2024 Midyear Check-In
The year is half way over and I want to share some updates with you!
Hey there, amazing subscribers! We’ve hit the halfway mark of the year, and it’s time for a brief update on what’s been happening behind the scenes at Monday Morning Economist. First and foremost, a massive thank you for your support. It’s readers like you who keep this newsletter going each week.
Let’s start with a look at our top five posts from the first 6 months of the year, ranked by total page views on Substack:
Russian groceries may seem affordable to Americans but are expensive for Russians.
Expensive ice cream can surprise even the youngest customers if they’re used to paying a lot less.
Contrary to what some people have said on TikTok, we’re not living in a “Silent Depression.”
Taylor Swift increased demand for professional football in the United States.
A recession will eventually hit the United States, but no one knows when that will occur.
Do you have a favorite story from this year that didn’t make the list? I’d love to hear about it! Share your thoughts by leaving a comment:
Referral Program Updates
Last year, we launched a referral program to recognize those helping expand this community. It’s been a treat to see who’s generating new subscribers, and I love sending out those gift boxes when you hit the top threshold! Some people have gone above and beyond to generate over 100 subscriptions! We should probably create a special Century Club gift for them.
Want to see your name on the leaderboard? Here’s how it works: When you use the sharing features embedded in your emails (those nifty blue buttons) or share your personal referral link, Substack tracks any new sign-ups resulting from your efforts. It’s an easy way to grow our community and spread economic literacy. Refer 25 new subscribers, and I’ll send you a fun box of MME swag like Marisa Cameron got at the end of last year:
The easiest way to ensure Substack accurately tracks your referrals is to use the blue buttons on each post. Directly copying and pasting the URL from your browser usually won’t include your unique code. If you’re sharing links online, make sure the URL ends with something like this: ?r=4ijg3 (that’s my referral ID!).
No More Paywalls
I introduced a paid subscription option a few years ago, but I struggled to create exclusive content that didn’t detract from our mission of promoting economic education. I’ve updated the paid version this year to more closely align with a “pay what you want” model. This means you can enjoy this newsletter without spending a dime. If you choose to contribute, know that your support fuels my coffee habit, and half of your subscription is donated at the end of the year.
Keep in mind that your contributions go beyond just supporting me—they resonate much further. During the recent Conference for Teaching and Research in Economics Education (CTREE) in May, several educators shared how they use this newsletter in their classrooms. It’s incredible to hear about the impact firsthand. Other educational outlets like the Foundation for Economic Education, Marginal Revolution University, and Econiful also share these resources with educators, who use them in their classrooms to teach their students.
Monday Morning Data
Before we wrap up, let’s take a look at our growth so far this year. At the start of the year, we had around 3,500 email subscribers. Six months later, I’m excited to share that we’ve already added over 1,100 subscribers! That’s nearly 200 new monthly subscriptions, often thanks to you sharing these posts on social media or with your students.
So What’s Next?
Substack has rolled out a lot of new features this year, and I’m eager to see if they fit the needs of our newsletter. This past spring was particularly challenging for me, which meant I didn't accomplish as much as I had hoped. But perhaps the fall will be a better time to get things done.
I’ve toyed with the idea of writing a book that compiles some of the best stories from this newsletter over the years and goes a little more in-depth on the economics end of things. Unfortunately, that project has stalled. I’ve had a note on my to-do list to submit a proposal, but life keeps getting in the way. Maybe this fall I can finally cross that off the list.
I also want to do more talks with groups that specialize in economics education about how teachers can use this newsletter in their classrooms. I’ve been working with the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) for almost a year now, and we’re doing a lot of exciting things. I’m optimistic that participating in Zoom calls or attending workshops would help get this newsletter into even more inboxes.
Lastly, I’d like to find a way to encourage students to share this newsletter with other students. I believe this newsletter offers a nice shallow dive into many interesting topics, allowing students to explore more deeply if they wish. I'm not sure of the best way to incentivize sharing among students, but it’s something worth investigating in the fall.