# Outpost > Outpost helps Ghost-powered membership-driven sites and newsletters thrive, with autoresponders, tech integrations, and more. A member-services co-op. Public Ghost content for AI and LLM tooling. This file includes a bounded export of public pages first, then recent public posts. Append `.md` to any post or page URL to get the content in Markdown (for example, `/example-post.md`). ## Pages ### Pricing URL: https://outpost.pub/pricing/ Last updated: 2022-04-24T13:00:23.000Z _No content available._ ### About Us URL: https://outpost.pub/about/ Last updated: 2026-04-30T22:54:41.000Z ### About Outpost Publishers Cooperative So we have to admit it. We're different. First off, we're a publishers cooperative, meaning the goal of the organization is to provide services to publishers, not build value and cash out. We are not funded by billionaires. Our bylaws prevent us from selling out to Big Tech. When a cooperative member asks us to build a custom feature, other cooperative members get it for their sites too (plus members get to try it out early in our Outpost Labs). If we make more money in a year than we need to run the company, we give cooperative members a dividend. We believe the future of publishing is people paying to support the publications and writers they care about, and that those publications should keep as much as possible, not make billionaires even more money. The internet and the web have been revolutionary in expanding the diversity in voices and communities and one of the outgrowths of that is allowing people to make a good, independent living writing about what they care about. Being able to do so without having a boss, 9-5 schedule, commute, or someone telling them to write about something else (or to write in a different way) is revolutionary. > We’re at an exciting moment in tech: it is becoming easier and easier for independent voices to sustainably thrive, and we truly love to see it. ### Our Co-Founders Our co-founders, Andrew Nikolaenko and Ryan Singel, have been building ethical publishing software for over 10 years. Outpost is their second venture into journalism tech together, which happily loops in their first, benefiting cooperative members with intelligent recommendations. Ryan Singel started working as an online journalist for Wired.com in 2002, after spending three years working for search startups. His beats for Wired included privacy, security, search, social networking, tech policy and startup. He also co-founded the award-winning Threat Level blog. During his time as a Wired writer, and later editor, Ryan became increasingly frustrated with the tools and CMS available for journalists. He had an idea to create a recommendation system that gave readers more stories on the topic they just read about with intelligent recommendations that keep readers on a publisher’s site by linking to other stories there. In 2011, Ryan met Andrew Nikolaenko, who has made this recommendation idea an incredible reality that just keeps getting better. Andrew and Ryan’s first venture together, [Contextly](https://contextly.com/?ref=outpost.pub), has been growing and evolving ever since, helping publishers for over a decade with intelligent recommendations. Today, [Contextly](https://outpost.pub/contextly/) is one of the [features](https://outpost.pub/features/) we offer at the Luna level and above as one of the services that we use cooperative buying power to make cheaper for Outpost member publishers. Since starting Contextly, Andrew and Ryan have always talked about further ways they could help journalists, and in 2021 co-founded Outpost Publishers Cooperative with the goal of making life easier for people wanting to make their own way as independent publishers and creators. ### Team Outpost In the years since Outpost was founded, the team has grown. We have two main hubs: Outpost West in California, and Outpost East in Europe, with a beautiful constellation of global remote teammates shining like the stars they are, helping us keep Outpost continually evolving and growing in what we offer our cooperative members. Together, we’ve helped launch and support independent publishers and journalists all over the globe, expanding into hybrid online/print journalism as well. Outpost Cooperative members are making waves with their scoops, breaking news, local coverage in previously underserved areas, intelligent commentary, and meaningful stories and creation of all kinds. > Outpost provides tools to help publishers and creators, taking care of the time-consuming parts of running an independent business to free up more time for them to do what they love and do best in the world. --- To learn more about Outpost, visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/), drop us a note at info@outpost.pub or just [start your free 21-day free trial of Outpost](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). ### Contact Us URL: https://outpost.pub/contact/ Last updated: 2024-07-25T19:09:11.000Z ## We'd love to hear from you! We love talking about what we do and hearing what people are looking to do with their sites, so please drop us a note via email. - If you have questions about our services or want to learn more, please write us at [info@outpost.pub](mailto:info@outpost.pub). - If you are an existing Outpost customer and are having product issues, write us at [support@outpost.pub](mailto:support@outpost.pub). - Press inquiries are best sent to [press@outpost.pub](mailto:press@outpost.pub). - DMCA complaints go to [dmca@outpost.pub](mailto:dmca@outpost.pub). --- Image Credit: NASA ### Privacy & Analytics URL: https://outpost.pub/privacy/ Last updated: 2024-07-25T19:08:03.000Z ### Privacy Our entire publishing system respects reader privacy and is GDPR- and CCPA-compliant. Ghost is cookie-less for readers that are not logged in subscribers. Outpost's tech and the default services we integrate also respect user privacy and operate without tracking cookies. You can read the full [privacy policy](https://outpost.pub/outpost-privacy-policy/) here. ### Data Portability Your data is yours, including your website content, your communications with readers, your email lists, and your payment relationships. You take these out of Outpost and Ghost at anytime if you want to use another system. You can also stop using Outpost at any time and still be running your site on Ghost. ### Analytics Outpost adds two separate analytics systems on top of what Ghost provides in its native dashboard. One is similar to Google Analytics (without the tracking cookies), that gives feedback in real time. The other is report-based, sending you daily, weekly, and monthly reports that give you the info you need to make smarter editorial decisions - like what older stories continue to perform very well and what stories are getting the most traffic from social channels and which are best in search. We provide analytics that are useful, not just ones that make you feel good. --- Image Credit: NASA ### How Outpost Measures Up URL: https://outpost.pub/versus/ Last updated: 2022-09-05T21:20:53.000Z ## How is Outpost different from Substack/Patreon/Memberful/Pico? The three big areas of difference: business model/financing, cost, and features. ### Business Model/Financing Unlike those services, Outpost is a cooperative, where each site is a member with voting rights and a financial interest in Outpost’s success. Outpost has no traditional Venture Capital investment and never will. If you aren't familiar with how that kind of financing works, by not taking venture capital Outpost does not have to grow extremely fast and does not have to have a business model that requires making billions of dollars. In simple terms, we can charge less and care more. Since Outpost is a cooperative, Outpost member sites get a vote and a say in how the business is run, and in the future, will get rebates at the end of the year like you do at a food co-op or at REI (also a co-operative). Outpost’s bylaws also have strict rules on the business being sold, so flipping it to Google for a quick payout won’t happen. It also means that Outpost doesn’t have to make decisions to please investors, it has to make ones that benefit co-op members. Ghost, the CMS underneath, is fully open-source and run by a non-profit that's financially healthy and employs more than 30 people now. It's not going away or flipping to Google, either. ### Cost: Also unlike any of those companies, neither Ghost(Pro) nor Outpost takes a set percentage of a site’s revenue. Outpost's fees are tied to the services we provide, such as the number of emails sent per month and the number of subscribers. Ghost(Pro)'s [**very reasonable hosting fees**](https://ghost.org/pricing/?ref=outpost.pub) are tied to the number of subscribers, staff members, support level, and other variables. Sites still have to pay credit card & payment fees directly to the processors. (Figuring out a better alternative to credit card networks is beyond the scope of what we do, but we fully support the idea). In practice, that means that large subscription-based businesses using Outpost and Ghost(Pro) can pay up to *75% less* for more features than Substack. **By Comparison:** - Substack takes 10% + credit card processing fees, and does not allow you to get paid outside its system. - Patreon takes 5% to 12% + credit card processing fees. - Memberful and Pico each take 5% on top of credit card fees, and you also pay for the emails you send, and your website hosting and maintenance. On the practical side, we think all of their rents too damn high. On the philosophical side, we don’t think indie writers and artists should be making billionaires richer. That makes an Outpost-enhanced Ghost site far more affordable than running a site with services that take a set percent of revenue. Since our pricing and Ghost(Pros) are based on tiers, sites also know how much it will cost month to month or annually. Or as we like to say: Better, smarter, faster, cheaper. Choose 4. ### Feature and Tech Differences: **Outpost vs Substack:** Substack is an all-in-one solution with very limited tools for publishing, building a community or communicating with members. It’s nicely simple, which is nice, until you run into its limitations. An Outpost-enhanced Ghost site is great for those who outgrow Substack and want to accept tips/other payments, design their own site, host online seminars or livestreams on their website, group content by tags or kinds of content, have content recommendations on their website, have multiple authors, control their communications with their members, and have multiple tiers of benefits, etc. **Outpost vs Patreon**: Patreon’s creation tools aren’t very good, its member management system is lacking, and the percent cut it takes keeps going up. Also all payments go through Patreon, so you can’t take your payment relationships elsewhere. **Outpost vs Pico/Memberful:** Pico typically runs as a Javascript add-on on top of CMSes like Wordpress that have no concept of paid members. That’s no way to run a membership site. So visually that’s something like this: ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4SNBXHOqiWXsDmBUObx1_ufDjKDAVPnEgslq18CNTTj-yn1aFh2I0Gv4Mdew6sv9J5Snv5DtKU0le7FU9UkTocYOFVy2r0zHpKPrJoH9jZgOv_l7rdjNWKK_399N0XSnKJH4TZG3) Outpost-sites run on Ghost, which has membership fully baked in. If you set up protected content, readers are either in or they are out. Memberful, owned by Patreon, is a complicated WordPress plugin. When someone comes to your site, your site has to call up Memberful ask "is this person a member?" every time a user shows up. That's slow and inelegant. It's also too expensive given it takes a 5% revenue cut and you still have to pay for your website hosting, tech help, and any emails or newsletters you send. ### How Outpost Can Help You Switch Your Newsletter to Ghost URL: https://outpost.pub/migration/ Last updated: 2024-06-25T23:42:26.000Z Moving can be daunting, but we're here to help. We've been there to help move over pretty sizable sites from Substack to Ghost, including [Lever News](https://levernews.com/?ref=outpost.pub) and [Tangle](https://www.readtangle.com/?ref=outpost.pub). If you are currently publishing a newsletter/subscription-based site on a different publishing system like WordPress, Substack or Patreon, the folks at [Ghost(Pro)](https://ghost.org/?ref=outpost.pub) are masters at content migrations and do it for free for some levels of hosting, when pre-paid annually. But there is more to moving over than just content, especially for larger sites. For sites that want additional help in the migration, including theme choice and modifications, third-party app integrations, and/or guidance on how to make the most of Ghost, Outpost offers affordable transition help and consulting. If you'd like to talk about a possible move to Ghost or getting some help with your planned transition, please drop us a note for a free consultation at info@outpost.pub. --- Image Credit: "Earth" NASA ### The Best Damn Autoresponder for Ghost URL: https://outpost.pub/autoresponder/ Last updated: 2024-06-25T23:38:40.000Z Outpost has the smartest and most comprehensive Autoresponder for Ghost, which takes care of critical subscriber communications for you. Writing the newsletter you send out to subscribers is just one part of your business. You also need to welcome new free subscribers and convince them to become paying subscribers. You need to thank paying subscribers, and those that upgrade from free to paid. And, legally, you need to give them notice that they signed up for a recurring subscription. You need to express appreciation to people that donate or tip, or give gift subscriptions. And, state laws in the USA require that you remind annual users when their subscription is about to be renewed automatically. Outpost's Autoresponder is here to help you with all of that and more, freeing you up to spend more time creating. ## Free Subscriber Welcome/Upsell Flow When you get a new subscriber, make them feel welcome with an Autoresponder message welcoming them to your world. We recommend using these emails to share your story and mission, and links to your best posts. Free members will get a set of drip emails, encouraging them to become paying members. In addition to sharing your story, we also recommend including discount offers in each email. If a free member signs up for a paid plan, the drip emails will stop. Members can also opt-out of getting these emails, without unsubscribing from your Ghost emails. Our Autoresponder will: - Welcome someone who signs up as a paid subscriber without starting as a free member - Welcome a new free subscriber to tell them more about you & encourage them to upgrade - Up to four more (five total) Welcome Flow emails, spread out over time to new free subscribers, encouraging them to become paying members ## Paying Member Welcome Flow Some members skip the part where they start as a free subscriber, which is great. So you should customize your messages to them. Outpost's Autoresponder will: - Thank a new member who went from being unknown to a paying member - Tell someone who is part of a Institutional or Group Subscription that they have been upgraded to Paid privileges ## Paying Member Communications Thanking your supporters goes a long ways towards keeping them. Don't take them for granted. You can customize the messages our Autoresponder sends when you: - Thank a Free member who upgraded to a Monthly or Annual paid plan - Thank a Monthly subscriber who upgraded to an Annual paid plan - Thank an Annual subscriber who renews for another year ## Donations When someone gives you a donation or a tip via Outpost's Donation Button using the Stripe option, Outpost makes sure the reader feels your appreciation: - Thank the donation giver on the site with a customized message - Thank the donation giver again with an email - Notify the site owner of the donation by email Additionally, if the donation comes from a registered subscriber (free or paid), Outpost labels the subscriber in Ghost as a person who donated. That lets you keep track of who donated and even write all members who donated to you. ## Gift Subscriptions (Luna+ Plans Only) Sometimes a supporter will love your work so much they want to gift a subscription to someone they think will love you too. Outpost built features to support this particular kind of support, and you can customize the Autoresponder messages to supporters when you: - Notify the Gift Subscription Recipient that they got a gift and who gave it - Thank the Gift Giver for purchasing a gift subscription - Notify the Gift Giver that the gift subscription ends soon and ask them to give another year - Notify the Gift Subscription recipient that their subscription ends soon and ask them to buy own subscription (if the Gift Giver doesn't renew) ## Retention and Renewal Regular communication with supporters keeps them feeling connected to you, and engaged with your work. Outpost built Autoresponder Action emails that will do this for you, and help you to: - Thank an Annual member who paid for another year - Tell an Annual subscriber who cancels auto-renewal more than 45 days before the end of their subscription that you will write them later to remind them of subscription end date. No special offer is sent at this time. - Ask an Annual subscriber who cancels their subscription with 45 days of renewal to re-consider (includes special offer) - Remind subscriber who cancelled that their subscription ends soon and give them a special offer (2x) ## Complimentary Subscriptions Sometimes you want to give a complimentary subscription to your work, for friends and family or scholarships for those who don't have financial means. Complimentary subscriptions are also great for influencers, journalists, or fellow newsletter writers, collaborators, and guest writers. Outpost helps you manage your complimentary subscriptions, and our Autoresponder will: - Tell someone they got a new complimentary subscription and welcome them - Tell site owner a complimentary subscription is ending soon and give options - Remind site owner a complimentary subscription is ending soon and give options - Tell a complimentary subscriber their free subscription ends soon and encourage them to pay - Remind a complimentary subscriber their free subscription ends soon and encourage them to pay --- Image Credit: "Rose Galaxies" NASA Hubble Telescope ### Grow Your Ghost Newsletter Audience with Outpost URL: https://outpost.pub/grow-your-audience/ Last updated: 2022-12-01T00:36:26.000Z We strongly believe that Kevin Kelly was right that it’s possible to make a good living with [1,000 true fans](https://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/?ref=outpost.pub). Outpost is built to help independent writers, artist, news sites and more find, feed, and connect with their true fans and supporters. We do that both by hooking you and your Ghost site up with great tech, saving you money on external services via bulk buying, and by charging a reasonable flat fee. We help you grow your own newsletter with smart tech we build ourselves that augments the already great capabilities of [Ghost](https://ghost.org/?ref=outpost.pub), such as: - The Best Damn Autoresponder for Ghost which helps convert free subscribers to paid ones and retain paid ones – and saves you time by automating the business communication stuff. - Intelligent CTAs that show different messages to new readers, free registered readers, monthly subscribers, and annual subscribers. Once readers are paying you, Outpost provides opportunities for your existing readers to support you further. A no-commission Tip Jar and gift subscriptions, FTW! We also make it seamless to connect to other tech providers AND getting you bulk rate discounts on those services. For instance, our base level includes a quick and easy integration with Plausible Analytics, a privacy-respecting replacement for Google Analytics. That helps you see what's working on your site, and what you should improve on. You get that AND all our other base services for less than the cost of Plausible Analytics on its own. Publishers on our Luna plan also get wickedly smart internal content recommendations via [Contextly](https://contextly.com/?ref=outpost.pub), which uses machine learning smarts to help readers discover your best content, whether that's related, popular or evergreen. This service also comes at deep discount. That's because Outpost isn't a venture capital-funded company looking to become worth a billion dollars and make rich people even richer. Instead, Outpost is a member services cooperative, which uses bulk-buying power to get and negotiate discounts for our member publishers. Unlike nearly all the other subscription services out there, we charge a flat fee, just like Ghost (the underlying CMS for publishers using Outpost). We're not taking 12%, 10% or even 5% percent of your money (we're looking at you Substack, Patreon, Memberful and Pico). We don't do that because unlike each of those companies we don't have make to Wall Street or billionaire investors even richer. We believe as a independent site, you should keep as much of your money as possible, while we, as a cooperative designed to build services for publishers, charge enough to build new features and maintain great software for you. We do all that without any tech that locks you in to using us. Our mission is to be the smarts that you pair with your Ghost site, allowing you to thrive on the best and most-open subscription-driven CMS. ### How Outpost Helps Publishers Make More Money URL: https://outpost.pub/make-money/ Last updated: 2022-09-06T22:39:55.000Z Outpost is a new kind of publishing system for independent media, founded on four simple ideas: 1. Indie media publishers should keep as much of their revenue as possible and should not be making billionaires even richer. 2. Indie media publishers should have great software. 3. Most current platforms for independent media creators are exploitative, hard-to-use, or too limited. 4. Indie media publishers should have a say in the software they use and benefit from its success. Outpost is a publishing system that helps independent and small teams of writers, journalists, artists, teachers, and more run a membership-driven media business. Outpost is not a new Content Management System like Wordpress. Outpost is built on top of and alongside the outstanding open-source [Ghost CMS](https://ghost.io/?ref=outpost.pub), which has native tools for creating posts, sending out posts as newsletters, signing up members and member payment tools. Outpost does not host sites; instead, nearly all our sites use [Ghost(Pro)](https://ghost.org/pricing/?ref=outpost.pub), run by the non-profit that builds Ghost, to host their site. But we believe a great and wickedly fast CMS is just the start of what's needed to run a great indie media publication. While each small media business is different, all of them require some mix of additional tools to help with creation, distribution, customer service, user communication, community, audience retention, and audience growth. That’s where Outpost comes in. Outpost is built by a team that, for a decade, has been running and building ethical media tech ([Contextly](https://contextly.com/?ref=outpost.pub)). We're building Outpost on what we learned from building Contextly and what frustrated us about publishing tools and publishing models that incentivized bad reader experiences. Outpost is also a co-operative, officially registered in California as Outpost Publishers Cooperative. Outpost is not and never will be funded by venture capitalists who demand that the companies the fund grow as fast as possible. That means Outpost is built to serve your needs. It'll never get sold for a quick buck as Outpost’s bylaws bar selling out. You have a voice in what gets built, services are provided at the best prices possible, and, when feasible, Outpost profits get returned to you at the end of the year as a rebate. That said, being part of a cooperative doesn't mean you have to go to meetings, and no one gets to tell you how to run your site. We’ve built Outpost with our own funds (called boot-strapping). Our business model is simple; we provide great service, get paid for that, and grow with customer revenue. That said, we are open to innovative, non-dilutive financing options. ### Outpost Supercharges Your Ghost Newsletter with Smart Tech Integrations URL: https://outpost.pub/tech-integrations/ Last updated: 2024-06-25T23:41:24.000Z # Outpost Report Every day, we send you an Outpost Report email that lets you know how many new subscribers you have, how many started paying, donations, how many canceled, and an overview of the action emails we sent on your behalf. These reports are continually expanding to give you a daily view into how your site is performing. # Plausible Analytics We use [Plausible Analytics](https://plausible.io/?ref=outpost.pub) to measure page views and engagement on your website. It’s like Google Analytics, only they don’t report your data back to a billion-dollar company. They are an independent, successful small company, and our group buying power makes it possible for you to use their services for a fraction of the cost you’d pay if you signed up yourself. On a pragmatic note, many people now block Google Analytics, which gives you a less-full picture of what’s actually happening on your site, and recent rulings in the EU find that [Google Analytics is illegal.](https://isgoogleanalyticsillegal.com/?ref=outpost.pub) # Contextly We use another cookie-less analytics system for the Luna tier and above called [Contextly](https://contextly.com/?ref=outpost.pub) to provide multiple recommendation modules on your site that give readers ways to read related posts from your site, as well as seeing your most popular and evergreen content. Studies show that when readers read more than one post from a site at a time, they are far more likely to return in the future. While primarily a recommendations system to help readers read more of your work, Contextly also provides daily and weekly reports to your inbox that give you a sense of how your site is doing generally, what your best-performing posts are, where your traffic is coming from, and even which of your categories are most popular. Many people find that getting a report is far more useful than visiting a dashboard. # Member-Only Comments Member-only comments not only give people a reason to become a supporting subscriber, they also allow you to have a healthy dialogue. That means your comment section won’t get over-run with spam or drive-by haters, allowing you to build a community without spending hours per week moderating and dealing with abuse from anonymous trolls. # Responsive User Buttons We allow you to put customizable buttons on your site that show different messages to different kinds of readers. Free readers see a message to subscribe to your email list, logged in free subscribers get a prompt to join as a supporting subscriber, monthly subscribers are prompted to upgrade to an annual account, and annual users see a message to give a donation or give a gift subscription. Additionally, there’s a version that only shows prompt messages to unknown and free readers, while showing nothing to your paid readers, so you can reward your paying readers with a better reading experience. --- Image Credit: "Andromeda Galaxy" NASA-JPL/Caltech ### Outpost's Group Buying Power Saves You Money URL: https://outpost.pub/group-buying-power/ Last updated: 2024-06-25T23:41:58.000Z Outpost is a publishers cooperative, and we use our group buying power to get deep discounts on tech services for each of our members. Our entry-level rate for all our services, including Plausible and Contextly, is less than you would pay for Plausible alone on your own. --- Image Credit: "Barred Galaxy" ESA/Hubble & NASA, J. DalcantonA ### Outpost Lets Your Readers Donate via a Tip Jar Button URL: https://outpost.pub/tip-jar-button-for-ghost/ Last updated: 2024-06-25T23:38:24.000Z # Outpost's Tip Jar for Ghost Outpost lets you accept donations of any amount from readers via Stripe and Paypal. This lets your most loyal readers support you even more, and allows you to collect one-off donations from occasional readers. Publications find that this is more than nice, it actually provides a substantial new revenue stream without any extra work. A number of our sites collect more in donations alone than they pay for our services. Recently, a publication received a $10,000 donation! We don't take a percentage, letting you keep all the money donated via the Tip Jar. Feel free to try it out! [Tip Jar](https://outpostpublishingcoopcom.outpost.pub/public/donate?ref=outpost.pub#/donate) --- Image Credit: "Cosmic Foil" NASA ### Outpost Support Options URL: https://outpost.pub/outpost-support/ Last updated: 2022-09-02T21:50:57.000Z With our basic plan, Space Station, we're here to give advice and help you get started. With the Luna plan or higher, we can also provide one-time help to move over your existing newsletter or site with a custom theme to Ghost, and additionally, provide support for all Luna features, including the tech we integrate. If you want a more full relationship, with help customizing your theme or integrating new tech, have marketing strategy calls, or even help with your email (all around swiss army knife tech help) this is found in our Terraform Plan. Clients can get help by writing us at support@outpost.pub. If you are interested in help moving your subscription-based site or newsletter from Substack/WordPress/Patreon or any other platform or if you want on-demand, all-around help with your Ghost site, drop us a note at info@outpost.pub. ### Save Time and Money URL: https://outpost.pub/save-time-and-money/ Last updated: 2022-09-06T22:12:23.000Z Outpost makes production, distribution and the business of running a membership-driven site as simple as possible, so sites can spend as much time as possible writing, drawing, podcasting, etc., and less time on administration. To make that possible, Outpost provides power tools for member communication, customer retention, subscriber growth, promotions, analytics, and connections to outside tools. Outpost works exclusively with [Ghost](https://ghost.io/?ref=outpost.pub) as the underlying CMS. Ghost is an open-source CMS that has powerful tools for posting content, sending newsletters, signing up free and/or paid members, and more. It's wickedly fast, built on modern technology, and has a great editor for writing. Ghost the company offers a top-tier hosting service called Ghost(Pro) that includes the price of sending out newsletters, and we **strongly** recommend it for all Outpost customers not already using it. Outpost builds on Ghost's powerful system to help member-driven publishers run as smoothly as possible, growing their business while spending less time on the business-y tasks. Outpost is a *publishing system* and a *publisher cooperative*. That's because when you start a paid website/newsletter, you are actually launching a publishing business, where writing or drawing is only part of the job. To help you run the business, Outpost's publishing system includes: - A modern, fast website that is membership-centered with flexible publishing tools (powered by Ghost, typically hosted on Ghost(Pro)) - An enhanced membership management system - A system for sending out different newsletters to different tiers of users (without having duplicative posts show up on your homepage) - A system for collecting, creating and handling payments, discount offers, gift subscriptions, and tips, on your site and off (Ghost has monthly/annual plans built in via Stripe) - A way to write members and select groups of members directly without sending a newsletter or writing a post - Smart recommendations to more of your own content on your posts - A default comment system tied to membership levels - Automated connections to other services for community building - Automated communications (aka Auto-responders) to convert free users to paid ones and keep paid ones paying (MBA-types call this customer retention and customer conversion,) - Analytics that tell you what you need to know with both a dashboard and smart email reports - Support for your site and business (Access to both Ghost(Pro) and Outpost support) Outpost's publisher cooperative model means every client is a member: - Outpost's mission is to help its members build their businesses - Outpost can't be sold without members' permission (which basically means never) - Outpost uses its collective size to get group and volume discounts on third-party services, including email services to write subscribers directly and analytics - Outpost members get a say in what we build - Outpost members get to support each other and share tips and tricks - When Outpost makes more money than it costs to run the business and pay fair wages, the excess gets returned to members as a rebate ### Why is Outpost a Cooperative? URL: https://outpost.pub/outpost-cooperative/ Last updated: 2024-01-03T22:33:27.000Z Outpost is built by a team that, for a decade, has been running and building ethical media tech ([**Contextly**](https://contextly.com/?ref=outpost.pub)), which provides smart content recommendations for publishers. You know those awful "You Might Like" ads at the end of news stories that pretend to be recommendations but are just low-grade ads for feet fungus creams, belly-fat pills or clickbait content? ![Screenshot of terrible Outbrain ads](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/09/2169782E-E594-4362-88EE-7E95F789F13D.jpeg) We're the opposite of this noise That's where Contextly appears as well, but it shows the opposite: real, data-driven recommendations to a site's own good stories: ![Screenshot of Contextly’s recommendation system](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/09/E0DFBFB9-A9FB-470E-AC41-2EE48E748B4F.jpeg) Example of Outpost curated recommendations on a post about watches We're building Outpost on what we learned from building Contextly and what frustrated us about publishing tools and publishing models that incentivize bad reader experiences like those chum boxes. Outpost is also a member-services cooperative, officially registered in California as Outpost Publishers Cooperative. That means that our mission is to provide services to our member publishers at a lower cost than if they were doing so on their own. This also means that members (e.g. customers) have voting rights to prevent Outpost from being flipped to some giant company that will then jack up the prices or shut down the service. Member services cooperatives are fairly common. REI is perhaps the best known one, but there are also industry (rather than consumer-focused) ones like Ace Hardware, the Associated Press, and Ocean Spray that work to help their members (e.g. bulk discounts for individual Ace Hardware store owners, international and national coverage for newspapers that are AP members, and unified marketing/selling for cranberry farmer-members of Ocean Spray). Outpost members get automatic group discounts on outside technology, such as Plausible.io's web analytics and Contextly's intelligent on-site content recommendations for readers, with negotiated rates at a fraction of what it would cost sites to sign up individually. As for funding, Outpost is not and never will be funded by venture capitalists or investors that seek to have control. These kinds of investors typically demand that the companies they fund grow as fast as possible using whatever means possible, and if they don't see growth super-fast, they use their control to oust those who won't engage in dark patterns or deceptive practices. We've been independent and bootstrapped since day one, and make enough money now to cover costs and salary. That's not to say Outpost won't ever raise outside capital, but it does mean we'll never do so in a way that could compromise our mission and ethics. That means Outpost is built to serve your needs as an independent publisher. Each active client gets an equal vote in crucial company matters. That it'll never get sold for a quick buck as Outpost’s bylaws bar us from selling the company to a for-profit entity without member permission. You also have a voice in what gets built, services are provided at the best prices possible, and, when feasible, Outpost profits get returned to you at the end of the year as a rebate. ### Outpost Features URL: https://outpost.pub/features/ Last updated: 2026-04-30T23:34:05.000Z # Space Station Space Station is a great plan to start with if you're just launching a Ghost site, and want to explore the world of subscriptions and member management, or already have some subscribers. At this level, we provide these features: - [The Best Damn Autoresponder for Ghost](https://outpost.pub/autoresponder/) - [Welcome Flow Emails](https://outpost.pub/welcome-flow-emails) - [Tip Jar](https://outpost.pub/tip-button/) - [Inactive Member Cleanup](https://outpost.pub/member-cleanup/) - [Outpost Reports](https://outpost.pub/reports) - [Plausible Analytics](https://outpost.pub/plausible-analytics/) - [Failed Payment Retention Flow Emails](https://outpost.pub/failed-payment-retention-flow-emails/) - [Member Management](https://outpost.pub/ghost-member-management) - [Discount Offers](https://outpost.pub/discount-offers) # Voyager Voyager is the plan best for most sites. It's got more powerful growth and conversion tools that are easy to get running with. It's a **quick, self-serve plan** — no onboarding call required — and it's available on **monthly or yearly** billing so you can start right away. **Everything in the Space Station plan is included in the Voyager plan, plus:** - [Autodisplay: Dynamic Pop-ups & User-level Aware CTAs](https://outpost.pub/autodisplay/) - [User-level Aware Upgrade Buttons](https://outpost.pub/intelligent-upgrade-button) - [Group Subscriptions](https://outpost.pub/new-feature-group-subscription/) - [Institutional Subscriptions](https://outpost.pub/institutional-subscriptions) - [Gift Subscriptions](https://outpost.pub/gift-subscriptions/) - [Trending Posts Section](https://outpost.pub/trending-posts/) - [Gated PDFs (Lead Magnets for Ghost)](https://outpost.pub/gated-pdfs/) - [Metered Paywalls](https://outpost.pub/metered-registration-wall-paywall/) - [Podcast Integration: Transistor.fm](https://outpost.pub/transistor-fm-podcast-integration/) - [Tip Jar In Your Theme](https://outpost.pub/tip-button/) - [Theme Hosting on Github](https://outpost.pub/theme-hosting-on-github) - [Events posts for Ghost](https://outpost.pub/event-posts/) - Some Labs features # Luna Luna is the plan for publishers who want all the best tools, including really smart internal recommendations. Since Luna requires a small amount of help from Outpost to set up, it is **yearly-billing only** for smaller sites (we don't charge a setup fee). It does not include a free trial. **Everything in the Space Station and Voyager plans is included in the Luna plan, plus:** - Group Subscriptions sent by invoice (VAT calculations included) - [Intelligent Internal Content Recommendations by Contextly](https://outpost.pub/contextly) - Advanced Integrations - All our Labs features - [Migration Assistance](https://outpost.pub/user-migration) # Terraform If you are a multi-person newsletter, a budding media company with lots of moving pieces, or a small to medium-size newsroom, and you want all-around tech support, operational help, and/or strategic planning, the Terraform plan is for you. We can create a customized support plan around your specific needs and growth goals. Everything in the Space Station, Voyager, and Luna plans is included, plus: - [Theme Customization](https://outpost.pub/theme-customization) - [Custom Feature Development](https://outpost.pub/custom-feature-development) - [Total Tech Support](https://outpost.pub/total-tech-support) - [Custom Integrations](https://outpost.pub/custom-integrations) - [Scheduled Marketing and Strategy Sessions](https://outpost.pub/scheduled-marketing-and-strategy-sessions) # Enterprise If you're an established media company looking to add newsletters to your offerings, who wants to move to a platform centered on memberships, or are a new media company launching an innovative, customized membership-focussed site, Outpost can help you push the limits. Everything in the other plans is included, plus: - [Custom Theme Development](https://outpost.pub/custom-theme-development) - [Custom Feature Development](https://outpost.pub/ghost-custom-feature) # Curious? [Check out our pricing](https://outpost.pub/pricing). We're a publishers cooperative that charges a flat fee, not a percentage of your revenue like Substack or Patreon. Plus, you keep all of your tips and donations, because we never take a cut. ### Gift Subscriptions for Ghost URL: https://outpost.pub/gift-subscriptions/ Last updated: 2024-06-25T23:40:51.000Z Sometimes a supporter will love your work so much they want to gift a subscription to someone they think will love you too. Outpost built features to support and manage gift subscriptions, including autoresponder messages to do the work of communication for you. ![Screenshot of confirmation page after buying a gift subscription](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/09/303505D4-68DA-40FF-8DDC-115F93D377AF.jpeg) Just the start of our automatic communication with your subscribers You can set a gift subscription price, gift subscription renewal price for the person who gave the gift subscription, and special offer for people with gift subscriptions that expire. You can also let subscribers buy a gift subscription ahead of time, for a birthday or holiday, and have the gift subscription start on that day. ![Screenshot of Outpost’s Gift Subscription page](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/09/575D8C77-8338-4C9C-90B8-4ED6ADC1BC3C.jpeg) Users can easily choose when they want subscription to start Doing gift subscriptions on your own is very complicated and Outpost handles it all: - Thank you notes to the gift subscription buyer - Notifications when a scheduled gift subscription is sent - A comprehensive system for handling when gift subscriptions are about to expire, including ways to let the gift giver give again, or to let the gift recipient to pay for their own extension. This works seamelessly with Stripe, and both gift givers and gift receivers are labeled in Ghost. That way you can easily see all the people who have given gift subscriptions, and all the people that have been given gift subscriptions, and if you want you can write either group directly from Ghost. ![Screenshot of Stripe payment page](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/09/F9C413C1-7132-4745-8783-A8B6D118E142.jpeg) Stripe makes it seamless! If their info is saved they won't even have to do this step --- Image Credit: "Aurora over Idaho" NASA/Bill Dunford ### Outpost’s Tip Jar for Ghost URL: https://outpost.pub/tip-button/ Last updated: 2024-08-16T03:51:15.000Z Outpost built a Tip Jar feature that allows anyone to tip Ghost newsletter sites, which has led to some pretty sizeable donations! Some sites make more in their virtual Tip Jar on their Ghost site and newsletter than they pay Outpost for all of our features. One site got a $10,000 donation! Outpost does not take a percentage or a fee, so you keep all the money people donate (excluding Stripe or Paypal fees). For sites on our **Luna plan**, the Tip Jar runs in a page on your site, like the button below. [Tip Jar](https://outpost.pub/tip-jar) For sites on the **Space Station plan**, the Tip Jar page loads externally (since we can't modify your theme or run content inside it). Here's what that looks like: [Tip Jar](https://outpostpublishingcoopcom.outpost.pub/public/donate?ref=outpost.pub#/donate) People can donate via Stripe or Paypal, and if people are on mobile, Stripe allows people to use GooglePay or ApplePay. People can tip as much or as little as they want, you don't need to set the amount ahead of time. We have custom buttons that you can put in your emails, in your posts, and on your homepage. The tip jar button inherits the color from your Ghost site, though if you have familiarity with HTML/CSS, you can change the color. Or you can just link anywhere on your site or in your emails to your Tip Jar. For Stripe, these tips get added into your account labeled as donations, and won't affect your recurring revenue statistics. For Paypal, it depends. If you have a Paypal Business account and connect that, it's treated the same as Stripe, meaning Outpost can see the donation and do all the cool stuff. If you don't have or can't get a PayPal Business account, you can use a Personal PayPal account and get donations, but Outpost can't see the donations, so can't do the cool stuff. Both Space Station and Luna plan members can use the PayPal Business connection, and we highly recommend upgrading your PayPal or getting a [PayPal Business account](https://www.paypal.com/bizsignup/?ref=outpost.pub#/checkAccount) if you can. ### What's the cool stuff Outpost Does with the Tip Jar? When people tip via Stripe or a PayPal Business Account: - We let the donation giver send you a message - We show the donation giver a customizable thank you message on the page - We email the donation giver to thank them even more profusely - We send a message to you (including the optional message from the donation giver to let you know about the donation - If the giver is a member, we label them in Ghost as a donation giver and include details in their profile about the donation. That means you can easily send an email to people who donated previously to ask them to donate again, or export a list of donation givers for any other purpose - We include details about the donations in your reports and keep track of donations for you over time Like this feature? Give us a tip to try it out or simply [sign up for a no credit card-required free trial](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub#/)! 😸 [Tip Jar](https://outpost.pub/tip-jar) --- Image Credit: NASA ### Outpost Reports URL: https://outpost.pub/reports/ Last updated: 2024-08-16T04:05:58.000Z We'll send you a daily report that lets you know all the crucial information about how your site is doing. This puts all the information you need to know into your inbox, so you don't have to go and check three different dashboards to figure out what's going on with your site. Every day, we send you an Outpost Report email that lets you know how many new subscribers you have, how many started paying, donations, how many canceled, and an overview of the autoresponder action emails we sent on your behalf. These reports are continually expanding to give you a daily view into how your site is performing. --- Image Credit: NASA ### Contextly URL: https://outpost.pub/contextly/ Last updated: 2024-06-25T23:37:34.000Z We use another cookie-less analytics system for the Luna tier and above called [Contextly](https://contextly.com/?ref=outpost.pub) to provide multiple recommendation modules on your site that give readers ways to read related posts from your site, as well as seeing your most popular and evergreen content. Studies show that when readers read more than one post from a site at a time, they are far more likely to return in the future. While primarily a recommendations system to help readers read more of your work, Contextly also provides daily and weekly reports to your inbox that give you a sense of how your site is doing generally, what your best-performing posts are, where your traffic is coming from, and even which of your categories are most popular. Many people find that getting a report is far more useful than visiting a dashboard. --- Image Credit: "Starburst" ESA/Webb, NASA & CSA, A. Adamo (Stockholm University) and the FEAST JWST team ## Posts ### Release 3.2.3: Safe and Precise Landing URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-2-3-safe-and-precise-landing/ Last updated: 2026-09-24T18:36:56.000Z This is largely about renewal reminders, making sure everyone who should get one does get one. And then a little bit about event links, also making sure everyone who should get one gets one, and those who shouldn't shan't. Plus fixes and improvements to a drone package-size campaign and checkout issues. Renewal reminders, event links, and some group renewal tweaks | 3 ADDED 4 CHANGED 6 FIXED 2 IMPROVED | | ------------------------------------ | | | | | ## Highlights | 🔔 Renewal reminders reach everyone who should get one Renewal reminders to subscribers aren't just the right thing to do; they are legally required in many places. We found a couple of places where these reminders might not be sent out, and did ye olde tightening on them. | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | | | 🔒 Event links for the people (who registered) The join link for an online event, such as a Zoom link, could be found on the event page by clever people who hadn't registered. It's now hidden until someone registers. If you haven't added a link, registered attendees see a notice on the event page saying it will appear there before the event starts, and you can edit the wording of that notice. Event emails say the same thing instead of leaving a blank where the link should be. | | | | | | ADDED 3 items 🔁 Renewal reminders that failed to send on the set day are now sent the next day ⏳ Event pages now have a notice (with wording you can edit) telling registered attendees that the online join link will appear there before the event starts. This happens until you add the join link in the event settings. 📨 Event emails also now say the join link will be on the event page if you haven't added it yet, instead of leaving a blank spot in the email | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | | | CHANGED 4 items 📬 Renewal reminders, card-expiration warnings, and payment receipts go to all members, including those who opted out of promotional email ✉️ Account emails are exempt from the daily sending limit on new sites, so a new site's renewal notices go out no matter what 🎟️ Free trial offers on the Outpost checkout page are now for new subscribers only, and an existing subscriber clicking on one will instead see a note pointing them to their account settings 👥 Group subscription members now keep their paid podcast and streaming access for three days after dropping to free, which leaves time for a switch to a different group, insitutional or personal sub without losing privileges in the meantime | | | | FIXED 6 items 🔒 Fixed an event's join link being visible on the event page to people who hadn't registered 📦 Fixed an edge case bug where a reader associated with an old offer could hit an error on the shipping address step of checkout 🔔 Fixed renewal reminders not being sent when Outpost couldn't look up the member's plan in Stripe 🧾 Fixed the welcome email and new-purchase notice being sent again on every paid invoice (e.g. a renewal) instead of only the first invoice 💳 Fixed error where an old discount could stay on a subscription after the member moves to an offer with no discount 🎚️ Fixed the campaign On/Off switch staying flipped when the campaign had errors and nothing was saved | | | | IMPROVED 2 items 🏷️ Now when you launch an event campaigns from an event, the campaign gets autofilled with both a name and a slug (the slug wasn't there before) 🔗 Clearer warnings when a campaign or autoresponder email links, in a way that won't work, to a Ghost offer, with steps you can follow in order to fix it | ### Recap: Outpost Office Hours September 2026 with new events demo URL: https://outpost.pub/recap-outpost-office-hours-september-2026-with-new-events-demo/ Last updated: 2026-09-24T15:12:09.000Z You know you need Outpost for your Ghost publication, but you're wondering if you could get more out of it. To help publishers, we hold Office Hours where we share what's new inside Outpost and take questions about growing your publication. ​In our September 2026 Office Hours, Outpost co-founder Ryan Singel joined us to share what the team has been shipping and to answer pressing questions. He also demo-ed the new events feature which you can [see in action on our website](https://outpost.pub/events). Ryan works closely with publishers to implement best practices for paid subscriptions, and he's extremely knowledgeable about how to grow a member-backed media business. Read his tips and his answers to publisher questions below. ## Watch the recording Your browser does not support the video tag. ## Highlights from what Outpost has shipped recently **Campaigns** - Added safeguards so publishers can't accidentally send broken upgrade links (e.g., copy-pasted Ghost links that don't work for existing paying subscribers). Outpost now warns you and forces you to use its own link system, which auto-rewrites links per recipient. - Campaigns are best used for money-focused, one-off sends (Black Friday, upgrade pushes, free-to-paid conversion), not general announcements, which Ghost email-only sends are best for. - Campaigns are treated as marketing emails, so marketing opt-outs are respected. - Learn more about [Campaigns](https://documentation.outpost.pub/features/email-campaigns?ref=outpost.pub#email-campaigns) [![Outpost campaign feature](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-23-at-11.50.45---AM.png)](https://documentation.outpost.pub/features/email-campaigns?ref=outpost.pub#email-campaigns) Outpost campaign feature **Theme Connect Wizard** - Simplified reconnecting a theme after edits. It no longer requires sending files to the Outpost team manually. Just download your theme from Ghost, upload it to Outpost, and it pushes the changes back. - An advanced option (found under the carrot toggle) lets technical users connect directly via an Outpost-hosted GitHub repo that you can use to make theme changes instead. - Only needed when switching themes or if Outpost flags your theme as disconnected. - Learn more about the [Theme Connect Wizard](https://documentation.outpost.pub/getting-started/theme-connect-wizard?ref=outpost.pub) [![Theme Connect Wizard](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-23-at-11.49.53---AM.png)](https://documentation.outpost.pub/getting-started/theme-connect-wizard?ref=outpost.pub) Theme Connect Wizard **Gift Subscriptions** - New messaging flow: gift recipients now get distinct messages for an *extension* vs. the *original* gift, plus a nudge to self-purchase if the giver doesn't renew. - Pricing (initial, renewal, and recipient self-pay price) is now centralized in one settings location instead of scattered across templates. - Tip: export gift subscription messages periodically — they're a nice morale boost (real readers explaining why they value your work). - Good to promote via social, footer/nav links, CTAs, and product cards in newsletters, especially heading into the holidays — though gift subs are more of a "nice bonus" than a major revenue driver. - Learn more about [gift subscriptions](https://documentation.outpost.pub/features/gift-subscriptions?ref=outpost.pub#gift-subscriptions) [![Gift subscription communications](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-23-at-11.45.38---AM.png)](https://documentation.outpost.pub/features/gift-subscriptions?ref=outpost.pub#gift-subscriptions) Gift subscription communications **Group Subscriptions** - Minimum group is now automatically defaulted to two. - Direct sales (reaching out to businesses/organizations, invoicing with net-30 terms) are more effective than the self-serve group signup page. - Underused feature: you can add a "friends & family" benefit to a high-tier plan, letting that subscriber give away a group subscription automatically. Fully automated welcome/invite comms are included. Find this under "Add Benefit to Existing Tier" in the Group Subscription options. - Learn more about [Group Subscriptions](https://documentation.outpost.pub/features/group-subscriptions?ref=outpost.pub) ![Group subscription options](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-23-at-5.40.37---PM.png) Group subscription options **Upgrade/Tier-change Promotions** - Ghost doesn't natively support offering upgrades (e.g., 30% off annual) to existing paid subscribers. - Outpost ensures tier or billing-frequency changes never result in the publisher losing money (prorates credit, defers negative-value changes to the end of the current term). - Recommended use case: send monthly subscribers annual upgrade offers, especially at cancellation. Annual subscribers tend to be worth more long-term. - Learn more about [Outpost promotions](https://documentation.outpost.pub/features/promotions?ref=outpost.pub) ## New Events Feature (Beta) Outpost has a new events feature in Beta where you can add in-person and onlin events to your site and have members register in one click. The system keeps all the event data in your Ghost system and is member-level and registration-level aware. In less fancy terms, that means that when a free member who is logged in sees an event on your site, there is a one-click button for them to register. When they come back to the site and see that event, whether on the homepage, your events page or the event's own page, they'll see that they are registered. This is intended for your events, not to be a community calendar. Outpost isn't replacing the tool you use for online events; you'll still need to use Zoom or Meet or whatever, but it replaces everything else. You can control whether events are for free+paid members or just paid members, and you have an entire communication system right inside Outpost for registering and reminding your readers. - A full events calendar/RSVP system built into Ghost sites via Outpost, replacing the old static "Event Creator" tool (which is being phased out). - Readers can one-click RSVP anywhere the event appears (event page, individual post, homepage); free vs. paid-only gating is supported (a way to drive free-to-paid upgrades). - Event creation lives in Outpost; it auto-generates/updates a matching Ghost post, so publishers don't have to build the post manually, but still have lots of control over what the content of the event post is. - Event types (webinar, in-person, conference, etc.) are theme-defined, so custom fields/templates can differ per type; Events setup does require some theme work. - Automated communications throughout: confirmation emails, customizable reminder emails (up to two), calendar-add links, event-change/cancellation notifications, and a post-event wrap-up email. - Campaign integration: sending an "announce this event" campaign auto-pulls event details, and recipients can register with one click straight from the email; already-registered people are automatically excluded from repeat asks. - Currently Luna-tier only (may expand to Voyager later) - If you want to try the events feature, reach out to Outpost to get set up! It requires a little theme work to go live. ## Questions from publishers **Question: Can you use campaigns to build up to events?