I’m curious if you are a Manifesting Generator in Human Design? I am… and pivoting is just something I’ve accepted is part of the process now. But sometimes I’m like…. Argh… really? Again? Now? 🤪 xx
Thanks Russell! I knew you’d relate… it’s the inevitable mind-circus. Always frustrating when it comes, but usually it leads to sunshine afterwards (hopefully in June ☀️)
Haha maybe it will be fine, it always will in the end somehow, but I see you’ve put in a lot of effort this far so it’s a hard pill to swallow indeed. Sending you good energy
I hope to see lots of people explore this, and I hope you find the pivot that keeps you going! You help a lot of us here. As artists, we can’t think of hourly wages. If I did, I currently make €0.85/per hour as a writer on Substack. That’s why “energy input vs. output” makes more sense to me. How much does the Substack community give me the energy to do what I love? How many creative opportunities do I see? Verses, how much does it drain me?
Oh I’ll definitely keep going! I’m not the one to turn down, I just need to make a reorientation and especially include substack in my actual eco system whereas up until this point it’s been flying by as a personal (costly) side project.. I think you’ll like what’s coming.. I’ll announce it soon!
Thanks for sharing, Elin, it's very insightful and honest - as usual. I think you could promote your art business here a little bit more (if you're comfortable with that), after all these two (writing + art) are inseparable parts of your creativity. Also, my impression is that most people who manage making Substack a tangible part of their income combine it with other streams - promoting already existing work and products or providing e.g. additional workshops, 1-1 work, promoting their Patreons, books, creating extra stuff for paid subs (threads, videos, hangouts), etc. Or these people are already very well established outside of the platform, so people just come because of their status (think Liz Gilbert or Stephen Fry). You made a great job by conducting several surveys and, well, they definitely showed - there is no one answer. Straightly speaking there is no one answer for all of the platforms it seems, there are many people who struggle with IG a lot and it's quite a time & soul sucker. My feeling is that in many cases writing (or any content in general) itself isn't seen as inherently valuable by most people (hence the negative reaction to paywalls), probably because there is so many free content nowadays and people are generally ready to pay when it comes to something "extra". But again, it probably doesn't mean that everyone has to create a lot of "extra" stuff, may be there are just ways to use Substack as a part of your ecosystem and a leverage for already existing strengths (I love what Astrid Bracke writes on this topic).
Oh definitely, so far I haven’t incorporated substack into my eco system at all, it’s been flying along as a separate personal fun project. But I’ve got an idea that I think will make the two blend much better… think you’ll like it xx
I’m nothing but a Pivoter* … but as I age, I find myself stuck in a pool of people who haaaaaate change… I should “act my age more,” “when you gonna grow up and quit dreaming?” Joke is on them; I’m gonna die dreaming.
So my struggle right now is to move slooooooooowly so I don’t startle the chickens 😂 You wouldn’t think it would tear a soul, but it is soooooo painful. Can I streeeeeeeetch out all my vowels? It’s my new pivot 😀😀
*Did Taylor Swift’s song “The Bolter” pop into my noggin just then? Yes… yeeeees it did…. 🤷♂️
Hahaha this made me crack up Gérard thanks!! And yes 🙌 to dying as dreamers, how dull life must be for all who are obsessed with the need to grow up?! I’m grateful for having little children around showing me that it’s much more fun when we let lose a bit. Thanks for this!
I honestly just want to leave it like this here, but I might reserve this for another time. Just remember that despite you "having an audience", no one besides yourself should really care.
Plus, just test it.
This could be my ingrained scientific and methodological mind/experience speaking, but just try different options and see how it goes. I don't think there is anything wrong with just announcing that for the next 12 months you will try running 4 different types of models, 3 months length each, and then reevaluate.
Quite the opposite - almost a genius "meta"-content idea :P. I am sure heaps of people would find that intriguing (including me, so now go do it, because then I don't have to haha!).
Hey Marcin! Great to see you here again, I’ve got quite an exciting development coming that will make the playground more even on my end, will try to announce it soon
Haha, yeah I had some things to organise and get used to (new daytime job). I am looking forward to being more active here again (albeit I ain't a fan of the videos addition to notes) - the writing and reading is just so "cozy".
I just saw your magazine, nice! You see, that is something cool to try out :). Perfect for your hands-on artistic side. Plus, you know, it kind of goes with the idea of "slow content" that one can enjoy rather than consume.
