Blog — Madalin

$A publisher at a desk reviews two large invoices side by side — one labeled with a newsletter icon, one with a blog icon — both showing growing numbers. A small self-hosted server sits quietly on a shelf behind them, glowing green, with a price tag showing a fraction of the invoice totals. The publisher looks thoughtful. Flat 2D editorial illustration, warm neutral tones with amber accent on the invoices and teal on the server, no text in the image.$

March 29, 2026 Madalin

Madalin

The Hidden Cost of WordPress.com and Substack for Serious Publishers

WordPress.com and Substack look affordable when you start. As your publication grows, the real costs — in money, control, and dependency — become harder to ignore.

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March 28, 2026 Madalin

Madalin

Why Independent News Publishers Are Losing Control of Their Own Content

Independent publishers built their audiences on platforms they don't own, with tools they don't control, and data that doesn't belong to them. Here's what that actually means — and what the alternative looks like.

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