Thu 10 Apr 2008
New blog features & a personal appeal
Posted by Prieur du Plessis under Money, Markets, Investment
When I nervously posted my first article on the Wordpress blogging template a few months ago, I did not in my wildest dreams anticipate the extraordinarily fulfilling experience that lay ahead.
But I have realized that to provide readers with interesting, and hopefully useful, content is only part of the story. It is also necessary to provide them with a pleasant and stimulating blogging environment, offering a variety of exciting and dynamic features.
And talking of features, I have worked hard to add a few interesting ones over the past few weeks. These features mostly reside in the sidebar (i.e. the column on the right-hand site of the blog site) and include the following:
Donald Coxe’s webcast, providing a weekly update on the “big picture” investment scene. Donald is Portfolio Strategist of BMO Financial Group and one of the most highly-rated players in the industry.
A Dow Jones Radio podcast, providing a short and sweet hourly update (one-minute duration) on markets every day when markets are open.
Newsflashr, an innovative aggregator of financial news bringing readers up-to-date headlines (fully clickable) from most of the important newspapers and blogs.
Also, you might have noticed that a “Print This Post” button has been added at the top of each post for easy printing.
Lastly, a Quote of the Day has been added at the bottom of the sidebar for some reflection on various aspects of life.
This brings me to the question of advertising. Yes, I have introduced ads, but in a way that should not be too intruding. The reason for this is simply that I run the blog for the love of it with no commercial consideration. But it does cost money to maintain the site in the sense that various expenses are involved, ranging from hosting to paying retainers for ongoing development and the actual loading and management of articles. It is for the reason of at least trying to cover some of the costs that I have resorted to selective advertising.
Personal appeal
Advertising revenue is dependent on traffic to the site – the more visitors, the higher the advertising revenue. And this is where I want to appeal to each of my subscribers and readers to please spread the word about Investment Postcards being a valuable resource. If each of you can “recruit” just one additional reader, it will be immensely helpful. Please also become a “regular” by subscribing to the updates (see subscription facility at the top of the right-hand sidebar).
The deal I’m offering is simply the following: Help me boost the number of readers (and ideally subscribers), and I undertake to continually improve the site for the benefit of the entire community. It sounds like a win-win situation. Up to the challenge?
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April 10th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Dear Sir: I have tried so desperately to access your new site on my Linux system. I have finally resorted to mailing your letter to my husband’s computer and moving over to his desk to read it. I love your site with all the side bars etc. - just not on my dear old Linux system. I really do appreciate your insightful letters.
Mary
April 10th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
I enjoy your site a great deal - I wish you’d cover more SA equity though - and have at last linked up to you.
I have been to SA twice, wrote about it following the last trip a year ago (a v close mate works between Pretoria and Jo’burg) and regularly scour it for likely investments. Just looks vulnerable on the macro front between rates and energy issues; and the companies of most interest to me seem to face significant political risk (eg Aspen).
Have also been following the new REIT legislation from a distance - if you ever post anything on that it would interest one small section of your audience immensely!
Cheers,
Rawdon
April 10th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
I’ll start by saying that I like your site. Beyond that, I haven’t adapted to the blog phenomenon.
This note I wish for you, only, to read. The fact that all your subscribers may read it, in this case, is fine. In other cases, I would be looking for your email address.
One great thing about the web is it has made - to a large extent - all information available. In the process, it has debased it.
When everyone can and does contribute their thoughts on a daily basis, it results in so much noise both in terms of volume of information and in the lack of refinement and depth. The profound is scattered amongst the casual conversation.
The great value of your site to me is twofold:
First, you distill the wisdom of many, while presenting links to the sources. You become a noise filter in a noisy environment.
Second, I have come to trust your judgment on the selection of what you post.
Anyway, please keep up the good work.
April 12th, 2008 at 3:07 am
I already subscribe and I, a few months ago, have sent your web site, with a high recommendation and kudos, to readers of my site and email letter (micro by your new standard). I thought that the last several sentences of the response from Ian Nunn were very complimentary and very right to the point. This is an amazing world of real-time services and I want you to know that your site as set a new vanguard. In this amazing new world I would not expect a new standard to last very long, however, based on your efforts, I expect you to stay there for a long time. My very best wishes for your success, Malcolm Williams