** Yes, there's a tool inside each event that lets you launch a campaign for that event with a pre-written template. You can also start in the Campaigns, and add a Register button, which then puts a Campaign into event mode. **Question: How do you make sure people get on your list when they RSVP?** You have to be a member to RSVP (free or paid). Non-members are prompted to sign up first, so it also works as a list-growth tool. Events can also be restricted to paid-only members as an upgrade incentive. **Question: Is the events feature only available on the Luna tier?** Yes, for now. It may eventually move to Voyager once the team has ironed out support needs, but it starts as Luna-only. **Question: For RSVPs, can you collect additional data or fields?** Not currently, though you could ask for info in the confirmation email as a workaround. This may change soon. **Question: Can you charge for events yet?** Not yet — it's the most requested feature and is planned (likely version 2.1/2.2), starting with online/paid events before expanding to in-person ticketing (with QR codes eventually). A bridge option to let you have some of your events link registration out to third-party ticketing (e.g., Eventbrite) for paid events is coming sooner. **Question: If we already use an internal "events" hashtag/tag, will it conflict with Outpost's events tag?** No, the default event tag is customizable in your events settings. **Question: Can events be limited by tier (not just free vs. paid)?** Not yet, but definitely on the roadmpa. **Question: I use Ghost.org and want to set up multiple email sequences or educational email courses — can I do this with Outpost's advanced automations?** Yes, likely with Advanced autoresponder. Trigger a labeled tag on a member (e.g., via a button click), then build an automation targeting that label with a timed sequence of emails. **Question: Can I connect Transistor (podcast host) directly to publish podcast episodes as Ghost posts?** Yes, there are two separate Transistor integrations: one for publishing episodes automatically as site posts, and a separate one for a private/membership podcast feed tied to specific subscriber tiers. Sync status indicators were also recently added to Outpost's Transistor integration. *(Event summary compiled with the help of an LLM)* --- ## Join us for our next live session We host regular live events about new Outpost features and how to get the most out of our tool. Check out the calendar and join us! [View upcoming events](https://outpost.pub/events/) ### Release 3.22.2: A new class of objects URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-22-2-a-new-class-of-objects/ Last updated: 2026-09-23T05:54:20.000Z Events need people to know about them in order for an event to be an event. So we made it easier to send event announcement campaigns with a one-click RSVP, and to track how many people RSVPed. You can call this release an event. Also we're beta-testing letting folks use email codes as their 2FA, instead of SMS or an authentication app. | 7 ADDED 2 IMPROVED 2 FIXED | | -------------------------- | | | | | ## Highlights | 🎟️ Event announcement campaigns made simple When you start a campaign from an event, Outpost now opens a pre-written announcement email that's ready to edit. And a single or multiple email campaign excludes those who are already registered or register before the next send. That way the people who signed up last week don't get a "save your seat" email for a seat they already have. | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | 📊 Registrations in your campaign stats Campaign stats for an event now show different stats from a usual campaign. The stats show registrations next to opens and clicks, so you can see how well the campaing did. Also now a click also counts as an open. A reader who clicked a link has clearly opened the email, even if their email app blocked the open from being recorded. | | | | 🔐 Sign-in codes by email (by request for now) Outpost can now set up an account's two-factor sign-in to get their code by email, replacing the SMS or authenticator app option. The verification screens have also been redesigned so every step looks the same. | | | | | | ADDED 7 items 🔐 Two-factor sign-in codes sent by email for flagged accounts, replacing SMS or an authenticator app 💾 Save and Turn On buttons in the email and ad campaign editors to reduce confusion about what save means 📅 A link to the event page in every calendar link on an event page 📊 Event registrations show in campaign stats for campaigns with event links, with clicks now counted as opens 📣 A ready-to-edit announcement email when you start a campaign from an event 🎟️ An option to leave already-registered members out of event campaigns 🌍 Translated month names in dates shown in reader emails | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | IMPROVED 2 items 🎨 Redesigned two-factor verification pages with cleaner, consistent styling ⏱️ Podcast and YouTube imports now check for new episodes more often | | | | FIXED 2 items 🎙️ Fixed Transistor episodes being imported without their embedded player, and Refresh now adds it to episodes you've already imported 🔑 Fixed changed PodBean credentials not being used until the old sign-in expired | ### Release 3.22.1: View Progess on the Solid URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-22-1-view-progess-on-the-solid/ Last updated: 2026-09-22T04:37:15.000Z Smol release. Imagine us in the image above saying we tightened that screw, and polished that bolt over there. I mean it's a bit more than that, but you get the idea. | 2 FIXED 2 IMPROVED | | ------------------ | | | | | | FIXED 2 items ♾️ Fixed lifetime complimentary subscriptions being given the wrong end date 🏷️ Fixed the Outpost Promotions and Ghost Offers pages listing redemption caps, which promotions don't have yet | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | | | IMPROVED 2 items 🎙️ Podcast and YouTube imports now check each site on its own and keep a record of what's already imported, and YouTube checks use less of our daily allowance 🖼️ A site logo you remove now stays removed, even after you refresh site settings from Ghost | ### Join us for Outpost Office Hours on Weds and get a sneak peek of our new feature! URL: https://outpost.pub/join-us-for-outpost-office-hours-on-weds-and-get-a-sneak-peek-of-our-new-feature/ Last updated: 2026-09-21T16:30:52.000Z We’re back with Outpost Office Hours this month! You can ask all your questions about our latest features, how to use Outpost to grow your publication and what works for other publishers. PLUS! We are releasing our new integrated events feature soon, and you'll get a live demo! You'll be able to add events to your site, allowing free or paid members to register with their existing accounts. You'll get a demo of how to use the feature in this session. ### Wednesday, September 23 at 12pm Pacific/3pm Eastern/8pm BST ***Outpost Office Hours + Peek at Outpost's New Events Feature! (Free)*** Come hear about what's new inside Outpost and ask your questions about using it to grow your publication. [Register FREE](https://outpost.pub/events/outpost-office-hours-peek-at-outposts-new-events-feature-free/) [![Outpost Office Hours, Plus get a peek at Outpost's new events feature](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2026/09/FAzZyzzkZG7Q5if3CBD5umKjxwXojCoIXNCSSGua-1-1.jpg)](https://outpost.pub/events/outpost-office-hours-peek-at-outposts-new-events-feature-free/) ​All our sessions are recorded and, if you register, you’ll receive the recap via email. Hope to see you there! —Ryan and the Outpost team P.S. Catch the recording from our last session [Why Isn’t My Welcome Flow Converting?!](https://luma.link/wP5I2Gg8rw?ref=outpost.pub) ### Release 3.22: Activity Remains Relatively Mild URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-22-activity-remains-relatively-mild/ Last updated: 2026-09-17T22:26:22.000Z It's still technically summer. Some minor fixes, some upgrades, and some preparation. Just don't call it fall yet. Little improvements here and there, events get an easy way to RSVP, and more data stuff | 4 ADDED 6 CHANGED 3 FIXED 7 IMPROVED | | ------------------------------------ | | | | | ## Highlights | ⛺️😫 Campaigns got easier and more powerful We did some more work on giving you guidance on how to use campaigns for subscriber upsells, and there's now a way to have one-click registrations for the upcoming events feature. | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | ADDED 4 items 🎟️ One-click event registration from Outpost-sent announcement emails, with a confirmation page that works for signed-out readers 🔗 Tracked link clicks now export to the data lake as the link\_clicks dataset 📤 Outpost sent emails now export to the data system (Lab) 🎁 Support for Ghost's new gift member status, so gifted members show as gifts rather than as ordinary paid members in Outpost | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | CHANGED 6 items ✉️ Cancellation emails and admin notices no longer send when a subscribers' plan switch cancels the old subscription 📅 The event picker on campaigns works better now ⚠️ The warning you see when setting up a campaign that include emails to existing paying subscribers is clearer about what does and does not work for them 🔑 Sign-in links in Outpost CTAs now use the membership link saved in Publication Details ahead of the CTA design's default link setting 💳 Offer checkout now tells members who are already covered, by a group, an institution or a comp, that they do not need to buy a sub 👥 Group payers can no longer switch plans through offer checkout, which would have ended coverage for their group | | | | FIXED 3 items 🧾 Fixed an issue where the group offer list failed to load on the Direct Invoicing page when an offer or tier it referred to had been removed 📭 Fixed an issue where rebuilding a member turning their marketing opt-out back on ⏳ Fixed an issue with group members losing access to the group subscription if their own end date passed while the person paying was still subscribed | | | | IMPROVED 7 items 🖊️ A clearer campaign editor for emails that include a Ghost event 📋 Event entries in the activity log now name which settings changed and how many registrants were told if an event was changed or cancelled 📋 The activity log now shows a member's previous address when they change their email 🔁 Autoresponder emails keep their customizations when their action is switched off and back on 📦 The shipping address step of checkout stops apologizing too often. 🖼️ Refreshing site settings no longer replaces a site logo or photo you uploaded 🏷️ New promotions start from the selected tier's own price for the billing period you pick | ### Release 3.21.2: Dust Envelope URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-21-2-dust-envelope/ Last updated: 2026-09-10T21:58:50.000Z This release is a bunch of tidying-ups (is that really a noun?) that are, even collectively, pretty petite. Not nothing. Big enough for a blog post, just too small for an email. But just look at that Webb telescope photo. There's so much dust in the world, there's no way to get to it all in one release. | 2 ADDED 3 FIXED | | --------------- | | | | | | ADDED 2 items 📥 Gated Download signup and upgrade popups now count as views in their CTA's stats, and each download button click and download is now recorded 🖱️ CTA click tracking now records which part of a CTA a reader clicked, such as its form button, its sign-in link or its terms link | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | FIXED 3 items 👥 Fixed the checkout for tiered group subscription offers, where the default on the page started at zero seats, instead of two seats 🧱 Fixed a rare case where posts limited to specific paid Ghost tiers counted toward a reader's monthly post limit on a metered wall, even when all they could see was the preview. Only full reads are supposed to count 🔌 Fixed an issue with paid checkouts never reaching Angler AI, on sites that have it connected | ### Release 3.21.1: Glittering stars at the center of the void URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-21-1-glittering-stars-at-the-center-of-the-void/ Last updated: 2026-09-09T00:17:01.000Z Mostly just maintenance, but we're also making it clearer how to send upgrade offers, and flagging issues where an offer you are sending to a already paid subscriber isn't going to work. | 3 ADDED 3 CHANGED 3 FIXED 2 IMPROVED | | ------------------------------------ | | | | | ## Highlights | ⚠ New warnings and safeguards for upgrade campaigns and advanced autoresponser We now do more to warn sites about sending Ghost offers to already paying subscribers, since those don't work, and make it easier to use the Outpost promotions, which do work for already paying subscribers | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | ADDED 3 items 💳 A nightly check that finds subscriptions stuck on a failed payment in the last ten days and starts the Failed Payment Flow that should have started for them 📋 A Copy button for %OFFER\_URL% on the email template screens, and the offer picker now appears whenever an offer is attached instead of hiding until the email already has the link 💽 Nightly collection of site data now runs on a schedule for sites already enrolled | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | CHANGED 3 items 🚦 The limit on how often your pages can ask Outpost for CTAs and paywalls now counts individual readers rather than the whole site, so a burst of traffic is less likely to not show a CTA to some readers 🔑 Saving a Ghost staff access token now switches on data collection for your site (Labs, invite only) 🧭 On-page activity from a reader who just signed up is now attributed to that reader instead of being filed as anonymous reader | | | | FIXED 3 items 🛒 Fixed a couple of issues with the mailing address step for physical media publishers 👥 Fixed the members list showing "Lifetime" under subscription length on every free reader 🐞 Fixed the Outpost Promotions tab of the autoresponder offer picker, which didn't have a "No Promotion" option, so a promotion could not be taken back off an email | | | | IMPROVED 2 items ⚠️ Autoresponder emails that have an offer set up but no %OFFER\_URL% link in the body are now flagged in red and named in the nightly problems email 🔗 Upgrade campaigns and flows aimed at readers who already subscribe now warn that Ghost offer links do not work and the Outpost promotions need to be used instead | ### Release 3.2.1: The Moon moves directly URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-2-1-the-moon-moves-directly/ Last updated: 2026-09-04T18:02:09.000Z Labor saving ahead of Labor Day in the U.S. with easier custom email sending domains, clearer refreshes of your site data, and some tweaks here and there. The Moon don't stop. | 3 ADDED 5 FIXED 3 IMPROVED | | -------------------------- | | | | | ## Highlights | 📧 Custom Sending Domains Got Smarter and Easier Sending Outpost emails from your own domain is great for engagement and branding, but DNS is scary. This update makes it a bit easier, and fixes a bug where a check on our side on DMARC records could have made you think you no longer were sending from your own domain. | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | ↪️ Refreshing Your Site Got A Refresh If you need to refresh your site in Outpost (say you updated your logo or name or added labels you need to use immediately), we have a way to do either or both. We updated this to be clearer on what happens and how long it takes. | | | | | | ADDED 3 items 🔍 A new check for whether a custom sending domain is already in use before you connect it 🔐 A new single sign-on authorization flow for the PBS integration (PBS stations only) 🚫 A per-site toggle to disable the Angler AI browser pixel (for sites using Angler that want to do the front end stuff themselves) | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | | | FIXED 5 items ✉️ Fixed the suggested custom sending domain showing a site's old address even after a domain change 💳 Fixed member records sometimes missing their Stripe customer ID when the subscription data has it 🛡️ Fixed verified sending domains being marked unverified after a failed DMARC re-check 🔗 Fixed a bug where a group subscription offer link could send buyers to a default page instead of a site's chosen buy page 🧹 Multiple minor bug fixes and improvements | | | | IMPROVED 3 items 🔄 Site refreshing now explains what it will do before running 👥 Group subscription invites management page got some polish 🌐 The DNS email settings page is easier to read | ### Release 3.2: Detailed Flight History URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-2-detailed-flight-history/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T03:47:38.000Z Some small fixes and updates in the spirit of "subscriptions are hard" and data is cool. Another maintenance release that fixes some small bugs and clears some space for data collection | 4 ADDED 3 CHANGED 3 FIXED 1 IMPROVED | | ------------------------------------ | | | | | ## Highlights | 📆 Events got smarter about event links We updated how the Events feature (currently in labs) works for webinars and upcoming online events when you don't have the link when first creating the event and only want to show it to registered attendees. | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | ADDED 4 items 📈 Provided a way for sites to provide a Ghost staff access token, and we validate the tokens, notify publishers within a day when a token expires, and provide a settings page to manage them 🎉 Event registration improvements: remind publishers before an event with an attendee export link, and notify registered attendees when the event link is on its way 🧾 In the outpost admin we show the billing email Stripe actually uses for the account, and pre-fill the Stripe billing portal link with the right email address 💴 Show event prices and default offer copy in the site's chosen currency | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | CHANGED 3 items 🔗 We now hide the event platform/webinar URL from non-registered viewers 🗓️ Renamed the tier-change autoresponder to match who it actually emails (it goes to both monthly and annual) 🕵🏻‍♀️ Author-written fallback syntax/shortcodes now show in email template previews | | | | FIXED 3 items 🔚 Fixed an email campaign end condition for complimentary members that prevented sending 💷 Fixed how we handle existing subscription cancellation on the offer checkout page 🐾 Fixed an issue with how Mailgun click-tracking verification was checked | | | | IMPROVED 1 item 💽 The nightly data export no longer erases hand-collected datasets from the index | ### Outpost Office Hours + Peek at Outpost's New Events Feature! (Free) URL: https://outpost.pub/events/outpost-office-hours-peek-at-outposts-new-events-feature-free/ Last updated: 2026-09-03T07:21:03.000Z We're holding office hours and indulging in a little bit of show-n-tell on the events feature. Join us here at Outpost with our host and Outpost partner **Lex Roman** to get your questions answered or just have fun hearing what other folks want to know. ​For those unfamiliar, Lex is an indie publisher who covers how solopreneurs make money at [Revenue Rulebreaker](https://revenuerulebreaker.com/?utm%5Fsource=luma) and [The Paid Newsletter Playbook](https://paidnewsletterplaybook.com/?utm%5Fsource=luma). Get their free newsletter at [RevenueRulebreaker.com](https://revenuerulebreaker.com/?utm%5Fsource=luma) Register here on Outpost or over on [Lex's event page](https://luma.com/hozq51kc?ref=outpost.pub). ### Release 3.18.1 and 3.18.2: The Remaining 10 Minutes URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-18-1-and-3-18-2-the-remaining-10-minutes/ Last updated: 2026-08-26T01:27:52.000Z Two mostly small releases that are summer housekeeping. But housekeeping is satisfying. We now let you choose from 100 currencies, we made setting up pricing of gift subs easier, and we made things load on your site faster. And we cleaned up some little cobwebs in the corners too. Site url changes, easier gift pricing, and faster CTAs | 3 ADDED 4 CHANGED 7 FIXED 1 IMPROVED | | ------------------------------------ | | | | | ## Highlights | 🔗 Changing your site URL syncs faster, including Plausible dashboard When you update your url and tell us by changing it or refreshing your settings, we notice right away across all your links and the Plausible dashboard embed. | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | 🎁 Gift subscription pricing is now all in one place and easier Setting up gift subscription prices and the renewal prices for givers and getters used to require choosing from a list of Stripe prices or creating a new one. Now you just type a number for each one. | | | | 💱 Pick from over a hundred currencies We now support all Stripe currencies that have two decimal places, which is most of them. | | | | | | ADDED 3 items 🔌 Support for the new member cancellation events in Ghost v6.58.0, so cancellation tracking keeps up with the latest Ghost 🧭 Conversion attribution now follows each Ghost subscription individually 💱 Site currency can be chosen from over a hundred standard currencies, up from six | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | CHANGED 4 items 🔁 Reworded the renewal confirmation screen readers see when continuing a subscription with a retention offer 🎁 Gift prices for the initial purchase, re-gifting, and the recipient's continue offer are now typed as an amount on one screen, instead of picked from a list of Stripe prices in one place and in the emails for others 🔕 Stopped emailing readers who cancelled during their free trial 📊 Publisher report emails no longer count toward member engagement stats | | | | FIXED 7 items 🔒 Fixed two places where Outpost could think tracked email links were set up correctly when they were not 🏷️ Fixed the wrong end date showing for discounts like 50% off for three months ⚙️ Fixed edge cases in how we stop automated emails from sending twice 🎟️ Fixed it so that edits to event registration messages in settings save properly 📄 Fixed a timeout that could stop gated PDFs and their effectiveness stats from loading 🔗 Fixed what we do when sites change their URL ⏳ Fixed trial emails firing for special subscriptions like retention offers that use a trial internally to line up billing dates | | | | IMPROVED 1 item ⚡ Embed widgets like CTAs and popups load faster: a routine browser pre-check is now cached instead of repeated on every visit | ### Why isn't my welcome flow converting?! Free event with Outpost URL: https://outpost.pub/events/why-isnt-my-welcome-flow-converting-free-event-with-outpost/ Last updated: 2026-09-03T07:21:05.000Z Your welcome flow should greet free newsletter subscribers and convince them to become paid subscribers. But we've heard doubts from publishers who can't get that conversion path going. Do welcome flows really work? Why isn't mine working!? We're having a free webinar Wednesday, August 26 at noon Pacific time. You can register here on Outpost or [here on Luma](https://luma.com/2t5tb9km?tk=F967EX&ref=outpost.pub). ​That's what we're here to debunk for you. In this session, we will unpack what makes a welcome flow successful, we'll show you how to read Outpost's welcome flow metrics and we'll give you examples from publishers who see strong conversions. ## ​**​How we'll use our time** - ​**The factors** that make a welcome flow convert paid subscribers and members - ​**Examples** from publishers whose welcome flow converts paid subscribers - ​**How to set up** your welcome flow in Outpost - ​**How to read** your welcome flow metrics - ​**Q&A about Welcome Flows** or other questions about Outpost ## ​**​Who should attend this session** - ​Publishers thinking of switching to Ghost - ​Ghost publishers new to Outpost - ​Ghost publishers already using Outpost ## ​**This event is hosted by Lex Roman of Revenue Rulebreaker in partnership with Outpost** ​**Lex Roman** (they/them) is an indie publisher who covers how solopreneurs make money at [Revenue Rulebreaker](https://revenuerulebreaker.com/?utm%5Fsource=luma) and [The Paid Newsletter Playbook](https://paidnewsletterplaybook.com/?utm%5Fsource=luma). Registration on this page or [here](https://luma.com/2t5tb9km?tk=F967EX&ref=outpost.pub). ### Release 3.18: Definitive Evidence of this Collision URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-18-definitive-evidence-of-this-collision/ Last updated: 2026-08-19T18:35:33.000Z A maintenance release making changes to how gift subs renewals work and updating some intricacies of billing subscriptions, with some bonus stuff thrown in. Lots of turning of little knobs, while some bigger stuff happens in the background. Gifts on gifts, gift sub renewals done differently, billing fixes, easier theme login, and some data work | 4 ADDED 2 CHANGED 12 FIXED 2 IMPROVED | | ------------------------------------- | | | | | ## Highlights | 🎁 Gifts finally add up Previously if someone was a gift subscriber and they got a second gift, they didn't stack as you would expect. So now if someone is halfway through an annual gift sub and someone gives them another annual one, they'll now have 18 months. [Read the release notes history →](https://outpost.pub/changelog/) | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | 💐 Gift sub renewals made simpler We moved gift subscription renewal pricing for gift givers and gift receivers into the page where you configure a gift subscription. Previously you set these on the renewal emails. This solves some issues where it was possible to have a renewal offer be on a different tier, which is just confusing for everyone. Now there's just one place to set the prices for the initial gift, for a giver to give again, or a recipient to buy their own. | | | | | | ADDED 4 items 🎁 All gift pricing controls gathered onto the gift settings page 📬 LAB An inbox-detection service so themes can show "Open Gmail" and "Open Outlook" buttons that take readers straight to their login email 📊 LAB Ghost engagement data on each member: last seen, location, newsletters, and subscriptions 🧭 LAB Signup attribution on each member, so you can see what brought them in | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | CHANGED 2 items 🧱 For new clients the default setting for the registration wall now start at 3 free posts, and new metered paywalls at 5 posts 💬 Renewal-offer checkout now words things differently depending on whether a member is restarting a canceled renewal or changing plans | | | | FIXED 12 items 🎁 Fixed stacked gift subscriptions overwriting each other instead of adding their months together 🎀 Fixed gift renewals being read as new gifts rather than extensions after a change to your gift price 🔌 Fixed a bug in the Supercast connection flow 🧙 Fixed the setup wizard overwriting settings you had already saved when a field was left untouched 🔁 Fixed complimentary publisher accounts being bounced back into the Outpost setup wizard in a loop 🏷️ Fixed complimentary renewals dropping the member's current tier ✉️ Fixed problems setting up a custom sending domain in Mailgun 🧧 Fixed gift checkout not telling a buyer the real reason a gift could not be set up 📆 Fixed a recently expired gift blocking its own renewal ⏭️ Fixed a scheduled move onto a plan with an introductory price charging the regular renewal price once the change took effect 📆 Fixed plan-change confirmation charging the full price when the end of the member's current billing period could not be read 🧾 Fixed a possible scenario where scheduled plan changes could be offered to members billed by invoice, who have no card on file to charge 💸 Fixed the renewal line that could advertise a discount that runs out before the date shown next to it | | | | IMPROVED 2 items ⚡ Outpost now only loads Stripe's payment script on pages that can actually take a payment, so every other page loads lighter ↪️ Our security software's session replay tracking no longer loads on reader-facing pages | ### Release 3.17.2: A partial eclipse was visible URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-17-2-a-partial-eclipse-was-visible/ Last updated: 2026-08-17T18:57:43.000Z A small update that fixes some backend stuff, some improvements to handling upgrades from one plan to another, and a DNS email tracking dog. Renewing recording renewals, upgrading upgrades, and we adopted a DNS watchdog to bark loudly if you delete your email tracking DNS records. | 1 ADDED 2 CHANGED 5 FIXED 1 IMPROVED | | ------------------------------------ | | | | | ## Highlights | 🔁 Renewals record correctly again Stripe is changing the format of the data it sends, one account at a time. On sites already moved over, renewals were logged as first payments, so thank-you emails, member timelines, and renewal stats missed them. Charges were always correct, and Outpost now reads both formats. | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | 📅 No credits back on switching plans Changes of plans/tiers that are actually downgrades now start at the end of the existing billing period, so members keep the plan they paid for until it runs out. And switching plans never turns unused time into account credit. Any change that would mean a refund or credit from a publisher to a subscriber now instead gets scheduled to change at the existing renewal date. | | | | 🩺 A watchdog for email tracking Turns out that if a site's custom DNS setting for tracking links stops working (e.g. you switch DNS services but only move over some of the custom DNS records), then links in the site's emails stop working, while sending still reports success because emails are getting delivered. To catch this rare case, Outpost now watches for email opens dropping to zero and alerts our team so this can get fixed fast. You'll probably never need this, but like having a tool to break a car window in case you drive into a lake, it's peace of mind. | | | | | | ADDED 1 item 🩺 Automatic alert when a site's email opens drop to zero, the sign of a broken tracking domain | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | CHANGED 2 items 📅 Downgrades now switch at the end of the billing period instead of immediately 💳 Plan changes no longer hand back unused time as account credit | | | | FIXED 5 items 🔁 Fixed member renewals being logged as first payments on sites using Stripe's newest data format 🔄 Fixed member plan and renewal dates drifting out of sync with Stripe 📊 Fixed an odd issue where there was a possibility that an email's open and click stats that we read from Mailgun could credited to the wrong site if a reader subscribes to several Outpost sites ✉️ Fixed our custom sending domain setup tool making sure it doesn't report success before the process had finished 🪃 Fixed a issue where a reader's pending cancellation wasn't uncancelled when the member paid to switch plans | | | | IMPROVED 1 item 🛒 Members with subscriptions created outside Outpost who are changing plans (such as upgrading tiers with a discount) can now finish checkout all in one go via an outside link to cancel their old plan | ### Release 3.17.1: Slowly Forming Line by Line URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-17-1-slowly-forming-line-by-line/ Last updated: 2026-08-11T04:41:09.000Z Some lil' fixes and YouTube previews in yr Outpost emails | 4 FIXED 5 IMPROVED 3 CHANGED | | ---------------------------- | | | | | ## Highlights | Every little step counts Some small bug fixes and minor improvements, including letting you drop a YouTube link in an Outpost email that shows up as an image with a link [Read the release notes history →](https://outpost.pub/changelog/) | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | FIXED 4 items 🎁 Fixed gift subscriptions overwriting the recipient's current subscription expiration date instead of extending it ⚖️ Fixed the Theme Connect Wizard badge showing incorrect ruling on whether a site is connected in some cases ✏️ Fixed some broken grammar in the Demo Posts description 🔍 Fixed inaccurate admin copy strings in the documentation | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | IMPROVED 5 items 🎬 Video embeds (YouTube) now show up as images with links to the video in Outpost emails instead of being silently dropped 🖼️ Updated the "Image with Link" placeholder in the template editor ♿ Added WCAG-passing accent text color for the Typesense search widget 🎯 CTA picker respects the upgrade-to-annual affinity rules 🪪 Standardized form-field ID generation | | | | CHANGED 3 items 🔗 Renamed "Portal Links" to "Membership Links" in site settings because not all sites use Portal 🙈 Typesense hides internal tags on visible search results by default on new collections 🧹 Removed non-operable dark ad image controls and email title size input | ### Release 3.17: Maze of Sandy Channels URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-17-maze-of-sandy-channels/ Last updated: 2026-08-04T23:54:37.000Z Math is hard, sand can be wet, and forward isn't always the way you get through the island channels. Anyhhow, the editor you use to create CTAs like popups got a big refresh. We fixed a lot of obscure bugs, and then did some cool stuff like making sure the Tip Jar and all of the Outpost CTA editors work well for folks using assistive technology. We fixed an issue where when you preview a post in Ghost, you could see a CTA set for a different person's level. And in the background, we have all new scaffolding for CTAs. Onwards we go, but not necessarily forward. ### Fixed - 🏷️ Fixed a issue where detecting label changes in a subscriber site had a false positive - 📚 Fixed an issue with an empty Gated PDF Library when a site manifest is enabled - 🧽 Fixed an issue where choosing a new CTA led to odd issues about saving a change - 💥 Fixed an event flow crash on array-cast EventsLog settings - 💸 Fixed an issue where a retention payment could be charged without the subscription's discount being applied - 🔁 Fixed a renewal billing interval lookup issue - 🔒 Fixed a missing access check on gated PDFs - 📬 Fixed autoresponder exclusions skipping complimentary members - 🚦 Fixed throttled campaigns finishing while unsent recipients remain - 🔑 Fixed CTA sign-in URL not falling back to site setting when Default Design URL was changed - 🔗 Fixed an issue where bold formatting stripped out hyperlinks in the email editor - ⏱️ Fixed TimePeriod unit conversion silently rewriting action delays (math is hard) - 🐞 Fixed some autoresponder bugs: welcome-email timing, heading font, delimiter render - 📢 Fixed ad saves being blocked by manifest fields - 📤 Fixed two defects in the events exporter: silent row loss and unresolved donations - 🎟️ Fixed an issue where an unusable Stripe coupon interfered with creating a checkout ### Added - 📊 Events exporter with per-model resolver, allowlist projection, and manual backfill capability - ♿ Accessibility support for more editor field in Outpost and the Tip Jar - 🎯 Affinity filtering to CTA picker - 🎁 New email templates for repeat-gift subscriptions - ⚡ CTA live preview optimization - 👁️ Ghost editor previews now render the previewed reader level's CTA - 🛠️ CTA editor improvements: adding a name field for CTAs, plus changes to the Frequency section, Behavior section, and Design sub-sections - ⚠️ Segment warnings in CTA editor where we warn if a CTA isn't appropriate for the audience it was assigned to ### Changed - 📄 Events editor is now a full page instead of a row expander - 🛟 Events editor guards unsaved work and prevents type changes from wiping the form - 📋 Events list shows whether the Ghost post exists and whether it is live - 📧 Event-email switch actually turns event emails on - 💳 Disabled Stripe Managed Payments on every Checkout Session (abundance of caution) - 🔄 The search re-index dialog describes what actually happens (being nitpicky) - 💬 Our stats and emails now say "clicked a link in email" instead of "clicked offer URL" so that statistics are clearer as not all links are offers --- ### Release 3.16: How Martian Auroras Are Made URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-16-how-martian-auroras-are-made/ Last updated: 2026-07-29T18:12:57.000Z This release has lots of fixes and some changes to CTA editing and creation. The CTA work is the first wave of our re-architecting of Outpost's CTAs (popups, slideups, in-post sign up boxes, etc) to make them easier to setup on your Ghost site and easier for us to create more variations. CTAs V2 will allow us to make them even more powerful and flexible. Not all the CTA improvements listed below will be live on your site right now; some of this is feature-flagged so we can thoroughly test on production before updating everyone. ### Fixed - 🎨 Fixed the theme-connect status on sites in private-mode - 📬 Fixed Autoresponder not detecting some broken offers on action email templates - 🏷️ Fixed an edge case where the Autoresponder showing "No Offer" instead of archived offer assignments - ✂️ Fixed an issue where publishers were unable to clear an offer from an action email - 🔑 Fixed PBS Integration sign-in not honoring return URLs - 📋 Fixed a stale theme template dropdown in Event Settings - 🔗 Fixed CTA preview icon opening to dead ends - 🧩 Fixed duplicate library CTA modules issue - 📧 Fixed sponsorship box email HTML to Outlook compatibility ### Added - 🔍 One-click full-text search setup with default configuration - 🎁 Distinct "membership extended" notification for repeat gift subscriptions - 💡 Scope hint on the Add Template form ### Changed - 📝 CTA agreement text moved to one site-wide setting - 🔗 Portal links render relatively on posts so that Portal opens in place - 🔄 Renamed "Cascade PBS" to "PBS Integration" in user-facing labels - 🧹 Removed inaccurate Luna-only copy from Intelligent CTA Button wizard - ✨ Refreshed every CTA default from copy review; sign-in URLs respect site setting ### Improved - 🔤 Modern box: input text sits with button in button's font - 🖼️ CTA images: replace without losing the original --- ### Why you need a CTA strategy: How to use Outpost CTAs to grow your newsletter and your subscription (Free event) URL: https://outpost.pub/events/outpost-cta-strategy-webinar-2026/ Last updated: 2026-09-03T07:21:07.000Z We're going to sit down with [Lex Roman](https://lexroman.com/?ref=outpost.pub) on Tuesday and talk about Calls to Action or CTAs - things like a popup or in-post calls for reader to do something. ​Did you know[*The 51st*](https://51st.news/?ref=outpost.pub)tripled their newsletter growth rate with a registration wall? It’s amazing how much one little pop-up can do for your growth. We’re hosting a FREE session on Tuesday, July 28 to help you use your website CTAs more effectively. ​In this session, you’ll learn - Why you need a CTA strategy - What’s working for other publishers with CTAs - How to develop your strategy - How to implement it in Outpost You'll walk away with a clear idea of how to get more of your readers/listeners taking the actions you want them to take without being hostile to your readers. [Why you need a CTA strategy: How to use Outpost CTAs to grow your newsletter and your subscription (Free event) · LumaThis is a free event, held in partnership with Outpost Publishers Cooperative. You want more newsletter subscribers, more podcast listeners or more paying…![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/icon/favicon-96ed10e9-80fa-4fbe-8177-92a98efc8ab1.ico)Lex Roman![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/thumbnail/8e26d1e3-62b9-4c6b-af28-18f1c5bdc03b-1e3f0e96-aa32-497f-8fd8-51b939162620.png)](https://luma.com/9gzma10k?ref=outpost.pub) ### Release 3.15: Prep for the Science URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-15-prep-for-the-science/ Last updated: 2026-07-22T15:54:49.000Z This release cleans up a bunch of little issues and bugs, brings better messages and error messages that publishers see, and fixed some odd timezone issues. ### Fixed - 📨 Fixed a bug where template variable fallbacks in bulk campaign emails didn't always render - 🏷️ Fixed member labels falling out of sync with Ghost when a member's last label was removed - 🏛️ Fixed institutional subscription expiration dates shifting by a day in some timezones - ⏰ Fixed offer and promotion expiration dates shifting by a day in some timezones - 🔒 Tightened search security - 🎨 Improved readability on the Homepage Curation page and restored its section tabs - 🎙️ Fixed a crash on the Supercast advanced settings card for members without an invite - 🎟️ Fixed registration buttons in the Ghost event widget that had stopped responding - 🔓 Fixed a bug where features included in your plan could still show as locked right after onboarding ### Added - 🎁 When creating an offer in Outpot, Ghost trial offers are back: members can once again sign up with a free trial using a Ghost offer, and we fixed the underlying bug that could cause trials to be lost - 🔄 New theme manifest status view, with the ability to refresh your theme's manifest straight from GitHub - 💳 New option to collect a member's payment details without charging them (currently only for special requests) ### Changed - 🤖 The #Ignore\_Advanced label now excludes members from the advanced autoresponder only, not other emails - 🚮 Removed a non-working login button from the Cove integration ### Improved - 📧 Multiple improvements to template variables in bulk campaign emails - ✍️ Polished reader-facing text across checkout, event registration, and signup - 🛠️ Clearer admin messages, sign-in errors, and validation text - 🔌 Clearer wording across integration screens and error messages --- Image credit: B.NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU ### Release 3.14.1: Aurora Australis URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-14-1-aurora-australis/ Last updated: 2026-07-07T18:30:09.000Z ### Fixed - ⏰ Fixed an offer selection issue on the Direct Invoicing page ### Added - ✅ Add Singapore Dollar currency support - 🌳 Add a GitHub branch field to the Theme Connection Wizard page - 📢 Allow email campaigns for the Space Station subscription level ### Changed - 🚮 Deprecated and removed the Recharge integration - 📧 Email templates are now force-cloned when attached so flows and campaigns never share them - 🔢 Tag-excluded and ref-excluded posts are now excluded from the metered paywall count - 🏷️ Renamed the CTA Library "Gated PDF" tab to "Gated Download" --- Image credit: NASA, astronaut Jessica Meir aboard the International Space Station ### Release 3.14: Good Morning, Earth! URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-14-good-morning-earth/ Last updated: 2026-07-06T19:45:13.000Z ### Fixed - ⏰ Fixed timing with gift subscriptions activating a day early for sites based east of UTC time - 🛠️ Refined stats for In-Post Ad Inserter so clicks aren't considered conversions - 🎨 Eliminated an issue with the Design Settings page flashing when button defaults are not set - 🎚️ Adjusted loading assigned posts for the Homepage Curation feature - 🔠 Fixed a bug where member label upper and lower cases casing was not preserved when applying labels ### Added - ⏱️ Now using Send Time Optimization (STO) for some email actions in the AutoResponder to improve delivery timing - 🏁 Added CTA image improvements: store image dimensions, prevent layout shifts, and add transparency checkerboard preview - ✅ We now support for SVG image uploads in CTAs - 💳 Added the ability to view and click the real "Update Payment Method" URL in the failed payment preview (just makes previewing easier) - 💱 Move default currency field to Publication Details page with full backend/frontend support - 🎁 Add validation for complimentary and same-tier gift subscriptions ### Changed - 🖼️ We now center campaign banner ads at logical size by default - 🎛️ The Advanced autoresponder got a UI refactoring for improved usability - 🚫 We now do not allow connecting non-private FeedPress feeds for the paid RSS feeds integration - 📧 We reworded the "your theme is disconnected" notification email for clarity ### Improved - 🧾 Enhanced Homepage Curation tool with improved logging - ⚠️ Suppress repeated warnings on Autoresponder and CTA pages - ⏩ Increased the data pulling timeout in the CTA dashboard so fewer big queries on your data will time out. --- Image credit: NASA, astronaut Chris Williams aboard the International Space Station ### Release 3.13.3: Difference between light and darkness URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-13-3-difference-between-light-and-darkness/ Last updated: 2026-06-25T15:35:37.000Z ### Fixed - 🐞 Fixed a bug with gift subscription's GUIDs after security audit updates - 🐛 Fixed a bug with gift subscriptions that start in the future - 🐞 Fixed broken docs host in CTA editor links - 🕷️ Fixed a bug in the CTA dashboard when filtering by CTA type where the stats were still showing for all types ### Added - 🪧 Add an ability to view the Ghost theme manifest status and the ability to refresh the manifest from GitHub ### Changed - ㆔ Enable frontend restrictions for Space Station, Voyager and Luna users - 📆 Extended offer URL expiration period after a subscriber clicks on it from 1 day to 7 days ### Outpost Office Hour Q&A Thursday, June 25 1 PM PT URL: https://outpost.pub/office-hour-q-a-with-outpost-cofounder-ryan-singel-2/ Last updated: 2026-06-25T17:04:18.000Z We know you have big plans for your publication and that it's not always simple to stay on top of everything. We’re here to help with a live events series this summer where you can get your Outpost questions answered and maybe learn some hidden features. You’ll also learn how other publishers are using our system to grow their memberships and paid subscription. Our first event is this week and it doesn't conflict with any World Cup games! **Thursday, June 25 at 1pm Pacific/4pm Eastern/9pm BST** > *Outpost Office Hours: Learn what's new and ask your questions with co-founder Ryan Singel* This is for folks who use Outpost already or who want to get a taste of what Outpost does. Come hear about what's new inside Outpost and ask your questions about using it to grow your publication. ​Outpost co-founder Ryan Singel will join us to share what the team has been shipping, hint at what's coming, and answer your questions. Ryan works closely with a wide range of Outpost publishers who build memberships in lots of innovative ways, and he'll share what has worked for other member-backed media businesses. [REGISTER (FREE)](https://luma.com/4x6tq0a5?ref=outpost.pub) ### Release 3.13.2: Every stage of star formation URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-13-2-every-stage-of-star-formation/ Last updated: 2026-06-19T15:33:26.000Z ### Fixed We made some security updates which caused some unexpected issues, which this release cleans up. - 🐞 There was a bug preventing zip file uploads to the Theme Connect Wizard - ✅ The Match-My-Default-design checkbox flickered in an interface - ↔️ A bug with pagination UI - 📁 Uploading PDF files wasn't working - 🏷️ Fixed an issue where CTAs were showing on posts that had tags set to not to show CTAs, due to an apostrophe in the tag name - 📡 Fixed an issue where TransistorFM podcast episodes weren't refreshing the way they were expected to ### Added - 🔎 Redesigned the Typesense search settings UI to make it less confusing, including a tabbed layout, per-collection display settings, and global default image if a search result has no image - 🐣 We switched analytics systems for our email campaigns to get better numbers ### Changed - ▶️ YouTube integration now syncs hourly instead of daily for faster video updates ### Improved - 📧 Improved the marketing email opt-out logic and added hints in the interface to make this easier to understand ### Release 3.13.1: A soccer ball floats in microgravity URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-13-1-a-soccer-ball-floats-in-microgravity/ Last updated: 2026-06-15T14:00:39.000Z ### Fixed - 🐜 There was a minor bug in how CTAs render - 🐛 An Autoresponder bug prevented users from changing the timing of some actions - 🐞 The CTA v2 editor preview was not showing updates after someone made changes to the CTA settings, so previewing the change wasn't working right. ### Added - 🎨 You can now use the point-and-click settings in Email designs to change the button color and style - 🖼️ Our podcast integrations now automatically add appropriatedly sized social-sharing images when adding a new podcast episode ### Improved - 🦺 Improved how we sanitize custom-CSS in CTAs to further protect against XSS outbreaks - 📊 We now use Plausible Analytics's new integration script format which uses IDs rather than URLs, which should make changing domains simpler There's a nice little quality of life update here for sites that use one of our Podcast integrations to automatically publish a podcast episode as a post on their Ghost site. Podcast episode images are square, and they don't always translate well when being shared on social. See below how a square podcast image shared on social can get cropped when using the default Ghost settings. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2026/06/image-1.png) This is what social images used to look like for podcast episodes unless you manually added a different image. So now, we just auto create an image in that 16:9ish social format by adding some visual padding: ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2026/06/image-2.png) Social share images for podcast episodes now have some visual padding. This preserves the episodes full artwork. This gets auto-added for any new podcast episode published via one of our podcast integrations (which includes Transistor, Megaphone, Omny and Dovetail). If you've been using one of these integrations and want your older posts to get these images, you can do so by refreshing the integration in Outpost. But be warned if you have added custom content after our integration created the post, refreshing will lose that content. ### Release 3.13: Raucous Stellar Breeding Ground URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-13-raucous-stellar-breeding-ground/ Last updated: 2026-06-03T19:24:27.000Z Bunch of *raucous* stuff going on here: A little more work on internationalization, better UX for folks that like to set their own custom CSS for their CTAs and pop-ups to get older CTAs moved to the newer system (see below), a bunch of bug fixes, better displays for Typesense search (coming soon!), and a test of a cool way to control what posts are displayed where on your homepage and other pages. ### Added - 🎧 A manual way to refresh Transistor FM podcast data and a new episode check interval set to 1 hour - 📴 A way to choose between turning off all active Advanced autoresponder flows immediately or to have them finish with the members already in the flow - 🌐 An i18n translation toolchain with export, sync, and validation commands that will help us get community help for internationalization - 🪪 A `v:site_id` user variable to emails to help us do better Mailgun email analytics - 🕵🏻‍♀️ A better Mobile UX for the Typesense search popup - 📆 A default 15-day extension period for renewals of invoiced group subscriptions to prevent group subscriptions from being downgraded to free if the invoice is not paid immediately - 💾 An autosave after uploading a new email header image so that the image isn't lost if the Save button isn't pressed - 🎛️ The beginnings of a Homepage Curation feature using manifests (Labs) - 👨🏾‍🎨 A way to see if a CTA is using the old method for adding custom CSS or the new one, and a way to migrate an older CTA to the new system ### Fixed - 🕷️ Fixed a bug with CTAs' portal sign-in link that was sending readers to the homepage instead of the post they were on - 🐞 Fixed a bug with incorrect discount calculation for Ghost offers on the checkout page - 🐜 Fixed Typesense mobile search popup regressions - 🐛 Fixed a layout bug in the Typesense search popup - 🦟 Fixed a 500 error in Failed Payment Flow when a retention email template was missing - 🕷️ Fixed an issue in CTA cloning code for active CTA modules ### Changed - ©️ Surface legacy CTA CSS and add clone-to-upgrade flow for CTAs - 🪧 Better explanation of choices when turning off active member flows ### Improved - 📑 Multiple [documentation](https://documentation.outpost.pub/?ref=outpost.pub) improvements across integrations, email templates, and CTA features **Moving from the deprecated way of adding custom CSS to an Outpost CTA to the new system:** For the new CTA CSS settings, if you have a CTA that was created before late May 2026, it's still using the old CTA CSS system. The new system is better at keeping CSS changes from unintentionally affecting other items, so if you are using an older one, we now warn you and give you an easy path to clone the old CTA into a new CTA. The stats stay with the old CTA, but you gain better design control. If you don't have any custom CSS on a CTA, there is no need to upgrade it. