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David Wolosik's avatar

Happy Birthday Michael. I appreciate your insights. Keep on plugging.👍👍 I have noticed some of the things you mentioned. The "US Politics" category is an interesting addition. Populated by moderate to extreme leftists. Some with hundreds of thousands of subscribers? Seriously?

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nancy knox-bierman's avatar

happy b day! I have enjoyed your writing and your sharing.

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Michael Swartz's avatar

One more thing about the "open rate."

Because I borrowed an older piece to use for tomorrow's Monday Memory, I had a chance to look at what percentage of people opened up my posts early on.

In the very first days, given that it was people who knew my writing from my old blog, the open rate was often 60-80%. (One early post was 100%, back when I had all of 5 subscribers.) When I got to about 50 subscribers after year 1, it still hung in the 40% range and was usually in the mid-30s as late as the first of the year. Now I'm closer to 25%.

I get the fact I now have more "strangers" than friends who are subscribers, but it seems unusual that one would take the time to subscribe but never open the articles when they come in their e-mail. Aside from one stretch where I was overworked and overwhelmed (and let my e-mails go for about a week) I've faithfully opened whatever the 60 or so Substacks I subscribe to toss my way.

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Michael Swartz's avatar

Well, it's not actually MY birthday - it's on the other end of summer in September. But I appreciate the sentiments.

I don't even bother with the U.S. Politics tab, where I probably rank #5739 or something like that.

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Randall Murray's avatar

You said “journalist”. Sorry most of those recent individuals that have come here should not be given that term. That implies fair and honest reporting. Opinionated posters would be a more appropriate term. A little like a distinction of a teacher cs professor. A PhD doesn’t make a person a professor. Are they objective or subjective?

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Stone Bryson's avatar

You absolutely nailed it, brother - I have noticed it too!

And happy third! 🎂

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Jack Sotallaro's avatar

Congrats! I've seen the same growth pattern, and my Substack is coming up on 3 as well. Just keep plugging along. I enjoy your stuff.

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