When I first started blogging almost 7 years ago, I posted every 2-4 days. Somewhere along the line, I felt that more posts meant more hits, more regulars, more comments, and whatever else can be tied to more. I eventually settled into a schedule that balanced preparation and commitment. Not too long ago, I ended two long-running series in order to reduce posting. So far, I’m content with that decision.
“Posting and Frequency” was one of the themes readers offered in the comments in my post, On the Blogging Blues (April 27, 2015). All I’ve done is collect the comments, organized them into topics, then paraphrased the words. Thanks again to the readers for making this post and the entire series possible.
Topic: Posting and Frequency
Because there are so many blogging styles and routines, one size doesn’t fit all
Visiting and commenting elsewhere daily is more important than posting daily.
Don’t fear the space between posts because you aren’t going to lose anyone.
Find a schedule/routine that works for you.
Too much can overwhelm readers.
A posting rhythm is important – but the preferred rhythm is different for everyone.
The “too-muchness” factor can lead to the Blogging Blues.
Regarding one’s posts, learn the difference between quality and quantity.
Blogs are different from Facebook, so don’t treat blog posts in the same light as Facebook posts.
Find a rhythm in having an event for each day. This keeps the blog fresh for the host and the reader … thus, the amount of angst down to a dull roar. I never have to sit and wonder what I’m going to write because the schedule dictates.
Use your notification tools wisely in order to manage the flow of emails.
Past Topics in This Series
Blogging
Breaks and the Blues
Community
Next Topic: Writing
A Frank Angle 
Great comments and advice. I especially like the comment about it being more important to visit and comment than posting daily. That’s a great point turns into a domino effect. By visiting and thoughtfully posting it probably leaves one less time to post.
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George,
I absolutely agree. I learned early that important factors are for the host to answer comments and reciprocate … and domino effect is a great way to describe what can happen.
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This kernel of wisdom:
“Too much can overwhelm readers.”
Should appear on the Jumbotron in Times Square, Frank.
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Lame,
Is putting “Too much” on a jumbotron an oxymoron? 😉 … I couldn’t resist.
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Oh how I agree with you LA!
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Blogging seems seasonal too. It slows down in the summer–which isn’t surprising–and sometimes in the winter when people get blah-ed by the cold and feel the need to hibernate a bit. But let’s not think of winter just yet.
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Carrie,
I’m with you about the seasonal affect, but the come-and-go nature of blogs also affect stats. For instance, 5 people who visit every day is 25 per week – over 1200 per year. … but it also works in the opposite direction. Then again, there is a difference in watching the stats and thriving for stats.
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That there is.
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Yes well precised again Frank. Thank you for collating all this and keeping it in front of us. I’m sure I’ve said it before, for me it’s about building a community and interacting and respecting those who make up your community that is more important than posting for ‘hits’. I don’t understand the thinking behind pushing the ‘like’ button when you haven’t even read the post for example – what is that about?
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Pauline,
Thanks for your affirmation and appreciation of this post. As you know, the readers here have provided many great suggestions, thus the reason for my series of collations. To answer your question, I think it’s primarily done to enhance their own traffic – that is getting you to visit them. Well … that’s a reason, so I imagine there are others.
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I used to post 2 to 3 times a day which eventually overwhelmed me, though considering the main theme of my blog, it’s not really surprising. Now, I have settled to post one post a day. Of course, my stats suffered but it’s ok since I’m now quite comfortable with my current posting schedule.
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Abyss,
I would guess your comment represents many bloggers because that’s something we had to learn … and I say WE because I know that’s true for me – that is in adjusting a posting schedule. Yes, stats suffered, but I’ve learned to accept that.
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Frequency of posting really reflects the personality of the blogger. The folks who schedule, prepare their posts differently than those who just wing it (or whinge it!). There’s lots of room for all types! We balance each other out.
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Elyse,
Your concluding point about room for all types is perfect because the blogosphere is extremely diverse.
