Hi everyone. Instead of sending out a writing prompt today, I would love to receive some feedback. So, if you don’t mind me asking…how’s it going so far?
Are you enjoying the stories and/or prompts here at Micro 2 Go? Is receiving a daily writing prompt from me too much? (Or, on Monday/Friday, is it overkill to receive a story and a prompt?) What sort of publishing schedule would you like to see if this isn’t working for you? I’d love to hear anything you’d care to share or like to say!
The fact of the matter is simply this: I’d like to get it right. I want people to look forward to my newsletter, and I would hate to drive anyone away — especially if it’s something I could easily change or fix.
I’ve really enjoyed the rollout of Micro 2 Go as well as Prompts 2 Go, and I’m grateful for your comments, feedback, and “likes” — they all help inspire me to create new stories and prompts. Your support means everything!
I know I'm new to your newsletter, Justin, but I already felt like getting one (or sometimes 2) emails a day was a little too much. I admire the fact that you can even crank that much work out, though! Personally, with all of the other things clamoring for my attention, I would be more likely to look at something like a prompt once per week. I think that gives your writing readers more time to respond. On the reading end of things, since you are writing short pieces, I think you can take whatever route you choose, especially since the pieces are short. However, I do think that people are more likely to skip over emails and start to think of them as spam if they see them coming in every day. (This all coming from someone who supposedly started a weeky-ish newsletter and hasn't published anything for a few months. :) Good things my readers are mostly all friends and family!)
Hi Valori! Thank you so much for the feedback. It’s really helpful for me to hear that vantage point. I was starting to feel that way about the frequency of emails, so what you said validated my feelings/instincts.
What are your thoughts about two stories a week and two prompts weekly? I’m considering M/F for fiction and T/Th for prompts. Trying to weigh different perspectives. Thanks again! 🙏
I think you can go any way you want and keep seeing how your audience responds! Personally, I would be inclined to do fewer prompts and more writing. If you send out a prompt once every week or two and then two stories a week, you could remind people to respond to the prompt post every time you release a story, encouraging them to share their stories in the comments of the prompt post. The fun thing about prompts is being able to share with others who are writing from the same prompt. So far, I find the comment section in Substack not to be the best for collaboration, but it might be able to work. People could either write out their stories in the comments or share links to their stories (from Medium or from their own Substack or other blog). I know that if I'm going to take the time to respond to a prompt, I'm probably going to try and publish it somewhere else, too -- if I like it, that is! :) Anyway, hope that makes sense!
Thanks again for all of the feedback! It makes total sense. A while back I was posting one prompt weekly and set it up more like a thread/a space for writers to do exactly what you mentioned. It actually resulted in pretty decent engagement/participation/link sharing, etc. Maybe I’ll go back to something similar!
Justin, I actually look forward to your daily prompts and short stories. Each one gives me something to think about, and the photographs you choose to accompany them are perfect. I can imagine that it's a lot of work for you to post so often, and after reading your correspondence with Mark, I can agree that two stories and two prompts a week might be your best bet. Please continue to post your writing. It is such a pleasure to read!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Andrea! It’s been a difficult balance to figure out, but it seems like it will work itself out. Thank you so much for your feedback and encouragement! 😊
For me, daily prompts are too often. I know I can ignore the ones that don't interest me, but I end up ignoring them all because there are so many and I know I will get another one tomorrow. I used to love Friday Fix because it was only once per week, and I could pull that off. 🤣 I looked forward to it.
I get a lot of newsletters and struggle to keep up (my own fault), so for me, one or two stories and one prompt per week is a good amount.
Frequency of posting is hard to get right. I think it is good to have readers look forward to your newsletters. I think I posted too frequently for a while. And I have gone to a three days per week schedule for paid subs. Free readers get one newsletter per week (two, if they opt-in for my novel-in-progress.) With occasional extra posts.
Thank you for the feedback, Mark! It's really helpful to get your perspective.
Figuring out frequency is the most difficult aspect of an email newsletter. I know I've found my platform: Substack. I love it here, as well as the consistent, loyal readership. But knowing what's too much or not enough has been a struggle of mine from day one.
I think I'll scale back a bit. Weekends seem "off-limits" (I don't know why I feel this way, ha) so I think I'll hold off posting on Saturday and Sunday moving forward. What I may try is Monday/Friday micro and Tues/Thurs prompts. 2 & 2. Maybe Wednesdays can be reserved for additional content in the future.
Hey, this actually makes sense...Micro 2 Go. Two stories/two prompts per week. Problem solved?
🤣 Sounds like you have it figured out. It really is different for every writer. You have to find what works for you and your readers. But publishing less also takes some pressure off the writer. Which is a good thing. If you can schedule newsletters far ahead, even better.
I know Jimmy Doom publishes a new story every day of the week. I couldn't do it. I would burn out or fold under the pressure.
All true, Mark. A lot of my process to this point has been trial and error & pure experimentation. One way or another it has brought me to this point, which I’m grateful for.
