A very honest and open Korero this morning Nick. Thanks for sharing like you have. I, for one, appreciate the platform you offer every morning for us to vent our frustrations about pretty much all that's wrong with the world. My thinking is that if someone wants the liberty to express their thoughts and feelings in a public arena without fear of reprisal, provided by someone dedicated to the cause, then a few dollars here and there is very small price to pay. I hope enough of your readers will understand and continue to help you produce the great opportunity for speaking out you give us every morning.
It's also not egocentric to be proud of the family you and Fi have brought up. Your obvious pride in them is very refreshing in a world sadly lacking.
Another enjoyable article Nick as far as the subscription goes the thing is what you do well is your intellectual property & it's worth something so don't feel bad $8 a month is nothing these days for all the information that you work hard at to get to us so good for you I know it's hard asking for money I'm the same but what you do is well worth it.
I hate that you have to worry about income - partly because the economy is crashing and the extra dollars are tough for some - and partly because a lot of us expect to get good things for free (that was the downside of the olde internet. We will keep spreading the word and hopefully some more of your fans will subscribe. Nga mihi
I was a student in the mid 90s and used to go to the movies a lot with the day time discount they had then, in between lectures.
I have considered raising the price, $8 isn't what it was when I started, but for now I'd prefer to have many people paying a bit than asking more of those who're paying already. Appreciate the suggestion though. 🙂
Ae. NGA mihi tino nui kia koe Nick. Supporting our kids now supporting my 2 moko’s and a great grandson. Fly them to Melbourne on Saturday where they will finally join their dad after 16 years. So excited for the their fresh start to a new life. Enough. Making me miss them more already. NGA mihi kia koutou katoa.
Nick, I appreciate your work, and the community you’ve created here, kindred spirits who believe people need to be treated with understanding and respect no matter their race, creed or bank balance, and who share your outrage at the political shenanigans playing out in Aotearoa just now. I say keep doing as you are, and perhaps paywall a bit more of it, because what you do has great value and it’s not like you charge an arm and a leg. Maybe send paying subscribers a few more gift subs to pass out to friends and family. I’ll promote your korero a bit more widely, too.
Another great article Nick .... in fact, I can't think of any of your writing that I haven't enjoyed and of course your music recommendations! On the subject of lack of subscribers, I have a suggestion for you. I belong to another group that I subscribe to, and when costs rose, rather than increase the subscription, we were asked if we could make a one off top-up payment .... only if we were in a financial position to do so. Maybe something to consider..? $85 per annum is peanuts for the quality and quantity of the posts you write, and we would be more than happy to top up our subscriptions.
Those people who read you and don’t subscribe are the parents who don’t volunteer. It’s not your job to serve them. Don’t feel guilty put a subscriber only line after a content hook. Perhaps a 2 or three tier subscription fee option might help as I have felt that the annual fee is too little. Good luck.
Thanks Robert, appreciate your comments. It's a double edged sword as it's hard to attract new subscribers with paid article, plus of course I want people to read them, but maybe a few more with paywalls and use less frequent, free ones to share more widely. Substackers seem to take really different approaches although I guess the potential audience size impacts that.
That is all true Nick but in the long term none of us will benefit from your writing if you cannot make at least a satisfactory living out of your efforts.
Rather than producing free article's I have wondered about allowing your subscribers to share the articles they feel passionate about this would improve the circulation of the article largely to like minded people and up the motivation of those readers to subscribe as the occasional share will not be a reliable enough source for those who are interested. 🤔
Good for got Nick, or is a hard and courageous thing you do.....I really hope others win subscribe to acknowledge your value.... if I could pay more I would! But in am going to offer to gift my daughter a subscription and if she is keen, then I'll sign her up. Good luck!
Nick thanks for your thoughts today. I look forward to your writing and the comments from what is clearly a group of like minded thinkers. Happy to pay a subscription and have no idea how to increase the readership, wish I could help. The economy currently sucks though as a visit to Albany Mall yesterday confirmed. Just a handful of cars in a huge car park. I know this doesn't help but it may reflect the reality of how PM Luxton has made things better for everyone. Sarcasm alert.
Cash flow....I suspect that Substack has constraints so this may not work. Have you thought about approaching The Guardian as an opinion writer from NZ. All you write about hits the nail on the head and if The Guardian took you on, the Real NZ would be showcased to the world. Food for thought.
Oh Nick, I loved your story about Steve and Sam. With a husband and son who both played National League football, and a full family immersion in footy as the kids were growing up... well, I just felt a connection.
Re the subscriptions... (sorry about all the ellipses!), I could give some away for Christmas. All the best for building up your paying crew - you are worthy!
A very honest and open Korero this morning Nick. Thanks for sharing like you have. I, for one, appreciate the platform you offer every morning for us to vent our frustrations about pretty much all that's wrong with the world. My thinking is that if someone wants the liberty to express their thoughts and feelings in a public arena without fear of reprisal, provided by someone dedicated to the cause, then a few dollars here and there is very small price to pay. I hope enough of your readers will understand and continue to help you produce the great opportunity for speaking out you give us every morning.