Yes! I know the need to pivot well, and the uncomfortable-ness that arrives with it. The fear of making the wrong decision, for me. Of seeming “flighty” or something like that 😂. Whereas you are so right, particularly as artists these are essential and actually wonderful. On the Substack point, I hear you. It’s something I’m struggling with right now too. I don’t know the answer yet but I do know the lure of this platform (it’s so good for community) has overtaken how much time I should sensibly spend on here in terms of income. I do need to rethink how I view and use it. But I’m with you..urghhhh xxx
Haha yes uuurrggghh is the right thing to say! There’s always the delicate balance of value: is it energy or money, community or expression… all these factors count in moving forwards. I think you may find my solution inspiring… will announce it soon xx
Yay thanks Danusia!! It sure is a balance and a balance that shifts with time and seasons too depending on circumstances… but it’s part of what makes it dynamic too - would be boring if everything remained static don’t you think?
Happy Birthday,Elin! To all you Geminis! My husband and I are both Gems so we have lotsa fun during Gemini season. Very true about cycles. Keep thinking on it and your answers will come. Take care.
I’m an artist too and I’ve pivoted more times than I can remember—it is part of the artist’s journey. I hear you on Substack, I’m the same. I spend too much time on here and it doesn’t generate enough income. My main focus has to be spending time in the studio and getting my art into the world.
It really is! I’ve had this conversation with many artists lately and we all seem to feel the same… yet the trick is to find the balance when you’ve invested yourself a lot. I thought the pivot would be to start cross promoting my business more, but I enjoy having them separate… so got to ponder on a bit more. What’s been your conclusion? Or it’s an ever-changing thing?
I think you might want to try to feature your art more on your Substack. Would you feature your classes or your art or both?
I'm going through my own issues with my writing and reading and commenting. Now I spend almost all my writing time related to something Substack. It's such a great community that it's seductive.
Oh you’re so right about it being seductive! And so much great writing and engagement
Yes I will start featuring my art more, I think you’ll find the pivot interesting! So far substack has been a complete personal side project to my artist ecosystem, and now I want to try and integrate it,
The sensible decision for me would be to write more about my art in my Substack—I tend to keep them separate. But I rarely take the sensible route! I just don’t know if I see Substack as a marketing tool. Most of my subscribers are other artists, not art collectors. I enjoy writing for other artists and building relationships here but none of it helps me get gallery shows. It’s a conundrum.
I completely understand you!! I came here for the need to write about other things than just my art practice, but ending up feeling like I should really talk about my art too haha.
It’s important to have collègues when artistry can be lonesome, but yes then it’s more community than marketing. Difficult!!! Where is your main marketing channel right now?
I’ve hosted my own exhibitions several times… i just tend to be independent 😅
Honestly, Instagram is still the best. Just recently I had a gallery reach out to me because they’d seen my work on instagram. There’s no way that could happen on Substack. I don’t even think there are any galleries here.
Fascinating!! I more or less stopped Instagram 3 years ago. Have it up because I’ve got 200k on there, but it just sucked my life out of me haha. Though now I’m wondering if I would’ve invested the same time there as here…. Always the questions!
Fellow Gemini artist and mother (of a 26 yo LOL) here. I hear you. I have learned in my nearly 58 years on the planet (it is gemini season) to follow what it is that lights me up. It may be chocolate or painting or anything at all. If something is heavy, leave it behind - or lighten it up. Energy in = energy out ... Happy birthday to you Elin! 🌸
I’m curious if you are a Manifesting Generator in Human Design? I am… and pivoting is just something I’ve accepted is part of the process now. But sometimes I’m like…. Argh… really? Again? Now? 🤪 xx
Nope haha I’m just an intentional artist living life to my best ability 🥰 xx
This is very relatable. Sorry you are going through it, but relatable
Thanks Russell! I knew you’d relate… it’s the inevitable mind-circus. Always frustrating when it comes, but usually it leads to sunshine afterwards (hopefully in June ☀️)
I have a big ole email going out on Sunday where I might just blow up everything…
Oh wow, I’m intrigued. You’ll drop substack for the other project you mentioned?
What you shared so far with your email platform disaster and switch was super interesting Russell. Thanks for always being so open!
It’s quite a big change though.
