Almost every time I do a Q&A at a conference I’m asked this question – How many posts should I post?
The frequency of blog posts is something that gets talked about a lot and there is no perfect answer for all blogs – but here are a few thoughts on the topic.
The Pros of Daily Posting
I’ve heard many people answer the ‘how many posts’ question with the suggestion that you should aim for a daily post.
While I will name some reasons why this may not be ideal below there are certainly some benefits of posting on a daily level including:
Daily Posts Can Help You Get into the Groove
I’ve had a variety of approaches to blogging frequency over the years and I have to say that getting into a daily blogging frequency has helped ME, as a blogger, make writing part of my daily workflow.
I find that if I post less often than ‘daily’, writing begins to slip off my radar as I fill my day with other tasks – and once I stop, I find it hard to get going again.
The more you practice as a writer the better you get (hopefully)!
Daily Posts Help with Reader Expectations and Engagement
It is amazing how readers will adapt to your posting frequency and will even look for your content to be published at certain times. I find that the less you post – the less engaged your readers will become.
Of course this also depends on how and where else you’re engaging with your readers. For example if you’re tweeting every day, answering comments every day and answering emails every day then this will certainly increase engagement.
I guess more regular content builds your brand also (if the content is good content).
More Posts mean More Doorways into Your Blog
I’ve spoken about this over the years many times on ProBlogger. The more posts you publish over time, the more doorways you present readers with to enter your blog.
1 post a week means you’ve got 52 doorways at the end of the year – daily posts means 365 doorways at the end of the year. This means people are more likely to see your content in RSS readers, in search engines, on social media etc. Over time this adds up. For example, here on ProBlogger today I’m publishing our 7001st post! That’s a lot of doorways!
The Negatives of Daily Posting
There are definitely some positives with daily (or at least a higher frequency of) posting. However there are also some costs including:
Blogger Burnout
Perhaps the biggest danger with setting your posting frequency levels too high is that you run the risk of burning out as a blogger.
Posting something new, engaging, compelling and helpful every day over several years can, over time, begin to feel like a chore – particularly if you have competing pressures of life (family, work, social life etc).
Reader Burnout
There is a fine line between giving your readers too little content to be engaged and overwhelming them with too much content to be able to digest it all.
I subscribed to a blog recently that I thought would be great to follow but they posted so many posts per week that it was too much and so I ended up reading none of it.
Some topics and styles of blog will sustain a higher frequency of posts than others. For example, some technology blogs have been posting 10-20 posts a day for several years – but their posts are usually short, sharp and easy to consume (and they are read by content hungry, tech savvy readers).
Decreases Reader Engagement
Related to this, I’ve noticed when I slow my posting frequency down that comment numbers often go up.
Fewer posts means that your most recent post sits on the front page of your blog longer which increases the chance of people seeing, engaging with and even sharing it.
Traffic might be lower overall to your blog – but hopefully each post will be read more!
Advice on Posting Frequency
Ultimately you need to decide what is right for you as a blogger. Your blog posting frequency should come out of a variety of factors including:
- How much time and energy do you have for blogging? Remembering that there are other tasks that need to be done on top of writing
- How much time do your readers have to read content? How thirsty are they for content?
- How big is your topic/niche – how much is there actually to write about on that topic?
- How long are the posts you write and how much time do they take to complete?
- How old is your blog? (sometimes in the early days it can be good to have archives that are a little fuller so there’s more for new readers to explore)
- How much do you have to say right now? Most bloggers go through bursts where they just naturally have more to write.
- Is the quality of your posting suffering because you’re posting too often?
Keep in mind that over time your posting frequency may change. For example, here on ProBlogger I have been as high as 18 posts a week but these days we’ve slowed to 5-6 (with a change in the length and focus of the posts). Slowing our blogging frequency down has led to a higher engagement, higher quality of posts (at least that’s our intent) and steady (if not slightly higher) traffic.
