Forget what probloggers taught you about regular posting (#)
They say: create quality content consistently. They would even go as far as to suggest that you should update your blog every day. I’m not really pointing anyone, but you know the usual suspects - Problogger, Daily Blog Tips, Blogging Tips etc. share the same view with regards to posting frequency.
I say: Just forget it. There are several reasons why you shouldn’t worry about posting regularly as everyone makes it out to be. Note that many of the reasons I have written below, may not be applicable to all. I am focussing on feed subscribers to explain many ideas below, because they are generally the most loyal readers. In non-technology blogs, regular commenters may be considered in the same place.
Schedules sacrifice quality
If you are anything like me, schedules and deadlines to meet makes you hurry through your work, thereby reducing the overall quality of your works. Schedules also mean that you are robotic in nature, and complete tasks just for the sake of it.
I have often found that my best writing comes out when I actually have no pressures to complete the work. Total freedom lets my mind wander into the thoughts, coming back up with ideas that I would have otherwise not had. Imagine writing sans pressures to be like an uncaged bird.
Note that productivity freaks like Leo Babuta and efficient writers like Skellie can write dozens of posts every week without sacrificing on quality (or perceived quality, rather) because they work full time online and have adjusted themselves to it.
You may also be able to do so, but I have tried and failed. I am a wandering mind with a variety of thoughts (blogging, writing, WordPress, designing, sports, social media, software and technology), and find it hard to concentrate only on writing tasks at hand every day.
Your subscribers care less about regular updates
“Subscriber counts might fall if I do not blog regularly” is one thought that must have come across our minds. As self-centric as bloggers are, many don’t realize that there is life outside internet and blogging for most people, and as such, would rarely even realize it if you have not posted for a few weeks.
There are exceptions - your core of loyal readers may get impatient and start emailing or Twittering you to know why you are not writing. But then again, they are what they are - core of loyal readers. Your loyal readers would not abandon your blog solely because there has been no new post, because they know that the quality of your posts will be worth the wait.
I personally have subscribed to feeds that are updated anywhere from once a month to once every three months (personal or non-commercial blogs, usually). Same principle as above apply.
Your subscribers don’t read only your feed
Most people experience RSS feed overload, and to make matters worse, people (usually) subscribe to news websites which pours out hundreds of updates every day, flooding their feed readers and knocking your feed items off their attention. Once again, the self-centric approach may prevent us from thinking of this possibility.
You’ll hate blogging if you maintain schedules
Blogging is a passion for many(if we didn’t drag those people who blog solely to make money online, into consideration), but converting that passion into output often requires patience, determination and results. When I say results, I mean perceived results - what you believe is the result you have worked for.
When blogging schedules become unforgiving, you would invariably look forward to results after all that hard work. To your horror, you realize that subscriber count has grown only as it would otherwise have, pageviews still fluctuate as they did, and the number of comments haven’t exactly exploded. Does this sound familiar to you?
Give it your best shot: Write your best posts
With more time comes more thoughts and energy. So, you should strive to write valuable posts for your readers - be it long and detailed tutorials, lists of awesome resources (but make sure they’re detailed and few in number), or quick and easy tips that everyone knows, but no one could have thought up in the nick of time.
You would notice that some of the most popular blogs have huge posts that take enormous effort to write - just ask Smashing Magazine. On a lesser note, Pearsonified, the blog of Chris Pearson (a popular web designer-developer, previously famous for crisp and clean blog designs), is updated once a month, and sometimes even less. Yet, his ~5000 subscribers (including myself) will not unsubscribe, because his posts are well-formed, formatted and includes tasty and thoughtful images relevant to the post. His reputation might draw visitors to his blog, but it is his quality that keeps them glued.
Notice that his 5k subscibers stick around for one post per month - that is the best example of posting frequency not being a problem for bloggers.
Me?
I went through all these thoughts on posting regularly vs. posting when I have something to write, several months ago, finally concluding that frequency of posting has no serious implications on growth of a blog, provided that you post at least once (or twice, depending on your niche) per week.
