I mentioned it briefly a couple of weeks ago, but Lazy Man and Money is taking a new direction… I’ve hired a couple of writers. I think you are really going to like them.
There’s always a risk in introducing new writers to a blog. People are probably expecting an article written by “Lazy Man” and be disoriented by a female writer. My articles also tend to be personal. I write about what’s going on in my life. Another author is going to be living a different life (I hope!) and have different experiences.
When J.D. Roth stopped writing for Get Rich Slowly, I stopped reading it. I read the blog because of him. If I wasn’t getting him, why waste my time?
So why am I hiring writers? It’s a bunch of different things. Some of them include:
- I’m not seeing as many comments on my articles as I’d like. Perhaps the quality of my articles on a daily basis isn’t where it needs to be. By reducing quantity, maybe I can increase quality.
- As I touched on earlier, the new writers can write about different topics such as debt that I usually don’t cover due to lack of experience. Maybe readers are looking for this.
- I want to put more time into different things. I really want to write a book (even if it short and terrible). I want to be more active on social media. I want to grow Be Better Now into the best website that it can be.
Finally, (and I’m purposely separating this from the list), I like to try new things and see what works. That’s what lead me to start this blog in the first place and look how far it has come? It looks like Lazy Man and Money will do more than 2.2 million page view this year.
In the ideal scenario, Tuesday and Thursday will feature other writers. Tomorrow we have an article from Christina Garofalo who is co-author of the blog Adventures in Frugal, where she writes about travel, food, finance, and more. Her writing has also appeared in Paste, First We Feast, Robb Report, and Art & Hustle. In her free time, you’ll find her writing poetry and eating her way through Brooklyn, New York.
This Thursday we have an article from Michelle from Fit is the New Poor. While we are still working on her biography, feel free to check out her website.
If it really doesn’t work and you hate their writing, let me know that you want more of my writing by leaving comments. Don’t be scared of the comment box.
Fun experiment, I hope it works! I’d love to read about the financial aspect (what you’re paying them or how you’re doing revenue sharing), but I understand if that’s something you’re keeping under wraps.
I’ve returned to blogging after a multi-year hiatus and it is WAY harder to get comments! I wonder what has changed?
I’m paying the writers per article. I’m too Lazy to work out how to revenue share on it. I’m not going to say how much I’m paying them. I can say that I interviewed about 10 writers and the lowest-priced prospect wanted 1/8 of what the highest-priced prospect wanted. In other words, there’s a wide range of writers out there.
As for the lack of comments, I’d say it is Facebook and Twitter. Of course I’m not getting a ton of sharing there either, so maybe I’m just not very good ;-).
Thanks for the intro, Lazy! I’m excited to get started :)
Change can be good, and the spare time will help you determine what areas could use improvement. I really enjoy Michelle’s work, so good choice! I’ve never read the other gal, so I’ll be interested to see her stuff.
I have read that only a tiny bit of readers comment under articles. I personally believe that comments are overrated. Many sites have turned comments off, and that doesn’t really change much about them.
If you do want comments, you will have to respond to every single one however.
On the other hand, if you do get more comments on articles, you will spend more time answering comments, than writing more quality articles.
Just my two cents..
All great points DGI. I love the interaction and respond to about 70% of the comments I get. I understand that few readers read them, but they show me that people are getting value of the articles.
Good luck with the new direction, Lazy. If I want Lazy Man, I’ll connect with Lazy Man… on the phone! ;)
You are one of the very privileged people who I allow do that ;-).
Hey LM,
I have followed your blog. For a long time. Mostly because of your insight and I enjoy your sports posts.
My first thought was you were finally going the way of JD Roth and my other favorite blog. Dinks Finance.
I still follow JD but stopped reading GRS a long time ago. I’m not even sure why I continue because I have nothing in common with his new improved persona. He comes off as bored most of the time and I don’t think he has a lot to add to the PF world these days.
I hope you haven’t sold the blog and I will keep reading. Skipping the mlm stuff and maybe your writers will add. Rather than detract from the blog.
Thanks Michele, I always appreciate your comments. And yes, I remember them from around 2007 or 2008 :-).
I have not sold Lazy Man and Money. I doubt that I could ever reasonable be able to sell it. Most buyers of personal finance blogs are looking at it as an investment to generate cash. My blog generates some cash, but I think the MLM articles have much, much, much more value to the public than what a buyer would be willing to pay. I think sale discussions would be doomed from the start.
If J.D. seems bored about personal finance, I can’t blame him. After 10 years, I find it hard to feel the same excitement sometimes. We are all different people moving in different directions. I would venture that few people have moved in his own personal finances as much as J.D.
I’m happy you enjoy my sports posts. I feel like no one else does ;-).
Your blog is awesome and so is your idea for having others contribute! I don’t remember how I found your blog, but people who care re. the economy and their finances should read it.