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We're Missing Longform Financial Articles

UserPost

1:45 pm
January 6, 2014


frugaling

Member

posts 139

A few days ago I wrote and published the most popular article on my site – ever. The article entitled, "Too Poor To Protest: How Income Inequality Silences Your Voice," was a stark move away from simple personal finance articles. This wasn't your everyday list of things you can change to help your budget. 

Somewhere along the way I realized that we have one of the most supportive communities on the net. Personal finance bloggers visit each others' sites, comment, and share frequently. My site has grown to the top 90k of sites on the net because of this. I am honestly humbled by your support, but we've been missing something.

Google and a variety of news sources are beginning to value longform articles far more. My recent article that brought in about 10,000 visitors in 3 days was about 1700 words. This is disparate from the assumption that most readers are only looking for a simple list.

I think our opinions are important, but a risk. Thus far, that risk has been rewarded. What do you think about writing longer articles? How have your audiences reacted? What are your most shared articles?

6:08 pm
January 7, 2014


debtroundup

Raleigh

Member

posts 190

Long articles are important.  The one question I have is how did your article bring that many visitors?  Was it picked up by a media outlet or did Google put it in it's new articles section.

 

Writing a huge post can be really good for both Google and your visitors, but it depends highly on the topic.  I have a few in drafts, but haven't had time to finish them.  One day…..

Debt Roundup | Sprout Wealth | Empowered Shopper

Connect with me on Twitter and Facebook

6:19 pm
January 7, 2014


FrugalRules

Member

posts 161

I would agree that longer articles are definitely important. Google seems to love them and can be good for visitors. I like to have a few longer (at least 1,300 words up to 1,600ish words every month to six weeks) and many of them do quite well in search. That said, I'm with Grayson, was it picked up by someone?

8:26 am
January 8, 2014


The College Investor

San Diego, CA

Admin

posts 1935

I like longer form articles as well, and typically shoot for a 1,000 word minimum.

Please check out The College Investor at http://thecollegeinvestor.com!  This is the home of my Investing 101 Class.

Ready to Take Your Blog To The Next Level: http://beatthe9to5.com

You can also follow on Twitter @CollegeInvestin or Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/thecol…..geinvestor!

8:35 am
January 8, 2014


RootofGood

North Carolina

Member

posts 47

Isn't there a big splash in the media about "income inequality" from the left side of the aisle?  I tend to avoid news generally, but I recall glancing at a headline suggesting there's a problem with income inequality (mostly among the poor).

Justin @ Root of Good

Join me in my journey through early retirement at age 33!

Rootofgood.com

Facebook: RootofGood

Twitter: @RootofGoodBlog

10:46 am
January 8, 2014


FrugalRules

Member

posts 161

There is Justin. I wrote an article on it several months ago and have been seeing quite a number of articles on it popping up recently in the mainstream media.

2:39 pm
January 8, 2014


maria@moneyprinciple

Manchester, UK

Member

posts 679

I generally aim to publish at least one long and meaty post per week (the rest are just long…:)). And I've been getting quite a bit of 'Google love' lately.

 

But I am not convinced that it is the length either. Seth Godin publishes very short pieces and many of those and absolute gems. Another difference I believe is about utility and originality. There are too many post about making additional income that list baby-sitting, dog-walking and waitressing at best. Obvious and not particularly imaginative.

 

Then again, I may be a bit harsh. I recently saw an call for help on a forum where the poster was asking for help with simple arithmetic; so may be obvious and basic advice is needed and can't be repeated enough.

It is a matter of personal choice.

 

Maria

4:24 pm
January 8, 2014


RootofGood

North Carolina

Member

posts 47

I think those long (and meaty posts, Maria ;) ) are more likely to get shared and noticed in niche communities.  While a 500 word article is great at conveying a short list of tips with descriptions of each, it's hard to give such a brief article real gravitas.  

Justin @ Root of Good

Join me in my journey through early retirement at age 33!

Rootofgood.com

Facebook: RootofGood

Twitter: @RootofGoodBlog

9:30 am
January 21, 2014


Fig (Figuring Money Out)

Member

posts 76

Interesting! I haven't written many long posts but I have noticed my posts are getting longer naturally. I think I'll try to aim for a longform article once a month or so!

