It’s very rare that I get any comments on my blogging efforts in general and not just on specific articles. This week was different as reader Larry sent in this courteous critique:
I have a lot of respect for you and your work and enjoy your weekly FREE letter, but lately I am losing interest in your blogs. I am very aware that I don’t have to read them if I choose not to, but the fact is I want to read them.
My complaint is that they aren’t your views any longer, but you are copying someone else’s hard work. The articles are becoming much to lengthy for me as compared to the ones where you personally used to write some good stuff, which was much more original. I like your opinions and views not someone else’s all the time. I believe I am speaking for my friends as well. Please don’t be upset with me as I am only sharing my feelings with you hoping you will get a feel as to what your readers might be thinking.
I am very aware that this is your project not mine, but if I am not satisfied probably many others aren’t either.
Please take a look at where you are going with this and maybe reconsider doing some of the writing yourself about what you see going on in the market environment and make the blogs much shorter as we are all busy and need to read them quickly.
There are two aspects to my ideas of writing this blog:
1. It is my intention to enhance the understanding of my trend tracking methodology and to supplement the information contained in my free weekly newsletter and StatSheet. I will write about these issues as they come up based on reader feedback and market events.
2. The financial markets went through a collapse last year with long lasting effects. Most investors portfolios’ were devastated and lives changed forever. With the world now hovering on the dark side of the burst credit bubble, it is important to hear different viewpoints from other bloggers or those qualified to write about it. So I reference the work of others because I think they present important viewpoints you need to know.
Reading a blog is not unlike reading a newspaper or other reference material. Just because you bought a copy of the WSJ does not mean that you have to read every article or that every section resonates with you. Be aware that others may like those articles that you don’t care for. Pick those topics that interest you and skip over the rest; it’s as simple as that.
Whether you agree with reader Larry or not, I like to hear your viewpoint. Please click on the comment icon below and type in your message.
Comments 29
Ulli, first of all, let me thank you for the free content you provide. I would have to partially agree with Larry regarding your blog: the posts are getting too long. I have no problem with you occasionally mentioning a good external blog post or article, but you should keep the quote portion short, provide a link to the complete article/blog for those who are interested, and then add your own perspective or summary. And I, too, would also like to see more original content. Thanks again.
You don’t need me to tell you to stick to your guns, but keep up the good work.
Anyone who fights the corrupt broker ‘buying opportunity/buy-and-hold’ culture and the endless thirst for commissions and spreads these crooks foist upon their ‘marks’ (aka clients) is to be lauded.
In that regard you stand out as a rare, shining exemplar of the need for truth and reality in the fundamentally corrupt, cynical world that is Wall Street and its many subsidiaries in Boston masquerading as investment companies.
Absence of comments can mean two things – no one cares or no one disagrees. In your case, it’s much more the latter.
Props to Ulli for posting this, takes some guts.
Is Larry asking Ulli to post more original thoughts, even if Ulli hasn’t fully thought things through?
I think that’s what I’m reading here.
Not everyone can be an oracle. Ulli’s system is a well-thought-out formula that in the end, gives a Buy or Sell signal (that’s proven itself pretty well). Not much to discuss. Ulli could go on pontificating on this or that, and how it might apply to the Buy or Sell decision, probably to the detriment of his record.
I don’t look to Ulli for special insights. I do look to Ulli for thoughts on other pontificators that are a little more “out there” like Mike “Mish” Shedlock, who is saying a lot of interesting things about our current situation and where it’s going. When Ulli references folks like this, and discusses them in relation to his own thesis, it’s good reassurance for me.
My $.02
I feel it is good to get other opinions on your site. It would be very boring and not very serving to your viewers if you only spoke your opinion. The web has a lot of info some good and some bad and it is nice to get some of it posted as to get a different prospective.
Ulli KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK…..Snoobers
Keep up the great work Ulli. If you feel an article is significant enough to post it, I’m always willing to take the time to read it. If we were all wired the same way, the world would be a boring place! Short articles never get put-off being read due to time restraints though….. I think it takes balls to criticize someone who is writing articles for free! Just my opinion though.
