
I have noticed a sharp increase personal replies to my pitches and proposals. Not because they're better in some way, but rather, because these agents and editors want me to buy subscriptions to their Substack pages. I'm reminded of the days when people would pollute every conversation with pleas to join the "downline" (or whatever they called it) for one of those multi-level marketing schemes.
These sorts of sales pitches make me ask what I'm paying for. As a subscriber, do I have more access? Am I more likely to make a deal? It reeks of sleaze.
After all, how many agent, editor, or even writer newsletters can I read? Do I need to read about the deals made by agents who never had any intention of repping me, but are happy that they've gotten a few bucks from me?
Is Substack anything more than a shakedown? Is there any potential at all?
These sorts of sales pitches make me ask what I'm paying for. As a subscriber, do I have more access? Am I more likely to make a deal? It reeks of sleaze.
After all, how many agent, editor, or even writer newsletters can I read? Do I need to read about the deals made by agents who never had any intention of repping me, but are happy that they've gotten a few bucks from me?
Is Substack anything more than a shakedown? Is there any potential at all?