With 2018 coming to an end, I want to highlight the top posts this year. I also share some of the overlooked – or perhaps less loved but still deserving some love – posts in 2018. Every post still needs a little love.
I took a long break from writing and social media in the second half of the year. However, Balanced Dividends continued to attract more readers without me producing new content for over 2 months.
It feels great to have created something from nothing. In growing, despite numerous learning pains, we make great gains.
Most Popular Posts This Year
I listed these based on traffic and other reader interactions (comments, social media, and messages). As mentioned, I looked to diversify the content from solely personal finance to include personal fitness and well-being in 2018. Perhaps it had something to do with finding balance?
Regardless, these posts gained a lot of niche category readers; however, I was surprised by the repeat viewers also looking across general finance and fitness topics.
Orangetheory Fitness: How to Win (Your Personal) Dri-Tri
Updated and expanded based on prior reader feedback, I tried to provide a great level of detail. Complemented with a more story-telling approach, this post garnered great compliments – both online and in the gym studio.
Orangetheory Fitness: Why I Spend $2,148 A Year
This post seemed so straightforward to me: write about a product / service you enjoy and explain the pros and cons. This helped drive a lot of new readers to the site – many of whom picked up onto the finance content as well. Go get some splats!
Orangetheory Fitness: It’s All About That Base (Pace)!
Similar to the first two OTF posts, I attempted to provide an overview of my experience. Adding technical detail for the more interested readers helped to drive some additional readers and offline commentary.
Fundrise Passive Income Review: 6-Month Update
I honestly did not focus on this at the time, but google “Fundrise Passive Income” – you’ll see this post near the top. After I started researching SEO and seeing what keywords brought readers to the site, I’m usually surprised what search terms direct someone to Balanced Dividends. Also, check out the 12-month update!
Passive Income Engine: Building a Balanced Dividends Portfolio
I considered this a “nuts and bolts” post. People wanted more specifics on my portfolio and allocations. I was a bit skeptical to go into too much detail, but the post seemed to be well received overall.
Posts That Still Deserve Some (More) Love
To be clear, readers (I hope) still found enjoyment and/or benefit reading these posts. They’re not even necessarily the least popular. However, I thought these posts at times explored a different, or at least newer, side of Balanced Dividends.
While I continue to try to find a balance of personal finance, fitness, and general well-being topics, I started this site in 2017 with a focus on personal finance. I quickly realized it’s not just personal finance that keeps me – as well as various other readers – happy.
How We Got to Averaging $1,000 a Month in Passive Income
I would have ranked this in the above section. However, it technically got published in late 2017. Even with a few minor updates this year, I still get various messages from readers on this post.
Orangetheory Fitness: Let’s Get Rowing!
Overall, this post did quite well – just not when compared to the other OTF posts. Why? People don’t like rowing. This should not be the case – give it a try!
Dark Lord Day: Vikings, Jedi, and Beer, Oh My!
This post had very little to do with finance and fitness. If anything, it explores what NOT to do if you want to improve your wealth and health! That said, it’s important to unwind and let go every once in a while – it’s about balance, remember?
Post-March Madness: 5 (Plus) Ways To Find Balance
Perhaps people weren’t happy with the results of March Madness this year (or my making fun of my British colleagues). But a number of people still enjoyed this post. In addition to the heavier, direct finance and fitness posts, I like exploring the general well-being side of things.
15 Years Later: 5 Things I Wish I Knew Sooner
This post blew up after getting picked up on Rockstar Finance. It was actually my second all-time single day record post. With recent changes in life, I needed to reflect. This post captures some important lessons learned as of late. I think this one will continue to climb.
Less is More: Updated Balanced Dividends Ecosystem
This post is only a couple of weeks old. But it’s an expansion and “part 2” of the original from 2017. While still complex, things are now simpler. Less is usually more.
Balanced Dividends Blogroll
Technically a page, the Balanced Dividends Blogroll lists some of my favorite content within the community. We also featured four highlights from the list.
I highly encourage you to check out these and the other great sites.
Looking Back and – More Importantly – Ahead
I’m extremely surprised with the growth of Balanced Dividends this year. Overall, including this entry, I published 51 posts in 2018.
I had a goal to publish at least weekly. Even with the extended time off, I practically met this goal. In 2019, my goal is to publish twice a week.
Thank you so much for reading and sharing my work this year. It means a lot and is greatly appreciated.
Readers, what have been your favorite posts? Are there any I didn’t mention here? What other sites or posts have you also found helpful or interesting within the wider community?
Related:
Are you serious? I just listed over 10 posts… go see above for related content.
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