June Mastermind for Food Writers
Wednesday, June 18
Once a month, a group of Substack food writers gather together for a Mastermind meeting and if you’d like to join us, we’d love to have you.
Hello everyone!
The June Mastermind for Food Writers Meeting will be on Wednesday, June 18. If you’re new here, this is where you’ll find some information about the basic structure and purpose of these meetings: About Mastermind for Food Writers
Meetings are once a month, 90 minutes, and held on Zoom at the following time:
6am — Seattle (Pacific)
8am — Chicago (Central)
9am — Atlanta (Eastern)
2pm — London (GMT)
3pm — Brussels (Central European)
10pm — Singapore (Singapore standard)
1am - Sydney - (June 19)
Link to join the June meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84527174994
No registration is required. All you need to do to join is subscribe.
Meetings are recorded for anyone who can’t make it. Watch your in-box for the recording, or check back here.
This month’s topic:
What’s working/ general questions/ wins/ requests: The first half of the meeting is open for anyone who has questions, would like to share ideas or tips, would like feedback about anything they are doing or thinking about doing on Substack, and to share wins and successes.
For example, I’d like to spend some time talking about paywalls. How do you decide what content is free and what is paid? I am considering removing the paywall from my newsletter and would love to know your thoughts about this strategy. 🙂
The second half of the meeting is for discussion around a main topic. This month’s topic will be about organizing your Substack newsletter.
There are so many options for how to organize your Substack… custom layouts for the homepage, sections, tags, etc. Not to mention content for paid and free subscribers. Bring your questions and your ideas!
If you’ve seen a writer with a particularly well organized or unique way of presenting their content, please share with us!
How are you organizing your content on substack? Do you have tips and suggestions for the rest of us that you would be willing to share?
Hot Seat: During the meeting, I’ll ask if anyone wants to spend a few minutes in the hot seat. We’ll put your publication on the screen and give you the chance to ask for feedback and/or suggestions.
At the end of the meeting, we’ll circle back around to topics of general discussion and/ or dive deeper into topics that come up during the meeting.
Important reminder: These meetings are a gathering of colleagues to discuss the work here on Substack, not a webinar with an expert who is there to tell us how to do something. Think of them as a virtual gathering at the water cooler where you can voice questions and challenges and offer your own ideas and expertise in exchange.
How to get the most out of the meeting
Come to the meeting prepared to ask questions and offer feedback. We all have different areas of expertise and one of the most valuable things about a mastermind is the shared knowledge pool. So, bring your questions and your challenges so we can all go to work on them! And also, be prepared to offer feedback, tips, and ideas to others in the group when you have something to offer.
Did you learn something new recently? Hear an excellent tip or idea? What’s working for you? What’s frustrating you? What are you curious about? Gather your thoughts and be open to sharing. I know from experience that this is a smart, welcoming, accomplished, supportive group!
Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions for how we can make these meetings as valuable as possible for all of us!
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A quick follow-up on the topic of what Sarah Fay calls a "nugget" post - what I'm calling "Crumbs" for my readers. In my first Crumbs email I told the story of three generations of the Kiyokawa family in Oregon whose orchards have been described as the best in the country. The grandfather was incarcerated with other Asians after Pearl Harbor. A story of resilience, and success. Easily gathered information. Not in the Notes feed, not on my website. I'm doing it on one week per month. Just an idea to adapt if you wish.
Sarah details it for paid subscribers, but here's the crux:
"A type of post I developed with my private clients when I saw how stressed they were and how many of them wouldn’t post if they didn’t have something that was “perfect” or lengthy
A gift—something that doesn’t ask readers to do anything
A moment of true connection, not just a short post
Full posts, not Notes, that come from a genuine desire to share something that means something to you right now."
On my calendar - which looks like 8pm Indochina time according to the google !