribers to support the farm, and tell them specifically what activities or projects they are supporting. I've been on substacks that are shameless in soliciting paid subscribers, and if done in good humor and with a rationale for why you should donate, I don't mind them myself and don't fault them for asking.
I now have some paid subscribers because I turned that function on right away, and most of them are people I already knew who want to support me and see my stack succeed. So I'm in the camp that thinks it's a good idea to give people options to provide support if they wish to do so. They are, after all, getting quality writing, and as Ted Gioia always argues, people should be willing to pay for it if they value it. But there are also people who cannot afford a subscription but are supportive in other ways, which is why I think a coffee fund gives them an opportunity to make a one-time donation and feel they're contributing something.
But we're all just feeling our way along here! Marketing is not something I love either. I'm mulling over different options myself.
Realistically, if 2-5% is the conversion rate to paid, it's going to take some time. We'll offer a bonus for donors and yes, make it about the farm. Woodwork is an agricultural pursuit so will offer that as an incentive, there are some nice pieces up for grabs already and more to come.
Not much into chat groups but since we DM, all those folks are already in the list.
Relying on a single platform and starting from scratch means getting to income will be a slog. Comes with the territory, as you no doubt know.
It's also only fair to be a contributor to the platform, since their revenue is derived from paid subscriptions.
In short, don't know what the hell I'm doing, just doing.
Me too. Really liked the video you put up in your last post. I see curating video for subscribers to view as another value added, because as an expert you're telling them here's something worth watching. I highly value sites that do that for topics I care about.
Anyway, agree, takes time and trying stuff. We'll get there.