I've had a couple different versions of blogs over the past year. I was on Ghost platform for quite a while, but that site can be expensive with their monthly fees and there was no real way to integrate it with my art store front. 

Shopify had a blog feature, but it was clunky and not really built for that. I don't want to use Substack or Beehive as they are just pretty much more corporate owned social media platforms. Then I found Fourthwall which is geared toward artists and creators. It has blogging, memberships and ecommerce all built right in. 

I don't charge for memberships or to read my blog at this time, this is just kind of a thing I do, because I enjoy it and I want people to look at my art site and get to know me as part of their decision to connect with or purchase my art. 

I saw an interesting take on threads. As physical media is becomming more popular, DVDs, paper books and Vinyl records, they said the return to blogging will become like the physical media of the internet. Because the creators own their content and their followers/subscriptions. If Facebook deleted my account tomorrow or went under, all my friends and followers would be gone as well. If you follow me here, we can stay in contact as long as we both choose to do so. 

I liked that view and I think it had something. I've been trying to build a community away from socials for awhile. Not that I am leaving social media, I just don't want to always rely on it for everything. I know everyone now is monetized and trying to capitalize on that, but I noticed with my own monetization, the more people they allow in, the less the payouts are and their metrics and goal posts are always moving. 

I'd rather control my own content, own my content, my art and my data and rely on art sales and maybe premium subscriptions at some point, instead of pennies from Meta. 

Maybe I'm old and sounding like a boomer, but I don't think so. I just see the way things are going with the consolidation of media and I don't like how things are looking. So trying to get out in front of it. Maybe its a great idea, maybe I'm full of shit, but I'd rather try on my own than just see what happens unprepared. 

If you're a creator, I highly suggest starting a blog offsite of the main socials, that includes Patreon as they have shifted their own TOS to crack down on various types of content over the years. Not saying Fourthwall is right for everyone, but its mostly free to set up unless you want some extra perkrs or benefits, then its about 20.00 a month. 

Ghost was around 30 or more a month after the free trial. Shopify is 40 a month for basic and not really setup for blogging. A lot of people like substack, but I found it too noisy and most the blogs there were about how to get rich on substack. I guess if you are already a big name with a big following, it can be a good place. But I also saw people like Andrew Tate and other far right creators being recommended next to regular independent journalists, so that's a thing. 

Here the only thing next to my content is my own art and merch But like I said, look through things, shop around and find what works best for you. I don't claim to be any big authority, I just have been trying to find the perfect landing place for over a year. Maybe I'm too manic, but I have little patience for paying a lot out of pocket for a site that isnt' working. 

In the end, I think blogging will come back. Honestly I think the internet is a better place when it is more decentralized and we all have our own little corners to make our own, than everyone on the same cookie cutter sites. I'm also available if anyone has any questions about Ghost, Shopify or Fourthwall. Even Substack I may have some input as I've tried them all. In the meantime, try things out and see what works best for you and make sure to let me know where you land so I can follow you all there!