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And to your question, I have paid turned on but never announced it properly as I have no time and strategy behind it and no benefits. I might turn it off again and link to buymeacoffee.com instead. Currently all money from my paid subscription would go to a charity of my choice as I have other income streams.

Once my substack grows more, I’ll revisit how I feel about paid. Currently I can’t stick to a regular writing schedule so it just feels fair to not charge I guess. I don’t know 🤷‍♀️

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I totally understand! It makes me realise that I didn’t even share how much I’ll be writing lol xD but most who are on the list know I’m pretty regular…. But will clearly have to put that into a follow up 😅

I can’t stick to schedules of set days… but what I do (and have done for all the years) is more of trying to aim to send something every 2-3 days here in substack and when I was active on IG it was to post something every day (whether post or story).

It’s a good idea to get the regular writing habit first and then you’ll probably get more cloarity on what it is you want to offer too ❤️ no stress, you’ve got your whole life to figure it out haha ❣️ (that’s what I tell myself sometimes at least when I feel overwhelmed of something in the present 😆)

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Amen to that 🔥

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I'm torn

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So exciting Elin! Looking forward to reading the book when it’s ready and supporting your beautiful projects! 🪄

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Magic Claire! I’m still questioning what I got myself into for the book……… that’s why the edits are taking so long haha feels like a lifetime ago that I wrote it. Anyhow, there’s no turning back now is there 💫 so grateful to have you ❤️🙏🏼

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Your life is a dream… real job is so 1980’s

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Hahaha love this “real jobs are so 1980’s” 😂😂 thanks 🙏🏼

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“Real Job” of today is one that is impactful, fulfilling, producing something that nobody can. I think if you are tuned in to your genuine self and pretty much csn sustain a living, that is a successful, worthwhile life. Your work inspires a lot 🙏

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Couldn’t agree more with you 🙏🏼 if we can just sustain ourselves that’s a massive success already🥰🥰

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Thanks, Elin. Elaborate info on the process, what a reader gets, and, perhaps most important, the 'why' of the entire process. Will be upgrading in due course. I particularly liked the transparency and the conversations leading to this.

I'm almost at 500 subs, planning to go paid at 1K. Have to iron out some issues though. Stripe isn't operational in Kenya. To get paid, I have to register an LLC in any of the countries it has presence - a lengthy and costly process.

Will be keen to observe how things go, but I'm sure you'll do well.

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Oh yes I definitely understand the hassle! It was tricky when living in a country it wasn’t supported either… you’re welcome to reach out via dm if you want to chat about it, Ive got experience in different places.

Depending on your personal goals, a company can also give you residency eventually if you’d like to try to live somewhere else too (I don’t know if this is your case, but can be worth to consider).

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Thanks for this. Already started the process, chose to open one in the US (the registered agent I found mostly dealt with the US). Will tell you how things go. Will also reach out to understand the European experience in case I ever have to do it there as well. Also, thanks for this idea of residency.

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I want to join forces with you in so many ways. Elin count me in to plot how to help Sandra. 💕

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Oh this is amazing Danusia!! Thank you ❤️ I’ll note it and reach out with what we need - mostly looking at contributions to books. Some will be more biologically oriented with focus on learning about fertility, physical changes and all that (my midwife will stand for most of that content and I’ll write it up), but for the mentality, psychology, matresence, motherhood - this is where I’d especially be looking for contributions from around the world as it’s the type of books that will be incredibly valuable in many translations (for women she supports in Sweden for example to learn about motherhood in various contexts as well as for example the Nepalese to get an insight into the recognition of the work and effort they undergo etc.) have contact with ex colleagues in South Africa too who are interested in translations eventually as well….. super exciting 💞

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Juggling kids and myself a few mins ago. I'm in, as paid. My heart is in already. Big yes to talking books, contributions and helping connect to people. I interviewed 250+ mothers across the world on a vast range of topics. This sounds wonderful to help you on.

