We're going to charge for (some) newsletter content

Dear everybody,

From now on, some of the information in some of the emails we send will only be accessible to paid subscribers.

Why? Because subscription models give writers a way of earning without drowning content in ads. But, there are also obvious downsides to subscriptions, like reduced access and information inequality.

We’ll try to strike the right balance between paid and free content. Explanation below.

Don’t care about my reasoning and just want to support? Upgrade to paid.

Some ‘general interest’ stories towards the bottom of emails.

We will never paywall the political stuff. If I’m writing content that street performers could use to impact public policy, that will remain free and accessible to all.

We’ve spent thousands of pounds on our newsletter platform, plus I’ve personally spent hundreds of hours researching and writing the emails (see a hand-picked selection of newsletters here).

Over that time, we’ve rejected advertising, product placements, data sales, sponsorships and other 3rd-party commercial activities. But, as we get bigger our costs are rising.

Monetising my writing is, we think, the least-worst option. After all, writing is my art and I’d like to get paid for my art. Also, first-time authors are more likely to get publishing deals if they have a paid newsletter. Having paid subscribers here will be a huge help in getting a contract for my upcoming book, How Buskers Changed the World.

If you like the information I’m writing in these emails and wish it to continue, please sign up for $6/month. Also, let me know about any confusions/errors/bugs you discover along the way:

NOTE: I’m still trying to work out how to make premium accounts on busk.co/pro and premium accounts here on Beehiiv sync up. In the future, you’ll only need to pay for one membership to get the benefits of both.

Thanks, and heavy hats,

Nick

P.S. Sorry I failed to make a safe-for-work drawing above.