Yakezie.com - Topic: Are success story posts helpful?

Dave @ DebtBlackHole on Are success story posts helpful?

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:40:42 +0000

Interesting & sometimes entertaining, sure. Helpful? It depends. It's true, they can sometimes be a motivator...but they can also cause readers frustration when they can't copy the outcome or even encourage some to make bad decisions.

One person's success in any given profession/activity (stock market, real estate, weight loss, etc.) may not be easy to duplicate. There are so many variables to consider (time, location, knowledge, risk tolerance, resources, etc.)- but most people don't want to work that hard.

Success stories are helpful when they provide more than a limited snapshot of what was accomplished or the actions that lead to the accomplishment. Mirror neurons are pretty powerful and drive our need to copy the actions of others...but it takes more than wanting to do it to actually do something successfully.

The Happy Homeowner on Are success story posts helpful?

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 07:22:52 +0000

I find stories to be some of the most motivating and interesting content that is very easy for readers to connect to. I'm a huge fan of learning from my mistakes and those made by others, and I think the best way to do so is through sharing stories/anecdotes. Some of my most popular posts are my Confessions of a PF Blogger series and my story about how I slashed $14K in credit card debt in less than a year, so I feel like I'm on to something in terms of what blog readers want to see!

101 Centavos on Are success story posts helpful?

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 17:44:44 +0000

I like stories of success. I like them even better when they showcase what *not* to do. Keep them coming.

Jeff Rose on Are success story posts helpful?

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:32:38 +0000

Yes, keep 'em coming.

And awesome write up on Suze. She irritates me to no end sometimes, but I cannot deny her success. I've even got a few blog post ideas from her show.

FamilyMoneyValues on Are success story posts helpful?

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:07:44 +0000

Thanks for all of your feedback. The Suze Orman post is up now at http://blog.familymoneyvalues......nally.html

I'm glad you all thought they were worth while because I get a kick out of writing them!

Jeffrey Trull on Are success story posts helpful?

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:42:41 +0000

I really like this, too! Great to hear stories like this in a relatively-short and digestible format.

MoneyBeagle on Are success story posts helpful?

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 04:58:52 +0000

I agree 100%. Others success can serve as motivation for others, no matter where they happen to be in their journey.

krantcents on Are success story posts helpful?

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 17:58:53 +0000

I have always enjoyed reading about successful people and how they got there. Keep them coming.

Invest It Wisely on Are success story posts helpful?

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 12:22:40 +0000

I agree with the others. These stories are always helpful, so long as they are also realistic for the readers. A Paris Hilton "success story" probably wouldn't fly over as well. ;)

Barbara Friedberg on Are success story posts helpful?

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 10:08:46 +0000

Wonderful...keep them coming!

Dr Dean on Are success story posts helpful?

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 08:43:27 +0000

Stories are the best way to get your message across. Success or failure, as long as there is a little emotional content.

Miss T @ Prairie Eco-Thrifter on Are success story posts helpful?

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 06:11:45 +0000

I always like lessons learned from others posts. We are human beings and therefore gravitate to social aspects of society including conversations, hearing stories, and learning from one another. I think these posts are great.

FamilyMoneyValues on Are success story posts helpful?

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 12:41:15 +0000

Did you read Lessons from Ursula Burns – Chairwoman and CEO of Xerox? If so, do you think that these types of posts are helpful? I have another one (this time on Suze Orman) set to come out on Tuesday.

But...if they sound too sanctimonious or you don't think I'm drawing the right lessons out or they just plain aren't helpful please shoot me a comment or an email and let me know how better to present them.