Just a wee update, nothing to be alarmed at I’m not going anywhere. But… Oh, and this is for free subscribers, an FYI for paying ones.
There are good days as a Substacker and bad ones. If you’re guessing that today wasn’t a flash one you’d be right, it was the worst. Literally, I’ve not had a worse one and I’m puzzled as to why. My apologies if this feels like Groundhog Day, it feels like that here too, which is why I’m writing to you now, to draw a line under things.
Something that’s been nagging away at me is the thought that I’m giving too much content away for free, and that’s become a disincentive to people paying. If you get a lot for free - then why pay? It’s only human nature.
So although I’ve been hesitant to do so until now I’ve decided to follow the example of a number of other writers on Substack and make the majority of my newsletters paid, with occasional free ones to spread the word.
I do want to make it as affordable as possible so for the rest of August, a birthday month special, you’ll get 20% off for the first 12 months of either an annual sub, $68 at the reduced yearly rate, or a monthly one, which is $6.39 at the discounted monthly rate.
Kia ora Nick, as a superannuitant, I have to decide where I put my money (Oh, hang on...I'm ok now with my tax break 😂)......no, seriously.....I choose to pay for your korero because I value your insight and analysis, and obviously, choice of music. And I do appreciate that I ger a discount! I do feel bad that I can't pay for more subscriptions to other great observers (who I also value)....but that's how it is in old person land!
I totally support you making a living from this mahi: bringing a level of insight and sanity to this crazy world we find ourselves in. Kia kaha Nick.
Perhaps that’s the issue Nick. We are all older NZers and retired. I’m the same age. I’d love to give away more subscriptions but instead spend journalism on other intelligent writers.
I have about ten subs which is a fair whack of money. (Michael Moore has a great piece this week on how to make the people’s voice count. )
So, what is the average age of your readers? Are young people paying for journalism or is it us old newspaper readers who value good editorial? How can we engage young wage earners to subscribe? A discount for under 30s 40s. Then the content will spread!
Thanks Kirsty, appreciate that, and similar message from other subscribers saying - "your prices are worth the money", they played a part in my decision.
Exactly. My selection also. I add Bernard Hickey and BHN. Information is my only must have and I am endlessly grateful to those who are doing the hard yards on this.
Yes to the above 4 & when I have a browse through the Herald if there is an article by Simon Wilson &/or Shane TePou I also see some good in depth analysis.
I tautoko Kirsty's sentiments and strongly reccomend everyone pay the ( very reasonable) fees for one of the best posts you could hope for. Thanks Nick!
I know I will sound like an ad from the 50s for some health formula, but ...A diet of words produced by this country's political editors, commentators and assorted propagandists had left me seriously unwell, but now, thanks to you and David Slack, I feel better, happier and confident in all the good people here - not to mention a whole world of excellent musicians. Thank you!
I’m a pensioner and really appreciate your discounted price. I believe it is excellent value for money and I thoroughly enjoy reading every post. The fact that everything is well researched means I can rely on the content and I can look at the links if I want more detail. Thank you for your hard work.
All too often we, Kiwi's seem to be content to just take what we are given, but if we, as individuals, do not stand up in some way, then we get what we deserve! If the argument is that it is just our nature, then nothing will change! If we do not pay the $80 for a year, to get a guy like Nick to put critique out there, to encourage others, perhaps even the "tickers" people? Get real people, it IS OUR problem to fix. Don't like what we now have let us get together and change it! Cost of Living is not a problem, Inequality IS! Nothing will change - unless we make the change, each one of us!!!!! I bet 80% or more reading this have no problem with $80 a year. If now is not the time to make change, when will that time come?
I may be vilified for writing this but with literally everyone asking for a couple of bucks for their content- substack, media, TV, streaming etc - it is literally impossible to pay for everything. I'm gutted. I really really appreciated your take and content but I cannot stretch another subscription at the moment. We miss out on so much now with media the way it is and your writing and others is too important to be stuck behind a pay wall. But alas. Those are the days and thems the brakes. I will follow with interest your free editions. And thank you for your work to date.
