I think one factor at play in this niche is that most startup funding sources expect rapid growth, which Submittable chased so relentlessly that they have essentially abandoned the niche. They started with logic similar to yours -- let's solve a glaring dysfunction in the writer/publisher dynamic -- and their own twists of fate (and luck) led to organizations with MUCH deeper pockets -- and different needs -- than writers and publishers.
It feels a little weird to hope, as I do, that Chill Subs and Slushpile can avoid that kind of "luck," because it's clearly been good for Submittable as a business, and they are obviously solving problems for someone. But they are no longer attuned to the needs of the writing and publishing community, and their journey leaves me with questions about the sustainability of any of the emerging alternatives.
Ah, we've actually already had that sort of luck and turned it down. Last year we had a lot of discussions about which route to go. We talked to some other startup owners and business-folk and came to the conclusion that we could juuust manage to make ourselves profitable enough before our savings runs out (this fall haha). Basically, our thinking is this. If we can avoid any sort of funding then all decision power remains with us. We don't have to ever listen to someone try to force us into manipulative marketing tactics, or growth in ways we don't want. What sealed it for us was when a person told us "If you can manage to become profitable and retain full control, that's where you want to be." And we think we can pull it off. We're not big spenders, we live simply, and have been good about doing things right in terms of keeping things stable as we grow. Investors is a worst case scenario situation for us and we haven't gotten close. If we can pull it off then we'll be able to make a comfortable living for a small team, keep everything free or affordable and actually create things for the writing community that aren't just predatory paywalls and upsells on people's passions. That's the goal anyway.
I think one factor at play in this niche is that most startup funding sources expect rapid growth, which Submittable chased so relentlessly that they have essentially abandoned the niche. They started with logic similar to yours -- let's solve a glaring dysfunction in the writer/publisher dynamic -- and their own twists of fate (and luck) led to organizations with MUCH deeper pockets -- and different needs -- than writers and publishers.
It feels a little weird to hope, as I do, that Chill Subs and Slushpile can avoid that kind of "luck," because it's clearly been good for Submittable as a business, and they are obviously solving problems for someone. But they are no longer attuned to the needs of the writing and publishing community, and their journey leaves me with questions about the sustainability of any of the emerging alternatives.
Ah, we've actually already had that sort of luck and turned it down. Last year we had a lot of discussions about which route to go. We talked to some other startup owners and business-folk and came to the conclusion that we could juuust manage to make ourselves profitable enough before our savings runs out (this fall haha). Basically, our thinking is this. If we can avoid any sort of funding then all decision power remains with us. We don't have to ever listen to someone try to force us into manipulative marketing tactics, or growth in ways we don't want. What sealed it for us was when a person told us "If you can manage to become profitable and retain full control, that's where you want to be." And we think we can pull it off. We're not big spenders, we live simply, and have been good about doing things right in terms of keeping things stable as we grow. Investors is a worst case scenario situation for us and we haven't gotten close. If we can pull it off then we'll be able to make a comfortable living for a small team, keep everything free or affordable and actually create things for the writing community that aren't just predatory paywalls and upsells on people's passions. That's the goal anyway.