This article is mostly for my fellow bloggers (non-bloggers should read it too so that my bounce rate doesn’t spike) who are desperately trying to break through the noise and become cultural icons. Not everyone can spend only two years constantly writing and amass a following of over dozens of people. I’ve done just that. Today, I’ll share my secrets.
It was late fall and I was helping my grandad whittle a chair from an old stump…just kidding. This isn’t a recipe, I’ll get right to the point.
Many bloggers have found that the personal finance water balloon bubble is bursting with an ever-increasing flow of new personal finance bloggers. How can you stand out in such a crowded field? Time is precious and you’ll be dead one day. The best chance you have of being remembered is by being one of the highly respected world-famous bloggers. Let’s get to it.
Diversify Your Writing
Nobody wants you to stick to one topic. People don’t come to your personal finance blog so they can learn about the Rule of 72, what it takes to retire, how to lower your taxes, or even how to access your pretax money after you retire.
What they really come to your finance blog for is to find out what you think about simulation theory or whether or not you’re comfortable questioning the Biblical narrative.
Some people claim to have found great success by really digging into a particular niche and becoming the expert on that topic.
News Flash: It’s 2020, nobody wants to hear from an expert.
Try to be First
In 2005 Mr. Money Mustache retired at the tender age of 30. His blog became wildly popular for his punch-you-in-the-face attitude and the sheer audacity of quitting the corporate world years before you even start to hate yourself and regret all the time you’ve wasted during your singular trip through the cosmos.
Several other folks decided they would also enjoy becoming household names for retiring at an unreasonably tender age. Soon the doors to the FIRE movement were wide open and knowledge of the concept eventually trickled down to the Burrito Bowl household.
Fast-forward to today and there are hundreds of personal finance blogs all talking about how you can pay off debt and retire early. Some of these bloggers have themselves retired early, some of them are currently several hundred thousand dollars in debt. All of them want you to buy their eBook.
Bottom line: If you want to stand out in the personal finance community try to be one of those bloggers who started a decade ago.
Post Sporadically
Readers of blogs hate consistency.
“Oh, great. It’s Tuesday morning so I just know Mr. FiMoneyFinanceDebtRetireFi Guy has a post ready to go in my inbox. I hate that.”
– Average Blog Reader
If you really want to keep a captive audience don’t post articles on a schedule. I literally, and I don’t mean figuratively, have 54 articles in my draft folder. I could post a new article every week for over a year before I have to think of a new topic to write about. Do I do that? No, because this isn’t amateur hour. I get a post 97% done and then I let it sit in my draft folder until it’s no longer relevant. Then I post it. At random.
I might post three times one week then go a month without posting. Keep. Your. Readers. Guessing. People don’t enjoy the comfort of routine, especially these days when we’re all just looking for a little bit of excitement in our lives.
Talk About Politics and Religion
Bloggers don’t do this enough. Before people can believe a word you say about saving money they need to know your political and religious views. Use your blog as a way to really get your opinions out there.
Think of your blog as a large dining table and your blog readers are like your family. Grace your readers with your emotionally charged opinions while being as divisive as you can. They’ll love you for it.
Oh, also…
Nuance isn’t Your Best Look
Be a strong independent thinker by subscribing to all the lines of thought of a certain ideal so that your readers can agree with absolutely everything you say without being challenged in any meaningful way.
If you are going to talk about complex topics try not to sound too wish-washy by being overly nuanced. One side should be all good and one side should be all bad no matter the topic.
Hot Tip: Try to take the temperature of the room before you form an opinion, that way you’re sure to make a bold stand by saying what you already know the vast majority of your readers agree with.
Title Your Articles in Catchy Ways
Blog article title: It’s Only Heavy if You Pick it Up
Yuck. What’s that, some mindfulness nonsense about how the weight of the world can feel unbearable but not every problem is ours to pick up and we can relax in the knowledge that we don’t have to carry everything on our shoulders? Gross. I’m not reading that.
Deleted.
Blog article title: 19 Pretty Good Coronavirus Safety Tips for Humans
Wow! A numbered list. That’s outstanding. I’ll read this and share it with my friends.
See how that works?
People like to read articles that tell them how to do something…
How to Participate in the American Election Without Being a Complete Dick
Interesting.
How to be Willfully Ignorant and DESTROY Your Opponents
Yes, I want to do that.
How to Change the Batteries in the Smoke Detector at 3 am
Hmmm, a bit niche but potentially very relevant.
…or articles that include a numbered list so they can practice counting while they read…
How to Ruin a Good Debt Payoff Story in Seven Easy Steps
19 Pretty Good Coronavirus Safety Tips for Humans
Don’t title your article: My debt Payoff Story.
Nobody cares.
Do title your article: “How to My debt Payoff Story 11 Ways.”
Instant classic. I wish that article existed so I could read it right now.
Anyway. That’s how it’s done. Obviously you’re now interested in buying my eBook. Unfortunately, I don’t have one. I did write a romance novel though. You can read it instead. Good luck, fellow bloggers.
If you enjoyed this article please share it with your friends and enemies.
Did you know? Sharing this will make you happy!
“try to be a blogger who started a decade ago” made me lol. Love it!
This entire post made me crack up – you’re hilarious – and I’m honored to be one of your dozens of followers.
Thank you. Please don’t ever leave.
Mr. Burrito Bowl, what made you decide to post this piece now? I smiled while reading it because I’m trying to figure out how to generate interest in Love Feeds Wealth. I wish I could write only for myself, but a part of me hopes my writing could be useful for others. However, if they never see it, it’s use-less. Quandary.
It’s hard to know for sure what motivates me. I have several serious posts that just didn’t feel right. Usually the ones I end up posting I put together in an hour or so but the ones I spend tons of time on I end up overthinking and they remain drafts. Go figure.
Awesome stuff! It confirms I’m doing everything right just like I knew I was. I apologize to me for doubting myself.
Good work! I knew you could do it.