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What’s this? Me exploring shiny new platform features, that’s what!
CH-CH-CH-CHANGES
Since my wonderful friend Erin helped me level up, I now have access a bunch of beehiiv’s features that were gated while I was launching on the free plan - which I would still recommend, by the way. Definitely way easier and faster than setting up yet another WordPress site as a solo creative, that’s for sure. Plus, I’m more of a content kiddie than a web structure builder, which is why I’m hoping you’ll bear with me while I make changes. Here’s what I’m currently working on:
Adding menu access to upgrade to paid and add-free tiers
Updating the homepage and site layout
Creating audiences for The Wordery, The Nerdery, and The Createry for folks who are only interested in one or two, but not all three.
More details below the ad! 👇🏼
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No noise. No jargon. Just business insight that drives results.
HOW TO: UPGRADE TO PAID
Currently, the fastest way to sign up for a paid subscription is to use the upgrade page: virtuistic.beehiiv.com/upgrade
Subscription payments are processed via Stripe. If you run into any issues, please drop a comment on this post or in the subscribers-only Discord and I’ll help troubleshoot.
In the coming days, I’m going to explore adding subscription options to the sign up process, either by modifying the sign up button to allow selections or by creating an automated sign up process with easy onramps. Once I’ve got the solution figured and set, I’ll update this post with process details. My goal is for it to be accessible, clear, and user-friendly so folks can quickly choose how they’d like to support this creative project. If you have any suggestions, I’m happy to hear and incorporate them too!
REPORT A BUG
It is very possible that I may break something while making changes. If something on the site is performing strangely or not functioning, please ping me on Discord or leave a comment on this post, and I’ll get to it as soon as I can.
Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding while I get things built out and set.
A fair question in these trying times…
THE LANDING
The homepage will be undergoing a minor makeover throughout the holiday season, mostly to add a direct pathway to paid subscriptions now that those are available. I also will be modifying the menu to improve navigation. I might also add in a shop for digital sales of 1:1 consult bookings and ad buys, but I plan to keep that nested in a menu rather than on the front page.
RECOMMENDED READING
AUDIENCE SEGMENTS
Since most of us, myself included, get way too many emails — and since I can now create audience segments, I’m going to find a way to let people decide whether they want to receive some or all of my newsletters.
For example, if someone only wants The Nerdery sent to their inbox, that’s totally cool! Or, if you’d like to check out The Wordery and The Createry but skip the nerding out about video games, media, and pop culture, that’s cool too. I get that everything ain’t for everybody, and I am a big fan of giving people options that work for them.
Once I’ve got the audiences established and the different pathways set-up, I’ll update this section with step-by-step instructions on how to curate which emails you’ll receive. To prevent burnout, I’m still planning to rotating between my three primary creative topic themes and send out no more than one per week after I’ve got these structural changes wrapped up.
SHAPE THE SOUNDTRACK
Chat and co-create radio on the Internet with me to make audio Alphabeats Soup!
I’m going to need some audio inspiration while I’m working my way through this, so please join me in creating a collaborative internet radio experience on deepcut.fm! It’s free to join, there are cute seasonal avatars to choose from, and I host a game room called Alphabeats Soup, where we play through the alphabet on a daily theme and chat it up. Here’s how to play:
Sign up and you can add any song that's on SoundCloud or YouTube to a playlist and join the chat. The song at the top of your list will play when the spotlight gets to your seat on the DJ deck.
Each letter gets one round on the deck, so select a song that starts with the current letter — either in the artist name or track title. (Note: We ignore “the” except in the case of “The The.”)
Like the songs you enjoy using the lil' thumbs up button, and save new songs you discover by hovering over the track title to see buttons that will add the current track to your playlist or other audio apps.
An eclectic variety of tunes and recordings under 10 minutes are welcome. Honestly, this is one of the best and most fun ways I’ve found to discover new (or at least new to me) tunes. I’ll announce when I’m “opening” up the room with an A-Z queue as I’m working through these to-do items in the subscriber-only Discord, as well as on Bluesky. Hope to see you there!
ONE LAST THING
I am actively looking for work! If you or someone you know needs communications guidance or production assistance, please get in touch. I’m synthesizing my news media and freelance career into a sustainable communications business which will officially launch in Q1 of 2026.
I’m eager to share what I’ve learned over decades of advocacy and managing the daily digital news desk to provide services a la carte or as a part- or full-time consultant. My rate sheet and resume are ready to go, and I invite you to learn about my experience and past work here. To get in contact, please message me on Linkedin.