Also remember that YOU as a blogger are probably a lot more worried about your posting frequency than your reader. We tend to put a lot of pressure on ourselves as bloggers. Slowing down to increase quality of your posts and to look after yourself won’t be the end fo the world!
The last piece of advice I offer is to aim for regularity rather than daily. Readers will adapt to your posting rhythm and they will begin to expect that what you do one week is not too far different from what you do the next. So be consistent.
Here on ProBlogger we never switched from 18 posts in a week one week to 5 the next – it’s ebbed and flowed very gradually over time.
How often Do You Post?
I’m interested to hear how many posts you do per week on your blog?
Is that the same amount of posts each week or does it change?
Has that frequency changed over time?
What factors come into play for you in deciding how many posts per week is right for you?
I find determining how frequently to post needs to be considered from the perspective of where your blog fits in with your overall business strategy.
I post once a week. My blog is as an additional point of contact with my community instead of *it* being my core business. The articles are useful and offer tangible advice to my readers (experts & entrepreneurs). It’s not enough though.
To really be able to help my people, I prefer connecting with them via Skype. In my experience, video chat is the best way to contribute to growing their business in a meaningful way because we really get to talk one-on-one.
As always, excellent article! and you’re write always awesome post. Which People will benefit from using the pieces of wisdom in this article!
Thanks Darren! This is always been a worry of mine when and how often to post new material. I am currently running a new post on average about every 5 days. And honestly I think I need to improve it probably at the least every 3 because I feel that I do lose engagement from my readers but not so much that I would need to do everyday or every other. Reading this post definitely made me rethink my stance on how often to release new content and will definitely help. Thanks again!
Great read thanks for the info!
Thnks for sharing very nice post….
Darren, as far as I can see from other successful bloggers, some of them succeed in writing something everyday as long as it is something in the news. But, for example if you are in the personal development niche, you cant write successful posts everyday because you can get “burnout” as you say…
I think that “less is more” which means that less posts and higher quality will get you the best results in the long term.
Tahnk you for sharing your thoughts, Darren sir.
I had no idea that posting too much can decrease the reader’s engagement. In my opinion, 5 posts in a week is perfect for websites like this and I also publish my posts in the same number…
I’ve been pretty consistent about doing one a week since the winter. However, I would like to do at least two more a week. I would like to devote the main weekend blog to book reviews and the other two to other things to do with literature or even opinion pieces.
Some of my favorite writers are the writers of aphorisms and little mini essays. Some of them came in the form of pamphlets, some were from small presses and magazines run out of people’s attics and basements. They were almost like bloggers before internet blogging. I’d like to use them as a model for content.
Well hello Darren, I generally aim for at least one blog post a week and then use that content as inspiration for cross purposes on other media formats well that was the plan. As you point out, if we do not stick to our plan the schedule get filled with all sorts of other stuff and thus I am not trying to find my own rhythm once again and this time stick to it!
I found 3 posts each week perfect for me, as a starter.
That way I can take time to make good and lenghty posts and my readers have time to digest them.
Also, I had it clear on my about page that I write strictly on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
They know when to watch for my articles.
Cheers!
I don’t keep to a specific schedule, personally. The way I see it, if I “force” myself to write for the sake of posting something, the chances of garbage being published are higher. On my site, I’m only interested in publishing high quality content (in my mind) so I may post only once a week during my regular periods (I’m an accountant so Feb-April are dead times for my site).
Getting back to the post topic, I think you also need to give each new post time to gain traction and get “discovered”. Not everyone visits a site every day. Some days there are stories that simply dominate the net and distract people from their regular readings. Real conversations take some time to develop. Posting too often can be detrimental due to these factors in my eyes.
I have been writting 3 posts a week since I started. One week I tried writting every day and it turned out to be just too much.
We run a gaming blog, and since that world is changing everyday with news, reviews, previews, etc. we post up to 3 times a day. This includes a “main post”, a “deal of the day” post where we supply info on a great video game sale, and then when we post videos on Youtube we notify our readers of that as well. Typically we receive great reception on all these posts and it seems like we have trained our readers to expect this on a daily basis.
