Substack pledges: Results are in

tldr; Still totally free, now with the option to pay!

Hey everyone, thank you SO much for offering your opinion in the poll I posed in the newsletter from yesterday about readers pledging financial support here on Substack. With plenty of responses on the poll, here’s what’s changing and the good news is: Nothing is changing if you don’t want it to!

So first, the results of the poll show that about half of the respondents have no interest in paying for this newsletter. And honestly, that’s what I assumed when I sent out yesterday’s email. Just to reiterate my perspective here: I never intended for this Substack to be a paid newsletter. I always saw it as an easy way to reach a wide range of people without having to try to find you all across the various social media platforms when I have something to announce or celebrate. So this was no surprise to me.

But, surprisingly to me, more than half of the respondents said they would be willing or interested in paying for this newsletter. And of those who voted this way, 96% voted that they would be interested in paying for it in the form that its at right now. Only 4% of respondents said they would want something more substantial from the newsletter to consider paying for it.

I’m astounded by that response! But when I really think about this, I suppose it makes a lot of sense. Some of you shared that the Patreon options don’t necessarily appeal to you directly, but supporting me on Substack does. Which, in the end, tells me that I have amazing fans and followers who quite simply just want to help keep this boat afloat and aren’t necessarily looking for more than what they are already getting in return. I’m humbled and grateful for your kindness. Seriously, I’m blown away.

SO. I have activated Pledges on this Substack effective immediately. Those of you who wish to contribute are now more than welcome to do so!

(Almost) nothing changes for the free subscribers. Substack limits the ability to comment on articles to those who are paid. I’ve looked through the settings to see if this can be disabled but I’m coming up empty-handed. If you know the answer to this one, I’d really love to know!

At the end of the day, I do want the content on this Substack to be free and accessible by all. It will stay that way. I hope that this change doesn’t turn anybody off. Again, this was never my PLAN but I’m always down to try new things if and when the community says I should consider it. So here we are!

Thanks as always for your continued support. Now, I have to get back to prepping for tonight’s Android Faithful!