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2026/06/image.png) What you will see on an older Outpost CTA if you open the Custom CSS tab ### Release 3.12: A Beacon of Light URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-12-a-beacon-of-light/ Last updated: 2026-05-21T16:05:11.000Z Lots of improvements here! We've got a Labs test of internationalization of Outpost features that show to your readers. To start, we have a Spanish translation of the Tip Jar, Gift Subscriptions, and Group Subscriptions. We'll be expanding this to other places as well (email footers and Outpost promotions, for two) and more languages. Reach out if you want to be involved! We also made big improvements in how Outpost keeps in sync with Ghost. There's a whole new system for checking for differences. The real challenge is with bulk updates, like when a publisher uploads thousands of new members or does a bulk labeling job. In cases like this, Ghost doesn't fire its usual notification, so we have to check for it. Lots of small improvements, including a better and clearer way to use custom CSS for your CTAs, without affecting any existing custom CSS you have used. ### Added - 🌐 Added i18n internationalization for some reader-facing features (Spanish only for now) - 📋 Added a new audit workflow to detect when Outpost and Ghost data are out of sync, and a new way to fix both small and big differences - 📨 Added %PHYSICAL\_ADDRESS% template variable for sites using a Custom HTML Template for their emails - ⌨️ Add Georgia and Verdana to the font selection dropdown ### Fixed - 🖼️ Fixed a bug with image removal on the email template settings page where it was hard to delete the image - 👩🏽‍💻Fixed CSS inliner issues for clients with a "Custom HTML Template" for emails - 🏷️ Fixed a bug in code for adding labels to subscribers who use a Ghost offer - 📪 Fixed a bug with an incorrect email notification to a subscriber about a Ghost tier change when that user took a retention offer - 💲 Fixed a UX bug related to editing an Outpost tiered offer - 🧧 Fixed a donation bug for ghost.io-hosted sites ### Changed - 🚜 Changes in the "Custom CSS" field scope for CTA modules to keep CSS changes limited to that CTA - % We now auto create a new Stripe coupon if it's not yet available for the Ghost offer - 📜 Documentation updates ### Improved - 💈 Multiple CTA page improvements and bug fixes ### Release 3.11: A Gently Glowing Galaxy URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-11-gently-glowing-galaxy/ Last updated: 2026-05-01T16:40:19.000Z This is a pretty large update with lots of little changes, fixes, and a big update to how sites sign up to Outpost. We've also added a new tier, Voyager, that's between Space Station and Luna. It has most of the features of Luna that most sites on Luna use, but excluding ones that aren't commonly used or that require support from us to setup. Nothing changes for existing clients. ### Added - 📨 New email sending setup for sites that haven't set a custom sending domain to get better deliverability - 💳 We now check the customer currency before using showing any Outpost offers - 📖 Big documentation updates (more on this soon) - 🎛️ We are now detecting when an autoresponder isn't setup right or if thereare errors in template variables. - 🎨 You can now set the color of links in Outpost emails - ✏️ Those using the Outpost "Contact Form" in labs can set a label on those who use it - 📡 Added the ability to send Supercast welcome emails using Supercast API ### Changed - 🔛 New onboarding flow for new Outpost member publishers - 🚀 New tier called Voyager for new sites signing up, includes the most useful Luna features for most sites - 📢 We added more notifications in the "Activity Log" - 🏘️ If a site only has one group subscription, the group subscription page shows that rather than a link to it ### Improved - ↗️ We now auto-resize email header images to make them fit better on more email clients and look better on mobile. - 🎚️ We made some interface improvements in "Auto Display", "Gated Downloads" and "In-Post Ad Inserter" ### Fixed - 🐞 Fixed a bug for PATCH method in Supercast integration - 🕊️ Fixed a bug in the code that calculates total duration for Dovetail podcast episodes with multiple media files - ❗️ Fixed a bug with an incorrect error message when there are multiple members cleanup job - 🗓️ Fixed a bug with "Events (beta)" events reordering after updating event date - 🏞️ Fixed an issue with uploaded images in some cases - 📊 Fixed a bug in the logic for calculating statistics for the retention flow - 🐛 Fixed a bug with Outpost theme deployment and failed deployments from github Dependabot - 🪲 Fixed a bug with Stripe-failure iframe redirect for group subscription offers - 🐜 Fixed a bug with incorrect renewal notifications for subscriptions that have a trial period ### Release 3.10.0: Survey the Pinwheel Galaxy URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-10-0-survey-the-pinwheel-galaxy/ Last updated: 2026-03-23T23:16:34.000Z ### Added - 🧱 When publishers use the Theme Wizard to connect their theme to Outpost, we now auto-detect non-standard Ghost theme content selectors. This is what the theme uses to say "here is the start of a post." If this is non-standard AND Outpost doesn't know about that, then Outpost can't insert sign-up CTAs in the body of a post. - 🗺️ We expanded UTM parameter captures to multiple attribution labels, e.g. if folks sign up on your site via a link with lots of UTMs, we will add those as labels. ### Fixed - 🪲 Fixed a bug where the metered registration wall sometimes showed on paywalled posts - 🐜 Fixed a bug where some subscription schedule renewal emails showed a renewal amount of zero ### Outpost Moved its Servers to the E.U. URL: https://outpost.pub/you-outpost-moved-to-the-e-u/ Last updated: 2026-03-18T18:49:04.000Z A few weeks ago, Outpost migrated its servers, including our databases, to Amsterdam, away from servers in the U.S. So now all member publishers' data, servers and CTA infrastructure are hosted there. We also built some fancy new architecture to make it easier to add or remove capacity. It all happened with almost no downtime. And there's nothing our member publishers need to do. As for performance, even when loading Outpost stuff from a computer the U.S., things feel snappier than before. Kudos to our CTO Andrew for that and the move generally. It went so well, we shut down our U.S. servers this morning. We made the move because well, ((WAVES HANDS WILDLY AROUND)), it seems like a prudent step. Prudent being the word of the day here. Just to be clear, Outpost has never had a data request, subpoena or National Security Letter dropped on us for our data or any member publisher's data. But we still thought this was a prudent step given the current political environment. This move doesn't exempt data from being subject to legal process, but we think having the data in Europe instead of in the U.S. is *prudent*. That said. Outpost Publishers Cooperative is still registered in the U.S. and California as a member benefits cooperative. There's not currently any plans to change anything on that front, but we've done some light exploration of options. But oddly, it's easier to move the servers than the incorporation. Anyhow, we hope you enjoy your stay in Amsterdam! ### Learning from Tangle's Success URL: https://outpost.pub/learning-from-tangles-success/ Last updated: 2026-03-18T17:23:43.000Z Isaac Saul's [Tangle](https://www.readtangle.com/?ref=outpost.pub) was one of Outpost's first customers and it's grown into a media operation. Isaac moved off Substack in Sept 2021 to Ghost and Outpost when he had 27,000 readers. Almost 5 years later Tangle has 12 employees, 500,000 subscribers and $4M in annual revenue, almost all from subscriptions. That came from a ton of hard work, grinding and experimenting. And Tangle is still on Outpost + Ghost, with great tech that is a tiny percentage of site revenue. [Politics newsletter makes nearly $4m in subs despite giving most content awayTangle Media, a US politics newsletter, converts 16% of free newsletter subscribers to paid and recieves $4m in recurring revenue each year.![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/icon/cropped-Press-Gazette_favicon-270x270.jpg)Press GazetteAlice Brooker![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/thumbnail/isaacsaul-800x418.jpg)](https://pressgazette.co.uk/newsletters/politics-newsletter-makes-nearly-4m-in-subs-despite-giving-most-content-away/?ref=outpost.pub) There's a lot to be learned from what Isaac and his team are buildingm and I strongly suggest read more about that here in the [case study/interview](https://outpost.pub/how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers/) by Lex Roman. [How did Tangle get to 70k+ paid subscribers?The paid subscription system that Tangle and Outpost built together is yours for the taking![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/icon/Untitled_Artwork-5-1.jpg)OutpostLex Roman![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/thumbnail/NASAlakeofgold.webp)](https://outpost.pub/how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers/) But here's a bit from the Press Gazette profile. > **Conversion through upsell emails** > A key driver of Tangle’s 16% conversion rate is its upsell emails with an informal tone, said Saul. > > “We’re really good at \[converting\] because we tell people a really personal story about what we’re going to do with the money and why we need it,” he added. “We are able to maintain that conversion rate by – \[either\] once a month, once a quarter – reaching out to our audience and asking them to support our work.” > > These upsell emails lean into a more informal with subject lines such as “yes, I’m asking for your money”. ### Aftermath’s move to Ghost had a lot to do with Outpost URL: https://outpost.pub/aftermaths-ghost-outpost/ Last updated: 2026-03-18T08:00:16.000Z Re-published with permission from [Project C](https://projectc.biz/?ref=outpost.pub), who you should check out! 🍎 This post was written by Lex Roman, who Outpost partners with to help us get the word out and to help us learn about how our own member publishers use our tech. We sponsored this, but we didn't edit it at all and weren't involved in the interview/production at all. Journalists are trained to separate themselves from the business side of media. *“How does this publication make money? I have no idea! I’m just here to report the news.”* That makes sense in a traditional newsroom context, but when you start your own media company, you have to learn how to run the business side. It’s a daunting learning curve and one that [many journalists can’t stomach](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/tpm-25/patron-supported-journalism-cant-be-the-future-of-news?utm%5Fcampaign=aftermath-s-move-to-ghost-had-a-lot-to-do-with-outpost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fsource=newsletter.projectc.biz). But the journalists who are winning at the indie media game right now? They figure out how to make the business side fun and interesting for themselves. I’ve had my eye on the [*Aftermath*](https://aftermath.site/?utm%5Fcampaign=aftermath-s-move-to-ghost-had-a-lot-to-do-with-outpost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fsource=newsletter.projectc.biz) team ever since they launched their first [Inside Baseball](https://newsletter.projectc.biz/p/how-to-ask-for-paid-subscribers-when-it-s-a-bad-time-to-ask-for-paid-subscribers-with-aftermath?ref=outpost.pub) subscriber drive. *Aftermath* is a worker-owned newsroom that covers video games and internet culture, founded by five journalists and zero business guys. They’ve turned their lack of business prowess into a strength by marketing however they hell they want to – from posting public [subscriber milestones](https://aftermath.site/aftermath-site-subscriber-goals-2025/?utm%5Fcampaign=aftermath-s-move-to-ghost-had-a-lot-to-do-with-outpost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fsource=newsletter.projectc.biz) to creating [a “Destroy AI” shirt](https://bsky.app/search?q=destroy+ai+aftermath&utm%5Fcampaign=aftermath-s-move-to-ghost-had-a-lot-to-do-with-outpost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fsource=newsletter.projectc.biz), with artist Kim Hu, that fans marketed for them. What makes it possible for *Aftermath* to play around with the business side is part team culture, part software capabilities. And they just made a huge change in their software stack, trading [Lede](https://joinlede.com/?utm%5Fcampaign=aftermath-s-move-to-ghost-had-a-lot-to-do-with-outpost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fsource=newsletter.projectc.biz) for [Ghost](https://ghost.org/?utm%5Fcampaign=aftermath-s-move-to-ghost-had-a-lot-to-do-with-outpost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fsource=newsletter.projectc.biz) last week. [Lede](https://joinlede.com/?utm%5Fcampaign=aftermath-s-move-to-ghost-had-a-lot-to-do-with-outpost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fsource=newsletter.projectc.biz) has been popular with worker-owned newsrooms because ye olde wise one ([Defector](https://defector.com/?utm%5Fcampaign=aftermath-s-move-to-ghost-had-a-lot-to-do-with-outpost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fsource=newsletter.projectc.biz)) uses them. The *Aftermath* team liked Lede just fine, so why go through all the trouble of moving to a new system? *Aftermath* co-founder [Riley MacLeod](https://aftermath.site/author/rileymacleod/?utm%5Fcampaign=aftermath-s-move-to-ghost-had-a-lot-to-do-with-outpost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fsource=newsletter.projectc.biz) told me a big motivator for the switch was [Outpost](https://outpost.pub/?utm%5Fcampaign=aftermath-s-move-to-ghost-had-a-lot-to-do-with-outpost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fsource=newsletter.projectc.biz), which gives them way better communication with their readers. Outpost is a marketing and monetization tool that supports Ghost publications. It does things like upsell new readers into subscriptions, catch failed payments and get website visitors to become newsletter subscribers. Gaining total control over [the design of their new site](https://aftermath.site/?utm%5Fcampaign=aftermath-s-move-to-ghost-had-a-lot-to-do-with-outpost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fsource=newsletter.projectc.biz) with Ghost was important, but upgrading their revenue tools was also a big draw for this reader-backed team. ## Behold! Data you can understand One of the first things Riley noticed post-launch was how much easier it was to read their analytics. Ghost shows current MRR (monthly recurring revenue) and total readership on log in, and Outpost sends daily and weekly reports that explains what exactly is working to grow the business. *“One of the hardest things about owning a news outlet is that I no longer have an analytics team. I am the analytics team.”* —Riley MacLeod ![](https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect/uploads/asset/file/a3fa27d1-0877-4baf-b02f-5d5cb2a862f9/Untitled_design__99_.png) **Example of Outpost’s weekly report with data from Lex Roman’s blog* This report was a conscious choice the Outpost team made over providing a bunch of dashboards because they know publishers are busy and just want the high level *how’s the business doing* metrics. It shows things like which email sequences converted paid subscribers and how many people have cancelled renewals. When the data is pushed to you, you can make faster decisions on it, like updating a flow that isn’t working. ## Emailing readers more = more paid subscribers As a 100% reader-funded venture, Riley knew they could be marketing more often but he didn’t want to just “spam the list” (his words, not mine. I think you should spam your list more!) Inside Outpost, he turned on several automations that send to individual readers, based on their own behavior or renewal dates: the free welcome flow, the paid welcome email, a retention flow and a win back flow. These can be much more effective than widely blasted messages because they come across as more personalized. This feature is called the [Autoresponder](https://outpost.pub/autoresponder/?utm%5Fcampaign=aftermath-s-move-to-ghost-had-a-lot-to-do-with-outpost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fsource=newsletter.projectc.biz) in Outpost and Riley made it his top priority before the re-launch. He set aside a couple days to review the Outpost templates, tweak them for *Aftermath’s* voice and write some fresh copy for a few of them, with co-founder Gita Jackson’s help. It’s been less than two weeks since the new site went live and this has already paid off. Riley had a look at their first Outpost report while we talked and rattled off the numbers of people upgrading to a paid subscription, fixing failing credit cards, and renewing after cancelling – all because of the Autoresponder. ## A paywall that lets casual visitors through *Aftermath* also moved over their [metered registration and paywall](https://outpost.pub/metered-registration-wall-paywall/?utm%5Fcampaign=aftermath-s-move-to-ghost-had-a-lot-to-do-with-outpost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fsource=newsletter.projectc.biz) to Outpost, a strategy they were using already, but in the migration, they decided to increase the number of free articles casual readers get. Three free articles per month before you have to sign up with your email address and then, three more before you’re prompted to become a paid subscriber. They’ve also made all freelancer contributed stories free. Like all good journalists, their paywall strategy keeps them up at night. “I have humongous concerns about what it means when reliable news becomes basically a luxury good and the Post and Fox News are always going to be free,” Riley said, but we agreed the rent must be paid and when you’re 100% reader funded, that paywall has to deploy at some point. The metered paywall is a near perfect solution because it allows first timers to access that reliable news, but it starts to remind your true fans that maybe it’s time to cough up that cash and back your venture. *Aftermath* can change the count of free articles anytime in Outpost with the click of a button. ![](https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect/uploads/asset/file/6ee3d5d4-3c32-4fec-aa13-9c5e246269d9/Screenshot_2025-11-18_at_9.13.07_PM.png) Aftermath’s new metered registration wall *Aftermath* enlisted both the Outpost and Ghost teams to help with the re-launch – something that is available to most site owners — but Riley and his co-founders put many hours in, too. Luke Plunkett managed the web design and development while Riley focused on the Outpost setup and the Stripe migration. They made a Slack channel and created lists of everything they needed to do. It took them three to four months from start to finish. > “I cooked for the first time in three weeks. I was like, ‘Oh my God, I'm not gonna eat a sandwich standing over the sink while I write emails,’”Riley said about the week after the site went live. Now that their tools are much improved, *Aftermath’s* going to work on converting more of the free readership into paying subscribers. They announced [their new site on November 9](https://aftermath.site/aftermath-relaunch-announcement/?utm%5Fcampaign=aftermath-s-move-to-ghost-had-a-lot-to-do-with-outpost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fsource=newsletter.projectc.biz), along with a $1 first month sale, which has been a successful strategy for them before. And thanks to Outpost’s handy reports, they’ll be able to see exactly how many new subscribers they win over every day. **Go check out** [**Aftermath’s new site**](https://aftermath.site/?utm%5Fcampaign=aftermath-s-move-to-ghost-had-a-lot-to-do-with-outpost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fsource=newsletter.projectc.biz) **and start your free trial with** [**Outpost**](https://outpost.pub/?utm%5Fcampaign=aftermath-s-move-to-ghost-had-a-lot-to-do-with-outpost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fsource=newsletter.projectc.biz) **so you can upsell and retain more paid subscribers, too.** ### Outpost Office Hours: What Makes Publishers the Most Money URL: https://outpost.pub/outpost-office-hours-what-makes-publishers-the-most-money/ Last updated: 2026-03-17T22:28:17.000Z I had a great time last week with [Lex Roman](https://lexroman.com/?ref=outpost.pub) and a bunch of Outpost member publishers (and some folks that were just Outpost curious), answering questions about what we see helps Ghost/Outpost publishers make the most money. Lex did a great job of keeping things moving fast and keeping all the astronauts from getting bored. Here's the recap for those of you who missed it! ## **Recap** **Question:** Why did you found Outpost? Where did this come from? **Ryan's Answer:** - Started at WIRED, frustrated by the clunky way reporters had to manually link to previous stories — that frustration led to building Contextly - Contextly's goal was to build loyal audience communities, but publishers didn't care during the Facebook traffic era (just slapped ads on traffic) - In 2020, discovered Ghost and saw it as the future — memberships, subscriptions built in - Outpost is a continuation of what Contextly set out to do; now nearly 5 years in as a cooperative --- **Question:** What are the roles between Ghost and Outpost? How are they different? **Ryan's Answer:** - Ghost handles core publishing — getting content out, managing permissions and subscriptions - Outpost extends Ghost with things better handled outside the core CMS: group subscriptions, CTAs, autoresponder/welcome flows, retention offers, special offers per tier - Not competitors — Outpost is like a "power tool" plugin layer on top of Ghost --- **Question:** What are best practices for Welcome Flows for free newsletter subscribers? **Ryan's Answer:** - First email is the most important — lean into your mission, founding story, and why your work matters - Include links to favorite pieces and always offer a discount - Don't worry that discounts dilute your brand (build pricing with discounts in mind from the start) - Don't be afraid to write long — be yourself, not generic - Remember: new subscribers often know nothing about you beyond one piece they read --- **Question:** What welcome offer works best to convert people — monthly or annual? (Re: Riley's question about discounts feeling too big a jump to annual but monthly feeling low-commitment) **Ryan's Answer:** - Strong preference for annual over monthly — monthly churn is significantly higher - Would rather have someone pay 40% of annual price than full monthly price - Make the annual discount look dramatically better than monthly in the email (show the comparison) - Something in the works: 3-month intro subscriptions that graduate to annual - Avoid the "$1 for a year" trap --- **Question:** How do you get people to open and read welcome emails? **Ryan's Answer:** - Mix up styles — if the first email is long and earnest, make the second short and snappy - Be honest and conversational (Tangle is a great model — look at their free sign-up flow) - Enlist readers into your specific mission, not generic "support indie media" messaging - Stay within your publication's tone, but push as far toward fun and honest as you can - Make readers feel like they're joining a mission, not just handing over money --- **Question:** What's the recommended pacing for the welcome sequence? Should emails go out 90 days later? (Lucy's question) **Ryan's Answer:** - Cap the welcome flow at 2–3 weeks max - Propensity to pay is highest right when someone signs up — drops significantly after 90 days - For the 90-day+ segment, use campaign emails tied to seasonal moments (St. Patrick's Day, Pi Day, etc.) instead - Don't be afraid of selling hard early — the risk of losing someone from overselling is low --- **Question:** What's the recommendation on deepening discounts across the welcome sequence? **Ryan's Answer:** - Each later email in the sequence should offer a deeper discount (e.g. 25% → 30% → deeper) - Early subscribers never see the later offers, so there's no "devaluation" risk - Even a deeply discounted subscriber at $20/year is a win — cost of free vs. paid subscriber is the same to you - Never say "this is the best offer you'll ever get" — locks you in - Avoid sharing the same discount over and over (10%, 10%, 10%) — diminishing returns --- **Question:** Do you recommend everyone uses a metered registration wall (reg wall)? **Ryan's Answer:** - More publishers should use it, especially nonprofits worried about access — it doesn't block readers, just requires email registration - The Guardian does this successfully — it's a proven model - It's set up in Outpost so only people who read a full article (not partially paywalled posts) have it count against their limit --- **Question:** What's the recommended number of articles to allow before the reg wall kicks in? **Ryan's Answer:** - Start in the 3–5 article range; 3 is a solid sweet spot - 3 articles in 30 days signals genuine interest and justifies asking for an email - Setting it at zero (wall immediately) may be too aggressive - It's easy to adjust — just change a number in Outpost settings --- **Question:** When should someone put in a metered paywall (for registered free subscribers)? **Ryan's Answer:** - Start with the registration wall first — see how it performs for a month or two before adding a paywall - Set the metered paywall number higher (5–6 articles) since these are already registered free subscribers - Think of it as identifying people who should be paying but aren't - Treat it as an additional conversion lever, not the core strategy --- **Question:** Where do you see publishers promoting tip jars, and how should they use them? **Ryan's Answer:** - Tip jars are underutilized — put them in emails, sidebars, and CTAs - People aren't annoyed by tip requests — it's normalized - Even paid subscribers will tip extra — it adds up, and occasionally you get large surprise donations - Outpost now has design controls to customize colors and tip jar language/page --- **Question:** What about tip jar language for non-tipping cultures? (Théo's question) **Ryan's Answer:** - You can fully rename the tip jar page in Outpost (URL, title, language) - Consider calling it a "support fund" or tying it to a specific goal (e.g. "investigative journalism fund" or "help us hire a public records reporter") - Goal-specific framing converts better than a generic "donate here" --- **Question:** Any recommendations on tip jar preset amounts? **Ryan's Answer:** - Default presets probably lean too low — consider raising them - Psychology: most people pick the middle option, so make the middle amount the one you'd "really love" - Have a "ridiculous" high option that makes the middle feel reasonable - Make the bottom option a slight stretch (e.g. $15 rather than $5) - Have fun with the amounts — e.g. $27 (Bernie Sanders-style), $51 (The 51st) or $1337 for the top --- **Question:** What's the bare minimum retention setup you recommend? **Ryan's Answer:** - Send both renewal reminder emails (don't turn them off — be transparent with subscribers) - Focus retention offers in the 45-day window before renewal - For canceling monthly subscribers: send a deeply discounted *annual* offer — most effective retention tactic seen; discounting monthly for monthly subscribers doesn't work - Turn on all retention offer emails; go deeper on discounts as you approach the final one (e.g. 25% → 40–50%) - Tone should be respectful — acknowledge "if we're not for you, that's okay" but make the case to stay --- **Question:** What's the recommended timing/spacing of retention emails? **Ryan's Answer:** - Final email should be 1–2 days before renewal (not hours before — too late) - Spread the earlier emails across the 30–45 day window before expiration - If you have paid-only perks (ad-free podcast, full-text RSS), Outpost can send a separate email when that access is about to be removed — include a renewal offer there too --- **Question:** Should publishers reach out personally when someone cancels? **Ryan's Answer:** - Yes, if you have the bandwidth — a personal email can reveal *why* you're losing people (too many emails, topic drift, financial hardship) - More valuable for qualitative feedback than just win-backs - Outpost sends a notification to you when someone cancels so you have the opportunity - Automations handle most of it, but personal touch helps at the margins --- **Question:** What CTAs do you recommend for list growth? **Ryan's Answer:** - Use a pop-up *or* slide-up — not both (unless you publish very long articles) - Pop-ups outperform slide-ups - In-article CTAs: the top-of-post and bottom-of-post placements perform best; mid-article CTAs rarely convert (people don't stop reading to subscribe) - Set pop-ups to trigger on scroll (e.g. 60%) or after a time delay — don't hit readers the second they land - Customize CTA language beyond the default — express your voice, your mission, even a sense of urgency if your topic warrants it - Homepage CTA also works well for some publishers --- **Question:** Thoughts on sliding scale / pay-what-you-want pricing? (Chas's question) **Ryan's Answer:** - Intrigued but Outpost hasn't built it yet - Molly White (from Citation Needed) has a custom implementation — it's actually fixed price tiers, not true PWYW but interesting to check out - Technical challenges with Ghost/Stripe make it difficult to implement cleanly - Not high on the roadmap currently, but worth watching --- **Question:** How does Ghost's native welcome email compare to Outpost's welcome flows? **Ryan's Answer:** - Ghost's version is fine for small/starting publishers - Outpost gives you multi-email sequences, analytics, per-tier offers, and the ability to route different subscriber groups through different flows - Ghost's new retention/cancellation offer (just announced) is complementary to Outpost — it hits subscribers at the cancellation moment, while Outpost handles the backup retention flow --- **Question:** Is it more effective to market free or paid subscriptions? (Théo's question) **Ryan's Answer:** - Funnel thinking: concentrate on making your free content great — it's the pipeline to paid - Even Tangle, which keeps \~80% of content free, converts 16% of their audience to paid - Occasionally send your paid-only newsletter to your entire list as a "taste of what you're missing" conversion strategy - For most publishers: get people reading → get them on the free list → demonstrate paid value → convert --- **Question:** Is there a way to move people up to a higher tier with a discount? (Courtney's question) **Ryan's Answer:** - Ghost's native offers won't show to existing paid subscribers - Outpost *can* do this: create an offer for a higher tier with a discount, send via campaign email to lower-tier subscribers - Outpost handles proration automatically (applies unused portion of current subscription to the new one) --- **Question:** Can you track who clicks on a sales campaign and send a follow-up only to those people? (Lucy's question) **Ryan's Answer:** - Not yet — but it's on the roadmap - More analytics features coming soon, along with events functionality --- **Question:** What do you think publishers are sleeping on most with Outpost? **Ryan's Answer:** - **Lead magnet tool**: drop a PDF or EPUB into a post, gate it behind free or paid membership — underused - **Group/organizational subscriptions**: two versions — a simple tiered option on your site, and a behind-the-scenes invoicing system for organizations (universities, law firms, nonprofits, businesses) - Real money available in institutional subscriptions — one publisher added 200 organizational members in a single month --- *(summary compiled with the help of an LLM)* ### Release 3.9.7: Good Morning, Moon! URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-9-7-good-morning-moon/ Last updated: 2026-03-17T19:37:51.000Z Lots of good stuff here! You no longer have to create a new offer for every autoresponder. We figured out a way to track this without so many offers! All of Outpost's CTAs now record labels on users for the usual UTM and ref parameters, in the format source:$value. This applies to every Outpost CTA. The CTA dashboard is easier to read now, it's easier to know when a promotion expires if you set an expiration date, and the Gated PDF lets you center text and looks better with long text. ### Added - 📝 All Outpost CTA signup forms now capture UTMs and record them as labels. Capture ref, source, and utm\_source URL parameters and add them as Ghost member labels (source:$value) when users sign up through any CTA type — boxes, popups, slide-ups, paywalls, and gated PDF downloads. Someone signing up on URL like ?utm\_source=facebook&utm\_campaign=spring2026&utm\_content=Facebook\_walter&utm\_term=double-optin add all four labels on the member record. - ㆗ Made the Gated PDF card look better by ading a "center the text" toggle and adopting single-column grid to better handle long text - 🩻 We added a debugging sytem for metered registration and metered paywall - ☑️ Added the content selector back as an option for the in-post CTAs (for themes that use non-standard markings for the start of Ghost posts; this. is a rare but possible issue) ### Fixed - 🧾 Fixed an issue with upcoming invoices in the latest version of the Stripe API - 💰 Fixed an issue with the wrong coupon retrieval for some offers for some Ghost users (specifically when a Ghost offer is supposed to be shown to a paying/comped Ghost subscriber, but they can't see that so we have to fake it by getting the right coupon code) ### Changed - 🥂 You can now reuse existing Ghost offers in the Autoresponder. No more forced unique offers!! - ⚙️ We moved CTA content selector settings to the Default Design page (allowing in-post CTAs on themes that don't use the usual Ghost codes for the start/end of a post) - 🧹 We removed the Mailgun section from "Core Connections" page (a legacy feature no one uses or needs to use) ### Improved - 📆 We made it easier to understand exactly when a Outpost Promotion expires including exact time and timezone when creating a Promotion - 📊 Made the CTA dashboard listing of conversions, etc, easier to read. We now preload the Post/Page name, instead of loading the post ID the first time you visited the page. ### Office Hour Q&A with Outpost Cofounder Ryan Singel URL: https://outpost.pub/office-hour-q-a-with-outpost-cofounder-ryan-singel/ Last updated: 2026-03-11T20:44:21.000Z Thank you to everyone who attended our February live event with [Lex Roman](https://www.revenuerulebreaker.com/?ref=outpost.pub), it was a lot of fun to talk Outpost with y'all! We have [another live event](https://luma.com/3h3hukve?ref=outpost.pub) coming up with Lex, a Q&A with Outpost cofounder Ryan Singel. Ryan knows all the tips and tricks to help optimize your OCC (and Ghost settings), so bring your questions. [Outpost Office Hour Q&A, March 12th, 12-1pm PT](https://luma.com/3h3hukve?ref=outpost.pub) 💡 Please sign up for a free trial of Outpost before attending to follow along in your Outpost Control Center --- Image Credit: NASA ### Release 3.9.6: Crater Near Sirenum Fossae URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-9-6-crater-near-sirenum-fossae/ Last updated: 2026-03-11T19:02:16.000Z ### Added - 📊 Ad campaign analytics now show on the CTA Dashboard - 🌅 You can now archive both Ghost and Stripe offers - 📆 You can set expiration dates for both Ghost and Stripe offers - 📈 We are now tracking clicks and conversions in campaigns emails that don't have offers - 🧪 (Labs) Support an Outpost manifest in the Theme Connection Wizard ### Changed - 🗓️ (Labs) Replace the Webinar feature with a more generic "Events v2" feature (based on the new architecture) ### Improved - 🐞 Fixed a bug where a valid theme was rejected when uploaded - 🚫 Added some theme upload security features - 📝 Clarified wording about subscription activity in email reports to give sites a better sense of what's happening - 🧞 Made the process of uploading a theme in the Theme Connection Wizard clearer for users with a better "Continue" button and message ### Fixed - 👥 Fixed some singular/plural grammar in report emails (e.g. 1 person/2 people) ### Release 3.9.5: Cranium Nebula URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-9-5-cranium-nebula/ Last updated: 2026-03-09T21:05:23.000Z ### Added - 📫 Added a way to send test emails from the editing window in the Autoresponder - 🧾 Added the ability for Outpost publishers to view their invoices and change payment method under "Publication Details" > "Outpost Subscription" - 🛀🏼 We now sanitize curly quotes in the in-post "HTML Box" CTA which prevents accidental curly quotes from breaking HTML inserts ### Fixed - 🛟 Fixed a bug where editing some templates when setting messages for specific tiers appeared not to save changes - 📧 Fixed a bug that affected expired/re-sent group subscription invites ### Improved - 💲 Improved our code for handling offers that have no discount (Ghost-native offers do not support this) ### Release 3.9.4: Sunglint on the Atlantic Ocean URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-9-4-sunglint-on-the-atlantic-ocean/ Last updated: 2026-03-11T19:57:48.000Z ### Added - 🎨 Design settings for the "Tip Jar" page ### Fixed - 🪲 Fixed a bug with editing some default email templates - 🕷️ Fixed a bug with Signup conversions stats for the Metered Registration feature - 🐞 Fixed a bug where template variables put into the Subject line of campaign emails weren't being recognized (we didn't anticipate this!) ### Improved - 🚜 Code refactoring in multiple places - 🧳 Using our own CDN for images and PDFs uploaded in the Outpost Control Center ### Release 3.9.3: Fishing Boats and City Lights URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-9-3-fishing-boats-and-city-lights/ Last updated: 2026-03-11T19:50:08.000Z ### Added - 📊 Top converted posts on the "CTA Dashboard" page - 📫 A revamped Notification page, including ability to manage your subscriptions to Outpost newsletters (Changelog, Announcements, etc) ### Improved - 👷🏼 Code refactoring and bug fixes in multiple places ### Release 3.9.1: Artemis Full Moon URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-9-1-artemis-full-moon/ Last updated: 2026-02-04T18:19:51.000Z ### ### Added - 🎙️ Added support for the "embed\_html" field in the Transistor FM (Publish) integration alongside the existing "video\_url" - 🔄 The Outpost Control Center version notification now includes an option to reload the page (which loads the latest version) - 🛡️ Added blocking logic to integrations to prevent users from overwriting another user's recent changes - ⏱️ Sites can now set a scroll or time delay on the metered registration wall so that it doesn't show up instantly - 📊 Added the ability to use the integration feature to connect an active Plausible site that was transferred to Outpost ### Improved - 🔃 The process to refresh data (making sure Outpost is up to date with your Ghost data) now supports two modes — site settings and site data — and sends a notification to the staff member who requested the refresh when the job is complete - 🎨 Improved the "Theme Connection Wizard" with daily checks to verify the site is still connected to Outpost - 🧾 Subscription invoices can now include addresses and VAT numbers, allowing Stripe to automatically apply taxes to the invoice for sites that have setup Sripe Taxes ### Fixed - 🚦 Fixed a "rate limit exceeded" error for the TransistorFM integration - 📢 Fixed a bug with "Ad Campaign" creation in the frontend - 🔒 Fixed a minor UX bug on the "Gated Download" creation page ### Announcing Outpost's Supercast Integration For Ghost URL: https://outpost.pub/announcing-outposts-supercast-integration-for-ghost/ Last updated: 2026-02-03T01:06:47.000Z Many publishers use [Ghost](https://ghost.org/?via=outpost.pub&ref=outpost.pub) to deliver superb content on their site and newsletter, then use [Outpost](https://outpost.pub/) to supercharge their membership growth. Increasingly, we find that more publishers want to offer podcasts to their subscribers. There are many ways to host and distribute a podcast. For publishers who want to let their paid podcast subscribers listen to their personal paid subscriber-only link on Spotify, we recommend [Supercast](https://supercast.com/?ref=outpost.pub) (Supercast charges per paid subscriber: review their pricing [here](https://www.supercast.com/pricing?ref=outpost.pub)). Other options for paid podcasts on Ghost that we support includes Transistor.FM, but that currently does not support paid podcast subscription listening on Spotify. Supercast is a podcast publishing and distribution service that is part of the Spotify Open Access program. For publishers who offer premium levels of subscription, this lets you provide podcast access to your paid subscribers anywhere they get their podcasts, including Spotify. Supercast has its own system for charging subscriptions, but in this integration, your subscribers pay you through your Ghost site. (Word of warning: do not mix and match and have subscriptions running through two services; madness and customer service hell lives down that route. To enable Supercast integration in Ghost and Outpost, after you have set up a Supercast account: 1. Go to your Outpost Control Center 2. Navigate to Integrations 3. Select Supercast 4. Grab the API key from Supercast (go to Settings in Supercast, then API, generate new podcast access token) 5. Paste the API key in your Outpost control center's Supercast integration You will also want to tell Supercast that you are using Ghost and to set up your account so that there is no payment option on Supercast. This integration is set up to allow you to provide podcast access to specific tiers of memberships. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2026/01/supercastintegration.png) Screenshot of the Supercast integration in Outpost control center, showing that you can apply podcast access to members of specific tiers, and that you can automatically remove users when they downgrade A very common use case we see is publishers only providing premium podcast access to paid subscribers, or paid subscribers on specific tiers. To do this, select Paid members only, and check 'remove this benefit when user downgrades to free.' Since Supercast charges per paid subscriber whether they are using the feed or not, Outpost's integration allows you to either provision everyone who fits the criteria OR to provide a button on your site where those with the benefit can turn it on. The second option (Invite Only mode) lets you offer the Supercast paid podcast benefit widely, while only being charged for those who actually activate it. We've also written some email templates for you. These can be found in Outpost control center, Basic Autoresponder -> Other -> Integrations. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-27-at-12.08.41---PM.png) Screenshot showing the Supercast integration welcome and removal email templates in Basic Autoresponders (Others) We also have integrations for Transistor (paid or free, or both), and free-only options including Megaphone, Podbean, Dovetail, OmnyFM and YouTube. --- Image credit: NASA ### Release 3.9: Zoom into Helix Nebula URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-9-zoom-into-helix-nebula/ Last updated: 2026-01-30T09:58:12.000Z ### Fixed - 🐛 Added the missing "Sign-in Text" color settings for the registration wall popup - 🩹 Fixed the save settings for "Transistor FM (Publish)" integration - 🛠️ Fixed the "Conversion" total display on CTA Dashboard page which was missing on some of items ### Added - 📈 Ad Campaigns analytics are now shown in the CTA Dashboard - 💾 Custom template saving in Theme Connection Wizard with integrations UI support (Lab Feature for integrating Outpost with a client theme) - 📝 We are now logging staff actions in the OCC so you can see who made what changes ### Improved - ⚡ Subscriber handler in the Outpost CTA API ### Release 3.8.31: Menagerie of Young Stellar Objects URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-8-31-menagerie-of-young-stellar-objects/ Last updated: 2026-01-21T19:43:27.000Z ### Fixed - 🐛 A bug with monthly subscription renewal and Feedpress/Supercast/TransistorFM privileges ### Added - 📊 Supercast activation data is now added to daily/weekly reports ### Changed - 🔧 Sponsorship Box page validation logic ### Improved - ⚡ Activity Log page speed ### Release 3.8.30: Crawler Preps URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-8-30-crawler-preps/ Last updated: 2026-01-20T06:55:20.000Z ### Added - ✨ Multi-theme upload in Theme Connection Wizard with indicator showing if the site's theme is correctly connected to Outpost - 💰 Much more renewal price info on subscription prorate page when a subscriber changes their subscription or takes a renewal offer - 🏷️ You can now add custom CTA labels for "Upgrade" in-post boxes and popups - 🧪 The Theme Connection Wizards is now in Labs ### Changed - 🔔 Complimentary subscription expiration reminder logic ### Fixed - 🐛 Timeout error in syncing Outpost with Ghost sites ### Release 3.8.29: The Sombrero Galaxy URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-8-29-the-sombrero-galaxy/ Last updated: 2026-01-12T17:57:57.000Z ### Added - 📆 Ability to archive a Group subscription offer so it can't be used ### Fixed - ⏳ Fixed a bug with a long running chron job for syncing members from the MVault API (PBS) - 🏎️ Fixed a bug with subscription schedules and a Stripe webhook race condition - 🪲 Fixed a subscription schedule bug for members who had previously canceled a subscription - 📆 Fixed a bug about sending thank you messages when a tier change was detected later - 🧞 Fixed a bug with the Outpost theme connection wizard and a duplicate package.json file - ⓶ Fixed a bug with a subscription end date if a group subscription owner has multiple subscriptions - 💲 Fixed a bug with subscription proration and offer discounts for the next renewal period - ㆗ Fixed a bug where the "Tip Jar" was off-center on a Ghost page ### Announcing: Outpost Live 2026 Events URL: https://outpost.pub/announcing-outpost-live-2026-events/ Last updated: 2026-01-08T19:42:36.000Z We are so happy to announce more live events in 2026 with the incredible [Lex Roman](https://lexroman.com/?ref=outpost.pub) of the [Paid Newsletter Playbook](https://www.paidnewsletterplaybook.com/?ref=outpost.pub) (we absolutely recommend their [Legends](https://lexroman.com/legends?ref=outpost.pub) program for creators seeking community). ## Getting started with Outpost for publishers switching to Ghost On Tue, Feb 10 at 11am PT, Lex will be hosting [a free event for publishers](https://luma.com/mp1i5386?ref=outpost.pub) getting started with Outpost that will include: - **Tour of the Outpost dashboard** - ​**Autoresponder essentials:** How to set up your welcome flow, your paid welcome flow, your renewal reminders and your retention offers - ​**Failed payments:** How to recoup money from canceled or expired credit cards. - ​**Tip jar set up:** How to set up your tip jar in seconds and thank donors for their contributions - ​**Activity log:** Where you can see everything that's going out to your subscribers - ​**Q&A:** We'll leave time for questions so bring 'em! ### **Who should attend this session** - ​Publishers thinking of switching to Ghost - ​Ghost publishers new to Outpost - Ghost publishers already using Outpost who would like to learn more about the features listed above Please sign up for a [free trial with Outpost](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub#/) before the session to follow along. Lex's events are always fun, prepare to have a good time in a community of fellow creators. [Sign up for 'Getting Started with Outpost' on Feb 10th](https://luma.com/mp1i5386?ref=outpost.pub) --- ## Office Hours + Q&A with Outpost Cofounder Ryan Singel On Thursday, March 12, Lex will be in conversation with Outpost co-founder Ryan Singel discussing what makes publishers the most money and having a Q&A. > "There's a secret weapon behind your favorite publishers and his name is Ryan Singel. Ryan is the co-founder of [Outpost](https://outpost.pub/) and he's been guiding publishers on how to increase revenue from their membership since before Outpost was created." Lex Roman ### ​**​How we'll use our time** - ​**What makes publishers the most money:** Lex and Ryan to talk through some of Outpost's most powerful features in use by successful publishers. - ​**Open Q&A:** You can ask your burning Outpost questions or share examples of what you're trying to do with your publication. ### ​**​Who should attend this session** - ​Publishers thinking of switching to Ghost - ​Ghost publishers new to Outpost - ​Ghost publishers already using Outpost Before you join us, [start a free trial with Outpost](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub#/) so you can follow along in our session. [Sign up for Outpost Cofounder Q&A on March 12th](https://luma.com/3h3hukve?ref=outpost.pub) ### Release 3.8.28: First Sky Map URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-8-28-first-sky-map/ Last updated: 2026-03-11T19:51:59.000Z ### Added - 📢 Made the tiered group subscription offer public by default - ✍🏼 Let people edit their Outpost subdomain name during registration - 🕰️ Added a cron job for syncing Ghost members to pick up bulk changes, with the ability to remove members from the Outpsot DB ### Fixed - 🕷️ Fixed a bug with subscription proration with a discounted offer - 🐞 Fixed a bug where choosing an Outpost domain name at registration with capital letters led to a redirect issue - 🐛 Fixed a bug with renewal notifications for members who had both a canceled monthly subscription and an active annual subscription - 🐜 Fixed a bug with syncing new Dovetail podcast episodes ### Release 3.8.26: Mars Postcard URL: https://outpost.pub/release-3-8-26-mars-postcard/ Last updated: 2026-03-11T19:55:06.000Z ### Changed - ＄Allow active paid members to use group subscription offers - 🖼️ Using another podcast image field from the API in the Dovetail integration 📝 Minor text changes on the page for create tiered offer ### Added - 👩🏽‍⚖️ Option to require Terms and Conditions acceptance in Subscribe CTA modules ### Fixed - 💾 Disabled the Save setting for CTAs and Gated Downloads in preview mode - 🐜 Fixed a bug with Contextly integration not appearing in the Outpost Control Center after using the Luna Wizard Setup - 🐞 Fixed a bug with creating a tiered group subscription offer ### Improved - ⚠️ Now showing a notice to use the %OFFER\_URL% email variable when setting up an advanced autoresponder and in the Campaigns template editor ### 3.8.25: A Galactic Embrace URL: https://outpost.pub/3-8-25-a-galactic-embrace/ Last updated: 2026-01-13T00:28:51.000Z ### Fixed 📬 Made sure not to send complimentary reminders to institutional and group subscription members (only the buyer) 🐞 Fixed a bug with a renewal offer for the same subscription plan ⏰ Fixed a bug with timeouts when using the Refresh button ### Added 💻 \[INTERNAL\] Display/track members count for Outpost clients ### Changed 💰 Changes in the Outpost checkout page for members with active subscription to better handle proration ### Improved 💨 Search speed on the "Members" page in Outpost ### Changelog 3.8.23 (Rare Gourd) URL: https://outpost.pub/changelog-3-8-23-rare-gourd/ Last updated: 2026-01-08T18:21:49.000Z We made some changes to the Gated Download card to fix some bugs and let sites use Cards without setting a header or preview text. We also created a new system to let people who are upgrading from one plan to another understand what will happen in proration and to make sure they confirm the change before applying it. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2025/12/image.png) ### Bug Fixes - 🐞 Fixed typo in the Autodisplay sitewide exclusions - 🪲 Fixed a bug with free trials when creating an Outpost offer - 🪱 Fixed a bug with Gated Download Card preview and one about the default header and description showing if none were added ### Added - 📈 A new subscriber facing explanation/upgrade subscription plan confirmation - 🗺️ Localization/Internationalization for checkout and donation pages (Internal for now) ### Changed - 🏇🏽 Resized our main server to improve performance ### Improved - ♻️ Deleted some unused code - ➗ Code for calculating the proration amount for upgrading subscriptions to better handle discounts ### Changelog 3.8.20 (Cassiopeia) URL: https://outpost.pub/changelog-3-8-20/ Last updated: 2025-12-09T02:07:48.000Z We updated the Tip Jar to let you set 3 suggested donation levels, to set one as the default, and to make it simple to change the url of your tip-jar page. We fixed some issues around gift subscriptions, including preventing accidental double purchases, and a notification typo when sending out an email letting a publisher know that one of their offers was no longer active due to a tier being archived We also fixed some bugs and updated some settings to a full-text search system called Typesense, which is in a quiet beta. ### Bug Fixes - 🪲 Fixed a bug that allowed for the purchase of duplicate big subscriptions - 🪱 Fixed bug in the archived offer notification - 🐞 Fixed bug with Typesense search post tags changes ### Added - 🏷️ Added an ability to [configure donation page options](https://outpost.pub/tip-jar-1-1/) ### Changed - 🔍 Disable server-side caching for Typesense search - ‼️ More detailed error descriptions for API requests in the OC - 💸 New user interface on donation page ### Tip Jar 1.1 URL: https://outpost.pub/tip-jar-1-1/ Last updated: 2025-12-08T18:43:12.000Z The Tip Jar got an update today! It’s always nice to give your readers more ways to support you, and we wanted to refresh the Tip Jar to make it even easier for folks to give you a donation. It has a new look and three customizable suggested donation levels (including one that you can set as the default): ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-08-at-10.19.07---AM.png) For launch, we’re setting the defaults to 10, 20, and 50 in whatever currency your Stripe is set to. You can adjust these easily in the Tip Jar interface in your OCC. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-08-at-10.13.58---AM.png) As a bonus, for Luna and above, we made it easy for you to change the URL of your Tip Jar. The default is /tip-jar, but you can now easily change that in the Tip Jar interface to whatever you like. If you have already adjusted your tip jar URL, you can change this in the OCC to reflect that change. But if you do that, you will have to ensure that the tip jar has not been embedded twice in that page. To check, go to the Tip Jar page on your site to see if it is in there twice. If it is, go to the page in Ghost, edit the page to remove one of the embeds, and then save. ### Changelog 3.8.19 (City Lights & Atmospheric Glow) URL: https://outpost.pub/3-8-19/ Last updated: 2025-12-08T19:32:43.000Z We've been working on some new UX and making sure everything runs smoother, including when a site archives a tier. When a tier gets archived, you can no longer use offers for that tier; so we need to detect any old offers when this happens. Additionally, with archived tiers that have existing subscribers on it, we need to give sites a way to tell us how to treat those folks, especially when it comes to renewals or cancellation offers. And we need to tell sites that they need to do this. We've resolved several issues related to gift subscriptions and URL handling, introduced better visibility into gift offers and admin notifications, and completed a significant refactoring of our member service architecture. Additionally, we've optimized performance for complimentary member reminder notifications. ### Bug Fixes - 🐞 Fixed an issue where an archived tiers could incorrectly still be used for gift subscription offers - 🐛 Fixed an issue with the "Return URL" not updating correctly after the site changes its URL - 🪲 Fixed redirect behavior from the gift renewal "Thank You" page ### New Features - 🏷️ Added full gift offer description to the purchase gift page - 🚦Migrated Gated PDF/ePub settings to the new system UI with default design settings and graduated it from Labs - 📬 Added admin email notifications when an archived tier is still being used for gift subscription ### Changes - 🔄 Refactored member service class with comprehensive test coverage - 💬 Updated messaging on the page shown to gift subscription givers who want to decline renewing the gift subscription - ⌨️ New Outpost signups will now have Outpost subdomains that use the site domain name without the TLD extension e.g. example.outpost.pub not example-com.outpost.pub ### Performance Improvements - 🚀 Optimized our cron script for sending reminders to complimentary members (making it faster) ### How did Tangle get to 70k+ paid subscribers? URL: https://outpost.pub/how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers/ Last updated: 2025-11-24T22:25:28.000Z Some publishers win by producing need-to-have information. Other publishers win by promoting the hell out of their revenue streams. **The most successful publishers learn how to do both.** This is the balance that [**Tangle**](https://www.readtangle.com/?utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers) has mastered in the six years they’ve been in business. 70k+ PAID SUBSCRIBERS doesn’t happen by crossing your fingers and hoping readers smash that “pay us” button. It happens because of a smart, tested system you build around your work. In Tangle’s case, a huge part of that system has been created in close partnership with [**Outpost**](https://outpost.pub/?utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers). I’d been hearing about this success story for some time so I finally reached out to Tangle’s founder [**Isaac Saul**](https://www.readtangle.com/about/?utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers) to understand what’s inside their paid subscription system. The best part is that it’s a system you can use too. ## Get a load of Tangle’s subscription system Isaac founded [**Tangle**](https://www.readtangle.com/?utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers) in 2019 with the idea that you could [**balance out media bias in national news**](https://www.readtangle.com/tangle-five-year-anniversary/?utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers) by presenting a range of perspectives alongside the stories. What began as a summer side project has matured into a media company with a team of twelve bringing in [**close to $4M in annual recurring revenue**](https://www.readtangle.com/tangle-sixth-anniversary-rebrand/?utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers). You do not reach this point by accident. In 2021, Tangle [**ditched Substack for Ghost**](https://tangle.substack.com/p/we-are-no-longer-on-substack?utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers), hoping the move would “improve our business.” After talking with the Ghost team about exactly how to do that, Isaac quickly enlisted the help of [**Outpost**](https://outpost.pub/?utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers) and co-founder [**Ryan Singel**](https://bsky.app/profile/ryansingel.bsky.social?utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers) to build out what would become their winning paid subscription system. Isaac credits Ryan as a key thought partner in their growth over the last four years, and also as an implementer they’ve repeatedly relied on. From that first meeting, Isaac and Ryan were on the same wavelength about what kind of tools needed to exist for indie publishers. And Tangle made for the perfect testing ground for some of Outpost’s most beloved features. So, what EXACTLY have they built together? The system that runs Tangle’s paid subscription business has five parts: - Paid ad buys - Custom website pages - Automated sequences - Regular newsletter sends - Dedicated promotional emails [](https://www.canva.com/design/DAGyzTbD4Zo/sQh9W0cN8WDjM%5Fa9qkjjUQ/view?utm%5Fcontent=DAGyzTbD4Zo&utm%5Fcampaign=designshare&utm%5Fmedium=link2&utm%5Fsource=uniquelinks&utlId=h542ecf56f6) Click through to see this bigger *(Editor’s note: I created the above map, not Tangle, based on what I heard during our interview.)