Did You Know There Are Two Kinds of Consistency?
Before we dive into today’s post, I have to start with a huge thank you!! So many of you have taken time out of your day to answer a few questions, and I can’t tell you how much it means to me. I’m still digging through all the answers (if you haven’t taken the survey yet, I’m going to leave it up for a while, and if you don’t want to, no worries!), but it’s been so fun to see what you all have to say.
Thank you for sharing so honestly (and vulnerably) with me, and thank you also for your kind comments—I love being here with you!
Okay, now on to today’s post.
In the survey, so many of you indicated (in many different ways) that consistency is a problem for you. I’ve been working on something to help you with consistency, which I’ll share a little more about at the end of this email.
But first, I want to tell you this:
When it comes to content, there are two kinds of consistency.
Now we hear a lot about consistency, and I think most of us (me included) cringe a little when someone tells us to be consistent. It makes us feel like if we miss a single day of blogging, or send our newsletter out on the “wrong” day, or skip a few days on social media, the world will end. And that’s a lot of pressure.
But like I said, there are two different kinds of consistency, and both are important—but I think one is more so than the other (and to give you a hint, it’s not that cringe-inducing version I mentioned above).
First, there's consistency in timing.
This kind of consistency is about blogging on the same day and same time every week, or having a set schedule of what kinds of things you share on social media for each day of the week, or sending out a monthly newsletter like clockwork.
This kind of consistency is definitely important—it helps your readers feel like there’s a rhythm to what you’re sharing, and they may even start to anticipate your Tuesday-morning email.
But it’s not everything. If you’re having a tough week or something unexpected came up and that email doesn’t go out on Tuesday at 9 am (and instead, goes out Wednesday afternoon, or even the following Tuesday at 9 am), the reality is that the world won’t end.
Think about someone you really admire, whose emails you get excited to receive. When one doesn’t show up, do you notice? Do you feel a little bummed, but also assume that person has something going on? Do you then just get a little more excited for their next email? That’s what happens to me! I love hearing from so many people, but I definitely don’t sit around judging them if they haven’t sent something out in a while. On the contrary—it reminds me that we’re all working as hard as we can to do our best, but that none of us are perfect.
So for this type of consistency, I say set a realistic schedule for yourself, no matter how strict or loose, and then aim for what you know you can accomplish—but give yourself a break when the inevitable happens.
And second, there's consistency in...well, everything else.
Okay, so what’s the other type of consistency? Well, it’s really about what’s in that email you sent or blog post you shared. It’s about the way you talk to your audience and share what you know. It’s the visuals you use to accompany your work. It’s about what people come to expect from you in almost every way.
I think this is way more important than the first kind of consistency, and here’s why:
This is the kind of consistency that will keep your readers coming back even when you miss a post or two.
This is the kind of consistency that helps people know what to expect from you every time you interact with them—so even if you miss a post or email, or you take a little social-media break (whether by accident or on purpose), they're more likely to come back because they value you and what you know and what you're sharing.
So how do you get this second, oh-so-desirable kind of consistency (plus do a little better with the first kind)?
Like I mentioned in the beginning of this email, I’m working on something to help you with both kinds of consistency. It’s a self-paced guide with tons of worksheets to help you find clarity (see the big picture of who you are, what you know, who you can help, and when and where you share content), create consistency (plan out regular action steps so you don't get overwhelmed, get organized before you even start writing, and then actually sit down to do the work), and then—so important—publish with confidence.
The guide follows the same process I use in content coaching, but it’s a DIY version—because I heard you all when you said you needed some options that are a little more wallet friendly. I know that feeling all too well, and want to help you out. (I'm super interested in doing a group version as well—I know how smart you are, and how much you could help each other—but that takes a bit longer to put together, and I want to help you now.)
This awesome resource will be released in the next couple of weeks, but my newsletter crew will get the first crack at it (plus a sweet discount!). So if you’re not already on my list, sign up below—along with first dibs and a discount on this super-helpful guide, you’ll get a free copy of Consume Mindfully, my guide to overcoming information overwhelm, plus weekly blog posts in your inbox and a monthly email about clarity and consistency. You can read more about what to expect here, and check out my privacy policy here. (Just to be clear, you'll be offered a discount even if you don't sign up, but I'm notifying my email list first!)
I can't wait to bring this awesome resource to you!