No vilification Jolyon, and thanks for your honest comments.
I do understand and feel the same with the number of streaming options and such available. It would be good to bundle newsletters but the model doesn't seem to lend itself readily to that.
Sounds good to me. All take and no give is not an equal deal. Keep up the great work Nick! Thanks for reading, listening to and researching all the shit things we can't bear. Shine on you crazy diamond.
Yes Nick I’d love to gift a year’s subscription for a pensioner friend. Let’s know how to do that please. Your writing is wonderful - I always look forward to reading your insightful, well-researched newsletters. Sincere thanks for all you bring to this space.
I'm happy to be a yearly subscriber your writing is funny informative and I look forward to reading it every day.
As someone already said everyone seems to want a few dollars for everything I happen to think yours is the right way a subscription not a few dollars in the bank each week that feels like some are constantly pleading poverty giving a guilt trip to those who can't really afford it.
I'm sure you'll get lots more readers subscribing it's the best value for money in the country
Thanks Janet, one of the reasons I've sent this message is to avoid just that. I'm very conscious of not wanting to continue to go cap in hand asking for support but rather putting my work out there at the cheapest price I can and hope people opt to choose it.
I really appreciate your daily comments on current social and political happenings. The subscription is good value even though we’re retired. So be encouraged. You are not speaking to a vacuum!
Quite a few people have suggested similar, there is a Patron level subscription available (https://nickrockel.substack.com/subscribe) for those who would like to pay more. 🙂
I've decided to keep the price as low as possible, especially in these challenging times, but appreciate the thought and I guess at some point I'll need to raise prices, $8 seems a lot less than when I started, but not this year.
Not that I'm aware of, you would need to cancel your existing subscription rather than renew and then take up an offer as a new subscription. There doesn't seem any way of changing existing subscribers to a discount.
You can turn auto-renew off in the settings if you want to avoid it rolling over although you'll get a notification email before then. If there is no suitable special at the time, and I'm intending to have my next one as a pre Xmas special, then hit me up and I'll create a discount code just for you at the time. 🙂
Im paid up and also on the wrong side of 60. Keep doing what you do. I actually dont believe that good humans always exploit free if they can afford to pay but I'm a bit weird like that. Today I went to buy a sandwich and a homeless guy was sitting outside the bakery with a sign that he was hungry. So I asked him what he wanted and was a bit suprised at the 3 item list but hell I got it all anyway. Its pay day wednesday. I'll meet the rent for a week or two.
Absolutely worth every cent...I think, for me, I have never paid for a newspaper or magazine subscription. Now I pay for three substacks...I'll quit one in a year, and not because it isn't brilliant...I just don't have time, and it's silly to pay money for something I mostly just file every few days. I won't stop this one though - it's my favourite (also the comments section!) :-)
I'm happy with whatever you decide...but how do you mean it was bad? I leave you unread until I am ready to read a whole post...sometimes this means I read 5 on a Sunday morning. It's not that I don't want to read it as soon as I see it- I just need to digest things properly :D
Kia ora Nick, as a superannuitant, I have to decide where I put my money (Oh, hang on...I'm ok now with my tax break 😂)......no, seriously.....I choose to pay for your korero because I value your insight and analysis, and obviously, choice of music. And I do appreciate that I ger a discount! I do feel bad that I can't pay for more subscriptions to other great observers (who I also value)....but that's how it is in old person land!
I totally support you making a living from this mahi: bringing a level of insight and sanity to this crazy world we find ourselves in. Kia kaha Nick.
Perhaps that’s the issue Nick. We are all older NZers and retired. I’m the same age. I’d love to give away more subscriptions but instead spend journalism on other intelligent writers.
I have about ten subs which is a fair whack of money. (Michael Moore has a great piece this week on how to make the people’s voice count. )
So, what is the average age of your readers? Are young people paying for journalism or is it us old newspaper readers who value good editorial? How can we engage young wage earners to subscribe? A discount for under 30s 40s. Then the content will spread!
