On May 6 it will be two months since I moved my blogging here to Substack. The move has re-energized my online writing and I am fast approaching 2,000 subscribers. From my perspective everything look great, but I am curious about how things looks from your end.
With a few exceptions I have managed to post daily, but I don’t know if this is too much for you. Do you enjoy receiving daily emails from me or should I scale back a bit? Is there a sweet spot that I should be shooting for each week? Are you more likely to open an email from me at a specific time of day?
For me, the e-mails from you are fine, and I enjoy your essays. I would like to send to you an e-mail with an attached op-ed I wrote that appeared in the Tampa paper about the Confederate monument here. This was shortly after the South Carolina church murders. I found how to send you a note but not how to send an attachment.
I enjoy reading your posts. How often you post is up to you. I don’t think your posts need to follow a schedule. You know the demands on your time better than anyone else. I’ll continue to read your posts regardless of their frequency. All the best.
I enjoyed reading your new series on substack while I was hospitalized last month. I won't say you need to post daily, but the volume is not excessive. On the other hand, if you slow to fewer than a post a week, I would likely assume you were having trouble with coming up with stuff to write about!
First, it's great to see that you are on the road to recovery. I appreciate the feedback. As for not having anything to write about, I think you will agree that those days are few and far between. :-)
It's more than I can keep up with but that's my problem not yours, right? :) I like the commenter who wrote that if you have something to day everyday, say it! Sure, I'll fall behind, but I can probably catch up in spurts!
Maybe I should just to Substack!
My website's homepage is all messed up currently (on desktop view only--it's fine on mobile/tablet) through no fault of my own. I have someone working on a fix. But website code-related issues are a major time vampire!
Kevin, I am fine will daily emails. Depending on other demand I usually read them daily. If not I eventually catch up. The topics interest and educate me in areas I have not studied in the past. The more you like to do this the better for me. Thanks, Mike
I agree with an earlier comment. This is your site and if you have something to say every day, it's yours to say it. For me, I read more than 90% of what you post and if it's not something I'm interested in, there is always the delete key.
I'm open to daily e-mails. I also subscribe to Letters from an American, Aaron Rupar's daily posts and a couple of others who post less frequently (William Hoagland, Linda Chervinsky). Since I'm retired, I generally have a little more time for reading daily posts. If you decide to post a little less because of a time crunch, that wouldn't be a problem for me.
My preference would be to separate blog frequency from email frequency. A weekly email briefly highlighting what you've blogged with links is sufficient.
This is the only notifications option I have:
Notifications:
Newsletter posts
(Turning off all notifications will cancel your subscription)
If you, as content creator, have more notification options to offer your subscribers, perhaps there is a way to separate emails and new blog notifications and let subscribers customize the communications they receive.
Kevin, I think daily is too much, at least in theory. But, on the other hand, I do read them as they arrive, and, I must say, most of them pay dividends for me! So, keep on keepin' on, as we used to say when we were young. . . .
So I'm assuming there is no way to remain a subscriber and make it where the emails don't come in? I don't subscribe to too many blogs, so I'm unsure how it works.
Personally, I don't think you're blogging too much, but I would like a way to shut off notifications. Barring that, I will continue to maintain a subscription.
Hi Rob. That's a great question. Unfortunately, I don't subscribe to any other substack newsletters. Perhaps someone else can answer this question. I will look myself. Thanks for the feedback,
Daily is a lot to read but hey, it’s your blog—if you have have something to say every day, you should say it. I think you’ll never be able to please everyone.
I look forward to your emails and insight each day. I realize how difficult it must be to produce a daily email, so it would be understandable if there were fewer, but daily is great! Your email is one of the first I open. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and perspective. It is not only a window into our collective past, but also frames our present times and possible outcomes.
If the title or header said Civil War Memory I would have opened them more.. I saw the name Kevin and just thought it was trash , I finally took a look… because it was seen so often and realized what it was. I think weekly would be more than enough! Appreciate you sharing your knowledge & passion! Thank you!!
I am happy to read whatever you send! No need to feel pressure to write daily, but if you do have the time, that is wonderful for us! I, too, read what you write here and on Twitter. Thank you for all that you do!
I read everything you write, here and on Twitter, and whenever it is convenient for you to post. Great to hear about your number of subscribers! Your work is important in understanding not only our history but our current political turmoil as well. And if you decide to follow the Substack model that Dr. Heather Cox Richardson uses, I will also subscribe to that.
One of the things I enjoy most about online writing is having the opportunity to meet people just like you. I appreciate your final point. Stay tuned. :-)
I personally enjoy the daily emails. The subject is fascinating, and your emails inspire me to read further into the sources that you reference. Thank you for the thoughtful and well written posts!
For me, the e-mails from you are fine, and I enjoy your essays. I would like to send to you an e-mail with an attached op-ed I wrote that appeared in the Tampa paper about the Confederate monument here. This was shortly after the South Carolina church murders. I found how to send you a note but not how to send an attachment.
You can send it to: kevinmlevin95@gmail.com
Not too much, keep em’ coming
I enjoy reading your posts. How often you post is up to you. I don’t think your posts need to follow a schedule. You know the demands on your time better than anyone else. I’ll continue to read your posts regardless of their frequency. All the best.
I enjoyed reading your new series on substack while I was hospitalized last month. I won't say you need to post daily, but the volume is not excessive. On the other hand, if you slow to fewer than a post a week, I would likely assume you were having trouble with coming up with stuff to write about!
