My open rate for this newsletter has, I think, stayed consistent - at 100%. While I am a paying subscriber to some traditional news media, this is the only substack I regularly read and support. Every Tuesday when I open my inbox, it’s like a little treat! I try to save it for a quiet, dedicated moment of the day. I would understand if you felt the calculation didn’t make sense for you to continue. But for now, I’m so glad you’re here! And I’m also grateful that you brought weekly intentions (and the mantra “you can always begin again”) to my life. I’ve been doing them with a friend for two years, and I really look forward to it on Sundays.
I feel this. Growth has felt so stagnant on Substack lately, and maybe that’s just regular ole system bloat. There are a lot of newsletters I wish I could pay for but we had to pare back all subscriptions at our house earlier this year. And it bums me out!
I admire your openness and vulnerability (here and always!) so much. I've had a lot of shame about my subscriber growth for a while, even though I've never oriented myself toward numbers (specifically because it is SUCH a slippery slope toward unhappiness for me). I hate how much we are conditioned to view numbers as the ultimate indicator of value. At the same time, it's necessary to pay our bills, at least to a certain extent, right? Sigh.
What I try to remind myself is that big, fast spikes in growth usually don't translate into lasting subscribers and community, and that the latter is what I truly want... even if it takes a bit longer to get there.
You always have such helpful perspective to share ❤️ And yes — I generally try to stay away from the numbers too. It’s not an accurate or helpful way to measure art!
p.s. I finally read Wild Dark Shore. Devoured it! I absolutely see why you loved it so much!!
Thank you for being so transparent with your experience as a writer on substack! When I started my newsletter two years ago I naively thought it would grow easily and I would find many subscribers. I think I’ve done everything wrong but I keep writing every week and that experience has been really valuable.
We’re in such a tricky time where some of us are still adjusting from the days when the internet was mostly free to a time when we are overwhelmed with subscriptions. I am grateful that substack is a way to support other writers but I wonder if there is a way to make it work better for writers and subscribers.
I wonder the same, Anna! It’s such a strange position to ask for people to support my writing while also not having enough money to support all the writers I’d like to!
I was one of the people who subscribed then canceled because I became overwhelmed with subscriptions. But then I came back because of a vulnerable post like this in which you shared how much every subscriber matters. I'm so grateful for all your honest, insightful writing--and my wife and I use you Year of Intentions every single week! Thank you for all you do!
I confess that I am one of those people adjusting from when the internet was free and when good journalism was mainstream. Oh how things have changed. I can’t recall how I found your newsletter or when but I have always enjoyed your writing and the vulnerability you show as you traverse your grief and love, life and change. I hope my (new) subscription is one of many for you because your worth is much more than 3c a word.
Thank you for both your insights and vulnerability. I so appreciate your efforts on our behalf, as well as yours. I suspect that you are not alone in your situation. In the two+ years I've been on Substack, I've followed dozens of writers and have simply had to pull back as I cannot handle the daily barrage. While I am loath to release any of my writers, my capacity for reading the same headlines/stories has diminished. The people I tend to follow now are writing about our lives, such as yourself and that's part of what helps me to ground. Thank you.
I try to give folks the benefit of the doubt. I’m sure there are plenty of valid reasons, and I really try not to take it personally. I think it’s part of the business of writing online: the vast majority of people just aren’t willing (or able) to pay.
But it’s people like you who keep writers afloat — and keep writing free to all. Thank you for your support, Brian!
I'm loving reading the comments as much as the essay (and I LOVED reading the essay). It's really important to me to pay for the content (writing especially) that I value. And as a self-employed person myself, I especially value helping support other self-employed people. That said, your newsletter is the sole one that I pay for at the highest/founding level. This space you've created here matters so much to me. As long as you're here, I'm here.
PS. I forgot to say: the fact that you donate some of your earnings AND prioritize having and paying Becca for her editing work has always stood out as so powerful to me. Financially, it'd of course make more sense for you not to do either of those things. And that you do says so much. (I'm actually personally pretty annoyed with a much larger newsletter that doesn't do either. But I'm petty lol.)