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I feel so blessed to have our paths crossed this way!!! Already brimming with excitement for what we can create 🙏🏼 the hardest part is to settle on approachable projects in steady order when one wants to be all over the place 😅❤️

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I'm in! :)

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Thanks Martin, this means a lot 🙏🏼💫

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Omg! I just wrote something about on we are stuck in analysis - paralysis and never do anything and we keep pushing it!

I love that you say it out loud- the right timing will never come! Its about how we perceive things/situations!

Also, congrats on hitting your goal and being so transparent about the how you feel about monetizing! I am pretty new here so really helps to know how substack works as well :)

Incase anyone is interested in reading about my article please check it out here - https://medhakathy.substack.com/p/this-is-the-reason-you-are-not-able

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Thanks Medha! We’re all in the same boat 🥰

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Elin, Huge congratulations on meeting your goal and starting your yearly subscriptions! I look forward your follow on book (whenever it comes out) as I enjoyed reading your first book.

I love that you are donating a portion of the proceeds to your midwife's project in Nepal, such a worthy cause. Cheers! Deb

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Thank you Deb!! So thrilled to have you along, it feels really special ❤️🙏🏼 I’ve been contemplating for a while on how to integrate funding into the embroidery space, but when I started this writing project it immediately felt like an easier connection also from networking standpoint to crowdsource contributions to some of the material we’ll develop as part of the project 🙏🏼 cheers, Elin

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This is all so exciting! Cheering you on at every beautiful move! X

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Wohooo I feel it, all the good vibes coming 🥰🥰🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️

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Indeed 🙌

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I joined as a paid subscriber yay. Sitting at the hair dresser, not even managed to read through the whole post yet 😅 love the work you do and the books sound amazing 😍

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Oh you’re the sweetest Carmen 🙏🏼❣️ thank you so much !!! And I’m sure you’ll look absolutely fab 🥰🔥

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Haha thank you, about time for my curls to get some love 😇

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Oh dear mine too…. Ironically they get attention for about an hour everyday… at my daughter’s hair salon. Though I don’t have as much curls as you, the little waves are enough to make the hair look like a dry fluff after all that brushing and playing 😂😂😂😂

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😂 sounds like a wonderful alternative and keeps her busy Winwin haha and you avoid the strong smells of all the hairdresser products in case you’re not a big fan of these either.

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Well you pointed out a very valid point - I’m not a fan of those smelly things at all haha I have literally no products except a deodorant xD makeup is like an ancient memory from high school 😅 stopped when I met my husband cus he likes it without and honestly it made my life so much easier (and cheaper including hair products!) LOL

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So timely and just what I needed to read!

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Yay I’m glad! Also in the process of launching something big? x

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Hey, Elin, I feel like you were in my head while I was reading. I will be re-reading this article many times to master the courage to turn on the paid subscription. I wish you a load of success and know the newbies like me are watching you and learning from you. Cheers

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Thank you so much for such a sweet message! I’m glad this was valuable for you 🙏🏼

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This is brilliant and inspiring, thank you Elin for sharing your thoughts and process with such clarity xx

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I’m so glad Lyndsay, thank you 🙏🏼🥰

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Thank you for this piece Elin! As someone who has just started off on Substack, there is a lot for me to think about before I finally get to a point where I'll turn on paid. Will come back to this piece for sure when I do that.

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I’m glad it was helpful 🤗 welcome along!

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I deeply relate. Thank you for sharing <3

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Thank you 🥰

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Your tiny little rooftop Parisian studio looks so romantic, Elin ✨ HUGE congrats on hitting the milestone so fast (and exceeding it) x

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Thank you so much 🥰🙏🏼 x

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Haha yes it’s definitely a bit nostalgic going through old pics… I remember thinking at the time that I’d miss it despite not having our own toilet (it was in the corridor shared with everyone 😬)

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