Marie's Musings #2 - Your Support Helps Me Go Paid.
Unlock Everything with a paid upgrade for Marie's Musings Newsletter.
Humble Beginnings for the Squared Circle Podcast
Originally, the Squared Circle Podcast was supposed to shine a light on the indies. But we have a perfect candidate in Tiffany Queen of the Indies. I still wanted to interview people and I did to get used to it. I have the tendency to over think, over research, and I never want to ask a stupid question to my guest to make us both look bad. I also once had a team in the early days of the podcast. We are no longer podcasting together.
So, the Squared Circle Podcast was created on October 19, 2019, after that god awful WWE Hell In a Cell PPV ending. The next day, I booted up my laptop and decided to podcast. I knew nothing about podcasting but here I am 3 years later, giving my hot takes, thought-provoking opinions about wrestling as a female. I don’t like to throw in gender but wrestling so male dominated that sometimes, I use it as a reminder. I’m the best at talking about wrestling. I can’t wrestle. I tried for like 3 days after WWE let me go in 2018. It didn’t stick.
Anyway, through podcasting I found my voice to be powerful other than writing. With audio and video, the conversations can continue and offer new perspectives each time listening and thus create more questions to open up new dialogue for issues that need to be solve. Writing can do the same, but who, in this day and age when everyone scrolls faster than The Flash wants to read 1,000 words compared to watching a snippet idea/concept that a video can provide? I love my writing. I have a degree in creative writing with my Publishing Certificate, but I also see value in audio and video discussions of ideas and concepts and how to fix issues in wrestling.
Now, that’s what my podcast is geared towards: leaving or making wrestling better than it was yesterday. I’m ok with carrying wrestling on my back. I love wrestling more than anything else in the world. I truly want to become a n asset and work for another wrestling company.
There’s a popular phrase: Bet on Yourself.
I still don’t fully understand that phrase. I try to bet on myself: creating content for your enjoyment. But others will put in half the work while I go above and beyond to truly create content and help out my fellow friends and content creators. This isn’t about whining but more of an observation. Whenever I put myself out there, I get a good (depending) reaction. The moment I’m like, hey, my free content can’t be free anymore, they go quiet.
The good thing about Substack is the ability to give you guys free previews when I upload a video of the content. Example, my Aaron Henare interview that drops Monday will give all my free subscribers a free preview of it. I gave you guys enough time to be enchanted and I’m hoping I can convince you to upgrade from FREE to PAID.
Hear me out:
I have a lot of free content that covers the Ibushi-NJPW situation to covering Best of the Super Jrs 29 event.
I firmly believe that wrestling news should always be free and NOT behind a paywall.
I should be charging for my BOSJ reviews because of the time it takes to watch, takes notes, figure out the main idea, create the thumbnail, and begin the writing process. I’m amazed at my consistency to put out a BOSJ article every day of the event. I only paused because I had an interview to complete with Aaron Henare of the United Empire and I decided to take a brief mental health break.
For the past — now 3 days of events (yesterday, May 27, 2022 not included) — the events have been 10 matches that alternate between Block A and Block B competition. I have notes for the 2 days. I was thinking of charging for that content. I’m still thinking on how to present the content to you.
I miss doing regular sized podcasts.
I miss doing twitch livestreams. I have the worst imposter syndrome and sometimes I think that no one will show up for my livestreams. I know this to be untrue but it’s still a lingering thought. I got twitch affiliate THANKS to all of you! And because I barely streamed for this month — May — that’s unacceptable for me and to everyone that decides to sub.
I’ve always been in a believer creating something from the ground up when no one else will look at you and your talent and offer you a spot on their team. I’m aware that I’m not popular among the AEW twitter faithful so I barely get the interactions I did at the start of the pandemic. So, I decide to create my own thing from the ground up.
I’m writing on Substack because:
I want to build my portfolio my own way.
🔥I want to break away from YouTube and their restrictions.🔥
My readers can directly support me while Substack takes 10% cut of earnings gained to help keep the Substack website going.
I can experiment with the different forms of medium for content creation consumption. I am in the video beta program so all the wrestling related
🔥I’m the happiest when I write and create content. 🔥
Proving to myself that I want this as a full time job.
