How do you blog?
Ξ May 27th, 2008 | → 17 Comments | ∇ Bloggity Business |
With the busy-ness we’ve been facing lately getting in the way of blogging, I’ve been considering whether I need to make some changes here at the ol’ cafe.
I’m just not sure what those changes would be.
I read all the time about how a blog has to have a focus. Mine is somewhat unfocused unless I consider that I, and any random thought I might have, am the focus.
As vain as that is, I’m fine with it.
Do you have a focus? What about the blogs you enjoy?
I’ve also read about posting schedules. Posting the same topic the same day each week.
That one may actually help. Until now my posting schedule has been something like this:
1. When I am inspired
2. When I have really good pictures
3. When I have time
Do you follow a schedule? Do your favorite blogs?
What other blogging guidelines have you heard about or use?
on May 27th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Do you have a focus? Kind of. I have three blogs, one for my business which the focus is business related (but I rarely post there). One is just random stuff about me, I consider that my focus even though it’s very random and probably seems unfocused. The third is a newer one that is focusing on devotions or other faith based thoughts.
What about the blogs you enjoy? The ones I enjoy tend to be pretty random but mostly about the person’s life. I also read some for business that are business focused. Honestly, I like the more random, personal one’s best.
Do you follow a schedule? Not necessarily. I will occassionally post to a theme if I read one that I enjoy, otherwise it’s all pretty random. (Although I am pretty consistent with posting my 10 Random things for Friday post since I started that). I do try to post once a day only because I like being consistent and it’s how I keep my readers coming back.
Do your favorite blogs? Not really…I do like when they post at least once a day…then I feel like I can get to know the blogger.
What other blogging guidelines have you heard about or use? I think the most important thing I’ve read it so post regularly. When you don’t post regularly your readers tend to forget about you.
on May 27th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
I’ve been struggling with the same issues lately Christy. So I’m eager to read your other readers’ comments too! I try to post at least a few times a week…but it hasn’t been happening much lately. I don’t have much of a focus…mostly stuff about me but I do try to keep up with baby and natural living related content since I think my readers enjoy those topics. I try to post a pic for Wordless Wednesday (because that’’s always an easy post! LOL) but other than that posts are pretty random. Personally, once i”m invested in someones blog and they’re in my feed reader I’ll keep going back again and again as often or as infrequently as they post. Although sometimes I find it almost too much if people post EVERY day…because I only have a limited amount of blog-reading time.
I’m interested to hear what you decide
on May 27th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
My From Grey to Green blog has a focus, of course but my regular blog is just sort of random life stuff. For me, those are the kinds that I like to read the most. The ones that make you go, “Hey! We’re not so weird. There are other people that are like us!” Or is that just me? I totally get what you mean about life getting in the way of posting. I love to write and have found that blogging is relaxing for me and a way to remember things. I recently started keeping a notebook to write down ideas as I get them (because I’m notouriously forgetful!) and have tried to take at least one evening after the kids are in bed to write up a few posts and have them saved and ready to publish during the week. That way, you write when you set aside the time and then you just set it up to publish when you want. Does this even make sense?
on May 27th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
I don’t really have a focus, though I DO try to post daily. Some days there’s not much to it. I have a couple of days that I have plans for, and the rest are just fillers. I don’t like doing the same thing every day, so I figure if I have a plan for a few days out of the week, those days I don’t have to work quite so hard because I already know the focus for those days.
I think I enjoy the personal, more random blogs better, because they feel more relational.
on May 27th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
This has weighed much on my mind, too. I have two blogs, one that’s personal and one geared toward frugal living/saving $$.
The month of May has so overpacked that keeping up with the pace of blogging has been overwhelming.
It’s good to know others face the same issues of balancing life and blogging, too, no matter what kind of blog you write.
And I do enjoy personal blogs for the same reasons as all the other commenters stated. The best ones are honest without being luridly so, and offer not just a glimpse at the chaos of life with kids, but thoughts and insights on life as Mommy, too.
Good questions!
on May 27th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Well, I certainly DON’T have a particular focus for my blog…except whatever is on my mind. I haven’t posted regularly since you’ve known me…but once upon a time I was a regular blogger.
I certainly found that I had more traffic and seemed to have more ideas when I posted several times a week. Now that I post monthly I can hardly ever think of anything to write about. Weird, but true.
