Earlier this year, I lowered my annual subscription rate to $49. I had data that supported it — most of my upgrades clustered around $50 or less — but that didn’t make the decision any easier.
"I sense the next right move before I have a clear, organized narrative for why." You make a good case for intuition that goes well beyond its use in creating a pricing strategy for a newsletter. This was typically thoughtful and enlightening. Thank you.
This is so so helpful Amanda. Thanks for breaking down your decision making so intricately. It will help me as I move toward my own strategy. And this!is everything: “making room for people at the table is never a losing strategy.”
Love this Amanda. I took a 6 month break from writing on Substack because I was overwhelmed and bombarded by too much expertise and it wasn't jiving with my intuition and why I came here in the first place. I like following a map and rules, BUT, I also get stuck when it starts to diverge from what my body is feeling. This really resonated. I have paid for so many Substacks over these last several years, because I really want to support the people writing them. But, I have also had no income for almost 4 years, so it's always a stretch for me. (Which is why I often rotate my paid subscriptions to spread the love.) I really appreciate that you are able to offer your wisdom and it's affordable. Thank-you for seeing us out here.
It's hard to find the words to say how much I love this essay. I read it twice to make sure it really sunk in.
I have always been boggled by the prices creators charge and often feel like I am living in a parallel universe when there are people willing to pay thousands for a program of fluff. I just don't get it.
You are NOT the cheap strategist, you are realistic and working with real people who are actually doing the work. I hope your community continues to be filled with amazing writers who also fill your bucket.
This is a timely essay for me because, just yesterday, I finalized an intuitive decision to change the structure of my newsletter and remove the paid option entirely. Ironically this happened the same day I found myself on a leaderboard for the very first time so it gave me an opportunity to watch my ego dance around as I second guessed my decision🤣 I chose to continue down my intuitive path and remove the paid option but there was a part of me saying "maybe I can be someone if I stick it out!" I am able to do this becuase I have a full-time day job so am not depending on the income like many do.
Like one of your recent posts said, we need to circle back to why we are doing this in the first place and that's what I did with this decision. It has returned me to clarity.
Donna, I so appreciate the transparency in your comment here. I think the thing that intuitive decision making reinforces for me is that I can trust myself and I can make it through any outcomes I may encounter. Does that make sense? That making intuitive decisions also gives my nervous system to trust me that "we got this" no matter what.
Anyways, I giggled a little bit when you saw yourself rising on the leaderboard because ISN'T THAT HOW IT ALWAYS GOES? :) When I encounter those moments, I try to remind myself that I'm allowed to pivot when the information (both internal and external) guides me to. And that the gift of being in charge is that I can move slowly and swiftly — for the sake of science. ;-)
Thank you for saying I'm not the cheap strategist. I appreciate that encouragement; it feels good to be seen for depth and a solid vision. Appreciate you.
Yes, learning to trust ourselves is a big deal especially when things get rocky and our vision can blur from the outside in. I love your words move slowly and swiftly!
Love this about you Amanda. You go deep, you analyze, but it's not all about numbers for you. You have access to your feeling self, and you use it as much as you use your intellect. I've been going through an inquiry of late about the structure of pricing here. I'd rather offer lower prices (probably as the norm and not as a sale) because I'd rather have a higher number of paid subscribers than the cash that comes with it...don't get me wrong, I love and need the cash, but right now, that's not my priority. I love the idea of making it less of a burden for people who want to show their support than can afford to do so at a higher price. I don't think it lessens my perceived value. I think it presents a value that's super important to me, and that's generosity. I know the value of my writing, more and more each day. I'm thinking and feeling all of it right now, as I get closer to my two-year anniversary on the platform, my happiest place ever. I'm learning a lot from you, and your $49 annual fee made it easier to support your work and be able to access your wisdom. I'm quite grateful.
Thank you for being here, Nan!! I've loved reading your work and seeing you in the comments here on The Publishing Spectrum. Also you know I'm a fan of anything that shines a light on generosity! ☀️
"I sense the next right move before I have a clear, organized narrative for why." You make a good case for intuition that goes well beyond its use in creating a pricing strategy for a newsletter. This was typically thoughtful and enlightening. Thank you.
