A great reminder! I export my list regularly as just never know. I understand about things happening to websites too as my former online magazine got hacked and lost everything on the site completely. Well, not the majority of my posts as had them backed up. I had actually planned to re-do my look, so didn't care as much about the design lost. I rebuilt and continued the magazine for awhile longer until I decided to finish it in that format. I am writing a piece about my former magazine, the hacking, how I rebuilt it and now.
Yes, I did. When I got hacked I hadn’t been active on site for awhile, and maybe not updated…but unsure if that is why it happened. When I rebuilt, it was better than ever. Then secured site even better. Now I just use Blogger for my website (and at some point will get domain with it and for sure will with a new biz launching for handmade pet accessories) It’s a lot less expensive and think more secure. As just use for writings mainly and will use to sell items, don’t think need to spend a huge amount of money on hosting. With Blogger just pay for domain…probably will get a personal name one and another for biz.
If I would have wanted to say re-launch my digital magazine, or new type of magazine, it would be better as a website on Wordpress.
I do think WordPress is much better than Blogger. But if Blogger works for you and you don’t need more features, that’s totally fine, though.
Curious to know why the hacking happened. You could have contacted your hosting provider so they investigate.
By the way, having a good web host is also part of the security. I was once with a bad one (Bluehost) and know many other people complain about it (although they have great marketing and their name appears everywhere and everyone’s an affiliate promoting them).
Since then, I’ve been with a quality one, even if it costs more.
The email list you built belongs to you, until the moment you forget to save it. Two minutes of discipline today beats the panic of losing years of trust tomorrow. Done and noted.
it’s easy to assume a platform you trust will simply always be there. I keep mine as a start-of-month ritual so it never slips off the list. Do you find writers actually stick with it once the initial worry fades, or does it drop off?
It's true that you never know what might happen, it's such an easy habit to develop, and it doesn't require more than a couple of minutes of your time.
This is one of those simple habits that most creators overlook until something goes wrong. We spend so much time growing our audience that it's easy to forget we should also protect it. Thanks for the practical reminder.
So sorry, it was re-stacked by Jessica and I thought I was answering her as that is where I saw it, but I have edited my original comment and to you I say, Todah Rabah, thank you very much 🧡
A great reminder! I export my list regularly as just never know. I understand about things happening to websites too as my former online magazine got hacked and lost everything on the site completely. Well, not the majority of my posts as had them backed up. I had actually planned to re-do my look, so didn't care as much about the design lost. I rebuilt and continued the magazine for awhile longer until I decided to finish it in that format. I am writing a piece about my former magazine, the hacking, how I rebuilt it and now.
So great you’re already exporting your list regularly, Jessica. We should talk about it more often so other writers are also reminded 🤍
Sorry to hear the magazine got hacked. What CMS was it built with?
It was Wordpress
Oh, no. I trust WordPress so much and it's super safe.
So many big media companies and businesses have set up their sites using that CMS.
Did you have a security plugin? I use WordFence, for example.
Yes, I did. When I got hacked I hadn’t been active on site for awhile, and maybe not updated…but unsure if that is why it happened. When I rebuilt, it was better than ever. Then secured site even better. Now I just use Blogger for my website (and at some point will get domain with it and for sure will with a new biz launching for handmade pet accessories) It’s a lot less expensive and think more secure. As just use for writings mainly and will use to sell items, don’t think need to spend a huge amount of money on hosting. With Blogger just pay for domain…probably will get a personal name one and another for biz.
If I would have wanted to say re-launch my digital magazine, or new type of magazine, it would be better as a website on Wordpress.
Hey, Jessica.
I do think WordPress is much better than Blogger. But if Blogger works for you and you don’t need more features, that’s totally fine, though.
Curious to know why the hacking happened. You could have contacted your hosting provider so they investigate.
By the way, having a good web host is also part of the security. I was once with a bad one (Bluehost) and know many other people complain about it (although they have great marketing and their name appears everywhere and everyone’s an affiliate promoting them).
Since then, I’ve been with a quality one, even if it costs more.
Timely reminder, Lidiya, Thank You! 🙏
And especially relevant for yours unruly 😉 in the context of
our brief exchange regarding the incoming enforcement of Digital ID.
Glad to hear this came at the right time ☺️
100%, I was banned for like three days and thought I’d lost 1000 subscribers. Now I back up once a month!
The email list you built belongs to you, until the moment you forget to save it. Two minutes of discipline today beats the panic of losing years of trust tomorrow. Done and noted.
Absolutely! This post was as much a reminder to myself as it was to every other Substack writer who isn’t already doing this practice regularly ☺️
it’s easy to assume a platform you trust will simply always be there. I keep mine as a start-of-month ritual so it never slips off the list. Do you find writers actually stick with it once the initial worry fades, or does it drop off?
Thanks for reading, Melanie.
So great you’re already having this as a regular practice.
Seems like most writers either never thought about it, or just did it once and left it like that. So it’s an important reminder for them.
Thanks for the reminder, I haven't done this in months!
Glad it was useful, Andjela ☺️
Great reminder!
Thank you!
I appreciate this reminder :)
Thanks, Jess.
Thank you, I'll do that ASAP.
It's true that you never know what might happen, it's such an easy habit to develop, and it doesn't require more than a couple of minutes of your time.
Glad this was helpful, Debbie 🤍
This is one of those simple habits that most creators overlook until something goes wrong. We spend so much time growing our audience that it's easy to forget we should also protect it. Thanks for the practical reminder.
Exactly. Thanks for reading 🤍
Ooooh Thanks for the reminder! So important. Will do today, I mean now 😅
Yey, so glad this helped ☺️
Great minds think alike :)
I have just exported my list today.
But you made me go further with one step, now I have set a reminder to export the list monthly. :)
Oh, how nice!
I’m also just turning it into a habit, and will do it once a month 🙌🏻
Good points! Thanks!
That was very helpful Lidiya and something I easily forget with all the other things going on.
So glad it was helpful ☺️
Thanks, Lidiya— I appreciate the tip!
Welcome, Lori 🤍
Thank you for reminding me Lidiya. Last export was in May. Just exported again 🤗
It’s Lidiya 🙈 but no worries, I also engage with many writers at the same time sometimes and it’s easy to make a mistake like that.
Anyways, thanks for reading.
Glad to hear this reminded you to export now 🤍
So sorry, it was re-stacked by Jessica and I thought I was answering her as that is where I saw it, but I have edited my original comment and to you I say, Todah Rabah, thank you very much 🧡
Oooh, okay. Thanks for letting me know 🤗