A New Reality Show – How Not To Blog?

Posted by Barbara Swafford on Friday, February 1st 2008

Filed in: Archives, Blogging, Blogging Lessons Tags: Blogs

As bloggers, we become very attached to our blogs. Not just to our domain name, but to our theme, and the words we write.

We enjoy reading comments from our loyal readers…readers who have become friends.

We have our favorite plugins, widgets, and ads.

Our blogs are an extension of ourselves…..our personalties. We get on our cyberspace soap boxes, and defend the words we write.

We believe what we write is true.

We think we know what works best for us, and others too. We don’t follow the masses, and no one can tell us anything different!

We may claim, “This is me. This is my blog. Take it or leave it!”

Today’s Lesson

TLC (The Learning Channel), has a show named “What Not To Wear”

For those who have never seen the show, it’s premise is this:

A friend or family member nominates a person, whom they feel needs a fashion intervention. If the person is chosen, Stacy London and Clinton Kelly (the hosts of the show) ambush the nominee, offer them $5000 to go to New York City and shop for a new wardrobe

The catch: they must forfeit their entire, existing wardrobe. In fact, their clothes are actually thrown into a garbage can. (I believe some of the clothes are donated to a local charity.)

Stacy and Clinton teach them how to dress for their body shape by suggesting the best style of clothing. Nick Arrojo, the hairdresser cuts/styles their hair, and Carmindy shows them how to apply makeup.

It sounds like an easy decision. A free trip to New York and $5000. But, these individuals are forced to change their ways, and life long habits. Many have dressed sloppy for work, stating they refuse to “follow the masses”, want to show their individuality, or don’t feel they should have to conform. Often they break down in tears, stating they have body issues. They may argue with Nick, who wants to cut their hair, or make a claim to Carmindy, they don’t have time to put on makeup.

But after five days, at their “reveal”, they emerge as happier and better dressed individuals.

They return home, “a new person”.

This got me to thinking……

Today’s Assignment

If you were offered money, to strip your blog of everything (except the name), for professional help in starting over, would you do it?

Remember, you would not be able to save anything-no posts, comments, plugins, themes, etc…

If you said yes, do you see issues that may surface?

Or….do you think you would never end up as a nominee, because your blog has “style”?

Comments

Vegan Momma

said on February 1st, 2008

I’ve been blogging for three years. My style has changed somewhat but I wouldn’t eliminate things I’ve written. I might enhance some of the them. I have done that with some posts.

For example, some of the posts I’ve written in my early years still receive comments or I get emails from people who have told me about how they’ve used or already used those tips in their lives. I write about a lot of things on my blog, but getting people to pay attention to their health is at its core.

Emails like that are an inspiration it shows me that there are people out there that are concerned about their health despite what health stats might say. It starts with one person I try to do my part to make a difference. I hope, along the way, I inspire some to make changes.

[Reply]

CatherineL

said on February 1st, 2008

Hi Barbara – Interesting question. I would love my blogs theme to be made over.

As for deleting the whole lot though, I’m not sure. I would hate to lose all my posts, though I’d happily delete some of them – especially the earlier one.

But, on the other hand – if a makeover would totally transform the blog, I’d probably be willing to go ahead.

I don’t think, I’d be an early guinea pig though. I’d have to see hard evidence that this worked on other people first.

Also, the writing issue would be a bit difficult. I would hate to write the type of things that someone else told me to write. Especially if I didn’t find them interesting.

Would you do it Barbara, based on what you’ve seen on the TV program and the fact that these people seem happier? I suppose it’s like rebranding really isn’t it?

CatherineL’s last blog post..Are Criminals Better Entrepreneurs?

[Reply]

Hunter Nuttall

said on February 1st, 2008

I was about to say yes, until I saw that part about not being able to save posts and comments. Getting a new theme is one thing, but throwing away posts would be hard to do, even though I don’t have many. Plus if I had to write posts the way someone else told me to, I don’t think I could do it if I tried.

Hunter Nuttall’s last blog post..Fighting Chain Letters With Common Sense

[Reply]

Nez

said on February 1st, 2008

Hi Barbara,

It’s still “too early in the game” for me — my blog is only 1 month old. Still, maybe something to ponder about in a year.

I enjoying how you marry different concepts to come up with interesting posts, such as this one and the Feng Shui one. That should be one of the list items when you write a post on generating idea for posts…

Nez’s last blog post..Who Are the Gamblers?

[Reply]

Barbara

said on February 1st, 2008

Hi Opal,

What you are doing with your blogs is a great inspiration for others. I know you take care of yourself, eating properly and exercising regularly, therefore, you practice what you preach. Your readers are probably most grateful, as you’re not trying to tell them to do something that you, yourself haven’t tried. Undoubtedly, that is one of the reasons your sites have become popular, as you have positioned yourself as an expert.

Hello Catherine,

So…you might be a guinea pig?

