I have paid subscriptions to Escape Collective, a rebranding of a cycling site called Cycling Tips that Outside bought and then shuttered. I also pay for a subscription to my local daily newspaper and The New York Times, at a deep discount.
I have recently let subscriptions lapse to Outside (mainly for Velo, Backpacker, and your contributions) and Apple News, which gave me access to The New Yorker, among others. But the sheer volume of available reading options on both platforms led to a kind of choice paralysis, and I just ended up scrolling, not reading.
Last, I pay for two Substacks: one about a local college sports program, and one about bike maintenance by a writer and frame builder whom Outside / Velo let go after a few decades.
If your contributions to Outside made it here instead--outdoor gear reviews, dog stuff, truck stuff, etc--I'd probably subscribe if it were no longer accessible elsewhere.
I don't own a truck or a gun, and I'll likely never hunt. But I'll probably get a truck in the next few years for house and garden projects and camping trips, so I need to keep reading your work on those issues. Plus, as a hiker, mountain biker, and wilderness backpacker, I enjoy and learn from sensible, progressive approaches to gun ownership and hunting issues, which seem pretty rare.
My goal is to bring the kind of content here that I can't really write for Outside, for a variety of reasons. And to make that rooted in service, which means helping you guys out.
It's funny that I kind of get pigeon holed with truck/gun/hunting stuff, when that actually makes up a fairly small portion of my interests and output. I think it's just because those spaces don't otherwise really get covered outside of the verticals. I spend way, way more time hiking, backpacking, camping, etc etc.
Echoing prior comments, I really appreciate your distinctive voice on a wide breadth of topics that, for me, are relevant (hiking and general "outdoorsmanship"), aspirational (Baja trips), practical (your article about payload vs towing capacity prompted us to buy safer truck), and interesting but not necessarily topics I would seek out (hunting). Your writing is one of the primary reasons I subscribe to Outside.
I'm happy to pay for content and support your livelihood.
My favorite part of the Indefinitely Wild days (via Gizmodo) was the type of stories where you'd write up an adventure, trip, activity, etc. and structure the piece as a how-to for readers to do something like that on their own. Specific explainers on learning and executing a new skill, traveling more effectively, or using specific pieces of equipment (I'm including the article that was about how to use the variety of weird toilets found in the outdoors).
I also have really enjoyed the type of articles where you've helped me cut through the marketing and jargon to understand the equipment I need to do what I want, such as explaining how rain jackets work and the difference between the different versions.
And lastly, I don't really know how to categorize this type of story, but it's the kind of where you were sharing your own life experiences about a variety of things that overlap my own interests and would help me feel more confident in doing that thing too. I'm recalling posts about what to expect when adopting an older dog, or how to learn a new sport (of any kind), and about traveling internationally for the first time.
Didn’t know you were on Substack! I loved HFL back in the day and was one of your 7,500 paying subs. I’m not sure if I would have paid $20/mo but I was addicted and single, so odds are decent.
These days I’m no longer riding. I got married, had kids, etc. - that whole bit I always heard from older guys while filling up at gas stations and would think to myself “never going to let that happen to me” has of course happened to me. What my younger self couldn’t see is there’s more to life than riding a fucking motorcycle and reading about motorcycles whenever you’re not riding them. And, you eventually reach a point where you realize that yes, we do all have to die one day, but riding a motorcycle sure does ratchet up the risk profile.
I can’t answer your questions as directly as I’d like to since I haven’t read any of your writing here. But my two cents would be to write whatever you want to write - isn’t that the point? If not, continue writing for someone else. Sounds like you’re focused on outdoors topics primarily, which sounds awesome to me. I was the weirdo riding his Harley (yes HFL’s reader base had at least one of us) up gravel roads to go trout fishing and backpacking. Anything outdoors from trail running and backpacking to hunting and fishing, and I’m into it. I haven’t come across that much great outdoors writing here on Substack, so if you’re half the outdoors writer that you were as a moto writer, I’d expect you could quickly dominate that space here.
