A quick question for all of you wonderful people that signed up for this here Signal Fire, but haven’t yet joined the community by hopping behind the little $5/month paywall. There is NO pressure to do so, NO pressure to pay a single penny, the Sunday Edition and Wednesday Photo Dump posts will remain free forever, but I do have a question as I am always striving to make this place better for you all:
What, if offered, would prompt you to join the exclusive community, pay the $5 a month to me instead of Starbucks once a month, and become a full-fledged Signal Fire supporter? What could I do to sweeten the pot, and get you to join?
If nothing, no worries whatsoever, I completely understand that right now times are tough, times are always tough, and it’s just not feasible. I love you for signing up for my Signal Fire no matter where you happen to fall, what category you’re in. I’m just curious here, how can I make this better for you all?!
Make shop shipping available to where i am? Hahaha.... jokes aside. Hadn't joined as i've had to direct funds to my recent surgery. Will join when things stabilise for me. Love your work and definitely wish to support you any way that i can
I can always ship stuff from the shop to you! I Just had to remove it from the shop itself as USPS changed shipping rules on SquareSpace. If there's ever anything you want just drop me an email! I'll make it happen. As for your surgery, please keep us posted. Best of luck and best of health.
Most welcome! Is it possible to get a certain phrase you wrote on a shirt? I've been wanting to get it as a tattoo, but havent found an artist I trust with words.
Could you also let me know what contribution level I am? I might be able to do more now.
I have a new baby and am no longer working. Thankfully I live in Canada but, adjusting to living on half of my normal income while taking on the expense of a baby, has meant cutting out all extras. I would love to support you otherwise, your words have supported me through so much more than you can imagine!
Perhaps offer specials? For instance if someone joins for a year- offer one month for free. Or after someone has been a member for a year- maybe they get a a free t-shir. Maybe a points system- every month you stay subscribed you get 5 points and after so many points you can redeem them for stuff- stickers, photos, hand written haiku sent to them in the mail, shirts, or whatever really.
Just some ideas! Hope they help.
I appreciate you, your vulnerability, the depth of your soul, the love you have for your wife/family/life/ and all things light and even beauty seen in dark.
Keep writing. Keep thriving. You help more people than you realize. Myself, being one of them.
This is a great idea, I do have it set so if you pay for a year, you do get a month Free :) As for the point system, unfortunately Substack doesn't support this kinda thing, and I suck at logistics like that so keeping track of a lot of people would be so impossible hehe. That said, I love the idea of anyone subscribing getting a discount in my shop! You're magic, and I appreciate YOU.
Hi Tyler, I am signing up today! I love your poetry, your thoughts, your inspirations. Honestly, I have been planning to sign up for awhile.
Personally, I think the way you ask people to sign up is a bit strong and "pleading". I always go for the approach: "You can get lots more of my poetry, photographs, and musings by signing up for my website (just $5 a month). Hope you can join in and become more engaged with Chasers of the Light and share the beauty of this life." (Just a suggestion).
Tyler, Just want to tell you how I found out about you in the first place. I was in a dollar store and saw this beautiful hard-back book cover (blue background, red jagged mountains and yellow moon). I wondered how such a striking book got there.
I started to read it and it pulled me in. miracle in the mundane is WONDERFUL. I went to Barnes and Noble and purchased Illumination. It is WONDERFUL too. Your work is awesome, Tyler.
A little story about how I found you (in answer to this answer question): I just found out about you late last night…10 hours ago. I’d never heard of you. I was in the supermarket and I found your book on the deep back of a canned goods shelf with no other books nearby. I reached back there, dusted off the book, opened it up to a quote that happened to turn around a VERY difficult day. It was one of those “signs from the universe” moments. I brought the book to the register, and they said the book wasn’t in their system. I am convinced someone (the universe) left it for me to find, and I flat out told the checker that LOL. He still made up a random price and rang me up for it. LOL
I can home, read a page or two, thought to look you up on IG, signed up for your newsletter, which immediately asked for me $ (we’d only just met!!), and I went to sleep. This morning you’re already emailing me asking for $ again, and also asking me to explain myself, and give up a Starbucks (a place I never go…so it’s all just feeling a little icky now). I’m not paying YET to “get behind your paywall” because I need at least one whole day to enjoy the magical way in which I found you, and to explore your writings before I decide to pay for content. I’m sure there’s value, but I’d prefer to be drawn in by your offerings rather than being dragged in by your emails. I am a self-employed artist & healer, and so I do believe I understand the fairness in getting paid for work….but in this “getting to know you” phase, the pressure tactics don’t seem to match the beauty of your work. 💗 Allow some time, and trust.
