Hello Pocket Friends,
It’s me, Nicola. I hope you are well.
So, I’ve decided to create a newsletter for a number of reasons.
I’m on a lot of visual social media platforms, so I can show pictures of my books, (to sell them obvs) but I’m not engaging with the audiences, because if I did then I wouldn’t have time for my art, darhling. (Dear Santa, please bring me one of those time-turner necklaces from Harry Potter. Thank you.) I like Instagram. I like YouTube. I’ve got 3 followers on Facebook and I’d rather not be reminded about this is what I did on this day x number of years ago, thank you very much. I’ve got about 10 Tiktok followers, and I don’t really understand how it works but for a younger demographic bookbinding community, it is massive. I used to love Twitter but gave it up just after the shtf with the platform last year. The word ‘toxic’ is overused but in this instance, I would use it to describe my experience. *Other experiences are available. Why the algorithm chose to continually spam me with content that I was just not interested in, I do not know.
Talking of content, it’s quite interesting that if you’re not being paid for your work online, then you are the content. It is a terrible (capitalist theory) that there is the need to continually feed the machine with shiny new products or opinions all of the time. You’re only as good as your last post. Out of sight, out of mind. (Note to self. Come back in a year. If I’ve monetised my content, I’ll print off this page and eat it.)
Everything all in one place. I get lots of likes for posts and videos but they don’t necessarily translate into sales. My wordpress blog used to get approximately one like for every 100 views. I have a 9 second video on YouTube of me threading a needle fgs!, plus another of me flicking through a notebook of coloured paper which has got more views, so don’t ask me how it all works, because I haven’t got a clue. I want to be able to keep track of things.
I’m hoping that the people who used to read my blog might join me here for writing updates as well as those who are interested in my Etsy shop. My intention is a fortnightly newsletter, written in my usual meandering, casual chatty format with links to videos and articles that I’ve found interesting.
Seriously, I need an email mailing list. One that’s mine, that I can take with me wherever I go. When I left Twitter, I also left behind a huge community of writers, publishers, creatives and friends, some of which I chatted to regularly for years. If I leave my other social media platforms (or get booted off, which could happen as its their house their rules) then I’ll have to build up a network again. This is an opt-in mailing list, so hopefully, if you choose to join me, it’s because we have shared interests.
My hit list
I’m listening to the audiobook of Stephen King’s ‘Fairytale’. It’s a quest of a novel that should be on your radar if not your tbr pile. It’s full of easter eggs and cultural references that the over 50’s or hardcore contemporary culture consumers will appreciate.
I’m a little bit obsessed with Wolf Alice right now. Their song, '‘Lipstick on the Glass’ was my most played on Spotify last year, but at the moment, ‘Planet Hunter’ is the first track I usually listen to. It’s from their 2017, Mercury-winning album, ‘Visions of a Life’.
I’m also rewatching ‘Elementary’, on Amazon Prime, in dribs and drabs. Twenty minutes here and there, while I’m drinking my tea. I’d rather not watch the news right now. This might be easy viewing, but did run for seven seasons, which isn’t too shabby, by Hollywood standards.
Anyway, I think I’ve bored you enough.
See you soon,
Nx
p.s Please hit the subscribe button below! I’m sure I’ll come up with some decent freebies at some point, but for now, here’s 20% off everything in my Etsy shop. Use code Sub20 for 20% discount until the end of March 2023. UK only, sorry.
Interesting, chatty and informative with pleasant views. Keep going from strength to strength
Abbreviations used in this issue.
Obvs - obviously
Shtf - sheeeeeet hit the fan
Fgs - for gawd’s sake
Tbr - to be read