Regarding pricing, $8/mo with a discount to $6/mo for annual seems to be fairly standard around here. The higher rates that I’ve seen have been limited to financial topics or professional insights that folks can get their employer to pay for. That’s not to say you couldn’t charge more, only that it’d be abnormal here on Substack (at least from what I’ve seen) and I’d expect a lower take rate.
Thrilled to discover you here (via Substack’s Notes feed) and look forward to digging into your posts ✌🏼
Well, you asked, so I'll give you my honest feedback. I mean it respectfully, because I love great writing and media and want folks who do that to make a good living, in a healthy business.
But here's a good example of the problem. You really think the entire motorcycle world would look different today if only you had charged more for your motorcycle content--which was so ground breaking? I'm was a fan of Hell for Leather back when I rode. But you know what else I was a fan of? Cycle World. Peter Egan alone was worth every penny, but it had a lot of other rad stuff all the time. And their bike tests were legit and certainly "enabled me to spend my money effectively." In fact, there was quite a lot of motorcycle media I enjoyed and paid for (Baggers was trashy fun).
My point? With all due respect, everyone thinks they're really special, but there is lot special in this world. There is a lot that competes for a consumer's time and money, both then and now. Certainly the glory days of magazines like Cycle World (and blogs like HFL for that matter) seem to be past, and now we have a media landscape that seems at the same time greatly diminished and yet infinite. We all know how many options are fighting for our attention, mostly coming from our phones, so I won't belabor the point.
I subscribe to the Times, two substacks of favorite writers, three video streamers, and a music streaming service. I'm not rich, so that adds up. As much as I would love to pay all of the content producers that I enjoy $20 a month, I can't.
Interesting post. I'm not a paid subscriber (yet). What I value most is your insights on gear, second: cooking, third: hiking, fourth: political/social/hunting banter, with Auto reviews last. I'd pay to read a full-length article (with links or affiliate discounts) on any of those, but probably would not want to pay to read something I'm not too into, such as motorcycles (for example).
I’m excited to see you moving in this direction. I consider you a grounded and principled writer with some of the same interests as me (outdoors/dogs/friends/politics/others tbd) but with more focused experience. I’m interested in reading about what you know, but what I’d like is more about what you think about it all. Insights into what you don’t yet know, maybe even what you’re changing your mind about.
You’ve shown your deep expertise on many topics but also your willingness to write about what might not be so obvious to the average person in areas you’ve had more…access(?). Also, the idea of you not being restrained, and therefore being able to dig into topics in ways you previously hadn’t is something I don’t feel like I’ll want to miss!
A lighter podcast of mine, about three motorcycle accidents, I had, that shaped me as a man. What does not kill you makes you stronger or at least wiser:
I’ve followed you since Hell For Leather. I was also once into motorcycles and have now moved to other things (mtb, fly fishing). I really enjoy your writing (even as someone who owns a Tacoma) and would consider a paid subscription. It’s tough though. There are so many subscription options out there. I pay for Outside (mostly so I can read your articles, but I also enjoy the video content they offer, plus they bundle some other things like Gaia), Apple News, NY Times, etc. I’ve toyed with Patreon as well, but it all adds up. It’s similar to the endless streaming options, if you want access to a specific piece of content, you have to have a specific subscription. And they add up. To answer the question I think you’re asking, yes I would likely sign up for a paid subscription, if it was reasonable. I want you to make a living, but I also have bills to pay, hobbies that keep begging for more gear, and a toddler that is more expensive than all my hobbies combined.
I pay for a substack subscription to Drezner's World -- great content mainly around foriegn relations. I was able to get for a discount of $4 per month. I dont think twice about that fee, even if I am able to read 50% of the posts in full as it is less than most beverages at your local cafe or bar. Subscription to Harpers Magazine which I will never let go. I am considering signing up for Outside again, as I do miss full access to the Siler content there -- and there are the other benefits llike backpacker and Gaia.