I absolutely love this story, I believe, firmly, the universe puts people in our path when they are supposed to be in them, and I love that I was hiding in some canned goods aisle. I really appreciate your honesty here, some of the messages the newsletter sends are automated and *required* by Substack, so I'm working on how best to word everything. It's a learning process :) Thank you.
Thank you for replying…having a real “you” at the other end is a pleasant surprise, and thank you for being open to feedback. I’m quite sure you’ll be seeing more of me in the days to come 💛 (PS sorry for my typos! 😬🤪)
I first “ found Tyler “ in a shelf of pretty things in Anthropologie. His book was the least expensive thing in the shelf and by far as given more than any other thing I have ever got there. Even more than the soy candle that has lasted five years! Lol you never know where you find find true magic!
I have long loved your poetry, witnessing you and Sarah come together to build the beautiful family y'all have created... and y'all's values. As a single parent, I am in a position where I have to be frugal in my spending. Starbucks is not in my budget. I have recently taken on a second job, if I am able to take on enough hours to cover my children's upcoming medical needs I would love to subscribe to support. Until then, I send wishes for blessings & opportunity to find y'all and this challenging time to prove temporary and a path to unimagined growth.
Also, I work as a digital marketer. I applaud Bonnie and Debbie for their authenticity and genuine constructive suggestions. The Starbucks appeal may not work very well for the people you draw to you, as who you are drawing to you probably tend to match your values. (I don't imagine y'all going to Starbucks often, if ever.) And when someone who may not be able to afford Starbucks reads that... it may sting a little. It is challenging not to get discouraged, and I know moral support doesn't put food on the table so to speak... but time, value, and trust are going to be what sets you apart and draws the right kind of people to you.
My heart hurts to know that you and your family are struggling. Y'all's artistic gifts of capturing a person's most intimate moments are cherished by so many - I know it may not feel it right now, and I have to tell myself and my kids the same thing every day... but this is temporary. You WILL find a way.
I would give up coffee all together to support you. I would give you every penny I have. I would give you my kidney if you needed it.
I’ll be honest though, I miss the daily emails from you. I know others were overwhelmed by it, but it always started my day with a moment to meditate on your words.
You know me though, you don’t have to change a thing and I’ll always support you no matter the cost.
As a certified light chaser supporter, for me it is enough knowing that I’m helping you do the wonderful world changing stuff you’re doing Tyler! To quote Jack Nickolsons character in As Good As It Gets, .. “ it makes me feel good about me.”
I completely appreciate this! That's why I always wanted to make the weekly posts free. No one should have to make hard decisions, and I am so glad you're here, in any capacity.
I joined the community behind the paywall back when it first started. For those on the fence or wondering WIIFM, I want you all to know it's a beautifully open, non-judgmental and encouraging group of people there. You offer us peeks into your world, you ask us to think deeply and share our thoughts on things. Sometime you give us writing prompts to open our own creativity and share our ideas with others while seeing the different perspectives from the wide range of people in the group.
In short, even if you join for a month to check it out, it will be worth far more than the price of admission.
To be honest, I work as an infectious disease epidemiologist and my life has been crazy for 2 freaking years. I see the emails and I am like oh ya that's right I was gonna do that and then something else comes along and I forget again.
Thank you for starting this poll!!! I absolutely love your work and have subscribed to your Spotify podcast. Your daily posts on Instagram are my go to reading before turning in for the night. 😀Oh, forgot to mention I live in India. And the reason that I haven't been to subscribe is that I haven't been able to figure out how to pay in my local currency. Sorry, that was a long answer to your short question.
Makes total sense! I didn't realize signing up was a challenge for out of country, as I have quite a few people from abroad! Let me know if you find a solution!
I am already a member and even though i am not reaĺly active, i love everything about it! You are truly the most carring and evolved celeberty i know. You reached out to me in my darkest hours even when you didn't have to. Your love for life and ability to share is out out of this world.
Maybe you could do something more with YouTube. I love the videos you made telling your poems and life stories with the photo's you made.
Truly the world would be a beter place with more of you. Just keep doing what you are doing.
I'm new here. I follow your IG and wanted to see what this had to offer as well. I'm forever trying to pare down the traffic into my inbox, so I've been following the free option first to see if it's something I'd want to *keep* in my inbox. You've got me writing a daily Haiku now, so I think you may have me sold.
