Author Topic: Introducing myself (Create a blog about FI in Europe - In which language ?)  (Read 4546 times)

Metallising

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Hi fellow Mustachians,

I'm been following this blog for about two years, finally I decided to post something :)

I'm Portuguese, currently living in Switzerland. I'm 24 and I have been developing my FI plan since I'm 20. So far I think I'm doing pretty good and the final goal is getting closer.

As I'm getting close to the point where I won't need to keep working in order cover my expenses, it has been quite challenging to explain to my friends and family what I'm doing in order to achieve my goal, even not going into investment details just the idea of being FI seems very complicated to understand. Some don't understand how's that mathematical possible, others judge and think it's social irresponsible ("what if everyone decided to do the same!!??" - You probably are already familiar with this question), others don't give much importance to what I'm saying because they think I will never do it simply because in their minds no one can be retired at 24-25.

So, being faced with so many questions that I couldn't answer that easily, I felt that I needed to structure the logic behind this in my head and develop straight and clear answers. I spent a lot of time developing a logical line where I present facts and paradoxes about the world we live in and the change that I would like to see happening, if lucky, after the brainwash, I might find some empty space in others brains to inject some new information and perspective.

I have been dropping a few lines about my thoughts on the subject around the web and people seems interested and give me feedback, so based on that I thought it would be interesting to start a blog where I would have the opportunity to write about this things and organize all the information accumulated on my brain. This would be positive essentially for me for keeping track of my progress as an extreme early retiree, but eventually for other readers too. By having a small community around and exchanging ideas and other perspectives is certain to create a positive feedback loop, commonly known as "motivation".

So here it comes my question: In which language should I write my blog?

My mother tongue is Portuguese, my second language is English, far from perfect but I think is good enough to let others grasp something from my text. In Switzerland I speak French but forget about that!!

If I write in Portuguese I might strike a small niche since there are very few blogs on the subject. However the target is very reduced, since the population in Portugal is about 10 millions and having in mind the economical problems that the country is experiencing probably 90% of them are more worried about not starving than in saving money. Also, frugality is on our blood... for lack of choice of course... So there wouldn't be left much to say about this. Still, I know the reality there and some information could be of some use for readers. Then I have to consider Brazil, they speak Portuguese-Brazilian, when written the differences are as minimal as English-American English. The target is much larger, the population is around 200 millions but I have no idea of how the idea of FI is spread there. There are a few other ex-Portuguese colonies that speak Portuguese so the total target is around 250 millions.

If I write in English the competition is high and I'm not sure yet if I can keep the writing interesting enough since I'm not 100% comfortable with the language. However I think some things I have to say might be worth sharing and be accessible to all Europeans interested in FI, mainly when it comes to find opportunities and live abroad, a very common reality for many Europeans, unfortunately a decision taken for need and not for choice. Choosing the best investment vehicles and taxation is another subject that I can cover, while in US it seems to be very straight forward, in Europe the industry orientated to personal investors isn't so developed as in US, resulting in very high costs in commissions and fees if one isn't careful.

Basically a blog written in Portuguese won't have much competition in Portugal, which is good, but a small target since the country is so small. I'm not sure if what I have to share can be useful for non-Europeans, I think I had to try and see. A blog written in English would be better addressed for those who would look for information like what I have to share, however the competition is high and I'm not very confident about my English.

Honestly, I think while writing this post I found the answer for my own question... not so surprising, happens a lot when I decide to put ideas or thoughts on paper.

Since it's already written, I will post it anyway. And of course I always have some room for adjustment, so your input still being welcome :)
« Last Edit: October 30, 2013, 12:34:26 PM by Metallising »

frugaldrummer

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Yes, write in Portuguese - and it's by far the more beautiful language!

iamlindoro

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As you know, English will reach the widest audience as the common denominator business language across most of Europe.  I think if your content is interesting enough (ie, it applies to the European perspective in achieving FI) that you will have little competition even in English.  Concepts of frugality are universal and their are many blogs which one can read with general knowledge, but EU-specific tricks and tips are likely a very interesting and underserved niche.  Based on your post, your English is more than good enough to write a blog in the language, and you should give yourself more credit in that regard.

If you don't feel comfortable in English, I think French is the best remaining option.  You'll at least be readable by the French, the Swiss, the Belgians, and a large number of border communities in Germany, Italy, and Spain.

Disclosure on myself:  I am an American with a French mother, fluent in my two recommendations.  Feel free to disregard if you think that's why I suggest them :)
« Last Edit: October 30, 2013, 05:01:20 PM by iamlindoro »

Metallising

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True. There are a lot of tricks and tips discussed in this forum that can't be applied in Europe. Just to name a few: Healthcare/insurance, investment vehicles, taxes, job market, transportation, banking system (there isn't any "reliable" social banking platform like Lending Club, or tracking services like Mint).

