I really like these learnings, Mack. I also removed around 500 subscribers last year. At first, it felt bad, but when my open rates went back up, it became clear it was the right move. It’s something everyone should do from time to time.
That’s awesome! You saw a higher open rate jump than I did. And the increase in Views really suggests the Substack algo played a role, I saw the same thing. Otherwise there’s no logical reason for Views to increase after a prune. Best you could hope for would be no drop.
Love the update, Mack! Interested to know how your process for these sub tidy-ups has changed, if at all - do you still look for the same things you did a few months ago? Has it streamlined at all?
Yes, I still have about 50-75 emails from my imported list that are likely ‘dead’, and I am trying to prune them gradually. I am trying to space it out no more than 25 a week to prune.
Thank you for informing and inspiring us. I need to learn how to design my conversion and growth strategy, as well as building community. I am growing, but slowly. I look forward to reading last month’s and this month’s posts.
Thank you so much, Luna :) You are doing great! Perfect timing, we will cover conversion, growth and community-building this month and next. Last month’s posts on content strategy will tie into what we’ll talk about this month, starting Thursday.
I'm glad I haven't been pruned, yet. I learn a ton from you, however, I have no interest in having a monetized Substack. I use the information to help others, and then direct them to tour Substack.
This has been really useful and insightful, I really appreciate you taking the time (and care) to share this with all of us. <3 I may be wrong, but is seems that experimenting is also a huge part of this: is it ok to understand what kind of work you should be writing even later on, after you've already written and shared some work?
Hi Adria! So sorry I somehow missed replying to this! I'm not sure I understand your question, are you asking should you share what you are learning as you learn it? This is what I do, I try to share what I am working on here on Substack, and what I am learning. That does mean that later on I may learn something that means I need to change how I do something now. But as long as you share that with readers throughout the process, I think it has value to them and helps build trust with your readers. Hope that's what you meant?
Thank you so much for the clarification, Mack - and sorry for the confusing way I phrased that question! You understood exactly what I meant.
I often get caught in this loop of thinking "I don't have all the answers yet, I'm still learning" and that either slows me down or stops me from sharing altogether. But at the same time, I see so many people here on Substack writing about their journey while they're living it, and realizing that something could have been done better is just part of the process.
Your approach really resonates with me - sharing what you're working on and learning as it happens, knowing that later insights might change your perspective. That vulnerability and real-time reflection is exactly what builds trust with readers, much more than waiting until you have it all figured out.
I'm going to take inspiration from your approach and lean into sharing the messy, in-progress parts of the journey. Thank you for the encouragement!
I really like these learnings, Mack. I also removed around 500 subscribers last year. At first, it felt bad, but when my open rates went back up, it became clear it was the right move. It’s something everyone should do from time to time.
I agree, Andreas! How did your Views change after the prune? Did they go up or down, or stay the same?
Yes we jumped from 31% opening rate to 42%+ and views increased by 10-20%... so it was worth it
That’s awesome! You saw a higher open rate jump than I did. And the increase in Views really suggests the Substack algo played a role, I saw the same thing. Otherwise there’s no logical reason for Views to increase after a prune. Best you could hope for would be no drop.
Great info here, Mack. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Patrick!
Thank you Mack, these are my favourite posts 🥰🥰
Then I will keep doing them :) Thank you Mia, I think we all want to see what’s working for others. Hope it helps.
I'll shout it from the rooftops, “Mack is the best!!”
Thank you, Shannon. Do I feel the same way about you? ‘I do!’ ❤️
Love the update, Mack! Interested to know how your process for these sub tidy-ups has changed, if at all - do you still look for the same things you did a few months ago? Has it streamlined at all?
Yes, I still have about 50-75 emails from my imported list that are likely ‘dead’, and I am trying to prune them gradually. I am trying to space it out no more than 25 a week to prune.
Thank you for informing and inspiring us. I need to learn how to design my conversion and growth strategy, as well as building community. I am growing, but slowly. I look forward to reading last month’s and this month’s posts.
Thank you so much, Luna :) You are doing great! Perfect timing, we will cover conversion, growth and community-building this month and next. Last month’s posts on content strategy will tie into what we’ll talk about this month, starting Thursday.
See you then :)
Wonderful! Thanks, Mack!
There's always something to take away front these updates. Not all numbers matter
I'm glad I haven't been pruned, yet. I learn a ton from you, however, I have no interest in having a monetized Substack. I use the information to help others, and then direct them to tour Substack.
Thank you, Chason! Honestly, I think everyone I have pruned actually pruned me before I did them LOL
This has been really useful and insightful, I really appreciate you taking the time (and care) to share this with all of us. <3 I may be wrong, but is seems that experimenting is also a huge part of this: is it ok to understand what kind of work you should be writing even later on, after you've already written and shared some work?
Hi Adria! So sorry I somehow missed replying to this! I'm not sure I understand your question, are you asking should you share what you are learning as you learn it? This is what I do, I try to share what I am working on here on Substack, and what I am learning. That does mean that later on I may learn something that means I need to change how I do something now. But as long as you share that with readers throughout the process, I think it has value to them and helps build trust with your readers. Hope that's what you meant?
Thank you so much for the clarification, Mack - and sorry for the confusing way I phrased that question! You understood exactly what I meant.
I often get caught in this loop of thinking "I don't have all the answers yet, I'm still learning" and that either slows me down or stops me from sharing altogether. But at the same time, I see so many people here on Substack writing about their journey while they're living it, and realizing that something could have been done better is just part of the process.
Your approach really resonates with me - sharing what you're working on and learning as it happens, knowing that later insights might change your perspective. That vulnerability and real-time reflection is exactly what builds trust with readers, much more than waiting until you have it all figured out.
I'm going to take inspiration from your approach and lean into sharing the messy, in-progress parts of the journey. Thank you for the encouragement!