I already subscribe that's why I'm confused , I thought you had to subscribe to even write and leave a remark here. I don't drink coffee however I am aware of its healing purposes just like dancing explains clearly why I'm writhing this. Know anyone who reads minds? I'm so confused again.oh well. Good night I guess I'll take a nap. , I didn't leave the oven on.... 😈😐 perhaps the spouse, I keep hearing about did. Cool thanks
Just subscribed! Thank you for the reminder that I had not done so yet. I've been reading your poetry for nearly 10 years now and often times reading one of your poems has been the spark for me to write some of my own when I've felt blocked (or even when I haven't). I'm happy to be able to support you in some way! Very much looking forward to the writing prompts as well! Thanks for sharing your words and photography with the world :)
I'm already signed up and do pay the $5 a month. But I have shy friends who keep saying if you'd do maybe a custom poem of the month or could balance this and the podcast they would absolutely join me in my cozy seat of support. Also... Are there or have there ever been postcards available in your shop? If not... Perhaps you could turn your photography into chasers of the light postcards for all of us with wanderlust too scared to go anywhere. For dream boards. For the somedays. Idk. Just sharing what we (my bubble and I) have discussed
Amuse is my makeup line. I use it still and when my brother and I did Broadway shows circus events and play writes, ballerina I used to use that make up in the theater
Tyler, would it be possible for you to write a Haiku on a t-shirt for those of us who are paying the yearly subscription? And have you and Sarah sign it?💚
Wow, I am beyond honored. Which piece!? How amazing.
Make shop shipping available to where i am? Hahaha.... jokes aside. Hadn't joined as i've had to direct funds to my recent surgery. Will join when things stabilise for me. Love your work and definitely wish to support you any way that i can
I can always ship stuff from the shop to you! I Just had to remove it from the shop itself as USPS changed shipping rules on SquareSpace. If there's ever anything you want just drop me an email! I'll make it happen. As for your surgery, please keep us posted. Best of luck and best of health.
Your work has meant so much to me through the years. I'm happy to donate. You deserve it.
You're far too kind. It means the whole world.
Well I don’t give my $ to Starbucks so…. 🤣 but I just hadn’t lately considered it. Thank you for the reminder.
:) So glad Starbucks doesn't get your money! :)
Hey now, some of us make our living at Starbucks :p
I can’t remember what contribution I signed up for…. 😬
You're fantastic, thank you for the support, as always!
Most welcome! Is it possible to get a certain phrase you wrote on a shirt? I've been wanting to get it as a tattoo, but havent found an artist I trust with words.
Could you also let me know what contribution level I am? I might be able to do more now.
Me too!
Great minds! 😁
❤😂
I have a new baby and am no longer working. Thankfully I live in Canada but, adjusting to living on half of my normal income while taking on the expense of a baby, has meant cutting out all extras. I would love to support you otherwise, your words have supported me through so much more than you can imagine!
Oof, I cannot imagine, but on a happy note, CONGRATULATIONS FOR THE BABY!!
Thank you!
Perhaps offer specials? For instance if someone joins for a year- offer one month for free. Or after someone has been a member for a year- maybe they get a a free t-shir. Maybe a points system- every month you stay subscribed you get 5 points and after so many points you can redeem them for stuff- stickers, photos, hand written haiku sent to them in the mail, shirts, or whatever really.
Just some ideas! Hope they help.
I appreciate you, your vulnerability, the depth of your soul, the love you have for your wife/family/life/ and all things light and even beauty seen in dark.
Keep writing. Keep thriving. You help more people than you realize. Myself, being one of them.
This is a great idea, I do have it set so if you pay for a year, you do get a month Free :) As for the point system, unfortunately Substack doesn't support this kinda thing, and I suck at logistics like that so keeping track of a lot of people would be so impossible hehe. That said, I love the idea of anyone subscribing getting a discount in my shop! You're magic, and I appreciate YOU.
Hi Tyler, I am signing up today! I love your poetry, your thoughts, your inspirations. Honestly, I have been planning to sign up for awhile.
Personally, I think the way you ask people to sign up is a bit strong and "pleading". I always go for the approach: "You can get lots more of my poetry, photographs, and musings by signing up for my website (just $5 a month). Hope you can join in and become more engaged with Chasers of the Light and share the beauty of this life." (Just a suggestion).
Tyler, Just want to tell you how I found out about you in the first place. I was in a dollar store and saw this beautiful hard-back book cover (blue background, red jagged mountains and yellow moon). I wondered how such a striking book got there.
