I’m making some updates in StackContacts side to pull more details on DM threads and DM messages to see the status of different DM conversations.
This is related to another feature on StackContacts Connect I’m building that allows “interests” based DM campaigns - first check what posts your subscribers have read, then send a customized DM that acknowledges what they’ve seen and asks for what other topics they might be interested in.
The gold here really is the ability to control who, how often, and the message. This (pardon the cheesy marketing term), but takes it to a whole new level.
Yep - I just tested this with 10 subscribers, sending a message about the post they’ve read recently, and asked what brought them here and what other topics they are interested in.
I got my first response in 10 minutes!!!
It is totally next level of engagement, all based on StackContacts data.
Not sure on this one. I know a lot of people like these tools on other platforms but I fear it starts devaluing the dms where people start ignoring them like they do on Facebook. You know I love your other products but this one I have Mixed opinions. The marketer in me loves it. The person who wants to preserve what’s special about Substack is the one who gets concerned. I’ve gone back and forth on this in my own mind to be fair - might have even asked for it in the past lol
I totally get your concerns. I don't want to turn DMs into yet another channel that is pushing 24/7 notifications. That's why I architected the product so that sending DMs isn't automatically scheduled, AI doesn't generate messages, and the creator must write them, and there is a limit to how many subscribers you can send to.
The purpose is only to initiate a DM conversation with people who have already subscribed to and read your Posts or Notes. That's why I call the product "Connect" -- and NOT "Push Marketing" or "AutoPilot" or "Make Money While You Sleep"™️.
Today, initiating that conversation requires way too many mouse clicks to navigate the Substack website - to your dashboard, to subscribers, to view profile, to initiate a message, to write your message and send it. If you get 50 new subscribers per week, that is one hour of work just to connect and start the conversation and see whether the new subscriber wants a relationship or they are just interested in one particular article or topic.
I rather spend that one hour on actual conversations, supporting my customers, writing new Posts or building new products.
This is great! Looking forward to trying it!
Hey Caitlin, check your DM. Would love to get your feedback and improvement ideas on this product.
Me too Caitlin!
Just grabbed this, Finn!
(And I love that you offered parity pricing 😉 - I switched it back to US since I'm just in Costa Rica for a couple of weeks)...
I was blown away with what StackContacts showed me (sharing in tomorrow's newsletter!) - so to add this on makes a ton of sense.
The fact that this isn't an automated push to subscribers makes this unique - and completely in line with how Substack feels.
Thanks Kim,
I’m making some updates in StackContacts side to pull more details on DM threads and DM messages to see the status of different DM conversations.
This is related to another feature on StackContacts Connect I’m building that allows “interests” based DM campaigns - first check what posts your subscribers have read, then send a customized DM that acknowledges what they’ve seen and asks for what other topics they might be interested in.
See screenshot example:
WOW!!!
The gold here really is the ability to control who, how often, and the message. This (pardon the cheesy marketing term), but takes it to a whole new level.
Yep - I just tested this with 10 subscribers, sending a message about the post they’ve read recently, and asked what brought them here and what other topics they are interested in.
I got my first response in 10 minutes!!!
It is totally next level of engagement, all based on StackContacts data.
🤯🤯🤯
This works like a dream, Finn. And thanks for adding the image!
Thanks for the idea, Nancy!
The best ideas are always coming from my customers 🙏
Not sure on this one. I know a lot of people like these tools on other platforms but I fear it starts devaluing the dms where people start ignoring them like they do on Facebook. You know I love your other products but this one I have Mixed opinions. The marketer in me loves it. The person who wants to preserve what’s special about Substack is the one who gets concerned. I’ve gone back and forth on this in my own mind to be fair - might have even asked for it in the past lol
Hey Phil,
I totally get your concerns. I don't want to turn DMs into yet another channel that is pushing 24/7 notifications. That's why I architected the product so that sending DMs isn't automatically scheduled, AI doesn't generate messages, and the creator must write them, and there is a limit to how many subscribers you can send to.
The purpose is only to initiate a DM conversation with people who have already subscribed to and read your Posts or Notes. That's why I call the product "Connect" -- and NOT "Push Marketing" or "AutoPilot" or "Make Money While You Sleep"™️.
Today, initiating that conversation requires way too many mouse clicks to navigate the Substack website - to your dashboard, to subscribers, to view profile, to initiate a message, to write your message and send it. If you get 50 new subscribers per week, that is one hour of work just to connect and start the conversation and see whether the new subscriber wants a relationship or they are just interested in one particular article or topic.
I rather spend that one hour on actual conversations, supporting my customers, writing new Posts or building new products.
fascinating. well i 100 percent trust your product direction with stackcontacts so obviously i'm going to need to give this a try!