* Those of you who are just starting to use [**Outpost**](https://outpost.pub/?utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers) may know them as software-as-a-service but they aren’t just a faceless tech company. They love to build and test alongside publishers like Tangle, and then they roll out the winners as production ready features in Outpost’s dashboard that all publishers can benefit from. Outpost was super involved in [**Tangle’s core site build too**](https://outpost.pub/custom-theme-development/?utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers) and they continue to optimize pages and flows together. The paid subscription system you see above is part custom to Tangle, part available to everyone, thanks to Outpost’s [**cooperative model**](https://outpost.pub/independent-media/?utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers). ## Goal 1: Get as many people on the newsletter list as possible Tangle has over 400k newsletter readers—[**more than double**](https://www.readtangle.com/tangle-sixth-anniversary-rebrand/?utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers) what they had two years ago—due to their robust paid ads program, earned media and reader shares. Driving traffic is one step. Making sure you get as many of those visitors onto your newsletter is a whole other project. [](https://www.readtangle.com/?utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers) Tangle’s custom landing page Tangle doesn’t use Ghost’s default subscription portal page because it overcomplicates and undersells what should be a split second decision: put in my email address and hit subscribe. Instead, they built a custom newsletter sign up page, with Outpost’s guidance and with help from a Ghost developer. The landing page that’s doubled their email list includes skimmable value propositions and loads of social proof (“400k+ subscribers” plus 12 reader testimonials below the fold). Very few indie publishers are using a custom newsletter sign up page, and if you’re running paid ads without a proven-to-work page, you’re wasting money. One catch here is that, because Ghost requires double opt-in subscribes, Tangle loses around 20% of people because they don’t confirm their email. To fix this, they’re about the tee up a new experiment with the Outpost team to validate those email addresses and see if they can keep more of those new readers. **This newsletter is produced in partnership with Outpost** 🪐 Want in on this Tangle + Outpost magic? The paid subscription system is all yours when you start a free trial of Outpost for your Ghost publication. [Try Outpost FREE](https://outpost.pub/) ## Goal 2: Convert paid subscribers when they’re most interested One thing that surprised me about Tangle’s paid subscription system was how much of the conversion to paid occurs RIGHT on newsletter signup, or close after. Tangle is using two mechanics to make this transaction happen quicker: a custom welcome page in Ghost and the welcome autoresponder in Outpost. “Ryan is right—and for me, it's balancing this sort of sharky business side with wanting to have an elevated quality product—that you are most likely to convert people in those first couple weeks when you’re fresh and new \[to them\].” Isaac Saul, Founder of Tangle Isaac said that a [**custom welcome page**](https://www.readtangle.com/welcome-to-tangle/?utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers) is “our biggest converter” and it’s one way that paid ads recoup their cost right away. This is easy to do in Ghost by creating a page then going to your Tier settings and adding it as a “welcome page” on the free tier. [](https://www.readtangle.com/welcome-to-tangle/?utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers) Tangle’s post-subscribe welcome page For readers who don’t upgrade from there, they get a three email welcome series sent [**automatically from Outpost**](https://outpost.pub/autoresponder/?utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers). Those emails introduce Tangle and continue pitching the fast action discount for 20% off your subscription. They’re sent immediately, then 5 days later, then two weeks later and Isaac said they can see those automations working when batches of new paid subscribers join. “\[After a big bump in newsletter growth\] we'll see a little spike on the subscriptions because an Outpost email has gone out to a few thousand people, and maybe a 100 of them jumped to the paid subscription. \[The immediate pitch\] definitely works and it's smart to be aggressive about it.” Isaac Saul, Founder of Tangle[](https://outpost.pub/autoresponder/?utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers) Outpost’s welcome autoresponder (screenshot from my account) Worth mentioning here that Tangle doesn’t just convert paid subscribers on sign up. They also send direct appeals a few times a year [**like this one**](https://www.readtangle.com/email/961cd0ed-a483-4d5e-9e3e-e938563e0fb6/?ref=tangle-newsletter&utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers). Those persuasive promos combined with the automations are enough to keep the subscriptions growing. ## Goal 3: Keep paid subscribers around as long as possible Part of being a mature media company is knowing that your sustainability isn’t just about GETTING new subscribers, it’s also about KEEPING subscribers. Tangle is proud that [**their churn is less than 1%**](https://www.readtangle.com/email/961cd0ed-a483-4d5e-9e3e-e938563e0fb6/?ref=tangle-newsletter&utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers). To keep subscribers around, they’ve invested in [**creating a members area**](https://www.readtangle.com/membership/?utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers) and they’re about to add [**a whole podcast section**](https://www.readtangle.com/tangle-podcast/?utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers) to the site (which has its own separate paid subscription.) Outpost will enable this with their podcast publisher that automatically creates a new post for each episode in Ghost using a special podcast-friendly template. (Check out these examples from [**First Round Capital**](https://review.firstround.com/podcast/how-canva-leveraged-unconventional-growth-levers-to-grow-to-42b-cameron-adams-co-founder-cpo/?utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers) and [**Cascade PBS**](https://www.cascadepbs.org/podcasts/your-last-meal/2025/08/bridget-everett-dinner-at-pascals-manale/?utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers)). Beyond delivering a top notch member experience, Tangle uses [**automated retention emails**](https://outpost.pub/autoresponder/?utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers) running on Outpost to remind members about renewals and the cancellation flow to incentivize them to come back if they do leave (with a special discount). “In a given day, maybe we're saving five or ten subscriptions \[with the Outpost retention flow\]. Over time, it compounds in a way that's really important and helpful for the business. Five or ten subscribers a day ends up being a couple thousand in a year, and then all of a sudden you're saving $60k/year just by having this thing turned on.” Isaac Saul, Founder of Tangle Isaac said he sees that these automated flows are working in the weekly Outpost reports he gets in his inbox which show how many canceled subscribers they’ve won back over. ![](https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect/uploads/asset/file/2ea13e39-5ea0-4f41-a889-6f1bd8aaa6cd/Screenshot_2025-10-10_at_6.47.21_PM.png) Canceled subscriber win back flow in Outpost (screenshot from my account) ## Goal 4: Increase the lifetime value of paid subscribers If you’ve used the gift subscription or institutional subscription features in Outpost, you can thank Tangle. They had an organization with a few thousand employees come along and want to buy a bulk subscription so they turned to Ryan and soon Outpost had built a way to [**authorize new subscribers by email domain**](https://outpost.pub/institutional-subscriptions/?utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers). Creating more ways for people to pay you is a good thing and [**you don’t have to stop at one subscription type**](https://journalistspaythemselves.com/p/do-you-need-a-pro-tier?utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fsource=newsletter.projectc.biz), especially if subscribers are asking for more. Isaac said they haven’t used the institutional subscriptions as much as he’d like but they do promote their [**gift subscriptions**](https://www.readtangle.com/gift-subscription/?utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers) around the holidays. You’ll spot it in their December newsletters if you’re a regular Tangle reader. ![](https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect/uploads/asset/file/6639ff44-2a77-494d-b272-110348bc3e3b/Screenshot_2025-10-10_at_6.48.52_PM.png) Tangle’s gift subscription page powered by Outpost ## Get your own paid subscription system Isaac Saul knows that you can’t build a long-lasting media company on your own. That’s why he’s enlisted Outpost as a thought and tech partner and it’s why they’ve collaborated on so many growth experiments over the years that are now part of Outpost’s core product. “Ryan is somebody who understands the media business, has journalism experience, and cares a lot about the product. Outpost knows the important growth levers, and they also know the things that are distractions and not worth your time. In my experience, they've been really good at nudging me towards really actionable solutions for big problems we're facing, but also telling me when I'm chasing fool's gold.” Isaac Saul, Founder of Tangle A lot of what’s included in Tangle’s paid subscription system is available to you right now inside [**Outpost**](https://outpost.pub/?utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers). But I also want you to consider whether you should become a closer partner of Outpost’s like Tangle has. Is there something you wish you could pull off that could use a little automation? Have you seen a cool feature on someone else’s site that you wish was available in Ghost? You should [**tell Outpost what you want to do**](https://outpost.pub/contact/?utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers) and consider them a strategic partner in your work. Isaac joked that he’s afraid to share the special relationship he has with Outpost with other publishers but said that you’d be “wise to take advantage” of their expertise. I think so too and you can start by [**joining us this Thursday**](https://luma.com/2gxbpa7c?utm%5Fsource=journalistspaythemselves.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=how-did-tangle-get-to-70k-paid-subscribers). There’s a lot of magic to be made at the intersection of building on top of what works for other publishers and pushing it farther in your own way. That’s what Tangle has done and you have an open invitation to take your place in the publisher’s cooperative right beside them. ### Ghost 6.0 & Outpost: It’s All (Really) Good URL: https://outpost.pub/ghost-6-0-outpost-its-all-really-good/ Last updated: 2026-01-08T19:43:13.000Z Ghost 6.0 is here! We’ve already gotten a few inquiries about compatibility with Outpost and the answer is simple: you are all good to upgrade whenever you like. Nothing in Ghost 6.0 affects how Outpost works so migration to the new version is totally up to you, and it has some very cool changes you can read about in the [Ghost 6 changelog](https://ghost.org/changelog/6/?ref=outpost.pub). Two initial highlights: > Ghost publications are now connected with an open network! People can discover, follow, like and reply to your posts across Bluesky, Flipboard, Threads, Mastodon, WordPress, Ghost, and any other social web platform. Distribution is now built-in. > They’re introducing a native analytics suite for Ghost, giving you detailed insights into how your content performs across web traffic, newsletters, and member subscriptions - all in real-time, all from the same place you publish everyday. Ghost (Pro) pays for the new analytics system for publishers on their Publisher tier or higher. Those on lower tiers need to pay for it themselves, but many will fit just fine in the free tier offered by [TinyBird](https://www.tinybird.co/?ref=outpost.pub), the company Ghost paired with to create the [new Ghost analytics system](. https://ghost.org/integrations/tinybird). Also if you are a publisher with over 10K subscribers who uses Ghost (Pro), their pricing came down, and you are eligible for the new pricing plans. See the changelog for details. For publishers with a smaller audience who are already on Ghost (Pro), your price is grandfathered in but new publishers with a smaller audience will have a higher price. We’re excited for the new changes to Ghost. I often tell people that when I saw Ghost with memberships built in 2020, I thought this is the future for membership-centric publications. That's why we built Outpost, and I think that’s even more true now. We love helping our member publishers extend the power of Ghost to build the next generation of independent and sustainable media. Nothing we do would be possible without the great work that Ghost does building an open-source, membership-focussed publishing platform, and we’re so happy to see this next major version released to all. Onwards! ### Team Outpost partners with Lex Roman of Journalists Pay Themselves URL: https://outpost.pub/lex-roman-joins-team-outpost/ Last updated: 2025-02-28T08:02:43.000Z Outpost Publishers Cooperative is thrilled to be partnering with [Lex Roman](https://lexroman.com/?ref=outpost.pub) and their site [Journalists Pay Themselves](https://journalistspaythemselves.com/?ref=outpost.pub). We met Lex while working with some of our clients, and they are launching an effort to help small independent publishers [get paid](https://journalistspaythemselves.com/p/how-to-convince-readers-to-pay-you?ref=outpost.pub) \- a perfect fit for us. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2025/02/outpostissue1-1.png) We highly recommend checking out Lex’s work, and subscriptions to their sites are more than worth the money, which we know because we subscribe. They also do events and [trainings](https://lexroman.com/training?ref=outpost.pub), which are also very worth your time. [Journalists Pay Themselves](https://journalistspaythemselves.com/?ref=outpost.pub) is a great resource for independent journalists, and for those considering stepping out on their own. You can read more about our partnership in [Lex's own words here](https://journalistspaythemselves.com/p/why-im-teaming-up-with-outpost?ref=outpost.pub) and [in this wonderful piece](https://journalistspaythemselves.com/p/outpost-will-convert-more-of-your-readers-to-paying-subscribers?ref=outpost.pub). Lex also has [Revenue Rulebreaker](https://revenuerulebreaker.com/?ref=outpost.pub) and [Low Energy Leads](https://www.lowenergyleads.com/?ref=outpost.pub) with shortcuts on how to find clients and buyers. They also offer a [number of paid resources](https://lexroman.gumroad.com/?ref=outpost.pub) worth checking out as well. If you’re like to experience their awesomeness live and learn more about Outpost, please join [Lex's first Outpost live training on Thursday Feb 27](https://lu.ma/z4ug3vsk?ref=outpost.pub) at 12:30 Pacific (with some of Team Outpost in attendance - we'd love to say hi and answer any questions you might have). ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2025/02/lexromantraining.png) #### Getting started with Outpost Lex Roman of Journalists Pay Themselves intro training (with members of Team Outpost) perfect for those using Outpost already or those who are Outpost-curious. [February 27th, 9:30am pacific/12:30pm eastern](https://lu.ma/z4ug3vsk?ref=outpost.pub) --- Image Credits: "Milky Way" by NASA and graphics by Lex Roman ### Changelog 3.6 (Ultraviolet Jupiter) URL: https://outpost.pub/changelog-3-6/ Last updated: 2025-02-18T00:54:15.000Z Outpost has been busy building tools to help make running your own venture easier and more profitable. The big one here is a way to let you send an invoice to someone for a group subscription, with the subscription benefits starting immediately OR to send a payment link to someone for a group subscription and have that start when they pay. Previously, group subscriptions largely started from the Group Subscriptions page. And we're playing around with some better tools to run ads inside your Ghost posts, with options for banners, square-ish ads, and external ad codes, with different options for mobile vs desktop displays. Still very much in beta, but it's coming along. - ⏰ New start conditions for Advanced Autoresponder to make it more flexible (e.g. send emails to people based on when they start on a tier, rather than just when they start as a subscriber) - 📈 New Autoresponder actions for members who upgrade from one tier to another - 🪄 Automatic changing of Plausible domain after Ghost domain change (mostly for folks launching a new pub from scratch) - 🧾 Ability to send invoices for Group subscriptions that start immediately, or to send an email with a link to have one start when payment happens - 📢 New Ad Campaign tool (Lab) - 💻 New settings options for the Supercast, FeedPress and TransistorFM integrations, including setting stop conditions and an email option when the benefit ends - 🪝 Use Ghost webhooks to sync tag changes on a post - 📨 New Event Address field for the 'Event Creator' (Lab) - 🔐 Outpost admin refactoring - 🐛 Bug fixes and improvements ### Changelog 3.5 (Aurora moves through Earth's atmosphere) URL: https://outpost.pub/changelog-3-5-2/ Last updated: 2025-02-17T22:33:15.000Z Outpost has been hard at work with some backend changes and some integrations that are unlocking some very cool possibilities. For instance, we have been making changes to how we handle Outpost offers, allowing for flexible offerings stuff such as subscription scheduling and subscriptions/gift subscriptions that last shorter than a year. So this lets you do something like have an intro offer of a $15 for a 6-month subscription that auto-renews on an annual subscription with a 20% off discount for the first year. That lets you chain two subscriptions together, with different lengths and discounts, in one offer - with the renewal all handled for you. - 📡 Omny FM integration - 🔍 Algolia search popup (Labs) - 📢 Supercast paid podcast integration - ⏱️ Scheduled subscriptions (intial subscription renews on a different subscription) - 💝 Gift subscription checkout page updates, with the ability to create gift sub offers for shorter periods than 1 year - ⏰ Create subscription offers for shorter periods than a year - 🏷️ Ability to choose those new offers and Ghost offers in Autoresponder - 🛸 Outpost admin dashboard updates - 🚮 Member spam filter - ❎ Disable CTAs for some URL refs (e.g. don't show CTAs to people who click through from the newsletters) - 📨 Promotions refactoring - 🏫 Allow an instutional subscription to apply to multiple email patterns - 🐛 Bug fixes and improvements --- To learn more about Outpost, visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/), drop us a note at info@outpost.pub or just [start your free, no credit-card-required 21-day free trial of Outpost](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). --- Image credit: NASA ### Outpost 3.4.2 (Commercial Moon Rovers Under Test) URL: https://outpost.pub/outpost-3-4-2/ Last updated: 2024-12-27T15:29:29.000Z Just a small 'lil update before the year end - 🌟 Added the ability to assign multiple email patterns to an institurional subscription (e.g. acmeco.com and acme.com) - Some small fixes to the Gated PDF download feature to make it more clear to readers what to expect To learn more about Outpost and our power tools for Ghost, visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/), drop us a note at info@outpost.pub or just [start your free, no credit-card-required 21-day free trial of Outpost](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). --- ### Outpost 3.4.1 (Chandra and Webb Spy a Cosmic Wreath) URL: https://outpost.pub/outpost-3-4-1/ Last updated: 2024-12-24T18:42:56.000Z We couldn't wait until after the holidays to offer collective members more presents, and are rolling out some new releases to help you run your Ghost sites. One is a spam filter, to prevent your workdays from being eaten up by bad actors: ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2024/12/Outpost-mh--4--1.jpg) This helps if your site gets targeted by annoying actors that create multiple fake accounts, or if there is just someone who keeps registering after beeing banned. We also created an option to not show CTAs to specified referral codes in URLs (which tell you where the click came from). So, for instance, you can set it that if a someone clicks a link in one of your Ghost-sent emails in their inbox, they will not see CTAs asking them to sign up – even if they are not logged in. To make that scenario work, go to one of your email newsletters, click a link in it, and copy the code after the traling ?ref= in the link. So, for instance, if the link is , copy the "outpost-newsletter" and put in the settings for AutoDisplay Site-Wide Exclusions. Just as FYI, if you have multiple newsletters that readers can sign up for, each of those newsletters will have a different Ref, so you will need to add multiple values in this field to have this experience for each newsletter. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2024/12/signal-2024-12-19-175050_002.jpeg) - 🚮 Spam Filter - 🔧 Option to not show CTAs to specified Refs Also, in case you missed it, [3.4 that was just released this week](https://outpost.pub/outpost-3%5F4/) included: - 📅 Ability to offer 3-month and 6-month subscription offers - 🎁 Gift Subscriptions updated to allow 3-month and 6-month options - ⛓ Scheduled subscriptions - 📬 Ability to select these new kinds of offers in the Autoresponder - 🎨 Updated the Autoresponder interface to make it easier to see what special offer goes with an Action and to make easy to create 3-Month/6-Month subscriptions - 📺 New search popup display for the Algolia integration - ＄ Supercast integration - 📻 Omny FM podcast integration - 🏗️ Outpost admin dashboard updates ### Outpost 3.4 (Edge-On Spiral with Curve Appeal) URL: https://outpost.pub/outpost-3_4/ Last updated: 2025-02-27T00:03:28.000Z Ready for some presents? A member publication put on their wishlist that they wanted to offer a 6-month or 3-month subscription? We thought that could be really cool. So we built that and released it today. When you create an offer in Outpost now (using the Outpost offer rather than the Ghost offer option), there are 4 choices: yearly, monthly, 3 months and 6 months. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2024/12/Outpost-3-Month-6-Month-Offers-mh.png) Outpost Offer Creation now allows 3-Month and 6-Month subscription periods. But then somebody else put on their wishlist that they wanted someone to sign up for an offer to get 6 months for $15, and then have the subscriber renew on a differnt annual plan. And what if the second offer could have something like a 20% discount for the first year. We thought that would be cool, too. So we built Scheduled Subscriptions to let you chain one subscription to another, so that a subscriber renews on a different plan than the one they started with. This is currently a Lab feature. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2024/12/Outpost-Scheduled-Subscriptions-mh.png) Screenshot of a Scheduled Subscription in Outpost It lets you set the offers to be very clear to users what the schedule is when they subscribe. As a bonus, it works with Outpost’s usual renewal flow, including notifications when renewal is about to happen and recovery actions if a renewal payment fails. Well, then someone said, wouldn’t it be great if someone can buy a 6-month gift subscription, because that would be cheaper and likely more popular. Hard to argue with that, so we built that too. We also updated the Admin panel in the Autoresponder to make it easier to see what offer was attached to each Action, and to make it easy to create 3-month and 6-month offers. We’ve been working on an integration with the search provider Alogolia to make it easy to add a full text search to Ghost sites. We built a nice looking search page modal for the full-text search tool Algolia and that beta integration is live for Luna customers. It’s very much beta, FYI. And since the giving mood was still giving, we also built two new podcast integrations. One for Supercast that integrates Ghost paid subscriptions with paid podcasts (adding and removing members when appropriate). Also we made an integration with the Omny FM podcast service, where we automatically create Ghost posts for podcast episodes. And for the final gift, we gave ourselves a little something: some better ways to work with our internal dashboard of client sites. It’s like the wool socks of presents - it’s not flashy, but hella nice (and very useful). Hope you like the presents and let us know if you have questions. - 📅 Ability to offer 3-month and 6-month subscription offers - 🎁 Gift Subscriptions updated to allow 3-month and 6-month options - ⛓ Scheduled subscriptions - 📬 Ability to select these new kinds of offers in the Autoresponder - 🎨 Updated the Autoresponder interface to make it easier to see what special offer goes with an Action and to make easy to create 3-Month/6-Month subscriptions - 📺 New search popup display for the Algolia integration - ＄ Supercast integration - 📻 Omny FM podcast integration - 🏗️ Outpost admin dashboard updates Image Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, R. Windhorst, W. Keel ### Campaign emails are here! URL: https://outpost.pub/campaign-emails-are-here/ Last updated: 2024-11-27T16:15:39.000Z Want to run a Black Friday/Cyber Monday/End of year subscription campaign, set it up ahead of time, and include or exclude specific segments? Want to write specific tiers or to people who have given donations? No need for yet another service, or to use your content management system Ghost for emails that aren’t actually content. > To make this happen, Outpost has now moved the Campaign feature out of labs and into production for all clients. The campaign feature makes it simple to schedule emails ahead of time to various groups including or excluding user labels, user levels (free/all paid/specific tiers/complimentary/group), and set a goal for the campaign. That means you can set up a campaign that removes people from future emails in the campaign if they take a specific action like converting from free to paid. Like our [autoresponder emails](https://outpost.pub/autoresponder/), you can set these up with unique offers to see how each email and how the campaign performs. ![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfM52ksd6VVlX9JgbjqwfFOR_hEHr3XmHUxDgP20nHvspW5AmQyaBBJfswAD6cIIu3kiGiyT4zl5iuJH8-ZhPHtw-HH6fTWaY4kBnM8zg8GD-9_f7sg3IKT1ReDgYlUY-v53oqn2Q?key=Gfp_xMaWQ0xYJLuZfFRZ6YPa) Campaign emails are sent outside of Ghost, so if people unsubscribe, they can choose to do so from just marketing emails and not have to unsubscribe from your newsletter. Statistics are available on each email and the campaign as a whole, and you can see these in your [daily emails](https://outpost.pub/reports/), as well as in the Outpost interface. For now, these campaign emails are not metered and are included in your paid plan. We just ask that you please be judicious in using them: think of a limit, like sending no more than 3x your total membership per month. That’s a lot of emails, and we hope these turn into more dollars and subscribers for you. Let us know if you have questions or if you do something fun and interesting with this new tool. Happy sending! --- To learn more about Outpost, visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/), drop us a note at info@outpost.pub or just [start your free, no credit-card-required 21-day free trial of Outpost](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). Image Credit: NASA ### Outpost 3.3 (Ring Around Tabby's Star) URL: https://outpost.pub/outpost-3-3/ Last updated: 2024-11-28T07:32:31.000Z We have a fairly big update, with a new feature called Email Campaigns that lets you schedule email blasts to go out to whatever segment of readers you want to contact, setting the exact day and hour you want the email to go out. Think of this as a tool to run a holiday or fundraising campaign, or gather enthusiasm for a new project or story. Campaigns are different from the Autoresponder, which sends emails based on the life cycle of any given reader (such as giving them a welcome email when they sign up). Instead you can use this feature to email people in bulk at the time that you choose. We also did some work on the backend to make everything better so that things like your autoresponder CTAs should load faster, and we built some smarter ways to handle large or fluctuating waves in Outpost across clients. The details are not exciting, but it means that your Autoresponder emails will go out faster. We added some new integrations, including one for Podbean, a podcast hosting service. We also added a Shopify integration for sites that sell print subscriptions through Shopify. In our Advanced Autoresponder, we added a way to enable and disable advanced flows, like you can in the Basic Autoresponder. We also added a way to change the color of the footer in Autoresponder emails, which solves a small but annoying issue where emails using dark backgrounds had footers that could be hard to read. We also changed how our CTAs work when you set up different CTAs for different tags making it that the primary tag on a post is what's most important. For instance, say you had three variations of a popup: one for normal posts, one for posts labelled "tables," and one for posts labelled "chairs." Previously if you had a post that had the tag "tables" and the tag "chairs," the CTA that would show would be the one that was first in the order that the CTAs were in the interface. Now, if that post has the primary tag "tables," it will get the CTA set for that, no matter their order in Outpost. We also released a lab version of a Ghost native contact form, where the only people who can use it are people who are logged in. Since they are logged in, they don't have to add their email address. The goal here is just to make it easier for people to write you, and to cut down on spam from your contact forms. We also added a small change to gift subscriptions, where the gift receiver is also given a record in Stripe. For most of our members, this doesn't matter at all and you'll see no change. For our clients that run print publications and use Stripe as the place to store physical addresses, this saves them a little time for each gift subscriber. For most of our clients, the Campaign feature is the fireworks here. See our blog post to learn more about how to use it. It's pretty sweet, and has done well in beta testing. It's likely both easier and better than what you're currently doing. - 🛍️ Shopify integration - 📋 Ghost contact form - 📧 Email Campaigns - 🎨 Ability for select the email footer color - 🔧 Enable/disable flows in "Advanced Autoresponder" - 🚅 Ghost CTA API speed improvements - 🪲 Bugfixes and performance improvements - 🎧 Podbean integration - 🚦 CTA Prioritization - 🎁 Gift subscription recipients added to Stripe --- Image credit: NASA ### Outpost 3.2 (Hubble Examines a Busy Galactic Center) URL: https://outpost.pub/outpost-3-2-hubble-examines-a-busy-galactic-center/ Last updated: 2024-10-17T02:29:45.000Z This is mostly a bug fixes and internal improvements update. Anita Bryant wasn't wrong: Step-by-step, little-by-little. - 🔠 Some new settings for manually created buttons that let you show different messages to different tiers of readers, not just unknown, free, or paid. - 🚜 Some backend work to support a new Voyager subscription level and easy self-sign-on for that level - 🛤️ Simplified the Contextly connection to Outpost - 📄 Allowing the use of Gated PDFs (almost out of beta) on Ghost pages. Originally this was supported only on posts. - 🪻 Making the Outpost backend prettier with Primevue UI components v4 with dark theme support - 🐛 Assorted other bug fixes and other improvements To learn more about Outpost, visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/), drop us a note at info@outpost.pub or just [start your free, no credit-card-required 21-day free trial of Outpost](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). --- ### A new newspaper, bb! URL: https://outpost.pub/rivertowns-dispatch-newspaper/ Last updated: 2024-09-20T18:27:31.000Z Just last week, the towns along the river just north of New York City got a brand new newspaper, the kind you actually can open up on the kitchen table and get your fingertips stained just a bit with ink while reading it over a well-made cup of coffee. [The Rivertowns Dispatch](https://rivertownsdispatch.com/?ref=outpost.pub) printed and shipped its inaugural version on September 6th, 2024\. Just look at this beauty! ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2024/09/riverstown-dispatch-first-run.jpg) Here's a little video of the the Dispatch's first print run: 0:00 /0:07 1× Allison Schulte is the paper's founder and publisher. She's an unlikely candidate for launching a physical paper. Previously, she worked as the global head of data and audience for a little media operation known as Bloomberg Media, which is about as digital as it comes. But she saw that her community and the ones around it were not being served well by legacy news outlets, and she wanted to launch a real paper with a corresponding digital presence. From Rivertowns Dispatch's [About Us](https://www.rivertownsdispatch.com/about-us/?ref=outpost.pub) page: > We believe that ***newspapers can be*** ***fun***. We’ll be playing with imagery, data visualization and design to make the Rivertowns come alive on the page. > We believe that there is ***value in creating community*** at a hyper-local level. This value benefits residents, businesses, and municipalities. The Rivertowns Dispatch covers news for the towns of Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Hastings-on-Hudson, Irvington, and the surrounding region just north of New York City up the Hudson river. For the [current low price of $100](https://www.rivertownsdispatch.com/membership/?ref=outpost.pub), residents get a newspaper delivered to their house once a week for a year. Supporting members at the $250 tier get some nice swag, a shout-out on the website and a meeting with the editorial team. We at Outpost were stupidly excited to help behind the scenes to help make this launch work. Ghost is an excellent choice for the Dispatch, for a number of reasons, but mainly because Ghost's superpower is that memberships are at the heart of Ghost. Memberships aren't some add-on built by some other company that works on top of or external to your publishing system (cough:Wordpress:cough). Memberships are built right-in to the heart of Ghost, which architecturally makes sense if you are running a media business centered on subscriptions. But a little customization was needed. Ghost's native checkout is geared toward digital subs, so it doesn't ask for a shipping address (which is not always the same as the billing address). So Outpost built a [custom membership checkout flow](https://www.rivertownsdispatch.com/membership/?ref=outpost.pub) for the Dispatch to make it easy to pay, while also capturing mailing addresses and allowing people to use discount codes when appropriate. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-19-at-10.27.57-PM.png) The custom checkout page for the Riverstown Dispatch to collect shipping addresses because that's where the newspaper goes! Additionally, the Dispatch wanted to get subscribers signed up with credit cards ready to go before the first print run. But it did not want to actually charge or start the subscription until the first papers were printed. So we built a pre-launch checkout system to securely save the subscriber info, payment details, and relevant discount codes until it was time to charge them. And that worked a charm. This isn't Outpost's first digital + print member publication (that's probably the very cool Australian magazine [Galah](https://digital.galahpress.com/?ref=outpost.pub)), but it's the first where we removed the need for a service like Shopify to handle the print subscription backend work. In the build for the Dispatch, all the relevant info for the newspaper subscriptions lives in Stripe (the payment processor), and paid subscribers get corresponding privileges on the website. That means Stripe is the source of truth for getting the list of currently paying subscribers and their addresses to the printer. This is ideal since that puts the mailing data in the same place as the data for the website's subscriptions. That also keeps the Dispatch from being locked into Outpost (vendor lock-in isn't something we believe in). Outpost also did some other work for the site like building some ad slots in the online theme, and we created a new variant for sponsorships in the newsletters, which we think looks quite nice. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-19-at-10.18.36-PM.png) Just making it simpler to make a sponsorship logo and callout in the newsletter. And finally, Allison hasn't given up on her digital data roots, so Outpost is helping fill a data pond with relevant data about subscriptions, website usage and more, so that she can do the kind of deep data analysis for the Dispatch that she did for Bloomberg. --- You might think that a physical newspaper is passe or even kitchsy in the digital age, but Rivertowns Dispatch isn't an exercise in nostalgia. Print can still matter and the Dispatch a thoroughly modern operation. It's built on a top-notch and architecturally sound tech stack that's both effective and cost-effective. And I can't wait to see what happens once Allison gets some time to start analyzing the data. --- When Allison first started talking with Outpost and told us about the plans, we couldn't help but continually exclaim, "You're making a newspaper!" And, yes, yes, she did! ### Outpost 3.1 (Infant Stars Transforming a Nebula) URL: https://outpost.pub/outpost-3-1/ Last updated: 2024-10-17T02:29:23.000Z Thank you for the great feedback about the new Outpost interface! We've been making some upgrades, including podcast integration improvements and adding the ability to create posts for unlisted YouTube videos - perfect for paid subscription tiers. - 📒 Outpost members page refactoring - 🎧 FeedPress integration UI updates - 📊 Gated PDFs (Lab beta feature that's almost fully done) Insert a PDF in your post that requires being a member or paying subscriber to get - ❗️YouTube integration update, adding ability to create posts for “unlisted” videos. - 📢 Megaphone integration improvements - 🏘️ Group subscriptions upgrades - 🧾 Upgrades to the 1-Person Subscription to allow invoices payable by check and with fancy-ish invoices - 💬 New CTA text-only module - 📈 Trending posts updates (better handling of tags and showing you what posts are trending at the start) - 📬 Shipping page updates (custom for sites that need a physical address) - 🧪 Experimental features: Ad insertion tool for ads in posts, Event metadata creation (super Alpha, requires theme work) - 🐜 Bug fixes To learn more about Outpost, visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/), drop us a note at info@outpost.pub or just [start your free, no credit-card-required 21-day free trial of Outpost](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). --- Image Credit: "Hubble Captures Infant Stars Transforming a Nebula" Hubble & NASA, J. Tan ### Independent Media Using Independent Tech URL: https://outpost.pub/independent-media/ Last updated: 2024-09-14T18:02:20.000Z 💡 Note to readers: These are some questions we field and discuss internally at Outpost, and we thought it might be helpful to share them as they inform how we see the world, why we do what we do, and how we choose to it. ### Why is journalism important? A free press is vital to an open and democratic world. At it's best, journalism exposes abuses, prevents corruption, builds empathy towards people different from ourselves, and aids in the never-ending quest for the world to be better. ### What are the problems journalism as a whole faces today? - On the economic front: - It is difficult to make much money from 3rd party ads because news is competing with every other page on the internet for attention and ad rates keep dropping. - The news industry largely gave up on subscription-based products in the digital age, and are now scrambling to catch up to build the technology and loyal user base so that publications can be funded by their readers and not just advertisers. - It's a tough business: the story of journalism is one of newspapers and legacy outlets shrinking, journalists losing their jobs, and having to transition to new careers while the new crop of journalists and writers enter an industry where the pay is quite low and career advancement is difficult when the industry is shrinking. - Technologically: - Many publishers got addicted to the fool's gold of social traffic, particularly Facebook, which is increasingly drying up. Very few publishers emphasized building relationships with users where they controlled the distribution, such as email lists, leaving them at the mercy of social sites, search (particularly Google), and algorithms. - Now, with the rise of AI snippets in Google search, it's not clear whether Google will continue to be a reliable driver of traffic to publisher's sites or just simply a parasite that rewrites content so that people don't even have to come to a publisher's site anymore. - Sites that are trying to transition to membership-centric publishing systems are often burdened with a mishmash of content management systems, email sending systems, and CRMs that are inelegant, inefficient, and hold them back. ### What inspired you to create Outpost? When I was a reporter and then editor at Wired, I grew extremely frustrated with how the publishing tools weren't built to serve readers or build loyalty. In particular, the recommendations at the end of the posts were manual and weren't intelligent. When a new story about an event was published, we could link back to the older stories, but the older stories wouldn't get links to the new story. To help give readers better ways to dive deeper in to stories and to find more things to read, I left Wired to create [Contextly](https://contextly.com/?ref=outpost.pub), which built smart internal content recommendations with the goal of helping sites turn drive-by readers into loyalists. Contextly is still running, and built into Outpost for Luna level and above, but we were never able to build out the full vision at the time of founding, in part because the content management systems publishers were using didn't have the right architecture to do that. When I came across [Ghost](https://ghost.org/?ref=outpost.pub), which was shifting into building a membership-centered open-source CMS, I saw the opportunity to actually build the kind of tool I've been wanting to build for a decade: one that would help publishers build a publishing system that was member-centered, intelligent, integrated, and extensible. For the simplest examples, Ghost allows publishers to publish and send and article in one click. An article can be both published to the web and sent to the correct subset of members at the same time, with no copying/pasting or extra steps. Because memberships are built-in, privileges are automatically enforced. Free members will never see paid subscriber content, and paid subscribers get all of their benefits automatically. With Ghost, none of the usual tricks work because memberships aren't bolted onto Ghost like they are with most content management systems. They're elegant (not janky). > What we realized with Ghost is that publishing is more than content management, so we set out to build the pieces that will help growing publishers grow their membership and subscription revenue with tools that don't belong in a CMS. Outpost complements Ghost, much as Wordpress is extended via plug-ins, with the benefit that Outpost services work off of Ghost's API and are built with a modern cloud-hosted services model. Unlike with Wordpress and plugins, there's no constant updating or plugins that slow down your site, create security holes, or go obsolete and stop being updated, or conflict with each other. With Outpost, you have one interface, not one interface for every single plugin. ### Why is Outpost a cooperative? On a practical level, we chose the cooperative model as a way to ensure that it can't be sold to a for-profit company (such as selling out to Google or Meta). Being a cooperative a deliberate organizational choice to give our publishers the assurance that we're not going away or flip to a giant company that will most-usually alter, enshittify, or shut down our service. That happens way too often. Take Revue, for example: a newsletter publishing platform, similar to Substack, that was bought by Twitter and then shut down in less than 2 years. The decision was more than just practical, the cooperative structure speaks to Outpost's vision. We believe it's possible for creators and publishers to have technology that is built for them, and serves them in a way that's affordable and that is part of the larger effort to build a thriving, independent media ecosystem. Cooperatives aren't novel for journalism. The Associated Press is a global news service, funded by its publisher members to cover news around the world. Publisher members then get the right to use that coverage to fill out their own coverage. Why not do the same for journalism technology, where we can build technology that used by many publishers, keeping the costs low for all? And then you can use group buying power to get lower prices for other commonly used technologies, which Outpost already does this for its members with the analytics provider [Plausible.io](https://plausible.io/?ref=outpost.pub) and the recommendation tech of [Contextly](https://contextly.com/?ref=outpost.pub). ### How would you like to see journalism evolve? I would like to see more viable paths for small newsrooms to thrive and serve their communities, and for more newsrooms to have tools that help them do their jobs rather than get in the way of doing their jobs. I would like to see journalism become more innovative in how they serve their audiences and information needs, less reliant on external venture capital funded enterprises for their distribution and ad sales. On the social side, I'd love to see the continued trend of people becoming more willing to spend money to support outlets, writers, artists, cartoonists, and creators of all stripes. ### What can readers do to support journalism and creators? Those of us who are writers, photographers, or artists are also fans and readers. A huge number of people over the last decade have come to the realization that if they want the artist/blogger/news site they appreciate to stick around, they need to support them as much as possible. That can be in the form of paid subscriptions, one time donations, sharing links, and encouraging people to check something out: it's the only way for independent publishers and artists to be able to thrive outside of corporate media. --- To learn more about Outpost, visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/), drop us a note at info@outpost.pub or just [start your free, no credit-card-required 21-day free trial of Outpost](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). --- Photo by [Luis Cortés](https://unsplash.com/@luiskcortes?utm%5Fcontent=creditCopyText&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fsource=unsplash) on [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/white-printer-paper-on-brown-wooden-table-DRL63jJ0L2Y?utm%5Fcontent=creditCopyText&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fsource=unsplash) ### Outpost 3.0: Now Renovated URL: https://outpost.pub/outpost-3-0/ Last updated: 2024-06-26T23:12:35.000Z We're excited to announce the next big version of Outpost, which feels big enough to warrant a shiny new version number. For those not familiar, Outpost is a set of power tools that help publishers using Ghost grow their audience, convert free readers to paid, and retain them. The biggest change you'll see is a whole new look and layout for the Outpost Control Center. We love it and hope you do too. All the features existing users used before are still there, as are your settings - though they might be in slightly different places than before. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-12-at-9.35.56-PM.png) Outpost's new Control Center It's a much cleaner look, with navigation on the left, rather than the top. The homepage features a dashboard from Outpost, as well as Plausible.io (web analytics). It's a whole new design language for us that we'll be extending to other parts of Outpost, such as the welcome flow for new Outpost clients, and better fits all the growing number of tools that Outpost now offers and those that are upcoming. Additionally, we are shipping a number of other updates: ### Self-Serve Custom Domains for Outpost Emails: Google and Yahoo are now being much more strict about allowing other services to send email as you. And when Outpost sends emails on your behalf, you want them to come from your domain, not from Outpost. So we built an easy-to-use wizard for setting up a custom Mailgun domain to let Outpost send emails on your behalf, from your domain. If you did this with your Ghost site, it will feel very familiar. ### An Easy Way to Remove Free Subscribers who Unsubscribed from Newsletters: ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-12-at-11.16.23-PM.png) Interface for safely removing inactive free members We built a list cleaning tool for Ghost sites that lets you see and remove free members who have unsubscribed from your newsletter. You can see how many there are, download their data (if you like), and remove them from the site. In the image above, you'll see there are 2 members that are both on the Free Tier and unsubscribed. For many Ghost sites, these members aren't useful, and they add to the cost that Outpost and Ghost(Pro) charge. Removing these members can help keep your costs down. So you can now easily and safely remove these members under Members -> Clean Up in the new Outpost Control Center. ### Homepage Popup for Ghost: We built out the Auto Display system to add a homepage pop-up option, which complements the existing in-post CTAs, the post page pop-up, and the bottom slider. The homepage pop-up has options to show immediately, on a time delay or on scroll depth. You can also set how often to show this to any given reader, from every time all the way to once a day. ![A pop-up asking people to subscribe to a newsletter on a homepage.](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-12-at-10.35.44-PM.png) It's a pop-up. On the homepage. Showing only to unknown readers, and not bugging your paid ones. Like all of our CTAs, these are built with Ghost in mind, so you can set the popup to only show to unknown readers, set a different version for free readers, and even if you want, make one for your paid readers. ### User-Defined Group Subscriptions for Ghost: ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-12-at-10.42.54-PM.png) User interface for readers to build their own group plan We added a third kind of group subscription we call the Tiered Group Subscription Offer. We first built a way that you could create a defined group subscription, such as 4-person subscription groups, and show those publicly or have them be private. We also have a way to add group benefits to an existing tier, so that anyone who signs up for that tier wll be able to add other people to their membership. So if someone signs up for your highest tier, they can add other people to their membership. We wanted to make groups even more flexible for users who want to define their own group size. Maybe they want want for 7 people, and you only set up options for 5. So now, if you set this up, users can go to your group subscription page on your site, choose the number of subs they want and check out with no work from you. You simply set the price per subscription for group size ranges. So group subs sized 2 to 5 cost $X each, while groups sized 6 to 10 are $Y each, and those from 11 to 20 subscriptions cost $Z each. You get to define the ranges and prices yourself. To try it out if you are on the Luna plan or higher, simply go to the Group Subscription section, click New, choose Tiered Group Subscription offer, and set the Tier, pricing, etc. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-12-at-10.06.31-PM.png) Setting up a new Group Tiered Subscription Offer It will then be public on your group subscription page. ### Applying Institutional Subscriptions to Existing Members: We added the ability to apply institutional subscription benefits to existing site members. So if Acme Corporation signs up for an institutional subscription so that everyone with an email address ending in acmecorp.com gets Platinum tier benefits, there is an option to upgrade everyone with that email pattern who is already a member. Outpost can't modify existing paid subscriptions so this only applies immediately to free members. Paid members with that email address will be moved to the insittutional subscription when their existing paid sub ends. ### Angler.AI integration: We added a new integration with [Angler AI](https://getangler.ai/?ref=outpost.pub), a startup that works to do better and smarter social advertising campaigns. This is a beta feature requires a decent amount of setup to get running, but if you are interested in using your existing data to do better targeting for subscriber acquisition ad campaigns on social media, drop us a note at support@outpost.pub. And there are the usual small bug fixes and performance improvements as well. We hope you love the new interface and if you have any thoughts about it, see any bugs, or have any questions, please let us know at support@outpost.pub. ### Outpost 3.0 (Earthrise) URL: https://outpost.pub/earthrise/ Last updated: 2024-10-17T02:28:49.000Z Outpost has been busy! Outpost is now at V3, with a whole new interface for clients, easier ways to setup custom email sending domains, DIY group subscriptions, Angler AI integration and more: - 🛸 New Outpost Control Center layout and UI - 🧹 Free and unsubscribed members email list clean-up - 📢 New CTAs including a new homepage pop-up option - 📊 New tiered group subscriptions e.g. Users choose how many to buy - 🪄 A Wizard for setting up custom Mailgun domains for sending emails - 🏫 Ability to apply Institutional subscription benefits to existing members - 🤖 Angler AI integration - 💸 Ability to create one-person subscription plans with discounts - 🐞 Bug fixes and improvements To learn more about Outpost or to start your free, no credit-card required free trial, visit our homepage and click Get Started. [OutpostPublishing From and To The Future![](https://outpost.pub/favicon.ico)Outpost![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2021/11/5509862-1.jpg)](https://outpost.pub/) ### Outpost 2.4.4 (Aurora Borealis Illuminates the Night Sky) URL: https://outpost.pub/aurora-illuminates-the-night-sky/ Last updated: 2024-10-17T02:28:25.000Z We've been building out the capabilities of the Auto Display function bit by bit. In this go round, we added our first ad option, as well as more call to action (CTA) options, and the ability to target CTAs by tag, with lots more to come. The latest updates include a feature that enables websites to utilize the auto-display tool's in-post calls-to-action (CTAs) for displaying leaderboard ads, as well as the option to show different CTAs for the same slot depending on the post tags. Other the big changes is the ability to send different messages to different tiers of paid users within relevant Autoresponder actions. A welcome message to your top tier can now easily be different than the one sent to your basic tier! We also added a new version of the Popup that allows customized actions in buttons (like linking to external event registration pages). Finally, we added an updated version of the Outpost API integration to let external apps refer to users with their own unique IDs, rather than by email addresses. - 🖼️ New Ad CTA - allows sites to use the auto-display tool's in-post CTAs to show leaderboard ads - 🔖 Ability to show different CTAs for different post tag(s) - 🐛 A few bug fixes - 💬 Added the ability to show different messages to different tiers of paid users in the relevant Autoresponders - 🔀 New version of the Popup that allows arbitrary action in the button (e.g. link to an external event registration page), rather than just typical Ghost actions such as subscribing - 📇 Added a new version of the Outpost API integration to allow sites to refer to subscribers using an external ID, in addition to the usual method of using their email address as the unique identifier To learn more about Outpost visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/) or just [start your free, no credit-card-required free 21-day Outpost free trial](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). [OutpostPublishing From and To The Future![](https://outpost.pub/favicon.ico)Outpost![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2021/11/5509862-1.jpg)](https://outpost.pub/) ### Outpost 2.4.3 (Telescopes Illuminate ‘Christmas Tree Cluster’) URL: https://outpost.pub/outpost-2-4-3-telescopes-illuminate-christmas-tree-cluster/ Last updated: 2024-10-17T02:27:59.000Z Just before the holiday deadline, we shipped some new integrations, did a little cleaning and added a nice new CTA for our upcoming Auto Display launch. - 🔌 Salesforce integration - 🔌 Hubspot integration - 🔌 Recharge integration - ➕ New Auto Display CTA type that is a slim signup box that sits nicely in the middle of posts - 🏷️ CTA UI improvements, including being able to hide CTAs on posts with specified tags - 🧹 New format for member labels - 🐛 Improved our internal reports - 🐛 Minor bug fixes Lots of enterprise connections being built, and filling out the Beta Auto Display before launch. Connecting Ghost to Salesforce, Recharge, and Hubspot. We also started cleaning up our labels, settling on a format like This\_Is\_Outpost\_Label\_Format. More on this soon. ### Holiday Season Feature Release #2: It's not a push, it's a Nudge URL: https://outpost.pub/holiday-season-feature-release-2-its-not-a-push-its-a-nudge/ Last updated: 2023-12-08T14:25:35.000Z The second feature we're releasing this holiday season is the Nudge. It's not a push, it's just a gentle reminder. It's a simple way for Ghost publishers to remind someone who clicked on an offer you sent them in an Autoresponder email but didn't end up paying that they might want to finish payment. By default, the email links them to the offer they clicked on previously, but you can also throw a special discount in there if you like. Will it convert everyone who clicks? Nope. Does it work for some? Absolutely. Does that make you more money? Math might be hard, but it's not that hard. Yes, a Nudge will make you more money. Like all Outpost's Autoresponder emails for Ghost, it comes with a default message that you can edit to put in your own voice. You can read more about it and how to turn it on in the [Nudge documentation](https://outpost.pub/docs/nudge-emails/). And, also a gentle reminder, or a Nudge, that the holiday season is upon us, and that's always a good time to send a note to someone you haven't talked to in a while. Let you are thinking about them and miss them. Nudge them with some holiday cheer, because everyone loves a nudge now and then. To learn more about Outpost visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/) or just [start your free, no credit-card-required free 21-day Outpost free trial](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). [OutpostPublishing From and To The Future![](https://outpost.pub/favicon.ico)Outpost![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2021/11/5509862-1.jpg)](https://outpost.pub/) ### Nudge your subscription numbers up with Autoresponder Nudge emails URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/nudge-emails/ Last updated: 2024-06-30T00:08:20.000Z Nudge Emails are a strategic tool designed to gently remind your readers about subscription offers they showed interest in but didn't purchase on your Ghost site/newsletter. Crafted with precision and a touch of personalization, these emails rekindle their interest, nudging them towards making a decision. When a reader clicks on a subscription offer in an Autoresponder email but doesn't buy, Outpost can send an automatic Nudge email prompting them to finish up. You can also provide a discount offer in this email to further entice subscription. ## Using Outpost's Nudge emails for Ghost By default, this feature is turned off for existing subscribers, and on for new subscribers. To start sending Nudge emails or editing, head to your basic Autoresponder settings in your Outpost Control Center: ![Screenshot of Autoresponder menu](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/12/Screenshot_2023-11-28_at_12.21.38_PM-3.jpg) You'll find the Nudge settings under Autoresponder's Other section: ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/12/Image_12-7-23_at_3.23_PM.jpg) Nudge will be partway down the page. Again, it will be off for existing subscribers until you select to turn it on. Below is the feature's button in the On position: ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/12/Image_12-7-23_at_3.35_PM-1.jpg) Choose when you want the nudge to happen, meaning how long after someone clicked an offer in an Outpost Autoresponder Action email: ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-06-at-4.13.41-PM.png) To have the offer the reader clicked on listed, select "Offer User Clicked." This is the default behavior. