We invited Delia Cai, author of Deez Links, to speak to an audience of Substack writers in New York about how she grew her newsletter to 2,700 signups. Delia started her daily media newsletter as an intern at Atlantic Media. This transcript has been lightly edited for readability. You can also
Great post - I recently converted my 10-year-old higher ed blog over to the Substack platform and have been pleasantly surprised with its growth and revenue generation in the last few months. Subscriber word-of-mouth has been my biggest asset in exceeding more than 2,500 subscribers in a pretty short period of time.
Clarification: does the 2,000+ in the headline refer to free followers, or paying subscribers? Sometimes I get confused about the language used between free folks (followers, sign-ups, etc) and paying folks (who I think are usually called subscribers, but sometimes I'm just not sure).
This is wonderful to hear from Delia. Will there be an opportunity to do a feature like this for other newsletters? - not just as a way for all of us to learn about increasing our subscriber base, but also as a way to just meet other newsletter writers? =^]
I found this very useful! I'd love to see a follow up article on how she converted these free signups to paid subscribers. I have recently wrote about some of the strategies I have used to get my first 100 paid subscribers, but i am always open to new methods!
Thanks for sharing your ideas, Ms Cai. I like reading your personal experience in growing your subscribers and also the spirit you have to do it. Bravo! Can't wait to hear from others.:)
Terrific post, Delia! I've recently moved my email newsletter over from Mailchimp. Was curious if you had thoughts on the types of titles that the Substack audience tends to gravitate towards. Also, has engaging the community of fellow Substackers helped, and how do you do that (other than getting them mentioned in press :)
Great post - I recently converted my 10-year-old higher ed blog over to the Substack platform and have been pleasantly surprised with its growth and revenue generation in the last few months. Subscriber word-of-mouth has been my biggest asset in exceeding more than 2,500 subscribers in a pretty short period of time.
Clarification: does the 2,000+ in the headline refer to free followers, or paying subscribers? Sometimes I get confused about the language used between free folks (followers, sign-ups, etc) and paying folks (who I think are usually called subscribers, but sometimes I'm just not sure).
This is wonderful to hear from Delia. Will there be an opportunity to do a feature like this for other newsletters? - not just as a way for all of us to learn about increasing our subscriber base, but also as a way to just meet other newsletter writers? =^]
Congrats to Delia! Just started my own today!
I found this very useful! I'd love to see a follow up article on how she converted these free signups to paid subscribers. I have recently wrote about some of the strategies I have used to get my first 100 paid subscribers, but i am always open to new methods!
https://bloggingguide.substack.com/p/how-to-increase-paid-substack-newsletter
This is a wonderful and candid post.
Thanks for sharing this information. 🙏🏿
Thanks for sharing your ideas, Ms Cai. I like reading your personal experience in growing your subscribers and also the spirit you have to do it. Bravo! Can't wait to hear from others.:)
Terrific post, Delia! I've recently moved my email newsletter over from Mailchimp. Was curious if you had thoughts on the types of titles that the Substack audience tends to gravitate towards. Also, has engaging the community of fellow Substackers helped, and how do you do that (other than getting them mentioned in press :)
Hey!! Loved it!! Please do also like and subscribe to my newsletter. Have just started it yesterday!!
It was a delight to read this. I hope to see mine grow soon as well. I must say though that substack has helped subscription base.
This newsletter will upgrade your IQ : https://outsideplatoscave.substack.com/p/outside-platos-cave-2
Really helpful article! Is there any specific forum where more best practices and tips for new writers are shared?
Just as good in thread form as it was in person. Thanks again Delia!
What cail my phone number
This was a really great piece and has some great actions that can apply to almost everyone. Thanks for sharing this!