Blog Improvement Project: Week 1
January 5th, 2009 by monnibo | Alongs, Challenge
Kim at Sophisticated Dorkiness is hosting the 2009 Blog Improvement Project. I’ve offered to help out in any way I can with HTML/design related inquiries, but for the most part, it’s mainly a discussion and any changes you make will be of your own merit.
The first week’s topic is fairly straightforward: Setting Goals — What Is Your Blog For?
My blog is for my own personal record and expression. I love taking pictures, reading books, and participating in various hobbies. I’ve had a blog since 2001 and before that I kept a journal as a personal record of goings-on. Nowadays if I didn’t have my blog, I’d probably have several journals for knitting projects, reading records, and the like.
As for the direction that I want my blog to go, I want to keep writing posts of merit. I want the quality to prevail but keep a consistent level of blogging up. For my normal posting and traffic, the holidays were quiet but sometimes you need that kind of break.
I enjoy participating in weekly events and would like to join more challenges and “alongs” that don’t require too much of a commitment. I enjoy Booking Through Thursday and Whiskers on Wednesday which are both weekly-alongs. I really liked the ABC-along which was a photo-based meme. I would like to participate in more photography-based challenges.
I don’t think I’m going to sign up for any more reading or knitting challenges unless they are small. I tried the Fearless Knitting KAL (Knit-Along) in 2008 and failed miserably. In fact, I’ve decided I don’t like lace, and that was my “fearless” goal: to knit a stole/wrap. Also with the 2nd Canadian Book Challenge, I’ve just been plain distracted by all the good books! I have read lots of Canadian authors… but we had to set up our lists ahead of time. I prefer to read whatever strikes my fancy.
So in the long-term, I think that my blog is ultimately for me. However I would be interested in generating more traffic (in the form of comments — hint hint nudge nudge to all you lurkers) and I guess the best way to do that is to comment on other people’s blogs.
Related posts:
This entry was posted on Monday, January 5th, 2009 at 10:21 am
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Tags: blog improvement project, book bloggers, html, social media, web design.
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January 5th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Very important knowing what you want out of your blog. I know a few people who are all about the numbers (site meters etc…)…Mine is all about me, self-expression, whatever strikes my fancy at the time.
I have subscribed to your blog…I find it very fun. I’m not sure if I’ve left a comment before, but here is one now!
Happy 2009!
January 5th, 2009 at 11:48 am
My blog has replaced my journal. It requires me to whine less and avoid snarking, so it’s a good thing.
Tell me what shawl/wrap you want and it will be my pleasure to knit it for you. It’s the least I can do!
January 5th, 2009 at 11:53 am
I think it’s really easy to get caught up with numbers and stuff, when I think the only reason to try and get more traffic is so that there are more people to have conversations with. At least, that’s been my favorite part of branching out and reading more blogs. One of my goals is to leave more comments though, since I tend to be terrible about that!
And there are definitely going to be some html and design things coming up, I just can’t quite figure out how to do them since that sort of thing seems pretty individual and hard to do for different knowledge levels. But, I’m thinking about it — expect some inquiries for your help soon :)
January 5th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
I still do keep a reading journal! I never write reviews in it any more (that’s all in my blog), but I still write down the details of each book read and my rating for it. And then I transfer that info to my Excel spreadsheet, lol.
It does seem kinda useless now that I think about it, but the notebook isn’t even halfway used and if I gave it up now I’d feel wasteful. :D
January 5th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
I’d like to make my posts more comment-friendly too! There’s a big disparity between my daily traffic and my daily comments, lol. I’m not sure how, though, other than commenting on other peoples’ blogs and putting a question at the end of my post. (Here via the Blog Improvement Challenge)
January 5th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
In the beginning, I was really interested in the numbers. Now, it’s come to be more about the friendships. :-) I’m definitely saving more trees by blogging. I can’t even begin to think of how many journals I used to go through. lol
January 5th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
I’m saving trees, too. I have three blogs. One for all my bookish things and the other two have a bit of my photography. Different blogs, different hobbies!
January 5th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Thanks for posting about this. I want to improve my blog too and this might help me do so. I haven’t been good about leaving comments either so that’s a goal for me as well. The reason I like people to leave comments is so I can visit their blog, stalk them on Ravelry and the like, and see what sort of things they are knitting/reading. I find inspiration in other people’s crafts (esp. knitting.)
January 5th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
I’ve awarded you The Butterfly Award! Stop by for details:
http://booksnbordercollies.blogspot.com/2009/01/lovely-award.html
Lezlie
January 6th, 2009 at 4:42 am
Interesting post with subjects which are turning out to be an almost common thing between those of us who have decided to join the Blog Improvement Project. I too would love more comments and discussions on my blog. Initially I’d say that my blog is for me, however, I also feel that if I got better at reviewing stuff and made some more interesting posts, it could be fun for others to read. I am trying to keep my blogs at a minimum, but already have a lot for all my different interests. The main blog is the book blog though,
January 6th, 2009 at 9:38 am
I am blog addicted. I have several. One is my personal depest thoughts and feelings, no one visits there except me, I hope, LOL
My personal knitting blog is basically knititng related but I add in positive messages and lots about my grandson too.
I also like having the contests and I like you love comments.
As for blog design and look, I am challenged, meaning stupid. I can’t get the look I want, so frustrating. But it is what it is, right?
January 6th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
First, you shouldn’t have mentioned photo challenges. I’m so addicted to book challenges, I really don’t need more pressure!
As far as getting more people to read your reviews and comment, I think you answered that yourself. It’s important to read and comment on other blogs so people know you’re here! This is my first time on your blog and I see you have a review of The Constant Princess. I have go and read what you have to say. I’ve had that book on my TBR for a while now and am interested in your thoughts!
I’ll be following your progress with the BIP throughout the year.
January 6th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Hi!
I really like your goals! I also like doing weekly events. And I love reading challenges. Have a great week!!
Sherrie
January 6th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
I like your goals too. When I read that your blog is for you, it made me wish that I had written “Be true to myself” for one of my goals. Good Luck!