Refine Your Paid Strategy and Reignite Reader Engagement with a Substack Editorial Audit

For creative entrepreneurs on Substack, growth isn’t always linear. Whether you’re experiencing a drop in paid subscriptions, feeling stuck or struggling with a lack of inspiration, this Editorial Audit is among my bespoke newsletter strategies that are designed to help you navigate pivotal “life events” in your newsletter’s journey. With deep data insights and strategic direction, you’ll walk away with a clear plan to reignite your editorial cadences and turn your newsletter into a thriving hub for paid subscribers. Engagements start at $250.

Designed for Newsletters with 5,000 - 50,000 Subscribers

This Editorial Audit is ideal for Substack creators with an active subscriber base between 5,000 and 50,000 readers. Whether you’re experiencing a slowdown in growth, a dip in paid subscribers or simply need to refresh your newsletter strategy, this audit is designed to help you get back on track.

If your newsletter has fewer than 3,000 subscribers, I have bespoke strategy support available for you, too!

Data-Driven Insights for Paid Subscriber Growth

The key to revitalizing your Substack lies in understanding what motivates your readers and how you can optimize your newsletter to turn casual readers into paying subscribers. I’ll analyze crucial reader metrics and behaviors, pinpointing where engagement is strong and where it may be falling short.

  • Subscription and Engagement Trends: I’ll review your recent subscription data to identify patterns, helping you understand what's driving conversions—or why readers might be hesitating to subscribe.

  • Paywall Optimization: We’ll look at how your paywall is currently functioning and identify ways to maximize conversions without sacrificing newsletter quality.

  • Essay/Content Performance Analysis: By analyzing open rates, click-through rates and other important metrics, we’ll identify the types of posts that resonate best and where there are opportunities to go deeper or explore new angles.

A Fresh Editorial Strategy to Increase Paid Subscriptions

Once we’ve gathered key insights from your metrics, we’ll develop an editorial strategy that aligns with your audience’s interests and optimizes for growth. This is where the audit shines: helping you pinpoint the right actions to take when you’re at a crossroads in your newsletter journey.

  • Content Revamp: Based on an in-depth review of your 10 to 30 most recent posts, I’ll provide actionable feedback on how to deepen connection, improve reader engagement and refine your themes to better align with subscriber interests.

  • Audience Resonance: We’ll look at what’s working and what isn’t by analyzing reader feedback and comments. I’ll provide suggestions on new content ideas, formats or approaches that could drive higher engagement and subscriptions.

  • Reader-Centric Planning: Using your own reader behavior data, we’ll shape a strategy that puts your audience first while giving you a clear, actionable content plan designed to increase conversions and deepen loyalty.

Monetization Strategy: Reignite Your Revenue Potential

The Editorial Audit is also focused on helping you make tangible shifts in your revenue generation. Whether you’re introducing new pricing tiers, revamping premium offerings or simply looking to increase the value perception of your newsletter, we’ll create a plan to get you there.

Custom Pricing Strategy: We’ll analyze your current subscription model and suggest strategic changes to your pricing to reflect your newsletter’s value, align with reader expectations and drive more paid sign-ups.

Upsell Opportunities: Explore ways to add value for your subscribers by introducing premium content, exclusive offers or additional services that deepen the reader experience and boost your revenue.

What You’ll Walk Away With

After the audit, you’ll receive a comprehensive report with everything you need to confidently move forward, including:

  • Reader Metrics Breakdown: A detailed report on your most critical reader metrics, including what’s driving free and paid engagement.

  • Subscriber Growth Plan: A customized action plan designed to help you boost conversions, improve retention and optimize your content calendar based on audience behavior.

  • Editorial Strategy Optimization: Tailored recommendations for post topics, structure and engagement tactics that will resonate with your readers and help drive paid subscriptions.

  • Revenue Growth Blueprint: A strategic guide to improving your pricing, expanding premium offerings and boosting overall revenue.

  • Audit Spreadsheet: A comprehensive analysis of your 10 most recent posts, covering performance metrics like themes, views, comments and conversions, providing a blueprint for ongoing self-audits.

  • Two Weeks of Follow-Up Support: Get continued support via email for any questions or further refinements based on the audit’s findings.

Ready to get your Substack back on the growth track? Tell me more about your newsletter in my bespoke strategy interest form so I can start working right away on a plan for your newsletter.