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Frequency of posting is one consideration, length of posts is another if you really want to cultivate a community, receive decent comments and take time to reply to the comments. I don’t care to deal with blogs that post daily, except for a couple of them where the postings are short and sweet, and have something original to tell, so I can read and respond without a huge commitment of time. I don’t want to read novels, or long excerpts from memoirs. People who constantly reblog the posts of others or copy and paste a lot of stuff from the internet also turn me away. And when a blog starts to look and sound too much like Facebook, I’m outta there!
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Cynthia,
I’m right with you in many ways – yet both of us recognize the wide spectrum of flavors in blog land. Thanks for sharing your important thoughts.
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Thanks for sharing these insights, Frank. I like your description of “too muchness”. Good advice with a soundtrack is the best!
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Danica,
Glad you appreciate the list, but I have to give credit where credit is due – these came from my readers, thus I merely collected them. The “too muchness” point is a great way to make a point.
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Dear Frank, for me is matter of time… and priorities. Sometimes I just like to read and comment, feel other people emotions and watch beautiful pictures. Other times I really don’t get my way to the PC since family, work and house evaporate my time… But I do agree the quality is more important than quantity!
Have a lovely day :-)claudine
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Claudine,
Your choices frees yourself from obligations, which I greatly respect because others feel an obligation to post – thus a pressure. Yes, blogging is only part of our life, and not the main part! Thanks for sharing your wisdom.
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At first I posted almost every day, but as I got more followers I became conscious of not annoying people with too many posts. I have cut back to every 2 or 3 days, which suits me much better as I have a couple of blogs.
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Debra,
You have discovered the right balance for you and your readers, both of which are important. And so others know, most of the time posts on your blogs are independent from the others. Cheers to your efforts.
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“Visiting and commenting elsewhere daily is more important than posting daily.”
This is me 🙂 I mean for me… I do appreciate this more than my own posting… And yes, for all of us “time” is matter and also we don’t have the same internet fast too… sometimes it takes time to post something or to give a comment… Another point that you did, yes, I do agree too about quality is more important than quantity… I really feel lucky myself, because this is amazingly a wonderful community… Thank you dear Frank, you did a wonderful post, Love, nia
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Nia,
I know that you are one who loves people as you have embraced many just as you would if they were your neighbor either in the city or the village. … Yes, a wonderful community it is! You have are very experienced blogger, so I appreciate you sharing your view. Many blessings for your new day!
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Thank you dear Frank, same wishes for you too, love, nia
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😀
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My blogging began a little more than three years ago. A response to requests from friends and family, it is a ramble through my lifetime, based on my current days. A diary of sorts. So I post daily, and have been surprised and pleased by the number of new friends it has brought me. Occasionally, when out of the country, with no internet access, I have been a day or so late. Then Jackie has received phone calls or e-mails asking if there is anything wrong.
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Derrick,
Thanks for sharing your perspective. Cheers to friends wondering about you when you don’t post … especially when gone a few days. Got to love the concern! Given your format, you could easily let readers know you won’t be posting for a few days – as in taking a break (instead of leaving town).
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I certainly could, Frank, but when I set myself a task…….
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Brilliant [and very helpful] advice, Frank!
Happy Tuesday, my friend! 🙂
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Marina,
Another outstanding collection from my regulars! Cheers to your Tuesday.
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🙂 …and Wednesday! 😉
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Which means you get to wake up to the next act of Meals: The Musical.
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I really like these suggestions. Particularly the second one! :p
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I’m a newbie and feel unsure about how often to post but I just post as and when I feel like it. No pressure just fun!
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Deshi,
Welcome first-time commenter and blogging newbie. An important aspect about blogging is what you wrote: “No pressures, just fun!” As a newbie, I encourage you to read the other posts in this series (linked at the end).
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Will do! Many thanks 👍🏼
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Insightful and truthful as always, Frank. It’s so cyclical this blogging. I’m glad people stick around, it’s a good place to hang out and catch up. Good reading and good comraderie. Cheers, sir!
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We’ve discussed this before, so nothing else to add, but good suggestions. 🙂
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I totally agree with fellow bloggers, your blog has to feel comfortable to you or it is just like having a job. Some of my favorite bloggers post every day…way too often to keep up with let alone comment on.
