If there’s one thing that’s true about running an online business, it’s the shear amount of conflicting advice that you constantly have to wade through. Even more so when it comes to analytics, data and metrics.

Now don’t get me wrong my inner geek likes a bit of data, but too much and my brain starts getting overwhelmed and disinterested. Life is complicated enough, so rather than spend loads of time tracking, analysing and getting bogged down in CTR, CPL, CAC, CPM, AIV, CR…blah blah

I tend to focus on one thing: Earnings Per Subscriber Per Month (EPSPM).

Earnings Per Subscriber Per Month simply figures out how much money your business brings in each month per subscriber on your list. Just take your Total Monthly Revenue and divide it by The Total Number Of Subscribers

Simple, right?

EPSPM doesn’t boggle you with numbers that you have no idea what to do with. It gives you a straightforward figure that neatly summarises how well you’re monetising your subscriber list.

1. It provides a clear and concise snapshot of your financial health without weighing you down with labyrinthine formulas.
2. It focuses on real growth and a figure that actually affects your bank balance.
3. Watching this number rise (or fall) gives you tangible motivation. It’s easier to rally around boosting earnings from subscribers than tracking 101 different data points hoping for some magic wand effect.
4. Tracking EPSPM makes it glaringly obvious if you need to focus on increasing your subscribers, increasing conversions, or increasing how much people spend with you

So my invitation to you is to calculate your current EPSPM, and diarise to calculate again the same time next month and see where you need to focus your efforts.