Re: Should I Delete My Blog
Posted by Dr. Cason on Friday, November 28th, 2008
I just had a loyal reader ask me if she should delete her blog. To which I of course say, “Nooooooooooo are you crazy!”
Er, um, I mean unless you really want to.
I understand the sentiment. It’s tough day in and day out to put your heart out there and get very little in response. I do it because I love it. But I had to learn what I liked. And learn why I do it. And then just have fun.
My reader then asked me what I should do to improve her blog. Which is a little like asking someone to decorate your home. What if my style isn’t yours. I’m not a knick- knacky person and hate clutter. ( To which my family will laugh since I always have clutter around me!)
I can offer some pointers though. In no particular order here are some things I thought of…
- Define your niche. I used to have more of a mish-mash style, but now my blog is more of a photo, journal kind of blog. I gradually came to this because I found that I loved to experiment and was most excited when I could share my photography. But my sister still asks for more of the kids stuff, so that’s what I put in.
- Know why you are doing it. It is for money or hobby? If it’s a hobby then is there some other reason why you are doing it? I quickly realized that I wanted to get better with photography. Some people use it to meet new people or stay in touch with their family.
- Be faithful in your posting. If you want the person to get up everyday, drink their coffee and visit you, then you’d better be there.
- Look at sites that you want to emulate and learn from them. There is one site in particular that I always go back to. I don’t even care that she doesn’t write back. That should tell you something.
- Simplify your blog presentation. When I first started mine was too dark and didn’t have a good spot to put my photos on. As I learned and read other people’s blog, I gravitated to what I liked.
- Get to the point- I can’t tell you how many times I have wanted to comment on someone’s blog but the post itself rambled too much. If you do tend to ramble, make sure you’re a good writer. I’m not that good.
- Insert paragraphs so that your reader can flow through the post.
- Be real. When I admit my fears and just write from the heart people listen. Sometimes just forget about punctuation and being clever and just write. Write from the heart.
- If you want people to comment then ask a question.
- Put it in your email signature.
- Think about your blog platform. Think about the name. Investigate WordPress.com and blogger and type pad and then look at wordpress.org. I had to learn a bit about servers and content management systems to finally get mine the way I wanted. I still plan on changing some things and creating a new blog name. But I knew Drcason.org was something I could work with in the future.
- Lighten up. Most people have too dark of a background or have too dark of lettering. It makes it uncomfortable to read.
- Visit Barbara at Blogging Without a Blog. She has a personal way of interacting with her followers and really good pointers. Of all the blog about blogs this is my favorite.
- Interact with your readers. If you have noticed I have gone back to responding to my comments. I found that when I didn’t take the time to interact with my readers, my stats gradually went down. Who wants to keep visiting with someone who won’t speak back.
- Allow yourself to discover what it is you want to say. In other words find your voice. You’ll know it when it comes.
- Don’t go widget crazy. More isn’t necessarily better.
- Don’t compromise your style. I don’t swear or gossip about my neighbor. I write with my real name and honor my patients and family. I don’t post long clever posts or cruise through my entire reader on a daily basis. I just don’t have the time. But I still enjoy it.
- Relax and have fun
- Last but not least- Pace yourself-
This last piece of advice, I’m still having a hard time with. I’ve been posting every day for 6 months (Except for one time when I tried to stop in the weekends and *gulp* felt too guilty and then logged on the next day.
I’m going to experiment here and not post on the weekends for the next couple of months. I know, I know, I’ve said this before, but it really is encroaching on my family time. Besides this might give me more time to visit other bloggers as well as more time to do more photography and cooking. Please feel free to comment and let me know what you think. Of course I’ll check in and see if anyone has shown up!
Can anyone (Barbara??) think of other advice for a new blogger who wants to improve their stats, comments and site?
Filed in Blogging | 29 responses so far
Cath Lawsonon 28 Nov 2008 at 8:55 pm 1Hi Dr Cason – you’ve given some awesome advice for new bloggers. I would add just one thing. If you intend to make money from your blog eventually – learn how to do search engine optimization.
