What do you mean, "paid"?

"So, my new website went live on Friday," I said to my mum, as my daughter ran wild on the playground. "Do you want to see it?"

I handed her my phone, and she quickly scrolled through. "Oh, that's a lovely photo of you! Oh, you look so pretty in this one."

...Of course she'd focus on the pictures. 😆

"Yeah, but... are you reading it?"

"Oh, no," she said, handing back my phone. "I just looked at the pretty photos of you. It's very nice."

"You're literally subscribed to my emails. Do you even read those??"

"I just read the funny story at the top."

I suppose I can't expect much more than that given the woman has just retired lol.

"Well, a bunch of people HAVE read the site," I said. "And they love it! Got a few paid subscribers just from one email."

"What do you mean 'paid subscriber'?"

"As in, not free?" I said. "They pay for the content."

"What? WHY?"

"What do YOU mean, 'why'?"

"Why would ANYONE pay to READ?"

🤦‍♀️

...This is coming from a woman who used to buy magazines every single week when we were growing up. A woman who was obsessed with reading novels—who literally got ME into reading as a kid.

I pointed this out to her. "Is that not PAYING to READ?"

She shrugged. "Still sounds like a scam to me."

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Mum. 😅

(Wonder if she reads THIS story.)

Anyway. A big THANK YOU to those who have already signed up for the launch offer of The Brief, and understand paying to read isn't that novel a concept. 😝

Especially when what you’re reading helps you make smarter marketing decisions—not just add more random tactics to your already-overloaded to-do list.

Each month, The Brief takes one important marketing idea and pulls it apart: what it means, why it works and how to actually use it in your business.

Brief #1: Write to Persuade is my take on how writing influences what people notice, remember and believe.

You’ll learn how to make a stronger argument for your offer—whether your reader is ready to buy now, next week or not for a while.

The launch offer ends on Friday 24 July, when Write to Persuade is officially published.

You’ll get your first month for only $1, then it’s $20 per month after that. Bloody bargain if you ask me. Can you even buy ANYTHING for $1 these days?

Cheers,
Cass