Update on FMF and WL

It's been a couple months since I launched Wealth Lion (WL) and thought it was time for an update on where I’m going with both sites.

If you recall, having an extra site started because of two issues:

• I was having problems with my blogging platform, Typepad (too much spam and not enough flexibility)
• Readers had conflicting thoughts on what they wanted to read on a personal finance website.

I had some options available to me (like switch FMF to Wordpress), but I thought it could kill FMF (I've seen sites try to make the switch and it's been a technical disaster). Besides, I was up for creating something new and learning a new blogging platform, so I started WL using Wordpress. I also thought that if the new site took off, perhaps I'd risk converting FMF to Wordpress and if it tanked the site, I'd still have one site that worked.

Almost from the start, WL really took off.  Readers over there took to it quickly and a good community of people developed.

As for FMF, I have focused more on reader provided content (namely reader profiles) and excerpts over the past few months. I have done this for the following reasons:

• Readers told me they like Reader Profiles. :)
• These are easier posts for me to "create" and I was busy getting another site up and running.
• These are easier posts for me to "create" and I was busy getting a new job.
• The summer is a slow time anyway, so if there was ever a time for "less of me", it's June, July, and August.

So everything is peachy, right? Not really. Not everyone liked the changes. I received several comments on a post a couple weeks ago or saying so. Hopefully the information above explains to everyone why I did what I did.

In addition to the comments, a few things happened over the past couple months that have made me reconsider everything:

• Typepad has settled down. It's still not as flexible as I'd like, but the spam is certainly under control now.
• Wordpress is taking me much longer than expected to "master." I'm enjoying the process, but it's going to take a long time to get where I'd like to be (especially compared to Typepad which I've used for years and completely understand.)
• I got a new job. As you might imagine, I'm going to be pretty swamped over the next several months.

So, given the above turn of events, here's my plan for the foreseeable future. These could change, but here's my current thinking:

• WL will go on slow decline. I won't be posting there and actually will be moving some posts from WL to FMF. This is unfortunate given how the community has grown over there, but at this point I'll be lucky to keep one blog running time-wise.
• FMF will post at least three times per week and will get closer to normal in September. It will include the following types of pieces: short “commentary” posts by me (which is historically what FMF has featured), Reader Profiles, and Help the Reader pieces. I will also run some guest posts and excerpts as long as I feel they are good.
• I will move several types of posts from WL to FMF. These include: my millionaires series, a few new, longer pieces, some articles that I had originally run at FMF but then had removed, and the above-mentioned posts that originally appeared on WL. This means that some readers will see "re-runs" here on FMF as I re-post them. Please be patient with me through this process.

In the future, I might take the risk and change FMF's platform to Wordpress. But not at this time. I have all I can handle for now.

So this is my current plan. I realize it's been a bit of a rollercoaster for FMF readers as I've focused more on WL, and I apologize for that. I'm also sorry for WL readers who embraced the site only to see it go by the wayside. Hopefully the "new" FMF will fill the needs of both sets of readers.

As always, thanks for taking the time to read...this blog would be nothing without you.

Comments

[Jenny]

Still loving the reader profiles. Thanks!

[Bogey]

At the end of they day, we don't pay anything to access FMF or WL so nobody really has room to complain. We are all lucky that you've committed to sharing your insights, in whatever platform you choose. Good luck in getting your web presence to a manageable level as you move forward in the new job!

Bogey

[Paul]

Certainly a worthwhile experiment, though I'm glad to see it end :) We'll still be here! Keep up the good work

[No Waste]

I read them both, either way. Carry on.

I like the hearing about the nuts and bolts of maintaining both, though.

[Ivy]

Good decision, I am looking forward to having the FMF site picking up again - it's still my favorite. Good luck in managing the blogging process in parallel with ramping up on the new job

[Grayson]

I can understand where you are coming from. I can barely keep up with my one site and that is one reason why I have not branched out to another one. Good luck!

[jim]

I think both sites are very well done. However they are a bit different and will appeal to slightly different audiences. So I think thats the main reason some people like one over the other. I can certainly understand wanting to stick to just one site though, running 2 would be a lot of work.

[Matt]

The two sites showed that you were dividing your time between the two.

Both were OK as apposed to one good/really good site.

You can't serve two masters. One will suffer.

[Jon]

Congrats on the new job! I will be reading no matter where you post! Can't wait to read more of the millionaire series and more on the new job as it goes along!

[Kvangild]

I have been out of pocket for a while. I'm confused? Why would you post to both sites? WL and FMF? FMF is all I know

[JayCeezy]

Was redirected here from WL, and am probably one of the very few who is new to FMF. Lots of back content to catch up on. Thanks for Wealth Lion, completely understand the change and will follow your posting here on FMF. In the meantime, good thoughts for you with the move, the new gig, and the continued support of your satisfactions!

[Retire By 40]

Maybe you can just sell WL to simplify things. Or just hire some VA and writers.

[jclimber99]

One thing about WL, it doesn't show up in the list of content available for my.yahoo.com, whereas FMF does (and where I found FMF for the first time).

[SteveD]

jclimber99 -- I was in the same situation, but was able to add WL to my.yahoo using "+ Content" at the top, "Add RSS Feed" and "http://wealthlion.com/feed/". Now it appears right at the top of my page where it belongs :-)

FMF -- YAY! I'm glad you're back. As I said before, I'm happy to skip the posts I'm not interested in, and hope you'll continue with the quality and quantity of posts of before. You rock!

[Rob G.]

Either FMF or WL is fine by me. I have always been drawn to these sites by the content more than the webpage layout. I have especially enjoyed the Millionaire Interviews.

[AC]

Thanks for sharing the plan, and it's great to know that there will still be lots of great content to read (loving the reader and millionaire profiles, btw!). Two blogs is a lot to keep going while still working a regular job. Heck, even one blog is a lot of work, I'm sure. Keep up the great work, FMF, and congratulations on the fantastic new job!

[a terrible husband...]

I read them both. No problem at all. We got your back and will follow along where you are. Best of luck with the new gig!