Hard to ditch $14k and 600+ people, but it’s sure to piss a lot of people off, I think. Or maybe it will be fine.
Haha maybe it will be fine, it always will in the end somehow, but I see you’ve put in a lot of effort this far so it’s a hard pill to swallow indeed. Sending you good energy
I hope to see lots of people explore this, and I hope you find the pivot that keeps you going! You help a lot of us here. As artists, we can’t think of hourly wages. If I did, I currently make €0.85/per hour as a writer on Substack. That’s why “energy input vs. output” makes more sense to me. How much does the Substack community give me the energy to do what I love? How many creative opportunities do I see? Verses, how much does it drain me?
Oh I’ll definitely keep going! I’m not the one to turn down, I just need to make a reorientation and especially include substack in my actual eco system whereas up until this point it’s been flying by as a personal (costly) side project.. I think you’ll like what’s coming.. I’ll announce it soon!
Thanks for sharing, Elin, it's very insightful and honest - as usual. I think you could promote your art business here a little bit more (if you're comfortable with that), after all these two (writing + art) are inseparable parts of your creativity. Also, my impression is that most people who manage making Substack a tangible part of their income combine it with other streams - promoting already existing work and products or providing e.g. additional workshops, 1-1 work, promoting their Patreons, books, creating extra stuff for paid subs (threads, videos, hangouts), etc. Or these people are already very well established outside of the platform, so people just come because of their status (think Liz Gilbert or Stephen Fry). You made a great job by conducting several surveys and, well, they definitely showed - there is no one answer. Straightly speaking there is no one answer for all of the platforms it seems, there are many people who struggle with IG a lot and it's quite a time & soul sucker. My feeling is that in many cases writing (or any content in general) itself isn't seen as inherently valuable by most people (hence the negative reaction to paywalls), probably because there is so many free content nowadays and people are generally ready to pay when it comes to something "extra". But again, it probably doesn't mean that everyone has to create a lot of "extra" stuff, may be there are just ways to use Substack as a part of your ecosystem and a leverage for already existing strengths (I love what Astrid Bracke writes on this topic).
Oh definitely, so far I haven’t incorporated substack into my eco system at all, it’s been flying along as a separate personal fun project. But I’ve got an idea that I think will make the two blend much better… think you’ll like it xx
Oh can’t wait ✨✨✨
I’m nothing but a Pivoter* … but as I age, I find myself stuck in a pool of people who haaaaaate change… I should “act my age more,” “when you gonna grow up and quit dreaming?” Joke is on them; I’m gonna die dreaming.
So my struggle right now is to move slooooooooowly so I don’t startle the chickens 😂 You wouldn’t think it would tear a soul, but it is soooooo painful. Can I streeeeeeeetch out all my vowels? It’s my new pivot 😀😀
*Did Taylor Swift’s song “The Bolter” pop into my noggin just then? Yes… yeeeees it did…. 🤷♂️
Hahaha this made me crack up Gérard thanks!! And yes 🙌 to dying as dreamers, how dull life must be for all who are obsessed with the need to grow up?! I’m grateful for having little children around showing me that it’s much more fun when we let lose a bit. Thanks for this!
The only constant in life is change.
I honestly just want to leave it like this here, but I might reserve this for another time. Just remember that despite you "having an audience", no one besides yourself should really care.
Plus, just test it.
This could be my ingrained scientific and methodological mind/experience speaking, but just try different options and see how it goes. I don't think there is anything wrong with just announcing that for the next 12 months you will try running 4 different types of models, 3 months length each, and then reevaluate.
Quite the opposite - almost a genius "meta"-content idea :P. I am sure heaps of people would find that intriguing (including me, so now go do it, because then I don't have to haha!).
Hey Marcin! Great to see you here again, I’ve got quite an exciting development coming that will make the playground more even on my end, will try to announce it soon
Haha, yeah I had some things to organise and get used to (new daytime job). I am looking forward to being more active here again (albeit I ain't a fan of the videos addition to notes) - the writing and reading is just so "cozy".
I just saw your magazine, nice! You see, that is something cool to try out :). Perfect for your hands-on artistic side. Plus, you know, it kind of goes with the idea of "slow content" that one can enjoy rather than consume.
