This is a guest post by Matthew.
Just like many other bloggers out there, I’ve often asked myself the question “how often should I post to keep my readers satisfied?”.
While I haven’t found a definitive answer to it yet, and honestly I don’t believe I ever will – blogging is dynamic, it requires adjustment all the time – I’ve sure learned quite a few important things about posting rhythm in the meanwhile.
No Definitive Rules
There are no clear cut rules regarding posting frequency. While many successful bloggers post every day, some even multiple times, others post less frequently – one or two times per week. It all depends on the type of blog you’re running, on your time, and of course, on your personal style.
The all important point here is to understand yourself and the scope of your blog and to find the posting rhythm that works best for you. Because doing so is not necessarily easy, I’m going to talk about some things you should look at.
Finding Your Pace
Many inexperienced bloggers think that if they fail to post every day they have no aptitude for blogging whatsoever.
This is not true. I’ve been through it myself, and I know really well how demoralizing it can be to fail to meet the posting goals you’ve set yourself. Fortunately, there simply isn’t any posting limit that guarantees your success – it’s all about testing and experimenting.
Consider carefully these factors when deciding how often you make updates:
- The popularity of your niche. The more activity there is on rival blogs the more posts you have to make.
- The average length of your posts.
- Your readership’s expectations.
- Your aspirations. If you plan to keep your blog personal and be the only one updating it you shouldn’t set a too ambitious posting limit you won’t be able to keep up with.
It’s Better to Start Slow
I remember when I started my diet blog of Medifast coupons and Diet to Go discounts, I determined I will post 3 times a week.
By setting an easily achievable posting norm in the beginning you’ll be able to reach your goals and, more importantly, you’ll avoid that which might kill your blogging aspirations altogether: failure to update your content frequently.
Making up your mind to post every day is not going to work if you’re not used to it. Not only will there be moments when you’ll struggle to write your posts, but also, in the instances when you manage to pull it off, the quality of your content will suffer. And quality content is the backbone of every successful blog
So start slow and gradually increase your posting frequency. Three posts per week is usually good to start with.
Be Constant and Pay Attention to Your Readers’ Response
When increasing or decreasing your posting frequency monitor your readers’ response. I’ve noticed that readers are particularly paying attention when there is an abundance of material.
However, if they find that the content they have to digest is becoming more than they can handle, then some will get a bit annoyed. Refrain from abruptly modifying your posting rhythm or you might lose a couple of readers.
Be constant when it comes to adding material to your blog and make sure you let your audience know when you’re making considerable modifications in this regard. They’ll appreciate it.
Determine What Is Affecting Your Posting Rate & Address It
Have you ever scrutinized your posting process to determine where blockages occur? If you haven’t then you definitely should. It will help you tremendously to increase your posting proficiency.
If coming up with ideas gives you the most trouble, then try to address this by assigning some time every week for brainstorming, and by getting into the habit of thinking about ideas way before deadlines.
Planning in advance will prevent pressure from building up, which always takes its toll on your efficiency.
On the other hand, if generating ideas is your strong point, but you find difficult finishing the articles you’ve started, then try to change the way you work, shifting the focus from quantity to quality.
Obstructions in the writing process can appear almost anywhere. It’s important to identify them and to come up with solutions.
When You Don’t Have Anything Good to Post Don’t Post
If you’re ever in doubt whether to post or not a modest piece it’s almost always safer not to. From what I’ve seen, the reaction of readers is worse when they read something second rate than when they have to wait a day or two more for new content.
If a post doesn’t provide information, inspiration, or entertainment for your reader, then think twice about submitting it.
Efficiency Improves With Time – Be Patient
With time it becomes easier to keep your blog updated, but you don’t need someone else to tell you this. Think of any activity you’ve been doing for a long time. Don’t you carry it out now much better than you did in the beginning? The same applies to blogging. The more effort you invest into posting and the more time you set aside for it the better you’ll become.
Remember that you must find your own posting rhythm, and don’t be easily discouraged when you’re not as productive as you would like. Just keep at it. Results will come.
This is what I had to say about posting frequency but I’m really curious to learn what you think. How many times do you post weekly? And what advice can you share with bloggers who would like to post more often?
Since starting his first blog in 2009, Matthew has been sharing his online experience with other fellow bloggers. In his blog, which offers coupon deals for weight management programs, such as a Diet to Go coupon code and a coupon code for Medifast meal replacement plan, Matthew reviews weight loss programs and diet plans.
Gloson’s comment:
You’ve listed down some great ideas. Some of your points captured my attention, especially where you said we should determine what’s affecting your posting rate and address it. I really agree with it—If we can break down our problems, we can overcome them with great ease.
I’ve certainly learned a lot from this post. Thank you very much Matthew. 🙂
I’ve made a rule for myself, which is: if you have time and new ideas to share, share them. If you have none, it’s either you post a site update (new pages, a book review, etc.), or nothing.