I want to share something in response to Katie paying me for my editing skills, because it actually demonstrates two important things: 1) How thoughtful, lovely, and fair-minded Katie is, and 2) why the simple, small gesture of someone paying for your work (especially when it's an independent venture!) is so meaningful.
Even though Katie and I have been friends for over half our lives (😭), and even though she knows I would be happy to help her with the newsletter WITHOUT being paid because I love her and believe in her, she has insisted on paying me from the very start of monetizing My Sweet Dumb Brain. No matter how many or few subscribers come in, she pays me a set percentage of her earnings every single month without fail. So, in case anyone was wondering about the specifics on how I'm paid as an editor, let it be known that KHG is wonderfully consistent, fair, and earnest, and never takes advantage of the fact that we're close friends.
But more importantly... As much as I love and believe in her writing, she also loves and believes in me, which is why she has treated our business relationship with so much respect and care. And, being completely sincere here, Katie's confidence in me professionally has been literally life-changing.
When I first began working with Katie on this newsletter, I was a full-time toddler parent about to have my second child. Despite being an overachiever throughout my academic years, my transition into being a working professional was decidedly underachieving, and I was embarrassed by how much I had struggled to find my footing in a career-focused setting.
By paying me for my work and insisting my skills have value, Katie's employment over these past seven years has been a boon for my professional confidence. By the small gesture of offering to pay me for my services, she's helped me to see my worth, which has, in turn, given me the boost I've needed to venture into the freelancing world — something I certainly would not have done without her encouragement and support.
So... A very long-winded and heartfelt response to say: Hannah, I agree — Katie prioritizing supporting others with her earnings IS powerful. And I'm grateful to the readers who have supported her work (and mine!) over the years because, as I said above, the money isn't JUST money. It's a show of appreciation and of belief in what we're doing. 💖
Becca! This just made my day. Thank you!! Lord knows I would have stopped writing this newsletter a while ago without your encouragement and perspective keeping me going. I am so grateful to YOU ✨
Oh, Becca. I'm SO glad you shared this here. I also want to give voice to something I think with quite literally every reading of MSDB each week: I know Katie is an excellent writer, but you are a *stellar* editor. (That other newsletter I opaquely referenced, I literally read that one and think, She needs Becca.) My former English major self is envious (in the best of ways!) of both you for your talents.
I'll also say that what you shared about the profound disconnect between your academic performance and early-career experience really landed for me. I have much the same story (and self-employment was my own savior, as a highly sensitive/neurodivergent being who JUST CAN'T in the standard workforce setting). I'm so glad you've (we've!) found your (our!) footing.
I know this is difficult, especially when you do rely on this as part of your income. That pie chart was an eyeopener. And yes, I hate to use this word but competition is stiff in Substack. Especially with more people gravitating to it. I also know that your can't compare yourself to those people. You just can't . But honestly, I like a lot of the rest of us, really look forward to your weekly, I've learned so much from you and your other readers in so many way. You have a unique gift that makes me look at things from a much different perspective, and given that, you not only change my outlook on things, it gives me things to think about (attitude adjustment) and those glimmers! You're so pure and honest. That's a rare find here. I used to make quilts (as gifts) because it's so hard to put a price tag on ones time. And yes, like you I probably made a single cent for my work, or actually probably in the red. Please keep at it. IF you have to work harder on other work and miss a week here. Trust me, we'll understand. Much love, hugs and big thank you's for being here with us.
My open rate for this newsletter has, I think, stayed consistent - at 100%. While I am a paying subscriber to some traditional news media, this is the only substack I regularly read and support. Every Tuesday when I open my inbox, it’s like a little treat! I try to save it for a quiet, dedicated moment of the day. I would understand if you felt the calculation didn’t make sense for you to continue. But for now, I’m so glad you’re here! And I’m also grateful that you brought weekly intentions (and the mantra “you can always begin again”) to my life. I’ve been doing them with a friend for two years, and I really look forward to it on Sundays.
I jokingly tell Katie I'm getting "You can always begin again" tattooed on my forehead 😅 but really, though, it's a joke... Mostly... 🤣
I just love that you do weekly intentions with a friend! And it means so much that you read each essay! 💌
Tuesdays are a favorite of mine for the exact same reason.
