Private footprints
If you do want to create your footprints with the private switch turned to on, simply for editing reasons, please do so, it is a good practice.
When turning off the private switch of a footprint for the first time, notifications about the new post will still be send to your followers.
Planned footprints
Planned footprints are private. When turning off the planned switch for a footprint, it will not be private anymore and will be visible to your followers.
When turning off the planned switch, notifications about the new post will be sent to your followers.