@butchbryant I think the minimum I have ever launched with is five posts.  The reason is when someone gets to your new site, if there is only one post and they don’t like it for whatever reason, they might not subscribe or come back.  If there are a few posts, then they can see what the blog will be about and find at least a few things that make them more inclined to subscribe. 

@blogsbyheather @kristi-hines Thanks for your input.  I was thinking at least four but will probably up that.

I have found it best to create a lot more posts to start with (like 10 or more). You can use a mixture of original posts and curated posts.For the latter you write a few paragraphs of your own and then use interesting and relevant content that you have found elsewhere (obviously with a link back to original article). This way it is easy to create a lot of content and readers love it. It will give your visitors a great picture of what to expect in the future.

@butchbryant

I say stick to the rule of three, it’s just enough to give readers a feel for what your blog is about.

However, make sure these first 3 post are of super high quality so they create an avalanche effect in the form of shares, subscribers and links.

@butchbryant

I agree with Don and Heather Butch about having sufficient content on your blog right away…plus drip fed content ready to go.

You want to launch a new social media BUSINESS, not a social blog, and having a thin site is definitely something to be avoided. It could be difficult to create credibility with only three or four posts

I think Karin’s suggest of using curated content would take some of the burden off you.

When I started blogging for the first time, I created an introductory blog post and then 2 more with the type of content I was going to be providing.  As I did each blog thereafter, I created one blog per week (over the weekends) when I had time to refine my “style” and “content” and improve my writing.  By the time I got my name and blog out there, I was getting a little better at it with each post.  I kept the first blog posts, but realized when I went back to reread what I had first submitted, I was glad that I had improved and the latest posts were a better offering than my first.  In checking my Google Analytics, I was able to see what posts have been most popular and why and have further enhanced by technique…..and I am still learning.

I agree with @Heather Write-Porto in that you just have to get started – and take that little extra time to make those posts content rich – you will find it will come easier with time and experience.

@atlantarobin Hi Robin! When I elaborate and share articles from someone else, I get the info from these SmartBriefs I get in email every day. So I pick on of them of interest and then write a little about it and link to the main article source so my readers can read more there I think the site is http://www.SmartBriefs.com.Heather

@blogsbyheather

Heather, I just checked out SmartBriefs. What a little goldmine of inspirational story ideas. Definitely will use this resource. Thanks!

This site is wonderful! Everyone’s so helpful. Like getting an online marketing master’s for free!

So I get the idea of having several posts up and some in the queue when starting a new blog, but where the heck do you up them before the blog is actually up?

Do you write them in Evernote? In another blog and export them? Start the site up and start posting but don’t share it?

Cheers,Todd@tojosan

Just wondering @glengorham if you’re recommending I create the blog, get it ‘live’ but unpromoted and build the posts w/in that blog.

I was thinking of creating them ahead of time before building the blog and URL out.

Hi @tojosan I’ve found with new websites that you want to launch and gather as many incoming links, likes and +1 as possible within a 2 month period. There appears to be a grace period where google will rank the site high and basically let you prove otherwise. If you don’t get uptake, then the site is slowly adjusted in the rank. 

I think what @glengorham is suggesting is that you plan ahead and have blog posts ready and in the queue, scheduled to go live a particular dates/times. In a draft mode, you can gather info and photos, etc, then set them to go live when you’re ready, or if you’re working ahead, then predate them and save them in Wordpress. 

Cheers,Monique