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-06-at-4.13.35-PM.png) You can send one customized to simply include the offer that the user already clicked, create a new one, or simply send them to a full price offer: ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-07-at-3.10.35-PM.png) > It might be helpful to offer a discount with this Nudge email to draw in more subscribers. ## Editing your Nudge email To preview/edit/send test, click "Preview/Test." ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/12/screenshot.jpg) Outpost provides a template that is ready to go. To change this email, select the Edit button circled below: ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/12/Screenshot_2023-12-06_at_4.19.47_PM.jpg) Here, you can put the Nudge email in your own voice ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-06-at-4.20.10-PM-1.png) This email can utilize [Email Variables](https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-send-personalized-emails-to-ghost-readers/) to personalize with the reader's name, a list of which you can find below the email template: ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-06-at-4.24.10-PM.png) When you're ready to save your email, don't forget to hit Submit to save. ## Nudge email reporting Like with other Autoresponder actions, we'll let you know what emails went out and how they performed In that report, we'll tell you everyday how many Nudge emails got sent, how many we think were opened, and how many clicks there were on the Nudge offer. You'll see something like "*Nudge reminder to someone who clicked an offer but did not buy:* Sent: 1, Open rate: 100%, Click rate: 100%, Conversions: 1 When there is a successful conversion you'll see something like "Yesterday, 1 person joined from the Nudge reminder to someone who clicked an offer but did not buy." --- Image Credit: "Moon Over Southern Atlantic" NASA ### Holiday Season Feature Release #1: Failed Payment Retention Flow URL: https://outpost.pub/failed-payment-retention-flow-2/ Last updated: 2023-12-06T07:32:20.000Z It's that time of year, where we all remember that it's better to give than to receive - though for that to be true, there have to be people to receive. So, in that spirit, we'll be announcing a bunch of new features over the next week or two. And this first new feature is one we are giving you so you can *keep* receiving. It's called the Failed Payment Retention Flow, which helps Ghost publishers keep their paying subscribers paying. This feature is included as a new base feature for all levels of Outpost subscribers, Space Station up to Luna. What it does: when one of your paying subscriber's subscription renewal payment fails because of a expired or credit card, Outpost kicks off a special email flow for them, gently reminding them to update their payment method. In the meantime, their paid privileges are extended on the site. By default, we send 5 emails (with some nice pre-written copy) over 7 days. We accidentally launched this for most Outpost subscribers a few weeks ago, and boy, does it work well. We're seeing lots of people who just didn't even know that their payment failed, re-upping their subscriptions by updating their credit cards. That's important because reducing churn (e.g. the percentage of paying subscribers that renew) low is key to building your business. You want to get and *keep* subscribers. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/12/miracle-to-you.gif) We also tell you in your daily report when there's been a successful conversion, how many of these emails go out daily, and conversion rates. When the flow doesn't work, we'll tell you who didn't update their payment details. We also label those members who didn't end up adding a new payment method with the user label: FormerPaidSubscriber. You can use that in Ghost to send out targeted return offers. ⚠️ FYI, there is one setting in your Stripe account you should check is set to the right setting, otherwise there can be some odd side effects. See the [documentation](https://outpost.pub/docs/failed-payment-retention-flow/) if you are an existing Outpost subscriber. You can read more about the Failed Payment Retention Flow in the [FAQ](https://outpost.pub/faq-outpost-failed-payment-retention-flow-for-ghost/) or jump right into the [documentation](https://outpost.pub/docs/failed-payment-retention-flow/). FYI #2, we built a whole new Autoresponder flow UI for this, so it lives somewhat separately from your usual Autoresponder. It's in your Outpost Control Center, under the Autoresponder tab in retention flow (not basic). We hope you like the first present, and there's lots more to come. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/12/ghost-of-christmas-past.gif) FYI #3, these GIFs are from Scrooged, which is arguably the best Christmas movie ever, except for possibly It's a Wonderful Life. As always, if you have questions, comments or just want to argue about best Christmas movies, just reply to this email, and we'll route you to the correct Christmas Ghost for you. ### FAQ: Outpost Failed Payment Retention Flow for Ghost URL: https://outpost.pub/faq-outpost-failed-payment-retention-flow-for-ghost/ Last updated: 2025-11-27T06:06:22.000Z **Q: What is the Outpost Failed Payment Retention Flow?** A: The Outpost Failed Payment Retention Flow is a system designed to retain paying subscribers who may not know their subscription lapsed due to a failed payment. When a subscriber's payment fails, Outpost steps in to help them update their payment method, significantly reducing churn on your paid memberships. **Q: Why is reducing churn important?** A: Reducing churn is crucial for a subscription business. Customer Retention is Cost-Effective: Acquiring a new customer can cost five times more than retaining an existing customer. By reducing churn, you're effectively saving money that would otherwise be spent on customer acquisition. Increased Customer Lifetime Value (CLV): When customers stay subscribed for longer periods, they provide more revenue over their lifetime. This increased CLV is a direct boost to your business's profitability. Sustainable Growth: High churn rates can negate your growth efforts. Even if you're acquiring new customers, if the same number (or more) are leaving, your net growth will be zero or negative. Reducing churn ensures that your customer base grows steadily over time. Customer Loyalty and Advocacy: Customers who stay with your business for longer periods are more likely to become loyal advocates for your brand. They can provide valuable word-of-mouth marketing, which is often more effective and credible than traditional advertising. Opportunity for Upselling and Cross-Selling: Existing customers are more likely to purchase additional products or services from your business. By reducing churn, you maintain these opportunities for upselling and cross-selling, which can significantly increase your revenue. **Q: How does the Failed Payment Retention Flow work?** A: The system extends the subscription period slightly for paying subscribers whose payment method couldn’t be charged at renewal time. It then sends them a series of emails asking them to update their card/payment method. If they update their card, the flow stops. If not, the subscriber’s subscription is ended. **Q: How can I set up the Retention Flow?** A: You can set up the Retention Flow in the [Outpost Control Center (OCC)](http://admin.outpost.pub/?ref=outpost.pub). Go to Autoresponder -> Failed Payment Flow. ![Screenshot 2023-11-28 at 12.21.38 PM.png](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/11/Screenshot-2023-11-28-at-12.21.38-PM.png) Here, you can set the duration of the flow, customize the emails,control how many emails are in the flow, and turn on the flow. Remember, the big On/Off button at the top must be turned ON for the flow to work. ![Screenshot 2023-11-28 at 12.30.04 PM.png](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/11/Screenshot-2023-11-28-at-12.30.04-PM-1.png) **Q: What kind of reporting and data can I expect from the Retention Flow?** A: Outpost’s daily reports will provide information on when a subscriber with a failed renewal payment gets a retention flow email, when they update their payment, as well as open rates/click rates on each email. Cumulative stats on how well each email is working are available in the OCC. **Q: What happens if a subscriber goes through the flow without updating their payment?** A: If a subscriber doesn't update their payment, they revert to being a free subscriber and are given two labels: `FormerPaidSubscriber` and `failed_payment_ended_subscription_DATE`. You can use these labels to send an email to former subscribers if you want to offer them a deal to return. **Q: Are there any specific settings I need to be aware of in Stripe?** A: Yes, there are two crucial setting in Stripe you need to ensure is set correctly for this system to work. 1. Go to to Settings in Stripe ![Screenshot 2023-11-28 at 1.21.34 PM.png](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/11/Screenshot-2023-11-28-at-1.21.34-PM-1.png) 2. Under Subscriptions and Emails: ![Screenshot_2023-11-28_at_1.21.55_PM.jpg](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/11/Screenshot_2023-11-28_at_1.21.55_PM.jpg) 1. Enable Retries and make sure the time period there is at least as long, if not longer, than the Outpost renewal flow emails. We suggest setting this as 2 weeks in Stripe and a 10-day period in Outpost. This prevents Stripe from ending the subscription BEFORE the email flop ends. 1. Then to ensure that the subscription stops, go to "Manage failed payments for subscriptions" and scroll down to **Subscription Status**. Under "If all retries for a payment fail," choose "cancel the subscription." ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2025/11/image.png) If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to us at info@outpost.pub. --- Image Credits: ESA/Hubble & NASA, A. Sarajedini ### YouTube Videos to Ghost Posts URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/youtube-ghost-posts/ Last updated: 2024-09-23T22:40:30.000Z The YouTube Video to Ghost Post connection feature turns your YouTube video channel into automated posts on Ghost. You can use these posts like any other on your site. They will display on your homepage, tag pages, and archive pages. You can also send them out via email. They are also findable via search engines so you can boost your SEO. ### How YouTube to Ghost Posts Works: The Outpost integration checks your YouTube channel once an hour, and when it finds a new video, it pulls the video in and creates a new post, according to the settings you have chosen. You can choose to have the posts published immediately or saved as a draft. You will also be notified, by default, when a new post is created. The default setting is to 1. create a post using your default post type that has the same headline as the title of the YouTube post and includes some or all of the description at the beginning of the body of the post, 2. embed the video into the post right after the description, 3. use the featured image from YouTube as the featured image for the post, 4. hide the featured image on the post when someone visits the post, 5. add the description to the Meta description field, 6. leave the excerpt field blank. 7. publish the post to the site (without emailing it out) 8. notify you by email of the new post ### Setting up the YouTube/Ghost integration: Log into your [Outpost Control Center](https://admin.outpost.pub/?ref=outpost.pub). Go to Account -> Integrations. Scroll down to YouTube. ![Screenshot of menu with Integrations](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/11/integrations.jpeg) Find your YouTube channel ID. You can find this in your YouTube settings. Log into YouTube - on the left side, scroll down and look for Settings, then look for Advanced settings at the bottom. Alternatively, you can go to your YouTube page on the web in a browser, choose to view page source and Ctrl-F for Channel ID. Once you have the ID, which looks something like UCre9HoKT3l0shfDpjcB5VVw, paste it into the ID field. This unlocks the other settings. - Choose a Mode: Import Existing Videos will create posts for all of the videos in your channel once you have hit save. Add Only New Videos ignores all existing videos and will only add new videos you post AFTER you finish setting up the integration. - Copy over the Tag NAME you want to be added to the Video. Copy this exactly as the tag is in your Ghost site. This tag can be used in your theme to create a section on your homepage that shows just your YouTube videos. Keep in mind that your tag slug and tag name are not the same: for simplicity sake, you can have your slug be youtube-videos, and the Tag Name “Our Awesome YouTube videos”. In that case, your theme logic will use the slug, while the name in the section on the site is human-readable and easy to edit. - Choose the author name you want to go on the post. - Decide if you want all of the description, just the first paragraph or none of it to be added to the post above the embed, - Decide if you want the post to be automatically published, or just created as a draft. In either case, you will be notified by email (unless you turn that off under Reports&Activity->Notifications). - (ADVANCED) Provide the name of a post template you want to use that is not your default one. For 95% of people, the default post type is fine. - (ADVANCED) Choose how you want to embed the video. For 95% of people, the default YouTube embed is fine. ### Featured Images on YouTube Posts: The featured image is hidden from display on the post by default because in almost all cases the featured image will look exactly like the embedded video. So if the featured image is not hidden, then the post will have two identical large images very close to one another. However, we do want the post to have a featured image so that if the post shows up on the homepage or is shared on social, it has an image associated with it.out ### Advanced Embedding If you want to do advanced embedding, where videos aren’t loaded by readers until the video is clicked or you want to embed videos in a way so that they are playable on the homepage, there is an advanced option called Use Deferred Loading Script. 👷‍♀️ You can only use the Deferred Loading Script method if you modify your theme and add a script that make it look like a video is embedded, while actually not loading the video until a user clicks on it. This is done using the very clever technique called [Light YouTube Embeds](https://www.labnol.org/internet/light-youtube-embeds/27941/?ref=outpost.pub) from Amit Agarwal, adapted for use here by Bright Themes for our client Tangle. Thanks Amit! Check out his blog at [https://www.labnol.org](https://www.labnol.org/?ref=outpost.pub) In this implementation, the excerpt field is used to hold the YouTube video ID. That is necessary for the script on the homepage to make the videos playable. Here’s a quick demo and explanation of how it works: If you are looking to have someone do this custom work for you or have questions, drop us a note at info@outpost.pub. --- Image Credit: NASA ### Outpost Failed Payment Retention Flow URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/failed-payment-retention-flow/ Last updated: 2024-08-15T19:09:08.000Z The Outpost Failed Payment Retention Flow emails are a powerful way to retain paying subscribers, many of whom do not know their subscription lapsed because of a failed payment. In other words, when one of your Ghost subscribers doesn't renew because their credit card expired, Outpost will do the work for you to get them to update their credit card. This is probably the single most powerful thing you can do to reduce churn on your paid memberships. The system works by extending the subscription period slightly for paying subscribers whose payment method couldn’t be charged at renewal time and then sending them a set of emails asking them to update their card/payment method. ❗ IMPORTANT: There are TWO settings in Stripe that can cause issues with this feature. Please login to Stripe and go to [Settings -> Subscriptions and Emails](https://dashboard.stripe.com/settings/billing/automatic?ref=outpost.pub). 1) Tell Stripe to retry failed payment methods for longer than the Outpost Failed Payment Retention Flow. 2).Under ****Manage failed payments for subscriptions** \-> Subscriptions -> "If all retries for a payment fail," and choose "cancel the subscription." Other settings for this can allow members with failed payments to retain paid privileges indefinitely. Screenshot and more info below. Failed payments can happen for many reasons including that the card on file expired, the card was canceled, or the payment was rejected for other reasons including a low balance on a debit card or gift card. This flow sends up to 5 emails over a period of time, typically a week, asking the subscriber to update their payment method. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-05-at-7.46.31-PM.png) If they update their card, the flow stops and their account is put back in normal standing. If the subscriber doesn’t update their card, the subscriber’s subscription is ended. This Autoresponder flow works differently from our other flows: in this case, you simply set the duration of the flow (e.g. 5 days, 7 days, 10 days), and Outpost will automatically space out the emails over that time. The flow also has a different look, so it is currently in its own section. You can find it under Autoresponder -> Retention. ![Failed Payment Flow circled in Autoresponder menu](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/12/Screenshot_2023-11-28_at_12.21.38_PM-2-2.jpg) Note that there are other Retention emails in the Basic Autoresponder, including the Thank You note to people who update their credit card details. ## How to Set up the Retention Flow To start, the big On/Off button at the top is likely OFF. This means that NO emails will be sent by this flow, even if the individual emails are turned on below. This lets you set everything up BEFORE turning it on, and if necessary, gives you a way to stop the email flow with one click. ![Screenshot of Off/On Button in starting Off position](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-04-at-4.04.27-PM-1.png) Then, in the OCC, go to Autoresponder -> Retention Flow: ![Screenshot of Failed Payment Flow circled under Autoresponder menu](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/12/Screenshot_2023-11-28_at_12.21.38_PM-2-1.jpg) The defaults are to start immediately and space out the emails/extend the user subscription for 7 days. We have found these to be very good settings, but you can change them. ### Set the duration: We recommend a duration 7 days, but you can choose shorter than that. ![Screenshot of Duration settings](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-04-at-4.29.25-PM-1.png) ### Set how soon to start: By default these emails will get sent out starting immediately after the subscriber’s subscription was supposed to end, although you can delay the starting date. Be aware that the readers' subscriptions continue without payment while the flow is happening, so you may not want to delay too long. ![Screenshot of start date settings](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-04-at-4.28.46-PM-1.png) ### Preview and edit the emails: We provide some default subject lines and body text for each email. ![Screenshot of email preview](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-04-at-10.51.35-PM-1.png) You can use the same [Email Variables](https://outpost.pub/docs/how-can-i-customize-and-personalize-autoresponder-action-emails-for-ghost/) in these emails as you can in all the other Autoresponder emails. ![Screenshot of editing email](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-04-at-10.54.01-PM-1.png) ### Turn on the Big On/Off Button: Once you are happy with the setting and text, turn it on by clicking the Big On/Off slider at the top of the retention emails settings page. ![Screenshot of Off/On Button in the On position with success message](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-04-at-10.49.15-PM-1.png) You should see the green "Email Flow updated successfully" message when the button is turned on ## Reporting and Data on the Retention Flow: Outpost’s [daily reports](https://outpost.pub/reports/) will let you know when a subscriber with a failed renewal payment gets a retention flow email, when they update their payment, as well as open rates/click rates on each email. You will see a line like "1 subscriber with a failed renewal payment updated their payment info and kept subscribing." ![Screenshot of Outpost Report](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/12/Retention-Conversion-message-in-Outpost-Daily-Report-1.jpg) The reports will also note if a subscriber goes through the flow without updating their payment method and provide their email address in the report. ![Screenshot of Outpost Retention report](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/12/Retention-Details-in-Outpost-Daily-Report--1-.jpg) Cumulative stats on how well each email is working is available in the Outpost Control Center by looking at the Failed Payment Retention flow as if you were going to edit it. ### Retention Flow User Labels: If a subscriber goes through the flow without updating their payment, the user reverts to being a free subscriber and the user is given two labels: `FormerPaidSubscriber failed_payment_ended_subscription_DATE` You can use the first label to send an email to all former subscribers if you want to offer them a deal to return. ## Stripe Settings: There are two CRUCIAL settings in Stripe you need to make sure is set correctly for this system to work correctly. You can find it on this [Stripe page about Subscriptions and Emails](https://dashboard.stripe.com/settings/billing/automatic?ref=outpost.pub). ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2024/08/Subscriptions-and-emails-from-ryansingel.net.png) 1) You need to tell Stripe to keep re-trying the card on file FOR AT LEAST ONE DAY LONGER than the Outpost Failed Payment Flow. The best setting is 2 to 3 days longer. This ensures that Stripe doesn't end the subscription that the Failed Payment Flow is trying to get payment for. Most of the time, the Stripe re-tries are not going to work, but it gives Outpost time for a flow that works quite well. Simply put, you can't get payment for a subscription that has already ended. You can use a custom retry policy or use the Stripe Smart Retry setting - the key thing is that it is on and lasts longer than the Outpost flow. Turning it on keeps Stripe from ending the subscription immediately - which prevents Outpost's flow from working. You have more fine-grained control over when Stripe ends the subscription by setting a custom policy. If you use the Smart Retry, we suggest either choosing 2 weeks. If you choose 1 week, change the Outpost Flow to run for 5 or 6 days (default is 7 days). This avoids cases that the final Outpost email will be acted on by a reader AFTER Stripe cancels the subscription. 1. Set Stripe to CANCEL the subscription when all the payment retries have failed. This ensures that subscribers with failed payments don't continue to get paid benefits in Ghost. If you set this otherwise, Outpost will try to end the subscription. But many times Stripe will not allow Outpost to do so, and you'll get annoying emails from us telling you to go into Stripe and end their subscriptions manually. Feel free to turn on the ACH retry settings as well. There are also settings in here to send emails to people on trials, but Outpost has this as well, so it's likely better to let Outpost handle it so that all your communications come from the same source. --- Image Credit: NASA, Hubble ### Outpost 2.4.2 (Dragon Lights Up the Night) URL: https://outpost.pub/outpost-2-4-2-dragon-lights-up-the-night/ Last updated: 2024-10-17T02:27:30.000Z We added some very cool default Popups and Slide-Ups that let you create unique discount offers in those modules on your Ghost site, which are an addition to the main ones asking people to subscribe. This feature is headed to the moon, unlike the rocket above which is just going up and down. Today's push also adds some options to the Beta feature that lets you automatically create Ghost posts from your YouTube feed. The new options include letting you decide if the post is automatically published or simply added as a draft post to be reviewed before publishing. - 🖥️ Changed the name of the new feature formerly named Auto CTAs to AutoDisplay - 🚀 New default modules and settings in AutoDisplay, including discount offers in Popups and Bottom Slide Ups - 📲 Additional settings for the YouTube to Ghost post feature - 🐛 Minor bug fixes ### Outpost 2.4.1 (Euclid Spots a Spiral Galaxy) URL: https://outpost.pub/outpost-2-4-1-euclid-spots-a-spiral-galaxy/ Last updated: 2024-10-17T02:27:00.000Z Today's push fixes a couple of bugs in Outpost, adds new Beta feature that lets you automatically create Ghost posts from your YouTube feed, and adds some improvements to the beta feature for showing smart and dynamic Pop-Ups and other CTAs in Ghost. - 📽️ Added a new BETA system for that turns YouTube Channel videos into Ghost posts. - 🏷️ Fixed a bug where labels indicating who has opted out of marketing emails and who has not were not applied. We are also retroactively fixing this for the missed members over the previous two weeks. - 💸 Fixed a bug where a complimentary member who became a paying member was still seen as complimentary by Outpost. - 🦺 Added some new default models and styling controls for the beta Auto CTA feature. ### What is the Sponsorship Box? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/what-is-the-sponsorship-box/ Last updated: 2024-07-24T23:53:42.000Z ### What is the Sponsorship Box? The Sponsorship Box is a simple Outpost tool built for Ghost to make a visually appealing sponsor unit for newsletters and posts so that you can highlight a sponsor in your post with a horizontal visual box, typically at the top of the post or email. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/11/Screenshot-2023-10-19-at-6.05.46-PM-1.png) Sponsorship Boxes show up both in Ghost post's and in the email you send out for that post. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-26-at-4.50.04-PM-1.png) ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-26-at-4.49.42-PM-1.png) ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-26-at-4.49.01-PM-1.png) A sponsor box for Ghost that shows up in posts and emails. The examples here show a sponsorship box on desktop web, mobile web, and email. Outpost’s tool makes these simple to create, and saves them in a library in order for you to easily reuse them. We built this tool because Ghost’s editor doesn’t have an easy way to create this kind of display with images next to text is not a native feature. This simple solution that makes a unit that looks good in your posts and in your emails. As it’s a Beta feature, there are known limitations to the tool. ### How do Sponsorship Boxes work and how do I use them? The Sponsorship Box is a static web item that is put into a post manually. So when you put in a post and publish it or publish and email it, it works just like any other multimedia item. That is, if you want to change the item or remove it, you need to edit the post. This is different from Outpost’s Auto CTAs, where you can create Call to Action units, buttons, Pop Ups, and Bottom Sliders that are automatically inserted and changed dynamically, across the site, without touching individual posts. The Sponsorship Box is intended to include an image on the left, a headline, a line of text and a link. When someone clicks anywhere on the box in an email or on your site, they are taken to that link. You create the Sponsorship Box in Outpost, and then Outpost puts it in a draft post for you. --- Image Credit: NASA ### Additional Info on Sponsorship Boxes URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/additional-info-on-sponsorship-boxes/ Last updated: 2024-07-24T23:52:17.000Z ### If I edit a Sponsorship Box in the Outpost Control Center, does it change posts that already have the Sponsor Box in it? No. This is a static item. You can edit a Sponsorship Box in your library, but any changes you make only affect future posts you put that box in. ### How do I remove a Sponsorship Box from an existing post? Deleting an existing sponsorship box in a published post is simple. Find the post in the Ghost editor, click on the sponsor box and then delete it. Save your changes and the post will be gone. ### What happens to Sponsorship Boxes if I stop using Outpost? If you stop using Outpost, the existing Sponsorship Boxes in your posts will continue to show up. You will lose access to the library and the tool for making new ones, but the existing ones will not be affected and will continue to show up in past posts. --- Image Credit: NASA ### How do I create, insert and edit a Sponsorship Box? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/creating-editing-inserting-sponsorship-box/ Last updated: 2024-07-24T23:51:03.000Z ### Creating a Sponsorship Box: 1. Go to the Sponsorship Box section in Outpost Control Center: ![Screenshot of OCC with Sponsorship Boxes circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/11/Screenshot_2023-10-09_at_12.01.31_PM.jpg) 2\. Select Add Sponsorship Box: ![Add Sponsor Box circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/11/Screenshot_2023-11-03_at_4.05.37_PM-2.jpg) 3\. Choose the Title. This is likely your Sponsor’s name. You may also want to make it clear this is from a sponsor in the title. Beneath this, put the sponsor's URL for the sponsorship box to direct people to when they click on the box. Your sponsor may want to track incoming clicks to their site, using some sort of REF or UTM codes appended to the link. ![Screenshot of Sponsorship Box Header and URL](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/11/Screenshot-2023-11-03-at-4.06.20-PM.png) 6\. Include your sponsor’s desired text and hit save to see it under the title: ![Green success message](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/11/Screenshot-2023-11-03-at-4.06.58-PM.png) 5\. Under "Add Sponsor Box," select the Image menu: ![Image menu circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/11/Screenshot_2023-11-03_at_4.06.20_PM.jpg) Upload an image by selecting Browse, try using a square logo for your image. This uploads the image into your Ghost site, and the box resizes it to fit. You will have best results from a square image that isn’t too large. ![Browse menu circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/11/Screenshot_2023-11-03_at_4.07.29_PM.jpg) Hit Save, and you should see the green box at the top and see your image appearing to the left of your text: ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/11/Screenshot-2023-11-03-at-4.10.03-PM-1.png) ### Putting a Sponsorship Box in a post and email: 1. In the Outpost Control Center, find the Sponsorship Box section to show your library of content. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/11/Screenshot_2023-10-09_at_12.01.31_PM-1.jpg) ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/11/Screenshot-2023-11-03-at-4.45.54-PM.png) 2\. On an existing Sponsorship Box, click Create New Post to launch a new DRAFT post on your site. If you haven’t created one yet, create a Sponsorship Box and then return to the library and choose Create New Post. Nothing is published until you decide to do so. 3\. If the new draft post doesn’t open in the editor, click the url in your browser tab and add “/edit” to the end of the url to edit it. 4\. Add content to the post and publish/send/save as a draft as you like. --- Image Credit: NASA ### How do I set Sponsorship Box Images, Styling and Analytics? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-set-sponsorship-box-images-styling-and-analytics/ Last updated: 2024-07-24T23:50:16.000Z ### Sponsorship Box image sizing, best practices and hosting: The default display image size for Sponsorship Boxes in posts and emails is 80px x 80px. That is a fairly small square thumbnail, so you will have best results uploading a square image. ![Example of sponsorship box](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/11/Screenshot-2023-10-19-at-6.05.46-PM-2.png) This tool hosts the image in your Ghost site so it should load as quickly as any other image on your site. Images are NOT currently resized when creating the Sponsorship Box so we recommend shrinking large images before uploading them. So if you have a big 2MB image, we recommend using an image editor locally or online to reduce the image file size. A 300px x 300px image is a good target size. We do not recommend using this tool with wider images, as the display with a wider image may not render well on mobile devices. If you want to try using wider images and are familiar with HTML, you can edit the sponsorship box to remove the width parameter in the image tag in the sponsor box. But we don’t recommend this, and use Ghost’s preview tool to make sure any changes render well on mobile and in emails before sending. We expect further versions of the Sponsorship Box to include flexibility around image sizes. ### Styling the Sponsor Box: You can change the fonts, font size, font colors, background colors and border colors for each Sponsorship Box. The settings for each Sponsorship Box is in the design tab for each box. ![Screenshot of Design editing](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/11/Screenshot-2023-11-03-at-4.07.11-PM.png) We expect further versions to inherit your site's default fonts and font sizes as the default. ### Tracking and reporting performance of the Sponsorship Box: Outpost does not currently track the performance of the Sponsorship Box, but there are ways you can do it yourself. If your sponsor would like information on how many people saw the sponsor box in your newsletter or on your site, you will need to get that information from Ghost for the newsletter. Look for Ghost’s statistics on open rates and link clicks to report how many people saw and clicked the link. For the web, your analytics tool (Plausible.io or Google Analytics) can track external links. If you want to more easily track clicks on the box, you can use a tool like bit.ly to create an intermediate link that you use in the sponsorship box. Those tools will let you see how many people clicked on the link. We expect further iterations of the Sponsorship Box to include tracking and reporting. --- Image Credit: NASA ### I don't see tip buttons, how do I make my own? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/i-dont-see-tip-buttons-how-do-i-make-my-own/ Last updated: 2024-07-24T23:58:41.000Z You should have three Tip Jar options in the Ghost dynamic menu, but if for some reason you do not, you can create your own. On your Outpost homepage, select Create Button: ![Screenshot of Outpost homepage with circle around Create Button option on far right](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/674F4680-3C15-4D80-B5EB-E56E09342B11.jpeg) This will take you to the Button Wizard, where you can create Tip, Upgrade, Gift Subscription, and User Preference Buttons: To create a Tip Button, select Tip Button, then how you'd like to use it. For example, this is a Tip Button for emails and posts, all members. Copy the Raw HTML, we'll show you how to use it in the next step: ![Screenshot of Button Wizard, with Tip Button options circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/49A12B16-392D-47F1-8BA8-030D1457C500.jpeg) To add to a post, click the plus sign on the left side and select HTML: ![Screenshot of Ghost editor menu, with HTML option circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/F48E4722-0090-4ED0-ABC1-80614BFA8725.jpeg) Paste the raw HTML from the Button Wizard in the raw HTML card: ![Screenshot of raw HTML for Tip Button in HTML card in Ghost editor](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/22ABF7D6-00F3-4A59-A388-EC2C0C35D88B.jpeg) Which will create a Tip Button: ![Screenshot of Tip Jar Button in Ghost editor](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/3DC70A25-7C2C-49DE-B705-ABDED919430A.jpeg) Click on the HTML box, then select the option on the right to create a Tip Button snippet so you can easily add the button to all future posts: ![Screenshot of HTML card option to create snippet in Ghost editor](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/95BFB188-8C22-46A7-A13F-25860916632E.jpeg) Name the snippet something clear, so it's easy to find in the future: ![Screenshot of how to title a snippet in Ghost editor](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/CFE506A8-F62F-4864-B05E-D1DB2999873E.jpeg) Hit return on your keyboard to create a snippet. To add the button to future posts, select the plus sign, and scroll down to find your Tip Button snippet: ![Screenshot of Button Wizard in Outpost Control Center](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/487DEE07-022B-404E-AF55-D353F97F29C5.jpeg) ![Screenshot of Tip Jar snippet in Ghost editor](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/AC7895BD-C76F-4EF6-B16A-78DA22C6F81B.jpeg) --- Image Credit: NASA ### How do I add a complimentary subscription to my Ghost site? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-add-a-complimentary-subscription-to-my-ghost-site-2/ Last updated: 2024-07-24T23:57:12.000Z In your Outpost Control Center, select Members under the Members tab: ![Screenshot of Members tab](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/3EC11DA3-E7B2-45AF-8F90-8EFF7438A329.jpeg) If you're adding a complimentary subscription for a new member, select Add Member at the top: ![Screenshot of Members tab with Add Member circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/16A56577-1769-4FDD-ACC5-A4CB3A53CAAD.jpeg) There, you can add a new member. Be sure to select Complimentary under Member Level, and put in how long you want the complimentary subscription to last: ![Screenshot of Add Member menu, with Member Level: Complimentary circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/6E8B6B6F-8954-4773-97DA-CA72D4549571.jpeg) If you'd like to give a complimentary subscription to an existing member, find them under Members and select Show Details: ![Screenshot of member in Members tab, with Show Details circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/848BD0BE-D8A1-42F0-9F5E-68B5901F2E8F.jpeg) There, change their Member Level to Complimentary and add how long you want the complimentary subscription to last. Don't forget to save changes with Submit: ![Member details menu with Complimentary Member Level and Submit circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/D1B987FC-AF7E-40E0-9BCE-74BCA1267376.jpeg) Reach out to us at support@outpost.pub if you need assistance, and let us know how we can help. --- Image Credit: NASA ### Can I display sponsorship ads on my Ghost site? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/can-i-display-sponsorship-ads-on-my-ghost-site/ Last updated: 2024-07-26T04:12:48.000Z Yes! Using our Sponsorship Boxes option in your Outpost Control Center, we provide the tech you need to include sponsor information on your Ghost site and in the emails you send out. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-09-at-12.01.31-PM.png) You can also use Ghost editorial tools to create sponsorship sections in the body of your posts and emails as well. Outpost's Sponsorship Boxes are just a nice easy way to highlight a sponsor's ad with a thin horizontal unit. --- Image Credit: NASA ### How do I connect my Transistor.fm podcast to Outpost? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-connect-my-transistor-fm-podcast-to-outpost-doc/ Last updated: 2024-07-23T20:20:36.000Z In the Outpost Control Center, select Integrations in the Account tab: ![Screenshot of Account tab with Integrations option circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/F3634466-4551-4928-85C7-7EB31D0D6F34.jpeg) Retrieve your API key from Transistor.fm and paste it here: ![Screenshot of Transistor.fm podcast integration in Outpost](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/C4359AAA-C695-426A-AD9E-D1D60E7EA765.jpeg) Once you're connected, you will be able choose which podcast to add people to. This will add all NEW paid and comped subscribers. If you need to add your existing ones, we can do that for you. Just email us at support@outpost.pub and we'll handle that. If you run into any issues, reach out to support@outpost.pub and let us know. Image Credit: NASA ### How do I add or remove recipients of Outpost Reports? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-add-or-remove-recipients-of-outpost-reports-2/ Last updated: 2024-07-23T19:18:20.000Z In the Outpost Control Center, select Manage Recipients under the Reports tab: ![Screenshot of the reports drop down menu in the Outpost Control Center](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/67C01A4D-8079-4D71-A1AF-7BAA74180525.jpeg) You can turn reports on or off with the button, or edit recipient information: ![Screenshot of Manage Report Recipients page](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/ED47810E-049A-43F4-825B-E9B6B92AEE96.jpeg) Select Add New Recipient to add a new recipient for reports: ![Screenshot of Manage Report Recipients page](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/7FADB670-3BEB-49FE-8314-9326CFED8294.jpeg) Image Credit: NASA/Radislav Sinyak ### How do Ghost Gift Subscriptions work? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-ghost-gift-subscriptions-work-doc/ Last updated: 2024-07-24T23:47:22.000Z Outpost makes it as simple as can be for Ghost newsletters and sites to offer gift subscriptions, with no work on your end when gift subscriptions start and when they end. ![Screenshot of confirmation page after buying a gift subscription](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/09/303505D4-68DA-40FF-8DDC-115F93D377AF.jpeg) Just the start of the communication around gift subscriptions. All you need to do is set a gift subscription price and then share the link to the gift subscription page. Gift givers can set the gift subscription to start immediately, or set it to start on a day in the future, such as someone's birthday or Christmas Eve. ![Screenshot of Outpost’s Gift Subscription page](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/09/575D8C77-8338-4C9C-90B8-4ED6ADC1BC3C.jpeg) Users can easily choose when they want a gift subscription to start and when to notify the recipient. Doing gift subscriptions on your own is very complicated, and Outpost handles it all: - Thank you notes to the gift subscription buyer - Notifications when a scheduled gift subscription is sent - Notifying the gift recipient and getting them into Ghost as a complimentary subscriber with the correct end date - A comprehensive system for handling when gift subscriptions are about to expire, including ways to let the gift giver give again, or to let the gift recipient to pay for their own extension, including with a special price just for gift recipient renewals. This works seamlessly with Stripe, and both gift givers and gift receivers are labeled in Ghost. That way you can easily see all the people who have given gift subscriptions, and all the people that have been given gift subscriptions, and if you want you can write either group directly from Ghost. ![Screenshot of Stripe payment page](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/09/F9C413C1-7132-4745-8783-A8B6D118E142.jpeg) Stripe makes it seamless! If their info is saved they won't even have to do this step --- Image Credit: NASA ### How do Outpost Institutional Subscriptions work? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-outpost-institutional-subscriptions-work-doc/ Last updated: 2024-07-23T23:49:09.000Z The Institutional Subscription is an Outpost feature that lets you sell a group subscription to a business, school, or organization that shares an email address pattern. For instance, you could sell a subscription so that anyone at Blue Sky College would be treated as a paid member when they log in with their blueskycollege.edu email address. Each member who joins gets the same expiration date. With Outpost's institutional subscriptions, the subscription buyer doesn't have to submit a list of valid subscribers, as everyone at the organization is eligible and is automatically given paid privileges. This feature currently does not have a limit on the number of paid subscriptions per email domain. --- Image Credit: "Neptune's Rings" Webb Telescope/NASA ### What are Group Subscriptions for Ghost? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/what-are-group-subscriptions-for-ghost/ Last updated: 2024-07-23T23:47:11.000Z A Group Subscription allows one person to buy a subscription to your Ghost site for a group of friends, other family members, co-workers, etc. These can be used by publishers as promotions (for example, two for one) or as a family plan. They allow one person to buy the subscription and invite other people without you having to do any extra work. ℹ️ Due to technical restrictions, Group Subscriptions are only available to Outpost clients on the Luna level or higher. If you are on the Space Station plan, you will need to upgrade to Luna to enable this feature. # How do Outpost's Group Subscriptions for Ghost work? First, you need to create a group subscription offer (or added a group subscription benefit to an existing tier) in the Outpost Control Center. You can then share links to the group subscription offer in emails, posts or on social channels. You can also choose to have some or all of your group subscription offers available on a page on your site. Outpost handles all of the notifications and the interfaces for creating, buying, and managing group subscriptions. We do this, in part, by creating two new pages on your site: Extra Account Settings, and a Group Subscription Purchase page. You can see examples of those on our Outpost Ghost Demo site. Users who buy a group subscription will be sent an email with a link to the Extra Accounts Settings page on your site, where they can send and revoke invites. That page also lets them see how many of their group slots are being used and by who. Recipients only have to click the link in that email to accept the group subscription, and they will then have a complimentary subscription that ends the exact same time as the group subscription buyer. Outpost handles the renewal process so that you don’t have to keep track of anything. ### Kinds of Group Subscriptions Group subscriptions come in two main flavors: - Group subscription offers - As a benefit to an existing tier **Group subscription offers** are the best place to start. This lets you create a group offer, get a url that you can share in an email or in post, and, if you like, have shown on a group subscription page on your site. The group benefit applies only to that offer, and doesn't change your membership tier at all. All group subscription members are currently on the same tier, except that people who get invited to a group membership don't get to invite other people to a group membership. **Group subscription benefits on Ghost membership tiers**: This is a powerful way to add additional benefits to one or more of your membership tiers. So, for example, you could give your top tier members the ability to give away 2 or 3 memberships, which could be a powerful incentive for people to pay for your top tiers. If you add a group benefit to an existing tier, don't forget to add it as one of the benefits listed in the Tiers under membership. A word of warning, however, once you add this benefit to a tier, it's extremely hard to undo if anyone on that tier has actually used the benefit. The new group benefit will also apply to anyone already signed up on that tier. Group Subscriptions are very flexible, so feel free to experiment with things like a two or three for one offer or something special for an upcoming holiday. Due to the need to have user controls for invitations that live on your own website, the Group Subscription feature is Luna+ level only. If you are on the Space Station tier, you will need to upgrade. --- Image Credit: NASA, Michelle Bouchard using Landsat data from USGS ### How to Send Automatic Welcome Emails to New Subscribers on Ghost URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-to-send-automatic-welcome-emails-to-new-subscribers-on-ghost-doc/ Last updated: 2024-06-30T00:06:24.000Z ### Why are automatic Welcome Emails helpful? When you get a new subscriber, make them feel welcome with an Autoresponder message in your voice. We recommend using these emails to share your story and mission, and links to your best posts. Free members will get a set of drip emails, encouraging them to become paying members. In addition to sharing your story, we also recommend including discount offers in each email. If a free member signs up for a paid plan, the drip emails will stop. Members can also opt-out of getting these emails, without unsubscribing from your Ghost emails. Our Autoresponder will: - Welcome someone who signs up as a paid subscriber without starting as a free member - Welcome a new free subscriber to tell them more about you & encourage them to upgrade - Send up to four more (five total) Welcome Flow emails, spread out over time to new free subscribers, encouraging them to become paying members ### How to make Outpost's Welcome Emails your own: In your Outpost Control Center, select Autoresponder in the main menu: ![Screenshot of Outpost Main Menu, with Autoresponder circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/C8977F4C-370C-48B0-97F4-A418E11E53D1.jpeg) This will take you to the Big Off/On Button that turns your Autoresponder off and on. Before you turn it on, we recommend that you customize individual messages. Each action has a default template to make customizing them easier. Additionally, you can individually turn off and on any of the Autoresponder emails, and adjust the timing of the welcome flow to fit your publication. ![Screenshot of Outpost’s Autoresponder Menu with Welcome Email options](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/CE86CF37-CA3A-4FC5-8F0F-0C86398498DE.jpeg) To edit the text of an individual email, select Change on the right, then Edit: ![Screenshot of Welcome Email template in Autoresponder, with Edit circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/92061923-4FB7-4141-96E5-E8F79DBC2C26.jpeg) In the email templates, just as in Ghost Editor, you can click to reveal a "+" menu with options: ![Screenshot of + menu in Autoresponder](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/B9F33C1A-73C0-4DCC-8BF3-E5D1AEE0CF2F.jpeg) Clicking the "+" menu will reveal a menu of options for editing text, adding images, text formatting and discount buttons. ![Screenshot of shortcuts in Outpost Editor](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/B1CE8A92-3F4F-48F3-B937-98A086745FF3.jpeg) If you scroll to the bottom of the template, you'll see even more email variables you can copy and paste into the text of your autoresponder messages: ![Screenshot of Outpost’s email variables](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/A8CFC371-12B7-4873-9B04-CB9065214298.jpeg) Select "Show All Variables" at the bottom to see all the options you have to play with to make messages your own: ![Screenshot of all Outpost email variables](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/11/099C0AB9-A8B0-46EC-8C17-7635E8035739.jpeg) Once you are happy with the messages, you can turn on the Auto-Responder. The Welcome Flow will only apply to members who sign up AFTER you have turned on the Auto-Responder, so your existing members won't get messages from that flow, but will get other ones, like the reminder when their annual subscription is about to renew. Altogether that means that with minutes after you complete your sign-up with Outpost, you can be sending automatic welcome messages to new subscribers, with intelligent options for free and paid members that help convert and retain your subscribers with no additional work from you. To learn more about Outpost visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/), or just [start your free, no credit-card-required free 21-day Outpost free trial](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). [OutpostPublishing From and To The Future![](https://outpost.pub/favicon.ico)Outpost![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2021/11/5509862-1.jpg)](https://outpost.pub/) --- Image Credit: NASA, Hubble ### How do I automatically add paying Ghost subscribers to my paid podcast? (Luna+) URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-automatically-add-paying-ghost-subscribers-to-my-paid-podcast-luna/ Last updated: 2023-10-12T17:52:43.000Z Currently, we offer this integration for Transistor.fm only, but we'll be adding more integrations in the future. If you use a different podcast service, please drop us a note at support@outpost.pub. Go to the Account tab in your Outpost Control Center, and select Integrations: ![Screenshot of Account tab, with Integrations circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/15A5716D-C839-48C2-A4CE-48B425F82C46.jpeg) Under Transistor.fm integration, select 'Add new paid/comped subscribers as paid podcast subscribers,' then hit Save Settings: ![Screenshot of transistor.fm Outpost menu in Integrations](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/7F2F3E83-8031-4B98-9D54-37775DC95A0E.jpeg) If you need support, reach out to support@outpost.pub and let us know how we can help. ### What timezone do you use to create the daily report? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/what-timezone-do-you-use-to-create-the-daily-report-2/ Last updated: 2024-07-23T19:17:25.000Z When you register for Outpost, we pull in the time zone that your publication is set to. We then calculate your daily reports on a 24-hour cycle based off your site's time zone setting in Ghost. Reports go out after midnight in your time zone, so you can start your day with an overview of what happened yesterday. Image Credit: NASA ### How do I offer Gift Subscriptions for my Ghost site? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-offer-gift-subscriptions-for-my-ghost-site/ Last updated: 2024-07-24T23:46:36.000Z Outpost makes it easy to offer Gift Subscriptions for your Ghost site, including automatic communication with our Autoresponder. We'll automatically thank the gift giver, alert the recipient, ask the giver if they'd like to renew as the subscription draws to a close, then reach out to the recipient if the giver doesn't respond to ask if they would like to continue their subscription. In addition to handling the communication for you, Outpost also lets you know who is a gift giver or recipient when you're looking at your members. If you're already a member of Outpost at the Luna level or higher, here's how to get started: ## Create Gift Subscription Plan In your Outpost Control Center, go to Plans under the Subscriptions tab: ![Screenshot of Subscriptions menu, with Plans circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/FBAA1D4D-9274-4CCF-BA83-D57D9E725457.jpeg) From there, you'll be able to create a new plan: your Gift Subscription plan, set a price (you can change this later), and choose if you want this to be billed Monthly or Annually. To advertise Gift Subscriptions to your readers, use our Gift Subscription Buttons or simply use the url in your emails or theme. ## Gift Subscription URL If you [log into your Outpost](https://admin.outpost.pub/?ref=outpost.pub), you will see your gift subscription url on the front page, at the bottom, under Helpful Links. