Starting tomorrow, the price of Cheek's Substack subscription will change
Everything you need to know about Cheek's bigger and better offering.
Before anyone panics, this won’t impact current paying subscribers.
Happy Sunday morning subscribers,
First, a note of gratitude. I say this a lot but I mean it: subscribers are the biggest backers of indie media. This trajectory of Cheek is thanks to you.
For the last three years I’ve been been supported by you to leave my full-time job, move interstate and run this company solo: operating across platforms and advocating for a range of issues.
Now, your support has allowed Cheek to begin commissioning external voices for contributor pieces and to bring on an editor full-time.
This is a really exciting period of change.
Here’s what you need to know:
Building a company primarily on Instagram has created incredible opportunity for exposure, though that comes with increasing uncertainty. I am proud that the majority of content I have created is free for consumption - and that will remain a priority. However, to ensure Cheek’s longevity, platforms like Substack are going to become more important for elevating our offering.
Currently, Cheek offers AUD$5 monthly or $50 annual subscriptions, but from tomorrow, this will be increasing to AUD$7 and $70, respectively. If you are a current paying subscriber, the price won’t change. This will impact new paid subscribers only (if you’re reading this on a free subscription, that means you can come across to paid at the current lower rate until tomorrow morning - more details below).
Not only will this help support our drastically increased output across all platforms, but it will help us to pay more external contributors to share pieces that connect to their expertise and lived experience.
These contributor pieces will remain available to read for free, in full. We pay writers for their high-quality work, and want as many people as possible to be be able to access it.
More benefits for paid subscribers
For those that opt for a paid subscription, there’s a few new benefits. As well as access to all our contributor pieces, you will get exclusive access to pieces penned by myself and other members of the Cheek team. We are also launching a weekly newsletter that will hit your inboxes from this Friday, providing a wrap on the week that was, as well as some recommendations. Plus, paid subscribers can share their thoughts, questions and suggestions in our new community chat on Substack.
The new prices will take effect for all future subscribers from tomorrow (Monday 18th August) at 10am. Those wanting to nab a deal at the current price, can purchase a yearly subscription before then.
As a founder it can feel incredibly uncomfortable asking people to invest in the work you do. Ultimately, not taking on large external investment is something I believe in strongly.
I am so grateful for the editorial freedom I have thanks to the support you show. It’s my hope that the next era for Cheek feels like a step forward in both quality and quantity for you, as we continue to carve out more space for progressive Australian media.
As always, feel free to leave your comments below. I’m entirely open to feedback and ideas.
H x
As an existing subscriber, I’m very happy to opt to move to the new cost structure. Good journalism costs good money, and I’m happy to pay for that.
It would be cheap at twice the price! Never be ashamed of asking for what you're worth. The value you provide is well worth the subscription. ❤️🍄