The Problem Space is where we go to learn about our users’ problems so we can design and develop meaningful and profitable solutions to solve these problems. It’s also where we go to learn about our companies, our employees/coworkers, and ourselves, so we can create the best organizational conditions for success.
Last newsletter of the year
What's on my mind
In this final newsletter of the year, I want to reflect a bit on my writing journey and talk about what's to come in 2024.
When I announced the weekly newsletter writing challenge in January, I mentioned that someone had told me: Just write! Write weekly, for an entire year, and you’ll find your way. Some newsletters might bomb. Others might resonate. And in the process, you’ll figure out your winning format.
How did it turn out? Let's start with the numbers.
From late January, I’ve published 42 weekly newsletters, accounting for a summer holiday break.
I have 290 subscribers.
My average open rate is 60.34%, with a range between 56.9% and 67.2%.
I have not used any email growth hacks, and my only marketing is an occasional mention on LinkedIn.
My subscriber number is not huge, but my average open rate is high, and this makes me very happy. After all, I'm writing because I want people to read.
I hear occasionally from my readers, and that's also been positive - honestly, it's a huge encouragement to keep going. That said - if you'd like to provide me with any feedback, I'd be happy to hear from you:
- What did you like?
- What made you think?
- What would you like to see in the future?
Have I found my "winning format”? When I first imagined that, I thought I would come away with a clear template that I could fill in every week. But my main takeaway is this: I want to write content that makes people think, and consider things from a different perspective.
What's up next
They say you need to consume in order to produce. That may be true, but lately I've had the clear realization that my consumption has surpassed my production.
Because of this, I'm grateful for a chance to step back at the end of the year, take a break from LinkedIn and let my thinking solidify on a number of topics.
I hope to have more substantive content in 2024, which may mean less frequent but more deeply researched newsletters. You'll hear all about it in due time.
Wishing you all a restful end of the year, with time to reflect.
The Problem Space
by Janelle Ward
The Problem Space is where we go to learn about our users’ problems so we can design and develop meaningful and profitable solutions to solve these problems. It’s also where we go to learn about our companies, our employees/coworkers, and ourselves, so we can create the best organizational conditions for success.
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