I remember finding Indefinitely Wild when I would scroll through Deadspin.com and was drawn to your content. Hiking and backpacking -- and all topics adjacent to them - say, hiking routes, backcountry navigations skills, technology and the wilderness, tips on successful wilderness camping, advice on gear, survival skills, etc. -- are of particular interest. Someday I hope to get into backcountry driving with a 4x4.
At what cost for a new subscription? Cannot say. Other paid substacks have fallen by the wayside (i.e. cancelled) as I ceased reading the content due to lack of content interest. But I originally signed up since the initial fee was discounted as a trial.
All in on paid content. But the $170/y price-point is too high (for me). I pay $80/year for The Atlantic. $60/year for Adventure Journal. In both cases I get unique, authentic, interesting, curated content from a diverse group of authors. For $170/year I'd want a collective of authors (on the topics you're planning to cover), and access to that community (discussions, forums, etc.)
You might not have heard of her, but no one knows the world of on-line content, influence, economics, media ownership and a whole bunch of other internet related stuff like former WP and NYTimes columnist Taylor Lorenz, who's sorta the Taylor Swift of online media. She, too, is putting all of her eggs into the Substack basket and is charging something like $10 per month. Well, sorry, I can get The TImes for a quarter of that. Thing is, her Substack stories seem very geared to that 'inside baseball' kind of audience that you cultivated at Hell for Leather. The reason why I like mainstream columnists is that they deliver 'explainers' to me in ways that I can understand and gain the general gist of. As for your Substack, it's a bit like Michael Williams (the original influencer, IMHO) A Continuous Lean or the website Sterogum or Pitchforik; I kept it up for awhile, then other things got in the way. I only responded to this one because it mirrors perfectly what I'm thinking of doing in the ski/outdoor/adventure space. I think one's sucess in this business is totally dependent on the ability to find some kind of sustainable financing model that works for you, and won't result in you hating having to create content that goes utterly unnoticed (which is why I started on LinkedIn, that is the audience I wish to reach). Really, there are only so many hours in a day.
I like your angle as a writer, and I'd be interested to hear your take on the actual land you camp on. What's the native history of the lands you explore? How do you appreciate the original/indigenous stewards of the land, and what's your take on the whole thing? Why Mexico? What do you know about the cultures, the food, the people, the lifestyle of these space you go into? I think camping and outdoors is much more than just the gear we use and the 4x4's we use to get there (which I love both, by the way) but I think there is a hugely rich layer that doesn't get explored much.
Ok, I bit. $15/month is less than NyTimes or WSJ or Times of London or WAPO. All of which I subscribe to for about $4/mo on the discount train. Your content is more fun, and sometimes useful. I will probably drop most of the newspapers when the bro deal runs out. My wife says that I doom scroll them. So I signed up with you. I'll give it a go for a while, but agree with other folks that $8/mo, or $100/yr is a reasonable max. With our new Glorious Leader, I will have to start kicking more skrilla towards the Environmental Defense Fund, Union of Concerned Scientists, etc. Wes, can you compete with the enviros for my limited $$ ?
Thanks Dave. My goal is to provide significant service. Think of me as your consultant for any purchases, trip planning, destinations etc. Down in Dallas celebrating holidays/birthday with friends and family, but I'll explain that this coming week. In the meantime: wes@wessiler.com
Black Rifle Coffee is launching an energy drink. They hit me up a couple of weeks ago about a social media gig (I'm not into it). Go the Eric Johnson route (Monster Energy), and figure out how to have them pay you to write all the great things you want. Will there be limitations? Probably. Will it scratch your itch, and get you a solid paycheck? Probably.
I have paid subscriptions to Escape Collective, a rebranding of a cycling site called Cycling Tips that Outside bought and then shuttered. I also pay for a subscription to my local daily newspaper and The New York Times, at a deep discount.
