FMF Speaks: Why I Post So Often

I had an interesting comment to one of my recent posts and I thought you all would like to hear my answer to it. Here's the question:

FMF -- No harm meant by this comment...but what is your rationale for blogging so much? It is way more than any other pf blogger. Or, wait, is that the point?

Because you blog so much (and their is only so much I can read), I appreciate the "posts of the week" category. (FYI, see here for an example).

Basically (and this is not a criticism, too each their own), why do you blog so much (wait, is that a bad thing?)? As you can see, I am completely without answer and awaiting your response!!! :)

I have had a few other comments like this, so I guess it's on more than one person's mind. So here are the (many) reasons I blog so much:

Reason #1: It all starts with the reason I blog in the first place. It's to educate myself and others on ways we can increase our net worths. To my way of thinking, the more ideas presented, the more options people have to grow their net worth. To have more ideas, I need more posts. Hence, that's why I post as I do.

Reason #2: Not everyone will be interested in every topic I write about. As such, if I only have one post a day and a person isn't interested in that topic, I haven't offered them anything that day. They're disappointed and I haven't helped them out. So I post on a wide range of topics each day, hoping that everyone will find at least one thing (if not more) that will help them.

Reason #3: Not everyone will be interested in every idea I write about. This is similar to #2, bit a bit different. For example, I might write a money saving post on why you should consider canceling your cable. Someone might read this since they like money saving tips (so I've posted on a topic that they like -- reason #2 covered), but they have decided that buying cable is something that they do want to do. This is a reasonable decision, of course, as everyone is different and they do what's right for them and their families. (I'm just presenting ideas.) However, in this case, I've presented a topic/post that the person is interested in, but the idea itself is not one they can apply to their finances. Hence, I really don't have anything for them that day if this is my only post for the day. So I try to post on different ideas (as well as different topics) every day to make sure everyone gets something that can really help them.

Reason #4: Posting drives traffic. It's a simple blogging principle -- the more you blog, the more traffic you generate. For many bloggers, this means more revenue. But because I have few ads and what I do earn is donated to charity, for me this translates to "the more people I can truly help."

Reason #5: I want to strive for excellence. I view this blog as more of a magazine (with personal insights) than a journal. And I want it to be very well done. To me, part of being good is overachieving expectations on how often someone should post.

Reason #6: To be the best. Slightly different than #5, I want to be the "best" personal finance blog available. To me this means two things: traffic and links.

I rely on the Truth Laid Bear to help me track both of these. I honestly value traffic more than links, but because not everyone has open traffic stats, links are the best way (so far) that you can compare one blog to another (you can get a link number for every blog out there). As of this writing, I'm #2,705 in the blog universe. This is not bad considering there are 15-20 million blogs in the world, but there's still plenty of room for improvement.

So where will I be satisfied? When I started, I thought if I got 100 people per day to this blog, I'd be estatic. Now that I've blown by that, my short-term goal is to move up one notch on the Truth Laid Bear ladder (to "Large Mammal"). To do this, I need to get up to 132 links and I currently have 98, so I have some work to do (I'd appreciate it if everyone reading this who has a blog would link to me from a post). :-) In the medium term, I want to get into the top 1,000 blogs (211 links) and ultimately into the top 100 (789 links). Whether this can happen or not is obviously to be determined.

That said, I'd prefer to have many less links but much higher traffic.

Reason #7: It's not that hard for me. Yeah, I have a lot of stuff, but 1) much of it is a "link and summary" format that doesn't take that much time and 2) I've been a freelance writer for seven years now, so I can belt out a lot of personal finance stuff without much effort.

So, are you sorry you asked -- now that you had to read such a long post? :-)

I was going to include a section in this post on "what to do if you like most of what I post and can't seem to read it all", but I'll save that for tomorrow. Stop back again if you're interested. And, as always, thanks for reading FMF. I appreciate you stopping by and I never take your time or visits for granted.

Comments

[Eric]

I for one, go to your page at least 4 times daily to read all the new posts. Keep it up =)

[fivecentnickel.com]

I can't keep up. It would help me if you had a 'Previous Page' link at the bottom of you page, like they do in WordPress. Yes, I can delve into the archives (although it took me a while to actually find them way down there on the bottom right) but that's sort of an extra step. When I hit the bottom of the page, I'd like for there to be one-click access to the next newest batch of articles.

