I’m trying to figure out which are the best days to post on WordPress. I’ve been posting Mondays and Thursdays, at exactly 5:20AM Pacific time for ages. Don’t ask me about the 5:20. I have no idea how that started, but I have clung to it out of some weird feeling akin to superstition. I like the way 5:20 looks on the page, too.
But Mondays and Thursdays? How do I know those are the best? When would you prefer I post? Sorry, never is not an option ;).
I like to post 2x a week because that is what I can handle. (Sometimes I consider switching to once a week because two can be overwhelming, but for now I am sticking to two per week). I also post once a week on my family history blog, and I’ve been doing that on Wednesdays. That puts my blog posts all crammed in together between 4 days. I would prefer to do Monday, Wednesday, Friday–or Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday–with one of the 3 days being for The Family Kalamazoo.
The reason I like to plan this out and not hit publish when I’m done with a post is because I have to schedule time to enter the discussions–or all those pesky critters like work, maintenance, cleaning, and certain family members will take up all my time.
PICK ONE
With a little click of your computer keys, please let me know what days you prefer my Writer Site posts.
It really does not matter to me. Hope that you find your Zen with your final decision.
Thanks, Sally! Me too. I don’t know why it feels like a big deal ;).
I have no preference but love that you made a poll. Good luck!!
Thank you! It’s nice to know what readers want or if they care! 🙂
I was just about to log off and saw your post – dunno answer though – sorry! I am wrestling with same kind of dilemma. Maybe the answer is just do whatever you want to do! xxx
Julie, that decision would probably make the most sense. After all, whose blog is it anyway ;)? But I keep feeling like there is a day lots of people prefer and that I ought to find out the most convenient or best one.
Write when you feel the inspiration, There’s never a rush 🙂
Andy, if I don’t limit myself I might blog all the time hahaha. But it’s nice to hear so far people don’t really care which days.
I don’t even have a set schedule lol
It keeps me blogging in moderation if I schedule, too.
I would read them whatever days you post. Seems like I get more views on Mondays. Sometimes Thurs or Fri.
Aw that’s so nice, SK. Mondays seem like a day most people like. I think I’m happy with Mondays and Thursdays, but the Wednesdays for my other blog feel like a crunch for me.
I don’t have a preference, Luanne. I enjoy seeing your smiling face and reading your posts any day of the week. 🙂
Such a nice thing to say, Jill! How did you decide on Fridays, if you don’t mind me asking?
This seems to be a big issue in the blogging world, but I think intent is important. Are you trying to gain readers, have a deeper discussion, exercise your writing chops? I have never followed a schedule, because my off line life dictates that I need flexibility and I just don’t want more stress. To keep blogging pleasurable, I blog when I have the time to edit repeatedly, as well as answer comments.You’ll find your level, but you have to start by getting rid of the word “should”!
Michelle, I thought I ought to find out what others find convenient and try to take that into consideration if I change days. But ought sounds like should. 😉 but actually a schedule is very freeing for me, weirdly. Thank you!
I voted Tuesday and Thursday since those seem to be less busy days.
John, thanks! I will take that into consideration!
It doesn’t really matter to me because I will catch up to you. My readership goes down Friday evening and Saturday with an upswing on Sunday and then heavier Monday-Tuesday. I try not to post late Friday or Saturday. I fear readers won’t go back to catch up on them but that’s probably not true for the regulars. I am not sure what the best time is to attract new readers though. If you figure that out, share!
Kate, it’s good to hear what you’ve noticed. Interesting about late Friday and Saturday. But early Friday people are in the Blogosphere?
I think so. Overall Saturdays are my overall lowest readership days. Sundays are pretty good. Perhaps people do their errands on Saturdays. Friday night may be a family night or dinner out or something.
Interesting re Saturdays!
If its working for you, why change it? Why put extra pressure on yourself?
I schedule my posts for 0205 Dublin time. Most of my readers are based in US, which means my posts go live at 605pm for some US readers. When I tried changing that to midninght US time ( so that Monday’s post arrived with them 1st thing Monday morning), I found I didn’t get so many views.
It seems then that my US readers like to get my Monday posts on Sunday evening, so if that’s what works for them, then it works for me too. I found this out just by trial and error.
Ali, I wouldn’t have thought of Sunday night. So interesting. I’m starting to think everybody has different preferences and then there are the time zone differences, as you say. Thank you so much for your advice and information!
No problem! Its all just trial and error. I found out what works for my blog purely by accident!
Any time is fine. Always enjoy seeing your posts.
Thanks, Anneli! You are always so sweet!
I voted, Luanne, but I think it’s more important for you to figure out what works best for You. Your readers will fall in line 🙂 To be honest, I hadn’t paid attention to what specific days you posted. I can’t always read your posts right away so I may be hours or days late with them anyway 😉
Marie, that might be the biggest thing I’m learning is how people don’t even notice when others post, for the most part. I’m finding this really interesting.
I’ve noticed with some of my posts that readers may get to them maybe one or two days after they appear. I don’t know if these are regular (i.e., subscription) readers or if they bump over to my post because someone else they follow was there. Because of that, I tend to post when it’s convenient for me and let my readers sort it out 😉
As long as you keep posting, I’ll find you!