I like how you threw that back to me.

I have thought of this. The thing I would hate the most, is losing my comment section (which is also the premise for my “Blogging Buddies—very soon to be rereleased). My loyal commenters give me so much inspiration and I often go back and reread what you all have written. It gives me an insight not only in if a post made you think, gives me ideas for future posts, and also gives me an idea of who my readers are.

I feel I could use more “style” by adding photos (a project that is almost complete “cross fingers”, and possibly tweaking my homepage in other ways. So, if someone were to offer me professional advice on SEO, themes, layout, etc…, I would say yes…if I could keep my comments./Blogging Buddies (URL’s)

Hi Hunter,

Isn’t it amazing how we become attached to our posts? We put lots of long hours into them.

I don’t think I would like it if someone tried to change my writing style, but I have been learning from Rebecca how editing is very important. Our writing style lets our readers see a little bit of our personalities.

Hello Nez,

You have the start of a great blog, so a year from now, you may think twice about “wanting a makeover”. It’s would be a tough decision.

That’s what I like about my comments. You have given me a great idea for another post. Now I will have to think of how to word that so it becomes a lesson for all. Thank you!

Barbara’s last blog post..A New Reality Show – How Not To Blog?

[Reply]

CatherineL

said on February 1st, 2008

Hi Barbara – I never thought about losing comments. Before I had a reader I used to access everyone’s blogs via the comment section – it took forever.

The picture plugin I got is very basic, but here’s where I got it from if you want to try it: http://www.soderlind.no/archives/2006/01/03/imagemanager-20/

And, I’ve been getting photos from the creative commons part of flickr. For most of them you just have to put the photographers name under the photo and link it to their flickr profile.

CatherineL’s last blog post..Are Criminals Better Entrepreneurs?

[Reply]

Barbara

said on February 2nd, 2008

Hi Catherine,

Thank you for the link. I found another great resource that I will be referencing in a future post. I will also go over to Flickr and check out their creative commons. I like the pictures you are adding to your posts…very appropriate to the subject matter.

I’ve been experimenting with some of my own pictures, cropping and resizing, so will probably end up using a combination of sources.

Barbara’s last blog post..A New Reality Show – How Not To Blog?

[Reply]

CatherineL

said on February 2nd, 2008

Barbara – that would be great if you could share the other link. The one I’m using now doesn’t seem to do much other than let you put the pic in the post – mind you, that could just be me!

CatherineL’s last blog post..Do You Have The Marketing Potential of the New Harry Potter?

[Reply]

Ian Denny

said on February 3rd, 2008

No.

The clothes don’t matter, but what’s underneath does.

I couldn’t change my posts or the comments. What I said at the time is unchangeable. You can’t change the past.

I may delete the odd post – but maybe because I thought it was poor or out of sync. Like I can choose not to dwell on something and instead learn from it.

The memory will not disappear.

Now in terms of what to wear, that’s a different matter. I’ve changed the clothes myself, but I don’t care what I wear.

It’s not about me, it’s about the people who find it.

If it’s the type of clothing that makes people feel welcome, and gets you seen in the right places then great.

BUT I don’t mean clothes that say the wrong thing. Or attract the wrong type of people.

I would want to dress accordingly. Not some flashy suit. Something that suits the shy too.

I really want my personal blog to welcome those who are struggling with their business or seeking to develop it. Those who are going bust and need to find someone to empathise with.

So it would have to be suitable for the audience.

Ian Denny’s last blog post..Struggling Or Going Bust – Think Big To Get Out Or Even Rise From The Ashes After Your Demise

[Reply]

Barbara

said on February 3rd, 2008

Hi Ian,

The memories do not disappear, so even if your posts were deleted, you will always remember “where you were” when you wrote them…they remain with you forever. And…., what you wrote, may remain with others forever, as well.

Personally, I think your blog is very “suit”able for those you are trying to help. Your blog has style, and your words are timeless.

Barbara’s last blog post..A New Reality Show – How Not To Blog?

[Reply]

Nez

said on February 3rd, 2008

Haha, I had to respond again after my previous comment. I’ve already changed my theme twice already in the last few days!

It was looking very different (read: not as good) on a Windows machine (both IE and Firefox), so I experimented with a few themes.

I wonder how often do bloggers change themes? (More so in the beginning stages, I’d wager).

Nez’s last blog post..10 Ways to Explain The Number 1 Rule to Financial Responsibility

[Reply]

Barbara

said on February 3rd, 2008

Nez,

I cannot count how many times I changed my theme-on both of my blogs. I thought it was a woman thing, but apparently not.

When a blog is new, that’s the best time to experiment. Your visitor count is low, so most don’t know the difference. And even if you have loyal readers, they know….they’ve been there.

I’m coming over to see the “new one”.

Barbara’s last blog post..A New Reality Show – How Not To Blog?

[Reply]