Site Housekeeping: Story Suggestions, Reader Requests, and Moving the Feed
Published on - July 24th, 2008 (by J.D. Roth) It’s been months since I did any public housekeeping. I have several items that could use some feedback, however. Now’s a good time to discuss them.
Feed transition
First of all, my RSS feed is in the process of being moved from the old Feedburner site to the new Google-based Feedburner site. There may be some glitches during this process. The subscriber number may swing wildly. (I’ve seen 51,000 and 62,000 today, and right now it doesn’t show at all.)
There may be trouble with the e-mail newsletter. Some bloggers report 150 copies of their e-mail being sent out this morning. My subscribers saw zero copies in their inboxes. I’d rather have the zero than the 150. Things should settle down as the team at Google works the glitches out of the system.
Public relations
I used to share a lot of cool tools and sites I found as I poked around the internet reading about money. I’ve done that less in the past few months, largely because I’m inundated with e-mail from public relations firms pimping their articles and applications. I’m reluctant to post about something that I first heard about via a PR e-mail. It feels too close to selling content (which I choose not to do).
On the other hand, some of these look genuinely useful. Should I refrain from mentioning Qvisory simply because two PR people contacted me? I’m beginning to believe it doesn’t matter how I hear about cool money stuff — I should share it with you, anyhow. What do you think?
(On a side note: I just about died when a PR person contacted me today to give me info about the company I worked for in the story about the worst job I ever had. Uh, no thanks.)
Repeat material
I’ve mostly tried to refrain from covering topics that I’ve explored in the past. There are several articles about buying a new car in the archives, for example. However, most of these articles are months (or years) old. Get Rich Slowly has seen a lot of new readers since then, and most of them haven’t gone back through to look at the old articles.
It’s time to cover some of these topics again, and to do so, I’ll reuse certain key passages from old posts. (Why reinvent the wheel, right?) In an article about buying a new car, I might reuse a bullet-point list, for example, updating it with new information. If you have suggestions on how to approach “repeat” material, I’d love to hear them.
The sidebar
I haven’t monkeyed with the sidebar in nearly a year. It’s woefully out of date. I plan to make some changes to it soon, and I welcome your feedback. Are there features you’d like to see? Features you want removed? How many of you ever use the “recent comments” to track ongoing discussions? How would you feel about a weekly poll?
Guest posts
I’ve has a number of people write lately asking for my policy on guest posts. I’m happy to consider all submissions. I tend to post guest articles on “Wednesdays and weekends”. This isn’t a hard and fast rule, but I try to share two items from other writers every week.
If you have something to share about personal finance or productivity, feel free to send it to me. But please be warned I’m becoming much choosier lately. Guest posts must be well-written and informative. I’ve actually begun to reject submissions that will require too much editing on my part.
(Also, if you have favorite guest posts or guest authors from the past, please let me know. If there are some clear favorites, I’ll ask them if they’d like to contribute again.)
Reader requests
This seems like a good time to ask for reader requests, too. Are there topics you’d like to see covered? Topics you’re tired of hearing about? For example, one reader yesterday mentioned that my focus has been too much on rural stuff lately and not enough on city stuff. Excellent point, and one I’ll try to consider over the next few weeks.
Would you like to see more “ask the readers” columns? How do you feel about the current posting pace (which has remained essentially unchanged for eighteen months)? More daily links (or “twice weekly links”, as the case may be)? Fewer? More book reviews? Contests?
Also, I’ve had some people mention that the articles seem to be getting longer, and they’d prefer shorter posts. Thoughts?
Thanks
Thanks, as always, to all the Get Rich Slowly readers. You folks are awesome. The discussions around here never cease to amaze me. I’ve learned a lot over the past two years, not just from my reading, but from your stories and advice. This site would not be what it is without your contributions. Thank you.
This article is about Administration
SEARCH FOR RECENT ARTICLES
PR: Share if you really really think it’s worthwhile and you would have written about it if you heard about it in another way, but please disclose the source.
Topics I would like to see more of: anything related to city living or living in a small space, anything about frugality, anything “wacky” or unconventional that most people may not have thought of (I find it inspiring to hear how others think outside the box even if that particular thing would not be possible in my situation), “how to”/DIY articles that help you save money (practical things around the house, cooking, etc.), stuff about “psychology” (how not to feel deprived, how to stick to a good habit, etc.).
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Hi JD-
I would love to see an entry about first-time home buying. Esp referring to state and federal programs. I am looking right now to get into my first home, and I know there are a ton of programs out there, like AmeriDream, that have down payment grants I can apply for, and there are a bunch of state programs that I can qualify for that offer much lower interest rates.
And as far as the length of posts go, I think that when there is more than one post in a day, the posts should be shorter. If you have a topic that you think really requires a longer post, maybe just stick with that one for the day. I am backed up about 35 posts right now because I took vacation lat week where I didn’t have internet access!
