For posts it probably matters less (email delivery), but for Notes it seems like timing is everything — because Notes live and die in the feed. There's no inbox to catch them later.
Your point about consistency > perfect timing resonates. I'd rather post at a "suboptimal" time every day than chase the perfect window and skip days. Which is exactly what happened in my first month — overthinking killed consistency.
Do you see the same timing patterns for Notes as for posts, or is Notes its own beast?
I have to think about this, and I've been considering changing from Monday to Tuesday because it works best for me. I'm also wondering whether I should let my readers know or simply start posting on Tuesday, as I did yesterday.
Every new subscriber gets sent an automatic welcome email. You can customize the message in your welcome email. You will find it in your dashboard >> settings >> emails
Good stuff Kristi. And I usually don't like these “how to” reads but you’re just one of my favs that shares not tells and I know I'm going to “get it”.😉 You're a “Heres what I found works for me, but do you boo.” My kind of gal!🙌🏾
I have found that Tuesdays have found my most traffic,I just need to build that trust with my readers with consistency. Good stuff!
Another factor is target audience. I write mostly about Judaism to a mostly Orthodox Jewish audience for whom Saturday is a no-screen day, so midnight EST (which is Sunday 7am) is a great time to catch the first email checking of the week.
Ahh that is so interesting! Imagine if the whole world followed that lead and did a no-screen day. Maybe our collective mental health would be in a better position.
Hilarious — I’m a Tuesday morning girly! And I chose that day for the exact reasons you suggested. When I used to send out press releases for companies I worked for, Monday and Tuesday were the main days, though sometimes a Friday could work if you needed the information out before the next week or the weekend.
What timing. I decided this week (just before you posted this!) to try Thursday morning instead of my usual Friday. Small sample size alert! My open rates tanked. Guessing it takes time for people (or email filters) to adjust.
Kristi, interesting take on all this! I am overwhemingly an oddball and somehow drifted to Friday nights, as I have always loved Friday nights. I do my one weekly longer post on Friday evenings. I do see that many people subscribe on impulse and then wander off. One thing about dear Substack is that it can be OVERWHELMING...so much to read and absorb. I am happy if even a handful of people read my work. I place NO pressure on my readers, I engage daily on Notes, as I enjoy "visiting" and that seems to plant the seed for a deeper understanding of one another. People may like my work, they may not, no way to please everyone. I have to write what Holy Spirit nudges me to write, as that keeps me on the narrow path and to keep moving and not collapse in discouragement. You remain, once again, a steady wise person that I enjoy reading! Keep on! WEW
I've been paying attention for only a short time, but I've noticed more substacks in my inbox during midweek. I wonder if seasons would affect this too - a winter weekend you're huddled at home and needing something to read, and in the summer you're using all of your weekend to be out and about.
“Train audience when to look for you “. I’m humored . My Black Labrador Alvin is far better “trained “ than my 168 readers. Whom I honor after 2 years on Substack. 4 put money in my pocket. I’m a misfit , defying rules so I geared my posts for weekends . Silly moi. Next. Tuesday with Jennifer Ward Dudley. Thanx for the primer
ha! I publish on Tuesday and Friday mornings at 7:03am CST
For posts it probably matters less (email delivery), but for Notes it seems like timing is everything — because Notes live and die in the feed. There's no inbox to catch them later.
Your point about consistency > perfect timing resonates. I'd rather post at a "suboptimal" time every day than chase the perfect window and skip days. Which is exactly what happened in my first month — overthinking killed consistency.
Do you see the same timing patterns for Notes as for posts, or is Notes its own beast?
Notes are definitely in a category of their own. I don’t see any similarities between posting notes and new posts.
I am new at this :) Thank you to you all the great women!
You are the bestest, Kristi!
I have to think about this, and I've been considering changing from Monday to Tuesday because it works best for me. I'm also wondering whether I should let my readers know or simply start posting on Tuesday, as I did yesterday.