Leave it to you to notice my little breadcrumbs that I’m laying down for future months. 🙏
This is so so helpful Amanda. Thanks for breaking down your decision making so intricately. It will help me as I move toward my own strategy. And this!is everything: “making room for people at the table is never a losing strategy.”
Love this Amanda. I took a 6 month break from writing on Substack because I was overwhelmed and bombarded by too much expertise and it wasn't jiving with my intuition and why I came here in the first place. I like following a map and rules, BUT, I also get stuck when it starts to diverge from what my body is feeling. This really resonated. I have paid for so many Substacks over these last several years, because I really want to support the people writing them. But, I have also had no income for almost 4 years, so it's always a stretch for me. (Which is why I often rotate my paid subscriptions to spread the love.) I really appreciate that you are able to offer your wisdom and it's affordable. Thank-you for seeing us out here.
It's hard to find the words to say how much I love this essay. I read it twice to make sure it really sunk in.
I have always been boggled by the prices creators charge and often feel like I am living in a parallel universe when there are people willing to pay thousands for a program of fluff. I just don't get it.
You are NOT the cheap strategist, you are realistic and working with real people who are actually doing the work. I hope your community continues to be filled with amazing writers who also fill your bucket.
This is a timely essay for me because, just yesterday, I finalized an intuitive decision to change the structure of my newsletter and remove the paid option entirely. Ironically this happened the same day I found myself on a leaderboard for the very first time so it gave me an opportunity to watch my ego dance around as I second guessed my decision🤣 I chose to continue down my intuitive path and remove the paid option but there was a part of me saying "maybe I can be someone if I stick it out!" I am able to do this becuase I have a full-time day job so am not depending on the income like many do.
Like one of your recent posts said, we need to circle back to why we are doing this in the first place and that's what I did with this decision. It has returned me to clarity.
Thank you for the role you've played in this.
Donna, I so appreciate the transparency in your comment here. I think the thing that intuitive decision making reinforces for me is that I can trust myself and I can make it through any outcomes I may encounter. Does that make sense? That making intuitive decisions also gives my nervous system to trust me that "we got this" no matter what.
Anyways, I giggled a little bit when you saw yourself rising on the leaderboard because ISN'T THAT HOW IT ALWAYS GOES? :) When I encounter those moments, I try to remind myself that I'm allowed to pivot when the information (both internal and external) guides me to. And that the gift of being in charge is that I can move slowly and swiftly — for the sake of science. ;-)
Thank you for saying I'm not the cheap strategist. I appreciate that encouragement; it feels good to be seen for depth and a solid vision. Appreciate you.
Yes, learning to trust ourselves is a big deal especially when things get rocky and our vision can blur from the outside in. I love your words move slowly and swiftly!
I've been through a very similar process and just recently started SOLIDLY ignoring the experts. Everything is working better.
Love this about you Amanda. You go deep, you analyze, but it's not all about numbers for you. You have access to your feeling self, and you use it as much as you use your intellect. I've been going through an inquiry of late about the structure of pricing here. I'd rather offer lower prices (probably as the norm and not as a sale) because I'd rather have a higher number of paid subscribers than the cash that comes with it...don't get me wrong, I love and need the cash, but right now, that's not my priority. I love the idea of making it less of a burden for people who want to show their support than can afford to do so at a higher price. I don't think it lessens my perceived value. I think it presents a value that's super important to me, and that's generosity. I know the value of my writing, more and more each day. I'm thinking and feeling all of it right now, as I get closer to my two-year anniversary on the platform, my happiest place ever. I'm learning a lot from you, and your $49 annual fee made it easier to support your work and be able to access your wisdom. I'm quite grateful.
Thank you for being here, Nan!! I've loved reading your work and seeing you in the comments here on The Publishing Spectrum. Also you know I'm a fan of anything that shines a light on generosity! ☀️
MWAH! xo