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Karen.
Very well stated. In terms of keeping up, I simply try to do what I can .. but I also accept that I can’t do it all. Take care of that foot!
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Hi Frank! You always do such good discussion posts. I was given advice by a friend to follow a posting schedule a while ago, and I know I told you about it, but don’t know if you would remember. Anyway, we thought it would help me with self-discipline, but I was only able to maintain it for about 2 weeks! Didn’t work at all! I think I would have had better success with it if I wasn’t working. So now I post when I can, but it depends on how much time I have. I prefer to post less often with posts I hope have something to contribute, rather than post stuff about me just expressing myself which has been kind of a progression for me, I guess. (Although that self-expression feels good sometimes).
Love your video, too – always been a Pink Floyd fan! 🙂
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Kelly,
You make a great point about a posting schedule. Although it is a good idea for some, it isn’t for everyone. Then again, the point also ties to what the blog is about. For instance, a schedule was good for me when I had the weekly magazine format. But with my topics being less cohesive than before, I don’t feel as tied to it. Thanks for sharing your perspective!!!
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You’re welcome!
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Two life truths I got from your post today:
(1) “Blogs are different from Facebook” – (I like Afrankangle and I’m not on Facebook)
(2) “(Keep) the amount of angst (in your life) down to a dull roar.” (Avoid three-putts and double bogies)
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Tim,
Correct on both counts!
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I’m spending far more time commenting and answering comments at the moment. My own posts have slowed down and also by necessity gotten less wordy. I often suspect that many people skim over the words and just look at the pictures. Good post, Frank. 🙂
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Another good post on blogging. And a very god point re the Facebook difference. Look forward to the next one.
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Fasab,
Thanks .. but cheers to those who made these comments possible!
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That was a “good” point Frank. Don’t get carried away 🙂
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Fasab,
Absolutely a great point, which could be seen as a good summary! Thanks.
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People whose posts are short, easy, and quick to write seem to post more often than those who write longer posts requiring more effort.
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LB,
As a whole, I would agree with that. After all, the longer posts require more preparation.
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you’re writing about an important topic:
“Interacting with others beats counting stats…”
= this is also a perfect resume for me as a guitarist,
listen to my playlist TOGETHER:
https://soundcloud.com/fingerstyle_guitar/sets/together
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Frizz,
Not only am I listening, I’m enjoying the music.
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Well summer is upon us, vacation time is here, blogging is a little less for me, especially since I love being outdoors.
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Catherine,
Summer has an effect on some, so cheers to your love for the outdoors.
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I just love this post. I think some people forget that you have to go at your own pace when posting. I remember when I was posting twice a day, no wonder I burned out. It was too much. People will continue to support you even if you don’t post twice a day… was a lesson I had to learn. I hope new bloggers read this post, it will definitely help so many.
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Kay,
Thanks so much for sharing your perspective and experience. Just like in life, one can learn from those with experience. I would hope that new bloggers would read the entire series.
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Hi Kia,
you know what I discovered? At some point posting won’t bring you the biggest audience but liking and commenting around on other blogs will as well. I’ve seen how this has brought many views back to my blog. Just by interacting more. The “Reader” is a good help in this sense.
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Yep … interacting is important and delivers benefits … but on the downside, it is time consuming.
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I find it difficult sometimes to be consistent 🙂 moved to a new continent few months ago and it’s a challenge sometimes.
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Stanito,
Good to see you again … it’s been a while. Moving is a story in itself, let alone changing continents. Do you have a routine yet?
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Hello Frank,
good to see you too! It’s been a while 🙂 it’s been a busy year between last October and now.
True what you say… only now, 7 months later, I feel a bit more settled in my new country, Mexico.
Routine should be 3 times a week, 2 photos of the day and 1 feature post, however, because I let my blog alone for a while I need to recover from that and get my stats back up again. For this reason I decided to post more often, almost everyday until I see a decent increase in audience. At least that is what I think it’s going to work out for me 😛
Do you have any suggestions or tips? 🙂
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Thanks for catching me up. If you are blogging for business purposes, think of your blog as a weekly magazine. For instance, Mondays – A photo entry … Wednesday – a feature … Friday. Tips … then repeat the pattern the following week. (Note – The topics were just suggestions to share different themes for a given day) Just something to ponder.