Aw. I lub you, too, S!
I’m usually behind with reading posts, so it doesn’t matter to me!
Hah, I love it. I didn’t used to be behind, but I have been lately. Life intruding ;).
I have tried to blog on schedule, but it just doesn’t fit my life. Your loyal readers will find you no matter which days you choose. Lately I feel fortunate to be able to check out the Reader once a week. I know when winter arrives I will have more time to spend on my blog and the blogs I read. But I am still kind of a haphazard person when it comes to blogging and reading.
This all shows me that I am a chaotic person that needs the framework of a blogging schedule to keep me from blogging too much or too little. Kind of like the lists I live by! You, Ruth, are able to be more spontaneous!
I think I am more sporadic than spontaneous! LOL Good luck with whatever you decide and for heaven’s sake… keep writing!
I’m tickled that you are toying with this issue. I recently posted on a Sunday, and I knew it was a mistake after the post. It received very little WordPress attention, but it sparked some great conversation on my Facebook page among friends. And I’m sorry I haven’t been a regular reader lately. I am trying to get back to regular and predictable posting and reading…but the best I can seem to hope for right now is twice a month posts and blog reading…hmmm, in the waiting room at the doctor’s? Right now I just scroll through my reader as far back as I’ve read. So the day you post doesn’t matter to me!
Excuses excuses. It’s not like you have a huge little “thing” taking over your life! Haha. I so remember those days!
Whatever is easiest for you.
Thanks, WJ. I will owe you more after tonight ;).
I will read them no matter when you post 🙂
You are great, Joey! Thanks so much!
I wouldn’t do Saturdays if I were you. Not a day where people are reading blogs! And – I wanna lick that picture!
That’s what Kate and Ali say, too. So Saturday sounds inconvenient for everyone. Those macaroons are phenomenal. Yum. My favorite is the rose flavor!
I try to be a trooper and hit Tuesday and Friday…lately, well, I’ve been a little Loosey Goosey. Oh well, it’s fall and the colors are all way too pretty to stare at a grey keyboard. I’m busy soaking in Mother Nature’s newest seasonal collection!
Once all the leaves blow down, I’ll get back on schedule. But Tuesdays and Fridays are usually pretty good ones for me
Thanks for letting me know, Mom. Fall is so gorgeous when you live in the color changing areas. Lucky you! I am considering switching my Thursdays to Fridays.
Whichever day suits you is good with me. I look forward to your posts!
You are so sweet! Thank you so much for letting me know!
I like your schedule but I’m useless at planning my own so I’m not the right person to ask! I try to post twice a week, more often three times, sometimes four – steady on! – but I can’t always make the days I have planned so I have to keep adjusting for that and then it might only be one, if I’m lucky, ha! But I voted for Mondays and Thursday, a creature of habit, for you, because I like when your posts come out those days, so I’m being selfish I guess 🙂 Either way, I hope you find what works best for you but it isn’t easy getting the balance is it?
Hah, no, that’s not selfish–that’s exactly what I wanted know–what readers like. It just helps to know, although it doesn’t completely make up my mind. I’m keeping M and Th for now because the vote was overwhelmingly and it’s what I’m used to. Especially as I go now into a period where I won’t be able to post as substantially. This might go on all winter!
I think that any time you can post is a good time. I wish I could be as disciplined. Lately I’ve wanted to post three times a week, but with the holidays closing in, I doubt that’s going to happen. Plus, keeping up with my daily journaling on top of blogging is nearly impossible. Any suggestions there?
Tilly, I’m so sorry it’s taken me so long to respond to comments. I went away and didn’t want to mention it online. But I am back and have decided to keep Mondays and Thursday since the vote was overwhelmingly for keeping it the same and that has been my pattern for so long. Three times a week is a lot. I don’t know how some people can do it every day. I just cannot imagine.
I will read your posts no matter when you post them, Luanne. Based on my research, readers don’t tend to respond as much on Fridays. Miss ya!
Rudri, I wonder why not on Fridays? People taking off work, beginning the weekend early?
Hey Luanne, I don’t really think it makes any difference to me, I love reading your posts, whatever day you publish! Take care dear! 🙂
Seyi, you too! xoxo (Sorry it took me so long to respond–I was out of town and didn’t want to announce it online).
Hope you had a great time! 🙂
I agree that you should do what feels right for you. I love getting the posts and it doesn’t really matter which days. You are a gem so keep posting!
Sala, that is so sweet. I love your Yin and Yang post. So brilliant!
Several months ago, I became overwhelmed by all the blogs I had discovered and was following. To get some order back into things, I changed my notice delivery schedule so that I get notices of posts only once a week. I then update myself on all the blogs at once. WordPress delivers the weekly notice on Mondays. This puts me behind in lots of the discussions, but I also get the benefit of reading all the comments that have even made! This is a long way of saying that whenever you post, I will get it and read it on Monday. Which, BTW, really works for me — to start a new week with a collection of posts to read. Hope you land on something that feels right to you.
WordPress got me all screwed up with emailing notices. I was getting some and not others–I think I was only getting the “instant” emails. I got so frustrated that now I am more apt to use my reader. The danger there is I miss some really great posts this way :(.