Folk who arrive at your blog through Google search are far more likely to
buy something off you than people arriving through social networks.
Until I few months ago, I didn’t optimize my blog posts at all. But now, the amount of traffic I get from Google increases on a daily basis, so it really is worth learning how to optimize your posts.
Audubon Ronon 29 Nov 2008 at 12:31 am 2Very good advice. May I add a little more.
AS A READER, I like a reader to be level in content. If you’re going to rant, I love a good rant; show me of your cocktail hour funny side of life. You can be sardonic or edgy, but always end on a good point.
What really turns me off is post, post, post then a post with MAJOR Depression, I can’t get out of bed and I’m neglecting my readership and whatever, mostly my husband. And he don’t like that.
When I first meet a blogger, too much bling turns me off. Why, cause I live in the movie Deliverance and I have to climb a pole to hook my wire to dial up. It’s like, Holy Electrons Batman, how long will it take to download this blog?
Since girls rule the Blogworld, take pity on us few but diligent guy bloggers. What makes this hard for me is I transition from a seriously straight job as a 53 year old fatherless man, to young mothers. Now, most of it fits and like Dr. Cason, I can relate and she always makes me feel comfortable. I couldn’t pick her out of crowd if I had too so it’s all content with her. She has a really kind inside, always show your kind inside.
Last but not least, download a sitemeter counter if you hadn’t. You will be amazed at the hits you actually get from lurkers. Folks who get lots of comments A) have been at this awhile, B) have spent a considerable amount of time responding to comments and C) have turned this into a job and actually hunt down new audience by commenting randomly on other blogs. That’ too much work for me.
I deleted my blog twice but always came back. Save yourself the hassle, hang in there.
Audubon Rons last blog post..Holiday Etiquette
Kylaon 29 Nov 2008 at 1:17 am 3I only ever read blogs because I’m drawn in by the person and the story. I rarely care about the presentation. If I click with someone or find myself sucked into the story of their life, I’ll keep coming back for more. If someone visits me a lot, it might take me a while, but I always try to reciprocate, at least part of the time. I think reciprocation is important in this medium, though, I’m not always as good at it as I should be!
Kylas last blog post..Happy Thanksgiving from the ‘Tars!
Kathleenon 29 Nov 2008 at 2:09 am 4Thanks Sheila and everyone else with these GREAT comments. I am the person Sheila is referring to. My main aim with my blog originally was a journal or documentation of animal rescue situations I or my friends had been involved in. I soon found myself asking people I met who had adopted their animals for their stories too.
People have always been not only eager to share these stories, but honored I wanted to include their babies as well. This is definitely my passion. I want my blog to be upbeat to help my fellow animal rescuers during the burnout periods they suffer.
Please visit my blog and leave direct comments on what type of posts you feel I should either move to another blog, or how I should narrow down my focus. I think this is one of the problems I am encountering. The interest definitely seems more toward my animal stories, but I hate to not include my family as well. What do you all suggest please? I really want your feedback. I have seen some incredible blogs through Sheila’s blog site.
Now will someone please show with me how to make those nice large quote marks around blockquotes in Blogger. I cannot seem to do this and have searched and searched for a way.
Do you think I should possibly move my animal rescue blog to WordPress and leave my other my personal items at the old site with a new name perhaps?
Thanks everyone, and thanks so much Sheila for the good advice. I know you spent a lot of time and I so appreciate your help.
Kathleen
Kathleens last blog post..Therapy Comes in Small Packages . . .
Lisaon 29 Nov 2008 at 2:41 am 5I agree with quality CONTENT. If you just tell me a run down of what you did yesterday I might not come back. If you have a unique take on life, I’d like to hear it. I like humor and pictures.
I also use sitemeter.
I started my blog to work on writing everyday. And makes me happy even if no one comments.
Lisas last blog post..Meet Doug.