Just thinking…..
Yes totally agree ❤️
I totally agree. We are in the same situation. We already Nick's work very much.
Kia kaha Nick - you absolutely deserve to make a living for the fantastic mahi you do - keeping us sane and hopeful - ka mau te wehi!
Thanks Kirsty, appreciate that, and similar message from other subscribers saying - "your prices are worth the money", they played a part in my decision.
Worth every cent and more. You, G and David Slack keep me sane.
Exactly. My selection also. I add Bernard Hickey and BHN. Information is my only must have and I am endlessly grateful to those who are doing the hard yards on this.
Agree re Bernard and BHN. I follow a few others too but these are my main 3.
Ditto
Yes to the above 4 & when I have a browse through the Herald if there is an article by Simon Wilson &/or Shane TePou I also see some good in depth analysis.
Also Nick, I enjoy your sense of humour, a chuckle a day is good for our health!!!
Who is G?
Gerard Otto, on Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/share/PApb9rGh9s6fHtkD/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Is he only on Facebook?
Correct.
G News.
Gerard Otto.
The Good News 👍
I tautoko Kirsty's sentiments and strongly reccomend everyone pay the ( very reasonable) fees for one of the best posts you could hope for. Thanks Nick!
I know I will sound like an ad from the 50s for some health formula, but ...A diet of words produced by this country's political editors, commentators and assorted propagandists had left me seriously unwell, but now, thanks to you and David Slack, I feel better, happier and confident in all the good people here - not to mention a whole world of excellent musicians. Thank you!
I agree. And Emily writes and Josh Drummond and David Farrier and Bernard Hickey and Melanie Newfield and Melanie Newfield and Mountain Tui.
Check them out. And of course Michael Moore
I’m a pensioner and really appreciate your discounted price. I believe it is excellent value for money and I thoroughly enjoy reading every post. The fact that everything is well researched means I can rely on the content and I can look at the links if I want more detail. Thank you for your hard work.
All too often we, Kiwi's seem to be content to just take what we are given, but if we, as individuals, do not stand up in some way, then we get what we deserve! If the argument is that it is just our nature, then nothing will change! If we do not pay the $80 for a year, to get a guy like Nick to put critique out there, to encourage others, perhaps even the "tickers" people? Get real people, it IS OUR problem to fix. Don't like what we now have let us get together and change it! Cost of Living is not a problem, Inequality IS! Nothing will change - unless we make the change, each one of us!!!!! I bet 80% or more reading this have no problem with $80 a year. If now is not the time to make change, when will that time come?
💯 Nick. Your mahi is worth every cent.
I may be vilified for writing this but with literally everyone asking for a couple of bucks for their content- substack, media, TV, streaming etc - it is literally impossible to pay for everything. I'm gutted. I really really appreciated your take and content but I cannot stretch another subscription at the moment. We miss out on so much now with media the way it is and your writing and others is too important to be stuck behind a pay wall. But alas. Those are the days and thems the brakes. I will follow with interest your free editions. And thank you for your work to date.
No vilification Jolyon, and thanks for your honest comments.
I do understand and feel the same with the number of streaming options and such available. It would be good to bundle newsletters but the model doesn't seem to lend itself readily to that.
Yes. The bundling idea is something I'd thought of too and would definitely be a good idea in principle. Thanks again Nick.
Sounds good to me. All take and no give is not an equal deal. Keep up the great work Nick! Thanks for reading, listening to and researching all the shit things we can't bear. Shine on you crazy diamond.
Perhaps some of your readers could think about gifting a subscription to whanau, who may not be able to afford to pay for their own. Great gift!
yes! David Slack has this option, where people can gift a subscription.
Others have a "pay it forward" where people gift a free subscription and you decide who it goes to
Yes Nick I’d love to gift a year’s subscription for a pensioner friend. Let’s know how to do that please. Your writing is wonderful - I always look forward to reading your insightful, well-researched newsletters. Sincere thanks for all you bring to this space.