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/image-1.png) ## Gift Subscription Buttons To add buttons to prompt readers to buy gift subscriptions for others, go to Create Button in your Outpost Control Center: ![Screenshot of OCC homepage with Create Button circled ](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/C4AE8EFD-0FEB-46E8-A5A8-82F7E2A07F15.jpeg) Choose Gift Sub from the options: ![Screenshot of Outpost Button Maker](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/5F5A9B10-BF2F-4565-9104-25130162D67E.jpeg) If you choose the Post Only options (in blue, below button type selection), Button text will dynamically change when you [change the text](https://outpost.pub/how-do-i-change-the-text-of-the-ghost-gift-subscription-button/), even in past posts. If you'd just like to use one button, you can choose the Emails/Posts-all members option, just know that buttons used in emails will not be able to dynamically change if you change the text. --- Image Credit: NASA ### What is the difference between an Institutional Subscription and a Group Subscription? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/what-is-the-difference-between-an-institutional-subscription-and-a-group-subscription-2/ Last updated: 2024-07-23T23:43:17.000Z [Institutional Subscriptions](https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-outpost-institutional-subscriptions-work-doc/) are an Outpost feature that allow you to offer subscriptions to everyone within an institutional group (all members of an @unversity.edu or @organization.org email group). [Group Subscriptions](https://outpost.pub/docs/what-are-group-subscriptions-for-ghost/) are an offer that allow buyers to buy a subscription and receive free subscriptions to gift to others. Both of these features are available at the [Luna level and above](https://outpost.pub/features/). If you're at the Space Station level and would like to utilize these, due to technical restrictions, you will need to upgrade to Luna. --- Image Credit: NASA ### How do I turn on or off the Autoresponder in Outpost? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-turn-on-or-off-the-autoresponder-in-outpost-doc/ Last updated: 2024-06-30T00:05:30.000Z Select Autoresponder from the Outpost menu, and you'll encounter The Big Off/On Button. We recommend keeping it turned off while you edit your Autoresponder emails and customize your content. The Button looks like this when turned off: ![Screenshot of greyed-out Off/On Button in the Off position](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/85AAF21F-DE14-427A-B523-D3B5597B70F8.jpeg) When you're ready to start using Outpost's Autoresponder, simply turn The Big Off/On Button to the On position. It will look like this: ![Screenshot of blue Off/On Button in the On position](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/BA4883C9-B000-4162-A974-E97C5060ED3A.jpeg) The Big Off/On Button controls all Autoresponder emails. To learn how to turn individual actions on and off, [go here](https://outpost.pub/how-do-i-turn-on-or-off-individual-actions-emails-in-outpost). --- Image Credit: "Tarantula Nebula" NASA ### Having an issue you don't see addressed here? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/having-an-issue-you-dont-see-addressed-here/ Last updated: 2024-07-24T23:58:04.000Z If you're having issues with Ghost, have a look at their [Help Pages](https://ghost.org/help/?ref=outpost.pub). If you are having an issue with Outpost, check out the Help Pages in [Documentation](https://outpost.pub/docs). If you're still having an issue, we're happy to help! Contact us at support@outpost.pub and let us know what's going on. --- Image Credit: NASA ### What happens with my paid podcast if a Ghost member changes their email address? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/what-happens-with-my-paid-podcast-if-a-ghost-member-changes-their-email-address-2/ Last updated: 2023-10-12T17:55:07.000Z Outpost detects the change to your Ghost member and updates the Transistor.fm account immediately to keep them in sync. We got you! ### Can people who gift Ghost Gift Subscriptions schedule the subscription? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/can-people-who-gift-ghost-gift-subscriptions-schedule-the-subscription/ Last updated: 2024-07-24T20:57:50.000Z Absolutely! Outpost makes it easy to schedule a gift subscription to your Ghost site to begin on certain days, such as a holiday or birthday. ![Screenshot of Outpost Gift Subscription for Ghost](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/DA912C41-AE37-46F4-930B-5520A28E2502.jpeg) The person getting the gift subscription will be notified on that day, and that's when the gift subscription starts. The giver will also get notified on that day that the invite went out. --- Image Credit: NASA ### How do I set up an Institutional Subscription on Outpost? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-set-up-an-institutional-subscription-on-outpost-2/ Last updated: 2024-07-23T23:48:12.000Z Under Subscriptions, select Institutional Subscription: ![Institutional Subscription circled in menu](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/09/Image_9-14-23_at_1.22_PM.jpg) On the right, select the green Add New button: ![Add New button circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/09/Image_9-14-23_at_1.27_PM.jpg) Follow the prompts to create your new Institutional Subscription, and everyone who joins using the email address pattern will be included: ![Institutional Subscription form](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-14-at-1.31.35-PM.png) --- Image Credit: NASA ### How do I create new Group Subscription offers for my Ghost site? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-create-new-group-subscription-offers-for-my-ghost-site/ Last updated: 2024-07-23T23:36:19.000Z Login to your Outpost Control Center at [https://admin.outpost.pub](https://admin.outpost.pub/?ref=outpost.pub) Under the Subscriptions menu, select Group Subscriptions: ![Screenshot of Subscriptions menu with Group Subscriptions circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/09/Image_9-11-23_at_11.07_PM-2.jpg) To get started, select Add New on the right: ![Group Subscriptions page with Add New circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/09/Screenshot_2023-09-11_at_11.09.33_PM.jpg) Then select Create New Group Subscription Offer. We don't recommend adding a benefit to a tier unless you're sure you want it to be permanent, as it's very hard to undo and it applies to everyone on that tier, present and future. ![Create New Group Subscription circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/09/Image_9-12-23_at_12.17_AM.jpg) Select Create Offer: ![Create New Subscription Offer Button](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-11-at-11.14.40-PM-1.png) Name the offer, select the membership tier desired, and create a headline to display. You can use the regular price, or create your own for the offer. The price can be higher than the usual. Remember to add in the number of inviations to the user buying it for the total, for example 4 total for a "Buy 1, Get 3 Invitations" offer. ![Create New Offer form](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-13-at-1.00.17-AM.png) If successful, you'll see the following message: ![Group Subscription success notice](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-13-at-1.10.58-AM.png) --- Image Credit: NASA ### How do I see the details of a Group Subscription offer? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-see-the-details-of-a-group-subscription-offer-doc/ Last updated: 2024-07-23T23:44:21.000Z Go to Group Subscriptions in the Subscriptions menu: ![Group Subscriptions circled in Subscriptions menu](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/09/Image_9-11-23_at_11.07_PM-4.jpg) To the left of the offer, select Show Details: ![Group Subscription menu with Show Details circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/09/Image_9-14-23_at_11.21_AM.jpg) This will show the details of the offer: ![Details of Group Subscription](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-14-at-11.22.49-AM.png) [How do I edit a Group Subscription offer?](https://outpost.pub/how-do-i-edit-a-group-subscription-offer/) --- Image Credit: NASA ### How do I turn on or off individual Actions/emails in the Outpost Autoresponder? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-turn-on-or-off-individual-actions-emails-in-the-outpost-autoresponder/ Last updated: 2024-06-30T00:04:27.000Z Each individual Autoresponder action can be controlled in the Autoresponder tab in the Outpost Control Center (OCC). In each section, you have the option to pick and choose which emails you want to send to your supporters. For example, the first part of the Welcome Flow is turned on for this account, then the 3rd email is turned off so that only 2 of the Welcome Flow are sent: ![Screenshot of the Autoresponder tab in the Outpost Control Center, where you can control which Autoresponder emails are turned on or off](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/C14B30BB-E934-439C-8538-302CDCA2C210.jpeg) --- Image Credit: "Spiral Galaxy" NASA ### How do I remove expired Ghost subscribers from my paid podcast? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-remove-expired-ghost-subscribers-from-my-paid-podcast-2/ Last updated: 2024-07-24T23:55:57.000Z Under the Account tab, go to Integrations: ![Screenshot of Account tab with Integrations circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/C5862335-A1C5-4614-9DCD-A8BDF8158692.jpeg) Scroll down to the Transistor FM integration: ![Screenshot of Transistor.fm integration in Outpost](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/78258C4D-176C-4219-A765-A275B2B54DCC.jpeg) Select "Remove cancelled or lapsed paying subscribers from paid podcast," and hit Save Settings. This will remove all cancelled or lapsed subscribers from your paid podcast going forward. If you need this to be retroactive, please drop us a note and we can handle that for you. If you need help, reach out to support@outpost.pub and let us know how we can assist. --- Image Credit: "Venus" NASA ### How do I change the text of the Ghost Gift Subscription button? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-change-the-text-of-the-ghost-gift-subscription-button-2/ Last updated: 2024-07-24T20:56:52.000Z To change the text of your Outpost Buttons for Ghost, click on Create Button on the homepage of your Outpost Control Center. ![Screenshot of Outpost Control Center, with Create Button circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/7D20FE17-73A0-4C4C-A536-A3E24B47FFFE.jpeg) Click on "Gift Sub Button," then click which type of button you're wanting to edit. Buttons that are for posts only will be dynamic, meaning if you change the text in the Outpost Control Center, the button text will change in past posts: ![Screenshot of Gift Sub Button Maker](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/46150E13-331A-4D21-8DC1-0AD2A98C64B3.jpeg) Buttons you send in emails will not change, since they've already been sent: ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/D12DB136-2A94-4F8E-BDC1-38FF7DBDDE52.jpeg) --- Image Credit: NASA ### How do I edit a Group Subscription offer for Ghost? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-edit-a-group-subscription-offer-for-ghost/ Last updated: 2024-07-23T23:44:10.000Z Go to Group Subscriptions in the Subscriptions menu: ![Group Subscriptions circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/09/Image_9-11-23_at_11.07_PM-4-1.jpg) Select Edit to change details of Group Subscription offer: ![Edit circled in menu](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/09/Image_9-14-23_at_11.21_AM-2.jpg) From here, you'll be able to edit the details of the offer: ![Screenshot of Group Subscription edit form](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-14-at-2.39.45-PM.png) Be sure to click OK to save the updated choices. --- Image Credit: NASA ### How do I see my Plausible Analytics dashboard for my Ghost site? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-see-my-plausible-analytics-dashboard-for-my-ghost-site/ Last updated: 2024-06-30T00:17:36.000Z Log in to your Outpost Control Center, and select Analytics Dashboard: ![Screenshot of Outpost Control Center with Analytics Dashboard circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/A6C96D4E-E195-4AD5-8A96-8E17C68212AE.jpeg) --- Image Credit: NASA ### How do I change the name of a Ghost Gift Subscription? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-change-the-name-of-a-ghost-gift-subscription-doc/ Last updated: 2024-07-24T20:55:47.000Z In your Outpost Control Center, go to the Subscriptions tab and select Plans: ![Screenshot of Subscriptions menu with Plans circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/10A14BD6-CB2B-4EDE-A645-DCDEEF9642B6.jpeg) From there, you'll be able to edit any of your Outpost plans. To change the name of your Gift Subscription, or any other plan, select Edit next to the name of the plan: ![Screenshot of Plans menu with Edit circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/2FF54965-3477-468A-8F16-DF6B66002C84.jpeg) You'll be able to change the name and description of the Gift Subscription: ![Screenshot of Edit Plan](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/2A5DE023-E2C1-427B-9003-2ACEA64C4AF9.jpeg) --- Image Credit: NASA ### Why are Plausible Analytics' numbers different from Google Analytics/Ghost Analytics/other measurement tools? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/why-are-plausible-analytics-numbers-different-from-google-analytics-ghost-analytics-other-measurement-tools-doc/ Last updated: 2024-06-30T00:16:51.000Z Though it may seem counterintuitive, analytics are an art, not a science. Each analytics tool works somewhat differently. For instance each analytics tool will filter out traffic it thinks comes from bots, but each decides how to do that differently. Additionally, many users block tools like Google Analytics for privacy reasons, so they aren't included in Google Analytics data. So, your analytics will never be the same in each tool. That's not a real problem, because what analytics should be used for is to understand how things are changing directionally. For example, are page-views going up on recent posts about cats? Maybe you should be writing more about cats. Plausible Analytics does not use cookies, and therefore is blocked by many less users than Google Analytics. There are users with tools out there that block it regardless, but it's still one of the best tools to know what's going on with your website. It also keeps you compliant with all kinds of privacy regulations, including the EU's GDPR and California's CCPA. You can learn more about Plausible on [their website](https://plausible.io/?ref=outpost.pub). If you sign up with Outpost, our group buying power means you get to use Plausible Analytics at a fraction of the cost you would pay on your own. If you are on the Luna plan or higher, you will also get Analytics reports from Contextly, which provides [content recommendations for Ghost](https://contextly.com/?ref=outpost.pub). It is also cookie-less, and Contextly reports should be in line with Plausible, but won't be exactly the same. Like with Plausible, Contextly is provided to Outpost clients at a fraction of the price you would pay on your own, using group buying power. If you are seeing very large discrepancies between other measurement tools and the reports that Outpost or Contextly (Luna and above only), please let us know at support@outpost.pub. --- Image Credit: "Earth's Radiant Atmosphere" NASA ### How do I change the price of my Ghost Gift Subscription? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-change-the-price-of-my-ghost-gift-subscription-doc/ Last updated: 2024-07-24T20:53:33.000Z To change the price of Gift Subscriptions to your Ghost site, go to Default Plans under the Subscriptions tab in your Outpost Control Center: ![Screenshot of Subscriptions menu, with Default Plans circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/6FBA912F-B2F0-4A11-A97A-AC7702FC842C.jpeg) In Default Plans, select the Gift Subscription box: ![Screenshot of Default Plans menu with Gift Subscription circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/BC5B5731-6FAB-4DF7-95E9-2B8C9E419C2A.jpeg) In that menu, select Create New Plan: ![Screenshot of Create New Plan circled in plans menu](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/AD6C6A1D-783A-4BB2-AEEE-50E18BD7831D.jpeg) Because offers have been used already, you'll need to create a new Gift Subscription plan to be linked to the Give a Gift Subscription buttons: ![Screenshot of Create New Plan menu](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/2B9DC100-4911-4056-94DF-D42DAD83C33A.jpeg) Name the new plan, select the Amount, and choose billing period (we recommend billing once a year). Once you've created your new plan, assign it to Gift Subscriptions in Default Plans: ![Screenshot of Default Plans ](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/9D21B9E6-5687-4369-8558-48AE94031EE5.jpeg) Previous gift subscriptions are not affected by this change. --- Image Credit: NASA ### How do I offer Group Subscriptions for sale? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-offer-group-subscriptions-for-sale/ Last updated: 2024-07-23T23:43:58.000Z ### To link to an individual offer: In your Outpost Control Center, select Group Subscriptions in the Subscriptions menu: ![Group Subscriptions circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/09/Image_9-11-23_at_11.07_PM-3.jpg) From the list of offers, select copy Offer URL to share with readers: ![Copy Offer URL circled in menu](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/09/Image_9-14-23_at_11.21_AM-4.jpg) Use this link to take readers directly to the option to purchase the offer: ![Screenshot of buying a group subscription](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-14-at-3.14.34-PM.png) ### To link to all your offers on a sales page: The link to your sales page can be found a few places. One is at the top of the Group Subscription page: ![Link to sales page circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/09/Image_9-14-23_at_2.56_PM.jpg) The link can also be found on the bottom of the home page of your Outpost Control Center: ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/09/Image_9-14-23_at_2.54_PM.jpg) --- Image Credit: NASA ### How Do I Send Personalized Emails to Ghost Readers? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-send-personalized-emails-to-ghost-readers/ Last updated: 2024-06-30T00:03:33.000Z Outpost makes it easy to send personalized emails to your subscribers via our Autoresponder, which is the [Best Damn Autoresponder for Ghost](https://outpost.pub/autoresponder), with a simple code in the email template. You can choose to address a reader by their full name in their Ghost member profile or by their first name, which is deduced from their full name (e.g. John Doe, would be "John"). ### Full Name For example, if you put the greeting, "Hey %SUBSCRIBER\_FULL\_NAME%|there," in your email, Outpost's intelligent system will either greet readers by their full name, or substitute "there" if no name is given. If I were to subscribe with my first name only, I'd get a message that says, "Hey Ryan," and if I were to sign up with my first and last name, I'd get, "Hey Ryan Singel." ### First Name If you just want to address a reader by their first name, we have an option for that. In this case if someone has only entered one name (e.g. Madonna signed up for your newsletter), our system uses that name as the first name. As is, anyone who doesn't have a name in the system will get a friendly "Hey there," as Outpost makes it easy to automatically personalize without making it awkward if a reader hasn't entered their name when signing up. ### No Name As is, anyone who doesn't have a name in the system will get a friendly "Hey there," as Outpost makes it easy to automatically personalize without making it awkward if a reader hasn't entered their name when signing up. ![Screenshot of the customizable greeting readers who don’t sign up with a name can get](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/5492791A-4F9E-4B3B-AE74-4FCAF89192DE.jpeg) That is also adjustable so you could say change the "|there" to another option for those that signed up with only their email, for example, "Hello friend." ## How to Create Personalized Emails To personalize the Autoresponder emails that are sent on your behalf, go to the Autoresponder tab in the Outpost Control Center menu: ![Screenshot of Outpost Control Center menu, with Autoresponder circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/A2D04529-FC67-4FF6-9A02-18EB2A67C8FE.jpeg) Head to the Autoresponder tab in your Outpost Control Center In the Autoresponder menu, select the template you'd like to edit and click on Change, then Edit: ![Screenshot of Autoresponder tab with Edit circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/0D73ECA5-C006-44BC-9C1F-6C29445CA934.jpeg) Select a template, click Change, then select Edit In the greeting, add this code: ``` Hey %SUBSCRIBER_FULL_NAME%|there, ``` or ``` Hey %SUBSCRIBER_FIRST_NAME%|there, ``` You can also find that code listed when you edit an Action email by scrolling to the bottom of the editing window and clicking the Show Email Variables button. ![Screenshot of Outpost Autoresponder Email Variables](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/Outpost-DEV-mh.png) How to see Outpost Autoresponder Email Variables ![Outpost Autoresponder Email Variables Expanded](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/image.png) Outpost Autoresponder Email Variables Expanded You can change that "Hey" to "Hello" or any other greeting. If your subscriber signs up with a name, Outpost will pop that in for you. If not, your subscriber will get an email that opens with, "Hey there,". ![Screenshot of Autoresponder template with code circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/73965FA2-86DA-4450-B37C-F295346EB77B.jpeg) In your selected template, replace the greeting in order to send emails to readers by name That is also adjustable, so you could say change the "|there" to another option for those that signed up with only their email. For example: "Hello %SUBSCRIBER\_FULL\_NAME%|friend," would greet named subscribers with something like "Hello Albert Einstein," while those readers without a name in their Ghost member profile would receive, "Hello friend," instead. (Note that the "friend/there/etc" must be one word so don't try to use |Party Person). ## Testing As a note on testing these, if you send yourself a test email from the Outpost Control Center, it will ALWAYS put in the non-personalized text. ![Screenshot of the Autoresponder menu with Preview/Test circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/874650D8-951C-46CD-8061-F615F6E35838.jpeg) The test email will send the non-personalized version **If you want to test how the personalization is working**, you will need to have the Autoresponder turned on and have a Welcome email turned on. Then you can create a new member in Ghost using your email or a variation, adding in a name to the member, and check the Action email sent to you. ![Screenshot of Members with New Member circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/5992BE7C-2483-4881-9150-B72EF5147C50.jpeg) Go to Members in Ghost and add yourself (you can do yourname+anyword@youremail) To add yourself without Ghost giving you an error message for adding your email twice, you can add any word with a + to the name in your email address, for example "ryan+greetingtest@outpost.pub." --- Image Credit: NASA ### What happens when a Ghost Gift Subscription comes to an end? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/what-happens-when-a-ghost-gift-subscription-comes-to-an-end-doc/ Last updated: 2024-07-24T20:41:15.000Z When a gift subscription to your Ghost site is starting to come to a close, Outpost's Autoresponder automatically reaches out to the giver of the gift subscription to ask if the giver would like to renew it for another year. If they decline, or do nothing, we then reach out automatically to the recipient of the gift subscription to let them know their gift is coming to a close, and ask if they would like to start paying for a subscription themselves. You can create a special offer for these subscribers. You do not need to do any work for this, Outpost handles it for you. To learn more about Outpost visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/) or just [start your free, no credit-card-required free 21-day Outpost free trial](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). [OutpostPublishing From and To The Future![](https://outpost.pub/favicon.ico)Outpost![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2021/11/5509862-1.jpg)](https://outpost.pub/) --- Image Credit: NASA ### How does a Group Subscription buyer manage their group? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-does-a-group-subscription-buyer-manage-their-group-doc/ Last updated: 2024-07-23T23:43:50.000Z When a buyer has purchased their group subscription, they'll automatically receive an email: ![Screenshot of invitation to Advanced User Settings page](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-18-at-1.11.56-PM.png) This will take them to the Advanced User Settings page: ![Screenshot of Advanced User Settings](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-18-at-1.13.11-PM.png) When they select the Invite New Member button, the email for the invitee can be entered: ![Screenshot of invitation form](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-18-at-1.13.33-PM.png) The invitee will receive an email to activate their subscription. If there are any unused invitations, the buyer will receive a reminder email: ![Screenshot of reminder email](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-18-at-1.11.08-PM-2.png) They will also be informed in an invitation goes unused, so that it can be re-sent or used for someone else. --- Image Credit: NASA ### How do I change what discount is offered in an Outpost Autoresponder Action/email? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-change-what-discount-is-offered-in-an-outpost-autoresponder-action-email-doc/ Last updated: 2024-06-30T00:02:44.000Z Go to the Autoresponder tab in your [Outpost Control Center](https://outpost.pub/how-do-i-log-in-to-outpost). Select the Action you'd like to change the discount in: ![Screenshot of Autoresponder discount offer menu](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/349B1E94-72A2-494E-B6A3-5615822B5DCA.jpeg) You can create a new offer for this action, or select one you have already created for this action. Each offer you create is locked to that particular action, so you can't use an offer that you created in another action, you will have to recreate it. That's because we track which users sign up for which offer via which action. Creating a new one looks like this: ![Screenshot of Create New Discount Offer menu](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/49D97463-440D-4CB5-8DBB-8247A8D8EB19.jpeg) If you run into any problems, please write us at support@outpost.pub. --- Image Credit: "Blue Halo" NASA ### How can I see which readers have given Gift Subscriptions to my Ghost site? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-can-i-see-which-readers-have-given-gift-subscriptions-to-my-ghost-site-doc/ Last updated: 2024-07-24T20:39:19.000Z Outpost automatically adds tags to your readers who give or receive [Gift Subscriptions](https://outpost.pub/gift-subscriptions/), making it easy to communicate with each group. To see which readers have given Gift Subscriptions to your Ghost site, head to members in your Ghost dashboard: ![Screenshot of Ghost with Members circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/DAB26224-32C0-43AE-9F8C-88DB5A54F3FA.jpeg) Once there, you can use the filter feature to find which readers have given Gift Subscriptions: ![Screenshot of Members filter](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/B87A504A-806B-474F-88C5-274D253B675B.jpeg) You can also use this tag to send emails to your readers who have bought Gift Subscriptions for others: ![Screenshot of Ghost Publish options](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/C4AED029-EC0B-455B-AE02-B86C7DD71B4E.jpeg) When you're ready to send to this group, hit Publish, then select Specific People and use the bought\_gift\_subscription tag to communicate directly with those subscribers. --- Image Credit: NASA ### What's the address or url for Group Subscription buyers to manage their subscription? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/whats-the-address-or-url-for-group-subscription-buyers-to-manage-their-subscription-doc/ Last updated: 2024-07-23T23:43:40.000Z 💡 This is hosted on your site, with your URL with /advanced-settings. --- Image Credit: NASA ### How do I have Outpost Autoresponder emails sent from my domain? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-have-outpost-autoresponder-emails-sent-from-my-domain-doc/ Last updated: 2024-06-30T00:01:40.000Z By default, Outpost sends emails from our domain (admin@outpost.pub), but they have your name and reply address. The deliverability rates for these emails is typically 99.9%, but if you want the emails to be sent from your own domain, we can do that. For Luna+ customers, we can send from a subdomain of yours, such as notifications.yoursitename.com. This does require adding some records to your DNS. If you want to do this, we will you get set up, just drop us a line at support@outpost.pub. --- Image Credit: "Jupiter, Venus, and Moon from ISS" NASA, ISS ### How do I transfer my existing Plausible.io subscription to Outpost? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-move-my-plausible-analytics/ Last updated: 2024-06-30T00:15:17.000Z If you sign up for Outpost, you can transfer your subscription to us and we will pay the bill. It’s cheaper for us thanks to our cooperative buying power. All your existing stats and settings will remain the same. If you leave Outpost, we will transfer the subscription back to you and you will resume responsibility for billing. To move your Plausible account to Outpost, [follow these steps](https://plausible.io/docs/transfer-ownership?ref=outpost.pub#:~:text=If%20you%20transfer%20the%20ownership,them%20about%20your%20transfer%20request) and transfer ownership to plausible@outpost.pub We also recommend that once you have transferred the ownership that you send a note to support at Outpost.pub so we will make sure that we accept the transfer. --- Image Credit: NASA/SuperBIT ### How can I see which members have received a Gift Subscription to my Ghost site? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-can-i-see-which-members-have-received-a-gift-subscription-to-my-ghost-site-doc/ Last updated: 2024-07-24T18:26:07.000Z Outpost automatically adds tags to your readers who give or receive [Gift Subscriptions](https://outpost.pub/gift-subscriptions/), making it easy to communicate with each group. To see which readers have received Gift Subscriptions to your Ghost site, head to members in your Ghost dashboard: ![Screenshot of Ghost with Members circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/DAB26224-32C0-43AE-9F8C-88DB5A54F3FA.jpeg) Once there, you can use the filter feature to find which readers have received Gift Subscriptions: ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/212F020D-708E-4A32-9797-935DCEEC01B3.jpeg) You can also use this tag to send emails to your readers who have received Gift Subscriptions for others: ![Screenshot of Ghost Publish options](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/C4AED029-EC0B-455B-AE02-B86C7DD71B4E.jpeg) When you're ready to send to this group, hit Publish, then select Specific People and use the received\_gift\_subscription tag to communicate directly with those subscribers. --- Image Credit: NASA ### How Do I Get Plausible Analytics running on my Ghost site? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-get-plausible-analytics-running-on-my-ghost-site/ Last updated: 2024-06-30T00:12:26.000Z In your Outpost Control Center, go to Integrations under the Account tab: ![Screenshot of Account dropdown menu with Integrations circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/C4AB12C9-6278-4076-884E-673BC5389B18.jpeg) Once in Integrations, select Connect to Plausible: ![Screenshot of Connect to Plausible button in Outpost](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/B327626E-335F-4555-B747-C9F9E83B6542.jpeg) Almost there! Hit the copy button: ![Screenshot of Plausible code injection](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/1BB95B0F-87FB-47D8-A7F7-873D94865E32.jpeg) Go to your Ghost Dashboard, then head to Settings in the bottom left corner: ![Screenshot of the Settings button circled on the Ghost dashboard](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/4E38E5EA-8898-4B26-A097-D76120F4338E.jpeg) We're going to the Advanced section at the bottom, to Code Injection: ![Screenshot of the Advanced section of Ghost settings, with Code Injection circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/882C7EC2-F2E3-4CF6-A4EB-556C7467482E.jpeg) In Code Injection, paste the code you copied from Outpost into the Site FOOTER: ![Screenshot of Site Footer section of Code Injection in Ghost, with code pasted in](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/198D64BE-F800-4C18-85A3-453A764DFDFB.jpeg) Almost done!! Don't forget to hit SAVE at the top of the page: ![Screenshot of Code Injection in Ghost, with save button circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/27205A86-3A54-4667-BED9-B546D64AE269.jpeg) Finally, view any page on your site to kickstart Plausible. Then you can go to your Outpost Control Center to see your Plausible dashboard: ![Screenshot of the Outpost Control Center, zoomed in on the Analytics Dashboard button](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/0B1CB7F3-614E-4832-B2A5-7EACDE396218.jpeg) If you run into any issues, please reach out to us at support@outpost.pub! --- Image Credit: NASA, Hubble ### How do I edit or change the text of an Autoresponder email in Outpost? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-edit-or-change-the-text-of-an-autoresponder-email-in-outpost-doc/ Last updated: 2024-06-29T23:52:51.000Z Go to the Autoresponder tab in your Outpost Control Center, and select Change on the Action you want to edit: ![Screenshot of Autoresponder menu, with Change circled on the right side of an individual action](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/9FEDCFE8-F810-40A4-9D43-B73CCBF93D4D.jpeg) Select Edit from the Change menu: ![Screenshot of Change menu on Autoresponder action, with Edit circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/1CB85C78-FD66-4DD1-996F-38D2885C80C0.jpeg) From here, you can edit away! Select the + symbol to the left of the text to edit: ![Screenshot of Dynamic Editing, with plus sign that launches it circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/B5DC982B-3C26-4157-8B93-9AD8F0CA02C0.jpeg) If you use the Dynamic Editor to insert a button, the discount offer button will automatically use the discount offer you assign to that action. When you're done, save your changes and Outpost will create a new version of the template with a different name. If you want to start over, you can revert to the default template. You can do this one of two ways. One is selecting Restore from the Change menu: ![Screenshot of Change menu with Restore circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/33EC419D-6187-4DA3-B6D3-6E4D056E29EF.jpeg) You can also revert to the default template by selecting the name of the default template: ![Screenshot of Autoresponder menu, with default template option circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/76E7975F-71D9-4168-9643-5C9972B9C213.jpeg) Reverting to default will not erase any templates you have made before. If you run into any issues, or have any questions, please reach out to us at support@outpost.pub. --- Image Credit: NASA ### How do I change the name or email address that the Outpost Autoresponder is sent from? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-change-the-name-or-email-address-that-the-outpost-autoresponder-is-sent-from-doc/ Last updated: 2024-06-29T23:49:33.000Z In the Email Settings dropdown menu, select Design & Settings: ![Screenshot of Email Settings dropdown menu with Design & Settings circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/AE4E82EB-08E0-4313-873C-40CD3C8BBC9F.jpeg) In Design & Settings, you can change the email address and name that Outpost Autoresponder emails are sent from: ![Screenshot of Email Settings in Outpost Control Center](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/EDFFB1D2-5E59-4CE8-BD97-A0A28C20BB1F.jpeg) --- Image Credit: "Lunar Operation" NASA/Bridget Caswell ### Can I change the design or fonts of the Outpost Autoresponder email templates? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/can-i-change-the-design-or-fonts-of-the-outpost-autoresponder-email-templates-doc/ Last updated: 2024-06-26T23:28:32.000Z Yes! Select Design & Settings in the Email Settings dropdown menu in your Outpost Control Center: ![Screenshot of Email Settings dropdown menu, with Design & Settings circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/3EDB67A1-9496-479F-8E21-65AE09D5BFED.jpeg) There, you can customize your templates with font/color changes and uploaded images: ![Screenshot of Email Settings in Outpost Control Center](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/21EC5B9D-ABC0-4350-802C-00C221E3C542.jpeg) --- Image Credit: NASA ### What happens if someone unsubscribes from Autoresponder promotional emails? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/what-happens-if-someone-unsubscribes-from-autoresponder-promotional-emails-doc/ Last updated: 2024-06-26T23:25:44.000Z If a user clicks "unsubscribe" from an Outpost-sent Autoresponder email, they are given the opportunity to unsubscribe just from Outpost promotional emails, or to unsubscribe from all of your emails. This makes sure that if someone really wants to unsubscribe from everything, they can do so, and you won't later send you an angry email saying, "I unsubscribed, why am I still getting emails?" There's an option to unsubscribe at the bottom of each email: ![Screenshot of Outpost email with Unsubscribe option](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/024100F7-A0F1-4A92-A658-8092254E70AD.jpeg) If a user selects Unsubscribe, they are taken to an option to stay subscribed to your newsletter, but unsubscribe from promotional/event emails, or unsubscribe from both: ![Screenshot of Subscription Settings](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/03CD3B2B-C190-4194-992A-B1CD6F59DB4C.jpeg) --- Image Credit: NASA ### Why is Plausible Analytics better than Google Analytics? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/why-is-plausible-analytics-better-than-google-analytics-doc/ Last updated: 2024-06-30T00:10:42.000Z Privacy, for one. Google Analytics relies on a cookie controlled by Google, and is likely illegal under the [European Union's GDPR](https://isgoogleanalyticsillegal.com/?ref=outpost.pub). You are supposed to get consent from users before setting a third party cookie, which would require you to throw up a splash screen asking for consent (and just generally annoying visitors to your site). By contrast, Plausible Analytics is a privacy-first analytics tool that does not use cookies, and respects user's privacy. Plausible is fully compliant with GDPR, CCPA, and PECR. Effectiveness, for two. Many people block third-party trackers via their browsers or browser plugins. But most of those lists don't include Plausible because it doesn't track individuals or use a third-party cookie. That means your stats will be more reliable than if you were using GA. Speed, for three. Plausible Analytics' system is fast and their script size is small, so it won't slow down your site. As a bonus, Plausible also independent, self-funded, open-source, bootstrapped and debt-free. In other words, they are independent creators just like Outpost clients. You can learn more about Plausible on [their website](https://plausible.io/?ref=outpost.pub). Just as a note, Outpost's group buying power means you get to use Plausible Analytics at a fraction of the cost you would pay on your own. To learn more about Outpost, visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/), drop us a note at info@outpost.pub or just [start your free, no credit-card-required 21-day free trial of Outpost](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). --- Image Credit: NASA ### Does the Outpost Autoresponder send emails to people who have unsubscribed from emails in Ghost? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/does-the-outpost-autoresponder-send-emails-to-people-who-have-unsubscribed-from-emails-in-ghost/ Last updated: 2024-06-26T23:24:31.000Z Outpost does not send promotional emails to users who have unsubscribed in Ghost. That way, you won't get angry emails from people saying they have already unsubscribed and are still getting messages. We've got your back! To learn more about Outpost, visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/), drop us a note at info@outpost.pub or just [start your free, no credit-card-required 21-day free trial of Outpost](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). --- Image Credit: "Galaxy 2MASX J05101744-4519179" NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope ### What is Plausible Analytics and why is it best for my Ghost site? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/what-is-plausible-analytics-doc/ Last updated: 2024-06-30T00:09:54.000Z We use [Plausible Analytics](https://plausible.io/?ref=outpost.pub) to measure page views and engagement on your website. It’s like Google Analytics, only they don’t report your data back to a billion-dollar company. They are an independent, successful small company, and our group buying power makes it possible for you to use their services for a fraction of the cost you’d pay if you signed up yourself. On a pragmatic note, many people now block Google Analytics, which gives you a less-full picture of what’s actually happening on your site, and recent rulings in the EU find that [Google Analytics is illegal.](https://isgoogleanalyticsillegal.com/?ref=outpost.pub) To learn more about Outpost, visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/), drop us a note at info@outpost.pub or just [start your free, no credit-card-required 21-day free trial of Outpost](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). --- Image Credit: NASA ### What percentage of tips does Outpost take? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/what-percentage-of-tips-does-outpost-take-doc/ Last updated: 2024-06-26T23:18:09.000Z Outpost does not take any percent of your tips, whether that is through Stripe or Paypal. Stripe or Paypal charge a per-transaction fee, and take a percentage of your transaction, just like they do with subscriptions. To learn more about Outpost, visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/), drop us a note at info@outpost.pub or just [start your free, no credit-card-required 21-day free trial of Outpost](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). --- Image Credit: "Arabian Sea" NASA / Jasmin Moghbeli ### What are Intelligent Calls to Action (CTA) Buttons for Ghost? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/all-about-intelligent-calls-to-action-ctas/ Last updated: 2024-07-23T20:19:36.000Z ## What are Outpost's Intelligent CTA Buttons? Our [Intelligent Call to Action Buttons](https://outpost.pub/intelligent-upgrade-button/) are simply a way to show the right message to the right level of reader - without annoying your paying subscribers. [You insert one code into your post](https://outpost.pub/how-to-use-intelligent-ctas/), and Outpost delivers the right message to the right level of reader. This helps convert unknown readers to free subscribers, and free subscribers to paying subscribers - without annoying your paying readers with irrelevant messages. For example, there is an Intelligent CTA that shows different messages to all 5 levels of readers. You place it in your post and then it shows up like this: --- So, - Unknown readers get prompted to subscribe to your free list - Free subscribers are asked to become a paying subscriber - Monthly subscribers see a message urging them to become annual subscribers - Annual subscribers see a message asking them to buy a gift subscription - Complimentary subscribers see a message asking them to give a tip There are also versions that don't bug your paying subscribers at all. For example in one variation, only Unknown and Free Subscribers see a CTA button in your post, while paying readers don't see anything and can read without interruption. 🪐 We recommend that sites put CTA that show to all readers at the top and bottom of posts, and then sprinkle the non-supporter version throughout the post. This maximizes the calls to become a paying subscriber, without annoying your paying readers. The buttons are inserted in your post with two clicks. You can also change the button wording and action for each user level dynamically. These buttons are post-only and do not show up at all in the newsletter. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/11/AD93DE09-3735-4705-A400-5B9D2350BC77.jpeg) Image Credit: NASA ### How do I put a Tip Button in a Ghost post or Outpost email? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-put-a-tip-button-in-a-ghost-post-or-outpost-email-doc/ Last updated: 2024-06-26T23:16:15.000Z To add a Tip Jar to your post, page or email, open the post and go to the spot where you want to add the Tip Jar button. Press the ➕ button in the Ghost editor and scroll down to the Snippets at the bottom. You should have three Tip Jar options in the Ghost Dynamic Menu (found when you press the plus sign to the left of the text in Ghost editor): - Tip Jar - ALL MEMBERS - EMAIL AND POST - Tip Jar - ALL MEMBERS - POSTS ONLY - Tip Jar - PAID MEMBERS ONLY - POSTS ONLY ![Screenshot of Tip Jar snippets in the Ghost Dynamic Menu (plus sign to the left of text in Ghost editor)](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/52FCC782-82CA-4FCA-9C56-C28378712174.jpeg) Choose the one you want and click on it. This will put it in your post like the one right here. [Tip Jar](https://outpostpublishingcoopcom.outpost.pub/public/donate?ref=outpost.pub#/donate) If for some reason, you do not see these Snippets in your editor, [you can create your own](https://outpost.pub/how-do-i-create-my-own-tip-buttons-troubleshooting/). --- Image Credit: NASA / Jasmin Moghbeli ### How do I show different Call to Action buttons to different subscribers in Ghost? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-show-different-call-to-action-buttons-to-different-subscribers-in-ghost/ Last updated: 2024-07-23T20:17:56.000Z Outpost's [Intelligent Call to Action (CTA) Buttons](https://outpost.pub/intelligent-ctas/) are a great tool to persuade users to upgrade or further support you with the right call to action for the right level of reader. All you have to do is [add one button](https://outpost.pub/how-to-use-intelligent-ctas/), and Outpost will show different messages to differ reader should see which message: By default: - Unknown readers on your site get prompted to join your free list - Readers on your free list get prompted to upgrade to the paid version - Monthly subscribers are prompted to upgrade to an annual subscription - Annual subscribers are prompted to give a gift subscription or donate - Complimentary subscribers are prompted to give a gift subscription or donate You can see them in action here in this short video: [These buttons are easily added](https://outpost.pub/how-to-use-intelligent-ctas) to posts using a pre-made snippet in Ghost. Even better, you can use our favorite secret Ghost feature to start every post or newsletter with these snippets built in. You can also edit the text and re-assign what action each user level sees in the Outpost Control Center. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/11/A01DBB4B-36E8-4A8B-8A55-9F2F80A1CE4A.jpeg) Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA ### How do I use Intelligent CTA Buttons on my Ghost site? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-use-intelligent-cta-buttons-on-my-ghost-site/ Last updated: 2024-07-23T20:15:45.000Z To show intelligent Call to Action (CTA) buttons that display different messages/actions to different levels of readers, you need to insert them in your post or build them into a template snippet for Ghost. (Note: this feature is only available on Luna+ level plans. You can ask to update here.) Here's an example: There are 4 variations of the CTA, which lets you customize how you deliver messages: 1. Shows to all levels of readers (unknown, free, monthly, annual, complimentary) 2. Shows messages to non-supporters, e.g. unknown and free; paid/complimentary see nothing 3. Shows messages only to unknown readers 4. Shows messages only to your paid and complimentary members To add one in, click the +, scroll, insert. you will only see a block in writing interface, but you can see it in preview. insert pics of how to insert and what it looks like in editor and in preview What's below is how to re-create the buttons if you accidentally delete them or they are missing. Move to a different article. --- ![Screenshot of Outpost Control Center, with Create Button circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/11/71D913AE-2BBF-4D1A-97F1-0351EBD50319.jpeg) \-------- This will take you to our Button Wizard, where you can create customized buttons: ![Screenshot of Outpost’s Button Wizard](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/11/B166CAF5-48E6-4352-8DB1-75A3D423011A.jpeg) The two bar-like menus on the left provide all your options. There's no need to make Tip Jar Buttons, all your Tip Buttons should already be saved as snippets for you in Ghost. If for reason you don't see them when you click Ghost's "+" menu on the left side of a Ghost Editor page (you'll have to scroll down to the bottom of the menu to find your snippets), then the Button Wizard is where you can [generate your own Tip Button script](https://outpost.pub/how-do-i-create-my-own-tip-buttons-troubleshooting/) to save as snippets in Ghost. Let's start with the Intelligent CTA Button options: ![Screenshot of Button Wizard with Intelligent CTA circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/BB28BC53-59DC-4B61-856B-0E7AA4C4DD67.jpeg) Click the circled Intelligent CTA Button menu to see your options After you click Intelligent CTA Button, you'll see your options pop up: ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/11/273716EE-37FF-4EA3-B829-C2DC7C4822B2.jpeg) From here, you'll be able to create buttons with customized text and actions, that [affect different membership levels](https://outpost.pub/intelligent-upgrade-button/) differently. Paid subscribers won't see the buttons that Free or Unknown subscribers will, and vice versa. You can get creative, for example you can create a CTA button only Complimentary Subscribers see that prompts them to send a complimentary subscription to someone else, or donate to help support you. When you click on an action for a member group, you'll see your options pop up. Below, you can see the actions for Unknown users. The default is to prompt unknown/unsubscribed to upgrade to a free subscription, but you can choose to prompt a paid subscription, or a tip; anything you choose. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/11/7632B51B-8919-4AD0-BFB9-686DB83A000E.jpeg) Since the button is made for Unknown members, only unsubscribed readers will see the button; free and paid members won't see it, making for a seamless reading experience for subscribers. Image Credit: NASA ### How to Send Automatic Welcome Emails to New Subscribers on Ghost URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-to-send-automatic-welcome-emails-to-new-subscribers-on-ghost/ Last updated: 2024-06-26T23:22:04.000Z ### Why are automatic Welcome Emails helpful? When you get a new subscriber, make them feel welcome with an Autoresponder message in your voice. We recommend using these emails to share your story and mission, and links to your best posts. Free members will get a set of drip emails, encouraging them to become paying members. In addition to sharing your story, we also recommend including discount offers in each email. If a free member signs up for a paid plan, the drip emails will stop. Members can also opt-out of getting these emails, without unsubscribing from your Ghost emails. Our Autoresponder will: - Welcome someone who signs up as a paid subscriber without starting as a free member - Welcome a new free subscriber to tell them more about you & encourage them to upgrade - Send up to four more (five total) Welcome Flow emails, spread out over time to new free subscribers, encouraging them to become paying members ### How to make Outpost's Welcome Emails your own: In your Outpost Control Center, select Autoresponder in the main menu: ![Screenshot of Outpost Main Menu, with Autoresponder circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/C8977F4C-370C-48B0-97F4-A418E11E53D1.jpeg) This will take you to the Big Off/On Button that turns your Autoresponder off and on. Before you turn it on, we recommend that you customize individual messages. Each action has a default template to make customizing them easier. Additionally, you can individually turn off and on any of the Autoresponder emails, and adjust the timing of the welcome flow to fit your publication. ![Screenshot of Outpost’s Autoresponder Menu with Welcome Email options](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/CE86CF37-CA3A-4FC5-8F0F-0C86398498DE.jpeg) To edit the text of an individual email, select Change on the right, then Edit: ![Screenshot of Welcome Email template in Autoresponder, with Edit circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/92061923-4FB7-4141-96E5-E8F79DBC2C26.jpeg) In the email templates, just as in Ghost Editor, you can click to reveal a "+" menu with options: ![Screenshot of + menu in Autoresponder](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/B9F33C1A-73C0-4DCC-8BF3-E5D1AEE0CF2F.jpeg) Clicking the "+" menu will reveal a menu of options for editing text, adding images, text formatting and discount buttons. ![Screenshot of shortcuts in Outpost Editor](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/B1CE8A92-3F4F-48F3-B937-98A086745FF3.jpeg) If you scroll to the bottom of the template, you'll see even more email variables you can copy and paste into the text of your autoresponder messages: ![Screenshot of Outpost’s email variables](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/A8CFC371-12B7-4873-9B04-CB9065214298.jpeg) Select "Show All Variables" at the bottom to see all the options you have to play with to make messages your own: ![Screenshot of all Outpost email variables](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/11/099C0AB9-A8B0-46EC-8C17-7635E8035739.jpeg) Once you are happy with the messages, you can turn on the Auto-Responder. The Welcome Flow will only apply to members who sign up AFTER you have turned on the Auto-Responder, so your existing members won't get messages from that flow, but will get other ones, like the reminder when their annual subscription is about to renew. Altogether that means that with minutes after you complete your sign-up with Outpost, you can be sending automatic welcome messages to new subscribers, with intelligent options for free and paid members that help convert and retain your subscribers with no additional work from you. To learn more about Outpost visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/), or just [start your free, no credit-card-required free 21-day Outpost free trial](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). [OutpostPublishing From and To The Future![](https://outpost.pub/favicon.ico)Outpost![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2021/11/5509862-1.jpg)](https://outpost.pub/) --- Image Credit: NASA/ Kyle Hoppes ### How to Edit Your Tip Jar Page URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-to-edit-your-tip-jar-doc/ Last updated: 2024-06-26T21:40:09.000Z ## Space Station Plan On the Space Station plan, your tip jar launches as an Outpost page. You can still control some of the text on the page, but you have fewer options than if you upgraded to Luna. You can control the text just above the buttons in your Outpost Control Center ("Donate to Outpost" in the image above. You'll find that under Tip Jar, in the field Tip Jar Intro Text. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/02/Outpost-mh.png) How to customize your Tip Jar page for Space Station customers ## Luna Plan If you are on an Outpost Luna plan, you have a Tip Jar that lives on a page on your Ghost site, usually at yoursite.com/tip-jar. [Tip Jar](https://outpost.pub/tip-jar) ![Screenshot of a Tip Jar on a Ghost site](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/02/Tip-Jar-mh.png) Outpost's own Tip Jar page You can control the headline and add other text to that page, simply by going to the page in your Ghost site and editing that page. (Or you can use the great Ghost trick of adding /edit to the end of any post or page and get taken straight to the editor). You can control the text just above the buttons in your Outpost Control Center ("Donate to Outpost" in the image above). You'll find that under Tip Jar, in the field Tip Jar Intro Text. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/02/Outpost-DEV-mh.png) ### Centering Text If you want to add text that is centered above the Tip Jar buttons, here's a little bit of code you can use to do that. ```HTML
This is customizable text.
``` To use this, add an HTML card on the page under the buttons, copy in that text and put whatever text you would like where it says "This is customizable text." Once you put it in the card, you should be able to drag-and-drop it above the buttons. If you want text on multiple lines, you can either use multiple HTML cards, or use

tags. ```HTML

This is customizable text.

