1) thank you for your honesty and transparency sharing that you imported your email list and your intentionality with how you did it. I think part of the comparison piece is that people don't own that. I have seen a couple "newer" people to substack say how many subscribers they have grown to have and not reference that they also subscribed their email list. There is nothing wrong with importing a list, but then it's not actual "growth." So own it.
2) You chose to make substack your email communication/marketing platform so of course you should bring over your email list you have spent years cultivating.
3) I am not surprised your open rate went up & people haven't unsubscribed after bringing over engaged readers from your other list. (it sounded like you seemed surprised). You brought over the top people off your email list, they already resonate with what you have to say. I'm sure your thought leadership and work has previously benefited them and they want to see more, even as you've evolved.
As a related aside, at some point when you were on your year break, you came to mind and I wondered why I hadn't gotten any emails from you for a while. I'm sure others did too.
Thanks so much for your reflections Rachael! Glad to know you weren’t surprised that my open rate went up! I honestly wasn’t sure how engaged my list would be after changing directions in my business and not emailing for a while. But as you say, I spent many years building my community so it’s nice to see that some of them still want to be part of what I’m creating now!
That transparency means a lot Jessie, thank you for sharing. I've often felt that flicker of comparison too, I think it's hard not to so it's a good reminder that we're rarely seeing the whole picture. Wishing you well as Substack becomes your true home.
I'm new to Substack, but not new to trying to grow an audience. :) This time, I'm being very intentional, especially since for the next 5-6 months I won't really be selling anything (I'll be going on maternity leave soon). So right now I have an opportunity to give from a place that feels most aligned with my energy: to write with the intention to serve, in a way that's congruent with what I'll offer in the future, but also to write from a place that fulfills me, or basically, to write what's useful and what I love to write, so I get an instant refill of energy (i.e., my love for writing).
It's a useful reminder Jessie. I try to stay focused on the right tribe being more important than the numbers. That is truly what's more important to me. But I would be lying through my teeth if I said comparisons didn't slip in there sometimes and make me wonder what others are doing right that I'm not quite yet.
I hear you Jody! The right tribe really is the most important thing, and at the same time, comparison can sneak in from time to time. I find that it happens a lot less on Substack though which I’m grateful for.
Thank you so much for this article! Seeing someone's numbers jump makes us wonder if they went viral or suddenly figured out some growth secret. Importing a list is rarely the first thought. Comparing ourselves to others' journeys is oh so hard not to do, but as they say, comparison is the thief of joy. It's great that you have found a home that works for you on Substack.
Thanks Amy! Comparison is totally the thief of joy and I would never want to steal anyone’s joy! Substack is amazing, so glad to be here, and so nice to be in this space with you!
A few thoughts:
1) thank you for your honesty and transparency sharing that you imported your email list and your intentionality with how you did it. I think part of the comparison piece is that people don't own that. I have seen a couple "newer" people to substack say how many subscribers they have grown to have and not reference that they also subscribed their email list. There is nothing wrong with importing a list, but then it's not actual "growth." So own it.
2) You chose to make substack your email communication/marketing platform so of course you should bring over your email list you have spent years cultivating.
3) I am not surprised your open rate went up & people haven't unsubscribed after bringing over engaged readers from your other list. (it sounded like you seemed surprised). You brought over the top people off your email list, they already resonate with what you have to say. I'm sure your thought leadership and work has previously benefited them and they want to see more, even as you've evolved.
As a related aside, at some point when you were on your year break, you came to mind and I wondered why I hadn't gotten any emails from you for a while. I'm sure others did too.
Thanks so much for your reflections Rachael! Glad to know you weren’t surprised that my open rate went up! I honestly wasn’t sure how engaged my list would be after changing directions in my business and not emailing for a while. But as you say, I spent many years building my community so it’s nice to see that some of them still want to be part of what I’m creating now!
That transparency means a lot Jessie, thank you for sharing. I've often felt that flicker of comparison too, I think it's hard not to so it's a good reminder that we're rarely seeing the whole picture. Wishing you well as Substack becomes your true home.
Thanks Dani! Transparency is a big value of mine. Glad to know I’m not alone and it’s so nice being here on Substack with you!
I'm new to Substack, but not new to trying to grow an audience. :) This time, I'm being very intentional, especially since for the next 5-6 months I won't really be selling anything (I'll be going on maternity leave soon). So right now I have an opportunity to give from a place that feels most aligned with my energy: to write with the intention to serve, in a way that's congruent with what I'll offer in the future, but also to write from a place that fulfills me, or basically, to write what's useful and what I love to write, so I get an instant refill of energy (i.e., my love for writing).
Hi Damiana! Nice to see you here! That’s a beautiful place to build a Substack foundation from!
It's a useful reminder Jessie. I try to stay focused on the right tribe being more important than the numbers. That is truly what's more important to me. But I would be lying through my teeth if I said comparisons didn't slip in there sometimes and make me wonder what others are doing right that I'm not quite yet.
I hear you Jody! The right tribe really is the most important thing, and at the same time, comparison can sneak in from time to time. I find that it happens a lot less on Substack though which I’m grateful for.
Yes, Substack is by far better than other platforms. I am very relieved I haven't encountered trolls here as well.
Thank you so much for this article! Seeing someone's numbers jump makes us wonder if they went viral or suddenly figured out some growth secret. Importing a list is rarely the first thought. Comparing ourselves to others' journeys is oh so hard not to do, but as they say, comparison is the thief of joy. It's great that you have found a home that works for you on Substack.
Thanks Amy! Comparison is totally the thief of joy and I would never want to steal anyone’s joy! Substack is amazing, so glad to be here, and so nice to be in this space with you!
Same to you Jessie!