Newsletters, web2 & web3

where to blog in 2024…

Mirror is the worst for discoverability, but is the OG for web3 blogging, so some good writers are still using it. Mirror supports NFT mints on Optimism chain.

Paragraph, while not great, is improving fast. Discoverability is better than Mirror, but needs improvement. Paragraph supports NFT mints on Base chain.

Substack is the easiest for writing, publishing and metrics. It allows you to transfer subscribers, but doesn’t have any web3 features. Discoverability is good.

Medium feels like a sand hole, where the ground is slippery, so you can’t get out. It has good discoverability.

Discoverability is huge, unless you just want to shout into the void. Decentralization is important, if you’re concerned about censorship, but current tools are limited to centralized services, or hiring a developer, which defeats the point of trying to decentralize.

If you’re an individual without a website, and want to monetize your writing, Paragraph and Medium are probably your best bets. But, trying to make any money is going to come with lots of time promoting your blog on social media.

If you have a business with a website, avoid all blogging platforms, because they try to keep readers on their website, not on yours. Instead, have your newsletter on your website, and make sure there’s a way to subscribe via email. Share on socials.

Wix and Squarespace are popular for businesses and both support newsletters, but they charge a fee. WordPress also has a fee based option, if you want them to host your data.

Chones uses the open source version of WordPress, which has widgets and plugins for things like a newsletter and metrics (GDPR friendly!) If someone comes across Chones’ newsletter, it takes them to Chones’ website.

Note: The reason Chones can use the open source WordPress is because we use shared web hosting, which also supports open source cloud storage.

Thank you Fourth World Systems for all our conversations about newsletters, open source and decentralization, and for your support in our move towards better autonomy for data storage.