The Problem with Blogging
The problem with blogging or maintaining a regularly updated site is commitment. Webmastering is kind of like working out. It's fun, you get into a groove and do things regularly, then you just stop for some unknown reason. Some people can do it daily in perpetuity. Most people can't.Sites like Twitter and Facebook make the commitment easier. You don't have to do anything other than update a sentence to let people know that you are still alive and kicking. That's fine, but that's not what I want. It's not what anybody wants. We do it just because it's easy. Really, though... nobody wants regular updates on the mundane - which is what all of that amounts to - and it's what daily blogging in general amounts to.
Solution?
The solution is to put together a six minute abs platformv Let's do something that requires hard work to do right, but something that everyone can manage and can stay committed to. I don't have it all worked out, but I do have a few thoughts based on my own experience:Step 1 - scheduled publication. It's something I have now, but it's worthless the way I currently use it. What I propose for scheduled publication isn't a stringent everyone has to do it this way schedule, but instead a management methodology. Don't hold back an article or two. Hold back three publication releases. It gives you time to focus on other things, time for family, time for whatever. You can promise what's coming and know that you can deliver with the click of a button rather than with a night of hard work. You can also promise your readers a regular release schedule that lets them know how frequently to check back, and tease them with upcoming content.
Step 2 - More complete design. Something that I find wrong with virtually all publication platforms is that they don't take into account a whole design. Sure, you can mash up whatever you want and link to other resources, but it all seems so poorly done - and there's always something lacking when it comes to delivery. Something as simple as a generic wrapper for embedded objects and a defined color scheme can go a long way towards a professional presentation. It shouldn't be something you think about, it should be something that just happens. If you want to use a table, you should have six layouts to choose from that integrate well. Want to throw in a photo gallery? Why not have a photo gallery that integrates well with your site and doesn't look forced.
Step 3 - Promotion. A well thought out marketing plan with achievable goals is necessary. Don't market to gain ad-clickers. Market to gain readership. Quality content = continued readership = repeatable revenue streams.
Step 4 - Long term planning. Plan content, plan site upgrades, plan layout updates, plan for revenue. When you have a clear plan, you can follow the plan and you can make your decisions according to what you want long term. I need to think in terms of what I want, what my readers want, what I can deliver, and the ROI on my time vs. other ventures.
Where I'm at
I have a LOT going on. Personally, professionally, and with my hobbies - I have a very busy life. Web work has taken a back burner for a variety of reasons. I am in the process of implementing a new software platform, but I still have major things to work out from integrating search platforms to low level socket implementation. I have started working on a Stage2 redesign. I am considering dropping several of my sites, including this one so that I can re-build them the right way. We'll see what comes in the next few weeks, but May should be a very productive montth.Stage 2 Interaction