Amy Wrighton 29 Nov 2008 at 2:49 am 6I finally figured out why you can’t get on my blog (just NOW figured it out). When I leave a reply, my website automatically comes up. Well, it said @blogspot instead of .blogspot. Sorry, I failed you.
I always feel like I’m not interesting enough to read. All that I write about is my family. But I finally realized that my family is what I’m all about right now. And, I hope to make my blog into a book eventually…a family memory book.
Amy Wrights last blog post..Thanksgiving
Kathleenon 29 Nov 2008 at 4:56 am 7Your comments have really helped me. I took the first step and went back to my original plan of a blog to share animal rescue happy endings with friends. I have removed a lot of other items, and concentrated on just these stories. In fact, I have a new one I will be working up and adding today.
A while back I did lighten up my background design. I have noticed how much better I really like this too.
Lisa – I had a Sitemeter, but I decided to change it to the design with a count. I was kind of shy at first of my low count on the blog — but hopefully this will change soon. Thanks for this idea too.
Audubon Ron – I have also tried to make sure all my articles are upbeat. If anyone sees an article other than this, please remind me as I always want this blog upbeat for my animal loving friends.
Thanks everyone, I am learning so much from all of you. This is a brand new experience and my first blog attempt.
Kathleens last blog post..Therapy Comes in Small Packages . . .
Kriszinon 29 Nov 2008 at 7:58 am 8Hi Dr. Cason,
This was great information! I just started my blogging experience two weeks ago and have a lot to learn! I basically started my blog because so much happens in my crazy life that I tend to forget about. Usually it is comical and I love to go back and read exactly how I felt months, even years ago. Basically, I did it for me and anyone else who can relate.
Thank you for the words of advice!
Kriszins last blog post..No more corporate Christmas
Brianon 29 Nov 2008 at 8:53 am 9This is all great advice, Sheila… and as I’m still a relatively new blogger myself, I’ll definately be employing some of it!
I started blogging becasue I love to write and when I don’t do it regularly, I feel like something is missing.
I don’t claim to be an expert blogger. My blog is probably too messy, too discombobulated, and takes on far too many topics. Still, it’s a very personal reflection of me, which is the main reason I do it. I love to go back and see what I was thinking about a particualr topic at a particular moment in my life. That’s very theraputic, and the result doesn’t differ based on the number of people who read it besides me.
One other trick that has been helpful for me… If you spend much time on facebook.com or myspace.com, add a link to your blog there. Then, when you write a post that you’re especially proud of, throw the link up in your status menu on those sites.
Brians last blog post.."Smoke Gets In Your Eyes"
Dr. Casonon 29 Nov 2008 at 10:12 am 10Cath- Hmmm- I need to look into that. What would be the best tutorial do you think?
Audobon- You’re witty which is what I love about guy bloggers. They don’t take themselves so seriously. Which is what I spend a lot of time doing. I ruminate, ruminate, ruminate! I agree about being kind. Too many people thrive on the rude and the insenstive. The anonymity of the web can make us bold but it shouldn’t make us mean.
Kyla- Good point! I do come back for your story. It’s seriously compelling and I’m rooting for your sweet family.
Kathleen- You’re quite welcome! I hope this helps a little. Blogger gives you the ability to highlight a section and then apply italics but I don’t think they do the quotation marks.
Lisa- I agree it does help you hone your writing. You have to love to write if you blog. I love hearing your stories!
Amy- Woo Hoo! It worked. I love you rpics and that is another reason I’ll visit blogs- to look at the art. Truly inspiring!
Krizin- I loved your last post. I like posts that make me think.
Brian- I love your blog and the idea of sharing your thoughts about your travels. I loved the post about your grandfather. I’ll have to put more links on my facebook so my family can see it!
tiffon 29 Nov 2008 at 10:20 am 11Great post!
I love looking into other people’s lives, however they are. I don’t think that any blog is not interesting. You just need to look at it with perspective.
I am definitely drawn to bloggers like me or people who share some common ground, like photography.
