Post More Regularly Or More On-Topic?

April 1st, 2007 · 6 Comments

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Collis from NorthxEast asks, “Is it more important to post really, really regularly OR to put together more on-topic posts less regularly?”

My response is the two options shouldn’t be mutually exclusive. I don’t think any blogger should post anything that is not on-topic to the blog. Doing so is a waste of everyone’s time. People read the blog because of the topic advertised and posting off-topic is like inviting someone to come over for a Halloween party then proceeding to make the party a very formal dinner instead. Imagine the shock someone gets when she walks in the door in a witch’s costume only to be directed to the dining room where everyone is dressed formally.

On the other hand, rushing a posting when the thought is only half-baked is equally damaging to your blog’s reputation and quality. All posts should be well thought out before being posted. If you have a new blog and your posts are half-baked, your blog will quickly be dismissed as irrelevant by the more established blogs and readers. Without their support, you can forget about ever being heard or well read.

One of the things I’ve realized since starting this blog and attracting so many subscribers quickly is how much time I have to dedicate to writing really useful posts so my readers won’t be disappointed and unsubscribe. Unfortunately, the ingredients for great posts take a lot of time to marinate and cook before the truly great post is produced.

As you know, I don’t blog for a living. Unfortunately, the demands of my day job means that sometimes I can’t blog on a daily basis. Instead of just posting for the sake of posting, I’ve decided so far to post only when I’ve fully “baked” the idea.

In summary, you have to post regularly or else you will lose readers but posting off-topic regularly or posting incomplete thoughts are even worse evils.

[If you have a question you like answered, email me at ihelpyoublog /at/ gmail /dot/ com.]

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Tags: Opinion · Rules For Blogging

6 responses so far ↓

1 collis // Apr 1, 2007 at 2:46 am

Awesome, thanks Philip!
2 Rory // Apr 2, 2007 at 10:21 am

Maaaaannn! I’m posting off-topic all the time! I guess I’d better rein it in.

I’m still not convinced that people are so quick to unsubscribe. But the point you make is a fair one.
3 Philip Liu // Apr 3, 2007 at 11:51 pm

Rory, maybe your readers are reading for your personality than any particular direction of your blog posts in which case, maybe most of what you post is on topic in the sense that they are expressions of you.
4 Rory // Apr 4, 2007 at 1:27 am

Keep talking, Philip, I like what you’re saying!

Actually, I did start the blog for a particular angle and it morphed into a more personal project. At the start of April I decided to get it back on track again, so Collis’s question and your answer were right on time.

I do think, however, that people reading it for my (outstanding!!) personality will be more forgiving if I stray off-topic momentarily. Like for a whole month…

Thanks for your encouraging reply, Philip.
5 Deb // Apr 15, 2007 at 10:36 pm

I decided to split my blogs up, so I can post on topic on certain blogs, and on one blog I try to post more regularly! I couldn’t decide so I do both, in different places! haahh
6 Philip Liu // Apr 19, 2007 at 1:22 am

Deb, I guess that works! Darren Rowse did something like that with 20 or so blogs when he first started.