This question might seem trivial on the outset, but it’s one I take into consideration every time I begin writing a series of posts. That’s why sometimes you’ll see me announcing that I’m writing a new series right at the beginning of it, while at other times, you’ll see that happening only after I’ve started writing a couple of posts on it.

Generally, when I announce that I’m writing a series of posts right at the beginning of it, I:

1. Have Planned In Advance Enough Posts to Fill It Up
   I don’t mean just putting a few titles on a to-do list. I’m referring to actual drafts of at least two posts, or at least five for more ambitious series. This way, the readers who persevere with my writing in expectation of more content from a particular series I’ve announced won’t be left hanging. Remember, there’s an implicit promise involved everytime you say you’re going to write a series of posts.

   So, if you happen to be one of those who came over here via Digg & del.icio.us, and just sticking around for more posts on the Using WordPress as a CMS series, rest assured that there are at least four posts on the subject fully planned out in my drafts - just waiting for heavy editing. The same goes for those who came over via del.icio.us for the Using Microformats in Your Blog Software.

2. Am Certain that I’m Interested in Writing About the Topic
   This point is highly related to the previous one. After doing all the necessary research, planning and drafting, only then I can confirm my interest in the topic. After all, a series of posts involves many, many articles on the same core topic - which will be very difficult to complete without the motivation that comes from sheer interest.
3. Am Confident that I Have the Necessary Expertise
   Again, this is related to point No. 1. Via research, planning and drafting, it’s easy to ascertain whether I have the necessary skills and experience to write extensively on a new series of posts.

4. Am Reasonably Sure Someone Will Read It
   During the research phase, I take the opportunity to analyse the demand and supply for the topic. If I’m going to invest tens of hours of my time, might as well make sure that demand is high enough and supply low enough such that someone will end up reading it, no? Checking supply is usually pretty easy. Just Google around for the topic (and anything related to it) to see how much has already been written on it.

   Demand is generally more difficult. While it was pretty easy for me to gauge the potential interest in extending WordPress for more website-ish CMS use via the various support threads on the WP support forum and the exposure articles on the topic got (from blogs in the industry and social bookmarking services), it’s hard to determine whether anybody will be interested in a completely new topic that no one has written on. But then, if nobody has written on it, you should write about it anyway.

And when I do the announcing only after I’ve written quite a bit on the topic, it could mean that:

1. I Started Writing On It Spontaneously
   This means that I decided to go with the flow and write a post or two based on an idea of a new series without doing the necessary research, planning and drafting. This means no confirmation on whether I have the necessary interest or expertise for extensive writing. And no checks on the demand and supply for the topic.

   But by writing those spontaneous posts, I verify my interest and expertise. And via the visitors and comments that pour in for those spontaneous posts, I get concrete evidence that there’s an audience for that topic. Instead, if I discover that I’m not interested, or there’s no demand for the topic, I can just avoid announcing a new series.

2. It Was Never Meant to Be A Series in the First Place
   Many a time, you’ll want to extend the discussion on an issue you’ve written in an individual post written weeks or months ago. In such cases, you’ll inevitably be announcing the new series after having written something on it already. Nothing much to discuss here.

I’ve learnt the hard way that not thinking about this question can sometimes result in perpetually unfinished series, or low quality writing as you push yourself to complete the series. So, the next time you get a spontaneous idea for a new series of posts, you might want to go with the flow and write a few posts on it first before declaring a new series, or slow down and do the necesssary research, planning and drafting before announcing it.

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