Feed After Midnight Housekeeping

Are you sitting down? Take a deep breath. Okay... I'm changing the newsletter release day.

Hey all!

Starting with my 9^th newsletter (which would have been sent this Sunday, 3/16) I’m going to begin sending out the newsletter on Tuesday instead and wanted to let folks know why.

Listen, I understand that this change isn’t something that anyone is going to care much about. I doubt there will be protests outside the house like it’s a Tesla dealership because of a date change on my little newsletter. But, I wanted to explain anyway.

I’ve noticed that while the majority of people who open the email do it on Sunday, there’s a sizable chunk that wait until Monday. Which got me thinking. My idealized/romanticized Sunday plan was that it would be a nice time to read something of a little length over coffee — maybe even while listening to my weekly playlist.

But, given the reality of the shit show we find ourselves in, I think there are a lot of people who would like to take the weekend off from politics. Or checking emails. Which reeks of work. Secondly, those who are sipping coffee and thinking politics and pop culture on a Sunday already have a trusted media companion that does that with them.

The only time I’ve ever subscribed to a physical newspaper was back in the 90s when I got the Sunday New York Times and it was something I looked forward to and became a part of the day’s routine. I’m not going to compete with that, no matter the paper or channel.

The bad thing for me about Sunday is that the newsletter is kind of developing a week in review kind of vibe. Nothing wrong with that, but I find myself inspired (or more likely, enraged) to write stuff during the week when more news is happening.

While I’ll continue to post stuff in the publication beyond the newsletter, I’m also under no illusion that people are jumping out of bed everyday thinking — OMG, that’s big news, I wonder what Mike thinks of that — and clicking on FAM anchored on their permanent bookmark bar. So, more good/timely stuff will get in the newsletter where it’s most likely to be read.

Based on the numbers, the political stuff gets more traction than the entertainment/pop culture/life stuff. But, I’m keeping that “balm” if you will. It’s a cathartic distraction, I like to write it, and I’ve gotten a few supportive messages that totally makes it worth it to me.

One other thing, since I got on here coming on two months ago, I’ve really kinda been learning about Substack as I go. I’ve been subscribing to a number of folks including those who subscribe to me. But, I haven’t been great about it. Give a shout and I’d be happy to subscribe.

I’ve also been skipping the “recommendation” step of subscribing and need to do that more. I’d love if some of you would take a minute and write a few sentences for me. Happy to reciprocate — just let me know. I hear it helps and I know it looks good when I go to other people’s pubs and they have them.

Thanks for the support and please comment on stuff you see — be it more on the issue hand or what you like and don’t like.

As a writer, I’m at heart insecure and craving reinforcement. But, years in advertising and having my ideas shit on has pushed that down pretty deep. ;)

Thanks again for reading everyone!

— Mike