Happy New Year!
Added 2024-01-01 11:00:09 +0000 UTCHappy New Year and welcome to 2024, everyone. May 2024 go better than 2023 for the Yankees, and for you as well. If you had a great 2023, I hope 2024 is even better. And if you’re like me and can’t wait to forget 2023, I hope 2024 is unforgettable.
This is hitting your inbox at an ungodly hour Monday morning on Jan. 1st (don’t worry, I wrote this Saturday and scheduled the post in advance) because I’m making a small change with the site, and it makes sense to announce it and move forward with it at the start of the new year.
Before I go further, I want to make this clear: RAB itself is not changing. It’ll be business as usual going forward. Posts Tuesday and Friday mornings, sometimes a day early but never later, plus any extra posts as warranted (trades, signings, World Series championships, etc.), all for $3 a month.
When I launched the Patreon after we shut down RAB in April 2019, friends and readers told me it was underpriced at $3 a month. People still tell me that, either in person or via email. Also, the government says $3 in April 2019 is equivalent to $3.60 today, so yeah.
The thing is, I don’t want to raise RAB’s price. I hate getting notices from companies that say “you know that thing you subscribe too? it’ll be an extra $5 a month now” or, my personal favorite, “your ad-free subscription will now have limited ads.” What a racket, man.
I don’t want to raise the subscription price but I’ve also had people tell me RAB is underpriced for almost five years now, so I have a compromise: I started a new $5 a month pricing tier. The $3 a month tier isn’t going anywhere. You don’t have to change tiers if you don’t want to.
This part is important: the $5 tier does not include any additional benefits. I want to make sure that’s absolutely clear. You don’t get any additional posts or anything. Content-wise, RAB is not changing at all. I’m being very upfront about this. Don’t expect anything more at $5 a month.
Consider the $5 tier a tip jar. Basically, if you wish to contribute more than $3 a month, here’s an easy way to do it. And if you want to stick with $3 a month, that’s totally cool too. No hard feelings and I can’t thank you enough for reading and your support.
To change tiers you have to go to Memberships, scroll down to “Upgrade your membership,” then click “Change Tier.” Easy peasy. That’s how you go from the $3 tier to the $5 tier, and also roll back from the $5 tier to the $3 tier.
Again, the $5 tier doesn’t include any bonus content. I don’t want to raise the price but I also have so many friends and readers telling me I could charge more than I do, and creating the $5 tier feels like the best way to do that without raising the price on everyone.
RAB turns 17 (!) next month and the Patreon turns five in April. Thank you everyone for reading and supporting RAB. It’s a grind at times, I’m not gonna lie, but It has changed my life for the better. Here’s to another year of Aaron Judge dingers and Gerrit Cole strikeouts, and RAB.
Comments
I lost my connection to RAB a while ago because life happens. Today, I sat in front of my computer screen wishing I had something to read and I didn't. I became a member, and I must say that I agree with everyone by saying is underpriced because of the content you provide. Happy 2024, I wish great things to you and everyone in the community! Thanks for everything!
Dagoberto J. Ortiz
2024-01-20 15:14:28 +0000 UTCLong time reader in for the long haul, you’re my must read twice a week. Yanks suck right now but you’re always great! Thanks Mike.
ScottF
2024-01-09 14:45:31 +0000 UTCJust updated. Great way to do this. I’d hoped you’d make up for the lost 60 cent inflation through an increased subscriber base, but I’m happy to go up a step if it helps out.
Michael Darwin
2024-01-05 20:35:52 +0000 UTCYou're the only Yankees thing I still pay for (thanks Hal / Cash), so may as well show some appreciation!
Milky Joe
2024-01-03 03:18:03 +0000 UTCDone thanks Mike
Eric Hendrickson
2024-01-02 23:31:13 +0000 UTCI changed mine to $10, still a bargain.
DocBob
2024-01-02 16:49:52 +0000 UTCupgraded - very much worth it
Bart Sutton
2024-01-02 15:35:56 +0000 UTCUpgraded! Thanks, Mike - your posts are highlights of my week. Happy 2024!