What will the funds be used for?
Spending more time with everyone online via twitch livestreams to watch, talk, wrestling or play some games via Xbox; taking everyone with me on the go if I’m outside and traveling to different places for events; you guys being with me for content.
Supporting wrestling membership networks such as NJPW World, Wrestle Universe to get Stardom, NOAH, and others, IWTV, and more.
New Merch Designs - so I can pay artits.
Supporting our fellow streamers and podcasters
Hold amazing contests
Improving the brand: better green screen, webcam, microphone, a desktop computer, camera, a standing desk (I really want one!), and more.
You know, there’s a wrestler named J Boujii and he put it best:
🔥She does the work, so you don’t have too.🔥
As always, if you are unsatisfied with any of the content I provide, you can unsubscribe and cancel at any moment you see fit.
But if you enjoy my work and overall content, I would appreciate the consideration to help.
What content goes paid?
Wrestler Interviews (video formats will always have a good tease of a preview)
Wrestling articles
Wrestling standalone podcast episodes
Some Twitch Livestreams - any gaming livestreams will be for free
All work-in-progress wrestling novel chapters
Behind the scenes stuff that include notes, extra writings, pictures, quick stories and more. I feel like everyone here would appreciate that more than on social media.
What’s the current subscription plan?
Monthly is $7.
Yearly is $70.
Founding Member - so for all my Day 1ish is $210 (I left that as is.)
I am currently running a sale! I’m giving everyone a chance to upgrade to a full year so you don’t have to worry about your funds on a month to month bases since I know everyone is in some type of money situation.
Sale - 50% off for 1 year.
50% off $70 is $35 a year.
What are my goals for content creation?
Get 100 sign ups and convert at least some to a paid.
Produce more standalone podcast eps.
Share twitch VOD livestreams for when my buddies can’t watch live.
Get my first payout from twitch. It’s 100 dollars.
Stick to a mini schedule for twitch so it doesn’t always feel random on random days.
Have people like, comment, share, and generally support my content creation.
Get a sponsorship
Get booked for podcasts, wrestling shows, and more due to my work.
What perks do you get when going paid?
Unlock exclusive content.
Hear Wrestler Interviews first.
Read exclusive wrestling articles first.
Read the early wrestling novel chapters. Get your name in the acknowledgments.
Giveaways; contests
Behind-the-scenes articles
Thread Q&A
and more.
Testimonies
Marie is a hard working, has a high attention to detail and her content is always too Dolla. If anyone loves NJPW or thought provoking opinions of all of pro wrestling check her stuff out you won't be disappointed.
Marie Shadows is as creative and insightful as they come within the Pro Wrestling Media community. There is something about Marie's passion mixed with her experience in writing that really just makes it a pleasure to listen to and read whatever her takes are on a daily basis. Simply Put, Marie Shadows is Top Shelf!
Being a lapsed fan that just got back into wrestling the past 3yrs. Your content has helped me catch up on all the NJPW that I missed and has kept me informed of the current product as well. For AEW fans like me that missed out on NJPW, it is vital to have resources to be able to stay in the loop since there are so many story arcs and cross promotion that occurs.
First off, I love how communicative she is with her shows in terms of interacting with fans. Especially with her giving direct opinions and observations of wrestlers, show content, and presentation overall. There’s no ego compared to other content creators, what you see is what you get and shes always going above and beyond. The contributions of being monthly regular on my show mWo Thirsty THUNDER demonstrates the willingness to expand her knowledge of learning other promotions as in my opinion, modern wrestling fans are too sheltered to expand their varieties. It reminds me how my eagerness grew as a child when reading about other promotions other than just the big 2. Overall, in the views of others her presence is well respected, and I enjoy having her as part of the mWo Brand. Thank you Marie!
You were awesome every time you came on my podcast! Nothing but insightful and professional! Thrilled to have worked with you and hope many give you opportunities to show your insight, creativity, and hard working mind!
I have a lot of free time on my hands, so I can make this happen. I can make this work. I believe in myself to do so.
Thank you for reading! Tell a friend!
Current offer:
1 year is $70.
50% off of $70 is $35 for 1 year.