Scott…
I am part of what may be the silent majority: we greatly appreciate your work, and read your blog once a week. I am more than capable of scanning past parts that don’t interest me. I also appreciate the viewpoint of other bloggers, and having Ulli comment of other’s work helps with understanding how that fits with Ulli’s well-thought-out and clearly communicated approach. Ulli, thanks and keep up the good work
I am a short time reader on the way to become a long time reader of your blog. I like it the way it is. I would rather read another.s thoughts in the original, then some short comment from you, than some rehash of somebody else’s ideas, even if accredited.
FWIW I think your thoughts and personal comments are the best parts of your blog. Whether I agree or disagree with you is irrelevant – it’s being forced to think that counts.
Some of the articles you quote are interesting (some less so) but good bad or indifferent they are seldom boring.
So as far as I’m concerned you’ve hit on a decent mixture of original material and quotes – indeed your blog is the only one I read on a regular basis.
Keep up the good work – and thanks for publishing the comments and criticisms, sign of character. 🙂
Cheers
Iain…
Ulli,
I have been an interested reader in your blog, and I have been very interested in the opposing views as well as those that support your process as well. I strongly disagree with the author of the comments referenced, and I would agree that your postings are very much like reading a newspaper —some you read with interest, some youe skim, and some you just pass on. All this from an intelligent person that does not even charge you the price of a daily.
Larry can simply choose to find other posts that interest him, but please do not change your style or content.
Ray
Ulli:
I 2nd Mr Pindelski’s comments above. Keep up the good work.
Dick
Love the blog and website and just forwarded a link to a friend the other day. Have no problem with quotes from others as it just reenforces the message. Right now I am managing my own money after firing the buy and hold and lose my retirement managers. Only wish that I had come across your website a year ago instead of October 2008. Your website is a great reality check any time my investing becomes too euphoric in this market.
Larry…
I don’t usually read lengthy articles since generally they could be summarized briefly and make the point in a less time-consuming manner.
One technique I used when I worked for a major corporation was to write a brief boiled-down summary of my recommendatons for the higher echelons, then go into further detail for people who had to implement my recommendations.
This whole topic is really no big deal regardless of how people feel about your blog, it is just a place to fill the page with some words and some will like it and some will not..
Hi Ulli,
I think this fellow Larry may be on to something here, yes the blog has been getting a little lengthy lately. I personally prefer your personal insite as oppposed to copying someone elses articles almost every day. A little of that is welcomed from time to time though. I would rather see a shorter version of the copied articles or just a link to it and then you give your own comments like you used to do much more often.
Thanks
Reference to other writers points of view that are germane to the current economic climate is very useful.
No need to change your approach to the blog as far as I am concerned. Agree anyone can skim over the parts that are not of interest.
Ulli,
I always liked reading your ideas which I thought was informative and interesting. I don’t mind if you add others comments occasionally but I’m disappointed when you use their information only on some days to fill up your entire blog. I agree with Larry that your blogs were better with your ideas only.
Thanks
Carol
Ulli,
You are great for us out here in cyber space who need a little help in making our financial decisions.
I too am like Larry and would prefer shorter bloq articles that come straight from you as you are the reason I read your blog. I like what you have to say not what someone else has to say. If I want their opinions I can go to other sites.
Thanks
Hi Ulli,
I like reading your daily blog, thanks so much for your efforts.
Your free weekly letter is better than many that one has to pay an annual subscription for. I am assuming that you give out your free letter and blog for the purpose of drumming up clients so that you can manage their money for a fee. That is great and I can benefit from what you have to say even if I am not a client.
I would however like to see a shorter version of your blog with your own words instead of someone elses. Maybe just an excerpt from other peoples articles instead of the whole thing would be nice.
What it all comes down to and the only really important thing to me personally is what is the market trend at the moment and what am I supposed to be doing with my money, all that other stuff is just fluff or filler.
J.K.