I started to read it and it pulled me in. miracle in the mundane is WONDERFUL. I went to Barnes and Noble and purchased Illumination. It is WONDERFUL too. Your work is awesome, Tyler.
Signing up now!
Thank you so much for ALL this feedback, it's invaluable. Thank you a billion times over.
Just updated the language, thanks for the wonderful advice.
A little story about how I found you (in answer to this answer question): I just found out about you late last night…10 hours ago. I’d never heard of you. I was in the supermarket and I found your book on the deep back of a canned goods shelf with no other books nearby. I reached back there, dusted off the book, opened it up to a quote that happened to turn around a VERY difficult day. It was one of those “signs from the universe” moments. I brought the book to the register, and they said the book wasn’t in their system. I am convinced someone (the universe) left it for me to find, and I flat out told the checker that LOL. He still made up a random price and rang me up for it. LOL
I can home, read a page or two, thought to look you up on IG, signed up for your newsletter, which immediately asked for me $ (we’d only just met!!), and I went to sleep. This morning you’re already emailing me asking for $ again, and also asking me to explain myself, and give up a Starbucks (a place I never go…so it’s all just feeling a little icky now). I’m not paying YET to “get behind your paywall” because I need at least one whole day to enjoy the magical way in which I found you, and to explore your writings before I decide to pay for content. I’m sure there’s value, but I’d prefer to be drawn in by your offerings rather than being dragged in by your emails. I am a self-employed artist & healer, and so I do believe I understand the fairness in getting paid for work….but in this “getting to know you” phase, the pressure tactics don’t seem to match the beauty of your work. 💗 Allow some time, and trust.
I absolutely love this story, I believe, firmly, the universe puts people in our path when they are supposed to be in them, and I love that I was hiding in some canned goods aisle. I really appreciate your honesty here, some of the messages the newsletter sends are automated and *required* by Substack, so I'm working on how best to word everything. It's a learning process :) Thank you.
Thank you for replying…having a real “you” at the other end is a pleasant surprise, and thank you for being open to feedback. I’m quite sure you’ll be seeing more of me in the days to come 💛 (PS sorry for my typos! 😬🤪)
I first “ found Tyler “ in a shelf of pretty things in Anthropologie. His book was the least expensive thing in the shelf and by far as given more than any other thing I have ever got there. Even more than the soy candle that has lasted five years! Lol you never know where you find find true magic!
I have long loved your poetry, witnessing you and Sarah come together to build the beautiful family y'all have created... and y'all's values. As a single parent, I am in a position where I have to be frugal in my spending. Starbucks is not in my budget. I have recently taken on a second job, if I am able to take on enough hours to cover my children's upcoming medical needs I would love to subscribe to support. Until then, I send wishes for blessings & opportunity to find y'all and this challenging time to prove temporary and a path to unimagined growth.
Also, I work as a digital marketer. I applaud Bonnie and Debbie for their authenticity and genuine constructive suggestions. The Starbucks appeal may not work very well for the people you draw to you, as who you are drawing to you probably tend to match your values. (I don't imagine y'all going to Starbucks often, if ever.) And when someone who may not be able to afford Starbucks reads that... it may sting a little. It is challenging not to get discouraged, and I know moral support doesn't put food on the table so to speak... but time, value, and trust are going to be what sets you apart and draws the right kind of people to you.
My heart hurts to know that you and your family are struggling. Y'all's artistic gifts of capturing a person's most intimate moments are cherished by so many - I know it may not feel it right now, and I have to tell myself and my kids the same thing every day... but this is temporary. You WILL find a way.
Agree, fully. Thank you, again.
Makes total sense. Thank you so much! Loving this honesty, I'm always a sponge for learning, so thank you.
I would give up coffee all together to support you. I would give you every penny I have. I would give you my kidney if you needed it.
I’ll be honest though, I miss the daily emails from you. I know others were overwhelmed by it, but it always started my day with a moment to meditate on your words.
You know me though, you don’t have to change a thing and I’ll always support you no matter the cost.
:) You're magic my friend, honored to call you friend, and family.
I’m already a member of the paid community and the art you put into the world and share with us is well worth it!
This means worlds and moons. THANK YOU.
As a certified light chaser supporter, for me it is enough knowing that I’m helping you do the wonderful world changing stuff you’re doing Tyler! To quote Jack Nickolsons character in As Good As It Gets, .. “ it makes me feel good about me.”
Thank you Robyn, times a billion. I love ya.
I want to subscribe.
