My blog has a mix of topics, all generally related to web business consulting. But I also put a few humorous topics as well as a few relevant (business web) posts about Lexington, KY. I receive casual comments all the time about people saying they like it, but my subscriber counts are stuck and often fall off dramatically after one post or the other.
I know that Sphinn participants have a variety. Barry Schwartz, BL Ochman and Michael Gray mix things up, while Marketing Pilgrim and Todd Malicoat tend to stay pretty focused...just to call out a few examples.
While I like the "mix-up" blogs myself as a reader, I’m finding that my subscriber base drops whenever I post something with a smaller audience (like the story about Amazon.com hiring 400 in Lexington).
Since it’s easy to subscribe to a single category in Wordpress, this is a technician’s perspective. I don’t know how many actually know this can be done.
But I’d like to know what you think. Split’em or Unification?
6 Comments
I know that Sphinn participants have a variety. Barry Schwartz, BL Ochman and Michael Gray mix things up, while Marketing Pilgrim and Todd Malicoat tend to stay pretty focused...just to call out a few examples.
While I like the "mix-up" blogs myself as a reader, I’m finding that my subscriber base drops whenever I post something with a smaller audience (like the story about Amazon.com hiring 400 in Lexington).
Since it’s easy to subscribe to a single category in Wordpress, this is a technician’s perspective. I don’t know how many actually know this can be done.
But I’d like to know what you think. Split’em or Unification?
6 Comments
Comments
That’s a good question. Kim Krause Berg gets away with interspersing her entertaining life story with usability, SEO and other topics, and somehow it all works. I sometimes wonder whether people read it as much for the "Kimness" of it all as for industry news.I think this is something one has to try, if that’s your interest.
I do the same thing, and I don’t see it as a problem. Obviously, the only posts I’d try to promote in a place like this would be the ones that are relevant to search marketing, but I view the blog as a personal outlet rather than a representation of my professional expertise.
I’d say split em up. While I don’t mind reading a humorous post about life-in-general sometimes, for the most part if I sign up to read SEM related discussions I’d rather that not become un-filtered with topics that I’m not interested in - no offense to Lexington.Additionally, think of it like you would when consulting with a client. Would it be best to have 3 seperate sites that are each topical rather than one that covers disparate topics. Why make it hard for Google (and readers) to figure out what the subject matter is? I personally have 3 loves in life. This SEM/SEO topic, my family and the Red Sox. I have 3 seperate sites that those who care about my opinion on any of those topics can go to without having to filter through the other... my mother, for example, would be completely lost if she had to filter through SEO topics in order to find a new picture of her grandchild.
This is a real toughie. I manage to pull off a multi-topic blog, but I didn’t start out doing it this way. My blog is over 5 years old now. It’s had a few incarnations. I’m guessing that as people got to know me, likely due to Cre8asiteforums, they could accept the occasional more personal type of posts. Some things I’ve learned that may be of use?1. Know your readership and what they like. If you can’t tell from comments, or email feedback (I get both), check your logs to see what types of posts and angles and "voice" bring the most traffic and referrals. They may even like guest writers, if you want to try that.2. Don’t repeat what everyone else is doing. If you do, write it in your voice. Some people will relate and some won’t. I’m well aware that my own writing style isn’t for everyone and I accept that. Some want straight news with no Kim in there. That’s fine by me. Sometimes I deliver just that. Sometimes I go off into LaLa Land. I’m not predictable in real life and this is manifested in my blog. 3. Share small pieces of you to see what "sticks". I have a huge span of interests that I’ve never touched upon in my blog. I SHOULD have other blogs to play with them, if I had the time.I’ve seen some fascinating blogs that lure me in because of the writing. Even some of the recap style of blogs are my favorites because of the way they deliver something as simple as a news or links roundup. I feel that if you want to go for it, do it. Try things. Watch your logs and feedback. People who relate to you will appreciate your blog and those who don’t...that’s okay too.Btw, thanks Diane. :)
Great question Scott... I have a category in aimClearBlog that’s called "SEM Poetry Slam" which holds more "artsy" posts. Ironically those posts garner the most links and traffic. That said it’s important to hold focus so it has to be SEM inspired “art.” One advantage to helping many clients blog is that I can guest write in several different forums about topics that turn my crank...under a pseudonyms...and that’s what i believe is best. .
Wow Diane, Those were excellent comments. I am a firm believer in letting your visitor do the talking, and have been watching it closely with ClickTracks. But my non-SEM posts drive much more traffic than the other - probably because those other niches are more liberal with their link-love. It’s hard I guess to really see what they want. Marty, ditto. Many times more for me. The pseudonym idea is interesting, but I’m trying to make a little money on the blog. Focus is something I’m hearing as a theme in these responses.Perhaps I should make the "category subscription" features more obvious?