You do a fine job and I read most of your work as well as others on the weekend when I have more time. It does help, though, to know your take on things and one poster had it right, I think, a good summary of the article with a link to the whole article.
Your information has proved invaluable to me!
Hi Ulli,
Do you ever go to any of the World Money Shows and set up a booth? I wish you did and I could meet you and thank you for your work. Your free letter is worth every penny, just kidding of course, it is very informative. Your blog though has kind of gone from your great words to someone elses lately. I would appreciate it if you could shorten the articles a bit and put in more of your own words. Other than that I am happy with your work. There is a lot of info. on your website that I use in conjunction with about three other great services, but I have to pay for each of them although they are very well worth their cost.
Thank You
You’re doing just fine. We are at a landmark moment in US history, and the various veiwpoints you make available to us saves us a bunch of time and helps us to interpret what is happening. A couple of years from now many will look back and say “What the heck just happened to us?” You are keeping your readers in tune with the underlying causes for the coming changes in our lives. Some of us get anxious and want news that will enable us to put money back into the market ASAP, and it will take some time for patience to develop for that segment. The pain of monetary losses will underline the wisdom of taking the time to observe and plan, which is what you express so well. Some of us are reluctant students.
Tom C.
Hi Ulli,
Spending 10-15 minutes reading your blog each week is a small price to pay for your perspective on markets and trend-following investments. I read about markets every day – self education is the path to properly managing our investments. The alternative is ignorance and paying others 2-3% p.a. to mismanage.
Cheers
David
I agree with Larry. I look forward to reading your blog every week but it is a weekly blog and the Stanford scandal was well reported before your blog was received. I didn’t need to read about it again. I would prefer a simple link to the Stanford information in your blog, but would like to see your comments and analysis of the subject.
I read a week of blogs on Friday or Saturday. I like the way yu present another viewpt when they are well researched and have insiteful stats to support a view. To accomodate the Larrys perhap make yur comments in bold so he can just read that portion.
Yu have made me a believer in trend following. I dont like/believe yur free mkt/politics though so other articles are timely.
I do not understand Larry’s comments at all. I like your work. I also like to read the opinions of others. Larry is entitled to his opinion, but I think he speaks for a minority of one. Keep at it.
taxxcpa said:
“I don’t usually read lengthy articles since generally they could be summarized briefly and make the point in a less time-consuming manner.”
This is an accurate description of the problem facing practicing lawyers who must digest the world of judicial opinions with said opinions often containing expansive, or excessive, verbage.
However, in the case of Ulli’s publication of viewpoints, I myself would rather see such viewpoints published as the author sees fit.
In my view, it is not Ulli’s purpose to place all messages in perfect categorical syllogistic form boiled down to the most relevant minerals but rather to allow us, as readers, to analyze the premises as they stand and form our own “value judgements.”
As a reader who has been around since the “beginning” of this “bulletin board” I feel some sentimental desire that it should continue as is.
G.H.
Hi,
Regarding John’s comment above, it is a majority of two maybe because I also have to agree with Larry that the blog although free is a little lengthy and somewhat old news. If John would have read all the comments here he would realize that several others were somewhat in agreement with Larry’s comments. It really isn’t a big deal anyway, besides it is free information. I would like to see Ulli devote more space to comments about timing the market.
J.J.
I’ve been reading your newsletters for 6 plus years now and addicted to reading the blog.
Getting great financial investing education from the material and the new information sources you put out and it’s opening my eyes.
I personally don’t see any reason to change your style.
Keep up the great work.
-LocalSurf
Ulli,
Nothing but praise from me. You are brave to solicit critiques of your unpaid works. And your patience with answering the same questions over and over for such a simple proven system that you developed is amazing on all fronts. Admittedly, I may not read every word, unless I note it is your personal comments or teachings, but I do appreciate the informative links you provide to other’s works that you agree with. I am sure you have helped numbers of us from suffering losses that our less informed, closed minded neighbors have suffered. Bottomline to me, is you run your blog, anyway you want, and thanks again for an alterative to “buy and hold” or “market timing”. Warm regards, Mo