Episode #367 - Unsubscribes Aren't Your Problem…List Churn Without Regrowth Is

Unsubscribes can feel personal. Like every time someone leaves your list, it's proof you're doing something wrong. But here's the truth: unsubscribes aren't your problem. List churn without regrowth is.

In this episode, I'm breaking down what a healthy unsubscribe reality looks like, why unsubscribes are inevitable (and not a moral failure), and the simple replenishment system that keeps your email list renewing over time — so you can grow without spiraling.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The real reason people unsubscribe (and why it often has nothing to do with you)

• What a "healthy" unsubscribe rate looks like — and when it's a real warning sign

• The 1% unsubscribe threshold and how to interpret it (spikes vs patterns)

• Why "low unsubscribes" can actually be worse if opens are quietly falling

• The 3 common founder overreactions that hurt engagement and trust

• The simple list replenishment plan that prevents a slow leak in your growth engine:

• A clear reason to subscribe (beyond "get 10% off")

• A consistent capture moment

• A welcome experience that earns the subscription

• An ongoing visibility loop that keeps new subscribers flowing in

Key takeaway: Your list isn't a bucket you fill once. It's a river. People will flow out — and the goal is to build a system that brings the right people in consistently.

Dive deeper with the accompanying blog post: https://joyjoya.com/blogs/podcast/email-list-churn-obsessing-over-unsubscribes-isn-t-the-key Work with Joy Joya: https://joyjoya.com