The Storyletter - To Build a Website
A Safe HavenNow that I’ve been using Substack for over a year, I’m more comfortable speaking to its cons. It’s easy to get caught up in the hype of something when you first hear about it because it’s new and exciting. Substack is awesome, don’t get me wrong. It’s changed everything for me, and subsequently improved my writing style and how I approach writing in general. If you’d like to hear me shill Substack, check out this older post where I break down why it’s so great. The reason for this month’s “To Build” installment is to go over why it’s important not to put all of your eggs in one basket. Not only creatively, but from a business standpoint. And being a writer is a business, even if you’re not incorporated. Self-publishing (indie publishing) is hard work. It takes time, money, and a ton of motivation. I’ve gone too many years (over a decade) starting over and over again, losing everything I’d built (or abandoning it) because the places I had decided to write were in full control. It may not have said they were in their Terms of Service, but at the end of the day, they controlled my subscribers, my comments, chat history, even my saved chapters and stories. When I stopped using them, I had almost nothing to show for it. That’s partly because I had no idea what it was doing. What was I building? Where was I going? True, those are personal questions rather than issues laid at the feet of 3rd party services, but the indie journey is one of constant growth and self-discovery which is why I like it so much. The answers to the aforementioned questions may be different for you, but for me I needed a place where I could funnel my readers to if, or when, things went south, a place where I maintained ownership over my content and how I engaged with my audience: a safe haven. Substack is in a good spot at the moment. I don’t foresee them getting removed from the app stores, or de-platformed from Amazon Web Services (or whichever company they are hosted by) any time soon. But, even if it’s for something less dramatic like wanting to try out a different newsletter service, having that extra corner of the internet in your back pocket is a useful tool to enable your future success. In this XPress Access post, I’ll be going over how to set up a WordPress. There are many others that are either more user-friendly or aesthetically appealing, but it depends on what you’re going for. WordPress works for me, and has for the past 8 years. I’ll explain why. Thanks for stopping by! Please consider upgrading to a paid subscription if you haven’t already. We’re building a great place for indie authors and readers of speculative fiction, and your support is greatly appreciated. All proceeds return to the community in one way or another. Hope to meet you in the comments. ~ WM Subscribe to The Storyletter to read the rest.Become a paying subscriber of The Storyletter to get access to this post and other subscriber-only content. A subscription gets you:
|
Key phrases
Older messages
Winter Wind
Sunday, November 27, 2022
Poem | Fantasy
(SRA) The Shooting of Dan McGrew by Robert W. Service
Thursday, November 24, 2022
Listen now (7 min) | Audio Series Episode 13
Feeling Thankful | Featuring "Next Draft with Diane Hatz"
Thursday, November 24, 2022
November 2022 Newsletter
Showcase: Future House Publishing
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
Publishing House for Science Fiction and Fantasy
Abaddon’s Portrait of a Lonesome Shore
Sunday, November 13, 2022
Short Story by James Castor | Thriller | S6 Contest Runner Up
You Might Also Like
"The Jesus Fridge" by Jeffrey McDaniel
Friday, March 29, 2024
Your fridge died last week. The light Facebook Twitter Instagram Support Poem-a-Day March 29, 2024 The Jesus Fridge Jeffrey McDaniel Your fridge died last week. The light still came on when you opened
Genres are a funny little concept, aren't they?
Friday, March 29, 2024
Skimm'd with the best deals of the week — Check out what we Skimm'd for you today Subscribe Read in browser March 29, 2024 Daily Skimm Skimm'd with the best deals of the week Update
Cindy Crawford’s Airport Pants Are The *Best* Alternative To Sweats
Friday, March 29, 2024
Iconic.
My Top 3: Regular Little Indulgences
Friday, March 29, 2024
Witty subhead ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
Google Wants You to Use AI for Your Next Vacation 🤔
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Don't Trust These 'Reset Password' Pop-ups on Your Apple Devices. Google has released several new ways you can use AI and other tools to help plan your next vacation, including the
GOP congresswoman blames Green New Deal for bridge collapse
Thursday, March 28, 2024
The Green New Deal, for the record, does not technically exist. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
Your Zodiac Sign Should Prepare For Love Affairs In April
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Plus, Lili Reinhart's peach glam look, Bustle's beauty awards are here, & more.
PunchTok Rattles New York Women
Thursday, March 28, 2024
What's new today on the Cut — covering style, self, culture, and power, plus interviews, profiles, columns, and commentary from our editors. Brand Logo THURSDAY, MARCH 28 WAIT WHAT IS HAPPENING ON
The worst mug in your kitchen has an important purpose
Thursday, March 28, 2024
This is the hottest new restaurant trend in LA
Ye Olde Sign Shoppe: Gran Canaria’s Tomás Prieto Gálvez
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Adventures in life, family, and sign painting with Tomás Prieto Gálvez in the Canary Islands. BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & Culture BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign