Comments on: I Don’t Think I Get PF Blogging

By: Halina

Halina — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 05:08:21 +0000

Hi Evan,

Thanks for ranting. I’ve been experiencing the same sort of frustration with my own PF blog: I write a really good and informative post, and hear nothing but crickets…meanwhile, other PF sites get major traffic for posting content about how to save a few cents on laundry detergent or toilet paper. I’ve been toying with the idea of writing a series of posts on how to find cheap private health insurance, which is a big concern to many people who are unemployed, but I can’t even be assured that anyone will read this series. It’s really frustrating…

By: Lizzy

Lizzy — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 14:12:09 +0000

I totally agree with #3 on your list. I post what I am thinking and want people to comment (I check my comments 3 or 4 times a day). I want people to care and to let me know if they agree or even if they disagree with what I am saying. I want it to be a conversation, not just a post.

By: Finanzas Personales

Finanzas Personales — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 17:28:07 +0000

This is a topic that really amazes me. I have a personal finance blog in spanish (I’m from Peru), which I started on the second half of 2010, and have found great difficulty in receiving comments. I’ve considered many possible reasons: under-developed blogging culture, cultural differences, lack of knowledge of how the readers can help spread the word. I’m surfing a lot on sites like your’s (and others you have mentioned on this post) to learn how you do it.
For example, you have over 40 comments on this post. I’ve seen posts with over 400 comments. My most commented post has 4 comments. And although I try to invite my readers to action, ask them questions and use many of the common techniques, it still isn’t picking up.
It’s thanks to posts like this one that I feel motivated and hopeful of a bigger future interaction with my readers.
Thank you!!!

By: DH

DH — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 16:05:07 +0000

LOL, this exchange is priceless! : ) But I’m mostly laughing because I thought that “The Wife” was her pseudonym from another (unrelated) blog too. So I’m just as bad as Kyle on this one.
*Ahem*, appropriate to this discussion, I think my comment falls under the description of commenting on easily digestable and relatable material, haha. But hey, it’s Sunday evening after Christmas, if now’s not the time to relax, browse and casually comment, then when is? ; )

By: Early Retirement Extreme

Early Retirement Extreme — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 20:20:20 +0000

I can never predict how many comments any of my posts get with any great accuracy, however, there are some ground rules.

1) Controversial posts about something everybody can relate to (children, travel, religion, politics, … ) get a lot of comments. FS is a master of writing these kind of posts.
2) Posts which touches something everybody has to deal with e.g. habits and traditions also get a lot of comments but not as many as the controversies.
3) Posts which are technical, specialized, or go above people’s heads as in “I don’t want to say something and look stupid” get few comments.

So try to maximize the disagreement factor by shooting straight down the middle and maximize the “I can relate to that” by discussing popular stuff.

By: Trying to Understand the Early Retirement Extreme Movement | My Journey to Millions

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 05:02:20 +0000

[...] In the past I have shared (often with angry comments back) that I donâ€™t completely understand personal finance blogging, I donâ€™t understand people who refuse to change, I donâ€™t understand why people just accept [...]

By: leslie

leslie — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 18:45:39 +0000

Actually that’s it. That is why Trent is my blogger idol. Look at the topics of the other posts, “IRS, Tax Tips, Selling a Business, Carbon Tax, and Treasury Bonds.” These are very specific and detailed topics that are not interesting or even necessary for a majority of people (even those in PF). A majority of people do not have an opinion on most of these either.

Now look at Trent’s topic: Wrapping presents. EVERYONE wraps presents. EVERYONE has an opinion on wrapping presents. EVERYONE can relate to this.

Trent’s blog is the first pf blog I ever read before I even knew there was a PF community. There is something very powerful about being able to appeal to everyone and not just those interested in your little field.

By: The BoBo

The BoBo — Wed, 05 May 2010 16:32:11 +0000

I certainly appreciate being on your blog roll – even though I’m not a PF blogger!

My theory on this particular topic is that when it comes to finances – there are many people out there that don’t understand finances enough to be able to add anything significant to the commentary. You guys are doing a great job in educating the masses. What you might want to consider as that those who are commenting on PF blogs in the particular posts that deal specifically with finances and taxes are those individuals who already have a good grasp or understanding of the topic. All those others who are passing through are there to learn and will eventually comment when they feel comfortable enough to engage in the topic.

Your present wrapping example is spot on and illustrates the point. EVERYBODY understands present wrapping – very few understand finances, taxes, economics or even pay attention to the economic news.

I thank all you PF bloggers for being here to educate the rest of us.

By: Evan

Evan — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:37:11 +0000

I see my stats (actually I am obsessed with them – its kind of sad since I am not HUGE but still check page views often), but a comment for me is a chance to interact with people, and I think that is what I love about blogging.

By: DLM

DLM — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:26:42 +0000

As a reader, didn’t know it made a difference whether comments were made. I usually comment when I have something to say or add.