Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Friday, December 3, 2010
Guest Blogging
Everything I've read about blogging says that guest posting and hosting guest bloggers helps gain readership. Since readers are a big part of my blog, I've decided to give it a shot. I have signed up for myguestblog.com, so we'll see how it goes from there. Does anyone have experience with this site? How about stories guest posting? If you have an interest in guest blogging for either this blog, or my other blog, http://studentswhostillhavesouls.blogspot.com/, send me an e-mail at tricia116@juno.com.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Anonymous Blogging
I discussed in another post the negative effects that blogging can have on your personal life and career and the importance of boundaries. One way that some bloggers prevent these dangers and others (such as stalkers, threats, or identity theft) is to remain completely anonymous.
It's certainly easy enough to do. Don't mention your real name, where you live, or too many details about yourself. Create an e-mail that you only use for blogging and uses a nickname. Make sure the anonymous blog is not linked to your other social media that may reveal more about you.
Blogging without revealing who you are has a lot of benefits. You can say just about anything you want (within reason) without damaging your career or personal relationships. This allows you to express views you may have but don't normally share and take on controversial topics. It also means you do not have to share your blogging habit with anyone who might not approve.
On the other hand, people may take you less seriously if you take advantage of the anonymity that the Internet offers you. You will most likely be challenged for it. Also, it makes writing personal blogs more difficult because not only do you have to change names, you will have to omit a lot of information that might reveal your location or identity.
Either way, it is a judgement call of how much you are willing to reveal. Plenty of bloggers do use their full name, but these are mostly professional bloggers. The best thing to do might be a balance of the two. Use a fake name, but for everything else use general information.
It's certainly easy enough to do. Don't mention your real name, where you live, or too many details about yourself. Create an e-mail that you only use for blogging and uses a nickname. Make sure the anonymous blog is not linked to your other social media that may reveal more about you.
Blogging without revealing who you are has a lot of benefits. You can say just about anything you want (within reason) without damaging your career or personal relationships. This allows you to express views you may have but don't normally share and take on controversial topics. It also means you do not have to share your blogging habit with anyone who might not approve.
On the other hand, people may take you less seriously if you take advantage of the anonymity that the Internet offers you. You will most likely be challenged for it. Also, it makes writing personal blogs more difficult because not only do you have to change names, you will have to omit a lot of information that might reveal your location or identity.
Either way, it is a judgement call of how much you are willing to reveal. Plenty of bloggers do use their full name, but these are mostly professional bloggers. The best thing to do might be a balance of the two. Use a fake name, but for everything else use general information.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Where to Find Help
Readers, today I want to know what everyone's favorite sources for blogging information are. They come in all different forms, from websites to other blogs, to books. Please leave a title and/or URL in your comments to tell me where you go when you need advice on all things blogging.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Taboo
Are there any topics that you would never, ever blog about? Anything that is completely out of bounds for you? If so, what are your reasons? It could be as simple as it does not interest you. Please share in the comments section.
Monday, September 6, 2010
What You Risk by Blogging
Everyone has heard stories about bloggers losing their full-time jobs over something they posted in their blog. Sometimes it happens to bloggers who are too personal or discuss their political or religious views that conflict with those of their employer. To top it off, many states have "at-will employment" laws stating that the employer can fire the employee at any time and for any reason. Likewise, the employee can quit at any time and for any reason.
According to http://www.dailyblogtips.com/ you can even get in trouble for what you write in comments on other blogs. It seems as though nothing is sacred.
Its a fine line. Yeah, you want to be able to say and write what you want, and we deserve some privacy, but the Web is a public place. When we write something, we're saying that we want whoever wants to to read it. That includes bosses, parents, and friends.
My advice would be to not use your real name while blogging or commenting if you have a full-time job other than blogging. And even if you do this, know that it is not all that difficult to find the person behind the screen name. So just blog as though everyone, including your boss and grandmother, might be reading it.
According to http://www.dailyblogtips.com/ you can even get in trouble for what you write in comments on other blogs. It seems as though nothing is sacred.
Its a fine line. Yeah, you want to be able to say and write what you want, and we deserve some privacy, but the Web is a public place. When we write something, we're saying that we want whoever wants to to read it. That includes bosses, parents, and friends.
My advice would be to not use your real name while blogging or commenting if you have a full-time job other than blogging. And even if you do this, know that it is not all that difficult to find the person behind the screen name. So just blog as though everyone, including your boss and grandmother, might be reading it.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Market Analysis
I've decided to try doing a market and competitiveness analysis of my blogging niche and my other blog, Don't Let Higher Ed Eat Your Soul. Soon I will do another one for this blog. The idea is that I will analyze my own blog, as well as three others that are in a similar market to mine:
College Lifestyles: This blog advertises itself as a guide for "Nutrition, Lifestyle, and Ettiquette for Savy Coeds." Not only is it focused on female college students, it is particularly focused on Sorority girls. The average reader probably is not overly concerned with money (either her parents help her, or she gets enough scholarships) because many of the ideas involve shopping. A college lifestyle reader is likely concerned with her future career.
