There’s an embarrassment of riches when it comes to content these days. Countless podcasts, TV shows, newsletters, magazines, traditional media outlets, YouTube series, Instagram stories and more all vie for our attention, as well as our subscription dollars. While many of us would like to donate $5 a month or whatever other low figure the creators ask for, we often don’t or can’t.
If you’ve been enjoying a certain podcast or newsletter, in particular, or get joy out of a certain artist’s Instagram that you don’t pay for, consider sending the creators a thank you note this holiday season. It can be a short email, or a message on Facebook. Even a Twitter DM is something.
Editor-in-Chief Melissa Kirsch says she recently sent a fan letter to the creator of the Checker Plus Chrome extension. If you love something, let the creator know.
Another option: Leave a review. As our health editor Beth Skwarecki reminded me, algorithms favour podcasts and books with lots of reviews — if you want to help out one of your favs, leave them a positive review. You’ll help more people discover and appreciate what you love.
And of course, share what you love far and wide. Recently, this episode of Terrible, Thanks for Asking hit me particularly hard. Some of my other favourite podcasts: Forever 35, Hurry Slowly, Longform, My Favourite Murder, Pop Culture Happy Hour, The Dream and Unspooled.
They’ve added immeasurable pleasure to my days, and haven’t cost me a cent. (I do donate to a few different places and subscribe to some news outlets.) I find myself looking forward to the Dabbler newsletter from the New Territory, as well as Jocelyn K. Glei’s and Austin Kelon’s.
There are tons of other things I’m sure I take for granted. This holiday season, sending thanks to the people who make them is at the top of my list.
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