Something intriguing happened with last week's newsletter.
So far, it is my most read newsletter with an open rate of 60%, several views from different sources, and of course, a number of new subscribers.
The most exciting part? That despite going out a day after it should have, it turned out to be the most read, and perhaps most relatable newsletter from me (to some persons).
I say this because I got a number of direct feedback from people who read it, sharing their similar experiences and how they scaled several hurdles that required them to find and stick to a working pattern.
Meanwhile, here is the backstory to the newsletter itself:
I had a pretty hectic day on the same day the newsletter was to go out (Monday) and as such, I couldn't get around to writing and scheduling as usual. I had shut my PC around 12am to sleep on that Monday night but couldn't get much sleep. My mind was not at rest.
Màkà gịnị?
I did not write you on Monday as I had promised myself I would! 😂
I know this may sound funny, but it was 2am when I picked my journal and wrote the first draft for about an hour and 30 minutes. I was literally lying on my bed with very dim light and scribbled until I had poured it all out on paper. It was after I had done this that I could sleep.
Amidst work on Tuesday, I ran several edits, proofread, and finally scheduled to go out by 7pm.
You see, I was going to forget sending out the newsletter for that last week and plan towards that of this week, but I remembered O’Gbemiro's advice on writing consistently. In his words;
"When you cannot seem to find something to write about, then write about not knowing what to write."
Following that up with Peace Itimi's words in her newsletter:
"When we sit down to do the work, in spite of the voice(s) that says we can’t do it, power concentrates around us. Ideas come and insights accrue. Like when you want to start, when you eventually start, it just flows."
Gbemiro also advised that when you miss a deadline or timeline, instead of relapsing, pick yourself up the next day and keep at it.
A single default should not take you back to square one. Get up, dust your bum, and keep at it. Do not say that you have already missed doing this stuff, so you will just not do it again. If you do this, it will be making a mockery of all the effort you've put in so far.
This is the hallmark of consistency. 👇🏾
Showing up even when you do not feel like, and doing it anyways. Even when you don't know what to do.
And this is what I did last week. I did not mind that I had missed the timeline I set for writing you. I wrote to you the next day anyway, and you, my dearest readers rewarded me with my highest readership so far.
When my 24 hours stats. came in, I had my mouth open in awe. 72 hours after, I was super excited and started wondering what would have happened if I had not written, irrespective of the timeline breach.
To be honest, I am still not certain if it was the personal experience I shared that drew such attention to the newsletter, or if it was the universe simply rewarding my consistency over time. Or both.
While I have not figured that out, I have decided to not bother myself so much about it. What matters is that a newsletter that typically gets a 25% open rate got a 60% last week. The same week I did not send out the newsletter as at when due. The same week I wrote my first draft half-asleep in an almost trance-like state. 😂
I did learn one important thing though.
“Personal stories and (or) experiences make your stories more relatable. Whether it is shared in the form of a tweet, article, newsletter, biography, or even a TedEx event. It makes people feel this connection with you. They start to see you as more human, and someone who just like them, is taking life one day at a time.”
So, this week, I am saying 'Thank You'
For reading me.
For sharing my newsletter with your network.
For sharing real-time feedback with me on your own similar (or not) experiences, and
For encouraging me to keep writing.
Speaking of recounting personal experiences, you may want to check out this particular story about my experiencing culture shock during NYSC.
Until I write you again. ✌🏾
Cheers! To your continual success. 🥂