When I launched this retirement blog almost 4 months ago I asked some questions about topics and content. Not surprisingly, because this site was brand new I received only a few responses. Now that the number of page views is approaching 25,000 I thought the time was good to ask the questions again.
I enjoy writing, so I could probably churn out a post about almost anything. But, to stay true to the title of the blog, Satisfying Retirement, I want to focus on topics that you care about the most.
So, the questions are simple:
1) What topics about retirement living are most important to you? What would you like me to write more often: Health issues, Relationships, Finances, Simple Living, New Technology, Creativity & Learning, Time Management, My Life experiences? Anything else?
2) What topics don't really interest you as part of this blog? What should I write less about or even avoid entirely?
You will be an invaluable help to me if you would leave a comment answering one or (hopefully) both of the questions. With your responses I can be sure I produce material you really care about and avoid the stuff you don't. A sincere thank you for your support. My goal is to make every post valuable and meaningful to you.
_____________________________________
One favor: if you have a friend or relative who is retired, or soon will be, and that person doesn't know about this blog, please ask them to visit here just long enough to answer the questions. A critical way for me to attract new readers is to provide content they would find attractive.
Finances are the most important part of retirement for me (mostly since I'm not retired yet). So any tips for being financially savvy during retirement would be awesome.
ReplyDeleteBob, I really like your thought provoking posts on creative retirement that are outside the usual financial advice. Most writers focus on finances, which are important, true, but other issues revolving around family, expectations for retirement and finding personal success in retirement are topics that deserve to be written about as well.
ReplyDeleteSo far, I think your blog is right on in discussing many topics that don't usually get a focus.
A perfect combination of comments to start off this post. Starshard0, you'd like more financial tips. Joan, you like that I don't spend much time with financial topics.
ReplyDeleteThat is what makes blogging fun and challenging: meeting different needs.
Thanks to both of you for adding your comments so quickly. I hope there is lots of feedback for me to review.
Bob,
ReplyDeleteWhen I read your list of possible topics, my first thought was that I'd like to hear your take on each of those topics. Perhaps the best answer is to discuss those which have the most relevance to you in your own journey. That way, you guarantee a personal connection and passion for the topic. If your budget dictates that you find ways to live a simpler but just-as-satisfying life, some of your readers are probably experiencing the same thing and would benefit from your own connection and interest in the issue. If a doctor's visit turns up an interesting discussion about the pros and cons of flu shots, some of us are probably weighing the benefits of the immunization against the possible harm of the heavy-metal preservatives used. If you're seeing that all your friends are about your age and are in your same socio-economic and ethnic group and wondering how to build other friendships, others of us might benefit from your insights. I would focus most on what interests you, trusting that your posts are going to touch upon issues that all of us are pondering, too.
Linda, that is excellent advice. Writers are always told to write about what they know and that is precisely what you are saying. I try to stay attuned to ideas from all sorts of places, like outlined in the post of last week, "Pay Attention to What You Don't See." Part of that are my life experiences.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the very helpful comment.
Hey, Bob... The topics which are of major interest to me are: thinking communicating, and communicating, and living a rich, adventurous life. While financial matters are certainly important, and of interest to all of us, "everyone and his brother" is already blogging on this topic. Bill
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input Bill. Your blog is a great testament to living a rich, adventurous life.
ReplyDeleteIntrospection and communication issues might be a fun road to explore. After 35 years in radio I should have something to share.
Feedback to this point is pretty much clear on financial issues. I will share my own experiences and suggestions in this area. But, detailed recommendations to maximize 401k growth, or the proper percentage of stocks vs. bonds isn't my thing. Others with a lot more expertise are out there.
I like the unique approach and point of view you sometimes take to convey a message. Whether it be wisdom learned from your 3 year old grandson or tuning up our lives like a guitar! Personally, I find there are a lot of financial blogs out there and it is nice to hear something other than dollars and cents.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the "unique approach" comment. I have fun with things like the guitar as a metaphor for life post. Sometimes I worry about being a bit too cutesy.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to avoid specific financial advice. That is not my thing.
Note: visit Dave's site and grab a copy of his free e-book on Navigating the Retirement Jungle. It is worth your time.
First of all, thank you for this excellent resource you have created. As a busy, healthy professional who is planning on retiring in 4-5 years, I worry about how I will create structure on a daily basis. Why shave? Why put on clothes other than sweat pants? Why not sleep late.....
ReplyDeleteSure I have a list of things to do and see....but what about those "ordinary" days when there are no plans?
Thanks!
I like posts about your personal experiences, thoughts and reflections on life in retirement. It's the personal aspect of reading blogs I enjoy, rather than just information, I can get information anywhere.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Keith for adding your thoughts. Time management and how to structure your day are important topics for me to address on a regular basis. Please stop back on occasion to see if new posts address your concerns.
ReplyDeleteLouise,
ReplyDeleteYour comment is right in line with what I see as the majority opinion: stay away from financial details (that's available on your blog!) and lists of resources or basic information . Personal experiences and reflections are more important. Thanks for helping me refine my focus a bit.
I suppose that answer depends on where each retiree is on the road of retirement. For me, recently retired and going through the initial phase, I like to read about:
ReplyDeleteWhat to expect the first few months of retirement:
..How to handle the emotional upheaval of change
..How to find ways to become involved in activities (volunteer, etc.)
..How to handle relationships with adult children
..Ways veteran retirees have handled mistakes (and the "okay" to make mistakes even at our ages)
Don,
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you. Excellent questions. I will attempt to address all of them over the next several weeks. They are perfect questions to start good discussions and feedback from my fabulous readers.
Thanks for being there, week in and week out.
The TRANSITION. Going from being Somebody (no matter your position) to not-being-somebody, is daunting. In 5 months I am going to go from "There just isn't enough time in the day to do all of this" to "What am I going to do with all of this time in the day". (I do have a plan for post retirement, but it FEELS that way, at least right now.)
ReplyDeleteJeff
The transition from busy and feeling needed to full retirement is a major adjustment for everyone. I have addressed some of the issues in previous posts, but it is an important topic for me to revisit.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jeffrey, for the suggestion.