bad influencer
the one where I tell you how much money I make on substack
Hey friends, can you believe we’re already halfway through December? Like actually, where is the time going?
This week has been a doozy for me. For some reason most of my holiday events all landed in the span of a few days - and I still have one more tomorrow. All good things, and I’ll write about them later, but boy, do I need a nap. At least I’m leaving on Tuesday to head back to the great state of Illinois for a long, lazy, ten days with my family. I am going to do my best during that time to take a small step back to spend less time on the day to day note posting and more time thinking about the big picture of…whatever this is.
As you’ll recall from last week, I’m shortening these Friday posts just a bit, but that doesn’t mean I’m any less wordy. In fact, I have a pretty solid 3000 word essay right below the paywall about affiliate links, how I use them, and just how much money I make writing this Substack. Spoiler: it’s probably not what you think.
Enjoy!
LCD SOUNDSYSTEM
The older I’ve gotten the less interested in concerts I’ve become. I think it’s because they start too late, and often the crowds feel like too much. They are expensive, and I don’t like shoving my way through masses of people to get myself an overpriced drink or to use a urine covered toilet. But each and every year I make it a point to go to the LCD Soundsystem residency. Formerly held at Brooklyn Steel, it moved to Knockdown Center last year, and in the move they were able to add a wine bar pop up of James Murphy’s The Four Horseman (my favorite restaurant, holds many fond memories), which is great for us olds that don’t want a shitty beer and instead prefer a nice glass of natural wine and a place to sit and rest our feet, you know? But at the end of the day, being there always reminds me that it is, in fact, good for the soul to get out of the house, see the clock hit 10 pm, and dance wildly to some great music with total strangers. (Though I’d love a 6 pm, 30+ option for shows moving forward, if anyone out there is listening and can make that happen.)
WINTER BOOTS
Whether we want to admit it or not, winter will arrive. And every year it arrives, I am caught off guard. One thing, however, that will not catch me off guard? Boots. Know why? Because I have finally built up a solid winter boot collection that I am proud of. One that won’t need to change year after year, because these are the buy once, wear “forever” types of boots (forever in quotes because I don’t actually think anything lasts forever forever, but a long time nonetheless). A good winter boot is a necessity for anyone living anywhere there is snow, but arguably particularly in NYC where that snow is…disgusting. We get about five minutes of a nice, white covering before it turns to black slush, and that black slush requires something hefty and waterproof. But, we all still want to look presentable, as our lives are not lived in cars but rather in public, riding the subway, and on the streets as we trudge to trendy coffee shops and Manhattan offices.
I’ll admit that I used to be that person that carried nicer shoes in my bag to change into at the office. But as life has grown more chaotic and as I’ve started to care a lot less, instead I’ve just leaned into the winter boot aesthetic. I dress a little more rugged to match the vibe, usually with denim and just a Big Ass Sweater. Think…upstate. But fashion.
Anyways. Want to know what they are and why I love them? Of course you do!
The Loeffler Randall Remy Boot*: admittedly I haven’t worn these much yet because they are new and we are still in the early days of winter here (with no snow yet), but I think they might be the chicest show boots around. Comfortable, too, which is important if you’re going to sit in a boot all day at the office. Worn most often with black jeans and a big sweater (like everything on this list)
The Danner Mountain Light Boot: I’ve had these for years and the more beat up the get the better they look. Extremely upstate coded, these work best when I’m going for that truly rugged vibe, even if that’s just trudging through the wild streets of New York City. Worn most often with basic Levi’s and my warmest wool sweater.
The Freda Salvador Brooke Boot*: best for rainy days, these are the “nicest” looking of them all, and I can always get away with these for a day at the office. Super lightweight and comfortable, though I always need a thicker sock that doesn’t slide down when walking. Size up half a size. Worn most often with black jeans and a black oversized sweater.
The LL Bean Duck Boot: these are my go to weekend boots, as they are great for wearing over a giant, warm, wool sock for the endless hours my daughter wants to spend on the playground regardless of the temperature. Worn most often with baggy jeans and a hoodie layered under multiple coats and over a base layer to spend as much time outside without wanting to die.
BAD INFLUENCER
I started this Substack with zero plans or expectations. I had no pre-existing audience. No road map of what I wanted it to look like. Simply a need to write out some feelings and a hope that a few words would resonate with someone, somewhere. A year and a half later, it’s kind of taken on a life of it’s own, as it turns out there are a whole lot of you that decided you liked what you saw.
It’s made me - albeit a little reluctantly - somewhat of an influencer, for lack of a better term. But ultimately, I write about stuff, and then you guys buy some of it. Which is pretty much the definition. Or maybe I’m a content creator, though I haven’t quite decided if I prefer that, either, because despite creating “content”, there is something about it that feels more organic than the term would imply. I feel like we need a third descriptor, but I don’t know what it is.
But I digress. As it turns out, this holiday season I have come to realize that I am, in fact, a bad influencer.
I hardly take, or post, pictures of events, and I regularly forget to tag people and brands when I do. I don’t do unboxing videos, and I rarely thank brands for their generous gifts via social because I’m forgetful - plus, most of the time my daughter has already ripped the package open and ran off to play dress up in whatever it is I’ve received. I still haven’t figured out how to make myself presentable for events, and that seems to be especially true when photographers are there. I am terrible at selling myself, or really anything, for that matter. Which is why I left my career in sales. I despise needing to self promote, and I am terrible at talking about myself. I don’t have an elevator pitch. I try my best to be easy to work with, though I hardly know what I’m doing. I am bad with names and I always feel like people know me better than they do. I try to be nice and show up and be appreciative of all the things coming my way - and I think I do that part ok. But if my job description includes utilizing social media, my platform, and affiliate opportunities to their fullest then I am failing. And it’s that last part that’s important, because that’s how the money is made. And you know what? I want to make money.
As we’re deep into gift guide season, Emilia Petrarca’s viral 2024 piece about what happens when you click an affiliate link is making the rounds. And for good reason. It’s a clear breakdown of what an affiliate link is and how platforms like ShopMy work, and if you haven’t read it yet, I do recommend. Knowledge is power.