I used to force myself to blog in the past, but that got anxiety attacks in the way, which is something I must absolutely avoid for my health, and it wouldn’t bring any good to my readers as well. Now, I own and manage over 200 blogs; some of them at just starting out, some are well placed, but with all of them I apply the same rule: when creativity speaks, there I got writing. 🙂
~ Luana S.
Yeah Gloson, you are right that efficiency improves with time. we should keep our self be patient and should wait for better result. Great
-Sara Angel
Some great points covered and highlighted here. Especially i like “When You Don’t Have Anything Good to Post Don’t Post”. which must be kept in mind as it becomes the problem for many bloggers today.
Robin
I agree with Robin on this one.
I see an awful lot of bloggers who post something below value simply because they are afraid that they must post at a certain frequency in order to maintain traffic. I understand their concern. But, why are you really blogging? If people are truly interested in what you have to say, do you really think they are going to care if you post at a slower rate or if you only post when you have something really important to say?
I for one, prefer blogs by people who only post when they have useful information to share.
There are no rule on posting frequency. However if your blog already have many followers, frequent article posting(e.g daily or weekly) will make them keep coming back because they know when you will be posting a new article and maybe recommend to their friends.
I make posts on my blog once a day, sometimes once in two days. But if you want to keep your blog alive, i suggest you make at least a post in two weeks. It will help search engines to continue to crawl your site for new posts, thus increasing your traffics and making visitors wanna come back to see what is new in your blog.
I always wondered what should be the rate of publishing content,but never gave it a serious thought.Well i got most of the answers here and “Be Constant and Pay Attention to Your Readers’ Response” < i think this point is where a blogger should concentrate more on.
Nice Post Matthew
I’ve been trying to get at least one post in every day. So far I’m enjoying it too.
I agree that everyone should find their own pace, but it should be quick enough for the visitors to want to come back and read more. I’ve seen blogs that get updated just a few times a year and I think that’s too little.
I must agree this is another great post from your side. Two thumbs up for this post, pretty useful tips on blogging thanks! I like your point “When You Don’t Have Anything Good to Post Don’t Post”. Because if you will post unnecessary topics traffic may decrease.
This is one thing I struggle with, I think my problem is just focus though, I will get side tracked with trivial issues on my site when really I should just be getting content out. Or getting side tracked by SEO, but then again that is pretty important I guess.
Hi Metthew,
It is a very informative post on blog posting.I agreed with your point to start posting slowly and steadily because mostly bloggers loose their interest if they star so fast. Looking forward for your new postings. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Matthew, This post is so helpful for bloggers. Usually this is the dilemma. Knowing how frequent to update a blog is very important to achieve consistency and to never disappoint your regular readers. I think it varies for every blogger because some bloggers have their reason why they only post new article every week, some 3x a week and some everyday. Gloson, I’m learning so much from your blog.
A daily update/publishing is definitely advisable. But, for those bloggers who can’t make it daily, once a week blog update is fie.
I have also a debate on this with my wife since we work online as an SEO. I wanted to have a blog site but I am really wondering how things would since I actually really on my wife about the articles and sometimes she isn’t writing anything at all. And you are basically correct that there is not time difference on how often or not you have to post but it is about how you are able to keep up with the rhythm of your blog. The answer also lies on what kind of a blog do you have?
If you don’t have anything interesting to write, sometimes I find asking my audience a question works great – they enjoy expressing themselves and their comments usually give me inspiration for other posts. Win-win! 🙂
Gloson, This is my first visit to your blog, and I’m blown away at what you are doing as such a young age!
really good piece of content Mathew, i enjoyed it very much ad thanks for sharing.
Awesome tips for a newbie like me. I planned to start with more but i couldn’t take over with it. But as you said, it’s better to start slower, i.e. 3 posts per week and increase it gradually with the time. I will bookmark this. Thanks for suggesting useful tip to be successful blogger.:)
I agree with you Jomson, these tips are really impressive and useful.
I think besides often publishing contents its equally important to publish quality content. Its important to often post fresh, good posts so that readers keep visiting our sites. A blog which hardly post becomes uninteresting.
I take lots of time to write a blog but these information are really good to do this fast but i prefer to do this slowly with interest.
Hi Metthew,
You have shared a very simple and useful point here.Success in blogging always achieve by doing work slowly and steadily.This thing helps you to think properly and you can give better result.Thanks for this post.
ya i agree with you but one thing is also true that this little kid has great ability to post interesting article every time which attracts visitors.
I really idolize you to be successful in a very young age Gloson. You’re very smart young guy. I think your parents must be proud of you then. Two thumbs up for you!
Hi Matthew. Great post. I think many bloggers, whether new or seasoned, face this question. Thanks for clearing this up.
Having a blog is to continually post it consistently so that readers can definitely been satisfied to whatever post you’ll have ‘coz they’ll expect to what you’ve cater for them.
I agree with you Gloson, these tips are really impressive and useful. Being just a small kid you have really good blogging skills