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Adding some context to this: Rascal's membership peaked in January this year at around 2500 subscribers. This was due to our 1$ sale in December where around 300 people signed up. But ever since then, it's been a steady decline... (1/x) bsky.app/profile/rasc...

We've lost around 250 subscriptions in the last 6-7 months — that's around 10% of our total size, which is a lot. It also *feels* like a lot, sitting around and watching that line going down day after day. In 2025, we were talking about raises and in 2026, we were talking about pay cuts. (2/x)

We haven't talked really ever talked about this because it seemed like a bad idea, both in a professional (feelings are unprofessional) and a personal sense (feelings are hard). We wanted it to be about the work! But the work and the subscriber number started to be completely disconnected. (3/x)

The easiest way to help is to become a member. If you're already a member, you can buy a gift subscription for someone you know or give us a tip through the tip jar for any amount. www.rascal.news/state-of-the... (5/5)

(PS: If you think there's something we could be doing differently, our emails are on the site. We're always open to having a conversation!)

Since you opened this door, let me ask a, maybe, uncomfortable question here. You tried to make a business out of this, right? Begging people to become members might help in the short term, but I'd like to understand, if you can explain it, why you think this is not working. 1/

Do you have an exit survey when people unsubscribe, to ask why they're unsubscribing? That'd be useful to have, if not. People ending their subscriptions might not be a reflection on Rascal per se, but due to folks trying to save money as the cost of living creeps up.

To be honest, I considered ending my Rascal sub a few days ago. I think you're doing good work, but it's rare for me to actually read any of it (which is nothing personal – I just don't have the bandwidth for it) and I'm trying to save a bit of money.