I Deleted 42,000 Email Subscribers (And Made More Money)
Most people try to grow their list. I deleted 42,000 subscribers instead — and here’s what happened next.
For years, I did what every “newsletter growth” thread told me to do:
- Grow as fast as possible
- Post everywhere
- Give away value for free
It worked. I hit 49,000 subscribers.
Then I realized the ugly truth:
Most of them didn’t care.
They weren’t opening.
They weren’t clicking.
They weren’t buying.
Big list. Tiny results.
The Day I Cut My List
So I did the unthinkable; I cut my list down to just 5,000–7,000 focused subscribers.
Here’s what happened next:
✅ Open rates jumped
✅ Replies and conversations exploded
✅ Sales came in from people who actually wanted what I offer
That’s when I learned:
Newsletters are not a numbers game. They’re a relationship game.
Shift #1 — Attract Quality, Not Quantity
Stop trying to help everyone who might be interested in your topic.
Write for someone with a specific, painful problem they’d happily pay to solve.
Example:
❌ “10 Side Hustle Ideas to Make Extra Cash”
✅ “How Solo Creators Can Build & Launch Their First Digital Product in 7 Days Without Code”
When you get specific, you stop attracting random and start attracting buyers.
Shift #2 — Build Demand, Not Just Trust
If all your free content gives the complete solution, why would anyone buy from you?
Your free content should:
- Help readers see their problem clearly
- Give them a small win
- Make them want the deeper help you offer
For example, in my free YouTube videos and blog posts, I walk through real Tools and SaaS I’ve built on WordPress and show the exact framework I use to create tools and micro-SaaS products.
But the full, step-by-step system — with templates, code, and direct support — lives inside my paid membership.
This way, people get value upfront, see what’s possible, and know exactly what they’ll get if they join.
Trust is good.
Trust + curiosity is better.
Shift #3 — Monetize With Products, Not Hope
$10/month subscriptions require huge lists.
But a $99 product can work with just dozens of buyers.
Start with the #1 question your readers ask.
Turn your answer into a guide, template, or mini-course.
For example, one of the top questions I get is:
“How can I host my own websites, APIs, and tools without paying for expensive Hosting plans?”
That’s why I created my Self-Hosting Mastery Course — a complete step-by-step system to set up and manage your own self-hosted stack (WordPress, APIs, databases, automation tools, and more) for just $69.
It’s perfect for creators who want control, speed, and huge cost savings.
Digital products give you:
- Freedom from constant content creation
- Control over pricing
- A way to scale without burning out
The Takeaway
I grew more by deleting than adding.
Because 7,000 people who care are worth more than 49,000 who don’t.
Stop chasing big.
Chase aligned.
💬 What about you? Would you delete most of your subscribers to focus on the right ones?
🫶 If You Smiled, Learned, or Nodded…
Do me a tiny favor:
Tap that clap button like it’s the last cookie on the plate. 🍪
(Yes, you can hit it up to 50 times — Medium is weird like that.)
👉 [Join the newsletter] ; your future self will high-five you for it :)
