November 7, 2006
Andrew Johnson asks What makes a good blog post? I can see good advice in all his points with the exception of number 9 which I think is simply not applicable to the online quilting and crafting community. This community has its own dynamic and many of the social norms that I see in quilting and stitching groups are transferred online. I know many readers would simply turn away not only from one particular blog but blogging if it became OK criticise someone simply to create a bit of buzz.
I think in this area of the blogsphere if you want to create a buzz writing a good tutorial on how to do something, making an exceptional piece that get gets people talking or starting a creative challenge are all constructive ways to create interest about your work and your blog. What other ways to produce a good blog do you see as being applicable in this particular community?
November 7, 2006 at 8:46 am
For Fiber artists I think the use of good photos is essential — I often don’t read very far if there isn’t a photo that is relavent to the topic being blogged — that doesn’t mean showing me all the work you’ve done in the past, but show me what is relavent to what you’re working on, or a technique, or a colour, or something you’d like to try….
November 7, 2006 at 11:02 am
You are probably right about #9. In crowded & competative blogging environments sometimes you have to make noise in order to get recognition.
If you don’t have to do it, then don’t. For one of the forums I run (about 7,000 members) a big chunk of my time is spent diffusing controversy. There is little benefit in me creating it because viewers don’t come to the site for drama (unlike blogs.)
Turn on a cable news network for the night. Politics and business have people making their extreme viewpoints known in order to draw in an audience. The Food Network doesn’t need to do this, nor does AMC. Fox, MTV — they thrive on it.
November 7, 2006 at 12:33 pm
Andrew thanks for the comment - yes I can see that in out culture there are conventions of controversy -
November 7, 2006 at 10:12 pm
I also think that photos are important. I don’t mind if they aren’t ‘good’ (however you interpret that) as long as the photo is clear enough to see something. I prefer to see photos of works in progress or finished. I’m not very interested in picture after picture of the latest yarn buy though many people do it so enough people must be interested. Well I do have photos of material that I’m going to work on, so I suppose it is the same thing!
I like seeing tutorials even if they are just links someone has added to their entry. I also like add links to their entries because it usually takes me somewhere I might not have found otherwise.
November 8, 2006 at 10:20 am
Well, Andrew’s list didn’t do much for me. Perhaps it’s a reflection of one’s motive for blogging. I don’t think the fiber and textile community are in it for self esteem, popularity, or their egos. I think we’re in it for information and ideas. That’s what I look for in others’ blogs (which is why photos are essential for us), and that’s what I try to give on my blog.
November 8, 2006 at 12:32 pm
Andrew’s list was helpful for me; but #2… yes, hearing about success is great, I love seeing completed projects! but I’d also like to know what stumbling blocks you hit, so I don’t make the same mistake. When I do a tutorial, I do try to point out pitfalls, or say something like “it’s easier if you do it this way”. And I agree w/others on #9, we don’t need to create controversy! His response above adequately explains that.
I must admit, I do have some ego wrapped up in my blog, if only to see how many people have looked at my latest project. I love seeing the traffic numbers, though I really don’t do much to draw people to my site, other than comment on someone else’s blog, or do a WhipUp entry, or something like that. My blog is just for fun; it’s a nice little diary of projects for me, and I like showing off my stuff to others. Someday I hope I will take it more seriously and really promote embroidery & crazy quilting though.
November 8, 2006 at 7:27 pm
Edie and Leigh thanks for your imput on this - it is interesting to see how the dynamcs of a particular group caan be different to another. I think demonstrating the process rather than just the finnished item is something most ‘makers’ are interested in.
November 8, 2006 at 9:08 pm
I don’t believe that there is any need to be rude about people on blogs. Yes it sparks controversy which gets people looking at your blog but in the end it will just reflect badly on you.
As someone trying to get to get people looking at her blog, (partly just so I know that people read it!)I clicked the link to his article with interest but found it to be more about popularity than actually sharing things of interest!
I do keep a seperate blog for personal things, and keep my craft one just that, as craft related as possible, though i do sometimes tangent into things that interest me.
You, sharon, have actually been one of the people who inspire me to both stitch and blog. I recently met someone through your blog and through meeting her have joined the Embroiderer’s Guild!
November 9, 2006 at 5:38 am
Elizabet - I think leaving comments is a good way to get people t notice your blog I found it via one of your comments - it is also a way of simply joining in the conversaion - which is fun
Have fun at the guild … that\’s a great story