I think you should write what you’re passionate about, because that’s when it’s interesting. Many people wrote about having other political sites they visit for “that kind” of information. Well, there are many other financial blogs too. There are so many blogs that people can find whatever they want. That’s why I think it’s most important for you to decide what your blog is about and not let your readers dictate it. After all, you’re the one that has to write it!

P.S. I guess I’m different from most of your commentors. I enjoyed your finance/political posts and especially the comments about them. I was excited when you created your A Political Matters site, but you rarely post there. But then, I agree with your politics.

You have your answer in this mock focus group. I stopped coming to this blog when it took a political angle. I have over 100 RSS feeds and if the article is good, I’ll click through so I disagree with RSS being the issue in fact, it may get you more traffic from loyal readers.

And it wasn’t so much the politics but how poorly you were arguing a side. It became Fox News like. It is clear you understand finance and you put together great Excel data. Not so much with politics. You lost your audience because of this. Like many other comments, people would come to this site for the financial advice. When it took a political slant, people must have thought this is becoming like a Drudge Report or a DailyKos.

And from your comment, I sense that you are losing passion with this. Good writing comes from deep within so maybe you should examine what you want to do next.

I do appreciate everyone’s honesty–even if it’s not what I want to hear.

Recently, the post quality has diminished, and I agree with others on the negative feelings generated by the political bent. Everyone’s got a political side, but as a middle of the road person, I’d prefer a more even handed, ‘here’s one side, but here’s the flip side’ type of treatment. Neither side is right (or wrong) all of the time.

I think your closing statement “If things don’t turn around or I don’t get this figured out, I may just concentrate my efforts elsewhere,” pretty much does it for me. If you don’t care anymore, don’t ask why your traffic is down. You have your answer… and I think I have mine.

Just a thought!

Visitor traffic can fluctuate for many reasons. By bringing it up though you got a great deal of honest feedback on your site from the eyes of your customers. You also admit that you had some issues earlier with a site hack. It takes time to rebuild those things.

As a new visitor I have enjoyed what I have read. I find political posts entertaining or education depending on how they are expressed.

I hope your traffic returns as does your passion for this site.

Sincerely
Scott Lovingood

Claire,

It’s not my intent to respond with hostility. But, I guess I come across that way (just like commenters come across that way too).

I still think these issues should be talked about. They are important and we gain nothing when we sweep them under the rug.

Like Nazim above, I wouldn’t mind if you showed the connection between political developments and their economic consequences, but if you do that, it needs to be a thoughtful analysis. I’d also like to see you be more open to those who disagree with you.

I’ve just recently started looking in again from time to time. I wanted to see if you had gotten back on message. I’ll check back from time-to-time now to see if you make a course correction. I hope you will. I used to enjoy the site.