I have recently let subscriptions lapse to Outside (mainly for Velo, Backpacker, and your contributions) and Apple News, which gave me access to The New Yorker, among others. But the sheer volume of available reading options on both platforms led to a kind of choice paralysis, and I just ended up scrolling, not reading.
Last, I pay for two Substacks: one about a local college sports program, and one about bike maintenance by a writer and frame builder whom Outside / Velo let go after a few decades.
If your contributions to Outside made it here instead--outdoor gear reviews, dog stuff, truck stuff, etc--I'd probably subscribe if it were no longer accessible elsewhere.
I don't own a truck or a gun, and I'll likely never hunt. But I'll probably get a truck in the next few years for house and garden projects and camping trips, so I need to keep reading your work on those issues. Plus, as a hiker, mountain biker, and wilderness backpacker, I enjoy and learn from sensible, progressive approaches to gun ownership and hunting issues, which seem pretty rare.
My goal is to bring the kind of content here that I can't really write for Outside, for a variety of reasons. And to make that rooted in service, which means helping you guys out.
It's funny that I kind of get pigeon holed with truck/gun/hunting stuff, when that actually makes up a fairly small portion of my interests and output. I think it's just because those spaces don't otherwise really get covered outside of the verticals. I spend way, way more time hiking, backpacking, camping, etc etc.
Echoing prior comments, I really appreciate your distinctive voice on a wide breadth of topics that, for me, are relevant (hiking and general "outdoorsmanship"), aspirational (Baja trips), practical (your article about payload vs towing capacity prompted us to buy safer truck), and interesting but not necessarily topics I would seek out (hunting). Your writing is one of the primary reasons I subscribe to Outside.
I'm happy to pay for content and support your livelihood.
My favorite part of the Indefinitely Wild days (via Gizmodo) was the type of stories where you'd write up an adventure, trip, activity, etc. and structure the piece as a how-to for readers to do something like that on their own. Specific explainers on learning and executing a new skill, traveling more effectively, or using specific pieces of equipment (I'm including the article that was about how to use the variety of weird toilets found in the outdoors).
I also have really enjoyed the type of articles where you've helped me cut through the marketing and jargon to understand the equipment I need to do what I want, such as explaining how rain jackets work and the difference between the different versions.
And lastly, I don't really know how to categorize this type of story, but it's the kind of where you were sharing your own life experiences about a variety of things that overlap my own interests and would help me feel more confident in doing that thing too. I'm recalling posts about what to expect when adopting an older dog, or how to learn a new sport (of any kind), and about traveling internationally for the first time.
Good ideas!
Didn’t know you were on Substack! I loved HFL back in the day and was one of your 7,500 paying subs. I’m not sure if I would have paid $20/mo but I was addicted and single, so odds are decent.
These days I’m no longer riding. I got married, had kids, etc. - that whole bit I always heard from older guys while filling up at gas stations and would think to myself “never going to let that happen to me” has of course happened to me. What my younger self couldn’t see is there’s more to life than riding a fucking motorcycle and reading about motorcycles whenever you’re not riding them. And, you eventually reach a point where you realize that yes, we do all have to die one day, but riding a motorcycle sure does ratchet up the risk profile.
I can’t answer your questions as directly as I’d like to since I haven’t read any of your writing here. But my two cents would be to write whatever you want to write - isn’t that the point? If not, continue writing for someone else. Sounds like you’re focused on outdoors topics primarily, which sounds awesome to me. I was the weirdo riding his Harley (yes HFL’s reader base had at least one of us) up gravel roads to go trout fishing and backpacking. Anything outdoors from trail running and backpacking to hunting and fishing, and I’m into it. I haven’t come across that much great outdoors writing here on Substack, so if you’re half the outdoors writer that you were as a moto writer, I’d expect you could quickly dominate that space here.
