We're getting closer to release Bundle Passes for everyone on Trustfnd.
If you're thinking about offering a Bundle Pass to convert more followers into subscribers — vet your potential collaborators with our new Overlap tool: trustfnd.com/overlap
Today is the LAST DAY you can get the Indie Media Bundle with me, @marisakabas.bsky.social, and @kattenbarge.bsky.social!
Don't miss your chance to get a 30-day subscription to 2 really good independent journalists (and also me)!
trustfnd.com/katelynburns...
Ok, this absolute legend I’ve followed for 1000 years, @lexroman.com, wrote the best guide on how to make the most of @trustfnd.com
They have a subscription which should pay for itself through more effective money making.
How about a newsletter bundle? A startup called Trustfnd is launching what it calls "Bundle Passes," allowing newsletter writers and other creators to team up and sell their paywalled content together. It feels like something we're going to see more of. Journalists Marisa Kabas, Kat Tenbarge and Katelyn Burns are piloting an "indie media bundle" by selling a discounted subscription to all three of their newsletters via Trustfnd. "For years my readers have told me that they wished it was possible for them to have one place to sign up for all the newsletters they read, with one payment for everything," Burns wrote on Bluesky. "I'm pleased to announce that is now possible!"
So Brian Stelter just covered @trustfnd.com in his CNN newsletter.
Bundles, he writes feel like “something we’re gonna see more of.”
Yup. Get in on the action at Trustfnd.com
you simply love to see it.
If you, too, wanna create a bundle, it's possible with any Ghost or Beehiiv publication and Trustfnd. But if you'd like early access as we keep experimenting — our DMs are open.
Screenshot of a Bluesky post by John (@jpschmidt.dev) reading: "This absolutely whips ass. Kudos to those involved; I'm excited to see where this goes." It quotes a Trustfnd post announcing the launch of Bundle Passes.
Whipping ass, always, @jpschmidt.dev
Screenshot of a Bluesky thread. Francisco (@drspam.bsky.social) writes: "when i entered my email address, it found that i already had a handbasket subscription and adjusted the price accordingly. at the risk of sounding like an audience plant, it's almost impossible for this to be any easier!" — 91 likes. Marisa Kabas replies: "we love to hear it!!" Good Grief (@ignominious.bsky.social) adds: "This is like eating dessert before dinner. Thank you thank you thank you." A blue UI notification reads: "Bundle adjusted — You're already subscribed to The Handbasket. We've adjusted your bundle price accordingly." Sonnet 4.6
Check is in the mail, @drspam.bsky.social
Screenshot of two Bluesky replies. Mel Buer (@melbuer.bsky.social) writes: "so SO glad someone figured this out!!!!" with 5 likes. Senator John C. Catsluck (@thecatsl...) writes: "Better things -are- possible!" with 1 like.
They really *are*, Senator @thecatsluckshow.com
Screenshot of a Bluesky post by Dread Meadow (@deadlyflowers.bsky....) reading: "This rules so hard." It quotes a Trustfnd post announcing Bundle Passes as a way for journalists to team up and offer 30, 60, or 90 days of access to paywalled content in a bundle.
Ruling all bundled up, @deadlyflowers.bsky.social.
Screenshot of a Bluesky post by Victor Von Doomscroll (@redderbean...) reading: "incredible. pls take my money.
Happily, @redderbeanpaste.bsky.social. All forwarded to Marisa, Kat, and Katelyn.
Screenshot of a Bluesky post by lykyk (@lipstickscribbles.bsky.social) reading: "Bundling is a great next step to building indie media organizational strength.
@lipstickscribbles.bsky.social gets it.
Screenshot of a Bluesky post by Steven Rich (@datab.ae) reading: "this is dope af. i hope it goes gangbusters."
Yesterday, three journalists created the first ever Bundle Pass with Trustfnd. It gives access for 30 days to all their publications.
People were excited. Here are some of our favorite reactions, framed.
It did go gangbusters, @datab.ae!
not bad for the first day 😎
whipping ass
I saw an early preview of these bundles and i think it's just such a clever way to talk about our collective powers both as media producers and consumers.
This rules so hard.
So grateful to @marisakabas.bsky.social, @kattenbarge.bsky.social, and @katelynburns.com for launching this with us.
This works for all journalists who publish on Ghost and Beehiiv. If you’re a journalist and keen to get early access, hop in my DMs.
yes! if you're already a subscriber to one of the publications in the bundle, you'll get discounted subscriptions to the ones you don't have, and your original subscription to that one will remain untouched.
We're launching this with trailblazers of independent journalism: @marisakabas.bsky.social, @kattenbarge.bsky.social, and @katelynburns.com all left legacy journalism to re-invent it on their own.
Their "Indie Media Bundle" just went live now and available to all new non-subscribers.
We think it's the single best way for journalists to be discovered by an audience that is willing to pay for their journalism. And get paid in the process.
Two mobile app screens showing Trustfnd's Bundle Pass feature. The left screen displays the "Indie Media Bundle" purchase page with The Handbasket, Spitfire News, and Burns Notice offered at 50% off for $8.50 total. The right screen shows the post-purchase confirmation with animated confetti and full access details.
Today, we're launching Bundle Passes.
It's a new way for journalists to team up and give new audiences 30, 60, or 90 days of access to their paywalled content in a bundle.
At Trustfnd, we envision a new kind of news organization, in which independent entities grow, earn, pool, and spend together.
Like a company, but fluid and without the friction or commitment of building one.
Tomorrow, we're launching something that brings us a little step closer to that vision.
New audience growth now comes from platforms that can turn downright hostile to journalism overnight.
It's time we change that. This week, we're launching something new to turn more followers into subscribers together.
Follow to get updates.
Mobile app screenshot showing a Trustfund creator profile for @isabelle.roughol, featuring the newsletter "Broad History – the history you think you know, with women in it this time." The profile shows a newsletter signup form. A floating card in the foreground highlights a "Support my work – Become a member or donate" link. The card features the Broad History cover art: a classical painting of an 18th-century woman with bold pink "BROAD HISTORY" text overlaid.
Ooops, I think we accidentally shipped a free link in bio that actually converts...
@trustfnd.com is all about collaborative growth, but our built-in link in bio works great solo:
Journalist @isabelleroughol.com got a third of her subscribers through it after going viral on Instagram.
Launching something very exciting next week.
If you're curious about how independent journalists can collaborate to grow faster and earn more, follow to get updates.
@janoschtroehler.com joined Trustfund to team up with other music journalists, saying: "Music is such a vast beat, so one independent publication won’t ever be able to cover it all."
Get verified on Trustfund to bundle with Janosch and any other journalist you love. Trustfnd.com
One thing to love about independent journalism: Global niches.
Meet @janoschtroehler.com, founder and editor of @negativewhite.com. It's a publication about the business of music, popular in the US, UK, Poland, France and many more places including Switzerland, where it was founded.
