I think it’s probable/possible that some people subscribe to a Substack with the upfront intention of it being only for a limited time simply because they would like to financially support that writer but have other writers they would like to support as well. I think Substack should have a tip button to facilitate that mindset.
Second theory is some readers are pragmatic in the same way they are with streaming video. Pay for a month or two, watch everything you’re interested in and then cancel. And then come back again later when the archive is built up again.
Your second theory is one I've thought about too. Pay to grab all the good stuff and then cancel. It makes sense...but it's kind of a drag lol.
We've had the tip button discussion here plenty in the past and I'm with you...I think it's an extra piece of revenue that Substack is missing put on for sure. They take 10% so why not add an extra way to collect?
Good to know. But ditto to what Tamsin said. I went to Dashboard > Stats, but don't show the unsubscribe tab. I have the Pledge option enabled, but not the paid subscriptions.
No, I don't, perhaps that's it. A substack advice page says it should happen with free subscribers as well, but I'll double check that's turned on. Thanks for your help!
I understand all the reasons people have left because most of them are reasons I've left other paid subs as well! I guess attrition is just a part of the ecosystem.
Yeah totally. It’s nice to offer comps to those who can’t afford it. I also get people say there’s too much content or one recently was it’s not advanced enough so yeah sometimes I have to just hear it and move on…
I like that when someone lets me know that it's because of financial reasons, that I have the opportunity to ask myself if it would feel aligned to offer this person a comp subscription. I love that Substack has this feature! I just wish that it was easier to choose the exact amount of time we're desiring to comp someone.
I don’t have many paid unsubs but I do have many paid subs who get cancelled when their card expires or bounces and I have not found a nice way to regain them.
Hmmm now this is something that's never crossed my mind! I wonder if they get a system email when their card has expired? That would be a good question for the chatbot!
Thanks for this. I did not know where to look to find this info and knowing why folks have unsubscribed is both helpful and makes my stomach clench because I’m a not-yet-recovered-people-pleaser!
I think it’s probable/possible that some people subscribe to a Substack with the upfront intention of it being only for a limited time simply because they would like to financially support that writer but have other writers they would like to support as well. I think Substack should have a tip button to facilitate that mindset.
Second theory is some readers are pragmatic in the same way they are with streaming video. Pay for a month or two, watch everything you’re interested in and then cancel. And then come back again later when the archive is built up again.
Your second theory is one I've thought about too. Pay to grab all the good stuff and then cancel. It makes sense...but it's kind of a drag lol.
We've had the tip button discussion here plenty in the past and I'm with you...I think it's an extra piece of revenue that Substack is missing put on for sure. They take 10% so why not add an extra way to collect?
Good to know. But ditto to what Tamsin said. I went to Dashboard > Stats, but don't show the unsubscribe tab. I have the Pledge option enabled, but not the paid subscriptions.
Probably because pledges don't count as paid subscriptions yet. Once you have paid fully turned on you'll be able to see the new tab in stats.
My 'stats' looks nothing like this, no unsubscribes button... any idea why?
Hmmm that's weird. Do you have paid subscriptions enabled?
No, I don't, perhaps that's it. A substack advice page says it should happen with free subscribers as well, but I'll double check that's turned on. Thanks for your help!
Sorry I couldn’t help more. Most times I need to be able to “see” the issue to try and figure it out.
Love this reminder. It’s super.
Glad you found it helpful!
So hard to go there but so important to look. I’ve had some nice chats afterwards with folks who have left notes. ✨
I understand all the reasons people have left because most of them are reasons I've left other paid subs as well! I guess attrition is just a part of the ecosystem.
Yeah totally. It’s nice to offer comps to those who can’t afford it. I also get people say there’s too much content or one recently was it’s not advanced enough so yeah sometimes I have to just hear it and move on…
I like that when someone lets me know that it's because of financial reasons, that I have the opportunity to ask myself if it would feel aligned to offer this person a comp subscription. I love that Substack has this feature! I just wish that it was easier to choose the exact amount of time we're desiring to comp someone.
We do have the ability to choose several different time frames.
1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, or lifetime. You can find those under "gift paid subscriptions."
I don’t have many paid unsubs but I do have many paid subs who get cancelled when their card expires or bounces and I have not found a nice way to regain them.
Hmmm now this is something that's never crossed my mind! I wonder if they get a system email when their card has expired? That would be a good question for the chatbot!
Thanks for this. I did not know where to look to find this info and knowing why folks have unsubscribed is both helpful and makes my stomach clench because I’m a not-yet-recovered-people-pleaser!
Aww don't let it stress you out!! I'm sure you've looked now and probably found that nobody left any negative feedback!