I feel this. Growth has felt so stagnant on Substack lately, and maybe that’s just regular ole system bloat. There are a lot of newsletters I wish I could pay for but we had to pare back all subscriptions at our house earlier this year. And it bums me out!
It bums me out too! I just had to do the same thing and it was painful.
I admire your openness and vulnerability (here and always!) so much. I've had a lot of shame about my subscriber growth for a while, even though I've never oriented myself toward numbers (specifically because it is SUCH a slippery slope toward unhappiness for me). I hate how much we are conditioned to view numbers as the ultimate indicator of value. At the same time, it's necessary to pay our bills, at least to a certain extent, right? Sigh.
What I try to remind myself is that big, fast spikes in growth usually don't translate into lasting subscribers and community, and that the latter is what I truly want... even if it takes a bit longer to get there.
Thank you for all you do/write!
You always have such helpful perspective to share ❤️ And yes — I generally try to stay away from the numbers too. It’s not an accurate or helpful way to measure art!
p.s. I finally read Wild Dark Shore. Devoured it! I absolutely see why you loved it so much!!
Oh my gosh, I'm so glad you enjoyed it!!
Thank you for being so transparent with your experience as a writer on substack! When I started my newsletter two years ago I naively thought it would grow easily and I would find many subscribers. I think I’ve done everything wrong but I keep writing every week and that experience has been really valuable.
We’re in such a tricky time where some of us are still adjusting from the days when the internet was mostly free to a time when we are overwhelmed with subscriptions. I am grateful that substack is a way to support other writers but I wonder if there is a way to make it work better for writers and subscribers.
I wonder the same, Anna! It’s such a strange position to ask for people to support my writing while also not having enough money to support all the writers I’d like to!
THIS exactly (but my own field/profession!)
Long time reader, finally upgraded!
Welcome! 🫶🏼 It's a great community with a surprising number of Rebeccas/Beccas, so you're in great company 😘🙌🏼
Thank you, Becca! It’s just a matter of time before I add a paid tier perk that is a community of Rebeccas — you all really are the best!
Welcome to the club! I'm actually a Rebecca with a substack alias lol
I was one of the people who subscribed then canceled because I became overwhelmed with subscriptions. But then I came back because of a vulnerable post like this in which you shared how much every subscriber matters. I'm so grateful for all your honest, insightful writing--and my wife and I use you Year of Intentions every single week! Thank you for all you do!
Lanette, you’re so kind. It means so much to me that you returned — and I 100% understand the subscription fatigue!
I confess that I am one of those people adjusting from when the internet was free and when good journalism was mainstream. Oh how things have changed. I can’t recall how I found your newsletter or when but I have always enjoyed your writing and the vulnerability you show as you traverse your grief and love, life and change. I hope my (new) subscription is one of many for you because your worth is much more than 3c a word.
You are the best, Caroline! Thank you ❤️
Thank you for both your insights and vulnerability. I so appreciate your efforts on our behalf, as well as yours. I suspect that you are not alone in your situation. In the two+ years I've been on Substack, I've followed dozens of writers and have simply had to pull back as I cannot handle the daily barrage. While I am loath to release any of my writers, my capacity for reading the same headlines/stories has diminished. The people I tend to follow now are writing about our lives, such as yourself and that's part of what helps me to ground. Thank you.
That means so much, Pam. Thank you for your support!
Loved reading this, Katie. Thank you.
I’m so glad! ❤️
Appreciate hearing about your experiences, Katie. It has been hard around here on Substack lately and it does help to know we are not alone.
I’m glad it helped! I know I sometimes read success stories and think — is it just me struggling??
To the 97% who read and don’t even make the minimum effort to financially support. Why?
I try to give folks the benefit of the doubt. I’m sure there are plenty of valid reasons, and I really try not to take it personally. I think it’s part of the business of writing online: the vast majority of people just aren’t willing (or able) to pay.
But it’s people like you who keep writers afloat — and keep writing free to all. Thank you for your support, Brian!
You are welcome. I am just amazed at the percentage. Very disappointing.
But, keep going. Every Tuesday morning starts with your thoughts and adds a positive boost to my day.
Thanks for the kind words! And yes — I know I’m not alone with that percentage. It’s surprising indeed!
