Is Your Blog Content Killer or Filler?
With many bloggers feeling pressured to post something daily or multiple times daily to maintain their level of engagement, I think content can begin to suffer. No matter how much of an expert or guru someone is, the stuff can start to get recycled, irrelevant, tiresome or forced and often a bit too rich with keywords. Getting these posts in my inbox a couple of times a day, even from a “thought leader,” starts to feel a little spammy.
I do get the concepts of interruption and engagement, but being interrupted by the same person several times a day crosses the line for me. It has, for me, actually created the opposite effect. I am finding myself disengaging with some of the engagers, and have recently unsubscribed to several blogs for this reason. I have decided that since I now know that these blogs are there, I’ll choose when I want to be interrupted to read what they have to say. I’m taking control of my inbox back from the invaders.
I am a true believer in quality over quantity any day. A post for posting sake (and you can usually tell which ones those are) is a waste of both the writer’s and the reader’s time. There have been a couple of posts I’ve read recently that talk about the panic of writer’s block. These posts have given numerous suggestions on what to do and how to find something to say, including recycling older posts. My advice: don’t say anything. Wait a day (or even two) until you make an observation about something or read something, or see something or have a fresh idea worth sharing. Squeezing out the words like a stubborn pimple is painful for the writer and for the reader. Wait a little until the words flow more easily. It will lead to a more successful post that will truly offer something valuable, rather than simply supplying more verbiage to fill someone’s inbox.
What’s your take on this? Do you think it’s essential to post daily or multiple times daily, or are you inclined to be more conservative about it and post when you are driven to by a thought or idea that you need to share?
erin
wrote on September 8, 2009 at 9:52 am
I believe there is value in posting good material daily – so the reader’s know what to expect. Then again, I never run out of things to say – only the time to do it.
Cheryl Andonian aka Momblebee
wrote on September 8, 2009 at 10:02 am
Hi Erin,
Absolutely agree, if the posts are fresh and truly offer new insights or ideas every day. It’s just that I’m seeing a lot of re-hashed material lately and that’s when it starts to taste like spam.
Thanks for your thoughts on the subject!
Cheryl
Sarah
wrote on September 8, 2009 at 11:22 am
As I try to make my writing better, I’ve found lately I’ve let a day slide with no posts. I am a quality over quantity gal – that goes for friends and blog posts
I totally agree, the fillers can be killers.
Sarah, The Ohana Mama
Cheryl Andonian aka Momblebee
wrote on September 8, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Hi Sarah,
I think it’s rare for the quality to remain at a high level when the goal is to simply post daily. If the goal is to post something of substance, there may be a day or two without a post, and I personally think that’s a-ok.
Thanks for stopping by!
Cheryl
Felicia
wrote on September 8, 2009 at 3:47 pm
I also think it depends on your blog and what your goal is. There are a lot of couponing blogs that post multiple posts daily because that is when they get their info. Coupons have to be posted when you get them because they are generally only good for a few days (sometimes hours)….but.. I guess this would fall under the quality posts (if you are looking for coupons)!
I definitely get what you are saying. There have been days when there is just nothing worth posting.. so.. I don’t post!
Savannah Brentnall
wrote on September 8, 2009 at 4:37 pm
I’m with you. I tend to unsubscribe from blogs whose content is updated too frequently. The only exception is aggregator sites like Mashable with posts from many different bloggers and sources.
For my own personal blog, I try and post 3-4 times each week. Less, if I don’t think I have anything of value to say.
Cheryl Andonian aka Momblebee
wrote on September 8, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Hi Felicia…
You’re right – good point. I wasn’t really thinking about blogs that have time sensitive material when I wrote this. I was thinking more about informational blogs or blogs that offer commentary.
Thanks for adding your thoughts.
Cheryl
Cheryl Andonian aka Momblebee
wrote on September 8, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Savannah,
I think we all need to work it the best way that suits what we are intending to do. If everyday works for you and it makes sense, that’s great, as long as the content is fresh, informative or entertaining. If a few times a week satisfies what you have to say and keeps your audience engaged, then that’s fine too. It’s just the excessive posting for the sake of putting something up there that seems pointless.
Thanks for stopping by.
Tripp
wrote on September 8, 2009 at 6:02 pm
I started my blog 6 months ago. Blogged like crazy the first 3 months. 120 posts lots to say. I just slowed down to get my breath for feedback and my posts are too dense and other feedback. A need for a breather to re-evaluate for me, seems like we need to do some of that.
Regards, Tripp
Cheryl Andonian aka Momblebee
wrote on September 9, 2009 at 3:54 am
Hi Tripp,
I keep a file of blog post ideas and have a stock pile of posts in various stages of editing. I really like to spend the time and make sure I am saying exactly what I want to say without being to wordy. Oftentimes I’ll find that I have two or three ideas going on and will break it out into separate posts.
Thanks for visiting and sharing your thoughts!
Cheryl
Ellen E.
wrote on September 9, 2009 at 2:53 pm
I definitely agree with you and take a conservative approach. Content – tight and relevant to the audience – is the key to Fans. Even writing pros take time to formulate and write.
Cheryl Andonian aka Momblebee
wrote on September 9, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Hi Ellen-
I would say that is my approach as well. Maybe I’m a bit to obsessive when I write, but I do write and rewrite often before I hit publish!
Thanks for stopping by!
Cheryl
Judie Fouchaux
wrote on September 12, 2009 at 2:28 pm
I like blogging for the fun of it. If it stopped being exciting and fun I think I’d stop blogging. I aim for 2 times a week but will go with only one if I’m busy with other work. I’m sitting on a lot of ideas but without the time to get them out. To many posts turn me off as well.
Judie