This morning, as I was kicking around possible Thinking Out Loud subjects, I ran into the following text. I’m not sure when I wrote this, but it wasn’t long ago because it addresses a current situation I’m personally dealing with. I didn’t run it originally because I don’t like to discuss personal subjects like this. It reads like something that you’d discuss with a bar tender where you’re not really expecting a valid response but no one else will hear about it. You’re just venting because you can’t discuss it with friends or family because most people simply don’t want to be involved in other’s life decisions (Do I marry this one? Did you know my wife does? yada, yada…?).
What follows is me making you into a bar tender (that alone is interesting because I don’t drink so have never chatted with a bar tender).
I was watching the news this morning and they were chronicling a woman who, as she drives to work, does on-going TikTok segments about her husband. She was asking who-did-I-marry? To hear her talk, he’s real piece of work! I found it totally uninteresting, but that’s not true for everyone as she gets millions of views. So, I’m in the minority in terms of interest. We live in a weird world when millions are interested in that!
BTW – I wonder how her husband reacts to it?
That got me thinking about possible ways I could mildly reformat Thinking Out Loud and Airbum.com (my website) with the goal of increasing readership. This would be done by taking advantage of past life experiences and the tons of projects surrounding me that might be worth working into Thinking Out Loud. I do, however, fully recognize that I specialize in stuff that are narrow fields of interests e.g. airplanes, vintage firearms, older cars and types, antique everything, archeology, history, etc., etc.
I’m asking for your comments/suggestions because on-line I’m a generalist in a world that likes specialists. I’m a victim of my own ADD. However, a note about my brand of ADD, which might be different than others: I NEVER lose interest in anything. I don’t leave interests behind going all the way back to high school. I don’t care how far afield a subject may be or how long it has been since I’ve touched it, I’m still intensely interested in it and my brain leaps from one to another interest on a minute-by-minute basis. You wouldn’t believe how often I stop typing mid-sentence to search out some fact that crossed my mind for a brief instant. Maybe it’ll be a detail on Mayan architecture, the differences in 32 ACP pistol cartridges, what happened to some outstanding custom car from the ‘50s, etc. Whatever! My brain wanders around on its own, with zero direction (or control) from me. My speaking reflects that. Thinking Out Loud reflects that. My articles don’t. Hopefully!
The net result is that I’ve created a real personal crisis here: I have a bazillion unfinished physical projects that are going to be a real headache to get rid of for whomever I leave behind and they will sell for junk prices. They’re just far enough from being finished they’ll sell for parts. None would take a huge amount of time to finish, however, making a living keeps getting in the way. I can’t take that time. So, the time that’s to be invested in the projects has to kick out a few bucks online as part of Thinking Out Loud. Not a lot of bucks, but a few.
FYI - each of these mechanical projects exists in my computer as massive photo folders that include step-by-step photo instructions on how to perform different operations. This includes tons of how-to-do-it stuff on specialty cars (hot rods, 1930s race cars), custom vintage firearms, knives, etc. Plus, I’ve archived close to 9 Tb of off-the-wall subjects I find interesting, which might also appeal to others.
The obvious question I’m asking: Is there a way I can capitalize on the above?
For instance, going back to that woman talking about her husband in short segments, would it work for me to continue with my Thinking Out Loud format but make every fourth one (or so) a titled progress report on a specific project, e.g. The Roadster, the race car, a specific rifle, and make it a monthly feature? In addition, my air-to-air photos in storage number somewhere on the high side of 200,000. My first of over 300 national covers was November of 1969, so, yes, I’ve been at this a long time!!
Or maybe focus on these kinds of subjects behind a paywall with normal Thinking Out Loud stuff still free.
I am borderline panicked by the project-crisis I’ve created here when compared to how fast the clock is ticking. I’m running as fast as I possibly can, but time is catching up. Everyone on the planet is more aware than I am of what makes a blog more likely to support a paid subscription. I just sit down, start typing and I let my ADD pick the direction.
Anyone out there have any ideas or comments? I’d appreciate hearing them. bd
Bud ,I don't know what size your audience is but your content ( all topics ) is of interest and value to a wide market. That market will pay to be able to access your content. I designed a platform ROCIT ( return on content information technology)specifically for NASCAR that would allow fan to be able to become sponsors of teams and in return for a $1 a day they get inside access and communications from their fav. driver and team via their own prefered social media platform. The funds raised would enable a driver to be able to start his /her own team. There are other platforms doing similar things <https://legionm.com/overview> Even a simple Go Fund Me campaign will raise $ for causes that fans are interested in. Think about a online process where millions of people like us can stroll thru your library of topics and, projects, photos etc . and also be able to sit and listen toy you tell the stories first hand. Packaged properly and accessable for a fee that should equal what the average person spends on tv/ movies . That would earn you enough to focus on what needs your attention and valuable time. We would all support that.
Monetising on line is tricky. YouTube pays around $1 per 500 views if you click all the advert options on. Some people make good passive income from print on demand products. A paywall is good but then how many will subscribe? There is still a lot to be said for a very high quality publication, priced above the market norm, where people will pay a premium for quality.