I don’t know how Jimmy does it. He sent something the other night saying his streak came to an end at 440+ consecutive days. That’s dedication and sheer will. Hats off to him!
I know I'm new to your newsletter, Justin, but I already felt like getting one (or sometimes 2) emails a day was a little too much. I admire the fact that you can even crank that much work out, though! Personally, with all of the other things clamoring for my attention, I would be more likely to look at something like a prompt once per week. I think that gives your writing readers more time to respond. On the reading end of things, since you are writing short pieces, I think you can take whatever route you choose, especially since the pieces are short. However, I do think that people are more likely to skip over emails and start to think of them as spam if they see them coming in every day. (This all coming from someone who supposedly started a weeky-ish newsletter and hasn't published anything for a few months. :) Good things my readers are mostly all friends and family!)
Hi Valori! Thank you so much for the feedback. It’s really helpful for me to hear that vantage point. I was starting to feel that way about the frequency of emails, so what you said validated my feelings/instincts.
What are your thoughts about two stories a week and two prompts weekly? I’m considering M/F for fiction and T/Th for prompts. Trying to weigh different perspectives. Thanks again! 🙏
I think you can go any way you want and keep seeing how your audience responds! Personally, I would be inclined to do fewer prompts and more writing. If you send out a prompt once every week or two and then two stories a week, you could remind people to respond to the prompt post every time you release a story, encouraging them to share their stories in the comments of the prompt post. The fun thing about prompts is being able to share with others who are writing from the same prompt. So far, I find the comment section in Substack not to be the best for collaboration, but it might be able to work. People could either write out their stories in the comments or share links to their stories (from Medium or from their own Substack or other blog). I know that if I'm going to take the time to respond to a prompt, I'm probably going to try and publish it somewhere else, too -- if I like it, that is! :) Anyway, hope that makes sense!
Thanks again for all of the feedback! It makes total sense. A while back I was posting one prompt weekly and set it up more like a thread/a space for writers to do exactly what you mentioned. It actually resulted in pretty decent engagement/participation/link sharing, etc. Maybe I’ll go back to something similar!
I liked this way.
Thanks, Jim. I’m going back to it next week!
More than one prompt a week is too many for me because I’ve usually got other projects going.
I totally get that. Once weekly seemed best. Next week I’ll go back to the Wednesday prompt and send it through Prompts 2 Go.
Thanks a bunch for the feedback, Jim!
Justin, I actually look forward to your daily prompts and short stories. Each one gives me something to think about, and the photographs you choose to accompany them are perfect. I can imagine that it's a lot of work for you to post so often, and after reading your correspondence with Mark, I can agree that two stories and two prompts a week might be your best bet. Please continue to post your writing. It is such a pleasure to read!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Andrea! It’s been a difficult balance to figure out, but it seems like it will work itself out. Thank you so much for your feedback and encouragement! 😊
For me, daily prompts are too often. I know I can ignore the ones that don't interest me, but I end up ignoring them all because there are so many and I know I will get another one tomorrow. I used to love Friday Fix because it was only once per week, and I could pull that off. 🤣 I looked forward to it.
I get a lot of newsletters and struggle to keep up (my own fault), so for me, one or two stories and one prompt per week is a good amount.
Frequency of posting is hard to get right. I think it is good to have readers look forward to your newsletters. I think I posted too frequently for a while. And I have gone to a three days per week schedule for paid subs. Free readers get one newsletter per week (two, if they opt-in for my novel-in-progress.) With occasional extra posts.
It is smart to ask your readers.
Thank you for the feedback, Mark! It's really helpful to get your perspective.
Figuring out frequency is the most difficult aspect of an email newsletter. I know I've found my platform: Substack. I love it here, as well as the consistent, loyal readership. But knowing what's too much or not enough has been a struggle of mine from day one.
I think I'll scale back a bit. Weekends seem "off-limits" (I don't know why I feel this way, ha) so I think I'll hold off posting on Saturday and Sunday moving forward. What I may try is Monday/Friday micro and Tues/Thurs prompts. 2 & 2. Maybe Wednesdays can be reserved for additional content in the future.
Hey, this actually makes sense...Micro 2 Go. Two stories/two prompts per week. Problem solved?
🤣 Sounds like you have it figured out. It really is different for every writer. You have to find what works for you and your readers. But publishing less also takes some pressure off the writer. Which is a good thing. If you can schedule newsletters far ahead, even better.
I know Jimmy Doom publishes a new story every day of the week. I couldn't do it. I would burn out or fold under the pressure.
Haha! I’m getting closer…
All true, Mark. A lot of my process to this point has been trial and error & pure experimentation. One way or another it has brought me to this point, which I’m grateful for.
I don’t know how Jimmy does it. He sent something the other night saying his streak came to an end at 440+ consecutive days. That’s dedication and sheer will. Hats off to him!
Thanks again for your helpful feedback.
I enjoy reading your short fiction, Justin! It’s a nice surprise in my inbox.
Thanks so much for the kind words, Geoffrey!