College Candy: Most the readers of this blog are also female. These readers are closer to what the average college student its: Don't have a lot of money and like to party. Sex is a major topic on this blog. Of course, these readers are also savy and concerned about their future as internships are also a big topic and there are several city guides.
Lovely Undergrad: Again, this blog is aimed at female college students. The main topic, however, seems to be decorating. There are frequently pictures of apartments and suggestions for decorations. Most readers probalbly live in an apartment off campus rather than in a dorm. Books are also a big topic on this blog because the aothor frequently discusses the Kindle.
Finally, My Blog: My ideal audience is male and female college students, as well as high school seniors who are planning to go to college. While I like to include advice, I'm also trying to discuss current events that affect students so my readers can debate them. So my ideal college student reader is living in a dorm, on a four year track at a school, probably, but not necesarily, public or state school.
So, after reading my blog and the other ones I've analyzed, do you think I've done a good job? Do you think I cater to the audience I want?
Also, I'd like to invite my three readers to do something similar to what I just did and post it in the comments section if you are so inclined.
College Lifestyles: This blog advertises itself as a guide for "Nutrition, Lifestyle, and Ettiquette for Savy Coeds." Not only is it focused on female college students, it is particularly focused on Sorority girls. The average reader probably is not overly concerned with money (either her parents help her, or she gets enough scholarships) because many of the ideas involve shopping. A college lifestyle reader is likely concerned with her future career.
College Candy: Most the readers of this blog are also female. These readers are closer to what the average college student its: Don't have a lot of money and like to party. Sex is a major topic on this blog. Of course, these readers are also savy and concerned about their future as internships are also a big topic and there are several city guides.
Lovely Undergrad: Again, this blog is aimed at female college students. The main topic, however, seems to be decorating. There are frequently pictures of apartments and suggestions for decorations. Most readers probalbly live in an apartment off campus rather than in a dorm. Books are also a big topic on this blog because the aothor frequently discusses the Kindle.
Finally, My Blog: My ideal audience is male and female college students, as well as high school seniors who are planning to go to college. While I like to include advice, I'm also trying to discuss current events that affect students so my readers can debate them. So my ideal college student reader is living in a dorm, on a four year track at a school, probably, but not necesarily, public or state school.
So, after reading my blog and the other ones I've analyzed, do you think I've done a good job? Do you think I cater to the audience I want?
Also, I'd like to invite my three readers to do something similar to what I just did and post it in the comments section if you are so inclined.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Maintaining Multiple Blogs
Does anyone keep more than one blog? Currently, I have three, although one I do not do much with. There is this one, of course, and my other blog, Don't Let Higher Ed Eat Your Soul. Now, however, I feel like I'm getting all kinds of ideas for more blogs that I would like to start. The problem is, I do not think I would be able to keep up with more blogs than I already have. coming up with ideas is not an issue to me. My biggest problem seems to be advertising. I have found several sites that work well for advertising my first blog, and since in this blog I talk about blogging, that's pretty easy as well. Still, writing good comments takes time, and I don't want to be spending all of my time sitting at a computer, browsing the internet. Andd what about ideas that don't have a simple niche or other blogs in their niche?
I mentioned that coming up with ideas for blog posts is not a problem. Sitting down to write out a decently lengthed and well-researched blog is. Checking facts, finding links, and of course, finding a wide enough angle to blog from takes time and sometimes I just don't have the motivation.
Also, do all of my ideas for new blogs really need their own blogs? Couldn't some of them be combined?
What do you think, readers? How many blogs do you maintain? What are the biggest challenges that come from having more than one blog? How about the rewards?
I mentioned that coming up with ideas for blog posts is not a problem. Sitting down to write out a decently lengthed and well-researched blog is. Checking facts, finding links, and of course, finding a wide enough angle to blog from takes time and sometimes I just don't have the motivation.
Also, do all of my ideas for new blogs really need their own blogs? Couldn't some of them be combined?
What do you think, readers? How many blogs do you maintain? What are the biggest challenges that come from having more than one blog? How about the rewards?
Friday, July 30, 2010
Encouraging Comments
To me, having regular comments on my blog is the surest sign that I am doing well. It means that what I write is important enough that it warrants a response, and that people are sticking around the site long enough to to type something up.
So, in order to get more comments and, as a result, feel more successful, I'm doing a weekly post every friday where I feature one comment from the previous week. My first featured post can be seen here.
Do you think this is a good idea? How do you encourage comments? And how do you tell if you blog is a success? Is it solely personal?
So, in order to get more comments and, as a result, feel more successful, I'm doing a weekly post every friday where I feature one comment from the previous week. My first featured post can be seen here.
Do you think this is a good idea? How do you encourage comments? And how do you tell if you blog is a success? Is it solely personal?
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