Hello Darren
I started blogging daily nearly six years ago. About two years ago I switched to a post every week day, I have the weekends off. This has worked well for me and I have a large readership. I want to blog more when there are a lot of comments and less when there are fewer. Yesterday I had over 60 comments so continued with the same topic today. My prediction is that I’ll have less comments today but more visitors. Do the number of comments you get increase your likelihood, or desire, to post more frequently?
Great post, as usual.
I guess its always good to write daily if you are just starting out. Once you do have a good bunch of posts on major topics of interest, you may then switch to a more selective posting schedule.
Thrice a week seems to be the perfect number for established blogs
Great post. I used to be very random—5 posts one week, then a month with just one post. Since last July, I’ve consistently posted one post a day each week day with a consistent publishing time. This has definitely improved my traffic, my reader engagement in comments and via social media and in my ability to keep the content fresh and solid. I have developed a great editorial calendar that is loose enough to be flexible, but still helps direct me. It’s worked for me so far, but I do give myself a random Friday off here and there to get caught up and to ensure I don’t get burnt out. Thanks for sharing!
For me blogging is just a hobby that I enjoy so I post when I get the urge. I can always tell when I try and force a post because I can’t find the fluidity of the article and end up having to finish it in breaks. But when that urge strikes I can sit at the keyboard and knock out a large post with ease.
I post twice a week. The frequency seems to work. I try to keep to a regular posting schedule, but because of either personal circumstances, or happenings I want to comment on, the schedule tends to vary.
I’m writing on a Monday and a Friday at the moment. I use to write more often, sometimes daily. But I’ve found that putting more time into a post brings in more traffic whether it’s from social media or search engines.
I have a couple of blogs so I would definitely get blogger burnout if I posted on a daily basis to each one. My goal is definitely to post once a week on each of the blogs. I find that when you post just because it is another day the content is not as powerful as it is when you are inspired or are writing content that you know is going to help lots of people. Write for value and not just for quantity is my goal.
this post arrived just in time for me, I just bought your e-book (31 days to build a better blog) and I am trying to re-invigorate my blog. I think that I have not been posting enough, and I need to develop some consistency with this. Thanks for a great post.
I find for my readership which is a niche market of working artists, that if I post more than very 7 to 10 days that the open rate tends to drop. Which makes sense since artists would rather be in their studios than working on their websites.
This schedule works well for me as it frees me up for some valued studio time of my own.
Having a routine and posting with regularity is the key. Whether regularity means daily or weekly, your readers will appreciate consistency.
I’m going to start getting in a constant groove because I forget to write a lot.
My blog is on productivity and I tend to post a couple of times a week. I do find that this is how long I need between posts to come up with quality posts given that there are several other tasks at place it is marketing research etc.
As your article very correctly states in the “advice on posting frequency section” there are several factors to consider when deciding on the frequency of posting.
In my case my blog is fairly new so I don’t have a lot of readers yet. (Sadly) My blog hasn’t had enormous interest so far which means that I don’t have very thirsty readers yet. This means I don’t have to focus on producing posts any more frequently than I currently am.
:-)
I use to post 3 times per week. Now I’m one time per week. Have not seen a big change in visits to the site – however I have seen a lot less social sharing (on a per post basis)..
I also see a change in activity depending upon the day of the week I post…
Thanks for great content…Rich
Darren,
Congratulations on your 7001st post! That’s huge but finally worth the effort. The more you post, the more your visitors and the more you get better at it.
On Sbabzy.com I publish on a daily basis and it makes me better every day. Per week I post roughly around 10 articles, this includes interviews.
One negative of daily posting is that you get fewer comments.
Thanks for this wonderful post.
I am worrying about posting every day at the moment but it hasn’t always been like that. I think I may be boring my readers. However I check my google analytics and even though no-one said anything about the post (on FB say) they are reading it. I am currently going on photographic day trips using different techniques and writing that up with a selection of photos.
I’m glad I found this article. It’s something I have been struggling with and came at the perfect time.
