Photo credit Woodley Wonderworks
On my mission to find new bloggers (for my New Blog Of The Week series), I use whatever means are available. I search the world wide web, I click on comment links, and I beg new bloggers to find me.
Thus far, I have found three new bloggers who I feel have potential: Natasha, Nez and David. Prior to my series, Hunter, who is an impressive, up and coming new blogger, found me.
Today’s Lesson
Just as I did when I began blogging, I’m again pounding my head against the wall (and, it’s not a pretty sight). Then, it was due my lack of technological/blogging knowledge, now, it’s due to the lack of what I consider the beginnings of a good blog.
Now, don’t get me wrong, there are loads of great older blogs.
I’m talking about new blogs that are coming online. Granted, some have beautiful designs, amazing photographs, pages filled with ads and/or graphics, but…. little to no content.
So, for the second time in my life, I asked myself, and Wikipedia (which I believe is a reputable site) “what is a blog”?
Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs. Most blogs are primarily textual, although some focus on art (artlog), photographs (photoblog), sketchblog, videos (vlog), music (MP3 blog), audio (podcasting) are part of a wider network of social media.
When I started blogging, most of my inspiration came from three blogs and their authors. They are:
1) Steve Pavlina.com
3) Lorelle on WordPress
All of these blogs have wonderful content. They are filled with posts that inspire, teach, ask provoking questions, and are a joy to read.
So, did I learn from the wrong people? I don’t think so.
Is a blog, a blog, if it doesn’t have content? Apparently, based on the above definition.
Is a blog, a blog, if I can’t make any sense out of it? Maybe it makes sense to someone else.
Each week I walk away from my extensive search, saying to myself, are these a sampling of the millions of blogs that are going online every day? If it is, I have my work cut out for me.
Today’s Assignment
Any suggestions?
Do you know of a new blog (1-4 months old), you would like to nominate for the “New Blog Of The Week”?
Do you prefer photo, art, music or podcasts, over content filled blogs?
Is it just me, or are others finding the same scenario?
Barbara,
Good thoughts on what makes up a blog. And thanks for including me in your “Blog Of The Week”! I ran across a blog the other day that is relatively new and in my opinion has potential for being included in your “Blog Of The Week”. It’s called The Vacant Cubicle: http://www.thevacantcubicle.com/
Thanks!
I’m not sure about “little to no content,” but I do see an awful lot of blogs with no _good_ content. I was wondering if other people thought this as well.
Steve Pavlina has mentioned the importance of not confusing your medium with your message. If blogging technology didn’t exist, he’d still be a personal development expert, maybe writing books and printed newsletters, and giving speeches. Darren Rowse obviously wouldn’t be a blogging expert if blogs didn’t exist, but he’d still be helping people in some way, maybe through digital photography or the ministry.
These people don’t see their blogs as their value, but as the medium for getting their value out to the public. And I think that a lot of bloggers don’t consider in advance what value they’ll provide through their blog. That value could possibly be in the form of photos, art, music, and podcasts, but merely putting up those things doesn’t necessarily constitute value.
Hunter Nuttall’s last blog post..The Science Of Getting Rich
Hi Barbara – I think that Wikipedia definition definitely needs updating.
I know of a blog I read with fantastic content that began in mid September. Is that too early? If not I’ll email you it, and I’ll keep looking out for more.
I definitely prefer content blogs, although I also like looking at some of the photo blogs.
CatherineL’s last blog post..Humor In Marketing – How Far Can You Push Your Luck?
Hi Barbara,
First off, thanks for stopping by. I’ve been so busy as of late that I’m way behind on my blog reading. Anyhow, I’m curious to know what people consider good content. I’m reaching that point with my blog where I’m trying to decide which direction I want to take it to. Do I want to make it a daily journal or do I want to stick to longer but less frequent post? Heck sometimes I wonder if I should be blogging at all because although I have a lot to say, i don’t like to type :P. Suggestions are definitely welcome.
Well, my break is just about up. When I get home, I’ll be sure to check out your blogger of the week.. Also, my friend Zenobia has a cool new blog. She doesn’t post often, but I think her content is timeless. Here’s her link:
http://theperennialgarden.blogspot.com/
Natasha’s last blog post..Blogging About Daily Life
Welcome to my blog David,
I hope you will enjoy a few extra visits during you reign as “New Blogger Of The Week”.
Thank you for sharing a new blog with me. I will definitely give it consideration.
Hello Hunter,
Yes, I’m seeing those as well.
Steve, Darren, and Lorelle do provide a tremendous amount of value in their blogs. When I started blogging, I was amazed at how much information others were willing to share, at no cost. Now, we can learn about nearly any subject, from a pro. How great is that?
Steve (Pavlina) has some great podcasts on some very interesting subjects.
Hi Catherine,
I will watch my emails for your nominee.