10:33 pm
January 21, 2014


Jeff Rose

Member

posts 574

Now that Google is staring to have their "in depth" article search, I've been working on having more posts in the 2,000 word area.  I totally agree that longer posts are better.  

12:00 pm
January 22, 2014


The College Investor

San Diego, CA

Admin

posts 1935

I just finished my 20,000 word Ultimate Guide to Saving for Retirement.  

Please check out The College Investor at http://thecollegeinvestor.com!  This is the home of my Investing 101 Class.

Ready to Take Your Blog To The Next Level: http://beatthe9to5.com

You can also follow on Twitter @CollegeInvestin or Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/thecol…..geinvestor!

2:08 pm
January 22, 2014


frugaling

Member

posts 139

Wow! That is a terrific document. Shared via Twitter! :)

7:22 pm
January 22, 2014


Jeff Rose

Member

posts 574

The College Investor said:

I just finished my 20,000 word Ultimate Guide to Saving for Retirement.  

Dang!  You need to make that into a book on Amazon.  :)  

12:39 am
January 23, 2014


The College Investor

San Diego, CA

Admin

posts 1935

Jeff Rose said:

The College Investor said:

I just finished my 20,000 word Ultimate Guide to Saving for Retirement.  

Dang!  You need to make that into a book on Amazon.  :)  

Oh, good idea.  I should look into this!

Please check out The College Investor at http://thecollegeinvestor.com!  This is the home of my Investing 101 Class.

Ready to Take Your Blog To The Next Level: http://beatthe9to5.com

You can also follow on Twitter @CollegeInvestin or Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/thecol…..geinvestor!

6:22 am
January 23, 2014


moneystepper

Member

posts 182

The College Investor said:

I just finished my 20,000 word Ultimate Guide to Saving for Retirement.  

Wow, that is an impressive guide TCI. Definitely agree that you should be looking into publishing that on amazon in book form.

 

I was inspired by this post to extend one of my normal articles on paying down debt vs saving for retirement into 1700 words.

 

I was very proud of it…for about 2 hours until I came here are saw your guide TCI!! Frown

2:12 pm
January 23, 2014


RootofGood

North Carolina

Member

posts 47

I just knocked out a 2,300 word article on Bill Gates' 2014 Annual Letter from his Gates Foundation.  Bill Gates Debunks 3 Myths That Block Progress For Poor Countries

The entire Annual Letter was very interesting reading and I felt compelled to comment.

Justin @ Root of Good

Join me in my journey through early retirement at age 33!

Rootofgood.com

Facebook: RootofGood

Twitter: @RootofGoodBlog

10:05 pm
January 24, 2014


Financial Samurai

Admin

posts 1803

Robert, that is a beast man. Definitely package it in an eBook or an add on to subscribe to a newsletter or something.

Regards,

 

Sam

Financial Samurai - Helping you achieve financial freedom sooner, rather than later.

Yakezie Network Founder 

7:03 am
January 25, 2014


colormefrugal

Member

posts 99

Wow, I'm going to have to start working on some longer posts.  I think my longest one is just over 1000 words right now, but since I'm new I'm experimenting all over the place with what works, what doesn't.  I'm definitely going to try out some longer posts.  Thanks for the tips!

11:31 pm
January 27, 2014


Untemplater

Member

posts 400

I write longer posts around 1500-2000 words. I find it hard to write short ones. And from a readership perspective, I like reading longer articles too. There are a ton of crap articles out on the web, and the vast majority of them are short. I can't count the times I'm searching for something and when I read the post results I end up saying "that's it?!" when I get to the end.

   Sydney at Untemplater

Blog: http://untemplater.com

Twitter: @untemplater  @syduntemplater

Facebook: Like Untemplater's Page  Friend Sydney

   Work where you want…Live how you want…Be who you want to be

6:42 pm
January 30, 2014


Lindsey @ Sense & Sensibility

Calgary, Alberta

Member

posts 17

I like to mix it up and do a little of everything. I've got simple list posts to the longer 1000 to 1500 commentary posts. Different subjects call for different levels of exploration. There's value in all.

Lindsey @ Cents & Sensibility

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