It’s been a protracted whereas since I’ve written on Authorized Nomads. When folks ask how I’m doing, I’ve taken to saying, “I’m hanging in as finest as I can.” What else can all of us do? These are fairly uncommon, excessive occasions, and truthfully I’m simply impressed with anybody who makes it by way of every day with out cracking at the very least as soon as.
Whereas I haven’t been writing a lot right here, I have been working (in 20 minute standing increments!) on some actually rewarding issues, which I’m excited to share with you right here.
1. I’ve Launched My Patreon
A lot of you might have requested about methods to help me at a time the place I can’t bodily work the best way I used to. Patreon is an effective way to take action.
I launched my Patreon to the world over the last week of February. For these unfamiliar with Patreon, it’s a membership platform that permits folks to enroll to obtain updates, behind the scenes movies, personal podcasts and extra from their favorite creatives, writers, or artists. Lots of you on this neighborhood have recommended I begin one up, and in my tiny working increments I used to be capable of get it up and working.
A lot of my journey running a blog friends have began one, however my Patreon is a bit completely different than the norm, as a result of it’s help solely. So as a substitute of every tier providing increasingly rewards for what you join, my marketing campaign has every tier receiving the identical entry and advantages because the others. However! In contrast to many support-only Patreons, it nonetheless does have enjoyable goodies (under), as a result of there are nonetheless many enjoyable issues I can present inside my restricted state.
I structured it this fashion as a result of ache limits my each day output a lot that I’d reasonably be completely certain that I can ship what I promise, vs. creating excessive financial tiers and break that promise.
It’s an incredible feeling to have a neighborhood of individuals asking to help me from faraway locations. I’ve had artists and photographers attain out as nicely, to supply month-to-month goodies that I can add to the tiers — largely bird-related or soup-related, which appears about proper!
The launch video is under. Patreon web page is right here. We’re as much as about 170 folks now, on the time of writing.
Although it’s a support-only Patreon, everybody does obtain a bunch of rewards!
- Your title on the Patreon thanks web page on Authorized Nomads.
- Your title on an Instagram thanks submit.
- Early entry to podcast particulars, Authorized Nomads web site redesign, and information.
- Means to vote on future episode subjects for the podcast.
- Month-to-month video or audio AMAs on Patreon, as my well being permits. You’ll be able to submit questions that I’ll reply.
- Shorter movies with updates about progress for the podcast, redesign, and every other updates within the Authorized Nomads universe.
- Supporting me with a secure revenue at a time the place I’m bodily unable to work as I used to.
- A thanks picture of your tier fowl, one in every of Bob, Fiona, or Arthur (these are the birds within the header of this submit – I like them a lot.)
I could add larger tiers with particular rewards later. There are additionally enjoyable goodies within the works as I discussed above.
I noticed this on the web page itself, however right here’s how I plan to make use of the funds:
- Funding my working prices in order that I can preserve my web sites and tasks afloat.
- Supporting the launch and manufacturing of my new podcast, that may permit me to create and share content material with you thru a extra manageable medium given my present situation.
- Serving to me convert my weblog posts about continual sickness into audio type with a view to make them extra accessible to others (I’ll rent a sound engineer to do that).
- Redesigning Authorized Nomads to incorporate a brand new residence web page, emblem, and web site circulate that displays my current.
- Basic help for me as I navigate this new, restricted, lifestyle.
A giant due to the next fantastic folks, who took the time and vitality to preview the web page, the video, and provides suggestions alongside the best way (together with many testing-of-the-banner-image-on-mobile makes an attempt) for this large launch: Ella Frances Sanders, Audrey Scott, Catherine Bodry, Christopher Nowakowski, Dalene Heck, Derek Earl Baron, Jim Fricker III, Kate McCulley, Marta Bethencourt De França, Mike Sowden, Reine Gammoh, Shannon O’Donnell, Tasha Mary, and Tim Van Der Linden.
A New Publication
I discussed in my final (August 2020) submit that I’d be restarting my e-newsletter on Substack. I did so as a result of Aweber was turning into value prohibitive at a time once I wasn’t capable of work, and Substack’s choices are free until you cost in your e-newsletter (at which level they take a proportion). Since I all the time plan for my e-newsletter to be free, it made sense to modify over.
I’ve executed three to date and so they comply with the traces of my former Hyperlinks I Beloved missives: some musings a few subject of curiosity, private updates, the most effective studying from across the internet that month. The following one goes out on the finish of February.
For those who had been on the Hyperlinks I Beloved checklist, I’ve introduced you over to Substack. For those who assume you had been however didn’t get the brand new publication, please test your spam folders on February twenty eighth! And when you’re excited about receiving it, please join under.
You’ll be able to take a look at the archives right here, first.
A Authorized Nomads Redesign
This web site not displays the particular person I’m, or the life that I lead. I like it, and I’ve loved writing on it for all these years by way of the iterations and redesigns, nevertheless it’s not me.
This time, colors, emblem, and format are going to alter. I don’t plan to alter too a lot given my restricted bandwidth however will begin with the fundamentals: the homepage, a number of the class circulate, and the about web page and primary textual content.
Additionally altering? The slogan. I’m not telling tales by way of meals any longer. I’m additionally not a authorized nomad, however after 12 years right here I am sticking to the area. The brand new slogan is Curious About The whole lot, similar because the e-newsletter. The primary theme color shall be a green-blue, under. I’ve additionally chosen a mascot, a raven I’ve named Arthur, since corvids are insatiably curious identical to this neighborhood.
The primary web page could have related classes as proper now, however will ask the query, “What are you interested by right now?” to browse them. Aside from that and the look-and-feel of the house web page, I could make adjustments little by little however the content material from the final decade will stay. I’m excited to have a web site that displays a bit extra of my current mindset, although in fact curiosity is what fuelled my lifetime of journey all alongside.
Podcast Progress
I used to be by no means a type of “I’m going to jot down 4000 phrases each morning” folks. Until I used to be underneath deadline, my writing held the identical type of whimsy as my travels: when inspiration struck, I pounced. After which I principally went feral. When the tingly, “I would like to jot down” feeling began, I knew I wanted to fill up on snacks, get a bathe in now, and cancel plans with mates. I’d neglect to eat, reside, and do day-to-day duties; writing blotted every thing out.
It sounds manic, I’ll provide you with that, nevertheless it labored for me as a result of I by no means knew the place the writing journey would lead me. I by no means had a set arc earlier than I sat all the way down to my laptop computer however discovered the enjoyment partly within the strategy of my mind’s wandering.
(Living proof: I stood as much as write this submit now, and realized I missed one thing I used to be presupposed to do at 8pm… as a result of I acquired misplaced in writing.)
My level is right here is that the act of writing is itself such a giant a part of what makes me really feel inventive and alive, and it’s been very exhausting to not have it in my life. I’ve realized voice-to-text doesn’t convey me the wanted tinglies, nor do different lodging for my CSF leak. In order I stated in my 12 years of Authorized Nomads submit, I’m going to be shifting towards a podcast as a substitute.
The podcast was going to be referred to as Ask a Jodi, however I’ve modified the title to be “The Manner By” – as a result of at its core, it’s a podcast about getting by way of the ups and downs of life. When you have subjects you’d like me to cowl, I’d love to listen to from you! Electronic mail me at jodi-@-legalnomads .com or by way of my contact web page. To date, I’ve a listing I’ve stored out of your questions, which incorporates be extra resilient, be much less anxious, and sleep higher.
That’s it for now! Thanks for all of your help, love, and enthusiasm as I navigate by way of this sophisticated time. I hope you’re staying protected and nicely.
xo,
Jodi