First, it's great to see that you are on the road to recovery. I appreciate the feedback. As for not having anything to write about, I think you will agree that those days are few and far between. :-)
I think the number of emails is ok.
Thanks for the feedback, Michael.
It's more than I can keep up with but that's my problem not yours, right? :) I like the commenter who wrote that if you have something to day everyday, say it! Sure, I'll fall behind, but I can probably catch up in spurts!
Maybe I should just to Substack!
My website's homepage is all messed up currently (on desktop view only--it's fine on mobile/tablet) through no fault of my own. I have someone working on a fix. But website code-related issues are a major time vampire!
(Off topic, but I'd be curious to know more about the sketch of the soldier that you posted, too.)
Grant, I’m so glad you asked about the sketch, because it’s from Culpeper, Virginia, where I grew up! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Culpeper_Court_House
Thank you! sorry for the massive delay. I'm still a Substack neophyte!
Here you go. https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2004661845/
Thank you!!
Great as is. If I fall behind, I enjoy catching up.
Thanks, Chris.
I think 5 times a week would be good. I enjoy reading them all.
Appreciate the feedback, Mark.
I would prefer, say, 2-3 times per week. Thanks for asking!
You bet and thanks for the feedback.
Kevin, I am fine will daily emails. Depending on other demand I usually read them daily. If not I eventually catch up. The topics interest and educate me in areas I have not studied in the past. The more you like to do this the better for me. Thanks, Mike
Glad to hear it, Mike. Thanks for reading.
I agree with an earlier comment. This is your site and if you have something to say every day, it's yours to say it. For me, I read more than 90% of what you post and if it's not something I'm interested in, there is always the delete key.
Thanks for the feedback, Gerald.
I'm open to daily e-mails. I also subscribe to Letters from an American, Aaron Rupar's daily posts and a couple of others who post less frequently (William Hoagland, Linda Chervinsky). Since I'm retired, I generally have a little more time for reading daily posts. If you decide to post a little less because of a time crunch, that wouldn't be a problem for me.
I think I was born to be retired! LOL! I can't wait!! :D
Same, Karen!
Thanks for the feedback. Those are some excellent history-themed newsletters you are reading. Nice to know I am in good company.
My preference would be to separate blog frequency from email frequency. A weekly email briefly highlighting what you've blogged with links is sufficient.
This is the only notifications option I have:
Notifications:
Newsletter posts
(Turning off all notifications will cancel your subscription)
If you, as content creator, have more notification options to offer your subscribers, perhaps there is a way to separate emails and new blog notifications and let subscribers customize the communications they receive.
I don't believe I have those options, but I will take a look. Thanks for the feedback, Barry.
Have only been on substack a few days. Being a civil war researcher I will read your posts.
Thanks, Allen. Nice to have you on board.
Kevin, I think daily is too much, at least in theory. But, on the other hand, I do read them as they arrive, and, I must say, most of them pay dividends for me! So, keep on keepin' on, as we used to say when we were young. . . .
Hi George. Glad to hear you are enjoying the posts. Thanks for the feedback.
You're welcome, Kevin!
I like the daily but will read them whenever you send them. Thanks!
Thanks, Ann.
Kevin,
So I'm assuming there is no way to remain a subscriber and make it where the emails don't come in? I don't subscribe to too many blogs, so I'm unsure how it works.
Personally, I don't think you're blogging too much, but I would like a way to shut off notifications. Barring that, I will continue to maintain a subscription.
Best
Rob
Hi Rob. That's a great question. Unfortunately, I don't subscribe to any other substack newsletters. Perhaps someone else can answer this question. I will look myself. Thanks for the feedback,
Daily is a lot to read but hey, it’s your blog—if you have have something to say every day, you should say it. I think you’ll never be able to please everyone.
Thanks, Pete.
I look forward to your emails and insight each day. I realize how difficult it must be to produce a daily email, so it would be understandable if there were fewer, but daily is great! Your email is one of the first I open. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and perspective. It is not only a window into our collective past, but also frames our present times and possible outcomes.
Wonderful to hear. Thanks for the feedback.
If the title or header said Civil War Memory I would have opened them more.. I saw the name Kevin and just thought it was trash , I finally took a look… because it was seen so often and realized what it was. I think weekly would be more than enough! Appreciate you sharing your knowledge & passion! Thank you!!
Once a week would be plenty.
Perhaps I should think of changing the email header. Thanks, Jodi.
I would prefer one per week.
Thanks for the feedback.
Kevin, I think the amount of emails is fine. If you can’t do it on a daily basis, that’s also fine.
Thanks for the feedback. Definitely going to cut back a bit.
I am happy to read whatever you send! No need to feel pressure to write daily, but if you do have the time, that is wonderful for us! I, too, read what you write here and on Twitter. Thank you for all that you do!
Thanks, Monica. I truly appreciate the kind words and the feedback.
I read everything you write, here and on Twitter, and whenever it is convenient for you to post. Great to hear about your number of subscribers! Your work is important in understanding not only our history but our current political turmoil as well. And if you decide to follow the Substack model that Dr. Heather Cox Richardson uses, I will also subscribe to that.
One of the things I enjoy most about online writing is having the opportunity to meet people just like you. I appreciate your final point. Stay tuned. :-)
I personally enjoy the daily emails. The subject is fascinating, and your emails inspire me to read further into the sources that you reference. Thank you for the thoughtful and well written posts!
Thanks for the feedback, Sam. Glad to hear that you are enjoying these posts.