18 Comments

Totally concur with your approach on chat (who needs another!) and special promotions! As a reader, I hate to be continually regaled with this stuff. Happy holidays.

Expand full comment
author

Happy holidays to you too, Tom!

Expand full comment
Dec 5, 2022Liked by Nikhil Rajagopalan

really appreciate these state of the newsletters, Nikhil! love the insight 🙏

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Claudio! Keep stopping by to read and listen!

Expand full comment
Dec 1, 2022Liked by Nikhil Rajagopalan

I cannot foresee any situation where a chat feature on substack will be useful. Baffling.

Expand full comment
author
Dec 1, 2022·edited Dec 1, 2022Author

I am quite unhappy with the direction Substack is taking. I’m not sure what sort of pressure they’re under, but all these new moves point to them trying to find a balance with social media and some semblance of autonomy.

Another change they’ve done is to limit the leaderboard to only top 25 in each category. So there’s no way for me to discover more music newsletters or network with them for cross collab

Expand full comment

It seems to me, and I am by no means an observant observer, that as soon as twitter started to wobble they thought they would jump in to fill a supposed gap? It all seems very reactive. And while I am at it, I really feel that they neglect those of us who don't run paid newsletters.

Expand full comment
author

Every free user is costing them money. Wouldn't be surprised if they start imposing minimum subscriber limits or removing inactive accounts in the near future.

Expand full comment

But if my substack is free but I recommend yours (which I do!) and that person pays for yours that is generating $ for substack, right?

Expand full comment

imagine if we had a chat function where we could have this conversation?

Expand full comment
Nov 30, 2022Liked by Nikhil Rajagopalan

I invite you to be featured in my monthly Keep it 100 micro-interview, Nikhil! I’m booked through April 2023. Let me know if you’re up for the 100-word challenge next May.

Expand full comment
author

Oh fo' sure! Do ping me closer to May!

Expand full comment

New subscriber here! Looking forward to your newsletters and even though I just started my Substack journey, I really like the idea of taking a break from sending out a newsletter for the holidays as the month comes to a close.

Expand full comment
author

Ah, I remember our comments from Kevin's newsletter! Welcome abroad, matey!

Everyone needs time to unwind over the vacations, authors and readers included!

Expand full comment

+1 on not using the chat feature. I figured people were hearing from me enough as it is!

There are a couple of newsletters that (IMO) use it well- for example one covers WI politics and did a chat during the midterm elections. But for music writers like us? I think Discussion threads cover that well enough.

P.S. Enjoy your time off!! 😀

Expand full comment
author

(In Bane's deep voice): Now, now, Kevin. Now's not the time for a vacation. That comes later! (19 December).

Expand full comment
Nov 30, 2022Liked by Nikhil Rajagopalan

Another great update, Nikhil, I'm publishing my update tomorrow. You're always one step ahead. ;)

Expand full comment
author

Strategic thinking since 2022!

Expand full comment