Some months ago, I applied automation to remove inactive subscribers, but my configurations were incorrect.
I was supposed to add two conditions:
- People who have subscribed 6 months or before
- Among these people, remove those who haven't opened at least x emails in the last 6 months
I realized I messed up the automation when I saw no improvement in the open rates. Then I surfed the web to see where the mistake was.
I ended up adding only the second condition (which makes the condition apply to the entire list) due to which people who have subscribed recently and haven't opened x emails were removed.
I hosted online sessions the same month, leading to new subscribers. And I only publish twice a month.
The number of new people who didn't open minimum emails was high - 701 to be precise.
I run my newsletters on Beehiiv. You can't change the subscribers' status from inactive to active. Nor can you email inactive subs, even if you removed them. I understand it's important to avoid spam.
I played around and learned you could delete (not inactive but totally delete from the list) a subscriber and import them back.
So I created a segment of inactive subscribers, exported it, deleted it, and then imported it back.
It sounds spammy but it isn't - the folks haven't opted out and I acquired all subscribers organically.
I hate spams and I wanted my readers to know the full story. I changed the welcome email during import and sent this email:
"You know me. This only takes 30 seconds.
Hello, I am Vikra. You were previously subscribed to my newsletter, Cognition.
Eight months ago, I messed up an automation to remove inactive subscribers. My mistake cost me 612 active subscribers.
As an attempt to retrieve my active subscribers, I am sending this email to all my inactive subscribers.
If you have unsubscribed to Cognition, I am so sorry for the inconvenience. I didn't mean to but this was the only way. Please feel free to stop reading here and unsubscribe from the footer link.
If you were removed because of automation, I'm sorry. You don't need to take any action now. You have been added back, and you will receive the content I publish.
It's all a huge mess. I hate spam emails or to contact when unnecessary.
Thank you for understanding.
Best, Vikra."
I have also emailed Beehiiv explaining what happened.
PS: I am sharing this to help you if you mess up the automation. Please don't use it to turn inactive subs to active - some folks have unsubscribed for a reason.