I decided to go with the three per week schedule and to change up the types of pos as well.
So, here’s my schedule. On Wednesday I post a written article no more than 450 words. Friday I post a podcast article. Sundays I post a video.
I’m still experimenting. But for my schedule this will seem to work best. And, it gives different ways to digest my content and the readers a reason to come back.
Posting frequency was something I’m struggling with. When I started out, I wanted to have few spare posts, so I won’t run out of blog posts. But that’s not as easy as it sounds. I’ve changed my posting frequency from several times a week to once a week. There’s not been much change in traffic between those posting frequencies.
By increasing Post frequency, some times the blogger losses the efficiency or quality for a post as he is hellbent to complete one post/per day.
Thanks for the Outline.
I write around 5 posts in a month… and 2-3 guest posts.. I truly believe in maintaining quality and not quantity…
Anyways, this post is great :)
I really have changed my mindset lately, and it answers your question exactly.
Where I’m an online publisher, I post daily or every weekday. On my personal blog, where I’m a blogger, I post weekly.
The difference? My online publishing sites are less personal and more business, so they handle more frequent posting better. On my personal sites, it’s me. So burnout and content both play a factor.
Hi Darren, I’m new to blogging, only one month old. My goal was to write three times a week but I found It difficult to do, as I have a full time job, three kids and a wife at home. It’s harder because writing it’s the end of the process which begins with choosing a topic, make some research and then writing. At the moment I’m writing only one post a week. Next month I’m aiming to reach two a week and grow slowly. let’s see…
I try for at least one a week but would really love to increase that to at least four times a week – oh where does the time go!
Hi Darren,
Thanks for this great post. Usually I like to post 2 article in a Week.
I aim for one post a week but being a full time mom does impact the time I can devote to my blog.
I have a craft blog, so it’s largely photo driven and for me it’s more finding the time for the photographs that’s the problem.
I write most of my posts in my head, so the writing isn’t really the issue. It’s joining everything together that takes time.
Great article Darren, very interesting. We tend to post 3/4 times a week on our blog.
Hi Darren,
I post exactly once per week, on the same day, so as to draw reader expectation. When I started writing my book, I post exactly once per fortnight, and at the bottom of the post, I say as much, including the date it will be published. I find putting a deadline on my articles brings out the best of my writing/creativity.
Hi Darren,
I post exactly once per week, on the same day, to draw reader expectation. Now that I began writing my book, I post once per fortnight, saying as much at the bottom of my articles (I include the date my next post will be published). I find giving myself a deadline inspires my best work and creativity.
I have been blogging for around a month now and marketing my blog more this past week or so thanks to your tips!
I post on average twice a week. My plan is to post three times a week, if I can write more then I will save them until the following week that way if I get stuck or don’t have time I can still publish a post. I’d prefer to post two decent length posts that are high quality than post 7 posts a week that are terrible.
I’ve just started blogging under a new domain. I usually take time to write and think of topics that are easy to understand. Thanks for this article :)
I think in the begginning there should be new posts more often, till the blog gets its regular readers and traffic to a higher number. I use to post additional photoson Facebook, Tumblr and pinterest in the days without new posts, so I can still keep the readers interest. Some people need to see every day the name of the blog on their social profile’s wall, especially if the main traffic is coming from there!
For my first year I posted daily. I then decided to take off for Christmas. One thing led to another and it had been over a month since my last post.
I started back and my numbers had taken a major hit. I went from 10k visitors a month to 4k. That declined my motivation and I have yet to get back into the swing of things. I am trying right now for 3 a week. But that always ends up being one or two if I’m lucky.
Hi Darren,
One per day is too much for me. I normally do only 3 per week. (I need some consistency).
Thanks for the great post.
Lalanthi
Hi there Darren, I am posting daily now but most of them are around 1000words which I think this works quite well for a while now. However, I have heard people that maybe I shoudd reduce the frequency to 4 or 5 times a week and I should post long articles (over 2000 words post) once a week for a change.
