This Writer is Paying For It

Since 2008 my writing was a gift, for you and not big business. With the increase of AI, reciprocity is breaking down and small businesses are paying to write and receiving less visibility.

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At the age of twelve, I shared this in my journal, “I am writing a story of my own which I am going to get published some day. I’m having lots of fun writing it.”

Even back then I was thinking about getting paid to write, and still it can feel like someone is helping me out when they pay to read my writing. I am reminding myself that it’s not asking for help. Getting paid to write sets up a mutually beneficial cycle of reciprocity.

Writing is something I love dearly and still have loads of fun doing. I hear all the time how much readers love my writing and how they truly benefit from it. For 16 years, I’ve written free content for you. This is a contribution to your lives that I am delighted to have offered. Writing has been in my bones since the beginning, and the time has come to receive compensation for my work.

Paying to Write

For the past 16 years, I didn’t just give my writing away, I have been PAYING to publish it online through the costs of building and maintaining a blog and newsletter. The cost of publishing my writing online is 20% of my total operating costs.

This year, I started receiving subscriptions via Substack and am excited to announce that these now cover one-third of my writing labor and operating costs!

Thank you so much to everyone who’s signed up for a paid subscription so far!

Now let’s cover ALL of my costs and labor of writing! Going beyond covering these basic costs allows me to write and share more! Sign up for a paid subscription today.

But, Free Content is Marketing Right?

Marketing professionals tell us that giving away content is a great way to market our services. This was originally a sound concept. When I was a start-up, I didn’t have cash to spend on print or online ads, and it made sense to do my own marketing by writing. It did help grow my business. My blog posts showed up in organic search results, people liked what they read, and paid for my services as a Spiritual Advisor and teacher. In recent years this positive feedback loop has slowed. Why is this?

I’ve been writing for you. And, I’ve also been writing for Google.

I’ve had to tailor my writing with the right keywords in the appropriate frequency. I’ve had to make sure to add alt tags to images and pay close attention to SEO (search engine optimization).

All these marketing professionals are telling us how to make Google happy and … Google is greedy. Here’s how it has played out over time:

1. When a website had a plethora of free content in blog posts, Google ranked it higher in search engine results.

2. Google encouraged small businesses to donate our labor so that Google could have FREE content to show in their search results. 

3. Users (like you) continued to find free content they liked and continued to use Google.

4. Next Google started inserting paid ads into the search results and pushing the free content further down the page.

5. Now Google requires businesses to give the Google AI machine access to the free content on their websites. Google’s AI machine is receiving free training via these websites. (If I don’t grant their AI access, then Google won’t include my website in their search results).

YES: Google requires website owners to allow the Google AI to read and learn from their websites if the owners want their websites to appear in search results. 

6. Google is putting their AI generated search results (which come from the ideas in free content) along with Google Ads at the top of search results pages. This pushes small websites like mine further down the list making them practically invisible.

THE BOTTOM LINE: In the beginning there was a reciprocal relationship. I created and hosted the content and Google made sure it was seen by people who were looking for it. Now it’s not equitable. I am encouraged to give more content for dwindling visibility. This feels a lot like thievery.

Google is just one example of the many ways that large companies are building on the backs of small businesses by encouraging them to provide free content. Don’t get me started on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube. They're all doing it. 

Saying “No” to Google Ads

Have you noticed lately that many websites full of awesome free content are now loaded with flashing, annoying advertising? The vast majority of these ads come from Google Ads. My favorite websites that have gone this way are labyrinthos.com, cafeastrology.com, and theoi.com. 

One of the main ways to keep a content rich website fiscally viable these days is to make money by installing Google Ads. (This is unless you are a bigger business with other large revenue streams that pay for your website.) The owners of websites with Google Ads get paid every time someone visits their site and views the ads. There are three reasons why I refuse to do this:

1. There is no way to control what ads you see

2. The ads are designed to be in the way and get you to accidentally click, directing you where you don’t want to go

3. All the flashing and random images are so distracting. One of my values is to foster peace and presence, and that value spans my whole business, including my website. 

Have you noticed that some of your favorite writers without Google Ads on their websites are posting apologies about short or missing newsletters? Burnout is real. After years of churning out loads of free content, it’s reasonable to feel drained and to have a hard time keeping up the motivation to write. There is something truly nourishing about receiving direct compensation for one’s writing.

What Now?

Having you as readers is a beautiful way to connect, celebrate nature and spirituality, and build relationship. Now we can connect on an even deeper level through more in-depth articles, comments, and live meetups in a paid subscription.

Subscribe to Wild Gratitude Substack

Now is a great time to enter into a cycle of reciprocity. For $5 a month or $54 a year (or more!) you:

• Pay for writing you enjoy

• Access in-depth writing

• Learn about topics that inspire you

• Receive answers and support in comments

• Attend Creative Refuge Hour meetings

Your investment allows me to continue doing the work I love, to ensure the longevity of this small business, and to plan a future of growth and prosperity in my writing.

I will continue to provide monthly free posts to connect with those of you that don’t have the means to pay for a subscription or who are just getting to know me. There are grassroots ways you can reciprocate. Take action now on at least one of the following things:

• Sign-up for a Substack account if you haven’t yet. Like, comment, and restack my Substack posts.

• If you don’t want another online account, forward my email newsletters to your friends

• Tell your friends about my website at www.WildGratitude.com

With Gratitude,

Stacey

P.S. Are you a small business grappling with similar challenges in the virtual world? I’d love to hear your experience and thoughts in the comments.

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JOIN the Creative Refuge Hour

Our next meetup for PAID subscribers is Monday, October 14 at 9:30am Mountain Time. This is an hour set aside for a contemplation, meditation, and creative pursuits such as journaling, drawing, or collaging! Stacey leads the first 15-20 minutes with a reading and guided meditation. You get to choose how to spend the rest of the time in a quiet creative space with a beautiful group of soul seekers. This is a fulfilling way to invest in your creative self.

Not a paid subscriber but want to join? Upgrade to paid.

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About the Author

Stacey Couch is a Spiritual Advisor who supports creative seekers learning as they go on the spiritual path. She serves beginner and life-long students of the soul. Her compassionate and collaborative approach honors the humanity and value of each person. Through meeting with Stacey, lost souls find refuge. Connection to the Divine is realized. Belonging comes. She is the author of Gracious Wild: A Shamanic Journey with Hawks. Learn about working with Stacey