On an unrealted note, what does it take for one of your posts to land on the 'Most Popular' list? It doesn't seem to be the number of comments. Is it pageviews, or do you just choose what you think is the best?

[pw]

Don't you have a job?

[FMF]

Nickel --

Each post has the previous and next post listed at the top. I'm not sure if Typepad allows me to put it on the bottom.

As far as how the Friday posts are selected, they are designated as the "best" of the week, and are selected by me based on my own secret criteria. ;-) Seriously, they are selected as posts that I feel represent the best of Free Money Finance as well as offer readers a wide variety of topics to review.

PW --

Ha! Yes, I do work, but through the graciousness of my employer as well as technology supplied by Typepad (where I can post now but not have a piece show up until later), I can keep a steady stream of articles coming out.

FMF

[fivecentnickel.com]

I wasn't talking about single post pages -- I actually meant a 'Previous Entries' link at the bottom of your main page. Each page thereafter would get a 'Previous Entries' and a 'Next Entries' link at the bottom. Check out the bottom of my front, second, third, etc. pages of my site for an example.

Changing subjects...

So the 'Popular Posts' in the left sidebar are all posts that have been featured on Fridays?

[FMF]

Nickel --

I went to your "previous entries" link and it basically gives a chronological listing of past posts -- same thing you get if you click on my archives on the right side.

The popular posts on the left side are selected by me as the best FMF posts of all time (covering a wide range of topics) while the weekly "best" posts are for the week. Something appearing in the weekly list may or may not make it in the popular posts section.

FMF

[Flexo]

Well you seem to have a lot of time for blogging, FMF. My full time job and volunteering interests (and classwork and time with my girlfriend) wouldn't allow me to blog throughout the day nearly as much as some other bloggers. Thus, I don't write to be better (or more prolific) than anyone else or to make my blog better than anyone else's. I write because I like writing. Personal finance is only one of my many interests, and it's a minor one at that. If readers (and the small bit of revenue) come, then so be it. :>

I hope you reach your goal of climbing the ladder on TTLB.

[FMF]

I think everyone has their blogs for their own reasons and define success in their own way. I was simply expressing why I blog and how I view success because I was asked (on many occasions). It's not to say that my way is right and anyone else's is wrong. Did I say or imply that? That seems to be what you are saying.

I too have outside interests -- active at church, coach two soccer teams for my kids, ride 80 miles per week or so on my bike, and of course, commitments with my wife and kids. We make time for all this by cutting out the big time waster -- TV. We watch very little of it. Plus, as you can probably tell by my suggestions, we live a pretty simple life. We can all be entertained easily by simply spending a night playing Uno.

Finally, there are several situations that make blogging easy for me -- as I noted in the piece.

[fivecentnickel.com]

Yes, my previous entries link just takes you back in time, much like the archives. However, it doesn't require scrolling back to the archives section and picking the right month. The link is there waiting for you when you hit the bottom of the page. Just a minor convenience, but I like being able to navigate sites in the easiest, most straightforward manner possible. This may not be a popular feature, though. Just thought I'd suggest it -- your rapid pace of publication makes little tricks like this all the more useful.

[Financial Fruition]

Well by hosting the COPF, your links are now up to 130. 2 more are your short term goal was reached in the very short time of 3 days!!!!!

By the way this all makes sense to me. It's still quite a bit of "daily" personal finance information!!! :)

[Michael Guzzo]

Hello FMF..

"To do this, I need to get up to 132 links and I currently have 98, so I have some work to do (I'd appreciate it if everyone reading this who has a blog would link to me from a post). :-)"

Done!

You have a great site, if you have the energy, and have that much to say.. I say "Good For You!"

Any way that I could get my blog listed on your BlogRoll?

[Brad]

FMF
I read your posts everyday and I'm really trying to increase my net worth for my family and me. I enjoy reading a variety of articles and can't get enough! Keep up the excellent work!

[LC]

A little late here, but I just wanted to add that I do appreciate the frequency of your posts. Your blog and one other with multiple posts per day are two of the few that I make a point to read every day. Great blog - keep it up!