Decision
Viral Examples newsletter returns to two issues per week: Thursday (automated by Hermes) and a new Monday issue (essay-style, written by Blake Emal). The single-issue-per-week experiment is over.
Context
Open rates dropped substantially from above 40% to a flat low 30s after the Monday essay was dropped and VE went to one issue per week. Michael and Blake discussed in the megaphone Slack channel and agreed the two-issue cadence is the right fix. Blake volunteered to start spinning up Monday issues again beginning next week.
Slack permalink: https://ryevalley.slack.com/archives/C06UJ3V2HEV/p1789132291622289
Options considered
- Option A (chosen): Return to twice weekly. Thursday = format dump (automated). Monday = essay. More shots on goal.
- Option B: One issue per week but combine formats + a short essay inside it.
Consequences
- Blake Emal owns Monday VE issues starting next week.
- Thursday issue stays automated via Hermes cron.
- Michael may explore splitting the list by LinkedIn vs X audience. Not committed yet.
- Hermes: Thursday VE cron continues unchanged.