This is a second line

``` ### Setting Social Sharing Images and Text for Your Tip Jar You can use the Social Card feature on the page to set the image you want to show up if you or a readers shares this page on social. We don't recommend using a featured image on this page. For example: ![Screenshot of setting up Twitter sharing details for the Outpost Tip Jar](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/02/Tip-Jar-Headline---Outpost-mh.png) Set up your Twitter/Social sharing details for the Outpost Tip Jar --- Image Credit: "Tigris River from Space" NASA ### How do I change the text of my Outpost Intelligent CTA Buttons? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-change-the-text-of-my-outpost-intelligent-cta-buttons-doc/ Last updated: 2024-07-23T19:23:20.000Z You can customize the Outpost [Intelligent Call to Action (CTA) Buttons](https://outpost.pub/intelligent-upgrade-button/), so that they say what you want them to say and point where you want them to go. Go to your Outpost Control Center (OCC) and click on Create Button: ![Screenshot of Outpost Control Center, with Create Button circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/11/71D913AE-2BBF-4D1A-97F1-0351EBD50319.jpeg) This will take you to our Button Wizard, where you can customize the CTAs buttons. ![Screenshot of Outpost’s Button Wizard](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/11/B166CAF5-48E6-4352-8DB1-75A3D423011A.jpeg) The two bar-like menus on the left provide all your options: ![Screenshot of Button Wizard with Intelligent CTA circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/BB28BC53-59DC-4B61-856B-0E7AA4C4DD67.jpeg) Click the circled Intelligent CTA Button menu to see your options After you click Intelligent CTA Button, you'll see your options to change the text and actions pop up: ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/11/273716EE-37FF-4EA3-B829-C2DC7C4822B2.jpeg) From here, you'll be able to create buttons with customized text and actions, that [affect different membership levels](https://outpost.pub/intelligent-upgrade-button/) differently. Paid subscribers won't see the buttons that Free or Unknown subscribers will, and vice versa. ❗ Once you have made the changes you want, don't forget to press the Save button. ![Screenshot of Button Wizard with Button Text area circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/11/B380ACDD-AA3D-4995-8F23-6F2B1427A941.jpeg) The circled area is where you can write any button text you want Above, the Button Text area where you can change what the button displays. To the right is where you can [change what actions the buttons do](https://outpost.pub/how-do-i-change-what-my-intelligent-cta-buttons-do/). 🌟 ****NOTE**: Changing the CTA button text and actions will dynamically and automatically change all buttons in all past posts. Like magic, bb! Image Credit: NASA ### Connecting your PayPal account to the Outpost Tip Jar for Ghost URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/connecting-your-paypal-account-to-the-outpost-tip-jar-for-ghost-doc/ Last updated: 2024-06-26T21:32:53.000Z There are two ways to connect a PayPal account to Outpost depending on whether you have a personal account or a business account. It is a far better integration if you have a business account. If you already have a PayPal business account and want the instructions on how to connect it, [see this guide](https://outpost.pub/paypal-tip-jar-ghost-outpost-paypal-business). If you have a personal account and do not have a business setup for your newsletter, [follow these instructions for the personal account](https://outpost.pub/how-to-add-paypal-using-a-personal-paypal-account). If you have a business entity for your newsletter, but do not yet have a PayPal business account, the best thing to do is to [go to PayPal](https://www.paypal.com/us/business?ref=outpost.pub) and apply for a free business account, or upgrade your current account to a business account. Outpost integration's with PayPal is far superior with a business account, and having a business account will make your accounting and taxes easier. See it in action below. [Tip Jar](https://outpost.pub/tip-jar) It doesn't take PayPal very long to approve a business account once you give them the required paperwork, but if you really want to set up the Tip Jar before they approve that, you can [follow the instructions for personal accounts](https://outpost.pub/how-to-add-paypal-using-a-personal-paypal-account) and then [update it to a business connection](https://outpost.pub/paypal-tip-jar-ghost-outpost-paypal-business) when you are approved. --- Image Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, T. Temim (Princeton University) ### How do I change the text of the Tip Jar Buttons on my Ghost site? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-change-the-text-of-the-tip-jar-buttons-on-my-ghost-site-doc/ Last updated: 2024-06-26T21:27:48.000Z Go to your Outpost Control Center, and click Create Button: ![Screenshot of Outpost Control Center with Create Button circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/CFB766FC-4C92-4512-A51A-52EDDDFFAEC1.jpeg) This will take you to our button maker. Select Tip Button: ![Screenshot of circled Tip Button in Outpost Button Maker](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/210883FF-4068-4715-8752-78E3596D898D.jpeg) You can change the text of the Tip Jar buttons here. These will dynamically change in past posts to become your new text, but not in past emails since they've already been sent. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/EAB6831B-7170-4089-83E0-682A9F90CA33.jpeg) Likewise, the button that shows up in both posts and emails is not dynamic. That means that if you change the text here, you will need to update your snippet in the Ghost editor with the new code (or delete the old one and add a new one). The older buttons of this variety won't change dynamically. --- Image Credits: "Jupiter in Ultraviolet" NASA, ESA, and M. Wong (University of California - Berkeley); Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America) ### How do I change what my Intelligent CTA Buttons do? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-change-what-my-intelligent-cta-buttons-do-doc/ Last updated: 2024-07-23T19:20:10.000Z Outpost has [Intelligent Call to Action Buttons](https://outpost.pub/intelligent-ctas/), which are dynamic buttons that [display differently (or not at all)](https://outpost.pub/intelligent-upgrade-button/) to different levels of subscribers. To customize your Call to Action (CTA) buttons, go to your Outpost Control Center (OCC) and click on Create Button: ![Screenshot of Outpost Control Center, with Create Button circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/11/71D913AE-2BBF-4D1A-97F1-0351EBD50319.jpeg) This will take you to the Button Wizard, where you can change the text of the buttons and what the buttons do for each level of users. And the change is *dynamic* and *universal* so all buttons that are already on your post will update as well. There are 4 variations of the CTA, which lets you customize how you deliver messages: 1. Shows to all levels of readers (unknown, free, monthly, annual, complimentary) 2. Shows messages to non-supporters, e.g. unknown and free; paid/complimentary see nothing 3. Shows messages only to unknown readers 4. Shows messages only to your paid and complimentary members ![Screenshot of Outpost’s Button Wizard](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/11/B166CAF5-48E6-4352-8DB1-75A3D423011A.jpeg) The two bar-like menus on the left provide all your options: ![Screenshot of Button Wizard with Intelligent CTA circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/BB28BC53-59DC-4B61-856B-0E7AA4C4DD67.jpeg) Click the circled Intelligent CTA Button menu to see your options After you click Intelligent CTA Button, you'll see your options to change the text and actions: ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/11/273716EE-37FF-4EA3-B829-C2DC7C4822B2.jpeg) Your Intelligent CTA Button Wizard will automatically be for All Members (seen in the menu at the bottom). This is an easy way to get going to CTA buttons, and when you're more used to them you can play around with buttons aimed at Unknown, Paid, or Free Subscribers. The All Members option will cover all the Buttons listed! You can get creative, here. For example, you can create set the CTA so Complimentary Subscribers see a prompt for them to send a gift subscription to someone else, or donate to help support you. When you click on an action for a member group, you'll see the list of options for that level of user. 🪐 ****The settings for each level of user stay the same across button types.** So if you decide that Free Subscribers should see a message to upgrade to Annual, that will be the message for them in all variations of the button that show them a message) (e.g. the All Members and Non-Supporters button). ![Screenshot of Outpost’s Button Wizard, with CTA actions showing](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/11/472CD406-9DEE-435A-84B2-F7FF5A7BFD77.jpeg) You can also [change what text the button displays](https://outpost.pub/how-do-i-change-the-text-of-my-outpost-intelligent-cta-buttons/), which will also change dynamically in all past posts. Image Credit: NASA ### How can I customize and personalize Autoresponder Action emails for Ghost? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-can-i-customize-and-personalize-autoresponder-action-emails-for-ghost/ Last updated: 2024-06-26T23:21:07.000Z Outpost's automated emails to readers of your Ghost newsletter allow you to include powerful shortcodes or variables in your Autoresponder emails. That's part of the reason we call it the [Best Damn Autoresponder for Ghost](https://outpost.pub/autoresponder/). This lets you address a subscriber by first name in a personalized greeting, or remind them of their subscription expiration date, or give them a link to login into the site. This guide explains what each Outpost Autoresponder email shortcode does. ![Screenshot of Email Settings menu in Outpost Control Center](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/17E776B4-1C5E-4DAB-94B8-728F4E30BE5E.jpeg) Go to Email Settings in your Outpost Control Center ![Screenshot of email template with %BLOG_NAME%](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/9CDE4D66-A1CB-4A7C-A273-3C07ED646CAE.jpeg) When editing Autoresponder email templates, or making your own, you can see all the variables you can use by clicking on "Show Email Variables." Then simply copy and paste the one you need to use. ![Screenshot of Show Email Variables Button](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/3810BE3B-EF16-4B68-B486-1D13C1EE1C23.jpeg) ![Screenshot of Email Variables in Outpost Control Center](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/88772927-0211-4DA3-94B8-CA6B07F02A1B.jpeg) ## What do the Outpost Email Variables do? ### %EMAIL\_FROM\_NAME% This will insert your name as set in your Outpost Account under Email Settings -> Design & Settings. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/Screenshot-2022-11-30-6.35.53-PM.png) ### %SITE\_NAME% This will insert your site’s name as set in your Outpost Control Center, under Account -> Publication Details. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/Outpost-mh--1-.png) ### %SITE\_LOGIN\_URL% This will provide a link to where your subscribers can log into your Ghost site. ### %SUBSCRIBER\_EMAIL\_ADDRESS% This is the email address of the person you are sending the email to. Mostly used internally when we email site owners about who gave a donation. ### %SUBSCRIBER\_FULL\_NAME% This will insert the full name of the subscriber as entered into Ghost. Ghost only has a full name field, not a first and last name field. ### %SUBSCRIBER\_FIRST\_NAME% This will insert the first name of the subscriber as entered into Ghost. This is a guess, assuming someone entered their full name when signing up. So, if someone signs up and gives their name as Jane Doe, we will use Jane. If they insert one name only, like Madonna, we will use Madonna. This is a limitation of Ghost which only has a single name field. ### Hey %SUBSCRIBER\_FIRST\_NAME%|there, This one is a little different, it will insert what we *think* the subscriber’s first name is (see above limitations and this great essay about [all the things we assume about names that are not true](https://www.kalzumeus.com/2010/06/17/falsehoods-programmers-believe-about-names/?ref=outpost.pub).). If there’s no name for the subscriber, we insert the single word after the | sign. So if there's no name in Ghost, the email will start "Hey there,". It’s best to use this one with “Hey” or something similar in front, “Hey %SUBSCRIBER\_FIRST\_NAME%|there,” will display as “Hey John” for readers named John who signed up with their name, and “Hey there,” for people who signed up with email alone. This can be changed around, for example, “Hi %SUBSCRIBER\_FIRST\_NAME%|friend,” would change it to “Hi Jenny,” or “Hi friend,” for those without a name in Ghost. ### %OFFER\_URL% This is the link to the offer that you have assigned to the template you're working on. ### %ACCOUNT\_LINK% This is the link that users can click to see their account in order to upgrade, change their email, or cancel. ### %SUBSCRIPTION\_EXPIRATION\_DATE% This the the date of expiration for a paid subscriber’s annual plan. ### %RENEWAL\_PRICE% This is the price that an annual subscriber will renew at. It is specific to that subscriber's plan. ### %GIFT\_GIVER\_NAME% This is the full name of the person who gave a gift subscription. ### %GIFT\_GETTER\_NAME% This is the full name of the person who received a gift subscription. ### %SUBSCRIPTION\_EXPIRATION\_PLUS\_1YEAR\_DATE% This is the date that a renewal of an annual subscription expires on. This is used in emails to annual subscribers who have turned off auto-renewal. It's wonky but useful in odd cases. ### %RECIPIENT.PAID\_BLOCK\_START% This is an advanced feature that allows you to include a block content that shows only if the subscriber is a paid subscriber. Any content following this tag is only sent to paid subscribers. ### %RECIPIENT.PAID\_BLOCK\_END% This is an advanced feature that allows you to include content only if the subscriber is a paid subscriber. This is paired with %RECIPIENT.PAID\_BLOCK\_START%. Anything between these two tags is only sent to paid subscribers. ### %RECIPIENT.FREE\_BLOCK\_START% This is an advanced feature that allows you to include content only if the subscriber is a free subscriber. Any content following this tag is only sent to free subscribers. ### %RECIPIENT.FREE\_BLOCK\_END% This is an advanced feature that allows you to include content only if the subscriber is a free subscriber. This is paired with %RECIPIENT.FREE\_BLOCK\_START%. Anything between these two tags is only sent to free subscribers. **%RENEW\_COMPLIMENTARY\_SUBSCRIBER\_URL%** This is used in emails to Outpost site owners to let them tell us to renew someone's complimentary subscriptions. **%DO\_NOT\_RENEW\_COMPLIMENTARY\_SUBSCRIBER\_URL% -** This is used in emails to Outpost site owners to let them tell us NOT to renew someone's complimentary subscriptions. **%DO\_NOT\_RENEW\_GIFT\_URL%** \- This is used in emails to Gift Subscription givers to let them tell us they want to renew a gift subscription. **%RENEW\_GIFT\_URL%** \- This is used in emails to Gift Subscription givers to let them tell us they do NOT want to renew a gift subscription. **%GIFT\_SUB\_MESSAGE%** \- This is used in emails to Gift Subscription recievers to pass along the message that the Gift Giver told us to send to the recipient. **%BLOG\_NAME%** \- Deprecated, use %SITE\_NAME% instead. **%BLOG\_LOGIN\_URL%** \- Deprecated, use %SITE\_LOGIN\_URL% instead. --- Image Credit: "Vibrant Virgo Cluster" NASA, ESA, Space Telescope Science Institute/J. Lee; Processing: NASA/Catholic University of America/Gladys Kober ### How Do I Send Personalized Emails to Ghost Readers? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-send-personalized-emails-to-ghost-readers-doc/ Last updated: 2024-06-26T23:19:38.000Z Outpost makes it easy to send personalized emails to your subscribers via our Autoresponder, which is the [Best Damn Autoresponder for Ghost](https://outpost.pub/autoresponder), with a simple code in the email template. You can choose to address a reader by their full name in their Ghost member profile or by their first name, which is deduced from their full name (e.g. John Doe, would be "John"). ### Full Name For example, if you put the greeting, "Hey %SUBSCRIBER\_FULL\_NAME%|there," in your email, Outpost's intelligent system will either greet readers by their full name, or substitute "there" if no name is given. If I were to subscribe with my first name only, I'd get a message that says, "Hey Ryan," and if I were to sign up with my first and last name, I'd get, "Hey Ryan Singel." ### First Name If you just want to address a reader by their first name, we have an option for that. In this case if someone has only entered one name (e.g. Madonna signed up for your newsletter), our system uses that name as the first name. As is, anyone who doesn't have a name in the system will get a friendly "Hey there," as Outpost makes it easy to automatically personalize without making it awkward if a reader hasn't entered their name when signing up. ### No Name As is, anyone who doesn't have a name in the system will get a friendly "Hey there," as Outpost makes it easy to automatically personalize without making it awkward if a reader hasn't entered their name when signing up. ![Screenshot of the customizable greeting readers who don’t sign up with a name can get](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/5492791A-4F9E-4B3B-AE74-4FCAF89192DE.jpeg) That is also adjustable so you could say change the "|there" to another option for those that signed up with only their email, for example, "Hello friend." ## How to Create Personalized Emails To personalize the Autoresponder emails that are sent on your behalf, go to the Autoresponder tab in the Outpost Control Center menu: ![Screenshot of Outpost Control Center menu, with Autoresponder circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/A2D04529-FC67-4FF6-9A02-18EB2A67C8FE.jpeg) Head to the Autoresponder tab in your Outpost Control Center In the Autoresponder menu, select the template you'd like to edit and click on Change, then Edit: ![Screenshot of Autoresponder tab with Edit circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/0D73ECA5-C006-44BC-9C1F-6C29445CA934.jpeg) Select a template, click Change, then select Edit In the greeting, add this code: ``` Hey %SUBSCRIBER_FULL_NAME%|there, ``` or ``` Hey %SUBSCRIBER_FIRST_NAME%|there, ``` You can also find that code listed when you edit an Action email by scrolling to the bottom of the editing window and clicking the Show Email Variables button. ![Screenshot of Outpost Autoresponder Email Variables](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/Outpost-DEV-mh.png) How to see Outpost Autoresponder Email Variables ![Outpost Autoresponder Email Variables Expanded](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/image.png) Outpost Autoresponder Email Variables Expanded You can change that "Hey" to "Hello" or any other greeting. If your subscriber signs up with a name, Outpost will pop that in for you. If not, your subscriber will get an email that opens with, "Hey there,". ![Screenshot of Autoresponder template with code circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/73965FA2-86DA-4450-B37C-F295346EB77B.jpeg) In your selected template, replace the greeting in order to send emails to readers by name That is also adjustable, so you could say change the "|there" to another option for those that signed up with only their email. For example: "Hello %SUBSCRIBER\_FULL\_NAME%|friend," would greet named subscribers with something like "Hello Albert Einstein," while those readers without a name in their Ghost member profile would receive, "Hello friend," instead. (Note that the "friend/there/etc" must be one word so don't try to use |Party Person). ## Testing As a note on testing these, if you send yourself a test email from the Outpost Control Center, it will ALWAYS put in the non-personalized text. ![Screenshot of the Autoresponder menu with Preview/Test circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/874650D8-951C-46CD-8061-F615F6E35838.jpeg) The test email will send the non-personalized version **If you want to test how the personalization is working**, you will need to have the Autoresponder turned on and have a Welcome email turned on. Then you can create a new member in Ghost using your email or a variation, adding in a name to the member, and check the Action email sent to you. ![Screenshot of Members with New Member circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/5992BE7C-2483-4881-9150-B72EF5147C50.jpeg) Go to Members in Ghost and add yourself (you can do yourname+anyword@youremail) To add yourself without Ghost giving you an error message for adding your email twice, you can add any word with a + to the name in your email address, for example "ryan+greetingtest@outpost.pub." --- Image Credit: NASA ### How do I change who gets notified of a new tip? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-change-who-gets-notified-of-a-new-tip-doc/ Last updated: 2024-06-26T20:53:05.000Z In your Outpost Control Center, select Notifications from the Account dropdown: ![Screenshot of Account dropdown menu, with Notifications circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/D1F6EEA0-3D38-4D0D-904B-9052E07622DC.jpeg) There, you can change who gets notified of a new tip: ![Screenshot of the Notifications form on Outpost](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/0E8365A6-2086-4DDA-91EC-1BE8C81C5295.jpeg) To learn more about Outpost, visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/), drop us a note at info@outpost.pub or just [start your free, no credit-card-required 21-day free trial of Outpost](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). --- Image Credits: "Monster Merger" ESA/Hubble & NASA, J. Dalcanton, Dark Energy Survey/DOE/FNAL/DECam/CTIO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA Acknowledgement: L. Shatz ### How do I know when someone gives me a tip on Ghost? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-know-when-someone-gives-me-a-tip-on-ghost/ Last updated: 2024-06-26T20:51:32.000Z Currently, if someone gives you a tip via Stripe, we will send you an email with information about who gave you a tip, and how much. Additionally, if you have it set up, we will show that user a thank you message after donating, and will send them a thank you email. This is for both the Space Station and the Luna plans. If someone donates via PayPal on the Space Station plan, Outpost does not see that. If you are on the Luna plan AND you have set up a Business account on Paypal and connected that to the Tip Jar page, Outpost will see that donation, show a thank you online, and send the user a thank you note. If you are on Space Station, you should get an email directly from PayPal with details, and we recommend sending that user a thank you message. If you want them to be included in the list of people who have donated, search for their email under Members in Ghost, and add the label "Gave\_a\_donation." Outpost automatically does this for donations via Stripe on Space Station plans, and for both PayPal and Stripe on the Luna plan (provided you have setup and connected a PayPal business plan.) To learn more about Outpost, visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/), drop us a note at info@outpost.pub or just [start your free, no credit-card-required 21-day free trial of Outpost](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). --- Image Credits: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; Optical: NASA/ESA/STScl; IR: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScl/Milisavljevic et al., NASA/JPL/CalTech; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/J. Schmidt and K. Arcand ### How do I see/export/email the members who have given me tips in Ghost? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-see-export-email-the-members-who-have-given-me-tips-in-ghost-doc/ Last updated: 2024-06-26T20:46:19.000Z When an existing member donates via the Outpost Tip Jar using Stripe, we automatically put a "gave\_a\_donation" label on the member in Ghost. You can then go to your Ghost site to see or export these members. Go to Members in Ghost, click Filter in the top right corner, and search for the label "gave\_a\_donation." dimension ![Screenshot of Members menu in Ghost, with label gave_a_donation filled in](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/313E9300-F8D9-4AE2-8159-211BAF101D16.jpeg) If someone gives a donation via Stripe who is not a member, they are not added to Ghost and are not labeled. You will get an email notifying you of their donation, with an opportunity to write them back personally and thank them, but they are not added to Ghost or labeled. If someone donates via PayPal, that currently happens outside of Outpost view. Since we can't see the donation, we can't add the label for that user. You should get a notification from PayPal about the donation, and if you want to make sure all donating members are labeled that way in Ghost, you will need to add the label yourself. We plan on building an integration with PayPal that will let us see the donations and label these users automatically in the near future. --- Image Credits: "Vast Galactic Neighborhood" ESA/Hubble & NASA, J. Dalcanton, Dark Energy Survey/DOE/FNAL/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA; Acknowledgment: L. Shatz ### How do I sign up for Outpost? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-sign-up-for-outpost-doc/ Last updated: 2025-08-01T22:09:59.000Z First, make sure that your Ghost account is Creator or higher, Stripe is connected, and you have at least one membership tier set up (you do not need to charge to use Outpost, but do need the option set up to use all our features). Then, head to [admin.outpost.pub](https://admin.outpost.pub/?ref=outpost.pub) and click Sign Up in the top right corner. --- Image Credit: "Rocket Launches into Alaskan Aurora" NASA/Lee Wingfield ### How do I log in to Outpost? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-log-in-to-outpost-doc/ Last updated: 2024-06-26T20:44:37.000Z Go to [admin.outpost.pub](https://admin.outpost.pub/?ref=outpost.pub) and select Login: ![Screenshot of admin.outpost.pub with rainbow arrow pointing to Login at the top](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/7F84CE9B-2B17-4016-BAE7-07F8978C8F30.jpeg) You will be prompted to enter your email address and password: ![Screenshot of Outpost login page](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/70A4C74A-26A7-426C-A41D-541F459F65B5.jpeg) --- # Large Magellanic Fireworks Resembling sparks from a fireworks display, this image taken by a JPL camera onboard NASA's Hubble Space Telescope shows delicate filaments that are sheets of debris from a stellar explosion in the nearby Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy. Image Credits: "Large Magellanic Fireworks" NASA STScI/AURA ### How do I change the name of my site? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-change-the-name-of-my-site-doc/ Last updated: 2024-06-26T20:39:50.000Z In your Outpost Control Center, find Publication Details under the Account tab: ![Screenshot of the drop down Account menu in the Outpost Control Center](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/58328F82-359B-45AC-8357-547F28BACDCD.jpeg) There, you'll be able to change your Publication information: ![Screenshot of Publication Details tab in Outpost Control Center](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/480860DB-ACD0-4DCB-8137-ABC733DA349B.jpeg) --- Image Credits: "Uranus" NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI ### What payment methods does Outpost accept? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/what-payment-methods-does-outpost-accept-doc/ Last updated: 2024-06-26T20:37:15.000Z Outpost generally accepts payments through credit cards via Stripe, much like your Ghost site does. We can also accept payment via ACH, and if you are on a Terraform or Enterprise plan, we can invoice you and accept payment by one of the above methods or ACH. To learn more about Outpost, visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/), drop us a note at info@outpost.pub or just [start your free, no credit-card-required 21-day free trial of Outpost](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). --- Image Credits: "Simsbury, CT" NASA/Joshua Stevens; USGS ### What kind of website do I need to have to use Outpost? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/what-kind-of-website-do-i-need-to-have-to-use-outpost/ Last updated: 2024-06-26T17:41:10.000Z Outpost works only with Ghost, which we think is the best platform for building a subscription-based, notification-driven website. If you are on a different platform, like WordPress, and are interested in moving over to Ghost, we recommend reaching out to the good folks at Ghost via a concierge. This also goes for switching from Patreon to Ghost, or switching from Substack to Ghost. If you just want to chat about the process of switching and the benefits, feel free to drop us a note at info@outpost.pub. In order for us to create a tip button and do member management, you need to have your Ghost site connected to an active Stripe account. You should have membership turned on, and at least one paid tier set up if you want to use the full capabilities of the Autoresponder. You do not have to charge for your site in order to use Outpost, just have a tier set up. If you are hosted on GhostPro, you need to be on a plan that allows for custom integrations, which is currently the Creator plan and above. To learn more about Outpost, visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/), drop us a note at info@outpost.pub or just [start your free, no credit-card-required 21-day free trial of Outpost](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). --- Image Credits: "Artemis Hot Fire Test" NASA/Danny Nowlin ### How do I connect my Ghost site to Outpost? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-connect-my-ghost-site-to-outpost-doc/ Last updated: 2024-06-26T17:39:21.000Z This guide shows you how to connect your Ghost site to Outpost. When you first sign up for Outpost, we ask you to create a connection between your site and Outpost. This lets the two sites communicate securely. This is done via Ghost's easy-to-use Integration system. Video and text instructions are below. **Video Instructions:** **Text Instructions:** The process is straightforward, with just a little copying and pasting required. When at the Outpost registration screen asking you to connect to Ghost: 1. In another tab or browser, go to your Ghost site admin panel usually at https://www.example.com/ghost, **where example is your site's url**. 2. In the bottom left, click the gear icon ⚙︎ (#1 in the image below) ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/06/ghost-settings-gear-icon.png) 3\. Then look for Integrations and open that menu (#2 in the image below). ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/06/ghost-integrations-setting-2023.png) 4\. Scroll down to find the Add Custom Integration button and click that. 5\. Name the integration something like Outpost (the name doesn’t really matter). 6\. Copy and paste all three values from the new custom integration into the Outpost registration page in the correct order. Hint: the content API is the shorter of the two API keys. 7\. In Ghost, make sure to click SAVE in the top right corner to save the integration. 8\. Click “Check Connection” in the Outpost Registration Page. 9\. If you run into any issues, please write us at support@outpost.pub with details of what happened including your site url. --- Image Credit: "Shanghai from Space" NASA/Jasmin Moghbeli ### Does Outpost host websites? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/does-outpost-host-websites-doc-3/ Last updated: 2024-06-26T17:38:10.000Z Generally speaking, Outpost does not host Ghost websites. The vast majority of Outpost clients use [Ghost(Pro)](https://ghost.org/pricing?via=outpost&ref=outpost.pub) (that's an affiliate link, fyi) to host their sites, but we can also work with sites hosted elsewhere or that are self-hosted. For Enterprise clients that have very special needs, including a network of newsletters, Outpost can host these sites. If this sounds like what you need, please write us at info@outpost.pub. To learn more about Outpost, visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/), drop us a note at info@outpost.pub or just [start your free, no credit-card-required 21-day free trial of Outpost](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). --- Image Credits: "Merged Galaxy" NASA, ESA, and R. Chandar (University of Toledo); Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America) ### Does Outpost host websites? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/does-outpost-host-websites-doc/ Last updated: 2023-10-10T19:13:40.000Z Generally speaking, Outpost does not host Ghost websites. The vast majority of Outpost clients use GhostPro to host their sites, but we can also work with sites hosted elsewhere, or self-hosted. For Enterprise clients that have very special needs, including a network of newsletters, Outpost can host these sites. If this sounds like what you need, please write us at info@outpost.pub. To learn more about Outpost, visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/), drop us a note at info@outpost.pub or just [start your free, no credit-card-required 21-day free trial of Outpost](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). ### What are the requirements for my Ghost website to use Outpost? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/what-are-the-requirements-for-my-ghost-website-to-use-outpost-doc/ Last updated: 2024-06-26T17:12:36.000Z In order for us to create a tip button and do member management, you need to have your Ghost site connected to an active Stripe account. You should have membership turned on, and at least one paid tier set up if you want to use the full capabilities of the Autoresponder. You do not have to charge for your site in order to use Outpost, just have a tier set up. If you are hosted on GhostPro, you need to be on a plan that allows for custom integrations, which is currently the Creator plan and above. To learn more about Outpost, visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/), drop us a note at info@outpost.pub or just [start your free, no credit-card-required 21-day free trial of Outpost](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). --- Image Credits: "Osiris Asteroid Sample" NASA/Erika Blumenfeld & Joseph Aebersold ### What happens when my free trial with Outpost ends? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/what-happens-when-my-free-trial-with-outpost-ends-doc/ Last updated: 2024-06-26T17:10:52.000Z As your free trial is coming to a close, we will send you a series of emails asking you to sign up for a paid plan. If you choose not to sign up, we will pause our services and you can delete the Ghost integration with Outpost in your Ghost settings. Everything on your Ghost site will continue to work. To learn more about Outpost, visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/), drop us a note at info@outpost.pub or just [start your free, no credit-card-required 21-day free trial of Outpost](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). --- Image Credits: "Orbital 1 Launch" NASA/Bill Ingalls ### How do I upgrade to a higher level Outpost plan? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/how-do-i-upgrade-to-a-higher-level-outpost-plan/ Last updated: 2024-06-26T20:35:00.000Z If you are currently on the Space Station plan and want to upgrade to Luna, go to your Outpost Control Center. You should see an option under Useful Links on your homepage, or you can go to Integrations under Account to find an upgrade link: ![Screenshot of Plan Upgrade page](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/C158FBDC-8908-452E-96AC-676737C90698.jpeg) --- Image Credits: "30 Doradus B" X-ray: NASA/CXC/Penn State Univ./L. Townsley et al.; Optical: NASA/STScI/HST; Infrared: NASA/JPL/CalTech/SST; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/J. Schmidt, N. Wolk, K. Arcand ### Journalists doing it for themselves, pt 404 URL: https://outpost.pub/journalists-doing-for-themselves-pt-404/ Last updated: 2023-11-14T08:02:43.000Z A fiercely independent new tech journalism venture, called [404 Media](https://www.404media.co/?ref=outpost.pub), launched on Tuesday. It's owned, operated and funded by four digital-emigre tech journalists from Vice's Motherboard: Jason Koebler, Emanuel Maiberg, Samantha Cole, and Joseph Cox. 🔉 If you're familiar with Motherboard, you probably just want to [subscribe right now](https://www.404media.co/?ref=outpost.pub#/portal). These folks were core at Vice's Motherboard, which did exceptional tech journalism, but [Vice is imploding](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/15/business/media/vice-bankruptcy.html?ref=outpost.pub), in no small part, because it raised way too much capital. In [their own words](https://www.404media.co/welcome-to-404-media/?ref=outpost.pub): > Our reporting has previously shut down surveillance companies, introduced the world to deepfakes, got right-to-repair legislation passed, changed policies at major social media platforms including Reddit and Facebook, and got hundreds of millions of dollars of fines levied against some of the most significant companies in the world. > > At 404 Media, we intend to continue that work, only now, we will own it ourselves, and will be in charge of the direction of the company and responsible for its financial viability. This means that we will be experimental, take risks, and try different forms of generating revenue in hopes we can figure out how to do this for a long time. But we will always put the work first. 404 got a nice opening day reception, including [coverage in the *New York Times*](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/22/business/media/404-media-vice-motherboard.html?ref=outpost.pub): > The new outfit is the latest in a recent boom of publications owned and operated by the journalists themselves. As the digital media industry has grown increasingly unsteady, with tech companies eating the bulk of advertising revenue and outlets that had bet on growth through social media shutting down, a number of journalists have turned to subscription-based websites with low overhead costs. \[...\] > The small worker-owned websites stand in stark relief to the digital media companies that popped up with venture capital backing about a decade ago, many of which stumbled. While it's not mentioned in the article, it's notable that 404 Media chose to launch using the [Ghost CMS](https://ghost.org/?via=outpost&ref=outpost.pub) (affiliate link, fyi), an open-source CMS that puts memberships and newsletters at the center of its tech, and unlike a proprietary platform like Substack, it doesn't take a revenue percentage or lock you in with moats. And unlike WordPress, you don't need a bevy of plugins in Ghost to make memberships, subscriptions, and newsletters work. Indie media using indie tech! Outpost is helping 404 with our backend tools to help them build their business, so we're doubly excited about this launch. And, yup, we highly recommend you [subscribe and help them prove this model](https://www.404media.co/?ref=outpost.pub#/portal) will work and be sustainable. ### Outpost 2.1.5 (Let’s Roll, Crew-6!) URL: https://outpost.pub/outpost-2-1-5/ Last updated: 2024-10-17T02:26:16.000Z A little bit of everything in this new version, including upgrades to notifications, reports, Tip Jars and Gift Subscriptions. We even fixed some typos. Probably the biggest change is that Gift Subscriptions now live on your own site (if you are on the Luna plan), and you'll get more notifications from Outpost. - ✉️ Added new email notifications to you, e.g when people convert to paying via an Outpost Action email - 🎁 Moved the Gift Subscription page for Luna clients so it shows up on the client's own site at /gift-subscriptions/ - 📭 Added some email notification settings - 📫 Fixed some bugs in the daily reports - 📊 Added new info to the reports, including what new subscribers converted from an Outpost Autoresponder - 🧧 Added new çontrols for the display of the Tip Jar page on Luna sites - 👷‍♀️ Some necessary backend stuff that's too boring to list here - 🅾️ Fixed some typos in the default Action templates (Thanks [Missing Witches](https://www.missingwitches.com/?ref=outpost.pub)!) To learn more about Outpost or to start your free, no credit-card required free trial, visit our homepage and click Get Started. [OutpostPublishing From and To The Future![](https://outpost.pub/favicon.ico)Outpost![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2021/11/5509862-1.jpg)](https://outpost.pub/) ### How to Edit Your Tip Jar Page URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/edit-your-outpost-tip-jar-page/ Last updated: 2023-02-22T08:05:16.000Z ## Space Station Plan On the Space Station plan, your tip jar launches as an Outpost page. You can still control some of the text on the page, but you have fewer options than if you upgraded to Luna. You can control the text just above the buttons in your Outpost Control Center ("Donate to Outpost" in the image above. You'll find that under Tip Jar, in the field Tip Jar Intro Text. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/02/Outpost-mh.png) How to customize your Tip Jar page for Space Station customers ## Luna Plan If you are on an Outpost Luna plan, you have a Tip Jar that lives on a page on your Ghost site, usually at yoursite.com/tip-jar. [Tip Jar](https://outpost.pub/tip-jar) ![Screenshot of a Tip Jar on a Ghost site](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/02/Tip-Jar-mh.png) Outpost's own Tip Jar page You can control the headline and add other text to that page, simply by going to the page in your Ghost site and editing that page. (Or you can use the great Ghost trick of adding /edit to the end of any post or page and get taken straight to the editor). You can control the text just above the buttons in your Outpost Control Center ("Donate to Outpost" in the image above). You'll find that under Tip Jar, in the field Tip Jar Intro Text. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/02/Outpost-DEV-mh.png) ### Centering Text If you want to add text that is centered above the Tip Jar buttons, here's a little bit of code you can use to do that. ```HTML
This is customizable text.
``` To use this, add an HTML card on the page under the buttons, copy in that text and put whatever text you would like where it says "This is customizable text." Once you put it in the card, you should be able to drag-and-drop it above the buttons. If you want text on multiple lines, you can either use multiple HTML cards, or use

tags. ```HTML

This is customizable text.

This is a second line

``` ### Setting Social Sharing Images and Text for Your Tip Jar You can use the Social Card feature on the page to set the image you want to show up if you or a readers shares this page on social. We don't recommend using a featured image on this page. For example: ![Screenshot of setting up Twitter sharing details for the Outpost Tip Jar](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/02/Tip-Jar-Headline---Outpost-mh.png) Set up your Twitter/Social sharing details for the Outpost Tip Jar ### How do I center text in Ghost? URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/center-text-in-ghost/ Last updated: 2023-02-14T21:11:06.000Z Ghost usually wants to left align text, but there are times when you'd like text to be centered, such as when you want to add custom text to Outpost's Tip Jar page. Sometimes you want text centered. To do that, simply copy the code below, change what text you want to display, and insert it in an HMTL code block in Ghost. ```html
This is customizable text.