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Noted 🙂
I will do this and see how that works out. Thank you Frank!
Is the idea of hosting other bloggers as guests bloggers a good idea?
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I’m not sure I’ve hosted others … and I know I’ve never been a guest blogger. Collaborating with others about their travels may be an idea. But if it’s for business purposes, you must drive the post, not your guest. So it goes back to these questions that you must answer to self: Why blog? What do I expect to get from blogging?
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Great feedback. I like the comment about quality v quantity. Some bloggers post multiple times a day with reblogs of famous people’s quotes. I don’t need that much inspiration! 😉
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Lorna,
I must admit that your comment made me laugh … but I know what you mean.
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🙂
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Lorna hi, just saw your blog and loved it!
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Thanks so much! 🙂
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Oh do I ever hear you, Lorna!
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As my graffiti blog is pictures, the posts are quick to do. So 1 every day or every other day is fun. This is of course, if I am not on a job. In that case once a week is a luxury.
I also like visiting, commenting & answering comments. I basically do what feels fun.
Sometimes I feel a bit panicky, as I have over 400 bits, pieces & murals saved up that I want to share.
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Resa,
Thanks for sharing your perspective about posting. I imagine your time is in finding and taking the pics of the murals. Although your our posting daily, each post has a unique nature to them.
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I could listen to Time, time and again.
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Val,
I’m glad that I picked the right song for you.
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Interesting post, Frank! It’s great that so many different blogging styles and strategies exist. I get inspired every day, said not in a Polly Anna sort of way, I assure you!
Cheers,
Theadora
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Theordora,
Oh yes … so many styles, strategies, formats, and more … thus one size doesn’t fit all … and absolutely others inspire others in a way only the one inspired understands. In my case, readers made so many worthy comments on the original post, they inspired me to collate and organize their ideas.
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Sometimes good intentions do fall by the wayside because of work commitments – or even social media fatigue.
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Colline,
No question that work and other life commitments impact blogging posting. In terms of social media fatigue, yep … it can be due to others, self inflicted, or a combination of both.
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I used to post 5-6 times a week, but I soon found out that I was stressed out and quality was suffering. Now, I try to post every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, which has been a bit liberating….
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Jeff,
My story is similar – especially regarding the liberating feeling. I tend to believe that there is also a liberating feeling on the reader side as well.
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“Blogs are different than Facebook”. Yesyesyes. And TwitterTumblr…
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Vagabonde,
As we know, some bloggers treat the two as equivalents – but my guess is they are a minority.
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Wonderful series, Frank. No doubt many are smiling and nodding along.
More is not always better and reblogging constantly/too many guest posts tend to make people wander off.
So many blogs and different styles make it a very interesting place.
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Mouse,
The mega-wide swath of blog types is what makes it an interesting place. Then again, there are certain “traits’ that I just don’t get. Then again, someone does! Glad you enjoy the series … and thanks for your input!
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Hi Frank, well you certainly got a lot of feedback from your very first post through today. I’m not on Facebook, no reason to be caught up in the hype, haven’t seen the value in it. All good advice from everyone – I’ve gotten my posts down to two and sometimes three posts a week. But today I’m still two days behind in my Reader, very hard always chasing this ball.
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Mary,
Keep up with blogging is not only the feeling of chasing the ball, but the ball is rolling downhill! … and I think the vast majority of bloggers would agree with our point.
Oh yes … hats off to all those who commented on the original post that sparked this serious. First I compile the list and then organized them into common topics. I originally thought it would be one post, but then I noticed and thought NOBODY wants a overly long list of stuff … so hey — thus why it’s 5 posts.
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It works perfectly, letting us read and think about a few comments at a time. Must have taken a while to compile the list ~
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Yes, the whole process took time. Once I selected the comments and organized them into topics, then the playing with the wording and double checking the organization took place … by then, I was seeing the light. One more in the series.