I'm loving reading the comments as much as the essay (and I LOVED reading the essay). It's really important to me to pay for the content (writing especially) that I value. And as a self-employed person myself, I especially value helping support other self-employed people. That said, your newsletter is the sole one that I pay for at the highest/founding level. This space you've created here matters so much to me. As long as you're here, I'm here.
PS. I forgot to say: the fact that you donate some of your earnings AND prioritize having and paying Becca for her editing work has always stood out as so powerful to me. Financially, it'd of course make more sense for you not to do either of those things. And that you do says so much. (I'm actually personally pretty annoyed with a much larger newsletter that doesn't do either. But I'm petty lol.)
I want to share something in response to Katie paying me for my editing skills, because it actually demonstrates two important things: 1) How thoughtful, lovely, and fair-minded Katie is, and 2) why the simple, small gesture of someone paying for your work (especially when it's an independent venture!) is so meaningful.
Even though Katie and I have been friends for over half our lives (😭), and even though she knows I would be happy to help her with the newsletter WITHOUT being paid because I love her and believe in her, she has insisted on paying me from the very start of monetizing My Sweet Dumb Brain. No matter how many or few subscribers come in, she pays me a set percentage of her earnings every single month without fail. So, in case anyone was wondering about the specifics on how I'm paid as an editor, let it be known that KHG is wonderfully consistent, fair, and earnest, and never takes advantage of the fact that we're close friends.
But more importantly... As much as I love and believe in her writing, she also loves and believes in me, which is why she has treated our business relationship with so much respect and care. And, being completely sincere here, Katie's confidence in me professionally has been literally life-changing.
When I first began working with Katie on this newsletter, I was a full-time toddler parent about to have my second child. Despite being an overachiever throughout my academic years, my transition into being a working professional was decidedly underachieving, and I was embarrassed by how much I had struggled to find my footing in a career-focused setting.
By paying me for my work and insisting my skills have value, Katie's employment over these past seven years has been a boon for my professional confidence. By the small gesture of offering to pay me for my services, she's helped me to see my worth, which has, in turn, given me the boost I've needed to venture into the freelancing world — something I certainly would not have done without her encouragement and support.
So... A very long-winded and heartfelt response to say: Hannah, I agree — Katie prioritizing supporting others with her earnings IS powerful. And I'm grateful to the readers who have supported her work (and mine!) over the years because, as I said above, the money isn't JUST money. It's a show of appreciation and of belief in what we're doing. 💖
Becca! This just made my day. Thank you!! Lord knows I would have stopped writing this newsletter a while ago without your encouragement and perspective keeping me going. I am so grateful to YOU ✨
Oh, Becca. I'm SO glad you shared this here. I also want to give voice to something I think with quite literally every reading of MSDB each week: I know Katie is an excellent writer, but you are a *stellar* editor. (That other newsletter I opaquely referenced, I literally read that one and think, She needs Becca.) My former English major self is envious (in the best of ways!) of both you for your talents.
I'll also say that what you shared about the profound disconnect between your academic performance and early-career experience really landed for me. I have much the same story (and self-employment was my own savior, as a highly sensitive/neurodivergent being who JUST CAN'T in the standard workforce setting). I'm so glad you've (we've!) found your (our!) footing.
- Your fellow Rebecca xx
I know this is difficult, especially when you do rely on this as part of your income. That pie chart was an eyeopener. And yes, I hate to use this word but competition is stiff in Substack. Especially with more people gravitating to it. I also know that your can't compare yourself to those people. You just can't . But honestly, I like a lot of the rest of us, really look forward to your weekly, I've learned so much from you and your other readers in so many way. You have a unique gift that makes me look at things from a much different perspective, and given that, you not only change my outlook on things, it gives me things to think about (attitude adjustment) and those glimmers! You're so pure and honest. That's a rare find here. I used to make quilts (as gifts) because it's so hard to put a price tag on ones time. And yes, like you I probably made a single cent for my work, or actually probably in the red. Please keep at it. IF you have to work harder on other work and miss a week here. Trust me, we'll understand. Much love, hugs and big thank you's for being here with us.
Just wanted to say thank you for writing this newsletter-- I've loved it since subscribing in 2020!