I needed to read this today… Been using my Substack as basically a personal sketchbook and note book with almost 0 engagement… having to reassess my relationship with being visible and invisible at the same time! Artist dancing with ego! It’s all growth but I have felt lots of what’s the point? Moments
I’m happy if we all know who Todd is. But the answer is probably different for each of us. I’m not calling out anyone in particular. Todd is more like the Shadow archetype of the creator economy.
Nice one. I would guess that most of those folks that make less than 1000 USD per month actually make 0 USD. I am working on a project to connect living artists with sources of income. Sales, commissions, exhibitions, markets, physical things. Folks might find this contrary to what they want to believe but hanging work in cafes, restaurants, hotels, and such, is much better than posting a bunch online. The problem comes in that most folks would rather be an online cosplayer, (Excuse me, I mean "influencer") than an actual artist. And the problem with hanging work in physical spaces is that one must maintain a presence around those places to actually sell things. And most folks invent excuses for almost anything that requires actual physical work, even if that work just means going around and saying "hi" to the folks who own/run the spaces where their work is on exhibition. And, whether the artist likes it or not, it is on exhibition when it is hanging in the local coffee shop. The likelihood of it selling there is higher if the artist is will to pop in for a minute or two from time to time. Most places I have worked with were more than happy to recommend me to other spaces and feature my work at their events...But it hasn't come without a cost. I had to invest time and money in them. Just like folks do online...But unlike my online experience, a real presence has given me real resullts...Sales. Am I a millionaire? Not yet. And I am not against the idea at all and I also like taking my daughter to lunch, and having dinner with the family and...Hit me up if you want to join my pyramid scheme. But I have to tell you, it is a little bit flat. You have to build your own pyramid with your own work if you want one of them. PEACE
Thanks for sharing this story Ron. That’s very unique and interesting. I would love to connect more with artists in the real world.
And you are probably right, most people make closer to zero money here. It’s not because of a lack of skills or discipline. It’s mostly because we are using the system in the wrong way.
My key takeaway from this one is this part "Instead of submitting to consistency you submit to devotion."
Coincidentally I was thinking on the same lines yesterday - how to sustain motivation or consistency when reliable external signals are absent. And the answer I arrived on is devotion as well.
My focus is now building devotion - to craft, to the process, and to removal of ego from the process.
@Michael Logan 🐦🔥 dude your restacks are 🔥🔥🔥 — this was an amazing read and thank you for sharing. @Philipp thanks a lot for this. I think a lot of us have been influenced by a “Todd.” Thanks for sharing this view!
I would like a refund please. It's not been 6 months (only 5) and if you don't believe I've stumbled on this revolutionary method at face value please check out the train wreck that is my post history. 🤣
I think the problem could also be viewed this way: even if you started making very good income from substack, why would you want to be tied and at the mercy of a platform that can go the same censorship/deletion way as any other platform?
In other words, make it a side thing, and even if it takes off don't put your eggs in one basket.
Creating art, services and useful non-toxic products in the real world is going to be the fastest growing sector again VERY soon. Do it and write about it.
I agree. People are craving “real” experiences and things more than ever in this digital hellscape. It’s time to re-engage with our communities and ourselves.
You are spot on! Thank you for putting what I've come to realize in words. The only question I have is what dessert are you standing in? I prefer creme bulee!
As I was reading, I was thinking about all the newsletters I'll stop and people on LinkedIn I'll stop following. Every time I hit 'unsubscribe' or 'unfollow' will feel like a little declaration of freedom. Meanwhile, I go back to working on what I'm building, spreading the word. As the late Judy Tenuta would say, "It can happen."
I love how much clarity I found reading this article. I’ve definitely been here in my head for awhile, but after being immersed in the “content” world for awhile this article helped me really integrate some things. Neural pathways and all that. Thank you, Phillip!
I really like how you flipped the usual productivity script and walked straight into the uncomfortable truths most people only hint at.
I needed to read this today… Been using my Substack as basically a personal sketchbook and note book with almost 0 engagement… having to reassess my relationship with being visible and invisible at the same time! Artist dancing with ego! It’s all growth but I have felt lots of what’s the point? Moments
Give it 6 months and the engagement changes.
