Of the 3 options, I like "The Rational Investor" the best with a sub-title along the lines of "A guide on how to actually build passive wealth".
Huge fan of your work Ben. I'm in the PF space too and it's just so damn refreshing reading your sound perspective on so many different financial topics.
I always walk away learning something new so thanks for the ongoing education and enlightenment!
Started reading your first book and I'm thoroughly enjoying it so far. And I'm already looking forward to the second one :-)
Btw, is this the only platform you're on now? Wondering if I should sign up here and cancel my Medium membership since I only subscribed to it to read your articles :-)
Hey Caron, Thanks. Rational Investor was actually the very first title I thought of. It's definitely still in the mix. It's actually my personal favorite of the possible titles but it's very similar to the title of my favorite finance podcast called "The Rational Reminder" (highly recommend this podcast btw)... So, I'm still mulling it over, I don't want to look like I am ripping off someone else's name.
Thanks for picking up a copy of the book! It means a lot. When you are finished the book, if you have the time it would be awesome if you left a review on Amazon giving your honest opinion of the book, that helps a tremendous amount with Amazon's algorithm.
To the final point, of Medium vs Substack. I am still writing 2-3 times per week on Medium. It remains a great platform to publish long-form articles. But I will be focusing a lot of energy into Substack and this newsletter in 2022. Here's how my publishing schedule will work.
- At least 2 articles per week on Medium
- One exclusive article on Substack (everyone on the email list gets this)
- Tuesdays will be a sneak peak of the latest chapter of my next book (for paid subscribers)
- Paid subscribers also get a few additional exclusive articles per month + free enrollment in my personal finance course + Future subscriber benefits that are still baking in the oven but I cannot wait to announce.
So, if you stay with Medium you'll get my 2-3 articles on Medium + the Friday Substack article. If you decide to switch over to Substack from Medium, what I will do moving forward is put a "friend link" to my most recent Medium articles at the bottom of the Friday Substack article, so everyone on Substack can read all of my work.
Thanks for reading, and taking the time to comment. I am beyond excited for everything coming in 2022, and by all means please keep commenting, sharing and asking questions in the comment section.
Thanks Laura. I do appreciate this type of candid discussion and it did help me adjust things to make my intent more clear. Always feel free to disagree with me or call me out if you think it's warranted. I'm very glad to have you as a reader! Hope you have a great weekend, Ben.
You too, Ben. I’ve always liked your work and I expect I’ll like it even more now - you seem to be a cool guy. I do look forward to reading the book, too.
I am partial to the “Invest Like an Economist” title. The word “Passive” is used so commonly, and as you yourself have pointed out, there’s a difference between what most people call “Passive” and how you’ve defined it. I think that’s a differentiator of your writing, so wouldn’t want to see your book get lumped in with others.
I also think your Economist background and the ability to apply that lens to investing is another differentiator. Why not play to that?
Hey Aaron. Thanks for this. I think I agree. The idea of a more literal definition of passive wealth is something I will center the book around, but you are right I might get lumped in with the over saturated use of the word "passive." Invest like an Economist is a strong candidate. This is the exact feedback I'll be looking for as we move through this project, Glad to have you on board!
I enjoy your work, have book-marked and sent some of your articles to people I know, and feel a happy zing when I see your name in my “recommended” list. I also wish you great success with your first book, along with kudos for learning all about self-publishing. Now here is where you probably excise my name from your mailing list: to me this sounds like you want free editing. In fact since you mention subscribing, you may even be hoping for editors who pay YOU. I have no problem with your collaborative writing model but seriously: you’re the investing guru. Can you really not afford to pay for editing (and if not maybe your investment strategies are not that great?)
I don’t mean to be snide. I’m telling you frankly what I think. And as someone who put in the time & effort to become a writer, now handsomely (though by no means extravagantly) paid, I have to speak up. The world is already overflowing with opportunities for wordsmiths to work for free. Must you, a fellow writer, join their ranks?
I’m not asking for anyone to edit or proofread my work. My goal is to give my writing fans an Advance preview of the book and give their input. Things like “is the topic in this chapter too advanced for you.”
General comments and input is what I’m after.
I have in the past and will for this book pay a professional editor to edit the manuscript and format it for ebook/paperback distribution.
People can obviously help or not as they choose, whatever I think. I’m not saying it wouldn’t be worthwhile for them, especially if they think highly of your writing, as I do myself. But as described (unless I misunderstood), it does sound like you’re asking for help without offering (perhaps even considering?) any type of compensation for their time. Or even thanks? I’m not sure I saw that word anywhere in your article (if it’s there, excuse me for being an unobservant reader).
I think we misunderstand each other. I am not doing this because I need any help writing the book. I am doing this so my biggest fans can be the first ones to read it, follow along the process of creating it and provide their opinions if they choose. Think of it as a backstage pass to a concert but with a writer instead of a rock star. That may not be appealing to most, but for some it is and this is and that's why I am doing this.
So to be clear: I am not asking for help, I am offering my readers deeper access to my writing process.
Of the 3 options, I like "The Rational Investor" the best with a sub-title along the lines of "A guide on how to actually build passive wealth".
Huge fan of your work Ben. I'm in the PF space too and it's just so damn refreshing reading your sound perspective on so many different financial topics.