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This is the first blog I’ve encountered that I want to check in with daily. I heard about you during a great interview you did with NPR.
Your column has opened up the world of fun-to- read personal finance blogs. I don’t have time to read them all regularly so I really appreciate the links and the Round ups of links to interesting stuff.
I love the guest posts, especially the occasional ones from your wife and the Zen Habits person.
I like your sidebars: archives, popular conversations, index. The “recent comments” is a novelty to me still. I like to see what people are saying to see if I want to read the rest of the postings or add something. I usually quickly scan the article du jour and then check out the sidebar or forums for a little more reading.
I love your links to previous articles and conversations. I have read big chunks of the archives as a result and followed up on postings on the topics that interest me.
Whatever you need to do to keep it fresh for you
will probably work for me,too.
That said, I was surprised how helpful the debt reduction refresher course last week was, for example. I needed that right now. I’m in a different place than I was 6 months ago, but still need that encouragement and advice.
My only suggestion is an update on a previous topic:Maybe an update on keeping track of financial records in the digital age? Especially with couples? What to keep on paper and where? So
much has gone online and paperless that I’m not
if I’m missing something.
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I love this blog as is, but a few of the suggestions are great. I think that poll could be fun. Adding in more topics related to urban lifestyles would be great. I love the mix of informative and personal information. What I have found most helpful are the posts that define some of the PF lingo. As somebody just starting out and trying to learn, sometimes just having terms defined is helpful.
I also agree with Kathy that having some posts identified as to who they might benefit most would be great.
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I am new to your blog, but completely addicted! It is simple, extremely practical, and down to earth. I appreciate that your focus is on lifestyle and frugality, simplicity and sound financial decision-making. I am mostly interested in practical tips (and the reader comments and real-life experiences are pretty inspiring). I do get frustrated when readers harsh on the guest posts, for possibly being one-sided? It never seems to happen when you write a post, so yes, being more picky with guest writers is important. I enjoy Kris’ writings as well and would be interested in living off the grid suggestions. More on smart home upgrades of old Portland bungalows. Thank you for the WEALTH of information! It’s the most user-friendly blog I’ve visited. And I like the categories/best conversations on the side- maybe make it more visible?? Thanks again.
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Don’t go to just short posts!! I love the detail you go into sometimes, and if your posts got too short and general, I’d probably stop subscribing to you and recommending you to my friends.
Of course, not all subjects deserve long posts, but when the details are important (or interesting), I think you should go into them. It might help some of your readers if you broke the articles into sections using more subheads or offered a summary at the top, perhaps.
Meanwhile, I haven’t gotten an email of your posts since 7-20, and I’m hoping Google will fix your feed soon. Do you recommend people re-subscribe to it? Or just wait and eventually we’ll start receiving them again?
OK, actually I just went and tried to resubscribe to receive posts via email and feedburner says you have deactivated the email subscriptions. So maybe you need to go back into feedburner and reactivate them? Please?
Thanks!
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I’d love to have a discussion of the cheapest ways to have internet and telephone service. I read the VoIP thread carefully, but that may not be the solution for me.
Just to give an example: I have Verizon DSL and a Verizon cell phone, and the combined charges are ludicrous. I don’t care about cable (I don’t have it, and don’t want it). I want quick internet service a telephone line that must be mobile. What are the cheapest options?
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Well, I get the RSS and I AM rural so obviously I have no problem with those posts – LOL. BUT I have been a city dweller and I well know the frustration of “can’t grow a garden” places. I think posts that would apply to saving money in an apartment, would likely have at least some application to saving in the country, too. So I have no protests to more urban posts.
I trust you to only blog about links that really ARE useful – whether you originally found them surfing around, or through their PR person. If I didn’t trust you, I wouldn’t be reading. That trust, BTW, is earned.
On revisiting subjects – things obviously change over time. For instance, on the car buying article, I would guess now that the trade-in value of a gas guzzling SUV has gone down, while prices of dependable, used, gas efficient vehicles has gone up. That, in itself, would make some changes in that article, no? So it makes sense to revisit that subject.
Overall, I trust your good sense and judgment on what to write. I have no issues with the sidebar, although I rarely use it – I mainly read the newest post. A function of my own limited time, I think.
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I’d say keep going with your current post length/rate. Your stuff continues to be fantastic.
More multimedia perhaps? Are you still thinking of doing a podcast series? Hope your running is going well!
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It seems as though you would have written about this somewhere before, but I haven’t been able to find it in the archives: I would love to see a post about tackling student loan debt. As far as debt goes, student loan interest is fairly low; however, it’s significantly higher than what the same money would be garnering in a high-interest savings account. Is it a good strategy to make minimum monthly payments, thus effectively doubling the lifetime cost of the loan, or to sacrifice saving/investing in order to pay the loans off more quickly?
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I second polls.