I think it’s optional whether you let them know or not. I suppose you know your readers best and if you think it would be prudent, go for it!
Also, don’t forget to update your welcome emails if you have anything about Monday in them.
What a welcome email?
Every new subscriber gets sent an automatic welcome email. You can customize the message in your welcome email. You will find it in your dashboard >> settings >> emails
Oh thanks Kristi. 🙏🏼 I will check it out.
Thank you!
Reading this on a Sunday night and found it through Substack notes.
I sometimes wonder if my post gets lost in the piles of emails over the weekend since I publish on Sunday mornings.
I might try publishing on a different day and see what happens...
It's worth experimenting for sure. Can't hurt!
Good stuff Kristi. And I usually don't like these “how to” reads but you’re just one of my favs that shares not tells and I know I'm going to “get it”.😉 You're a “Heres what I found works for me, but do you boo.” My kind of gal!🙌🏾
I have found that Tuesdays have found my most traffic,I just need to build that trust with my readers with consistency. Good stuff!
I'm so glad you're pulling a bit of value from my weekly tips, Sherry. I love knowing it helps! Also, glad to hear Tuesdays are good for you as well.
As always, your input is a boost! Thanks Krsiti.
Another factor is target audience. I write mostly about Judaism to a mostly Orthodox Jewish audience for whom Saturday is a no-screen day, so midnight EST (which is Sunday 7am) is a great time to catch the first email checking of the week.
Ahh that is so interesting! Imagine if the whole world followed that lead and did a no-screen day. Maybe our collective mental health would be in a better position.
Brilliant 👏 That is a great open rate compared to the average (mid 20s)
I post every other Wednesday at around 5am CT. With an open rate in the 30-40% range, that rhythm and timing seems to be working for me.
Hilarious — I’m a Tuesday morning girly! And I chose that day for the exact reasons you suggested. When I used to send out press releases for companies I worked for, Monday and Tuesday were the main days, though sometimes a Friday could work if you needed the information out before the next week or the weekend.
Good to know! I admit I used ChatGPT to help me scour the internet for this data so it's nice to have a couple humans back up the theory.
It’s spot on!
What timing. I decided this week (just before you posted this!) to try Thursday morning instead of my usual Friday. Small sample size alert! My open rates tanked. Guessing it takes time for people (or email filters) to adjust.
I'd be interested in hearing how that goes for you. Are you keeping track of stats?
I’ll stick with it and report back. I’m certain I could do more in depth, but I keep general track of open rates and views.
Kristi, interesting take on all this! I am overwhemingly an oddball and somehow drifted to Friday nights, as I have always loved Friday nights. I do my one weekly longer post on Friday evenings. I do see that many people subscribe on impulse and then wander off. One thing about dear Substack is that it can be OVERWHELMING...so much to read and absorb. I am happy if even a handful of people read my work. I place NO pressure on my readers, I engage daily on Notes, as I enjoy "visiting" and that seems to plant the seed for a deeper understanding of one another. People may like my work, they may not, no way to please everyone. I have to write what Holy Spirit nudges me to write, as that keeps me on the narrow path and to keep moving and not collapse in discouragement. You remain, once again, a steady wise person that I enjoy reading! Keep on! WEW
I've been paying attention for only a short time, but I've noticed more substacks in my inbox during midweek. I wonder if seasons would affect this too - a winter weekend you're huddled at home and needing something to read, and in the summer you're using all of your weekend to be out and about.
The key for free subscribers is to post when you read their posts and realize they need a morale boost or important information you’ve read.
“Train audience when to look for you “. I’m humored . My Black Labrador Alvin is far better “trained “ than my 168 readers. Whom I honor after 2 years on Substack. 4 put money in my pocket. I’m a misfit , defying rules so I geared my posts for weekends . Silly moi. Next. Tuesday with Jennifer Ward Dudley. Thanx for the primer
I bet you have more readers than I do with those small numbers. This newsletter goes out to almost 6000 people and im lucky to get 25 "likes" 🤣