Unfortunately, it doesn't make sense for me to get a subscription budget wise.
I have been so busy with life, trying to juggle ALL Of the things...
I never have time to sit, read, and absorb your writings. 💜 (gotta fix that)
I love them all.
I recently asked for, and received a book of yours as a gift.
I tell other people about your work as well.
This is a great question to poll.
Thank You, For Your Insights, and Beautiful Poems.
I am so happy to have discovered them.
Truly,
erica
I completely appreciate this! That's why I always wanted to make the weekly posts free. No one should have to make hard decisions, and I am so glad you're here, in any capacity.
I joined the community behind the paywall back when it first started. For those on the fence or wondering WIIFM, I want you all to know it's a beautifully open, non-judgmental and encouraging group of people there. You offer us peeks into your world, you ask us to think deeply and share our thoughts on things. Sometime you give us writing prompts to open our own creativity and share our ideas with others while seeing the different perspectives from the wide range of people in the group.
In short, even if you join for a month to check it out, it will be worth far more than the price of admission.
Kristi, you are one of the MOST invaluable people in our community, and I speak for all of us when I say how lovely it is having you. We love you.
Thank you so much, Tyler, for providing us unique place like this to gather. ❤
To be honest, I work as an infectious disease epidemiologist and my life has been crazy for 2 freaking years. I see the emails and I am like oh ya that's right I was gonna do that and then something else comes along and I forget again.
:) I think this is completely understandable, and completely fair :) Thank you for your honesty!
Thank you for starting this poll!!! I absolutely love your work and have subscribed to your Spotify podcast. Your daily posts on Instagram are my go to reading before turning in for the night. 😀Oh, forgot to mention I live in India. And the reason that I haven't been to subscribe is that I haven't been able to figure out how to pay in my local currency. Sorry, that was a long answer to your short question.
Makes total sense! I didn't realize signing up was a challenge for out of country, as I have quite a few people from abroad! Let me know if you find a solution!
I'm upping the ante on my monthly contribution soon. Well worth it. And the books - WOW
I am already a member and even though i am not reaĺly active, i love everything about it! You are truly the most carring and evolved celeberty i know. You reached out to me in my darkest hours even when you didn't have to. Your love for life and ability to share is out out of this world.
Maybe you could do something more with YouTube. I love the videos you made telling your poems and life stories with the photo's you made.
Truly the world would be a beter place with more of you. Just keep doing what you are doing.
Love from the netherlands
Asking this question was offering enough for me. I subscribed.
Your level of ‘I care’ goes a long way. Thank you for that.
I'm new here. I follow your IG and wanted to see what this had to offer as well. I'm forever trying to pare down the traffic into my inbox, so I've been following the free option first to see if it's something I'd want to *keep* in my inbox. You've got me writing a daily Haiku now, so I think you may have me sold.
I already subscribe that's why I'm confused , I thought you had to subscribe to even write and leave a remark here. I don't drink coffee however I am aware of its healing purposes just like dancing explains clearly why I'm writhing this. Know anyone who reads minds? I'm so confused again.oh well. Good night I guess I'll take a nap. , I didn't leave the oven on.... 😈😐 perhaps the spouse, I keep hearing about did. Cool thanks
Just subscribed! Thank you for the reminder that I had not done so yet. I've been reading your poetry for nearly 10 years now and often times reading one of your poems has been the spark for me to write some of my own when I've felt blocked (or even when I haven't). I'm happy to be able to support you in some way! Very much looking forward to the writing prompts as well! Thanks for sharing your words and photography with the world :)
I'm already signed up and do pay the $5 a month. But I have shy friends who keep saying if you'd do maybe a custom poem of the month or could balance this and the podcast they would absolutely join me in my cozy seat of support. Also... Are there or have there ever been postcards available in your shop? If not... Perhaps you could turn your photography into chasers of the light postcards for all of us with wanderlust too scared to go anywhere. For dream boards. For the somedays. Idk. Just sharing what we (my bubble and I) have discussed
Didn’t realize I could be paying! I wouldn’t need anything more, you already give and share so much with us! You deserve to be paid!
Amuse is my makeup line. I use it still and when my brother and I did Broadway shows circus events and play writes, ballerina I used to use that make up in the theater
Am I not? I thought I was? Let me know! I will fix it!
Tyler, would it be possible for you to write a Haiku on a t-shirt for those of us who are paying the yearly subscription? And have you and Sarah sign it?💚
I think I bought 3 shirts and 2 hoodies 😆 I got carried away due to excitement!