Archive for » April, 2010 «

Apr

The shortest post I ever wrote was 11 words.

It was a haiku*.

My longest post was published on another blog of mine, was a short tutorial on wood recycling and was nearly 2000 words.

Although they don’t always start out that way, I normally keep the posts on this blog short – 300-500 words.

I do, because on this blog, it’s in the comments written by others, where the greatest value lies.

My words are just the conduit which leads there.

Today’s Lesson

Many new bloggers are confused how long a blog post should be.

Some will say, “Keep ‘em short” -”Edit. Edit. Edit”. “Brevity rules.”

Others believe, “Write until the story is finished.”. “Write until your heart stops speaking.” “Anything goes”.

But then we hear if our posts are too long, our readers will skim.

And truth be told, many will.

For some it becomes a catch-22. We’re damned if we do, damned if we don’t.

We want our readers to like what we’re sharing, but in the same breath, we want to be authentic.

We hate the thought some might be skimming our well written posts, but know how others read is their choice.

We want our words to make a difference, but may worry we said too much or not enough.

We practice editing, but don’t want to cut out the human element.

What’s a blogger to do?

Via experimentation, I do what I’ve found works best for this blog.

What about you?

Today’s Assignment

Do you have a set limit on how many words your blog posts will have?

What advice would you give a new blogger with regard to how long a blog post should be?

Raise your hand and share your thoughts.

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*For more information on how to write a haiku, check out Janice’s fabulous post Some Haiku How Tos

Category: Archives, Blogging, Blogging Lessons, Writing Tips 57 Comments

Apr

Bloggers Rehab – Need To Go?

Barbara Swafford

I’ve noticed a lot of “addict” labeling going on.

There’s the drug addicts, food addicts, gambling addicts, and sex addicts.

If we turn our attention to technology, there are the texting addicts, gaming addicts, cell phone and social networking addicts.

We hear about those who are are addicted to tobacco, alcohol, caffeine, sugar, exercise, TV plus much more.

With blogging we often say we’re blogaholics or stataholics, both of which imply we’re also addicted.

And when we label ourselves as addicted, it implies we may need some sort of help.

But do we?

Today’s Lesson

According to Your Dictionary.com, the medical definition of addiction is:

Habitual psychological or physiological dependence on a substance or practice beyond one’s voluntary control.

In an article titled “Seeking” on Slate.com, Emily Yoffe shares how we can easily become obsessed when we search online. She starts out by saying,

Seeking. You can’t stop doing it. Sometimes it feels as if the basic drives for food, sex, and sleep have been overridden by a new need for endless nuggets of electronic information. We are so insatiably curious that we gather data even if it gets us in trouble….

She continues on with,

For humans, this desire to search is not just about fulfilling our physical needs. [Jaak] Panksepp says that humans can get just as excited about abstract rewards as tangible ones. He says that when we get thrilled about the world of ideas, about making intellectual connections, about divining meaning, it is the seeking circuits that are firing.

The juice that fuels the seeking system is the neurotransmitter dopamine. The dopamine circuits “promote states of eagerness and directed purpose,” Panksepp writes. It’s a state humans love to be in. So good does it feel that we seek out activities, or substances, that keep this system aroused…

The above could describe the activities of (some) bloggers.

When we blog, read, write and answer comments, and/or research for our articles, it can ignite our pleasure sensors by increasing our dopamine levels and leave us wanting for more.

But, does that make us addicts?

Or, could it be something else?

When I look at my own blogging activities, I’ll admit it does bring me joy. However, instead of labeling myself as being addicted, I feel I’ve truly found something I love doing.

Some may say I’m in denial.

I say I found my passion.

What about you?

Today’s Assignment

When you look at your blogging activties, do you see it as an addiction?

Or is it something else?

Care to share?

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Listed below are links to additional articles I read when preparing this post:

Category: Archives, Blogging, Blogging Lessons 49 Comments

Apr

Comments -Why Some Aren’t Worth Reading

Barbara Swafford

I remember when Darren Rowse of Problogger mentioned Akismet had blocked over four million spam comments on his blog. According to the stats for my blog, Akismet has blocked over 100,000 (and counting).

Although I don’t check my spam folder often, whenever someone emails me and says they left a comment but it’s not showing up, I’ll start digging.

That’s what happened when Ana of Spiritual Research Foundaion contacted me and said her comment wasn’t showing up on the Blog Registry. Since her comment hadn’t gone into moderation, I assumed it must have landed in the spam folder.

Interesting enough, I noticed those who are now spamming blogs are getting much better at it.

Today’s Lesson

Here’s a small sampling of what Akismet blocked, If I didn’t check the URL, I’d actually think they were real.

This first group of spam commenters must think if they appeal to my ego, I’ll approve them.

I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the great work Look forward to reading more from you in the future

I really liked your blog! It helped me alot…

I just sent this post to a bunch of my friends as I agree with most of what you’re saying here and the way you’ve presented it is awesome.

Awesome! I have read a lot on this topic, but you definitely give it a good vibe. This is a great post. Will be back to read more!

Great information! I’ve been looking for something like this for a while now. Thanks!

Valuable information and excellent design you got here! I would like to thank you for sharing your thoughts and time into the stuff you post!! Thumbs up

I find myself coming to your blog more and more often to the point where my visits are almost daily now!

These spammers must believe if they ask a question, their comment will be approved.

How do I password my macbook pro so every time you turn the computer on it will ask for the password. I have a password set on here but i seem to only use it for when i download software or unistall things. I really need the password so you cant even get the computer started without one! Is this even possible I am used to the PC and u can password protect it so no one can even do anything on it untill password is typed in correctly. I really need to get one on here so my dumb room mates stop using it when I am not around.

I am not pro, but I wish to write my question here…
How you think what to advise to my friend – to disaccustom to alcohol?

Sports or easier walks in the forest, at open air?

This is a little random but what insurance company do you use? My current insurance company has just told me they’re not paying out on my claim. I’m furious and want to leave immediately. Who do you recommend?

I realize many spam comments are generated by bots, but I’ve also read you can get paid to comment on blogs.

Although this may be a good way to generate additional income, for us bloggers who treasure each comment we get, it could be disheartening to find out what we thought were “real” comments, are instead paid for.

Today’s Assignment

What’s showing up in your spam folder these days?

Would you ever comment on blogs for money?

Raise you hand and share your thoughts.

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