When i started blogging, the Australian community was very small. Now it is huge and getting bigger every day. I had no idea about commenting or being part of something much bigger than myself when I started. I’m almost two years in and I love having people weigh in on life.
tiffs last blog post..Imagination.
myston 29 Nov 2008 at 5:42 pm 12Some excellent advice there!
I must say my blog is more of a journal for me, it has kept an excellent record of some reasonably extraordinary events in my life (some of which I have saved back to draft because they were an accurate account of the bullying I was receiving at work – and may have caused issues for me if they were found).
Actually I have used my blog as a reference for dates things happened!
I do tend to read blogs of those that I can relate to, am fascinated by, or I just plain love their writing!
Blogs that seem ‘clicky’ aren’t ones I read for too long – ones where the writer only seems to respond to the comments of some and not others, or refers to the blogs of a specific few continually.
I don’t do ‘clicky’ – every commenter is equally important to me.
But really, if you love what you write, or if your blog is an outlet to vent and is real and true – then yes, keep going.
Not every post has to be a masterpiece.
G
xxx
mysts last blog post..Ups and Downs
Barbara Swaffordon 29 Nov 2008 at 7:02 pm 13Hi Dr. Cason – First, thank you for the mention. I am humbled and honored.
Your list is great. Although it’s easy to clutter up a blog, if I land on a blog I like, I turn a blind eye to the “clutter” and head straight to the content.
I think, as we blog, our personalities come through, therefore, writing from the heart is important.
With regard to you deceasing your posting schedule. I did that quite awhile ago. Although my numbers drop on the weekends, the time away has helped my creativity and my family enjoys seeing more of me, as well.
Barbara Swaffords last blog post..Is Blogging The Best Use Of Your Time
From the Back Deckon 30 Nov 2008 at 1:38 am 14Well, I’ll weigh in on this one since Dr. Cason introduced me to blogging. I blog because I need to communicate. I need to connect. Somewhere I have to have a forum for written and visual expression that goes beyond the daily activities of work and responsibilities. I need a place where I can exist, a place of who I am and what I want to be. So, when somebody drops in for a visit or comments, that’s a plus that let’s me know that I’m not just whistling in the wind, and it is so much appreciated. Hey, you, out there. Do you hear me. Maybe, I’m like one of the characters from Whoville. Hey, Horton! Are you listening?
Jannieon 30 Nov 2008 at 4:17 am 15Wonderful, wonderful advice!!
And I so admire you for your non-week-end experiment. A person has to know when to find life balance.
And Happy Thanksgiving, two days late!
Jannies last blog post..Thankful Unveiling
Dr. Casonon 30 Nov 2008 at 6:34 am 16Tiff- I love the photography as well. Your blog is always so compelling. I was awed when I first met you and still am!
Myst- I don’t like the “clicky” ones as well! I used to visit a couple and then, since I always felt like an outsider, I didn’t go back!
Barbara- Thanks for stopping by! You’ve taught me so much and I’m so grateful. I thought about you when I dropped my schedule. I realized that posting everyday was getting a bit frenetic and I didn’t have time to write a longer post. I was reassured to see your comments and popularity growing despite the drop on the weekends. And honestly I’m relieved.
Back Deck- I HEAR YOU!
I love the creative outlet as well and love your photography. I’m so inspired.
Jannie- Welcome back. I keep thinking about Doris to Register Nine!
Happy Thanks giving to you as well!
Angelaon 30 Nov 2008 at 10:56 am 17I only really write when I feel like it and that is at least once a week.
You have to blog for you.
I do it cause I like it.
Smiles!
Angelas last blog post..A smile moment and finding similarities between Gregory and me
Evelyn Limon 30 Nov 2008 at 11:44 am 18You’ve provided a ton of excellent tips!! It all boils down to commitment after the initial period of excitement. The more we can commit to our blogs, the more we will keep them going and succeed, if the aim is to monetize them!
