Insights from Our Recent Blog Survey

By Tomáš Jirouch

In July 2025 we conducted a survey to better understand our audience’s preferences and engagement with the FORTE CULTURA Blog. The results have provided valuable insights into how our readers want to interact with the content, which topics interest them most, and their willingness to contribute. We collected 32 responses. Here’s what we found:

1. Preferred Frequency of Blog Updates

When asked how often they would like to receive updates via email, responses were fairly evenly distributed:

• Once a month (monthly round-up): 9 respondents
• Once a week (summary of new content): 9 respondents
• Every time a new article is published (approx. weekly): 8 respondents
• Once every three months (quarterly highlights): 5 respondents

In summary, the respondents can be grouped into three basic categories:

• Weekly (or whenever a new article is published): 55 %
• Once a month: 29 %
• Less often (quarterly or similar): 16 %

Takeaway: Readers appreciate flexibility. Some prefer concise monthly or quarterly updates, while others want more frequent notifications about new articles. Offering multiple subscription options could satisfy everyone. About 84 % of respondents want to receive updates at least once a month.

What the Average and Median Tell Us

The largest group prefers to be informed regularly, every seven days, while a smaller portion is satisfied with updates once a month or only once every three months. If we calculate a “weighted” average based on the number of days between updates, the average preferred frequency is about 25 days. This means that the typical reader wants updates roughly once a month, but many prefer more frequent notifications.

The median – the value that splits readers into two equal halves, more frequent and less frequent – falls into the weekly or per-article category. This confirms that most readers prefer regular, frequent updates.

2. Most Desired Content Types

Participants were asked which content they are most interested in, and the results show a clear hierarchy of preferences:

• Projects from fortress sites: 27 mentions
• Research, best practices, and expert articles: 23 mentions
• Itineraries and cultural tourism suggestions: 15 mentions
• Funding opportunities: 14 mentions
• Member interviews and fortress management insights: 10 mentions

Takeaway: The majority of readers are most engaged by content highlighting fortress projects and research-based articles. Cultural tourism, funding guidance, and insider perspectives are also valued, but to a slightly lesser degree.

3. Interest in Contributing Content

We also explored whether readers would be interested in contributing content themselves:

• Yes, I already have something in mind: 7 responses
• Yes, but I need help getting started: 7 responses
• Maybe in the future: 10 responses
• No, not at the moment: 4 responses

From 28 responses:

• Interested now (with idea or needing help): 50%
• Maybe later: 36%
• Not interested: 14%

Takeaway: Half of the respondents are ready to contribute immediately, with some needing guidance. There’s also a sizable group who may contribute in the future, indicating potential for growth in community-driven content.

4. Ideas

Our survey respondents suggested several specific topics for the FORTE CULTURA blog, including:

1. Events and Community

• News about upcoming events.
• How people can help study and document forts.
• Volunteer work and possible jobs for staff.

2. Research and Technology

• Using science to study fortresses.
• How AI helps with research, maps, and managing information.
• Tools like geophysics and ground-penetrating radar to find hidden structures.

3. Conservation and Good Practices

• Examples of restoration projects.
• Interesting finds, like old tools or hidden parts of fortresses.

4. Ethics and Special Topics

• Unusual discoveries, like animal pawprints on castle bricks.
• Ethical questions in research and preservation.

Conclusion

The survey results provide a clear roadmap for the FORTE CULTURA Blog:

1. Focus content on fortress projects and research-based articles while including cultural tourism tips and funding opportunities.
2. Encourage contributions from readers by providing guidance for those who need it.
3. About 84 % of respondents want to receive blog updates at least once a month.