When I started Val Thinks in May last year, I was looking to start a publication where I can connect with readers regularly and hopefully expand my audience so that, one blissful day down the road, I can earn enough passive income from reader contributions that I can write full-time.
I had stumbled across Substack in an Economist article. I’d never heard of this newsletter platform before, but I took the fact that it was prominently mentioned in such a prestigious publication as a vote of confidence.
So I signed up, and not wanting analysis paralysis to take over, immediately came up with the title of this newsletter and wrote my first couple of posts.
The idea behind “Val Thinks” is that it’s such a catch-all phrase that it can cover any topic I’m interested in. The title gives me the freedom to write about anything, in any format that takes my fancy.
But it’s been just over 9 months in, and it’s time for a change.
I want Val Thinks to offer more value to my readers, for it to have a more solid, distinguishable identity. I want a new tagline, a new format, a visual re-design if I must.
To this end, I’m going to go on a short hiatus to give myself time to brainstorm and prepare the new (and hopefully improved) Val Thinks.
Before I go though, I’d like to ask for your help. A lot of you have been reading Val Thinks since the very beginning, and no doubt there’s a reason for it.
So I’d like to ask you:
Why do you read Val Thinks?
As I revamp the newsletter, I want to make sure I don’t lose all of the aspects that make you like (dare I say love?) this newsletter.
So, whether you’re a long-time or new reader of Val Thinks, please send me a reply or leave a comment. Every reason counts.
Thanks, and I’ll see you after the break.
Stay cool, stay safe, stay thoughtful,
Val
One bit of feedback is about the platform. Substack just isn't user-friendly. Ever time I go to comment, it prompts me to log in again (even though my profile pic is showing, which would suggest that it knows who I am). Then I have to return to the post and click on the comment button again before I can type a comment. Lots of friction.