Very happy subscriber... Would you consider doing what BH at The Kaka does, and throw his content open if it attracts more than 100 likes?
That is a good idea, I'm a subscriber and I've seen Bernard doing that, yes I'd consider doing it.
I'm happy to be a yearly subscriber your writing is funny informative and I look forward to reading it every day.
As someone already said everyone seems to want a few dollars for everything I happen to think yours is the right way a subscription not a few dollars in the bank each week that feels like some are constantly pleading poverty giving a guilt trip to those who can't really afford it.
I'm sure you'll get lots more readers subscribing it's the best value for money in the country
Thanks Janet, one of the reasons I've sent this message is to avoid just that. I'm very conscious of not wanting to continue to go cap in hand asking for support but rather putting my work out there at the cheapest price I can and hope people opt to choose it.
Absolutely worth the $ Nick. You write so beautifully and keep me sane too.
Go for it Nick! You’re great value, really appreciated - thank you!
The right decision Nick.
Long time reader, first time subscriber. Your work is great and worthy of our support.
Thanks very much Susan, and welcome to the comments section. 🙂
Tautoko Nick — your kōrero is worth every cent. Love your mahi :)))))
Well done Nick a great decision😊👍
Go for it! I’ve been paying as I do for anything that delivers real value to me personally. I think you need to value yourself as we do.
I really appreciate your daily comments on current social and political happenings. The subscription is good value even though we’re retired. So be encouraged. You are not speaking to a vacuum!
Absolutely agree with your decision. I’d be happy to pay more, you are well worth it!
Absolutely, Nick. Maybe do a Bernard Hickey and make it free after n no of likes?
Just replied to John on the same above.
Good on ya Nick. Thoroughly appreciate and enjoy your writing.
👏👏👏👏👏👏 appreciation clap
Put the sub up $10 /$20 for all us fervent followers. 🥰
Quite a few people have suggested similar, there is a Patron level subscription available (https://nickrockel.substack.com/subscribe) for those who would like to pay more. 🙂
I've decided to keep the price as low as possible, especially in these challenging times, but appreciate the thought and I guess at some point I'll need to raise prices, $8 seems a lot less than when I started, but not this year.
Nick my sub ends in Nov; can I take advantage of the $68.00 now, to be tagged onto Nov?
Hi Leonie,
Not that I'm aware of, you would need to cancel your existing subscription rather than renew and then take up an offer as a new subscription. There doesn't seem any way of changing existing subscribers to a discount.
You can turn auto-renew off in the settings if you want to avoid it rolling over although you'll get a notification email before then. If there is no suitable special at the time, and I'm intending to have my next one as a pre Xmas special, then hit me up and I'll create a discount code just for you at the time. 🙂
Nick.
Thank you, will do. I do support quite a few of you lovely writers.
I'm with Sharon! Kia kaha!
Way to go Nick. You may be competing with sport and a stock market down turn. Your take on things is always informative and uplifting Cheers xx
Im paid up and also on the wrong side of 60. Keep doing what you do. I actually dont believe that good humans always exploit free if they can afford to pay but I'm a bit weird like that. Today I went to buy a sandwich and a homeless guy was sitting outside the bakery with a sign that he was hungry. So I asked him what he wanted and was a bit suprised at the 3 item list but hell I got it all anyway. Its pay day wednesday. I'll meet the rent for a week or two.
Absolutely worth every cent...I think, for me, I have never paid for a newspaper or magazine subscription. Now I pay for three substacks...I'll quit one in a year, and not because it isn't brilliant...I just don't have time, and it's silly to pay money for something I mostly just file every few days. I won't stop this one though - it's my favourite (also the comments section!) :-)
Fair enough Nick. Keep up the good work
I'm happy with whatever you decide...but how do you mean it was bad? I leave you unread until I am ready to read a whole post...sometimes this means I read 5 on a Sunday morning. It's not that I don't want to read it as soon as I see it- I just need to digest things properly :D
What is BHN?