A super interesting post, Darren, since I always have that question! Right now I post once every 2 weeks, as I’m just building my tribe and am spending a lot of time on social media and email.
As a consumer, I don’t like the daily posts, since it’s too much to keep up with. But I could see eventually getting to a 2 – 3 post/week schedule. That seems most comfortable for me and my readers.
I just started my blog about a month ago, but have been dreaming about it for a while. When I actually started posting, it opened the floodgates to all of the different things I could be doing to make it better! sexier! wittier! that I get overwhelmed at times.
I bought your book for a little ‘structural inspiration’ and I’m working through it bit by bit. Right now I’m only posting once a week, trying to get to 2. I’m aiming for quality over quantity right now because I’m trying to attract new readers–I don’t want to post junk and scare them away. I keep reminding myself that it’s a process…
I think it really depends on the type of audience you have. For one of my blog which has a lot of business audience, I only do 5 posts a week (M-F). Because I know most folks are not checking it out on weekends. For my other site, we are doing multiple posts per day. Just because we have a much larger audience who is really interested in reading new stuff.
I’m planning on relaunching my personal blog where I will only post once a week. I think it all depends on which route you want to take.
Darren,
going to agree to disagree with you on this one because if you want to become a serious “problogger” one post a day doesn’t cut it… let alone less than that.
Having written for major sites (including some of my previously owned ones) there is a direct correlation between quantity and traffic. The more posts the more choice you provide the reader, and the more Google spiders the site and you have the ability to get search traffic.
By no means am I suggesting you post rubbish simply for the sake of volume, but take for example my current project: I’m 8-15 posts a day on average, and the traffic suffers when I post less.
Different blogs, different horses I will concede, but likewise there’s a reason blogs like Mashable or Lifehacker have anywhere from 15-50 posts a day… it drives traffic and there is a proven correlation between posts and volume of traffic…and from your b5media days you’d know that ;)
I understand what you’re saying – however a lot of blogs come to mind that post
daily or less and still make a full time living from blogging.
Of course some of them are big names who have either been at it for 10 years or who have brought profile to their blogging from other arenas – but then there are others.
Here’s a few off the top of my head – all of which blog full time (or close to it):
http://planningwithkids.com/ – 4-5 posts a week
http://zenpencils.com/ – 2-3 posts a month
http://www.hairromance.com – 4-5 posts per week
http://www.bikeexif.com/ – 5-6 posts per week
http://thestonesoup.com/ – 1-2 posts per week
http://www.sarahwilson.com.au/ – 6-7 posts per week
http://www.stylingyou.com.au 5-6 posts per week
http://www.woogsworld.com/ 5-6 posts per week
http://thedesignfiles.net/ – 7 post per week
http://www.ladymelbourne.com.a… – 3-4 posts per week
http://simplemom.net/ – 5-7 posts a week
Most are Aussies and while none are new bloggers they’ve all been blogging at about the same rate that they do now for as long as I’ve been following them.
I guess what I’d say (and perhaps should have said in the post) was that I think it partly depends upon the niche and partly depends upon the way that you monetize the site.
The above list has a variety of niches (fashion, beauty, design, personal, cartoons, parenting) and they monetize in a variety of ways (selling virtual or physical products, sponsored posts, selling ads directly to advertisers, paid memberships). Interestingly from what I can see none of the above rely upon ad network ads.
The hope with my post wasn’t to argue you don’t have to write much to have success – in fact I outlined some good reasons for writing more content than less – rather I was hoping to highlight that there was no one way to run a successful blog and ultimately it comes down to how much quality content you as a blogger are able to sustain over the long haul.
Each to their own I guess. I’ve found my traffic has gone up on ProBlogger since dropping back from the peak of what we were doing (18 posts per week) down to the 5 we do per week now. It’s enabled us to increase the quality (and in some cases length) and in doing so we’ve seen higher traffic and engagement.
It wouldn’t work for all blogs but I’ve heard a few bloggers reporting the same thing of late.