Yes! I know the need to pivot well, and the uncomfortable-ness that arrives with it. The fear of making the wrong decision, for me. Of seeming “flighty” or something like that 😂. Whereas you are so right, particularly as artists these are essential and actually wonderful. On the Substack point, I hear you. It’s something I’m struggling with right now too. I don’t know the answer yet but I do know the lure of this platform (it’s so good for community) has overtaken how much time I should sensibly spend on here in terms of income. I do need to rethink how I view and use it. But I’m with you..urghhhh xxx
Haha yes uuurrggghh is the right thing to say! There’s always the delicate balance of value: is it energy or money, community or expression… all these factors count in moving forwards. I think you may find my solution inspiring… will announce it soon xx
Pivoting can be expressed in a dance. And I believe that as long as you remain authentic all will be well in the end.
Absolutely - that’s why I wanted to openly share this letter too - everything is better when the cards are on the table 🙌💞
Perfection!
I love reading this post. It’s a balance isn’t it - a blend of so much - desires, passions, income, time, the thrill of it… you’ve got this 😉
Yay thanks Danusia!! It sure is a balance and a balance that shifts with time and seasons too depending on circumstances… but it’s part of what makes it dynamic too - would be boring if everything remained static don’t you think?
Here for all the pivots, twists and turns 😘
Thanks Carmen, I got another epiphany today… I think you’ll like it 💞
I’m all ears or should I say eyes 😅
Happy Birthday,Elin! To all you Geminis! My husband and I are both Gems so we have lotsa fun during Gemini season. Very true about cycles. Keep thinking on it and your answers will come. Take care.
Thanks Jeanine!! And happy birthdays to you guys too 👏🙌🙌
I’m an artist too and I’ve pivoted more times than I can remember—it is part of the artist’s journey. I hear you on Substack, I’m the same. I spend too much time on here and it doesn’t generate enough income. My main focus has to be spending time in the studio and getting my art into the world.
It really is! I’ve had this conversation with many artists lately and we all seem to feel the same… yet the trick is to find the balance when you’ve invested yourself a lot. I thought the pivot would be to start cross promoting my business more, but I enjoy having them separate… so got to ponder on a bit more. What’s been your conclusion? Or it’s an ever-changing thing?
I think you might want to try to feature your art more on your Substack. Would you feature your classes or your art or both?
I'm going through my own issues with my writing and reading and commenting. Now I spend almost all my writing time related to something Substack. It's such a great community that it's seductive.
Oh you’re so right about it being seductive! And so much great writing and engagement
Yes I will start featuring my art more, I think you’ll find the pivot interesting! So far substack has been a complete personal side project to my artist ecosystem, and now I want to try and integrate it,
I hope you too will find some writing balance 🙏🏼
The sensible decision for me would be to write more about my art in my Substack—I tend to keep them separate. But I rarely take the sensible route! I just don’t know if I see Substack as a marketing tool. Most of my subscribers are other artists, not art collectors. I enjoy writing for other artists and building relationships here but none of it helps me get gallery shows. It’s a conundrum.
I completely understand you!! I came here for the need to write about other things than just my art practice, but ending up feeling like I should really talk about my art too haha.
It’s important to have collègues when artistry can be lonesome, but yes then it’s more community than marketing. Difficult!!! Where is your main marketing channel right now?
I’ve hosted my own exhibitions several times… i just tend to be independent 😅
Honestly, Instagram is still the best. Just recently I had a gallery reach out to me because they’d seen my work on instagram. There’s no way that could happen on Substack. I don’t even think there are any galleries here.
Fascinating!! I more or less stopped Instagram 3 years ago. Have it up because I’ve got 200k on there, but it just sucked my life out of me haha. Though now I’m wondering if I would’ve invested the same time there as here…. Always the questions!
Beautifully said
Hello Elin! I'm talking from the other side of "pivot" and I am telling you, it gets better 🧡
Fellow Gemini artist and mother (of a 26 yo LOL) here. I hear you. I have learned in my nearly 58 years on the planet (it is gemini season) to follow what it is that lights me up. It may be chocolate or painting or anything at all. If something is heavy, leave it behind - or lighten it up. Energy in = energy out ... Happy birthday to you Elin! 🌸
Happy birthday to you too Virginia 🥰🥰🥰
I can relate. Also feeling myself on the verge of another creative life change.
Love that and not surprised the least after the massive outpour you did for your podcast show