How 'set' does a posting schedule need to be?

[Callarel_04]

Let's say the goal is to attract more readers. I know that posting once or twice per day is best, but I don't have time to do that. I have other works that involve writing, and when I tried to post once per day, I got burnt out.

So maybe 3 times a week is good. But can it just be 3 times a week, on any day? Or I should have 3 scheduled days like M-W-F, and stick to that?

 

[GwynLordofTinder]

3 scheduled days a week is more or less the minimum (but totally acceptable) to build a readership base. I do Tu-Th-Sun myself and have had pretty good success. More is obviously better, but I'm with you: tough to juggle life. If you find success, I'd suggest connecting extra days to Patreon stretch goals or what have you.

 

[Callarel_04]

3 scheduled days a week is more or less the minimum (but totally acceptable) to build a readership base. I do Tu-Th-Sun myself and have had pretty good success. More is obviously better, but I'm with you: tough to juggle life. If you find success, I'd suggest connecting extra days to Patreon stretch goals or what have you.

I don't have a Patreon yet, but what is Patreon stretch goals?

 

[GwynLordofTinder]

I don't have a Patreon yet, but what is Patreon stretch goals?

Honestly a bit of a relic, they used to have a function to attach new features to funding levels. You can still keep track of it yourself through posts. For example, right now I have a post pinned that once we get to $150/month I'll hire a VA for an audiobook version of book one. You could do something similar with extra chapters, like at $200/month you do 4 a week etc. If you're just doing it for fun and the love of the game though, 3 is plenty, no need to burn yourself out.

 

[HypnoticNovels]

I was able to build my audience by posting just once a week my advice would be to build up a ton of chapters before you first start publishing, that way you have a large buffer in case you're busy or fall behind on writing! Just keep grinding- if your story is good, people will find it and stick with it just make sure you give your readers the appreciation they deserve!

 

[Callarel_04]

Honestly a bit of a relic, they used to have a function to attach new features to funding levels. You can still keep track of it yourself through posts. For example, right now I have a post pinned that once we get to $150/month I'll hire a VA for an audiobook version of book one. You could do something similar with extra chapters, like at $200/month you do 4 a week etc. If you're just doing it for fun and the love of the game though, 3 is plenty, no need to burn yourself out.

I see. I might consider changing it if I can free up some time, but for now I think 3 is enough.
How many chapter did you have before you opened your patreon, if I may ask?

I was able to build my audience by posting just once a week my advice would be to build up a ton of chapters before you first start publishing, that way you have a large buffer in case you're busy or fall behind on writing! Just keep grinding- if your story is good, people will find it and stick with it just make sure you give your readers the appreciation they deserve!

I had like 10 chapters in the backlog but one busy week and I burned through them (when I tried doing once per day) . Now I'm on my way to build a backlog again.

 

[GwynLordofTinder]

How many chapter did you have before you opened your patreon, if I may ask?

When I opened it, I had about 50 in the bank, so 4 months give or take. I added an extra tier for a month further ahead, and now I'm at about 30 chapters in the backlog. That's probably less wordcount than it sounds like: as I got more experienced I got better at keeping my chapters right around a tight 1500 words, which is easily manageable to write daily and is typically enough to keep reader interest. Much more can actually hurt: people have short attention spans.

 

[Anonjohn20]

Let's say the goal is to attract more readers. I know that posting once or twice per day is best, but I don't have time to do that. I have other works that involve writing, and when I tried to post once per day, I got burnt out.

So maybe 3 times a week is good.

I'd say if you post at least 1 chapter at the beginning of the workweek (Monday to Wednesday) and one chapter at the end of the week (Thursday to Sunday), then you have cast a pretty wide net that many readers can see.

But can it just be 3 times a week, on any day? Or I should have 3 scheduled days like M-W-F, and stick to that?

Consistency helps bring in readers and helps you, the author, remain motivated. If you have no schedule, then missing a day won't feel like anything, but missing a date you had scheduled makes you want to do better.

The most effective strategy might be to post one day on and one day off, but that sounds like a pain in the ass for most authors.