Regarding pricing, $8/mo with a discount to $6/mo for annual seems to be fairly standard around here. The higher rates that I’ve seen have been limited to financial topics or professional insights that folks can get their employer to pay for. That’s not to say you couldn’t charge more, only that it’d be abnormal here on Substack (at least from what I’ve seen) and I’d expect a lower take rate.
Thrilled to discover you here (via Substack’s Notes feed) and look forward to digging into your posts ✌🏼
Well, you asked, so I'll give you my honest feedback. I mean it respectfully, because I love great writing and media and want folks who do that to make a good living, in a healthy business.
But here's a good example of the problem. You really think the entire motorcycle world would look different today if only you had charged more for your motorcycle content--which was so ground breaking? I'm was a fan of Hell for Leather back when I rode. But you know what else I was a fan of? Cycle World. Peter Egan alone was worth every penny, but it had a lot of other rad stuff all the time. And their bike tests were legit and certainly "enabled me to spend my money effectively." In fact, there was quite a lot of motorcycle media I enjoyed and paid for (Baggers was trashy fun).
My point? With all due respect, everyone thinks they're really special, but there is lot special in this world. There is a lot that competes for a consumer's time and money, both then and now. Certainly the glory days of magazines like Cycle World (and blogs like HFL for that matter) seem to be past, and now we have a media landscape that seems at the same time greatly diminished and yet infinite. We all know how many options are fighting for our attention, mostly coming from our phones, so I won't belabor the point.
I subscribe to the Times, two substacks of favorite writers, three video streamers, and a music streaming service. I'm not rich, so that adds up. As much as I would love to pay all of the content producers that I enjoy $20 a month, I can't.
Interesting post. I'm not a paid subscriber (yet). What I value most is your insights on gear, second: cooking, third: hiking, fourth: political/social/hunting banter, with Auto reviews last. I'd pay to read a full-length article (with links or affiliate discounts) on any of those, but probably would not want to pay to read something I'm not too into, such as motorcycles (for example).
Don't worry, I don't write about bikes anymore.
I loved HFL and your work there. I was one of the 7500! Still have a couple little stickers too. Good times. Thank you while it lasted.
I’m excited to see you moving in this direction. I consider you a grounded and principled writer with some of the same interests as me (outdoors/dogs/friends/politics/others tbd) but with more focused experience. I’m interested in reading about what you know, but what I’d like is more about what you think about it all. Insights into what you don’t yet know, maybe even what you’re changing your mind about.
You’ve shown your deep expertise on many topics but also your willingness to write about what might not be so obvious to the average person in areas you’ve had more…access(?). Also, the idea of you not being restrained, and therefore being able to dig into topics in ways you previously hadn’t is something I don’t feel like I’ll want to miss!
A lighter podcast of mine, about three motorcycle accidents, I had, that shaped me as a man. What does not kill you makes you stronger or at least wiser:
https://www.brighteon.com/275ac395-e48f-4e51-9fb4-7e07e3d2ff01
I’ve followed you since Hell For Leather. I was also once into motorcycles and have now moved to other things (mtb, fly fishing). I really enjoy your writing (even as someone who owns a Tacoma) and would consider a paid subscription. It’s tough though. There are so many subscription options out there. I pay for Outside (mostly so I can read your articles, but I also enjoy the video content they offer, plus they bundle some other things like Gaia), Apple News, NY Times, etc. I’ve toyed with Patreon as well, but it all adds up. It’s similar to the endless streaming options, if you want access to a specific piece of content, you have to have a specific subscription. And they add up. To answer the question I think you’re asking, yes I would likely sign up for a paid subscription, if it was reasonable. I want you to make a living, but I also have bills to pay, hobbies that keep begging for more gear, and a toddler that is more expensive than all my hobbies combined.
I pay for a substack subscription to Drezner's World -- great content mainly around foriegn relations. I was able to get for a discount of $4 per month. I dont think twice about that fee, even if I am able to read 50% of the posts in full as it is less than most beverages at your local cafe or bar. Subscription to Harpers Magazine which I will never let go. I am considering signing up for Outside again, as I do miss full access to the Siler content there -- and there are the other benefits llike backpacker and Gaia.
