Ben Stroup

How would you answer this question: “How often should I post?”

It’s one of the first questions every blogger asks. It’s also a question we get regularly from new clients. I’ve had conversations with bloggers who feel guilty about posting only two to three times per week and feel the only way to be a “successful blogger” is to post new content every day on their blog.

Here are a few arguments I’ve heard for posting every day:

• “I was posting every day when I first started and feel like I have to keep it up.”
• “All of the blogs I follow post daily.”
• “Publishing fresh content every day is the best way to stay in front of my target audience and improve my SEO.”
• “I want my ideas to be heard.”

It seems we aren’t the only one fielding this question. Several recent posts argue against the idea of posting every day. ProBlogger shared insights into why one, two or three posts per week is probably a better frequency option. A few weeks ago, online influence guru and blogging extraordinaire Michael Hyatt explained that he’s adjusting his blogging strategy to post less frequently after surveying his readers. For our client’s, we’ve found that posting two to three times per week is the most effective frequency for reaching their organizational goals.

Both posts (above) shared similar reasons we cite to clients for posting less frequently:

• It prevents burnout for you as a writer and for your readers.
• It provides more time to invest in higher-quality posts.
• It allows you to invest in other content like books, eBooks, or case studies.

There is a debate regarding whether PT Barnum or Walt Disney said, “Always leave them wanting more.” No matter who said it, this quote is a great reminder when you’re considering the question: “How often should I post?” Granted, there are exceptions to every rule. But if you’re still trying to find the optimum number of posts per week, consider testing a less frequent publishing schedule and see what happens. You can always return to posting every day. However, we doubt that will be the case.

Tell us about your experience as a blogger. What’s the right frequency for you? Why?

Jeremy Chandler is the social media director at BenStroup.com. He and his wife, Mary, live in Nashville, TN where Jeremy frequents the local coffee shop scene and jumps at any opportunity to connect with others. You can connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.