To: Members of the CIA. And potential members of the CIA. And anyone else who wants to be involved.
From: The Director of the CIA
Re: Overt operations
OK, so here’s the deal. A couple of weeks ago I published a post indicating how we were doing now just over five months into this blog. A number of you commented about the number of posts that I’m doing, many of you (not all) indicating that it seemed like a lot, and some (not all) suggesting that fewer might be better. That got me thinking. I wonder if some people are turned off by the blog because there is simply too much information on it, and it’s a drag feeling like one has to plow through it all. That, obviously, would be counterproductive for what I want to achieve (which is maximum subscribers, to raise as much money for charity as I can). And so it occurred to me: maybe I should simply ask you, the readers, what you would prefer.
So this is a kind of CIA survey. I would appreciate it if you would respond, by *commenting* on this post (NOT by sending me an email, or, well, any other mode of communication). I will not approve the comments for the blog, but will simply tally up the results, report them, and then act accordingly. Your response should take about 15 seconds. I have three things I want to know: how many posts per week would be optimal; what the size of those posts should optimally be; and whether in your opinion the answer to either question would affect how many people joint the blog. Just give quick answers (e.g., by commenting: 2-3 week; 900-1000 words; no I don’t think it would matter – or whatever you think.
So the issues and choices
(1) How many posts per week do you think would be optimal for the blog? 2-3? 4-5? 5-6? (For point of reference, I now do about 6 on average.)
(2) What in your opinion would be an optimal size: 300 words? 500 words? 750 words? 1000 words? 1250 words? (For reference: most of them now are 700-1100, I would guess)
(3) Do you think much more or less from what you’re suggesting would affect membership in a negative way?
Many thanks!
And please remember – donations to the Bart Ehrman Foundation (in addition to your subscription fees) are ALWAYS WELCOME. All the money goes to the charities fighting hunger and homelessness that I have discussed elsewhere on the blog.