With a book and a move on the horizon (more on the move another time), I’ve decided to cut back on my blogging schedule. Instead of posting five days a week, I will now post every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Before I began blogging, I read again and again that unless you posted daily, you wouldn’t be taken seriously. I’m finding that not to be the case. I read many of you who post three times a week, others who post five, some who go the daily route, and others still who post only when they can. Your posting schedule doesn’t affect my reading.
How about you? Are you more inclined to follow a blog because its a reliable daily read? What about those who post regularly, but only several times a week? Do you follow any bloggers who post occasionally?
Hi, this is my first visit to your site. I arrived via Just Jemi. I’ve been blogging since November so I’m really new to it all but I’ve found that if I want to continue with my writing, my life and produce a carefully considered blog posting I can’t manage more than one every 5 to 7 days. I’m impressed that you’ve been blogging every day and look forward to reading your three-times-a-week blogs.
I’ve learned that I read blogs for their content, whether they post every day or every week. Not just because they post. And yours is always filled with great content!
There’s a book fair coming this month so I’m still on the hunt.
There are blogs I will visit at least three times a week. Maybe they don’t post that many times, but I have found something useful, something funny. These blogs are rich and prolific and luxurious pit stops when I need a word fix.
Like yours!
In general I’ve found that when it comes to blogs, less is usually more.
I used to think I needed to blog at least three times a week and be very regular, but my writing time is so limited that it really isn’t practical. It kind of defeats the purpose if I’m using all my writing time to keep up the blog. It also helps the quality of my posts when I’m not pressured to be “regular.”
I’ll still be reading and look forward to Mon, Wed, Friday!
I read blogs bases on the writing, the information, the person, and the relationship I’ve developed with them. It has nothing to do with how often they blog as long as there is a schedule. If it’s random, I might miss it because I don’t check as often.
If I like a blog, it goes right into my Google Reader. Then – it doesn’t matter at all how often you post. I’ll always read it when it’s updated. =)
Anyway, my favorite blog of all time is postsecret.com and he only updates on Sundays.
I think consistency draws me back. I have a harder time following people who post sporadically–one week on Tues. and Friday and the next on Monday and Wed. I tend to forget them more easily than someone who posts regularly. I absolutely don’t think it’s helpful to post every day. Maybe it can be if you’re someone like Nathan Bradford or Rachelle Gardner! But not for the average Joe-shome like us! We need to focus on our books first and foremost!
I used to post five days a week, but that and working on a book darn near killed me. I backed off a bit to four, and that seems to be working pretty well. I’m with Jody in that books come first. As long as you keep a regular schedule, I think you’ll be just fine.
I’m another fan of Google reader. Honestly, I don’t even notice how often people post anymore. What I do notice is that I am happier when I see some blogs have posted than I am when I see others. I know certain blogs I’ll just skim over most of the time. Others I’ll save to read when I can pay attention.
I don’t worry too much about posting on a schedule. As long as we get 2-3 posts out in a week, that’s enough. People will find them.
No worries … a posting schedule doesn’t really change my reading habits. Now, if someone drops off the map completely, I might fall out of habit .. but other than that, it really doesn’t matter.
Are you a member of the Elevnsies? or 2k11? you should consider joining! I’d love to share this debut year with another blogging friend! Check out the Elevensies at community.livejournal.com/2011debuts
or email me if you are interested in knowing more about 2k11. i’m at tesshilmo(at)comcast(dot)net
either way is fine, just wanted to make sure an invite was extended.
Wow Caroline, I give you so much credit for blogging 5 days a week.
Like the others have mentioned, I put all of my favorite blogs in my Google reader — so I usually don’t miss new posts. But I’m so busy right now that even if a blogger did post every day, sometimes I wouldn’t be able to read them until later in the week.
And like others have said, I tend to visit and comment on blogs for the content quality and not so much the content quantity.
But if I do visit a blog and they haven’t blogged let’s say a month, I wouldn’t put them in my Google Reader–because that’s a little too inconsistent.
I dropped the every day posting over a year ago and could not be more happy about it.
I’m not coming back ever again. 🙂 Just kidding. I think someone else up there made a good point- consistency, having a schedule. That should keep people happy. Post Secret only posts 1x/week and they have plenty of readers! Because everyone knows the post will come Sunday… so they can get excited about it. Otherwise, I use google reader and doesn’t matter to me when people post… I’ll still read it.