My goal for the summer is to post more frequently, but that has been my goal for every summer since I’ve been blogging. I usually break it. The scheduling idea sounds good, but you might like to leave a few days free to write whatever you want. And I might try the posting schedule myself. We’ll see.
Interesting questions though!
Pssst… I think a simple post, even a picture, is good on busy days. I really think you get more traffic if you are regular. Not necessarily deep. At least not deep EVERYDAY! Does that make sense?
Also, writing several posts at a time is a great idea. I’ve done that before. It’s just been awhile.
on May 27th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
I don’t really have an answer to your questions because I don’t go blogging at all; I only read yours. But you have inspired me to start writing more on my myspace blog. In the past, I would just tell myself that no one would care, so why bother. You have shown me that you can write about your personal life in a candid, fun way, even if it’s random stuff and not on a regular basis. I enjoy your blog, so I make it a point to check back every night to see if there is something new. I’m always excited to see a new post, no matter what it’s about!
on May 28th, 2008 at 3:16 am
I got into blogging on a lark, and I have to admit I’m at a cross roads! It takes alot of time to read all the wonderful blogs out there and come up with things that are interesting to others on your own blog! I have been thinking lately “why am I blogging”? Am I too caught up in getting people to come to my blog or should I just be about getting things off my chest or showing my life! Wish I had wonderful answers for you, but I’m in a canundrome(word?) myself!
on May 28th, 2008 at 7:22 am
Focus —heck no
Schedule — are you kidding
I wish I had both of those. I gave up trying. To much pressure. However, I do not make money with my blog. It is just for fun.
on May 28th, 2008 at 11:05 am
I LOVE your blog just the way it is!
My favorite blogs to read are just random day to day blogs.
Michelle
on May 28th, 2008 at 11:06 am
#10 post is from me Michelle ~ I forgot to change my site and email info
on May 28th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Hi Christy, the whole purpose of our blog was to keep in touch with family and friends across the country. The bonus has been keeping in touch with the new friendships that have been made. I’ve tried to keep the focus under the umbrella of our blog description’s 3 main categories. Sometimes I’ll share other info as I feel like it, but mostly try to stick to life at home and our interests. I really like your blog description in that you can write about so many areas.
On schedules, I used to be so specific with topics designated for each day of the week. Now our current schedule only allows for writing 1-2 times/week, so I guess I appreciate it even more now!
on May 29th, 2008 at 5:50 am
I don’t have time either. Time to take the time to write something long,thoughtful and inspiring. Our kids are just so little, and I don’t want them watching me on the computer all day.
so…I check my mail/blogs in the morning when I have my coffee…..then I glance at the e-mail at 1pm ish….then if I have something to say on my blog it is at night after they are in bed. It beats T.V I suppose.
Don’t worry about focus. We check out your blog because your personality shines through no matter what you blog about. that is what makes them all unique. Don’t worry about what we may want to read about. Just write whatever and whenever you feel like it.
on May 29th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Focus? Not really, I guess I tend to write and post more about projects I’m doing, gardening, organzing, the more “homey” aspects of my life. I don’t share too many of the day-to-day stories (my life just isn’t that interesting!). So maybe, sort of, kind of have a bit of a focus.
Schedule: Again, I sort of have a scedule. It takes the pressure off of having to come up with something. If I can’t think of something I check the schedule and come up with a post based on the topic. My schedule is very vague, so I’m not too tied down.
My favorite blogs are personal blogs or design/crafty type blogs. One style is very structured, the other isn’t at all.
I post at least once a day, even if it’s just sharing a pic and a sentence or 2 about it. And I follow up on every comment, I’m small enough to be able to do so. Most people like at least some acknowledgement that their comment has been read.
on May 29th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
I have tried really hard to blog regularly, but I end up blogging in spurts. I guess I just don’t have enough interesting things to blog about.
I really don’t have a focus, either. I pretty much just blog about whatever is going on at the time. I tend to have a lot about recipes right now because I am really enjoying finding new things to cook.
on May 29th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
I started my blog as a way to keep in touch with the family after the big move. Everyone thinks its really cool to see what were up to and to watch the kids growing up! (and along the way I have found some great blogging friends and I love to read about their daily lives too!
on May 31st, 2008 at 6:18 pm
I just like reading whatever you feel like posting!