Mark Davis
2024-01-02 11:58:53 +0000 UTCHappy to pay the extra couple bucks! TBH i feel like there must be a lot more fans who would subscribe to these RAB posts if they knew they existed. Something to consider might be running some Facebook ads (through their network, not necessarily people seeing it on Facebook) targeting anyone who liked the RAB page (ad example: riveraveblues is back!...) , or who maybe likes the Yankees and any analytical focused outlets like fangraphs. You'd have to A/B test the ads, but for the broader one it could probably benefit from a quote from someone well-known (maybe a David cone or Michael Kay mention of RAB from 10 years ago, doesn't have to be about the newsletter). Just a thought, but I feel like the true demand for this at $3/mo is 5-10k people or more. Happy to talk through how I'd A/B test ads and run a campaign if it could help.
Ben Dean
2024-01-02 08:43:20 +0000 UTCUpgraded- thanks for all the hard work!
Dave Roth
2024-01-02 05:54:06 +0000 UTCWould’ve upgraded to a higher amount than $5. Absolute bargain
Anthony Cirillo
2024-01-02 04:08:13 +0000 UTCUpgraded. No brainer. I'm a journalist and understand how hard what you do is. $5 = bargain. Thanks for all you do
ray marcano
2024-01-02 02:41:41 +0000 UTCHappy to pay more, Mike. A tremendous bargain. Should have just increased everybody and should apply an increase every year. Can't imagine a single reader complaining. Hilarious that you're leaving open the ability to toggle back and forth from pay tiers depending on a readers satisfaction with the product.. If only the team would do the same with ticket prices. Happy New Year
pkmuldy
2024-01-02 02:22:28 +0000 UTCOne thing for the community - the best thing we can do, on top of the extra 2 bucks, is to TELL A FRIEND ABOUT RAB. As the co-host of a podcast that's grown to some pretty nice numbers, I can attest to the importance of word-of-mouth. If we all tell just 2 friends then it will be all the better.
Jack Helmuth
2024-01-02 00:27:30 +0000 UTCEasy YES for me. Happy New Year, Mike, and thanks for everything! You make Tuesdays and Fridays fun. Can't tell you how much I look forward to the posts.
Jack Helmuth
2024-01-02 00:25:39 +0000 UTCHappy for the chance to contribute a bit more. Thanks for everything, Mike!
Tom Peyer
2024-01-01 22:09:38 +0000 UTCHappy to upgrade Mike, your content is always fantastic. Happy new year!
Justin G
2024-01-01 21:54:38 +0000 UTCI upgraded. I miss RAB greatly and your continued dedication to providing quality yankee content has kept me invested in the team even when I don't have a chance to watch the games. Reading your new drop as I get settled in at work is one of my routines and more than deserving of $5 a month.
Jerkface
2024-01-01 21:37:45 +0000 UTCMan, I would never have guessed it’s been 5 whole years since the site shut down (it *has* been a bit of an insane 5 years…). Thanks for the continued analysis and great writing, always a highlight of my mornings when I can read RAB with some coffee and avoid doing work
Chris
2024-01-01 21:13:07 +0000 UTCUpgraded too - total no-brainer. Thanks for all the great content over the years, Mike. Has it really been 17? I've been a reader since the beginning when there were three of you working on it. Here's to a better year this year (both personally and the Yankees).
JnX
2024-01-01 20:37:50 +0000 UTCThank you for all that you do, Mike. May your musings continue to populate my inbox through the new year
Edmund P Rogers
2024-01-01 19:52:24 +0000 UTCMy favorite online content. A great bargain at $5/month. Thanks Mike.
Neil Gabriele
2024-01-01 19:48:19 +0000 UTCYou remind me of (NYT’s) John Leonard, and I know of no greater complement.
Lawrence Merrill
2024-01-01 17:39:52 +0000 UTCThe absolute best Yankee content around and its not even close. The season wouldn't be the same without your analysis throughout the year. Easy decision to upgrade and still receive an unbelievable value. Thanks for all your work Mike!
