Archive for » April, 2008 «

Apr

I love to visit other blogs.

I like to see the themes, read the posts, watch how others handle comments, and learn more about the author.

Today’s Lesson

When I started blogging, I read that we should “copy” what the successful bloggers are doing….”learn from those who came before us”.

I wasn’t sure what that meant. In fact, what I saw was quite contradictory.

I looked at some big name blogs and saw they posted many times a day, but others only posted once a week.

Some authors wrote extremely long posts. Others wrote short ones.

Some blogs had lots of advertising, whereas others only had a few scattered ads.

A lot of the blogs used WordPress, but not all.

One big name blog had his comments disabled, but most had their comments open.

Most big name blog authors did not answer each comment.

I questioned it all.

Who should I copy if there is no clear “format”?

Should I copy someone else, or can I have a blog that represents who I am?

After seeing hundreds of blogs, I came to the realization, I had to be ME.

Copying someone else would take away from my authenticity.

I struck out on my own and developed my blog as I saw fit.

Although it’s still a work in progress, it is a reflection of me.

Lesson Eight Blogosphere wouldn’t be nearly as interesting if we had “cookie cutter” blogs. Although we can learn from the A-list bloggers, they too are following what works for THEM. We are all individuals, and our blogs are a projection of “US”. So whether it’s our theme, how we deal with comments, advertising, blog platform, or how often we post, following our heart is what makes us successful, and most of all, unique.

Today’s Assignment

Have you ever tried to emulate a favorite big name blogger? Did it work?

Do you like that you can make changes to your blog, and it’s still YOU?

Would the first impression of your blog tell your readers more about who you are?

Did all of this confuse you in the beginning too?

Photo Credit Dan4th’s photostream

Category: Archives, Blogging Lessons Tags: Blogging, Blogs, WordPress 28 Comments

Apr

Blogging – Year One – Lesson Seven

Barbara Swafford

When we start a blog, we’re pretty excited about it. We tell our friends and family, and they may or may not give us a nod of approval, an “atta boy”, or “way to go, girl”.

Today’s Lesson

When I started blogging, those in my inner circle asked, “What’s a blog?”, “Why would you want one?”, “How much does it cost?”, and “Do you get paid?” They didn’t “get it”.

In the beginning I convinced a few friends to pay me a visit and/or leave a comment. Some would, others didn’t. Although I was somewhat disappointed they weren’t excited about my new endeavor, I quickly found out, bloggers usually gain more support from complete strangers than they do from close friends and family.

Actually, it makes sense. After all, I’m not too interested in some of the hobbies my husband, kids or friends get involved in. I don’t take their lack of interest personally, nor do I let it drain my motivation and/or excitement.

I’ve realized this is MY passion, not “theirs”. I blog because I love to blog.

Lesson Seven Blog because it brings you joy. If you are looking for kudos and/or compliments from your friends and family, you may be disappointed. As you develop a community of like minded cyberspace friends, you realize fellow bloggers may be the only ones who understand why we do, what we do.

Today’s Assignment

Do your “real life” friends frequent your blog? Comment?

Do friends and family get excited when you reach milestones in blogging?

How many in your inner circle have blogs?

Do “they” understand your passion for blogging?

Photo Credit: Kevin’s photostream

Category: Archives, Blogging Lessons Tags: Blogging, Blogs 17 Comments

Apr

Blogging – Year One – Lesson Six

Barbara Swafford

Blogging helps us to share information with the world.

With hands perched on the keyboard, we wait for the words to travel from our heads, to the screen, via our fingertips. Like magic, they appear. Upon completing our “story for the day”, we hit publish and send our thoughts, opinions and life’s lessons into cyberspace.

Today’s Lesson

When I started blogging, I didn’t know what to expect.

I posted on a regular basis, got a few comments, but my computer had an invisible pull on me, and everyday (almost), I would sit and continue writing. I often wondered if I would run out of things to say, but it was rare that my creativity dried up.

As much as I knew a blog only grows with visitors, the joy of writing overtook me. At times I didn’t care if someone commented, or if my visitor counts increased.

In one sense I felt I was addicted to blogging, but it was more than that.

Blogging became a form of therapy. Typing what I had learned in blogging, was reinforcing the information in my brain.

Some days I typed, just to type. I didn’t have a post to publish, but I had lots of words, and I saved them. Typing on my blog also gave me an outlet. A way to vent the frustrations I was experiencing during the learning process.

I had no friends or family members who blogged, so I had no one to share my (blogging) thoughts with.

Cyberspace became my best “friend”. She listened, never disagreed and would always nod her head in understanding. My blog was good for the ego too. How often do we see our names and writings “published” in cyberspace? How many people can Google themselves and find dozens of pages?

I soon realized why so many bloggers are classified as lonely people.

It’s not that they are lonely, it’s that they want to be heard. In our daily lives, everyone is so busy, little time is spent really listening to others. Those that are quiet and reserved, often don’t stand a chance.

Writing in a journal is not the same. A journal is private. Blogosphere has a world wide audience. When we hit that publish button, we believe (hope) someone will hear us. Comments will validate it, but comments are not essential.

Lesson Six Blogs are more than an online journal. Blogs are the voices of people who have a desire to be heard. Blogs are an outlet and the topics we write about, are also topics we’re passionate about.

As bloggers, we want to voice our opinion, (and often it’s a strong one). Blogs let us do all of that.

Blogging gives us a chance to be heard. A chance we may not have in the real world.

Today’s Assignment

Are you passionate about your blogging topics?

Has blogging become therapeutic for you?

Do you feel your blog gives you a voice that may otherwise not be heard?

Photo Credit Jaime Olmo’s photostream