Reader Survey Results
What I learned about the current readership base of Nature's Pharmacy.
Thank you so much to all who took the time to participate in our first readership survey! Congratulations to the three lucky entrants who won a full year of the paid subscription access to the newsletter! You’ve been sent a welcome email and your access to the full content is now enabled.
We had 46 respondents out of the 4,067 subscribers, representing 1% of the readership base. While 1% doesn’t represent the full diversity of readers, I did learn a lot about what works, what doesn’t, and what type of content to bring to you in the future!
Nature’s Pharmacy has an International Audience
In the survey, we had representation from four continents. Of those respondents from North America, readership is geographically distributed.
The Readership is Highly Educated
Of the readers who participated in the survey, 92% have a college degree, with 55% of all respondents having a graduate degree.
Content Preferences
When it comes to the type of content preferred, the verdict is clear: more posts on specific medicinal plants, systems of traditional medicine, and posts that debunk misinformation on herbs.
Regarding topics, there is a strong preference for information on healthy aging, the history of drug discovery from plants, and antimicrobials.
Other Feedback I Found Incredibly Valuable
When asked if there are other topics you'd like to see covered in future issues of the newsletter, some of the responses included:
I love your explanations of the uses and history of edible/medicinal plants.
It would be nice to know more in details about the routine in Quave Lab.
Discussion on supplements. What works? What doesn’t work as advertised.
Pros and cons of long term usage of "any given" natural supplement.
How to survive in the wilderness. What to eat, what's poisonous and should be avoided, etc.
Developments in psychedelics and other uses of plants and their derivatives for body and mind.
Gardening with medicinals.
When asked about additional perks that paid and founding subscribers would like to see, some of the responses included:
Trip with Dr Quave to hunt for plants! Online classes some day?
Access to a live Q&A with Dr. Quave, or ability to submit questions to be answered asynchronously.
I think a copy of The Plant Hunter should be more than enough! :)
The Takeaway
This feedback has given me a lot to think about in terms of new issue topics and ways to connect more with the readership. I’ve noted that some other Substack writers have tried running live “ask me anything” group chats and that looks like it could be a fun way to get a bigger conversation going. The idea around an online class or special lecture could also be doable. Stay tuned as I sort out logistics.
Yours in health, Dr. Quave
Cassandra L. Quave, Ph.D. is a scientist, author, speaker, podcast host, wife, mother, explorer, and professor at Emory University School of Medicine. She teaches college courses and leads a group of research scientists studying medicinal plants to find new life-saving drugs from nature. She hosts the Foodie Pharmacology podcast and writes the Nature’s Pharmacy newsletter to share the science behind natural medicines. To support her effort, consider a paid or founding subscription, with founding members receiving an autographed 1st edition hardcover copy of her book, The Plant Hunter.
Available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and e-book formats! Translated editions now available in Mandarin and Japanese!
