Only 13 Hours Left on my Paid Subscription Sale.
There’s a moment in every publishing cycle when the numbers feel quieter than usual.
You’re still showing up, still writing, still offering something true. But the subscriber count isn’t moving. Or the growth just doesn’t feel connected to the energy you’re putting in.
It’s tempting in those moments to spiral into doubt or change direction. To wonder if your work has lost momentum. Or worse, to panic and start changing your approach without understanding what’s really happening.
We explored this and more in today’s livestream AMA on data.
But I’d like to propose that there’s a steadier way to relate to this tension.
It’s a practice that can bring you back to a place of grounded clarity: a quarterly data audit.
I’m not interested in data audits like some tech bros might be. This is a chance to listen and let data be a productive counterweight to anxiety when the rhythms you’re used to are shifting all around you.
This quarter, I’m inviting paid members to run a single, powerful filter:
Where are your paid subscribers actually coming from?
We’re looking at the origin point.
Not just the number of signups — but what’s generating them.
Is the Substack network doing the heavy lifting? Or is your own ecosystem — your website, your social sites (if you can still stomach those), your people — carrying the weight?
This filter is one I’ve been running with clients who are seeing a slowdown in paid growth. And what we’re finding isn’t always what we expect.
Sometimes the slowdown isn’t a publishing problem — it’s an awareness problem.
Sometimes it’s a shift in the network. (Substack likes to fiddle!)
Sometimes it’s a sign that your next wave of readers is waiting somewhere else entirely.
But the only way to know is to look.
If you’re a paid subscriber, you’ll find this quarter’s full audit prompt — plus the step-by-step walkthrough and spreadsheet templates — right here:
Start Your Q2 Data Audit → (subscribers-only link)
Inside, you’ll find:
the exact filter to run inside your Substack dashboard
a short reflection guide to help you interpret the results
and if you’re a founding member, there’s an invitation to RSVP for our next live Publishing Lab, where you can bring your questions, unpack what you’re seeing and brainstorm in real time with me and other mission-minded publishers.
This is one of the gentlest and most strategic things you can do for your online publication.
It doesn’t require a rebrand, a relaunch or a reinvention.
Just a willingness to notice and consider.
Miss the Livestream? Here are 8 Power-Packed Takeaways You Can Apply Right Now
1. Use data as a creative counterweight 🕒 (00:01:21)
Treat data as a counterbalance to your intuition — not a boss. Let it ground your creativity, not override it.
2. If growth slows, it might be the platform — not you 🕒 (00:00:34 & 00:09:04)
If you're seeing a drop in signups, know you're not alone — Substack’s discovery algorithm is shifting for everyone.
3. Don’t pivot too quickly during a slump 🕒 (00:09:25 & 00:20:05)
Stick with your current publishing rhythm — don’t tweak your strategy until you have clearer post-summer data.
4. Know when your data is ready to be useful 🕒 (00:14:05)
Your data is most helpful after 12 months of consistent publishing — volume matters less than regularity.
5. Look for patterns, not perfection 🕒 (00:15:00)
Use data to spot long-term patterns — not to judge individual posts or your creative value.
6. Use lightweight tools to make data less daunting 🕒 (00:24:18)
Try tools like GigaSheet to explore your CSVs — it makes it easier to sort, group and interpret subscriber data.
7. Drops in subs often come from tech shifts 🕒 (00:28:56 & 00:34:44)
Sudden declines in free subs may come from Substack running spam sweeps or tech updates — don’t take it personally.
8. Let data shape your creative decisions — not control them 🕒 (00:38:44)
Think of data as a reflection of how your work lands — not a verdict on its worth.
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