It's also not egocentric to be proud of the family you and Fi have brought up. Your obvious pride in them is very refreshing in a world sadly lacking.
Another enjoyable article Nick as far as the subscription goes the thing is what you do well is your intellectual property & it's worth something so don't feel bad $8 a month is nothing these days for all the information that you work hard at to get to us so good for you I know it's hard asking for money I'm the same but what you do is well worth it.
I hate that you have to worry about income - partly because the economy is crashing and the extra dollars are tough for some - and partly because a lot of us expect to get good things for free (that was the downside of the olde internet. We will keep spreading the word and hopefully some more of your fans will subscribe. Nga mihi
Thank you for being so open and sharing of you and your whanau, alongside your incredible writing and analysis. Ngā mihinui Nick
Your subscription is so very small; perhaps you need to increase it? Even $10 per month is tiny, and might make a difference to you.
Btw, thank you so much for reminding me about Muriel's Wedding. That clip is so funny. Will have to make time to watch the whole thing again, soon.
I was a student in the mid 90s and used to go to the movies a lot with the day time discount they had then, in between lectures.
I have considered raising the price, $8 isn't what it was when I started, but for now I'd prefer to have many people paying a bit than asking more of those who're paying already. Appreciate the suggestion though. 🙂
I agree. I’d pay more.
Ae. NGA mihi tino nui kia koe Nick. Supporting our kids now supporting my 2 moko’s and a great grandson. Fly them to Melbourne on Saturday where they will finally join their dad after 16 years. So excited for the their fresh start to a new life. Enough. Making me miss them more already. NGA mihi kia koutou katoa.
Nick, I appreciate your work, and the community you’ve created here, kindred spirits who believe people need to be treated with understanding and respect no matter their race, creed or bank balance, and who share your outrage at the political shenanigans playing out in Aotearoa just now. I say keep doing as you are, and perhaps paywall a bit more of it, because what you do has great value and it’s not like you charge an arm and a leg. Maybe send paying subscribers a few more gift subs to pass out to friends and family. I’ll promote your korero a bit more widely, too.
Your writing is the highlight of my online day, Nick. Long may you run.
Yep, I was rugby, pony club and muso slave, somehow I became a roadie by default and living rurally, chief transporter.
I understand your enthusiasm for the Olympics but I won't watch or listen to any of it as long as Israel is competing, sorry.
Another great article Nick .... in fact, I can't think of any of your writing that I haven't enjoyed and of course your music recommendations! On the subject of lack of subscribers, I have a suggestion for you. I belong to another group that I subscribe to, and when costs rose, rather than increase the subscription, we were asked if we could make a one off top-up payment .... only if we were in a financial position to do so. Maybe something to consider..? $85 per annum is peanuts for the quality and quantity of the posts you write, and we would be more than happy to top up our subscriptions.
The top up is a great idea! I’d be into that so I hope you will consider that Nick, if it’s within the Substack model
Those people who read you and don’t subscribe are the parents who don’t volunteer. It’s not your job to serve them. Don’t feel guilty put a subscriber only line after a content hook. Perhaps a 2 or three tier subscription fee option might help as I have felt that the annual fee is too little. Good luck.
Thanks Robert, appreciate your comments. It's a double edged sword as it's hard to attract new subscribers with paid article, plus of course I want people to read them, but maybe a few more with paywalls and use less frequent, free ones to share more widely. Substackers seem to take really different approaches although I guess the potential audience size impacts that.
That is all true Nick but in the long term none of us will benefit from your writing if you cannot make at least a satisfactory living out of your efforts.
Rather than producing free article's I have wondered about allowing your subscribers to share the articles they feel passionate about this would improve the circulation of the article largely to like minded people and up the motivation of those readers to subscribe as the occasional share will not be a reliable enough source for those who are interested. 🤔
Good for got Nick, or is a hard and courageous thing you do.....I really hope others win subscribe to acknowledge your value.... if I could pay more I would! But in am going to offer to gift my daughter a subscription and if she is keen, then I'll sign her up. Good luck!
Thanks very much Linda. I'll probably have a Christmas special in a couple of months for people to gift to others, or themselves.
I have the original Time Bandits on DVD and watched it just the other day , I will be keen to see the revisd version ....
Nick thanks for your thoughts today. I look forward to your writing and the comments from what is clearly a group of like minded thinkers. Happy to pay a subscription and have no idea how to increase the readership, wish I could help. The economy currently sucks though as a visit to Albany Mall yesterday confirmed. Just a handful of cars in a huge car park. I know this doesn't help but it may reflect the reality of how PM Luxton has made things better for everyone. Sarcasm alert.
Cash flow....I suspect that Substack has constraints so this may not work. Have you thought about approaching The Guardian as an opinion writer from NZ. All you write about hits the nail on the head and if The Guardian took you on, the Real NZ would be showcased to the world. Food for thought.
Oh Nick, I loved your story about Steve and Sam. With a husband and son who both played National League football, and a full family immersion in footy as the kids were growing up... well, I just felt a connection.
Re the subscriptions... (sorry about all the ellipses!), I could give some away for Christmas. All the best for building up your paying crew - you are worthy!