I remember finding Indefinitely Wild when I would scroll through Deadspin.com and was drawn to your content. Hiking and backpacking -- and all topics adjacent to them - say, hiking routes, backcountry navigations skills, technology and the wilderness, tips on successful wilderness camping, advice on gear, survival skills, etc. -- are of particular interest. Someday I hope to get into backcountry driving with a 4x4.
At what cost for a new subscription? Cannot say. Other paid substacks have fallen by the wayside (i.e. cancelled) as I ceased reading the content due to lack of content interest. But I originally signed up since the initial fee was discounted as a trial.
All in on paid content. But the $170/y price-point is too high (for me). I pay $80/year for The Atlantic. $60/year for Adventure Journal. In both cases I get unique, authentic, interesting, curated content from a diverse group of authors. For $170/year I'd want a collective of authors (on the topics you're planning to cover), and access to that community (discussions, forums, etc.)
You might not have heard of her, but no one knows the world of on-line content, influence, economics, media ownership and a whole bunch of other internet related stuff like former WP and NYTimes columnist Taylor Lorenz, who's sorta the Taylor Swift of online media. She, too, is putting all of her eggs into the Substack basket and is charging something like $10 per month. Well, sorry, I can get The TImes for a quarter of that. Thing is, her Substack stories seem very geared to that 'inside baseball' kind of audience that you cultivated at Hell for Leather. The reason why I like mainstream columnists is that they deliver 'explainers' to me in ways that I can understand and gain the general gist of. As for your Substack, it's a bit like Michael Williams (the original influencer, IMHO) A Continuous Lean or the website Sterogum or Pitchforik; I kept it up for awhile, then other things got in the way. I only responded to this one because it mirrors perfectly what I'm thinking of doing in the ski/outdoor/adventure space. I think one's sucess in this business is totally dependent on the ability to find some kind of sustainable financing model that works for you, and won't result in you hating having to create content that goes utterly unnoticed (which is why I started on LinkedIn, that is the audience I wish to reach). Really, there are only so many hours in a day.
I like your angle as a writer, and I'd be interested to hear your take on the actual land you camp on. What's the native history of the lands you explore? How do you appreciate the original/indigenous stewards of the land, and what's your take on the whole thing? Why Mexico? What do you know about the cultures, the food, the people, the lifestyle of these space you go into? I think camping and outdoors is much more than just the gear we use and the 4x4's we use to get there (which I love both, by the way) but I think there is a hugely rich layer that doesn't get explored much.
I think that's a great idea for an approach to travel stories.
Ok, I bit. $15/month is less than NyTimes or WSJ or Times of London or WAPO. All of which I subscribe to for about $4/mo on the discount train. Your content is more fun, and sometimes useful. I will probably drop most of the newspapers when the bro deal runs out. My wife says that I doom scroll them. So I signed up with you. I'll give it a go for a while, but agree with other folks that $8/mo, or $100/yr is a reasonable max. With our new Glorious Leader, I will have to start kicking more skrilla towards the Environmental Defense Fund, Union of Concerned Scientists, etc. Wes, can you compete with the enviros for my limited $$ ?
Thanks Dave. My goal is to provide significant service. Think of me as your consultant for any purchases, trip planning, destinations etc. Down in Dallas celebrating holidays/birthday with friends and family, but I'll explain that this coming week. In the meantime: wes@wessiler.com
Black Rifle Coffee is launching an energy drink. They hit me up a couple of weeks ago about a social media gig (I'm not into it). Go the Eric Johnson route (Monster Energy), and figure out how to have them pay you to write all the great things you want. Will there be limitations? Probably. Will it scratch your itch, and get you a solid paycheck? Probably.
To be clear: I do not drink racist coffee.
I know nothing about the company other than it's not my cup of tea, but that assessment wouldn't surprise me one bit.
Believe me, I could go on...