Darren Rowse has an interesting post over on ProBlogger.net. He explains the most common reasons that users unsubscribe from blog RSS feeds.
Can you guess which reason came out on top?
Nope, it wasn't poor content. (That came in at numbers 6 and 7.)
It wasn't the advertising. (Only three people said that.)
And it wasn't too much selling. (That was number 14 on the list.)
It was too many posts.
If that was a surprise to you, join the club. But if you're thinking of cutting back on your posts, be aware that number 2 on the list of reasons to turn off the RSS was... too few posts.
So what's the optimal number of posts that will keep people returning to your site, reading your content and clicking your ads?
I wish there was one easy answer to that but I've got a feeling it's not that simple. It's safe to say that you shouldn't be posting more than one blog entry a day. You also shouldn't be putting up less than one post a week. But whether people will stop reading if you break those rules will depend on the size and topic of your posts.
The real problem with putting up too much content, I suspect, is that the reader has to pick and choose which posts to read. Users would much rather simply read everything that comes in. Sorting the posts can take effort and get pretty frustrating.
If you are producing a lot of content then, it might be a better idea to break them off into different RSS feeds with different themes. That will let your readers organize your content and make it easy for them to find the information that's most important.
The most valuable lesson that I think you can take away from Darren's survey though is that you should be keeping a close eye on the numbers of subscribers that you lose.
If you're losing too many, count the number of posts you're putting up... and divide them.
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
March 3, 2007 01:02 AM
That's surprising, but it makes sense. As you said, there's no optimal number of posts because there are so many factors. Preferences will even vary between readers of your feed! So no matter how much we try to improve, I think those will always be the #1 and #2 reasons for unsubscribing.
March 3, 2007 05:15 AM
Great Info, but how many is the best to post?
March 3, 2007 06:59 AM
Joel,
I really love to read your blog. You are the best adsense 'Guru' on the Net...
Regards,
Arie
March 3, 2007 07:38 AM
I read this post with intrigue Joel and agree that there has to be a balance in the number of posts.
I do have a blog which I use as a newsletter - in much the same way that Jim Edwards uses his "I Gotta Tell You" blog. Here the subscribers know that I will only be posting once every two weeks but my real concern about people unsubscribing is when they have been subscribed for a while.
If they have only been subscribed for a few weeks then I ususally take the view that it may not be what they are looking for. I also think that this is where the old socratic method can save you subscribers... "Just Ask!" This post as well as Darren's has definately compelled me to ask more.
Trish Jones
March 3, 2007 09:16 AM
I've been watching my subscribe 'rate' accross my top blogs for some time now. And this post really NAILS an issue that I've been wondering how to better control - namely, finding the 'sweet spot' in number of posts to keep subscribers and gain new ones.
I've found that it depends on the topic as much as the quality and number of posts - Some topics readers want MORE, other topics readers want less.
But the OTHER point that comes up from your post is that this is just another situation that supports TESTING and paying attention to stats. IMO, testing is one of the main pillars required to support a truly successful website/blog and profitable web business.
Appreciate the post, Joel.
Deb
March 3, 2007 11:20 AM
"How many?" WOW if we knew the answer to that it would be worth $$$$$ to us.
The trouble is we can't please all the people all the time. Some people spend hours reading blogs, others have limited time available. I think also that the quality of the blog entrys is a significant piece of the equation.If people get value and relevance they will stay on the subscribe list.
March 3, 2007 11:20 AM
Joel,
I've been thinking about this issue for several days now. How often to post to my blog?
How should the content be different than my broadcast posts?
Do I allow comments or not?
I love the blog concept, but finding the balance between email broadcasting and blogging is my challange.
Cheers,
Christina
"The Shopping Cart Queen"
http://www.ShoppingCartQueen.com
March 3, 2007 11:40 AM
I personally post a few times/week. I cant say that I follow or kep up with my unsubscribes, people are fickle who cares really. Your faithfuls will always stick around and its the faithfuls you write for. You have to know your audience and write for them, not to try and keep everyone happy thats just crazy-ness!! I try to target the newer people to blogging and not dabble in the startosphere with the like of rowse or copy blogger. Im more interested in tutoring the newer bloggers I hate the term newbie so I just don't call them that. Im currently doing a wordpress tutorial for them , hope they like it !! I'll probably post a new article each day till im thinkig its done and have covered all of the basics
Cheers and beers from Canada
Shane
March 3, 2007 12:06 PM
This is a powerfull website I have ever seen on the net.
March 3, 2007 12:18 PM
I guess it's true that if posts keep coming in everyday and most are inconsequential topics then I wouldn't want to continue my subscription. Most people would be subscribing to more than one RSS feed. You can imagine the amount of sorting one needs to go through. Too few posts is all right for me, too many is too much. So one has to choose carefully what feed he wants.
March 3, 2007 04:52 PM
I have been posting manually but, im adding more and more blogs, and its getting to be like work. lol Where do i go to look for/and learn about some RSS feeds? Great sites by the way Joel.
March 3, 2007 08:38 PM
I trade commodity futures and that's what my blog is about. I try to give people important information, but I also want them to think for themselves.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you know your subject and what you are trying to relay to people, than you will probably post the right number of messages. If you don't know, than learn it before you start up.
I haven't tried to monetize my blog yet. My goal is to ultimately teach others what I know, but it takes time and practice. That's why my blog is free right now.
March 4, 2007 12:55 AM
No I don't think I work to hard, I don't have a lot of posts. I keep my posts and my brilliant Columns highly 'Exclusive!'
March 4, 2007 04:48 PM
I agree with Christina, finding the balance is the key. I run a blog in Australia covering the most popular national sport NRL - Rugby League.
I find some articles get hit harder and comments go crazy, but then on days where there are multiple posts things might go col.
Very interesting email from Joel. Thank you - always look forward to the tips and industry news.
Regards,
Adam Sutcliffe
http://nrl-league.blogspot.com
March 5, 2007 03:46 AM
dear joel
Each and every articles of yours is best and helpful for us.
Best Regards
Anitta
March 5, 2007 08:14 AM
Information overload is a major problem in general. Being notified about more posts than you have time to read will eventually make you unsubscribe.
March 5, 2007 09:10 AM
yes thank i ben lost as many post adress so please find all any adress i had to colabaration in past of the years and confirm all to me, including my financial. thank you
March 5, 2007 12:01 PM
Your posts are very good and so simple for reading.Keep on it !
March 11, 2007 08:22 AM
I don't know what the optimal number of posts is, but I do know there are many sites I just "give up on" because the content doesn't change often enough. For me, personally, one post a day is great. I like to log onto a site and see something new, not the same old stuff, over and over and over again.
March 11, 2007 08:35 AM
I also have to add, that if I go to a site or blog and don't immediately know what the "theme" is, what I'm supposed to take away from the site, then I won't spend any time trying to figure it out. My time is far too valuable to spend it unraveling site and blogs that I might not even be interested in.