Story time: My (2nd) buyout offer
Someone wanted to buy my newsletter + opportunities + cool links
👋 Dear creative. How are you doing today?
I must admit that I missed writing to you all in the past few weeks. I did not think my little pause would be this long but it was also necessary. I took this time to focus on client projects and organize my upcoming content creation. Although I didn't rest as much as I would have liked, I hope my leisure time this new month will nourish my writing. I am also looking forward to my upcoming annual "Love Issue."
Today, let's have a short story about a buyout offer. You will also discover some cool opportunities added to some creative awe.
☕ Grab your coffee or chocolate and enjoy the read.
The day I received a buyout offer for one of my newsletters
It happened a few days ago. I was waking up and preparing for my morning routine when I received a notification and checked my emails. I saw a cross-promotion proposal from a fellow newsletter creator. It looked like a regular intro email, and I was looking into the possibility of it. Until the phrase jumped out of my screen, stating without asking me or even knowing me...‘‘we could also discuss a buyout offer, when I can purchase your newsletter and email list... Well, I was a little startled early in the morning; I think I kind of chuckled. I smiled at the offer and tried to put myself in his shoes. But unfortunately, I did not understand why such an offer would even appear here.
A year ago, while I registered on Duuce to promote my newsletters to new readers, I made a mistake and checked the ‘‘open to sell’’ my newsletter box. As a result, Duuce team reached out to let me know some people were interested in buying my newsletter. I immediately told them I was not interested and corrected my mistake.
As a baby Substack writer, navigating my content and goal with my letters, I had never thought of selling my newsletters. I care about them and those behind reading it. It was at that moment I uncovered a veil upon the market.
Key ideas from such a story…
Read the room, meaning that if someone is open to selling their newsletter, they will express it and be active in that pursuit. Even if, I reckon many creators might want to be quiet on such steps.
These letters are personal, yet they belong within an ecosystem. One, where they could become full businesses. I sometimes forget that, but for me, they should stay pristine. That spark of the beginning should always direct choices and collaborations. One of my readers told me my letters were like a journal of my work and ventures. True, it has the character of a journal at times.
We write, draw, paint, question and elevate ideas. We make audio and videos. In a nutshell, we create our spaces! And one day, these spaces may become magnets for opportunities. Even such a request seems to be a sign from the universe: ''Am I doing something right here? ''. For me, these letters are long-term stories that will complement my growth. They are baby steps and seeds that will, at the appointed time, speak as a whole, even amid rising AI.
What does it mean to sell a newsletter? We do not own our readers, right? Like any startup or company, if we remove or change the founder, what happens to the people and product? How do they sustain without that lead? It is interesting to make parallels with many brand stories where external investors came in and shifted the vision of a company. Those behind-the-scenes mechanisms where the writer, creative and voice becomes an employee of his creation. I do see many warning signs in such a scenario. Be reassured for younger publications; we are spared by such dynamics.
I believe requests share a hint about who you are about to collaborate with. The intrusive character of our era is a sign we should be more alert to. I use my intuition on any request I receive or the person I invite within my spaces. The initiator of this offer has a perception of this ecosystem and sees an opportunity to gain fast readers. But also absorb ideas he may see value in. We can notice such mindsets in various places, where the small is overcrowded by bulldozers. Even if it is a game of business, I prefer my slow and steady growth and the freedom of writing about my musings and experiences.
What would become of my readers, of our connection? The big truth is that we do not own those who subscribe to our newsletters. We can only capture a few minutes of their time. And if we can make it a moment of encounter and interesting ideas, we have done our job well.
It has happened to me twice; therefore, I will be even more at peace and alert next time, if applicable. I know, I am not selling my newsletters. I do cater to you all and this adventure. But also what awaits as ideas, curiosity, craft and experiments. The goal is mostly peace within this path and seizing the gift of creating.
Receiving a buyout offer is a possibility that can appear to any creative at any stage. What matters the most is what you do with what you create, and it is your choice!
Message in a bottle: a letter falling into the hands of ''its'' readers.
Sending ‘‘anchoring’’ vibes ⚓
🐎 Opportunity knocks
In every letter, I share opportunities I stumbled upon. There are so many cool grants, funding, competitions, and more to enter to experience progress. I hope the list of the week will be useful.
🎯 Dream Job Alert (Middleweight Events Producer for Creative Lives in Progress supporting entry-level creatives and more)
📹 MacDowell fellowship (300 artists in seven disciplines are awarded fellowships each year. Fall and winter applications → Deadline: Feb 10th, 2024)
🇫🇷 Do you fancy an art residency in Senegal? (Apply to ‘‘Black Rock Senegal’’)
🌏 A free 10-day startup program (On the island of Menorca → Dates: May 23rd to June 2nd)
🤩 Creative awe
✨ Progress in philosophy (Lucien Jerphagnon sparks confirmations).
🏆 Black creative in Japan (Ousmane BÂ has an eye for stories in movement).
🧠 Bijoy Jain, a vision of architecture (‘‘To create a space requires a dialogue, and engaging in dialogue requires the ability to communicate effectively’’. His work and ethics are inspiring!).
✍️ A manifesto by &Walsh (A cool type creation and celebration of the manifesto exercise. Beautiful!).
Creativity is in every little curious experimentation.
Until next time, enjoy this new month!
Keva.
I’ve thought a bit about it recently. If the newsletter is pseudonymous or branded without a specific person at the front, it can work because then it’s a matter of writing in the style of the brand.
For something more personal that’s almost like a personal blog, it doesn’t make sense because people connect to a specific person. So if the person goes away, the newsletter goes away with them. It’s probably best to collaborate in that case.
It's hard to imagine transferring my readers to anywhere else, especially without their knowledge! Hard to really comprehend how that might work.