Anthony Pulverenti
2024-01-01 17:00:15 +0000 UTCI know you said "no extra content", but I'd really appreciate you working Mason Williams into the off-season plan in return, or one of these years I'll have to consider changing my handle.
W.B. Mason Williams
2024-01-01 16:53:24 +0000 UTCMike, you are the man. HNY!!
Bob from Manalapan
2024-01-01 16:21:05 +0000 UTCI was a much younger man when I started reading RAB in ‘08. Thanks for always providing excellent work all these years. Happy new year.
vincent esposito
2024-01-01 15:50:56 +0000 UTCHappy New Year, Mike.
Peter S
2024-01-01 15:50:04 +0000 UTCI have been reading from the very beginning. Most creative and generous way of providing us loyal supporters a way to show our appreciation. Count me in to the "tip" tier.
Davis Erickson
2024-01-01 15:44:56 +0000 UTCAbsolutely worth it. Incredible content from a good dude (this post itself shows Mike’s character).
Dan G
2024-01-01 15:41:14 +0000 UTCUpgraded in a New York minute! Thank you for the many years of making our Yankees fandom so much richer.
Stephen Michael Schatz
2024-01-01 15:35:13 +0000 UTCYou’re a class act, Mike. Even at $5 a month, I’m still getting surplus value. Thank you for everything!
Mottpott
2024-01-01 15:24:15 +0000 UTCUpgraded. Easy decision. Happy New Year to everyone, and thanks, Mike, for more than 15 years of educated and intelligent writing about the team we all love.
Brian Hanley
2024-01-01 15:21:50 +0000 UTCEasiest decision I’ve had to make all year! :) This is by far the best Yankees content around, and the best I’ve ever come across in my 50+ years of obsessive Yankee fandom. I’ve thought for the longest time that this was definitely worth more than the $3 a month and have no issues at all paying a couple of dollars more for it. And the way you’ve done it is pretty unique, especially in this industry. It confirms my thoughts all along, that you’re not just a great producer of Yankees content, but that you’re also a good dude Mike. Happy New Year, and here’s to a great year ahead for everyone!
Phil V
2024-01-01 14:56:10 +0000 UTCWill gladly pay $5. Also thanks for making me feel old. Just realized I’ve been reading you posts for over 13 years now. Happy New Year Mike!
Greg Lawrence
2024-01-01 14:29:46 +0000 UTCUpgraded
Josh
2024-01-01 14:14:38 +0000 UTCBeen reading RAB since 2008. $5 tip jar is the least I can do to say thanks. Cheers, Mike.
Bryan
2024-01-01 14:10:25 +0000 UTCUpgraded to the “tip jar” tier. : -) Happy New Year, all.
MikeD
2024-01-01 13:57:58 +0000 UTC“Upgraded”. Worth every penny. Thanks Mike! Happy New Year.
Justin
2024-01-01 13:53:36 +0000 UTCThanks for everything you do, Mike. $5 is still a bargain for this great content. Happy New Year!
John Cinque
2024-01-01 13:48:09 +0000 UTCCan't believe its been 5 years since the blog went down. Remember it like yesterday. It hit like my wife left me
kyle
2024-01-01 13:22:08 +0000 UTCThe tip jar is more than justified!
DEBRA CORICA
2024-01-01 13:11:22 +0000 UTC$5 is an incredible bargain for the content. Still the best deal out there.
J9D
2024-01-01 13:01:54 +0000 UTCStill underpriced, but hey…
James Richardson
2024-01-01 12:07:45 +0000 UTCBro, you’re the best. Happy New Year!
Damian Deuringer
2024-01-01 11:35:33 +0000 UTCTotally agree it’s too cheap for what you do, Mike, and if ever you needed an indicator of that then it’s this - putting your price up, but only as an option not an obligation. You’re one of the good guys. And while I think about it, stop feeling bad about taking (occasional, brief) holidays. You want a whole week off for Xmas or Thanksgiving? You take it! We get a huge output from you, many weeks much more than the regular two newsletters a week. You deserve (and need) downtime now and then. We’ll still be here when you get back.
Kevin Carter
2024-01-01 11:07:11 +0000 UTC