PR – Yes please. I don’t want it to be too taxing on you, but if you found something that’s neat, a quick “check it out; take it or leave it.”-kind-of-a-post would be helpful (maybe with its own tag).
JD – I really appreciate hearing about the worst job you ever had every time you link to it – it could be a drinking game. You know I’m in the business, and think differently than most of my colleagues. I have seen others go through it and know all too well how true it is. It’s bitter sweet.
Plonkee’s idea about repeats is beautiful.
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I’d love some kind of “investment basics” fact sheet. I’m very very new to personal finance stuff, and have a lot of basic questions – I actually came here trying to figure out whether the IRA contribution cap is separate from the 401k cap – and whether being married effects those caps (i.e. the question is – what is the absolute max number of dollars that my husband and I as a couple can save tax-free?)
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Aaron, a Get Rich Slowly drinking game would be hilarious. Common mentions include:
* the worst job I ever had
* online savings accounts
* how to get out of debt
* Mini Cooper
* comic books
I’m sure there are others.
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I would like to see a follow up on the “Ask the Readers: Energy Conservation Tips?” post that you did.
I want to cut my energy use and would like to know what worked and what did not for Dan in Alaska.
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Post are getting a little long for me.
I wouldn’t change much about the sidebar except maybe update your links. Also — please don’t mess with site navigation. It seems some people are setting up blogs lately that make it hard to look backwards. Don’t do that to me! Leave it the way it is.
RE content:
– Lately a lot of the posts haven’t been that interesting to me and I’m probably reading only 1 in every 4 or 5 posts these days.
I don’t know what to suggest for that, partly I think it’s because I’ve been around all this info for a while and it gets hard to see something new after awhile.
Partly I think it’s because as you said there’s been a rural slant lately and I’m urban. Also, I think a lot of your posts are geared to a slightly younger audience, and that’s ok. I guess I’d like to see a little more variety in the topics — balancing the concerns of younger vs. older readers (and for older readers it’s not all about retirement, either) as well as rural vs. urban.
I’m not into DIY projects to save money, and I’m interested in simplicity but not so much the hard-core frugality of buying secondhand either, and I think there’s been a slant towards that too.
I’d like to see more re Tim Ferriss and approaching your money as somebody living with or planning for irregular income.
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I’ve really enjoyed your features on some of the historical examples of personal finance: the history of debt in America and the economics of a POW camp being the most recent. I think we can learn a lot about our system and making sensible long term decisions from the economic stories of the past.
Regarding content I must disagree with db and say that I really enjoy both the DIY tips and the conversations on frugality. I think you’ve done a good job of being thorough on some of the larger aspects of personal finance, but I could always use new techniques of stemming the flood of money from my wallet to assauge the desires of living in a consumer culture.
By the way, I’d also like to throw my vote at the possibility of a GRS podcast, even if it’s weekly or bi-weekly and a simple reading of a selection of articles. I know it makes linking to external resources impossible but it’d be great to take on the go.
Oh, and I do want to say thanks for all the work you’ve already put into GRS. I know its your job, but I’m certainly excited to have access to such a wonderful resource.
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Thanks for all the great advice!
Re: Public relations
I would say that if it’s something you’ve used for a while & it’s really great, then go ahead & tell us, regardless of how you about it, be it press release, blog, email, whatever.
Conversely, if it’s just something you heard about and haven’t explored very much, then don’t bother passing it along, again, regardless of how you heard about it.
Of course, this is just my 2¢.
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No shorter posts please, please JD!
Yes, many other moneybloggers post shorter material. But frankly, there’s none of them that approach your talent as a writer. I’d be quite sad if I checked out GRS and found a bunch of short little posts called “10 Reasons To …” or “GRS Articles from One Year Ago!” and the like. I like the fact that I can print out a GRS post and read it on the subway, rather than glancing at it when I’m procrastinating for 5 seconds.
Re content, I am always impressed by the breadth of experience among your commenters. I don’t know how you’d incorporate that, but I’d love some interviews or a round -up of comments or something once in a while.
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Hey JD,
I work for an online publication too (in an unrelated industry) and am also spammed by PR people regularly. You should have a link on your site for PR people on how they should send you stuff (maybe use a special email address like pr@getrichslowly.org or whatever so it’s separate). Other popular blogs are starting to do this. Then block the domains of all the people who don’t take the time to follow your rules. Not all PR people are hacks who are flouting shady products. Some people/companies are good at making cool products, but not at marketing them. It kinda seems like a disservice to your readers to ignore all PR/marketing pitches just because you didn’t find them first…
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http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/personal/07/30/credit.cardusedown/index.html
Great story on CNN about fiscal responsibility being bad for credit card companies; people are paying with cash and putting away plastic.
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As a former guest poster, I don’t want to see the results of the voting
Glad to hear you are still accepting submissions. Are there specific types of topics you want covered?
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