Have you ever read some blogger extraordinaire talk about the importance of a publishing schedule?
I have.
I don’t like it.
I don’t like schedules of any sort, including publishing schedules.
You’ve probably noticed I’m a bit erratic when it comes to new podcasts, videos, blogs posts, etc.
The only reason emails are steady is I enjoy writing them and so I have more emails than I know what to do with. Heck, if readers wouldn’t revolt, I could send two per day some weeks. Don’t worry, I won’t go there.
I’m not saying there isn’t merit in a publishing schedule. Subscribers/followers have expectations (if you tell them).
If you announce you’ll drop new vids on Mon, Wed and Fri they’ll expect it.
If you fail to deliver they’re upset.
My response to that is to not promise any sort of publishing schedule.
That way nobody is disappointed.
Under promise, over deliver.
Promise nothing and everything is a bonus.
I apply the same with my niche sites.
Some days I publish lots. Some days not so much. I publish what I have ready to publish. I give my team a weekly quota guideline and leave it at that.
The same applies to my days.
I have a to do list but it’s non-urgent stuff. It’s stuff like:
- Email readers about my new YouTube video about more ad revenue with longer content
- add more affiliate promo boxes with Convertbox for Black Friday and Christmas
- get X site on Nitropack
- tweak font on site Y
- more topics for writers
- add a new module to one of my courses
- cancel a Shutterstock subscription now that I’m selling 8 sites next week
I’ll get to that stuff when inspired.
For the most part I don’t have a “must-do” schedule each day.
I show up and wing it.
I had no intention of writing this email today but here it is because I felt like writing it.
Next up for me today?
I’m not sure yet.
Probably get some more topics to my writers. Speaking of which, I’ve wrapped up and deployed a new content workflow for my content and writers. It’s an effort to dramatically improve content quality regardless the content source. I’m very excited about this. The best part is most of it doesn’t involve me.
I’ve been madly testing different softwares (is softwares a word?). Yesterday I distributed all the new training videos to all writers and VAs. It is now underway.
Yes, I’ll add a full blown video stepping you through this entire process… that’ll be added to a course (probably the Content Site Autopilot course). I also deploy the very same detailed process to improving older content.
It’s fun winging it every day.
Schedules are stressful. I love nothing more than a clear day. While I do have things that need to get done, I often don’t have a problem pushing it off until I really feel like doing it.
I can check out and watch some Netflix whenever I want. Gobble snacks whenever I want. Work out whenever I want.
The great irony is this… I get an absolute ton done when I put no pressure on myself to get anything done. Stuff just gets done without some big mental build up.
The downside for you (assuming you care) is I can’t promise a content schedule. Stuff will get pushed out when it gets pushed out.
Maybe it keeps you on your toes. It does me. It makes for inspiring days.
Time for a coffee break and after that, who knows?
Jon Dykstra is a six figure niche site creator with 10+ years of experience. His willingness to openly share his wins and losses in the email newsletter he publishes has made him a go-to source of guidance and motivation for many. His popular “Niche site profits” course has helped thousands follow his footsteps in creating simple niche sites that earn big.