By all means, if you need to stop posting during the weekends, please do so. I’ve long settled on posting to twice a week only. I figured that this frequency is just about right to keep me sane.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Evelyn Lims last blog post..7 Ways To Center Yourself In Gratitude
Dr. Casonon 30 Nov 2008 at 2:08 pm 19Angela- I’d read you any day you wrote! So if once a week then I’m there!
Evelyn- Yes the excitement wanes and the commitment takes over until the excitement comes again. A bit like a relationship!
Nikkion 30 Nov 2008 at 3:59 pm 20Granted I like to look at my stats just as much as the next person I would still write if I had no readers at all (not much of a stretch
) I think for me writing helps me organize my thoughts and emotions. I find a lot of the time that after writing a post my thoughts aren’t actually what I thought they were.
The other big driving force for me is the idea of Danger having something to look back on when she is older. I’m not the typical baby book kind of gal but I want her to know how loved she is. I’m also hoping that when she is 23 and thinks her Mom couldn’t possibly understand what she’s going through that dammit I know, I was cool once.
Vered - MomGrindon 30 Nov 2008 at 5:25 pm 21Great tips. I don’t really have anything to add, except that I agree with Cath: I used to think SEO was a waste of time but it’s not. It’s important.
Also… stopping to blog and deleting one’s blog are two very different things. I think it makes sense for your reader, even if she decides to stop blogging, to take a break and think about it before doing soemthing as drastic as deleting.
Vered – MomGrinds last blog post..Worst. Mom. Ever.
Dr. Casonon 01 Dec 2008 at 7:55 am 22Nikki- I find such comfort as well in creating something real, for me, for my family. I too find that once it’s down, I sometimes think that it was a bigger deal in my head than in my heart.
Vered- Hmmm SEO…There’s that word again! I’ll think about it.
monstergirleeon 01 Dec 2008 at 8:03 am 23Great post – I plan to copy and paste this for future reference, and some of the comments too.
And, in response to your post and other comments I’ve read, I changed my template on blogger so its not white on black. I think it looks better for the photos, but I also know it turns some people off.
monstergirlees last blog post..Out of Town Day 6 (Live from Minneapolis!)
Lanceon 01 Dec 2008 at 10:52 am 24These are great tips Dr. Cason – and one I really feel is key – is writing from the heart. Those blogs that do – draw me back every time. As far as getting comments, I’ve found that you also have to be willing to give comments to others. And, for me, that becomes part of the connection building that goes on – and what makes this such an amazing journey…
Lances last blog post..Sunday Thought For The Day
Jannieon 01 Dec 2008 at 11:03 am 25Thanks for popping by again. I love your visits to my site!
Jannies last blog post..Passing conversation on one of his old (and still beautiful,) girlfriends
Sarah @ Thriftydecorchickon 01 Dec 2008 at 2:32 pm 26Just had to say I think your blog is SO interesting!! I’m off to read more…
Sarah @ Thriftydecorchicks last blog post..Tell us a few of your favorite things!!
Carrieon 01 Dec 2008 at 5:52 pm 27Those are some wonderful tips, I’m not sure I could add any more to what has already been said except to be yourself. If you love to write, write what you know. If you love to take photographs than share them and share the reason you found beauty in a certain image – that is one thing I love about you, Dr. Cason, is that you always tell why you love something you took a photo of, even if it is something simple.
And I’ll second the part about paragraphs. I cannot read without a visual break here and there!
Carries last blog post..I See in Words
Gingeron 02 Dec 2008 at 10:35 am 28What a fantastic list of tips! As far as stats and comments go, the only thing that seems to bring my stats up is being a participant on other blogs and in communities. Granted, I’m just a personal blogger (i.e. no real niche), but it really does help. I don’t comment just to comment though, I only comment when I have something to say, because I don’t feel like I’m being authentic otherwise. But building that community has been the key to my blogs growth.
Gingers last blog post..The end
RaiulBaztepoon 29 Mar 2009 at 8:13 am 29Hello!
Very Interesting post! Thank you for such interesting resource!
PS: Sorry for my bad english, I’v just started to learn this language
See you!
Your, Raiul Baztepo