Seeing your Substack open rate decrease as your subscriber count grows can feel alarming, but it’s completely normal. Why it happens and what it means...
I always read, enjoy, and FOLLOW your Substack tips. I've been writing a weekly Substack column for about 18 months and I'm definitely seeing my open rate go down while total views are generally up but vary from week to week. I'm also seeing some older posts that are showing signs of life. If anyone comments on my posts I almost always respond back with a comment and usually more than just thanks. I also started posting older columns as Notes once a week. Not sure if it's helping but one of my favorite quotes is from @Dan Blank, "We don't know what works, but doing stuff works."
Thank you for this! I am at just 100 subs and will be interested to see how this evolves! Been encouraging to reach out to old friends, but as u say that will be core early readers. Thanks for these guidebooks and tips!
Hi Lilliana! It's a pretty natural situation as we grow over time. IF you have a book out now, I suggest using either Booksweeps, Written Word Media, or Book Throne for their features that grow subscriptions. (They don't pay me to say that LOL. I use them all to grow.) Costs range from $35 to $100. Some also offer monthly growth option plans. All opt-in, etc.
I tried to restack an old post. I clicked restack and not with note. I can’t see it under activity. I found it somewhere and tried to edit with a note. It says “wrong” and won’t let me edit it.
Hi Janis - great question. Notes are part of your publication. They're up in the top of your 'website' toolbar. I'll send you a screenshot. Can't share one here in the comments for whatever reason.
I see said the blind man I see
Thank you, Michael! LOL
Your welcome ! Lol
I always read, enjoy, and FOLLOW your Substack tips. I've been writing a weekly Substack column for about 18 months and I'm definitely seeing my open rate go down while total views are generally up but vary from week to week. I'm also seeing some older posts that are showing signs of life. If anyone comments on my posts I almost always respond back with a comment and usually more than just thanks. I also started posting older columns as Notes once a week. Not sure if it's helping but one of my favorite quotes is from @Dan Blank, "We don't know what works, but doing stuff works."
Thanks for another great how to article!
I love that, Bruce. It's all this little 'stuff' that adds up over time. And thank you for your kind words!
Someone asked me to stop writing how-to guides here and write fiction, when the title of my publication is all things book marketing so... 😆
Well….some voice should be ignored.
Very helpful and encouraging! Much appreciated, Rachel!
I'm so glad, Jamie! Thank you for the feedback.
Your articles are always so helpful and encouraging. Thanks Rachel!
Aw, thank you, Susie! That's always my goal 🙏
This is *exactly* what I needed at the exact right moment, Rachel. How did you know?! Thanks so much for this! Saving. And sharing. All the things.
Casey! Great to connect here. Thank you so much!! 😊
Great article, as always! Thank you so much.
Thank you, Ian.
This was so interesting and informative. Thank you!
Thank you, Max! Glad it resonated.
Thank you for this! I am at just 100 subs and will be interested to see how this evolves! Been encouraging to reach out to old friends, but as u say that will be core early readers. Thanks for these guidebooks and tips!
Hi Lilliana! It's a pretty natural situation as we grow over time. IF you have a book out now, I suggest using either Booksweeps, Written Word Media, or Book Throne for their features that grow subscriptions. (They don't pay me to say that LOL. I use them all to grow.) Costs range from $35 to $100. Some also offer monthly growth option plans. All opt-in, etc.
Thank you for giving me some more ideas. ❤️
I tried to restack an old post. I clicked restack and not with note. I can’t see it under activity. I found it somewhere and tried to edit with a note. It says “wrong” and won’t let me edit it.
Where did it go?
Is this because I use my cell phone?
IDK, honestly. I would try it again using the web app and see how that goes.
They don't make it easy to find and edit our own notes. It's not just you, Janis.
My home page used to say: Posts. Notes. On my cell it now it says:
Activity Archive and Chat
Posts and Notes are combined into Activity.
But neither on my computer or cell does it show the post that I just shared without a note. I can't find that note. Where did it go?
Hi Janis - great question. Notes are part of your publication. They're up in the top of your 'website' toolbar. I'll send you a screenshot. Can't share one here in the comments for whatever reason.