korrents
Derek Sivers

What Derek Sivers thinks about personal websites

@derek-sivers · 44 positions · 3 changes of mind

Founded CD Baby in 1998 and sold it in 2008, giving the proceeds to a charitable trust for music education. Since then a writer and speaker: five books, 550+ articles, and a site at sive.rs he hand-codes and keeps free of advertising.

Everything they publish, on ppll ↗

Derek Sivers did not write this page.

We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.

9 dated positions, 2022 to 2026, in their own words. Our reading of what Derek Sivers has said — not written or endorsed by them.

  1. Our readingContributing to the internet without monetizing it is still the right way to be online, even after the surrounding culture stopped doing it.

    Their wordsLike picking up trash where you walk, even if the rest of the world is full of litter. You keep doing what you can to make things better.

    ↗Netizensive.rs 1st of 2 in this piece

    Interesting

  3. Our readingNot monetizing what you put online now reads as strange behaviour that has to be explained.

    Their wordsSlowly the culture around me changed, so now it seems I need to explain my strange behavior — why I don't monetize everything like everyone else.

    ↗Netizensive.rs 1st of 2 in this piece

    Interesting
  4. 7 weeks earlier

  5. Our reading · no longer heldPublishing only on your own site, and making people come to it, is the considerate way to share your work.

    Recalls holdingI was acting like the record producer in New Jersey, making everyone come to my website. It was inconsiderate.

    SaidIf you have something worth spreading, it's considerate to spread it widely, to reach people through their favorite medium.

    ↗I was inconsiderate but now I'm everywheresive.rs 1st of 2 in this piece

    Interesting

  7. Our readingYour own site stays the master source even once the work is syndicated everywhere else.

    Their wordsMy own site is the master source of everything I make. But now it's also shared everywhere, so we can meet in your city instead of my little town.

    ↗I was inconsiderate but now I'm everywheresive.rs 2nd of 2 in this piece

    Interesting
  8. 15 months earlier

  9. Our readingA personal website is an autobiography, and everyone should have one.

    Their wordsA personal website is an autobiography. I wish everyone had one. The more we share, the better.

    ↗Come and get me (both you and AI)sive.rs 2nd of 2 in this piece

    Interesting
  10. 3 years earlier

  11. Our readingEverything you write that matters belongs in plain text files, because they are the only format that stays portable, non-commercial and readable for a lifetime.

    Their wordsThat's why I only use plain text files. They are the most reliable, flexible, and long-lasting option.

    ↗Write plain text filessive.rs 1st of 5 in this piece

    Interesting

  13. Our readingStoring your own writing in a company's proprietary format is a mistake, because you will outlive the company.

    Their wordsYou will outlive these companies. Your writing should outlive you. Depending on companies is not an option.

    ↗Write plain text filessive.rs 2nd of 5 in this piece

    Interesting

  15. Our readingPlain text is the only format guaranteed to be readable on devices that do not exist yet.

    Their wordsEvery device, including ones long gone, and ones not invented yet, can read and edit plain text.

    ↗Write plain text filessive.rs 2nd of 5 in this piece

    Interesting

  17. Our readingA plain text file and a basic editor are everything anyone needs in order to think and write well; the extra tools add nothing.

    Their wordsPlain text files and a basic text editor are enough. This is everything you need for great thinking and writing.

    ↗Write plain text filessive.rs 5th of 5 in this piece

    developer tools

    Interesting