To illustrate my own case, I have changed my posting frequency from daily to twice or thrice a week on TechZilo, and try to write resource posts ocassionally (they attract more traffic and new subscribers). Nobody has complained. Rather, most subscribers would welcome it.
Here at Blog Creativity, things are not very different. This is largely a non-commercial blog (though I wouldn’t mind ads if they’re clean and effective), and I write when I have something to say. This is important for blogs that depend on thoughts and ideas of authors (as opposed to resource building, tutorials etc.).
What posting strategy have you adopted, and would you change it now that you’ve read through this post? I’d be interested to know 
Nirmal said on July 3rd, 2008
Sumesh,
I agree to your points mentioned here, BUT all these are applicable if your are into blogging as a passion and not for earning money too. I too had written about this posting frequency topic and also done a bit of research on this and I came to the conclusion that regular posting is not required for a blog, but then you will earn only peanuts. If thats fine (non commercial blog) then you shouldn’t be worrying.
Secondly I disagree to the fact that regular posting is scheduling. I have the passion for blogging and I try to blog more and more articles, that doesnot mean that at any cost I will publish something to make a post a day.
Well you might say even if one post is written a week and it gets to Digg, you get the more money than blogging complete week. But then chances are very less.
One thing for sure is traffic is directly proportional to number of posts. Your example of Smashing magazine is true because they have made their reputation and they have their own loyal readers and for that you need to work on posting more.
My strategy is to blog and also make money online. BUT I dont blog to make money alone. I’m comfortable blogging on a regular basis.
Post authorSumesh said on July 3rd, 2008
@Nirmal: You seem to be one of the few who can actually enjoy blogging and yet be able to write regularly. Good on you
I personally find that the returns for blogging daily is not as great, when compared to returns of 2-4 posts per week. That is why I post only 2-4 posts(depending on time available) on TechZilo.
Blog Creativity is a wholly different matter - this is non-commercial (at least as of now), so the posting frequency is determined by how much I write.
Ashish Mohta said on July 4th, 2008
Probably we should understand the meaning of posting frequency. People take it in the sense of posting in high numbers and that is where quality degrades sometimes ( remember sometimes ).
Its always possible to come out with one good post on daily basis for sure unless it is a bad day for you.
Secondly making a schedule is not just that you have to write a post. Remember when we prepared for exams we never used to make schedule just for learning but also finding which things are important. How to do this and that. Same thing goes for blogging. People who get frustrated are those who tend to keep on thinking to write a good post all the time. Relax sometimes we need to learn before we work.
And at the end it depends on individual and the style which suits them. Looks like this worked for you and may be it will work for some more people but not for everybody in the same way probloggers tip works for others and did not for you
( And here in this post you found your own way!!!! )
One thing you said right is People now a days dont just see your blog but rest of things. I would agree to that.
IMHO
Ashish
Post authorSumesh said on July 5th, 2008
@Ashish: Very true about “individual and the style that suits them”. I’d also agree other things you said - like probloggers’ tips etc.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment.
Liz said on July 7th, 2008
To some extent I can agree with your point. I know for my personal blog I am on an erratic posting schedule. Truthfully I blog when I find the time (which is hardley ever), but it’s no big deal to me about keeping readers, getting comments, etc.
On the other hand I run <a href="http://verysmartbrothas.com">another blog</a> where two writers write a post, consistently, every day. They write a ~500 word post, post it at midnight, 5 days a week, and they have a consistent community/following (250+ comments per day, usually–and the blog is 3 months old). They don’t have burn out (they switch off weeks though), but they do come to me some days saying they have no idea what they’re going to write about for the day. That happens whether you post on a schedule or not though.
So, I think it can go either way. I think other factors should be taken into consideration, like what your content is, how do you promo your content, who do you promo to, *what your goals are for the blog,* etc.
Spuds said on July 7th, 2008
Good article. Content is the most important thing, not how often you post.
Post authorSumesh said on July 7th, 2008
@Liz: I guess it is a matter of intent - bloggers who depend on writing for their bread probably won’t feel the burnout.
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Ajay said on July 16th, 2008
regular posting is good but scheduling can affect the quality of posts.
this post also give me some more thoughts about the blogging
can posting more news can also affect the blog quality ?
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