What makes something a worthwhile investment? Ideas on how we spend our money and our time

37) Also, a new opportunity offered to my loyal subscribers

Happy close to the Jewish New Year, everyone! (Yes even to those who don’t observe, it’s still a new year to celebrate!)

Welcome to post #37 of Josh off the Press (on Substack)

I have written more posts for Substack in over 5 months, then what I wrote for Wordpress in over 5 years. Thank you to all the new paid Subscribers, too! Even though my last post was not free #36) Celebration Time, most of my work is free, and much of it will continue to remain free.

I’m excited to share more personal stories about my life, and growing up, and what life-lessons have stuck with me, and how some people's events and things truly influenced me. I’m excited to bring an element of vulnerability to my writing that isn’t always frequently seen by me. Much of this will be behind a paywall.

This is for two reasons:

1. I plan to develop much of that work into something else that expands beyond the Substack platform

2. People (especially as of now, family and friends) that make that type of investment in me, deserve to see an unvarnished look at me. 

For those of you that do happen to sign up to be a paid subscriber, what I will do is, I will comp one other person in your home and/or your life with all the benefits of a paid subscriber for up to one year!

For those that have already signed up as a paid subscriber, email me a request at Joshoffthepress@gmail.com, and provide the email you want me to provide a year paid subscriber membership to. Make sure you are emailing me from the one you have registered as a paid subscriber.

I do realize that the cost of a subscription to a magazine like Sports Illustrated is cheaper than a subscription to my newsletter, which just goes to show how far the pendulum has swung in our 21st century gig economy. Hence, why I also am offering this special deal to my paid subscribers.

So, Josh, what happens when you get more paid subscribers?

I’m so glad you asked! Other than the obvious, what happens is that the powers that be on Substack start to recognize and promote more of my work here.  For example; On Substack recently picked up the My Commitment to Writing piece.  I’m not sure if that would have happened if that wasn’t a piece that wasn’t behind a paywall. Honestly 65-80% of the article was free, but the last part of it did go behind a paywall.

For those of you wondering what exactly On Substack is? Well, according to their About Page they are -  a publication from the substack team. And the fact that they included one of my stories in their Milestone roundup: Reflections on writing on Substack, was quite the pleasant surprise. 

I wouldn’t necessarily say it validates my work, as I’m my own boss here, and I already validate my own work. But, it does help remind me as to why I am doing this. I am having fun with this newsletter. I’m trying different things and keeping it fresh. But, if I did know how to write a post that garnered over 15K views every single time, I would have already been doing that. 

As I continue to write and develop my skills even further, I’m implementing new ideas and seeing what works and what doesn’t work.  Of course my comments section is open, and feedback is always welcome. Some of your ideas have already been implemented. 

Thank you again for reading. And by all means take me up on my special offer!

-JPJ