This is a Substack Template ...
...and I used it to write this first post.
This Line Originally Read: [EDIT ME]
The United States underwent a significant change on January 20th, 2025 and along with that so did social media. As I write this the entire social media landscape and economy is flipped on its head and folks, including myself, are scrambling to figure out what to do and where to go…
…unless you’re not paying attention or you’re a Trump supporter, then you’re probably fine staying on Facebook and Twitter.
1. Why this, why now
Sharing information - reliable, citable and verifiable information - could get weird for a little bit. I no longer trust Meta products (despite still checking Instagram regularly) and I deleted TikTok during its “blip” so finding a new platform has been a priority.
”Priority” feels inaccurate. It clearly wasn’t, it’s been more than a week since all these changes took effect and I am just now doing this.
All that said, right now I’m more concerned about building a strong community than I am about getting followers, likes or whatever. I’ve been working in Social Media marketing from it’s birth and, after all that time, I’m pretty jaded and cynical about the landscape of the industry in general, but that never took away from the fact that social media for a very long time was the great equalizer. Anyone - no matter how smart or idiotic they were - had an opportunity to say their peace and find likeminded folks who would follow them. Some could argue that part of what’s lead us here in the first place, but I’m not here to talk about that today.
In a world where the largest names in social media can no longer be relied upon to maintain the quality and standard of factual information, a standard that is REQUIRED for people to have genuine intellectual discourse, I feel like I need to remove myself from those spaces and find something new.
2. What kind of community are you looking to build here
Honestly, I don’t know that Substack is gonna be it. I’m also looking heavily into YouTube and a primary platform, but in the end - as it always is for any kind of broadcast channel - I want to be where the people are* so I can share with you the things that I want you to see and, eventually, buy.
Make no mistake, just like any other entertainment professional eventually I’m going to need you as an audience for the entertainment products that I generate and to keep making those things I’ll need money. Late stage capitalism is a bitch, but until we get to cashless Star Trek utopia these are the breaks.
However, you’ll notice I haven’t activated the monetization on this newsletter yet. I’m going to keep it free until I know what I can commit to and, even when the monetization starts, there will always be a free tier. And I fully commit to not hiding important and useful information (like how to help trans kids or stop ICE raids) behind the paywall - that stuff will always be fully available.
3. Be specific
In addition to whatever I write here, I’m currently developing two podcasts. One of them is with fellow Sabrina the Teenage Witch alum Nate Richert and the other is with my wife, René. When those are ready I will also post links here in addition to where you can find every other podcast. On top of that we are working of several other projects that are in various stages of development/completion.
So I hope that if you are here you can appreciate the projects we are creating and that you want to part of a conversation.
If you end up being a troll, though, I’m just gonna pop that paywall up and make you subscribe to be an asshole. You have to pay to be an asshole.
4. Use an image and “subscribe” buttons
The template says I should include a picture here:
I made this as a meme image months ago. I still think it’s really funny, especially now that I’m starting not one but TWO podcasts! Generally I do think that white guys tend to be a little too free when sharing their opinions, but we gotta start drowning out those bad voices with some that are, at the VERY least, a little more informed and open to discussion. Unless you’re a Nazi. This is officially a “always punch a Nazi” page.
5. Smash that Subscribe Button
So here we are. This is the taste. First one’s free, and all that. See you next time!
*The Little Mermaid - a movie from the 80’s.