How often should I post to my blog?
Is daily too much?
What about once a week, is that enough?
If I post too frequently, won’t I upset people?
These are just a few of the questions I see bounced around the internet and hear from clients when it comes to the frequency of blogging.
First, think of the internet like a giant party. There are multiple conversations going on at once with different people as they gather together in different groups. Some stand around in the kitchen, some are sitting on the back porch, others gathered around the couch. Your blog and the posts you share are your voice and contribution to the conversation that you are trying to be a part of or even the conversation that you are trying to start and lead.
To have a conversation there must be some form of two way interaction. Someone who is speaking and someone who is listening. Hopefully though, as with any meaningful conversation, it’s interactive and there is some balance in who talks and who listens so that everyone can contribute, learn and grow.
You’re blog is like that.
If you’re trying to start a conversation at a party the number one thing you must do is… talk. It doesn’t mean talk about yourself or over talk others, it means to engage people in a way that is interesting and thoughtful so that the conversation has value for all involved.
This is where frequency comes in.
The more you talk, the greater the chance that the conversation will continue. If you just say a word here and there and don’t actively and regularly conversate, you won’t have very dynamic conversations and could end up seeing people leave your conversation for another, more interesting one.
Just look at a few of the top bloggers (Seth Godin, Chris Brogan, CopyBlogger, Michael Hyatt, Mashable, etc.)… how frequently do they post? Most post multiple times per week, some even multiple times per day.
Frequency has a direct correlation on traffic. It’s obvious by watching what the top bloggers do and I’ve seen it myself through my own blogging and stat watching… but it’s not just frequency alone, it’s quality combined with frequency that makes a difference. You can post daily and gain no traffic if your posts aren’t interesting and adding value to others.
Frequency keeps the conversation going but quality makes the conversation meaningful.
The moral to the story is this…
If you want to increase your traffic, you must contribute regularly to the conversation. How regularly is up to you but don’t expect to pop in and pop out with an occasional, random post and have any chance of building a real conversation that grows and attracts others to it. It won’t happen. Facilitators of great conversations keep it active, they keep it moving and add a little life to the party.
What about you? What are your thoughts on frequency? How frequent do you post to your blog? Have you seen any direct correlation to frequency and traffic?
Related posts:
Tue, Aug 24, 2010
Influence, Marketing, Resources, Social Media