Issue #246: You Get a Car
Updated: Jun 29
By Derrick Ernst
January 25, 2026
State of TDF
I kinda like the idea of dedicating an issue every year to the “state of TDF.” Almost like a means of giving you guys an inside look into the business and health of TDF. None of you have shared that’s something you’d be interested in, but if I had to guess, some of you probably are (I would be if I was a subscriber). This is what I wanted to discuss today — the business side of TDF and where my head is at with its future.
I want this to be very clear, I want TDF to live on for as long as I’m capable of typing keys on a keyboard. I find writing to be a means of connecting with a different side of me that doesn’t get to be put on display as much as I’d like in my 9-5. I’m not a polished writer by any means, but I do pride myself in being able to communicate in a way that resonates with people. I like to think my writing has improved throughout the years and I do have TDF to thank for that. One thing I’ve learned over time is that writing becomes easier the more you do it. Whereas early on I found myself thinking of TDF as a job, I now view it as a privilege and something I get to do that brings me joy. But it isn’t all rainbows and butterflies. The more time passes, the more I want to have it reach the most people as possible. It’s in this that I’ve made a decision…
TDF has never been a free publication. From day one I’ve charged for the service and admittedly I think that was the wrong decision. I always thought that if I was going to (truly) do something on the side, it better be for a profit. Everyone’s time is valuable and when I founded TDF I was working well more than 40 hours/week. Because of this, I felt like my time was worth something.
News flash, trying to convince someone to purchase something they’ve never heard of, even if they have an interest, is a challenging undertaking. But TDF has a few of you as subscribers! I am forever grateful for every single TDF subscriber, but I think you can understand if I show a little bit more favor towards that crowd versus others who have come aboard later on. Heck, they didn’t know what they were getting themselves into!
In hindsight, I would’ve set out having TDF offer a free version of the newsletter to entice those interested to subscribe. Those of you who have been around since day one know that I was originally distributing the newsletter three time a week on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays. One of those should’ve probably been free in attempt to get TDF name “out there.”
I’ve talked about 2025 being the year of getting TDF name out there by any means necessary. Up to this point I’ve tried just about everything with the exception of video marketing, as I’ve mentioned, and free distributions. I’ve taken it upon myself in 2026 to limit my social media exposure and with such comes curbing my video viewership. Because of this, I’ve been less inclined to explore that avenue as a means of marketing the newsletter. This leave us with only one option, offering something for free. WAIT! I know what you’re thinking, what am I paying for if someone’s else if going to get it for free?
I mentioned that I made a decision. Let’s make it official…
I’ve decided that I’m going to offer prior issues of TDF for free!
Let me explain. Yes, this isn’t a value add for any of you. I’ll admit, this is a selfish endeavor to grow the business and spread TDF name. More than anything, I want TDF to disrupt traditional thinking when it comes to fantasy football. I fully believe ideologies in the space have become antiquated and are need of a walk up call. In my opinion, TDF has been challenging these ways of old from the very beginning, but have not yet reached mass audiences to latch on. Offering something from free will hopefully help with that. I don’t want to say that this is a “last resort” for the newsletter, but after awhile when you’ve exhausted all other routes, you need to have the introspection to realize when your time may be better spent elsewhere.
This all gets back to the idea of time is valuable and I want to ensure my writing time is going to good use. I honestly have 10+ book ideas and the first I want to pump out is fantasy football focused. I’ve written 245 of these and I absolutely have enough content for a book. Or so I think. How will I know? This is where offering prior issues for free will help.
I’ve tried too many platforms to count to try getting TDF name out there, with the exception of Reddit. I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve gone down some rabbit holes on Reddit — it’s easy to do. However, if you find the right communities, it can be a source of entertainment unlike anything else on the internet. It also provides a means of getting exposure to tens of thousands of people who enjoy fantasy football. That in and of itself has been a hurdle. As with anything, marketing TDF comes with layers, each to which need to be answered with a “yes”:
Do you enjoy watching football?
Do you play fantasy football?
Do you want an edge?
Do you want to pay for something that’ll give you just that?
Etc. Etc. Etc. It can be a grind. Getting through the first two questions with a “yes” doesn’t guarantee getting through the next two and the potential many more that come with the interaction. My hope is that with Reddit I’ll be starting at layer 3/4 versus from ground zero.
So here’s my plan. I’ve going to join a few fantasy football communities and spray their pages with prior TDF issues. I’m literally going to start with issue #1. My goal is to post everyday (I’m sure I’ll miss a few), but I estimate that by the start of next season, I’ll pretty much have every issue up to this one published for public consumption. I know what you’re thinking, eventually, could I just follow a Reddit page and get current TDF issues for free? Not exactly.
I want to maintain a subscription platform and my plan is to have free issues trail the current one by eight or so issues, or one month behind. There needs to be value in being a subscriber and I think this is enough of a proposition for you and those to be. Let me get back to the book for a second. By starting at issue #1, I’ll have the chance to reread everything I’ve written and compile an outline for the book. It’s my understanding that figuring out how you want your book to flow is half the battle. Rereading issues will inevitably help with that.
As I close out today’s issue, I want to leave you guys with this. I don’t know how long TDF will be in existence, but what I do know is that since TDF was founded, I’ve gotten to know quite a few of you who I consider friends. It’s in these friendships that I know TDF has been a success and an endeavor worth every ounce of energy I’ve ever committed towards it.
The Super Bowl Shuffle
Source: Wikipedia
I spent last Sunday watching the divisional round with my parents. We got on the topic of the ’85 Bears. If you’re like me and have never heard of The Super Bowl Shuffle, stop what you’re doing and have a listen. You’ll be jammin’ out to it the rest of the day:
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