Like you, I prefer content based blogs, however, I have seen some with beautiful photography. If good content is mixed with a photograph, it can often tell an amazing story.
Barbara’s last blog post..If Content Is Queen, Where Is She Hiding
I find that I like content blogs better. A lot of the photo/video/other media blogs that I run across have no original content. To me a site that reposts content from other websites, especially sites like icanhascheezburger.com are valueless and pointless.
But that is just me, I have always felt the need to contribute instead of just pass on the message. I suppose some people find it helpful to have websites and blogs out there that archive all the crap that builds up on the internet. We have to stick it somewhere, right? 😀
Rashy’s last blog post..Anonymous gang-banging Scientology
Hi Natasha,
It’s good to see you again.
A blog can be anything you want to make it, however, you need to ask yourself, what is your goal for your blog. And, do you have time to post and maintain it?
To me, good content are words that help, inspire, teach , challenge, ask questions, and expand my knowledge base, composed in a way that entices me to “read on”. I’m not one to follow personal blogs (daily living), however, some end up with a big following.
I’ve read the majority of blogs that do come online, don’t make it past month four. I realize that’s not encouraging, however, it appears a lot of bloggers run out of things to say, get bored with it, or find they don’t have sufficient time.
Not liking to type, could create a challenge.
Hopefully others here will give you some great suggestions.
I have been on Zenobia’s blog, and will add her to the nominees.
Barbara’s last blog post..If Content Is Queen, Where Is She Hiding
Hello Rashy,
Welcome to my blog, and thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I get a lot of trackbacks on my other blog, where a blog says,”and on OM it is written………….”, and that’s their entire post. At least I get a link, but that certainly isn’t original content.
Barbara’s last blog post..If Content Is Queen, Where Is She Hiding
Actually I just found these two
thinksimplenow.com
inmyheels.com
Natural Woman’s last blog post..Meet the Bloggers
Natural Woman,
Thank you for sharing. I will consider the two nominees you have listed.
Barbara’s last blog post..If Content Is Queen, Where Is She Hiding
Rashy – that’s interesting. I didn’t realise icanhascheezeburger did that. I thought people actually wrote the posts solely on their blog. And they are really popular too.
Barbara – one of the blogs Natural Woman recommended is Tina’s blog. It’s a great blog, but I think that featuring it would be going against what you’re trying to do, as she already has a ton of traffic. By the way, she has gone on one of those mini-retirements that Tim Ferris talks about – India – it will be interesting to read how she gets on.
CatherineL’s last blog post..Humor In Marketing – How Far Can You Push Your Luck?
I thought of thinksimplenow.com as well. It’s a wonderful blog that I’ve recently discovered, but it doesn’t meet the 1-4 months old criterion, and like Catherine said, she already has a ton of traffic. She got 2,000+ subscribers in 3 months, and now has 4,429 subscribers.
Hunter Nuttall’s last blog post..The Science Of Getting Rich
I know Hunter – it was amazing how she did it. Did you read her article on problogger?
I found one that is just over four months, so Barbara is going to take a look at it. I thought about Opal’s new writing blog too, but it has to be a new blogger, not just a new blog.
CatherineL’s last blog post..7 Must Do’s Before Starting An Online Business
Hi Catherine and Hunter,
Yes, I too, have been on Tina’s blog. I like what she writes, but I want to feature someone who is newer, needing traffic, and encouragement to keep going…those first four months are tough when you feel like you are talking to yourself.
Thanks for the suggestions. Catherine, I am going to look at the one you emailed me, later today. All of the nominations help me immensely.
Barbara’s last blog post..WP Tutorials – Where Were They When..
Hi Barbara,
My problem is I’m beginning to find the more-established blogs that blog on a lot of topics I’d like to write about. So then I start thinking, “Hmmm…what can I do differently, to stand out from the crowd?”
But if I do come across newer ones that have promise, I’ll certainly send you a note.
I’m also very thankful that you took the time to pick my blog and give it a short write-up last week. Hopefully, I can “pay it forward” soon.
Nez’s last blog post..A Most Precious Possession
Hi Nez,
You are welcome. 🙂
Search long enough, and you will probably find a blog on every topic imaginable. When I started this one (in a crowded market), I knew what I was in for. But, as time passed, my blog began to develop a personality of it own. I think if you spend too much time on sites that write what you do, you can become discouraged. Sometimes it’s better to turn a blind eye on those other sites, and just write from your heart, and not worry what others are writing.
Make your blog “yours”. Show us your personality. So far you have done a great job. I sense you have the drive to continue.
Barbara’s last blog post..WP Tutorials – Where Were They When..
Catherine, yes, I read Tina’s article on problogger, and that’s how I found her. She really went into a lot of detail in that post about how she got her traffic!
Hunter Nuttall’s last blog post..Are You A Gryffindor Or A Slytherin?