I’m taking the no-paid-subscribers road (Why, you ask?)
My journey from monetising to liberating my newsletter
Last year, I turned on paid subscriptions for this newsletter. Some of you generously hopped on this journey with me (immense gratitude for that!), fuelling my aspiration to carve out a livelihood from these words and ideas.
However, I’m too lazy (or shy)…
…to market, despite my advertising background and history of advocating for numerous clients. I find myself hesitating.
You see, I grew up on statements like neki kar dariya mein daal, which loosely translates to ‘do an act of kindness and throw its memory in the ocean’. It’s about being generous simply because it feels right, not because it pays.
For me, it means stepping far beyond my comfort zone to demand persuade others to recognise and value my work. I'd much rather contribute quietly behind the scenes than bask in the spotlight.
Yet, I went paid last year!
Let me share with you what drove that decision and why I'm now taking a step back.
For those just joining us, UX Writing Bud translates UXW mumbo-jumbo to human so you can learn and kickstart your career with the least effort and monies. If that’s your thing, you know what to do…
Going paid last year
I wanted to make money, I won’t lie.
I wanted to feel that the time spent away from my little one and my family, the time not spent on other passions, was contributing to something tangible. And, conditioned by capitalism, I equated that worth with dollars and rupees.
I was wrong. So wrong.
First, the real value emerged not from subscription numbers or social media interactions, but from the heartfelt appreciation for my contributions to the UX community. It was in those unexpected moments at events when my writings were referenced, or I was recognised as their creator. It was in the private emails and mentorship sessions with emerging UX writers. All that brought a genuine, unquantifiable joy.
Not money, but joy.
Secondly, I realised that the moment I introduced a paywall, my focus shifted. It moved from crafting meaningful content to obsessing over subscriber numbers and traffic metrics. Instead of sharing openly, I found myself gating the very knowledge I sought to democratise—the antithesis of why I started this newsletter.
Ironic, isn't it, how easily one can get entangled in the very web they sought to destroy? Capitalism can really do a number on you. Pun intended!
Finally, the realisation hit me. Hard.
To truly make a living out of this, I'd need an overwhelming number of subscribers. It meant throwing myself entirely into this venture, sacrificing precious moments with my child, and consistently churning out ground-breaking content. And, constantly advocating for my content and asking people to follow as if I’m some UX messiah seemed like an endless, exhausting battle.
Even though I had only a handful of you as paid subscribers, going paid was changing my relationship not only with you, but with myself, my family, and my craft, too.
The trade-off didn’t feel right.
Taking the freeway
I realised that I don’t want to spend time in the bells and whistles like SEO, traffic, read count, likes, or get entangled in the web of sales and promotion. Instead, I want to spend it researching, learning, practising, and distilling all those insights and experiences for you.
I want to contribute to the cause close to my heart—democratising UX education—and revel in the backstage role of your success stories.
I don’t want to feel the guilt of missing my child’s milestones for the sake of earning for her future. I'd rather be present now and let my corporate engagements secure her future. I don’t want to be a UX messiah; I want to be a mother who works in tech.
I acknowledge and admire those who’ve thrived with paid subscriptions, maintaining their integrity and purpose. However, for me, the risk of losing my authentic voice and the joy of writing without financial strings attached is too great.
I refuse to let capitalism dictate the terms of my passion.
Thus, I'm returning to my roots – writing for the sheer love of it, making my insights freely accessible to all. This is my commitment to you and to myself, a journey where the worth of my words is measured not in dollars and rupees but in the skills they enhance and the careers they help shape.
I know, you might have questions.
Will I stick to a schedule?
I intend to. While I aim to maintain a regular posting schedule, life's unpredictability means I can't make firm promises.
Will I produce quality content?
Absolutely! However, not every piece will resonate with everyone. While some articles might seem basic for seasoned UX professionals, they're invaluable for newcomers. I invite you to stay for the diversity of content, knowing each piece contributes to the collective growth of our community.
Without marketing (and reach), how will I democratise UX knowledge?
I’m going to try a few things like partnering with other professionals to get the word out organically, such as interviews, cross-promotions, and guest posts, apart from sharing content on social media.
If you have ideas you’d like to share or would like to be featured, feel free to contact me.
Do I still want to feel all this effort is worth my time?
Without a doubt. The meaning of worth has shifted!
For anyone inclined to support my efforts with a coffee book, I've set up a Buymeacoffee page. Your gesture of appreciation will keep me motivated. No paywalls or sales pitches on UX Writing Bud—just pure, unadulterated UX content.
Will I go paid in the future?
Not for the foreseeable future. ****My focus is on exploring alternative support methods, like the Buymeacoffee contributions, potential partnerships, shoutouts, or affiliate links. These avenues will support my efforts without compromising the free access to my content.
If you can help me with this in any way, please email me at takeoff@uxwritingbud.com.
What happens next?
I’ll email each one of you personally to understand your unique challenges, aspirations, and what you seek from this newsletter. Your responses will shape future content, possibly including shoutouts for those who are open to it. Expect an email from takeoff@uxwritingbud.com.
Please respect my privacy by not sharing my email address with others or marking it as spam, as it could hinder communication with others who value this connection. Simply ignore the email or reply with “stop” and I’ll never bother you again.
A note of respect.
This choice to offer the content for free isn't a critique of those who choose to monetise. It’s a reflection of my journey and values. Fortunate to not rely on this platform for income, I'm free to explore, write, and engage without financial pressures.
Looking to simplify the complex?
Join this….
I’m taking it currently, and the mental tools it’s given me simply blows my mind! I’ll soon do a post on it too.
Heads up: Buying the course from the above link will earn me a small affiliate income allowing me to continue sharing valuable insights on UX Writing Bud freely.