I always walk away learning something new so thanks for the ongoing education and enlightenment!
Started reading your first book and I'm thoroughly enjoying it so far. And I'm already looking forward to the second one :-)
Btw, is this the only platform you're on now? Wondering if I should sign up here and cancel my Medium membership since I only subscribed to it to read your articles :-)
Thanks.
Hey Caron, Thanks. Rational Investor was actually the very first title I thought of. It's definitely still in the mix. It's actually my personal favorite of the possible titles but it's very similar to the title of my favorite finance podcast called "The Rational Reminder" (highly recommend this podcast btw)... So, I'm still mulling it over, I don't want to look like I am ripping off someone else's name.
Thanks for picking up a copy of the book! It means a lot. When you are finished the book, if you have the time it would be awesome if you left a review on Amazon giving your honest opinion of the book, that helps a tremendous amount with Amazon's algorithm.
To the final point, of Medium vs Substack. I am still writing 2-3 times per week on Medium. It remains a great platform to publish long-form articles. But I will be focusing a lot of energy into Substack and this newsletter in 2022. Here's how my publishing schedule will work.
- At least 2 articles per week on Medium
- One exclusive article on Substack (everyone on the email list gets this)
- Tuesdays will be a sneak peak of the latest chapter of my next book (for paid subscribers)
- Paid subscribers also get a few additional exclusive articles per month + free enrollment in my personal finance course + Future subscriber benefits that are still baking in the oven but I cannot wait to announce.
So, if you stay with Medium you'll get my 2-3 articles on Medium + the Friday Substack article. If you decide to switch over to Substack from Medium, what I will do moving forward is put a "friend link" to my most recent Medium articles at the bottom of the Friday Substack article, so everyone on Substack can read all of my work.
Thanks for reading, and taking the time to comment. I am beyond excited for everything coming in 2022, and by all means please keep commenting, sharing and asking questions in the comment section.
Cheers,
Ben
Ok. It’s your project and how you manage it us up to you. Your fans will be glad to participate, I’m sure. Best of luck.
Thanks Laura. I do appreciate this type of candid discussion and it did help me adjust things to make my intent more clear. Always feel free to disagree with me or call me out if you think it's warranted. I'm very glad to have you as a reader! Hope you have a great weekend, Ben.
You too, Ben. I’ve always liked your work and I expect I’ll like it even more now - you seem to be a cool guy. I do look forward to reading the book, too.
I am partial to the “Invest Like an Economist” title. The word “Passive” is used so commonly, and as you yourself have pointed out, there’s a difference between what most people call “Passive” and how you’ve defined it. I think that’s a differentiator of your writing, so wouldn’t want to see your book get lumped in with others.
I also think your Economist background and the ability to apply that lens to investing is another differentiator. Why not play to that?
My two cents. Looking forward to it.
Hey Aaron. Thanks for this. I think I agree. The idea of a more literal definition of passive wealth is something I will center the book around, but you are right I might get lumped in with the over saturated use of the word "passive." Invest like an Economist is a strong candidate. This is the exact feedback I'll be looking for as we move through this project, Glad to have you on board!
Love this idea! Looking forward to reading, Ben
Thanks Destiny!
I’ll take you at your word (“I’m not asking for help”) but the word “help” is in the title.
Sure, and that's a fair point, the subtitle's been adjusted to better reflect the intent of this project.
I enjoy your work, have book-marked and sent some of your articles to people I know, and feel a happy zing when I see your name in my “recommended” list. I also wish you great success with your first book, along with kudos for learning all about self-publishing. Now here is where you probably excise my name from your mailing list: to me this sounds like you want free editing. In fact since you mention subscribing, you may even be hoping for editors who pay YOU. I have no problem with your collaborative writing model but seriously: you’re the investing guru. Can you really not afford to pay for editing (and if not maybe your investment strategies are not that great?)
I don’t mean to be snide. I’m telling you frankly what I think. And as someone who put in the time & effort to become a writer, now handsomely (though by no means extravagantly) paid, I have to speak up. The world is already overflowing with opportunities for wordsmiths to work for free. Must you, a fellow writer, join their ranks?
Hey Laura,
I’m not asking for anyone to edit or proofread my work. My goal is to give my writing fans an Advance preview of the book and give their input. Things like “is the topic in this chapter too advanced for you.”
General comments and input is what I’m after.
I have in the past and will for this book pay a professional editor to edit the manuscript and format it for ebook/paperback distribution.
Hope that clears up any confusion.
People can obviously help or not as they choose, whatever I think. I’m not saying it wouldn’t be worthwhile for them, especially if they think highly of your writing, as I do myself. But as described (unless I misunderstood), it does sound like you’re asking for help without offering (perhaps even considering?) any type of compensation for their time. Or even thanks? I’m not sure I saw that word anywhere in your article (if it’s there, excuse me for being an unobservant reader).
I think we misunderstand each other. I am not doing this because I need any help writing the book. I am doing this so my biggest fans can be the first ones to read it, follow along the process of creating it and provide their opinions if they choose. Think of it as a backstage pass to a concert but with a writer instead of a rock star. That may not be appealing to most, but for some it is and this is and that's why I am doing this.
So to be clear: I am not asking for help, I am offering my readers deeper access to my writing process.