Building on Beehiiv: Was it something I said?

I’ve mentioned it before, but I treat these weekly Building on Beehiiv recaps as my journal.

It’s a way to get the week’s happenings and thoughts out of my head and recorded somewhere.?

I want to document the journey and hold myself accountable.?

I also want to hopefully help someone along the way. Whether it’s a rogue tip or a pep talk like the one I’m offering today.?

This week, two people unsubscribed from The Lunch Break??

I know that doesn’t sound like a lot, but unsubscribes are glaringly apparent when you’re under 100 subscribers.?

So, when someone unsubscribes, I notice and you know what it taught me?

I need thicker skin ??

Listen, I get unsubscribes come with the territory.?

That’s showbiz, baby!!

And I know they’re actually good for list hygiene.?

But, when it comes to a personal newsletter, it hits a little differently.?

If you have your own newsletter, you understand.?

You’re creating something unique to you, and you want people to like it.?

We’re humans! We like to feel loved, and we love to belong.?

So naturally, when someone unsubscribes, you take it personally.?

Was it something I said?

Was that topic not great!?

These questions swirled in my head, but once the dust settled, being the mature adult I am, I decided to flip the script on this…

But only after I called my husband, mildly upset and wildly defensive :) did I realize:?

1. There are myriad reasons why I unsubscribe from a newsletter. But when I unsubscribe, I don’t do it out of spite. So, why would I think these people did it with a spiteful vengeance? They probably didn’t see its value and wanted to free up space in their inbox. Valid.?
2. My Thriends—that’s what we call friends over on Threads—reminded me that as much as we want everyone to love what we do, it’s not reality. And it’s OK if people don’t like what you’re sharing. There are plenty of other people who will and do!?

The takeaway here is unsubscribes will happen.?

Yes, it stings when someone does, growth isn’t linear, and it certainly isn’t perfect.?

Focus on and show up for the people who appreciate your spot in their inbox and write really awesome content for them.?

Because they’re the only people who matter, not the ones who left!

Weekly Stats

• I gained two new followers, bringing the total subs to 95! You can subscribe here.?
• 4 posts? // 47.97% open rate? // 2.82% click rate // 2 unsubscribes (dips across the board)
• Best open rate:??The Oregon Trail? - 52.75%
• Best CTR: ??Make your writing feel personal - 6.82%

Weekly Roundup

Monday: ??The Oregon Trail?

Tuesday: ??Make your writing feel personal

Wednesday: ??A Wicked mistake…

Thursday: ??IWITOT Vol. 15: Play into it

Friday: Coming at noon EST! Don’t miss it. Subscribe now!