Finding the Right "Sweet Spot" For Updating Your Blog

Jen's Home made Brownies

 

Knowing how often to update your Blog is as crucial to your blog’s success as the topics you choose to address.
I like to compare it to “preparing” a meal for consumption.
Think of it this way…

No matter how tasty a spice may be, if you use it in excess, it becomes overpowering and less appetizing. Too little seasoning, and it comes off as bland, and lacking a sense of commitment and care for the other person‘s experience. Balance becomes crucial.
Still, it’s a question that baffles many bloggers. How often should you post?

If you’re one of them, here are a few things to consider, as you plan your strategy in the upcoming months. Let's take a look at a few contributing factors.

　
YOUR LIFESTYLE:
How much time do you “seriously” have to devote to quality blog posts, given your other creative responsibilities? Do you have a “9 to 5” as well? Kids? A support system? Good time management skills? It’s much better to craft a few well-conceived, quality posts a few times a month, than to attempt to do one every day a week, that lacks substance and real take-away value. Even though Google is said to reward bloggers for frequent updates and longer posts, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons accordingly.

YOUR BLOG’S GOAL:
Is it to entertain? To educate? To highlight an important cause? To share celebrity gossip? To showcase your work? Your blog’s goal will often dictate how frequent you post, based upon your reason for connecting. For example, if your site is to show off your poetry, most people would probably become bored by reading your work, (and I’m sure it’s lovely) five days a week. Keep in mind the expression: “All things in moderation.”

OTHER BLOGS IN YOUR NICHE AREA:
How often do the “successful” bloggers in your niche update? And equally as important would be your reader’s “need to know” factor. Most blogs that I follow in the creative writing and marketing arena, typically publish new material 2-3 times a week.
Here are a few other things to examine and assess:

• The more frequent you post, the easier it is to “burn out.” Trust me; blogging is hard work. Proper pacing will enable you to maintain momentum and go the distance.
• The more frequent you post, the greater the likelihood that you’ll have to use previously published material, to keep up with the frantic pace. Most people don’t prefer “left-overs” in excess.
• The more frequent you post, the harder it is to come up with substantive, quality posts. No doubt you’ve encountered this with other bloggers. You know the ones... their posts may include their pet’s activities, or what they had to eat for the day, or rants with no real direction or purpose. Do you really want to add to that? J
• The more frequent you post, the less time your audience has to "digest" your offerings and to interact thoughtfully. Let it settle. Then serve "seconds."
• If you post sporadically and inconsistently, this can be equally detrimental. It causes your audience to feel ignored and frustrated. You risk losing "regular" readers. Additionally, readers may not perceive you as being as committed or as professional as your peers.

The best way to approach things here, is to start off slowly. Be realistic. Test the waters. See what works. Then modify accordingly.
Keeping in mind that: "Sometimes less is more."

Thoughts? Agree or disagree?
Have you found your "sweet spot" yet?