``` This should display as centered text both on your site and as centered text in an email, if you send the post as an email or newsletter. ### Outpost 2.1.4 (Bringing More Power to Space Station) URL: https://outpost.pub/outpost-2-1-4/ Last updated: 2024-10-17T02:25:43.000Z Lots of work going on with the Tip Jar and reports, and, fittingly, NASA's picture of the day has the title Bringing More Power to Space Station. Yes, indeed, that's what we are doing! - ✨ Updated the reports to include more information, and let you know what Autoresponder Actions have converted free members into paying members, and kept readers who canceled auto-renewal as paid subscribers - ✨ Added the ability for Outpost publishers to cancel and restart their Outpost subscription - 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Updated the Staff page to let sites edit and delete staff users - 🛑 Added a way for Outpost subscribers to cancel and restart their Outpost subscription - 🐛 Fixed some bugs in the report undercounting new paid subscribers To learn more about Outpost, visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/), drop us a note at info@outpost.pub or just [start no credit-card-required 21-day free trial of Outpost](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). [OutpostPublishing From and To The Future![](https://outpost.pub/favicon.ico)Outpost![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2021/11/5509862-1.jpg)](https://outpost.pub/) ### How to Add PayPal to your Outpost Tip Jar Using a Personal PayPal Account URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/paypal-tip-jar-personal-paypal-account/ Last updated: 2025-12-08T18:25:56.000Z If you don't have a Business PayPal account, or can't get one, or are in the process of getting approved, you can still add PayPal as a donation option in your Tip Jar for Ghost. This lets people give you donations via PayPal, but it's not integrated the way that Business Accounts are. If you have a Business account, here are the [instructions for adding it to your Tip Jar](https://outpost.pub/how-to-add-paypal-as-an-option-in-your-outpost-tip-jar/). **We highly recommend applying for a free Business PayPal account if you can, as that account lets Outpost integrate PayPal donations. That means we can send thank you notes automatically, label members who give a donation in Ghost, keep track of your donations for you, and include info on them in our reports.** However, if you can't get that, you can use a Personal Account instead, though it's less elegant and not integrated into Outpost's systems. ⚠️ Important note, if someone donates via your Personal Paypal account, you will get an email from Paypal, but you'll have to send the thank you note yourself. And Outpost can't include this info in Ghost or Outpost's reports. ### Instructions for adding a Personal PayPal account: 1. Start by logging into your personal PayPal account. Then go to [https://www.paypal.com/donate/buttons/](https://www.paypal.com/donate/buttons/?ref=outpost.pub). 2. Create a button. You can just accept the defaults, or you can add a logo, suggested donation levels, etc. 3. When done, test your button url to make sure it looks how you like it. 4. Copy the url. 5. Add it to your account by going to [https://admin.outpost.pub](https://admin.outpost.pub/?ref=outpost.pub), logging in, then go to Account -> Integrations. 6. In the Paypal Personal option, add in your link, and hit SAVE. Your PayPal donation link will then be auto-added as an option in your Tip Jar. 7. Test your new donation link by going to your Outpost donation link. At any time, you can [add a PayPal Business account to your Ghost donation system](https://outpost.pub/how-to-add-paypal-as-an-option-in-your-outpost-tip-jar/) instead to take advantage of the greater integration, and our system will switch over to that seamlessly. Here's a short video showing you how to create a Personal PayPal donation link. ### How to Add PayPal to your Outpost Tip Jar Using a PayPal Business Account URL: https://outpost.pub/how-to-add-paypal-as-an-option-in-your-outpost-tip-jar/ Last updated: 2024-10-17T05:50:18.000Z Giving people multiple options of payment methods to give you a donation increases both the number and the sum total in dollars that get donated. We aim to make this simple and to have you keep all of the donation. Unfortunately, PayPal hates making it easy for people to use their service, so instead of a nice one-click button like Stripe, you need to do some navigating and copy-and-pasting to integrate PayPal into your Tip Jar. (We tried, I promise, to do the one-click way, but PayPal said no.) ***If you are incorporated as a business, we highly recommend upgrading your PayPal account to a Business account. You can do that by logging into PayPal, going to your dashboard, and looking for the business upgrade button. This doesn't cost anything, but it makes sure the money goes to that account (which can help with accounting) AND it lets Outpost do a smart integration with your account.*** The smart integration includes: 1) Outpost can see the donation, 2) Members who donate are labeled in Ghost so you can keep track of what subscribers donate and maybe , 3) we can show them an online thank you ### If you have a PayPal Business account: High level, what you do is log into Paypal, move over to the Developer dashboard, create a production app, and then copy over the API keys to Outpost. 1. Log in to your PayPal account. 2. Go to your Developer Dashboard and create a New App. This url should get you there: [https://developer.paypal.com/dashboard/applications/live/create](https://developer.paypal.com/dashboard/applications/live/create?ref=outpost.pub) 3. Give a glance to the top right corner and be sure that the slider is set to the right to Live, not Sandbox. Green is good. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/02/Create-Applications---PayPal-Developer-mh.png) 4\. Name it Tip Jar or something you can understand later and hit CREATE APP. 5\. Press the word "Show" under Secret. 6\. Copy the Client ID and the Secret into Outpost's settings fields under Tip Jar. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/01/Screenshot-2023-01-26-at-10.27.36-AM.png-mh.png) 6\. Press Save Settings in Outpost and close Paypal. Your Tip Jar will now have both PayPal and Stripe options, and it's fully integrated. Just go to the Tip Jar page on your site (you can find the url in the Tip Jar settings page) to test it out. ### If you DO NOT have a PayPal Business account: Here are the instructions for [adding your personal PayPal account to the Tip Jar](https://outpost.pub/paypal-tip-jar-personal-paypal-account/) for those that do not have or cannot get a PayPal Business account. If you run into any issues, please drop us a note at support@outpost.pub. ### Why Welcome Emails are Crucial for Building a Successful Newsletter and Why You Should Ask for Money Sooner Than You Think URL: https://outpost.pub/welcome-emails/ Last updated: 2024-06-25T23:56:33.000Z Usually, when a reader signs up for a newsletter, they confirm their email, then largely forget about the publication until the next time it publishes and the newsletter shows up in their inbox. At that point, they may have forgotten they signed up or forgotten why they were interested. And they will be less likely to pay down the road. [With Outpost adding drip emails to your Ghost site](https://outpost.pub/welcome-flow-emails/), new subscribers get an automatic welcome flow (that is fully customizable to make it your own). That lets you welcome them to your world, ask them questions, and send links to your best work. You might have been around for years, but to them, you are new and unknown. A welcome email flow is a warm way to establish a relationship with your new subscriber and make them feel valued, thanking your new reader for signing up, and giving you an opportunity to share more of your story and give them a sense of what they can expect to receive. A welcome email flow can also include helpful information such as links to popular or relevant content and give you a chance to share something about you, your background, and mission. Since Outpost lets you [customize an entire welcome flow](https://outpost.pub/autoresponder-email-variables-ghost/) (which smartly stops if the subscriber upgrades to paid), you also don't have to pack everything into just one email: e.g. move us to Gmail's primary inbox, we have a paid tier, we do live events, we have a podcast, we have books! into just one welcome email. You should also start asking for money as soon as possible, because people's willingness to pay declines after 30 days. Here's what [Brian Boyer](https://brianboyer.net/?ref=outpost.pub), who worked on a number of local startup news sites while at Spirited Media, [found from their data tracking](https://source.opennews.org/articles/memberkit-upgrade-your-analytics/?ref=outpost.pub): > So, once you’ve got somebody interested, you want to get them paying, fast. When someone signs up for our newsletter, we immediately kick off an automated series of emails (known in the industry as a “drip campaign”—maybe not a new idea for you, but it was new to me!) that, among other things, ask our new subscriber for their hard-earned cash. > > Many people will tell you to slowly build up to the $$$ ask over a series of emails. First, you start by introducing yourselves, talk about the value you provide, the things you cover, etc., etc., and after several emails, you eventually start explicitly asking for money. > > But we found the opposite to be true. The longer you wait, the less likely people are to click the link to donate. The first and second emails in our drip campaigns always performed the best—the highest open rates, the highest click rates, and the highest donation rates. So, yeah, we want to ask early and get folks to donate as quickly as possible. And, crucially, for free subscribers, the welcome flow works alongside the new newsletters you are sending, giving you a chance to make the case people should become paying supporters while you are simultaneously showing them your value. Every offer in Outpost welcome drip emails has a unique ID (even if amount is the same), so you can easily track which ones are converting. Outpost has different welcome emails for free and paid readers. The welcome flow is just a small part of our autoresponder, which we call the [Best Damn Autoresponder for Ghost](https://outpost.pub/autoresponder/). We also automatically send thank you notes, take care of legally required subscriber notifications for you, and handle sending emails to those who cancel or turned off auto-renewal. Want to try our Autoresponder and drip emails for Ghost free ? There's no credit card required, and you can start using our [Autoresponder](https://outpost.pub/autoresponder/) and [Tip Jar](https://outpost.pub/tip-button/) today. To learn more about Outpost, visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/), drop us a note at info@outpost.pub or just [start your free, no credit-card-required 21-day free trial of Outpost](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). --- Image Credits: NASA/Joel Kowsky ### Outpost v2.1.3 (A Well-Traveled Beagle) URL: https://outpost.pub/outpost-v2-1-3/ Last updated: 2024-10-17T02:24:10.000Z - 🎨 Added tools to let you change the appearance of Outpost-powered tip, gift subscription, Intelligent CTAs, and User Preference buttons. Controls include button color, font, font size and text color. - 🐛 Refactored some backend code, including making retention offers work better for users with soon-to-expire subscriptions - 🐞 Fixed some data errors in Outpost Daily Reports We also simplified and upgraded how sites connect to Outpost to make it simpler: - ✨ Updated Connections page to hide API keys and to add clarity to items on that page - ✨ Added Stripe Connect/Disconnect button/action. - ✨ Auto create needed Stripe webhooks/connections when using Stripe Connect at sign-on And, just a mid-winter mood booster, here's a photo of Snoopy in his astronaut outfit. All that training in dogfights versus the Red Baron came in useful, it seems. ![Snoopy floating above the 2022 Macy’s Day Parade](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2023/01/9C0BCCF7-F353-458F-8497-41080000D9DF.jpeg) Snoopy in NYC, 2022 Macy's Parade To learn more about Outpost, visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/), drop us a note at info@outpost.pub or just [start your free, no credit-card-required 21-day free trial of Outpost](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). [OutpostPublishing From and To The Future![](https://outpost.pub/favicon.ico)Outpost![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2021/11/5509862-1.jpg)](https://outpost.pub/) ### How to Create a Newsletter Template in Ghost URL: https://outpost.pub/how-to-create-a-newslette-template-in-ghost/ Last updated: 2022-12-15T19:22:11.000Z When you start writing a new post in Ghost, you likely want to either start with a structure or include elements you typically use. Ghost has a very easy way for you to do this, but it's a hidden feature. In fact, we think it's Ghost's best hidden feature. (To be fair, this is [documented by Ghost](https://ghost.org/help/using-the-editor/?&%5Fga=2.264980687.1947487656.1671057936-512065850.1631733341&ref=outpost.pub#snippets), but most Ghost users we talk to have no idea they can do this.) Thanks goes to the brilliant Joel Warner, [The Lever's](https://levernews.com/?ref=outpost.pub) managing editor and the author of the upcoming book, [The Curse of The Marquis De Sade](https://www.joelwarner.com/?ref=outpost.pub) (pre-order it here), who taught us this trick. Here's how you create a reusable and editable newsletter template in Ghost: *(video how-to is below the text instructions)* 1. Create a dummy post. 2. Add in all of the sections that you usually put into a post, whether that's email CTAs for free readers, intro text that only shows up in emails, your Outpost [Tip Jar](https://outpost.pub/tip-button/), or your [Outpost Intelligent CTAs](https://outpost.pub/intelligent-upgrade-button/). If you want an image placeholder, choose the card to insert an image and then press ESC before choosing an image. 3. Where you normally write text, add in dummy text, preferably something like[ Lorem Ipsum ](https://loremipsum.io/?ref=outpost.pub)or some variant like my favorite, [Hipster Ipsum](https://hipsum.co/?ref=outpost.pub). *(Do NOT use some dummy text that will be embarrassing, inflammatory or libelous like so-and-so died. Always assume anything you write in your CMS might get accidentally published. If you publish Lorem Ipsum, people might laugh at you. If Hipster Ipsum, they laugh with you. If an obituary for a living celebrity, you get roasted online.)* 4. Put your cursor at the very end of the post on a new line. 5. Press CTRL-A to select all. 6. Now scroll up to the top and you will see a black bar over the first item. Click the far right icon that looks like a piece of paper with the corner folded. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/Screenshot-2022-12-14-11.06.08-PM.png) 7\. Enter a name for your snippet and add a month and year to it, so you know what it is. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/Screenshot-2022-12-14-11.07.40-PM.png) 8\. Click the green text starting with the word "Create" to save the snippet. 9\. Now go to a new post, click the Ghost card chooser (+), scroll down to your snippets and choose the snippet you just made. 10\. Celebrate because you just made yourself a newsletter snippet in Ghost. 11\. Delete the original post (optional but it won't hurt anything). ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/boom-mind-blown.gif) This is your mind on the Template Snippet 🪐 Fun fact of the day: Outpost is a publishers cooperative, meaning our mission and charter is to provide low-cost services to our member customers, and we can't sell the company to a giant platform. Prefer a video on how it works? Here you go: You can make as many of these as you want, and if you no longer need one you made, simply delete it from the snippet menu (scroll down in the Ghost Card Menu (+) to the one you want to delete and look for the trash can). There are some known limitations to this method. It does not include your headline or any tags. It doesn't change who the post is delivered to. But this hidden Ghost feature will make your posting life so much simpler. No more rebuilding the bones of your newsletter every time you write something new. Stay tuned or [sign up for our free newsletter ](https://outpost.pub/#/portal/signup)to get our next blog post on How to Edit a Existing Newsletter Template Snippet. ### How to Send Welcome Emails to New Subscribers in Ghost URL: https://outpost.pub/sending-welcome-emails-to-new-ghost-subscribers/ Last updated: 2024-06-25T23:53:21.000Z If you want to send automatic emails to members in Ghost, there is the easy and smart way and then there are the hard ways. Let's start with the easy and intelligent way. ## Sending Welcome Emails the Easy Way: ### Welcoming Your New Members Is Easy and Automatic with Outpost for Ghost Outpost has [The Best Damn Autoresponder for Ghost](https://outpost.pub/autoresponder), the best and easiest way to welcome new subscribers, and automatically communicate with members. Outpost's system knows the difference between free, paid and complimentary subscribers and messages each reader differently. We have a point-and-click Welcome Email templates, discount offers, and a drip campaign ready to go for you. You can use it as is, or quickly customize it to send messages in your voice, and welcome new subscribers to your world. ![A screenshot of Outpost's Autoresponder for Ghost, showing the Welcome Flow](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/Screenshot-2022-12-01-1.41.29-PM.png) Easy to set up, easy to edit, easy to change discount offers Our pre-written templates and preset Actions make getting started simple, and we make it simple to decide when and how many welcome emails to send out - and what discounts to offer. 🪐 Outpost sends different welcome emails to new free subscribers, new complimentary subscribers, and to those angels out there that skip the free subscription and go directly to paid.That way you can upsell the free readers, without annoying your paid subscribers. Our welcome emails also let you [use variables](https://outpost.pub/outpost-personalized-emails/), have built-in CTA buttons for discounts, and are edited using a WYSIWG editor (e.g. point and click to add links, headings, links, etc). You can also change or remove discounts from an email without editing the template. ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/Screenshot-2022-12-01-1.43.30-PM.png) Change your offer with a drop-down, use variables to personalize the email, and edit your email with a WYSIWG editor. You can also add your logo to the top of the message if you like, and have complete control over the email CSS if that's how you roll. Oh, and you get a daily report telling you how many emails were sent, opened and clicked. You don't need to setup any complicated Zapier integrations or sign up for another email sending service. It's all done for you, and, to boot, it's [cheaper than the hard alternatives](https://outpost.pub/pricing/). You can sign up for a [free, no-credit-card-required free Outpost trial](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub#/) and start using our Autoresponder and Tip Jar right away. We don't lock your site in anyway, so it's a risk-free trial, as well. You can read a bit more below to learn more or email us at info@outpost.pub with questions. ### Why Are Automatic Welcome Emails Helpful? When you get a new subscriber, make them feel welcome with an immediate Autoresponder message in your voice. New subscribers often show up from referrals or following a link and don't know much about your site. We recommend using these emails to share your story and mission, and give readers links to your best, previous posts. Remember they are new and have no idea what they've missed. Paid members get one welcome email, thanking them for supporting your work and welcoming them to your world. The same goes for complimentary subscribers, who get one email welcoming them and letting them know about the complimentary subscription. Readers who sign up as free members can get a whole drip campaign sent over time, with optional different discount offers. You can easily track which of these offers works best at converting readers, and adjust them at any time. In addition to sharing your story, we also recommend including discount offers in each email as many people are most willing to subscribe right after joining. And the drip campaign is intelligent. If a free member signs up for a paid plan, the welcome drip emails will stop. Members can also opt-out of getting these emails, without unsubscribing from your Ghost newsletters. These welcome emails are only a small part of the Best Damn Autoresponder for Ghost, which handles much more, including thank you notes to those that give a donation and legally required notices to annual subscribers just ahead of renewal. ### Outpost's Welcome Drip Emails with Discount Offers to Free Subscribers Result in Conversions and Upgrades! Many clients, including those still in their free trial with Outpost, find that the discounts in the [Outpost's automated drip emails](https://outpost.pub/autoresponder/) to free subscribers are convincing folks to upgrade and start paying! One particularly useful way to do this is to offer increased discounts with each welcome email. So the first one offers 10% off, the second one 15%, the third one 20% off, etc. Since the email drip campaign stops for any user that signs up for paid, this lets you offer discounts without underpricing yourself. Those willing to jump at 10% off won't ever see the 20% discount offer, but the price-sensitive reader will. Not convinced? You do have other options... ## Sending Welcome Emails the Hard Ways: ### Sending Welcome Emails to New Members Using Ghost Alone We love [Ghost](https://ghost.org/?ref=outpost.pub), and think it's the [best option out there for creators](https://outpost.pub/outpost-vs-ghost), but there are things a CMS isn't meant to do, so Ghost has ways to make it more powerful. If you wanted to handle sending welcome emails yourself, you can do that. For example, when new members sign up, Ghost sends administrators a notification email. Then, you would need to open that email, copy the email address, create a new email, copy in the email address and then manually send them a welcome email from your personal account. This is doable, but gets tedious fast, and increases the amount of time you spend on administration vs creation. Also, members can easily slip through the cracks if they sign up overnight, on the weekend, etc. When you combine your Ghost site with Outpost, Outpost's [Autoresponder](https://outpost.pub/autoresponder) (The Best Damn Autoresponder for Ghost), automatically sends a welcome email from you. For free subscribers, this can be just one email or a series of welcome emails with discount offers to entice them to become paid subscribers. Critically, these stop if they reader upgrades to a paid plan or opts out. Outpost starts you off with some default templates. Once you make our template yours, using our easy point and click tools, we do all the work of welcoming each new member. | | Outpost + Ghost(Pro) | Ghost(Pro) | | ------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- | -------------- | | Pricing | From **$8**/mo (in addition to Ghost(Pro) | From **$9**/mo | | Custom Autoresponder Email Design | ✅ Yes | N/A | | Auto-send to new members | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | Free Member Welcome drip campaign | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | Paid Member Welcome email | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | Complimentary Member Welcome email | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | Part of Comprehensive Autoresponder | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | Trackable, Unique Offers in Each Drip Email | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | Commission-Free Tip Jar | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | Sophisticated Email Variables in Autoresponder | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | Integrated, Smart CAN-SPAM-compliant Unsubscribe System | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ### Sending Welcome Emails using Zapier Zapier is a service that connects one service with other services, using each site's APIs and webhooks. What you can do is use Zapier to connect your Ghost site to Mailgun or Convertkit, then use those services to send emails to your subscribers. Or you can use Zapier's limited email function to ***send the same welcome email to every new user, whether they are free, paid or complimentary,*** based on a trigger sent by Ghost to Zapier. The [basic process](https://ghost.org/tutorials/welcome-email/?ref=outpost.pub) is to create a free Zapier account (limited to 100 action total per month), connect it to Ghost, set up a trigger in Zapier, and write an email in HTML yourself that Zapier will send. While Zapier has a low-end free plan, that comes with a fifteen minute lag between an action happening on your Ghost site and an email being sent out. There's also a limit of 100 actions per month on the free plan, and no drip email campaigns. Once you move up to the $20 a month with Zapier, you will be paying twice as much as you would with Outpost. You will have to create your own logic in Zapier, handcraft HTML emails, AND you still won't have a drip campaign that 1) knows the difference between free, paid and complimentary subscribers or that 2) ends once a free user upgrades. And you don't get any of Outpost's other features like a [Tip Jar](https://outpost.pub/tip-button/), [Plausible Analytics](https://outpost.pub/plausible-analytics/), daily reports, and more. | | Outpost | Zapier | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | --------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- | | ------------------------------------- | ----- | ---- | | Pricing (For 1K subscribers) | From **$12**/mo | Free (limited to 100 actions a month) or $20+ a month | | | | | | Sends Different Messages to Free, Paid and Complimentary Readers | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | Email Variables and Personalization | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | Pre-written templates | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | | | | | WYSIWG Email Editor | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | | | | | Integrated Discounts | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | | | | | Drip Campaign | ✅ Yes | ❌ Not on Free | | | | | | Intelligent Drip Campaign That Only Sends to Free Readers and Stops on Upgrade | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | | | | | Custom-built for Ghost | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | | | | | Autoresponder Open and Click Reports | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | Point-and-Click Email Design Controls | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | Integrated CAN-SPAM-compliant Unsubscribe System | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | | | | | Part of Larger Autoresponder | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | | | | ### Sending Welcome Emails using Zapier + MailChimp, Campaign Monitor, Constant Contact, ConvertKit, etc. If you want to do something fancier with your emails you can pay Zapier to sync your Ghost membership with an email marketing service such as MailChimp or ConvertKit. This is slightly better than just using Zapier's basic email, because you can do campaigns and snaz up your emails a decent bit. But you'll still have strong limitations, and now you will be paying two services, Zapier + email sending service, to send emails outside of Ghost. In other words, this method is more expensive and complicated, while providing fewer features than Outpost's autoresponder. | | Outpost | Zapier + MailChimp/ConvertKit | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | --------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- | | Pricing (Up to 1K members) | From **$12**/mo | From $20+ a month for Zapier + $29 for ConvertKit/$27 Mailchimp | | Sends Different Messages to Free, Paid and Complimentary Readers | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | Comprehensive Email Variables and Personalization | ✅ Yes | Limited to subscriber name only | | Pre-written templates | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | WYSIWG Email Editor | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | | Integrated Discounts | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | Drip Campaign | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | | Intelligent Drip Campaign That Only Sends to Free Readers and Stops on Upgrade | ✅ Yes | ❌ No/Maybe | | Custom-built for Ghost | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | Autoresponder Open and Click Reports | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | Integrated, Smart CAN-SPAM-compliant Unsubscribe System | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | Part of Larger Autoresponder | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | How to do it: Use Zapier to connect your [Ghost site to Mailgun](https://ghost.org/integrations/mailchimp/?ref=outpost.pub) or [Ghost to Convertkit](https://ghost.org/integrations/convertkit/?ref=outpost.pub) , then use those services to send emails to your subscribers. You will need to set up logic on what subscribers get what emails, and how drip campaigns start and stop. You will also need to keep an eye on users who unsubscribe from those emails. Unsubscribing via those services does not also offer users an option to stop getting your newsletter, so you might get irate emails from people who unsubcribed from those emails thinking they'd stop getting emails from you. It's not clear that this method is compliant with US CAN-SPAM laws. Outpost's Autoresponder includes a comprehensive unsubscribe page, where subscribers can clearly choose to stop getting your marketing messages and, if they like, stop getting your newsletters. This is what people see if they click unsubscribe in an Autoresponder message (except it will have your site name and logo, of course!). ![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/12/image.png) This is the smart unsubscribe page for emails sent from the Outpost Autoresponder Notably, if the subscriber chooses to unsubscribe from both the marketing emails and the newsletter, Outpost updates the member in your site so they will no longer get those emails. While no newsletter wants people to unsubscribe, it's far better to provide this avenue and be CAN-SPAM compliant than deal with angry readers who thought they unsubscribed but are still getting messages. To learn more about Outpost visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/), write us at info@outpost.pub or just [start your free, no credit-card-required 21-day free trial of Outpost](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). [OutpostPublishing From and To The Future![](https://outpost.pub/favicon.ico)Outpost![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2021/11/5509862-1.jpg)](https://outpost.pub/) --- Image Credit: "First Space Shuttle" NASA ### Outpost Intelligent Calls To Action Are Now Dynamic, Too URL: https://outpost.pub/outpost-intelligent-buttons-just-got-better/ Last updated: 2024-06-25T23:51:50.000Z We just upgraded the Tip Jar, and the Gift Subscription CTA, and the Intelligent CTA Buttons to give you more control over what they say and what they do. ## Intelligent Call to Action (CTA) Buttons Our [Intelligent Call to Action buttons](https://outpost.pub/outpost-has-intelligent-call-to-action/) have always been smart, being able to show different messages to different kinds of readers, but we just pushed an update to make them even better. For instance, the button below asks unknown readers to sign up for our free newsletter with the text "Learn More About Outpost", while logged-in free readers get a prompt to "Get Yourself an Outpost" which takes them to going paid. Our paying subscribers don't see any message. The first version had preset text and actions. Now you have complete control over names displayed on buttons, and can choose from a menu what actions you want the buttons to point to. These changes are *dynamic*, meaning if you change the the text and action of a button in your Outpost Control Center, those buttons will automatically change their text and action in all past posts. (Caveat here for existing: this may not apply to all your previous posts right now - depending on your Snippets, but will going forward.) Outpost's Calls to Action are Intelligent, meaning that they are only displayed to the readers you choose and they show different messages to different levels of readers. For example, paid readers won't see the same prompts that free or unknown readers do, and Annual subscribers will not see the Upgrade to Annual CTA that shows up for Monthly readers. This makes for a seamless reading experience, providing subtle up-sell opportunities without spamming your readers with irrelevant messages. ![Screenshot of Call to Action Buttons in Outpost Button Wizard](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/11/A76DF229-C14A-484B-8B1B-9432A11CA0FE.jpeg) Call to Action Buttons are fully customizable ## Tip Jar Buttons You can now change the text of your Tip Jar buttons! Buttons that show up on posts-only are dynamic, and so they will change retroactively when you change their text in the Outpost Button Wizard. Buttons that are Email-only or Email-and-Posts are not dynamic (blame how email works), so when you create a new one, the previously used versions are not çhanged. You will need to save the new text, then copy the HTML and create a new Snippet in your editor or overwrite the previous Snippet. [Fancy New Name Tip Jar](https://outpostpublishingcoopcom.outpost.pub/public/donate?ref=outpost.pub#/donate) ![Screenshot of Tip Jar Button Wizard in Outpost](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/11/8192A9B3-4079-4900-A4F0-B4D0BE995214.jpeg) ## Gift Subscription Buttons The text of Gift Subscription buttons can also be changed, and post-only buttons inserted in past posts when updated in Outpost Control Center. As with the Tip Jar, only posts-only buttons are dynamic (meaning changes apply to all previous versions). Buttons that show up in emails and posts won't change retroactively. For email-only or email+posts CTAs, if you change the text you will also need to add the button to your Ghost editor as a new Snippet, or overwrite the previous one. ![Screenshot of Gift Subscription Button Wizard in Outpost](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/11/F2A64FF5-4C12-4878-94B9-F5B0F743ED41.jpeg) For those not currently using Ghost, you cann learn more about Outpost by visiting our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/) or just [start your free, no credit-card-required free 21-day Outpost free trial](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). [OutpostPublishing From and To The Future![](https://outpost.pub/favicon.ico)Outpost![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2021/11/5509862-1.jpg)](https://outpost.pub/) --- Image Credits: NASA/Keegan Barber ### Outpost v2.1.2 (Orion, Earth, and the Moon) URL: https://outpost.pub/outpost-v2-1-2/ Last updated: 2024-10-17T02:22:53.000Z Outpost's calls to action just got smarter and more dynamic, giving you control over what the calls to action say and do. - 🚀 Updated [Intelligent CTA Button](https://outpost.pub/intelligent-upgrade-button/) options to make [text](https://outpost.pub/how-do-i-change-the-text-of-my-outpost-intelligent-cta-buttons/) and [actions](https://outpost.pub/how-do-i-change-what-my-intelligent-cta-buttons-do/) customizable, while still [displaying different messages to different kinds of readers](https://outpost.pub/intelligent-upgrade-button/) - ✍️ Updated the [Tip Jar](https://outpost.pub/tip-button/) and [Gift Subscription buttons](https://outpost.pub/gift-subscriptions/) to allow sites to control the text of the button - 🚀 [CTA, Tip Jar, and Gift Subscription Buttons now dynamically change](https://outpost.pub/outpost-intelligent-buttons-just-got-better/) in previously published posts in Outpost Control Center - 💻 Adjusted the button display - 🛸 Upgraded personalization, for readers and behind the scenes - 🪱 Minor bug fixes - ⚙️ Updated the Outpost integration javascript that lives in client themes to V2 To learn more about Outpost visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/) or just [start your free, no credit-card-required 21-day Outpost free trial](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). [OutpostPublishing From and To The Future![](https://outpost.pub/favicon.ico)Outpost![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2021/11/5509862-1.jpg)](https://outpost.pub/) ### Outpost has Gift Subscriptions for Ghost! URL: https://outpost.pub/gift-subscriptions-for-ghost-post/ Last updated: 2024-06-25T23:50:25.000Z Sometimes a supporter will love your work so much they want to gift a subscription to someone they think will love you too. Outpost built features to support and manage gift subscriptions, including autoresponder messages to do the work of communication for you. You can set a gift subscription price, gift subscription renewal price for the person who gave the gift subscription, and special offer for people with gift subscriptions that expire. You can also let subscribers buy a gift subscription ahead of time, for a birthday or holiday, and have the gift subscription start on that day. Doing gift subscriptions on your own is very complicated, so let Outpost handle it all, from thank you notes to the gift subscription buyer, notifications when a scheduled gift subscription is sent, and a comprehensive system for handling when gift subscriptions are about to expire. That includes ways to let the gift giver give again, or to let the gift recipient to pay for their own extension. This works seamelessly with Stripe, and both gift givers and gift receivers are labeled in Ghost. That way you can easily see all the people who have given gift subscriptions, and all the people that have been given gift subscriptions, and if you want you can write either group directly from Ghost. ![Screenshot of Gift Subscription button](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/09/D97C025B-9C92-4742-BC3A-479B4C1FB961.jpeg) Outpost's Gift Subscription Button When someone clicks that button, they're taken here: ![Screenshot of giving a gift subscription](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/09/A599C4A8-48C0-4853-B405-8858B36BA4EC.jpeg) Stripe makes the process painless: ![Screenshot of Stripe payment](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/09/E937FD43-6414-4508-8FB0-77A9D40CE1DB.jpeg) ![Screenshot of confirmation page after giving a gift subscription](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/09/A04B5FED-2EA0-4F8D-BE76-48D806A6FD11.jpeg) We'll use the name of the recipient where it says "your bestie" Outpost will handle notifying the gift recipient, welcoming them to your world with your preset Autoresponder messages. When the gift subscription is coming to an end, we'll notify the gift giver first to see if they want to give more time. If they decline, we'll notify the recipient and give them options to renew. --- Image Credits: "Little Dumbbell Nebula" NASA, ESA, STScI ### Outpost Makes it Easy to Personalize Your Automatic Messages to Subscribers URL: https://outpost.pub/outpost-personalized-emails/ Last updated: 2024-06-25T23:49:07.000Z Outpost makes it easy to personalize emails to your subscribers in our Autoresponder, which is the [Best Damn Autoresponder for Ghost](https://outpost.pub/autoresponder). You can do this with a simple code in the email template for autoresponder messages sent out on your behalf when people subscribe, upgrade, tip, give a gift subscription, etc. You can choose to address a reader by their full name in their Ghost member profile or by their first name, which is deduced from their full name (e.g. John Doe, would be "John"). ### Full Name For example, if you put the greeting, "Hey %SUBSCRIBER\_FULL\_NAME%|there," in your email, Outpost's intelligent system will either greet readers by their full name, or substitute "there" if no name is given. If I were to subscribe with my first name only, I'd get a message that says, "Hey Ryan," and if I were to sign up with my first and last name, I'd get, "Hey Ryan Singel." ### First Name If you just want to address a reader by their first name, we have an option for that. In this case if someone has only entered one name (e.g. Madonna signed up for your newsletter), our system uses that name as the first name. ### No Name As is, anyone who doesn't have a name in the system will get a friendly "Hey there," as Outpost makes it easy to automatically personalize without making it awkward if a reader hasn't entered their name when signing up. ![Screenshot of the customizable greeting readers who don’t sign up with a name can get](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/5492791A-4F9E-4B3B-AE74-4FCAF89192DE.jpeg) An example of how the personalized greeting will adapt if no name is given ### Fully Customizable That is also adjustable so you could say change the "|there" to another option for those that signed up with only their email. For example: "Hello %SUBSCRIBER\_FULL\_NAME%|friend," would greet named subscribers with something like "Hello Albert Einstein," while those readers without a name in their Ghost member profile would receive, "Hello friend," instead. (Note that the "friend/there/etc" must be one word so don't try to use |Party Person). To personalize the Autoresponder emails that are sent on your behalf, go to the Autoresponder tab in the Outpost Control Center menu: ![Screenshot of Outpost Control Center menu, with Autoresponder circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/A2D04529-FC67-4FF6-9A02-18EB2A67C8FE.jpeg) Head to the Autoresponder tab in your Outpost Control Center Choose which Autoresponder email you'd like to personalize, and change the greeting to your liking. For more information, and options for making greetings your own, check out the [personalized greeting help page](https://outpost.pub/how-do-i-send-personalized-emails-to-readers/). --- Image Credits: "Looking Beyond the Veil" NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI ### How To Add a Personal Paypal Account As an Option in the Tip Jar on Your Ghost Site URL: https://outpost.pub/docs/outpost-ghost-paypal-tip-jars/ Last updated: 2023-02-09T23:31:02.000Z Outpost allows you to accept tips and donations through PayPal on your Ghost site. As with Stripe, Outpost does not take any percentages from your tips; they're all yours. There are two ways to do this. 1) The BEST way is to use a Business Paypal account (if your site is registered as a business you can upgrade to Business for free in your PayPal account). Once you have that you can connect it to Outpost, and Outpost will handle all the stuff around donations, including thank you messages, sending you a notification, adding a label to the donater's member page in Ghost, keeping track of all donations, and including donation info in your reports. 2) If you can't upgrade to a Business account or are waiting on PayPal to approve it, you can still add PayPal as a donation option in your Tip Jar for Ghost. This lets people give you donations via PayPal, **but it's not integrated the way that Business Accounts are.** If someone donates this way, you will get an email from Paypal, but you'll have to send the thank you note yourself. And Outpost can't include this info in Ghost or Outpost's reports because with Personal Accounts, Outpost can't see that a donation happened. ### Instructions: To add your Personal Paypal as an option in your Tip Jar, log into your PayPal, then go to [Paypal Buttons](https://www.paypal.com/donate/buttons/?ref=outpost.pub) to create a button. You can just accept the defaults, or you can add a logo, suggested donation levels, etc. We do not recommend adding URLs for where to take people when they have donated or cancel out. Outpost handles that. When done, test your button URL to make sure it looks how you like it. Then add that URL to your account by going to [https://admin.outpost.pub](https://admin.outpost.pub/?ref=outpost.pub), logging in, then go to Account -> Integrations: ![Screenshot of Account dropdown with Integrations circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/094301A1-8D88-4EE8-9077-99D366AF43B4.jpeg) In the PayPal option under Personal, add in your link, and hit SAVE. Your PayPal donation link will then be auto-added as an option in your Tip Jar. ![Screenshot of PayPal Tip Button Integration in Account settings](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/08/FDEC8676-627E-4013-A468-800B3FF0E8F3.jpeg) As a reminder, due to how this integration works, Outpost does not see the PayPal donation to your Personal PayPal account, so that means we can't show a thank-you message and a thank-you note like we do with donations sent through Stripe. So if you get an email from Paypal telling you about a donation, we **strongly** recommend you write a quick thank-you note yourself. That also means that we can't add the label "gave a donation" to the member profile in Ghost, as we do with Stripe donations. As a note, we spent a lot of time trying to solve this problem and found a solution, but PayPal would not approve it, so this is likely as good as it will get. There's a reason Ghost uses Stripe, not PayPal. You can add links to your Tip Jar to your Ghost site's homepage, in your posts, and in your emails. You can use the Tip Jar buttons in your snippets or grab your Tip Jar link from the Outpost Control Center and make your own buttons, or put a link on your site. To learn more about Outpost or to get the Paypal/Stripe Tip Jar for your own Ghost site, visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/) or just [start your free, no credit-card-required free 21-day Outpost free trial](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). [OutpostPublishing From and To The Future![](https://outpost.pub/favicon.ico)Outpost![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2021/11/5509862-1.jpg)](https://outpost.pub/) ### Outpost v2.1.1 (Webb Telescope Reveals New Details in Pillars of Creation) URL: https://outpost.pub/outpost-v2-1-1/ Last updated: 2024-10-17T02:19:53.000Z Your Ghost communications just got a whole lot friendlier! We're happy to announce you now have customizable options to greet your readers. - ✨ Created feature to address readers by first name or full name, with have endless options for what greetings you use with those names. - ✨ Added feature to add customized greetings for readers who sign up without a name. To learn more about Outpost, visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/) or just [start your free, no credit-card-required free 21-day Outpost free trial](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). ### Dear Friend, This is How You Use People’s Names in Outpost’s Autoresponder Emails URL: https://outpost.pub/personalized-greetings/ Last updated: 2024-06-25T23:43:16.000Z 💡 tl;dr - It's now possible to address readers in the automatic emails by their first or full name, instructions below Outpost makes it easy to send personalized emails to your subscribers via our Autoresponder with a simple code in the email template. You can choose to address a reader by their full name in their Ghost member profile or by their first name, which is deduced from their full name (e.g. John Doe, would be "John"). ### Full Name For example, if you put the greeting, "Hey %SUBSCRIBER\_FULL\_NAME%|there," in your email, Outpost's intelligent system will either greet readers by their full name, or substitute "there" if no name is given. If I were to subscribe with my first name only, I'd get a message that says, "Hey Ryan," and if I were to sign up with my first and last name, I'd get, "Hey Ryan Singel." ### First Name If you just want to address a reader by their first name, we have an option for that. In this case if someone has only entered one name (e.g. Madonna signed up for your newsletter), our system uses that name as the first name. As is, anyone who doesn't have a name in the system will get a friendly "Hey there," as Outpost makes it easy to automatically personalize without making it awkward if a reader hasn't entered their name when signing up. ### No Name As is, anyone who doesn't have a name in the system will get a friendly "Hey there," as Outpost makes it easy to automatically personalize without making it awkward if a reader hasn't entered their name when signing up. ![Screenshot of the customizable greeting readers who don’t sign up with a name can get](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/5492791A-4F9E-4B3B-AE74-4FCAF89192DE.jpeg) That is also adjustable so you could say change the "|there" to another option for those that signed up with only their email, for example, "Hello friend." ## How to Create Personalized Emails To personalize the Autoresponder emails that are sent on your behalf, go to the Autoresponder tab in the Outpost Control Center menu: ![Screenshot of Outpost Control Center menu, with Autoresponder circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/A2D04529-FC67-4FF6-9A02-18EB2A67C8FE.jpeg) Head to the Autoresponder tab in your Outpost Control Center In the Autoresponder menu, select the template you'd like to edit and click on Change, then Edit: ![Screenshot of Autoresponder tab with Edit circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/0D73ECA5-C006-44BC-9C1F-6C29445CA934.jpeg) Select a template, click Change, then select Edit In the greeting, add this code: ``` Hey %SUBSCRIBER_FULL_NAME%|there, ``` or ``` Hey %SUBSCRIBER_FIRST_NAME%|there, ``` You can also find that code listed when you edit an Action email by scrolling to the bottom of the editing window and clicking the Show Email Variables button. ![Screenshot of Outpost Autoresponder Email Variables](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/Outpost-DEV-mh.png) How to see Outpost Autoresponder Email Variables ![Outpost Autoresponder Email Variables Expanded](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/image.png) Outpost Autoresponder Email Variables Expanded You can change that "Hey" to "Hello" or any other greeting. If your subscriber signs up with a name, Outpost will pop that in for you. If not, your subscriber will get an email that opens with, "Hey there,". ![Screenshot of Autoresponder template with code circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/73965FA2-86DA-4450-B37C-F295346EB77B.jpeg) In your selected template, replace the greeting in order to send emails to readers by name That is also adjustable, so you could say change the "|there" to another option for those that signed up with only their email. For example: "Hello %SUBSCRIBER\_FULL\_NAME%|friend," would greet named subscribers with something like "Hello Albert Einstein," while those readers without a name in their Ghost member profile would receive, "Hello friend," instead. (Note that the "friend/there/etc" must be one word so don't try to use |Party Person). ## Testing As a note on testing these, if you send yourself a test email from the Outpost Control Center, it will ALWAYS put in the non-personalized text. ![Screenshot of the Autoresponder menu with Preview/Test circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/874650D8-951C-46CD-8061-F615F6E35838.jpeg) The test email will send the non-personalized version **If you want to test how the personalization is working**, you will need to have the Autoresponder turned on and have a Welcome email turned on. Then you can create a new member in Ghost using your email or a variation, adding in a name to the member, and check the Action email sent to you. ![Screenshot of Members with New Member circled](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/10/5992BE7C-2483-4881-9150-B72EF5147C50.jpeg) Go to Members in Ghost and add yourself (you can do yourname+anyword@youremail.com) To add yourself without Ghost giving you an error message for adding your email twice, you can add any word with a + to the name in your email address, for example "ryan+greetingtest@outpost.pub." As always, if you have any questions, please drop us a note at support@outpost.pub. --- Image Credits: "CADRE Mars Test Rovers" NASA/JPL-Caltech ### Outpost is Ready to Power Up Any and All Ghost Sites URL: https://outpost.pub/outpost-launch/ Last updated: 2024-10-17T05:49:42.000Z Over the last year or so of working closely with some of the biggest publishers on Ghost, including [Lever News](https://www.levernews.com/?ref=outpost.pub), [Read Tangle](https://ghost.org/resources/tangle-isaac-saul/?ref=outpost.pub), and [The Atlantic](https://outpost.pub/outpost-atlantic-subscriber-newsletters/), we've built some powerful tools that help supercharge Ghost sites. Due to working with such large sites, our process for bringing new clients in was cumbersome and time-consuming, which was limiting in how many clients we could bring on. Plus, we had no easy way to let Ghost sites just try us out without commitment. That changes today! We're excited to announce that Outpost has launched a self-serve signup that lets any Ghost-based newsletter or publication connect to our base features in just minutes. And it comes with a free 21-day trial, with no credit card required, so you'll only pay if you like what we do. The self-signup gets Ghost sites on a free trial of our [Space Station plan](https://outpost.pub/pricing), which includes: 1. [The Best Damn Autoresponder for Ghost](https://outpost.pub/autoresponder/) that automates your communications with readers about joining, upgrading, donating, renewing, cancelling, and more, 2. A commission-free [Tip Jar](https://outpost.pub/tip-button/) accepting Stripe (credit cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay and more) and Paypal, 3. Integrated and paid-for [Plausible Analytics](https://outpost.pub/plausible-analytics/) \- the privacy-respecting alternative to Google Analytics, 4. [Outpost's email reports](https://outpost.pub/reports/) about how your site is performing, and more That means that after an easy 10-minute signup, you get powerful and automated tools to convert free readers to paid, to thank those who upgrade, inform those whose accounts are about to expire or renew, and even automatically thank readers who give you tips. You'll also have better insights into how your site is performing, and you'll give users a way to give you money outside the subscription system. You can learn more about our [features](https://outpost.pub/features), [plans, and pricing](https://outpost.pub/pricing) on our site, or if you are just the eager type, just go ahead and sign-up now: [Get Started Now](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub) 💸 Our publishers make more money with our tools than they cost. ***For many of our publishers, the Tip Jar alone brings in more revenue than we charge.** That's not even counting the growth and time saved you get from smart automated communications. [Try Out The Tip Jar](https://outpostpublishingcoopcom.outpost.pub/public/donate?ref=outpost.pub#/donate) Using Outpost means no more futzing with Zapier and Convertkit just to send a welcome email to new free subscribers, or replying yourself. Our tech is custom-built for Ghost, with trackable discount offer functions built right into the Autoresponder. That's been our goal from the start as **Outpost is a member-services cooperative**, which means our goal is to make tools for our member publishers and use [collective buying power](https://outpost.pub/group-buying-power/) to get deep discounts on external services. For instance, if you are a growing publisher with 400 members, our entry level pricing of $96 is less than you would pay to have Plausible Analytics running on your site, and with us you'll get Plausible Analytics and so much more. We are also introducing our other plans, which include more tools, more integrations, and, for those that want it, custom support plans for all their site needs. This includes our powerful [Luna plan](https://outpost.pub/pricing), which adds in: 1. Wickedly smart [internal content recommendations](https://outpost.pub/contextly/) of related, popular, and evergreen content, with dispaly modules at the end of posts and in the middle of them 2. [Intelligent CTA Buttons](https://outpost.pub/intelligent-upgrade-button/) for your site that automatically display different messages based on whether a reader is unknown, a free subscriber, a monthly subscriber, or an annual subscriber 3. Fully Automated [Gift Subscriptions](https://outpost.pub/gift-subscriptions/) 4. [Group and Institutional Subscriptions](https://outpost.pub/institutional-subscriptions/) Finally, we also have [plans](https://outpost.pub/pricing) for sites that want dedicated Ghost and all around tech support, and/or want help migrating to Ghost from another platform. For those folks, we provide advice, theme customization, fully custom themes, migration help with DNS, and more. [Get Started Now](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub) ### Outpost Case Study: Building a Newsletter Network for The Atlantic URL: https://outpost.pub/outpost-atlantic-subscriber-newsletters/ Last updated: 2025-06-05T06:46:40.000Z ![The Atlantic logo](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/09/1B948007-5D63-4402-B5DA-7D49CE2E3E52.jpeg) Outpost built and developed a network of newsletters for *The Atlantic*, featuring writers such as Imani Perry, Molly Jong-Fast, David French, and Charlie Warzel. This network, known as *The Atlantic* Subscriber Newsletters, works with *The Atlantic*'s existing infrastructure and helps drive new subscriptions to *The Atlantic*. ## The Challenge: *The Atlantic* wanted to create a set of newsletters featuring a diverse set of creative voices that was simple for both writers and readers to use. The project's goal was twofold: one, get non-*Atlantic* subscribers subscribing to one or more free editions of the newsletters as an entry point to subscribing to *The Atlantic* and two, give *Atlantic* readers the additional benefit of being able to subscribe to great and largely unfiltered writing from great writers. The project was seen as a way for *The Atlantic* to tap into the newsletter zeitgeist--albeit with their own spin on it and return in some senses to the best of the early 2000s blog culture. *The Atlantic* expected this to be a high profile launch, and it was. It drew [media coverage pre-launch](https://www.vox.com/recode/2021/10/9/22715506/atlantic-newsletter-subscribers-substack?ref=outpost.pub) based on shards of information prior to the launch, and [wide industry coverage](https://www.axios.com/2021/11/02/atlantic-newsletter-platform-writers?ref=outpost.pub) at launch. The project was launched publicly on November 2, 2021 with an announcement from Jeffrey Goldberg, *The Atlantic*'s Editor-in-Chief about "this great experiment." > As astute observers of the Discourse know, newsletters have arisen to fulfill at least some of blogging’s salutary functions. Newsletters are conversational, unrehearsed, contingent, revelatory, humble, and entertaining, and journalism can always use more of these qualities. The Atlantic, which is already home to writers with clashing worldviews and original ways of seeing what is (as a great writer who didn’t have a newsletter once said) too often right in front of our noses, is always keen to showcase for our readers new writers, and new kinds of writing. Growing our family of newsletters dramatically seemed like one good way to better serve our readers. And so I’m very pleased to introduce to you nine new newsletters from The Atlantic, all from people we think are among the most interesting writers in America. ## Requirements: *The Atlantic* had very specific requirements for this "great experiment": 1. The newsletters needed to work with *The Atlantic*'s existing subscription system, so that paying subscribers to *The Atlantic* would be upgraded to paid privileges and have them removed if their subscription lapsed; 2. *The Atlantic*'s login system, not Ghost's native system, needed to be used to determine reader privileges, including whether a reader could view a paywalled post on the web; 3. the sites all needed to run on an *Atlantic* subdomain, with each site in a subdirectory, 4. the 9 sites needed a shared theme, specced by *The Atlantic*'s talented design team, that could be easily updated across all nine sites; 5. *The Atlantic* needed to integrate their existing caching, data and email systems with the subscriber newsletter system; 6. *The Atlantic* also had very specific design requirements for both transactional emails and newsletter emails, including the ability to insert ads into newsletter emails dynamically; 7. Readers needed to be allowed to subscribe from multiple locations, including *The Atlantic*'s account pages, a multi-select landing page hosted by *The Atlantic*, and on the individual newsletter sites; 8. Readers who subscribed from account pages or a multi-select page should only have to confirm their email address once, or not at all, if they were known *Atlantic* users; 9. *The Atlantic* needed the newsletters' infrastructure to be hosted for them, including a dedicated staging environment; 10. *The Atlantic* needed to control the email system that would send out the newsletters. ## Why Outpost: After a few months of talking with many of the major players in email newsletter industry, *The Atlantic* decided to work with Outpost to build this custom this system on Ghost, the open-source content management system that Outpost's software supports. Outpost had previously moved over two high-profile publications to Ghost from Substack, namely the David Sirota-founded [Lever News](https://levernews.com/?ref=outpost.pub) (previously known as the Daily Poster) and Isaac Saul's [Tangle](https://readtangle.com/?ref=outpost.pub). We knew Ghost well, and had a team with a track record of building innovative editorial tech. After a number of discussions, meetings and proposals, *The Atlantic* chose to partner with Outpost, using a modified version of Ghost, as that was the only way to build this project quickly and cleanly, while meeting all requirements. Other options such as centralized and closed platforms did not offer enough control or flexibility to meet the project's needs. Legacy CMSes like WordPress are quite complicated when it comes to newsletter-first, subscription-driven publications, and have tedious editorial workflows for those kinds of publications. ## The Timeline: Outpost had \~6 weeks from agreement to public launch, due to business and contract-driven deadlines. (Yes, six weeks). ## The Building Process: In a very short timeframe, Outpost pulled together a dedicated team to work on the three main challenges: One, build a custom Ghost theme that adhered to the meticulous (and quite lovely) designs from the Atlantic's design team; Two, modify Ghost and Outpost's software to work with the Atlantic's membership system and the design needs for the newsletters's emails to readers; and Three, create a robust, secure and easily updated hosting infrastructure that also accommodated the Atlantic's existing data systems. Due to the fast pace and interoperability requirements, we had to work closely with a wide swath of the Atlantic's talented teams including the editorial, data, engineering, QA, and marketing teams. We set up daily stand-up meetings, collaborated on Slack, and shared our ticketing environment. ## The Product: Outpost delivered the product as specced, on time, with even a few days for final QA, leading to a successful, high-profile launch that was profiled in Axios and became the discussion du jour on Media Twitter. ![Screenshot of The Atlantic Subscriber Newsletter](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/09/493B2F14-A620-42EB-9248-A1FD5430B110.jpeg) In just six weeks, we built all three key prongs. That included an all new hosting environment, based off Terraform, that allows us to quickly deploy, update and if need be, destroy all nine sites, the associated databases and the secure external connections to the system. We also built a parallel staging environment where new features can tested and QA-ed. We built, with the help of Biron Themes, a single custom Ghost theme with localized variables that powers all of the sites. This lets us make a change in one theme and then deploy the changes across the network in seconds, with no downtime. ![Screenshot of Nicole Chong’s I Have Notes ](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/09/7D66EFBC-BA26-4E45-BA80-D6A99AB93697.jpeg) And in the backend, we built all the connecting pipes, including the ones that made sign-up smooth for both subscribers to The Atlantic and those that we hoped soon would become subscribers. All of the data pipelines were in place on day one, and the attention online brought in tens of thousands of subscribers to the newsletters in the first week alone. Additionally, since several of the Atlantic's requirements could not be met with the vanilla version of Ghost, we had to make some changes to Ghost's core code. This was a heavily debated decision, which was made jointly by Outpost and The Atlantic. This was especially difficult decision to make since Ghost's engineering team moves incredibly fast and sometimes introduces breaking changes in new versions. So we had to be very thoughtful about what changes to make and where to make them in the codebase. That's because we need to keep the Subscriber Newsletters as close as possible to the latest version of Ghost. Doing so ensures that both the editorial team and the project as a whole gets the benefits of new features and keeps the site secure. ![Screenshot of a post Jordan Calhoun](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2022/09/46F2C39F-71D5-4B52-AF7E-D0AF3CCC0805.jpeg) All changes we made to Ghost are open-source, and can be seen in The Atlantic's Github repository. Building this on such a short timeline required outsized contributions from Outpost's core team and outside collaborators, including the countless hours and vision from Tom McCarty, veteran help from Mike Zielonka, and the curious eyes and steady advice from Raphaël Vinot. ## Ongoing Support: Outpost continues to host and support the Subscriber Newsletters. We build incremental features for the system, including design updates, technical updates, and collaboration on new ways to meet the project's business goals. If you are interested in talking with Outpost about building a custom solution for your project, please email us at info@outpost.pub. ### Outpost 2.0 (Golden DART’s Galactic Unboxing) URL: https://outpost.pub/golden-darts-galactic-unboxing/ Last updated: 2024-10-17T02:19:31.000Z So it's time! We've finished a lot of plumbing and built what we think is an easy way to sign up for Outpost's Space Station level of service. This includes the Best Damn Autoresponder for Ghost, Plausible Analytics, Tip Buttons, and analytics reports. These features aren't just nice - they make sites more money than they cost. We're excited to be launching a self-serve system that we think will be of help to Ghost sites of all sizes, after more than a year of working with some of the biggest sites using Ghost to publish. Our final tweaks before launching: - ✨ Changed behavior at sign-on so that the Outpost Autoresponder triggers work off users' Ghost sign-up date. So if an existing user signed up a week ago, they would not get an email sent 3 days after a new user signs up. They would get the one sent to users 10 days after sign up. - ✨ Added a new sign-on feature to help sites easily add Plausible Analytics and Tip Buttons via a draft post in Ghost To learn more about Outpost, visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/) or just [start your free, no credit-card-required free 21-day Outpost free trial](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). [OutpostPublishing From and To The Future![](https://outpost.pub/favicon.ico)Outpost![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2021/11/5509862-1.jpg)](https://outpost.pub/) ### Outpost v1.30 (Voyager 1’s Mission to the Outer Planet Begins) URL: https://outpost.pub/outpost-v1-30/ Last updated: 2024-10-17T02:19:12.000Z We're getting so very close to Outpost 2.0, which will be open to self-signup for Ghost publishers of all sizes. We've been hard at work at lots of plumbing changes, and we added a whole new coat of paint. Now with this update live on production, we're just testing, and making final tweaks before we announce and release Version 2.0 to the world. - 🚀 Slight technical changes to make complimentary subscriptions work better with Ghost - 🚀 Built new on-boarding flow for Space Station users - 💻 Simplified connecting accounts to Plausible Analytics - 🎊 New look for Outpost Control Center - 🛸Substantial architectural changes to Autoresponder to make it simpler to edit templates and track how well each Autoresponder Action performs To learn more about Outpost visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/) or just [start your free, no credit-card-required 21-day Outpost free trial](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). [OutpostPublishing From and To The Future![](https://outpost.pub/favicon.ico)Outpost![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2021/11/5509862-1.jpg)](https://outpost.pub/) ### Outpost v1.2.1 (We Are Going: Artemis I on Launch Pad) URL: https://outpost.pub/outpost-changelog-v1-1-2/ Last updated: 2024-10-17T02:18:46.000Z This is a rather small update, but we're getting close to the full public launch. Ao I guess today's NASA image-of-the-day is appropriate, despite the small update. - ✨ Changes to the report template to make them a bit prettier, including icons in the email that look like planets, not Pokemon balls. Who knew that the Death Star was the inspiration for a Pokeball? - ✨ UI changes to the Outpost Control Center - 🐛 Fixed some issues with sign-up process for new Outpost clients - 🐛 Fixed some deployment issues To learn more about Outpost visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/) or just [start your free, no credit-card-required free 21-day Outpost free trial](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). [OutpostPublishing From and To The Future![](https://outpost.pub/favicon.ico)Outpost![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2021/11/5509862-1.jpg)](https://outpost.pub/) ### Outpost v1.2.0 (Moonikin Campos Inspection) URL: https://outpost.pub/outpost-v1-1-0/ Last updated: 2024-10-17T02:17:38.000Z This was a big summer update for Outpost. The Autoresponder got a whole new look and feel, dividing them into better sections and making it simpler to use. We added a whole new way to handle cancellations so that annual subscribers who cancel auto-renewal long before their auto-renewal date get treated differently from those who cancel close to the expiration date. We also built a way to put your Plausible Analytics dashboard into your Outpost Control Center, and started pulling some info from Plausible into the Outpost Reports. The reports also now have data on donations that come in via Stripe, and more info including open rates on Outpost Autoresponder Emails. We highly recommend checking out the new Outpost Control Center and turning on new options. # New Autoresponder Features and Changes: - ✍ Added new variables to use in the Autoresponder emails, including Subscriber First Name, Subscriber Full Name and Subscriber Email Address - ✍ Show site owners, in the writing interface, the email variables you can use in the Autoresponder email templates - ✴ Added new Autoresponder flow to let site owners know when complimentary subscriptions are about to expire, let them choose to renew or not, and send non-renewing subscribers through an upsell/notification flow - 🚛 Re-organized the Autoresponder tab in the Outpost Control Center into better sections - 💲 Made it simpler to choose what discounts go with which Autoresponder Action email - 🆓 Added a new Autoresponder welcome email for complimentary subscribers (different from the one for free and paid) # Data Features: - 📈 Integrated the Plausible Analytics dashboard into the Outpost Control Center - ✍ Added more info to the Outpost Reports, including web traffic stats from Plausible, donations, cancelations and more # Other features: - ✨ Added a way to create Complimentary subscriptions with lengths from months to 50 years - 🏢 Added an option for sites to set their physical address (rather than Outpost's) as the email address at the end of Autoresponder Action emails to be CAN-SPAM compliant # Housekeeping: - 🧹 Streamlined the Outpost Control Center homepage by removing options to start a new post or newsletter - 🧹 Cleaned up the Add Members tool - 🐛 Fixed a bug that was preventing full member sync on sites still on Ghost 4.x - 💤 Deprecated the ability to send bulk emails to members or groups of members from Outpost (Ghost now allows this) To learn more about Outpost visit our [homepage](https://outpost.pub/) or just [start your free, no credit-card-required free 21-day Outpost free trial](https://admin.outpost.pub/signup?ref=outpost.pub). [OutpostPublishing From and To The Future![](https://outpost.pub/favicon.ico)Outpost![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2021/11/5509862-1.jpg)](https://outpost.pub/) ### Outpost v 1.1.0 (Blue Ripples on a Red Planet) URL: https://outpost.pub/outpost-v1-0-0/ Last updated: 2024-10-17T02:17:01.000Z This sprint focused largely on updating the Outpost Autoresponder for Ghost and simplifying the Outpost Control Center. ### Updated Action Emails - ✨ Renamed Actions Tab to Autoresponder - ✨ Renamed Onboarding/Upselling Tab to Welcome Flow - ✨ Added tooltips icon to every Autoresponder action - ✨ Added ability for sites to choose timing of 2nd and 3rd upsell emails in the Welcome Flow - ✨ Added Explanation of what Upselling/Onboarding is and how it works We also simplified and upgraded how sites connect to Outpost to make it simpler to get started. - ✨ Updated Connections page to hide API keys and to add clarity to items on that page - ✨ Added Stripe Connect/Disconnect button/action - ✨ Auto create needed Stripe webhooks/connections when using Stripe Connect at sign-on To learn more about Outpost or to start your free, no credit-card required free trial, visit our homepage and click Get Started. [OutpostPublishing From and To The Future![](https://outpost.pub/favicon.ico)Outpost![](https://outpost.pub/content/images/2021/11/5509862-1.jpg)](https://outpost.pub/)