(Also.. .side note… I’m about 100 pages in to the Dead-Tossed Waves. I’m having a hard time getting pulled in like with the FOHT, but I’m still enjoying it!)
I use google reader so it doesn’t matter to me. Some blogs I click on as soon as I see they have an updated post. That’s because of the quality of what they put in it, not the quantity.
I’m only around M,W, F myself so this works for me! I’d imagine it would be difficult to keep up everyday. Welcome to blogging-light!
Candice is one of my favorite bloggers and she only posts once a week or so. I don’t think it matters, as long as we enjoy the site. And I LOVE your blog, Caroline! 🙂
I’m loving these comments, everyone. Thanks for the insight (and the nice words!).
Since, Valerie, you’ll never be back,;) I’d better say I’m finding TDTW not slow but not as engaging. Part of that might be the reader’s voice. I love that Mary is in the story, though, and look forward to seeing how things unfold.
I’m in awe of you folks who post every day. How in heaven’s name do you do it? I’ve recently jumped my blog up to two posts a week: one written post on Sundays and one video post on Wednesdays. I’d go crazy if I had to post more often than that!
I recognize that everyone has their own life outside of blogging. I post when I get the chance and just because that may be more or less than others doesn’t mean I’m any less of a fan. I check in almost every day and I enjoy what I read when it’s there to be read.
Good luck with the new schedule!
Most important to me is whether I can subscribe and read via Google Reader. I remain a subscriber if I like the content. And I like yours. 🙂
As long as blogs are current–as in a few days or so of the date–I keep on reading! I think writing (and usually life:) comes first (easier said than done), so I commend you on the new schedule. We’ll keep up with you!
I just want to know when you’re going to post. Then I know that you’ll be with Jody Hedlund and Wendy and Katie and Tamika, all who post on a MWF schedule. I’m even okay if it’s only one day a week, as long as you’re predictable and I know.
Good luck with your book! So exciting!!!
I’m all for not every day. I think I actually read the people who post every day less than those who post less, because every day gets to be too much to read, ya know? I think this is a smart move, and like Elana, I think all that matters is that people know what to expect. 🙂
I think it’s fine if you only post a few times a week. Just let us know and be consistent. As we all try to read each other’s blog, I think it’s good not to blog as much. Good luck on your book.
I’ve had to cut back to 3 days a week and sometimes it still feels like a lot. So I understand and definitely come back… and applaud everything from a sabbatical, an unplug week, or just a change in schedule.
I actually like it when people don’t blog every day cuz then I don’t feel guilty about reading every post. There just isn’t time!!!! I don’t blame you at all. 🙂
Hey, Caroline, I promise I won’t be offended either way, but I’m looking for another writer to critique my latest novel, and I saw that you liked TFHT and that book helped inspire me to write this one. I would really like to find an agent to represent me for this book, and need it to get in perfect shape. One friend already worked wonders for me, but I thought I’d give it one more round with another writer.
The genre is crossover fiction (YA to adult), dystopian and inspired by TFHT and The Maze Runner by James Dashner and abc’s Lost. If you’re too busy, no worries at all. I have a pitch session with an editor next month OR am considering giving it to my publisher OR landing an agent (if the stars would ever align that way). If I’m not incredibly annoying or even if you want to politely say “NO WAY!!” email me at ladyingray03@yahoo.com. Or I’ll just check back here. Thanks, Caroline!!
I find that the “follow” feature makes the consistancy of posts less important for me…though I do still like it when bloggers post more often than not just because I like reading! I need to get on a schedule for my own blogging, to keep myself honest 🙂
I follow blogs that I like to read, whether they post on a daily basis or not. And I’ll still read yours, even if you’re switching to three times a week.
Case closed.
🙂
I follow a blog because it is intriguing or entertaining, not because they regularly post. Best of luck with book and move.
As others have said, since I keep my favorite blogs on Google Reader, it doesn’t matter how often you blog, within reason. If posts drop to once every three months, I’ll drop that blog, but otherwise, I’ll read it when you post it.
I write three times a week because i just couldn’t keep up with the five day a week schedule. I think 3-5 posts a week is the sweet spot. A blog has to be really really good for me to be craving it everyday.