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I kinda like it when I get behind reading your posts, Frank. That way, I get to see everyone else’s comments as well as your responses! (I have learned to NOT check the “Notify me of new comments via email” as I was getting so overwhelmed. Well… I check it on YOUR blog and on Raye’s because the comments and replies are as interesting as the blog post itself!
I know I’ve told you I’m not a fan of multiple per day posters – mostly because I am not a mere “Liker”, as you know. I am a commenter who loves giving/getting feedback and being introduced to new voices. After all, had I not enjoyed the repartee between you and Jots, I would not be here at all… 😀
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Dale,
Many good points! … and not only do I know you enjoy commenting to others here, I appreciate you doing so! I miss the banter with Raye, but I imagine she is keeping busy.
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I’m glad I’m not thought of as a boor (would be a most horrid thing!)
As foe Raye, ’tis summer, gardening to do, enjoyment of her new house and dog and sometimes, I guess, you just gotta take the time to far niente!
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Now there’s something that never entered my mind! … and thanks for the Raye update.
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No, eh? Not big on the relaxation, are ya? I so am!!!
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LOL … and good morning, Ms Dale.
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A good morning to you!
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A must read! …. I really appreciate the advice you give us here, dear Frank!… I truly believe that, above all, blogging is an enriching experience, so we must find our “Golden mean”… i.e balance and enjoy it as much as we can! … Love & best wishes to you. Aquileana 😀
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Aquileana,
Many thanks … and credit to all the contributors to this post. Great point about an enriching experience and the importance of finding our own balance. One more in this series. … .and this series is a place all new bloggers should start.
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Superb !! I love the advice you gave. . Yes, commenting regularly is so much important to build good connections 🙂
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Himali,
Cheers to my readers for giving me the opportunity to compile their thoughts. One more post coming. To me, this series should be required reading for all new bloggers. Great point about commenting … and I know you interact well with those commenting on your blog. 🙂
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Wow… I shall be waiting. Your posts share much wisdom
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Thanks for posting this, Frank. I know someone who recently took a brief break and… nothing happened. She didn’t lose her readership or anything. She just got a nice time to relax.
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Jennifer,
Welcome first-time commenter! (and I noticed you didn’t bring Carrie along.) 😉 Great point about breaks, and oh … there are two posts (linked in this post) that are important – 1) the one that sparked this entire series – On the Blogging Blues, (see second paragraph) and 2) Breaks and the Blues (linked just above the video).
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Pingback: On Writing for Blogs | A Frank Angle
Nicely summed up!
{Hugs}
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RoSy,
Of course! 😉
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Good points. Here are a couple of others to consider. Posting somewhat consistently is important to those who truly follow Storyteller. A post a day, because it is mostly about a picture is not over whelming to them. In fact, if I don’t post for a day to two I get emails wondering if I’m okay. Two, I suppose you have to understand why you are blogging. I’ve have a couple of blogging buddies who rarely have long reply threads, yet they have actually built profit producing blog sites. Three, for me, original content matters. I rarely take the time to read blogs that have some quote by somebody that I’ve never heard of, slapped over a picture. Finally, I am a pretty big artists rights advocate. I do not use music from YouTube because, guess what? The artist never sees a dime in royalties and it’s likely they don’t gain anything in terms of publicity from my blog. There you have it. 🙂
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Ray,
Welcome first-time commenter … and wow … many thanks for the great points.
Understanding why on blogs is a great point. As you mentioned, some are in it for profit. I’m a regular schedule person .. .currently about every other day, although I was 5-6 times a week for many years. Regarding YouTube, another great point … but oops … and I do post my share of videos with songs.
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Thank you. You have to understand that we earn at lot of our livings from royalties around this place… the thing about regular or consistent is one of the first things I ever learned about blogging. Doesn’t matter how often you do it, just don’t be too random. Or, when you do publish a random post make it about something really important.
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Thumbs up to the importance factor. As I like to say, blogging isn’t Facebook.
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