For the short term I will be writing in both languages in two separated blogs. For the long term I will keep only with one. Which one depends on how things develop.
This way I can test both possibilities by doing it myself. In the Portuguese blog I can go deeper in details because I'm addressing the writing to very specific readers, while in the English blog the writing has to be more generalist since even in Europe some things differ a lot depending on the country. You would be surprised how petrol prices can differ so much!!

If I had to write in French it probably would turn in a comedy blog! Really, I don't think my writing level is enough.

Thank you for your words about my English, it encouraged me :)

iamlindoro

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Thank you for your words about my English, it encouraged me :)

You are welcome!  Good luck!  Please share your blog URL when you get started, I would like to read it!

Southern Stashian

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When I created my blog (www.HavingFunInFlorida.com), I added a Google language translator gadget at the bottom of every post and embedded within my template. We get @ 100 - 250 hits per day now, with a lot coming from overseas and from people looking to vacation here in Florida and go to Disney. From what I can tell, the translator works as it should, but I only speak English so I am just speculating! Lol.


www.HavingFunInFlorida.com
« Last Edit: November 01, 2013, 09:29:28 AM by Southern Stashian »

Metallising

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Does that mean the engine search automatically try to match websites written in other languages when Google language translator gadget is added?

Southern Stashian

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Does that mean the engine search automatically try to match websites written in other languages when Google language translator gadget is added?

No, it just allows my site to be translated to one of 66 different languages from a drop down selection based on the users preferred language when visiting the site. Its a simple yet effective gadget, but I do not think it would alter a search engine result by itself alone.

You could tag your site with keywords such as "FI in Portugal" or "Fi in Switzerland" or "Financial Independence" in different languages, and when someone searches and reaches your site they could choose the language that best suits them. I'll probably want to move the gadget to the top of the blog so its there when the page opens and easier to find, but I have been fairly busy lately and want the end result to be clean and functional. Hope that answers your question!


www.HavingFunInFlorida.com
« Last Edit: November 01, 2013, 11:03:15 AM by Southern Stashian »

Metallising

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Yes it did. Thank you.

Having keywords tagged in other languages sounds a good idea for my blog. If I include keywords as "financial Independence" or "early retirement" in German, French, Italian and Spanish, my blog might have higher chances of being viewed. 
« Last Edit: November 01, 2013, 10:49:41 AM by Metallising »

Southern Stashian

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Yes it did. Thank you.

If I tag key words in other languages sounds a good idea for my blog. If I include keywords as "financial Independence" or "early retirement" in German, French, Italian and Spanish, my blog might have higher chances of being viewed.

Yes it would. I have not dived into keyword tagging and search engine optimization yet either as I wanted to get the functionality and design down first. Being new to this also, I have been doing things trial and error but it has been a blast to do so far. Now that I have the design mostly done, I will dive into the engine optimization and advertising aspects over the next 6 months or so. Good luck with your site and post the link to it when ready!

www.HavingFunInFlorida.com

nassoro

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Re: Introducing myself (Create a blog about FI in Europe - In which language ?)
« Reply #10 on: December 09, 2013, 09:25:49 AM »
If you are going to have any focus on Switzerland, I'd vote for English.  It's the closest thing to a real lingua franca here, since the barrier to entry to learning Swiss German is fairly high (or at least I can't make any sense of it).  You mentioned speaking French - where in Romandie are you?

RootofGood

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Re: Introducing myself (Create a blog about FI in Europe - In which language ?)
« Reply #11 on: December 09, 2013, 10:08:49 AM »
I would vote English.  It seems to be a somewhat universal language around the globe, and a common tongue for business.  My impression is that many non-native English speakers from all over the world find English to be a very popular second language. 

As you get into blogging more, I think you will find yourself linking to news articles, research papers, and other blogs.  Most will be in English I imagine. 

I would try to differentiate yourself as a Swiss, Portuguese (the nationality), or Western European oriented FI blog by your name, theme, and the topics you post about.  I think you'll get some interest from US, Canada, UK, and Australia audiences as well as English speaking Europeans. 

In looking at my traffic at Root of Good, 90% of my traffic is from the US, and only 10% from UK, Australia, and Canada.  People are finding and reading my blog based on their interests in my US-centric topics I assume.  If traffic were based strictly on demographics, the roughly 130 million people in Canada, UK, and Australia  should generate 30% of my traffic and the 320 million Americans should generate the other 70%. 

turboseize

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Re: Introducing myself (Create a blog about FI in Europe - In which language ?)
« Reply #12 on: December 10, 2013, 06:45:01 AM »
I's like to read about living in Switzerland as a non-swiss citizen. So I'd opt for english, as I would have a much tougher time reading portugese (which I cannot speak, but having learned latin, french and spanish I should be able to mostly understand it, if written.) And I'm pretty sure a lot of other people from other European countries will also definitely be mor efluent in english than portugese.