I chuckled reading this. You set us right in the middle scene, so many parallels with my own journey
I have no idea who you are man, but this is some good stuff.
And I think we all know who Todd is 😅 (though I do like him)
Thanks Alex.
I’m happy if we all know who Todd is. But the answer is probably different for each of us. I’m not calling out anyone in particular. Todd is more like the Shadow archetype of the creator economy.
I think that the narrative that you arz critiqing here is the first driver of BS jobs and content in the creator economy.
Nice one. I would guess that most of those folks that make less than 1000 USD per month actually make 0 USD. I am working on a project to connect living artists with sources of income. Sales, commissions, exhibitions, markets, physical things. Folks might find this contrary to what they want to believe but hanging work in cafes, restaurants, hotels, and such, is much better than posting a bunch online. The problem comes in that most folks would rather be an online cosplayer, (Excuse me, I mean "influencer") than an actual artist. And the problem with hanging work in physical spaces is that one must maintain a presence around those places to actually sell things. And most folks invent excuses for almost anything that requires actual physical work, even if that work just means going around and saying "hi" to the folks who own/run the spaces where their work is on exhibition. And, whether the artist likes it or not, it is on exhibition when it is hanging in the local coffee shop. The likelihood of it selling there is higher if the artist is will to pop in for a minute or two from time to time. Most places I have worked with were more than happy to recommend me to other spaces and feature my work at their events...But it hasn't come without a cost. I had to invest time and money in them. Just like folks do online...But unlike my online experience, a real presence has given me real resullts...Sales. Am I a millionaire? Not yet. And I am not against the idea at all and I also like taking my daughter to lunch, and having dinner with the family and...Hit me up if you want to join my pyramid scheme. But I have to tell you, it is a little bit flat. You have to build your own pyramid with your own work if you want one of them. PEACE
Thanks for sharing this story Ron. That’s very unique and interesting. I would love to connect more with artists in the real world.
And you are probably right, most people make closer to zero money here. It’s not because of a lack of skills or discipline. It’s mostly because we are using the system in the wrong way.
My key takeaway from this one is this part "Instead of submitting to consistency you submit to devotion."
Coincidentally I was thinking on the same lines yesterday - how to sustain motivation or consistency when reliable external signals are absent. And the answer I arrived on is devotion as well.
My focus is now building devotion - to craft, to the process, and to removal of ego from the process.
@Michael Logan 🐦🔥 dude your restacks are 🔥🔥🔥 — this was an amazing read and thank you for sharing. @Philipp thanks a lot for this. I think a lot of us have been influenced by a “Todd.” Thanks for sharing this view!
My pleasure. 😉👍🏼
This needed to be said and you did so eloquently and without preachiness. Well done!👍🏼
How do you hit it out of the park every time?
I would like a refund please. It's not been 6 months (only 5) and if you don't believe I've stumbled on this revolutionary method at face value please check out the train wreck that is my post history. 🤣
I think the problem could also be viewed this way: even if you started making very good income from substack, why would you want to be tied and at the mercy of a platform that can go the same censorship/deletion way as any other platform?
In other words, make it a side thing, and even if it takes off don't put your eggs in one basket.
Creating art, services and useful non-toxic products in the real world is going to be the fastest growing sector again VERY soon. Do it and write about it.
Peace.
I agree. People are craving “real” experiences and things more than ever in this digital hellscape. It’s time to re-engage with our communities and ourselves.
You are spot on! Thank you for putting what I've come to realize in words. The only question I have is what dessert are you standing in? I prefer creme bulee!
As I was reading, I was thinking about all the newsletters I'll stop and people on LinkedIn I'll stop following. Every time I hit 'unsubscribe' or 'unfollow' will feel like a little declaration of freedom. Meanwhile, I go back to working on what I'm building, spreading the word. As the late Judy Tenuta would say, "It can happen."
I love how much clarity I found reading this article. I’ve definitely been here in my head for awhile, but after being immersed in the “content” world for awhile this article helped me really integrate some things. Neural pathways and all that. Thank you, Phillip!
I’m sure you have more than 10 by now. But count me among the people that would genuinely miss you if you were gone.