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I was wondering if you can tell me if it's worth to start a blog site and how much work is to keep it up and what does one need to know before starting one's own blog. I visit so many blogs and it looks like so much fun I was just wondering what blogger insight I can get. I would like to take the plunge, but would like some insight first! Any help would be appreciated.
it depends on why you want to. A lot of demos have blogs as a way of advertising their work and their business. Ditto folks who have stores, who design for stamp companies, etc.
Since I don't do any of the above, I have a blog just to share my work and form a little community. There are a few folks who regularly visit my blog and I feel like I'm talking directly to them.
It takes a lot of time so I no longer try and post every day. However, when I started my blog, there weren't that many and now there are hundreds if not thousands and many are fabulous. I've found that if you don't post frequently, you lose readership fast. Blog readers are demanding!! They want more than anything else to see cards and how to make them as well as techniques, tools, etc. It can be a lot of fun but it turned out to be more work than I had time for.
So now I blog when I can and if fewer are reading, that's ok too!
__________________ Dear Paperlicious is my blog...with a series on how I'm learning to improve my cardmaking by studying others.
I use Google's blogger and find it very easy to update daily. I visit many blogs each day - sort of like a progressive coffee clache. I think blogs are a personal way to get to know other stampers and learn new things. If you sign up for Google's Blogger Reader you have a Google homepage (not your regular homepage although it can be if you want it) and the Blog Reader is kind of an inbox for blogs and lets you know which blogs have updated discussions. Quite handy. There are other such services in cyberland but this one works for me. Blogs can be as simple or elaborate as you want. More do-dads equals longer loading time when others visit - especially if you are still on dialup like me. My family also visits my blog - I live a long ways from them. You ought to try it - if you don't like it or don't have time for it just quit.
When you ask if "its worth it" then as Joan pointed out, it depends on what you want from the blog. If you are a demo and are looking for it to bring you new customers, then you should know that it is likely to be a long slow process. I began my blog in October 2006. In the beginning I had very few readers, mostly my current customers, slowly over time, my readership has grown. I just now have received an email from someone who viewed my blog and asked about ordering (but no actual order)
Also, as others will point out, it is time consuming. To keep your viewership up, to keep people interested, you need to post regularly, with fun and interesting projects. Between stamping my projects, photographing them, editing the photo and posting, I probably spend 1-2 hours per day on the blog.
All this being said, I am really enjoying having the blog. It is forcing me to stamp more often and helps to keep the creativity flowing. I love to Share What I Do!
I just created my blog a little over a week ago and its been so much fun!! I post ALOT to do with cards and scrapbooking but I also talk about my life and news....I have also gotten alot closer to some of the ladies on here or found out that they lived near me just by my blog...there are some days when I post like 3 times whereas some days I just dont...its fun though!!
it depends on why you want to. A lot of demos have blogs as a way of advertising their work and their business. Ditto folks who have stores, who design for stamp companies, etc.
Since I don't do any of the above, I have a blog just to share my work and form a little community. There are a few folks who regularly visit my blog and I feel like I'm talking directly to them.
It takes a lot of time so I no longer try and post every day. However, when I started my blog, there weren't that many and now there are hundreds if not thousands and many are fabulous. I've found that if you don't post frequently, you lose readership fast. Blog readers are demanding!! They want more than anything else to see cards and how to make them as well as techniques, tools, etc. It can be a lot of fun but it turned out to be more work than I had time for.
So now I blog when I can and if fewer are reading, that's ok too!
Well, I think Joan pretty much summed it all up. ;)
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
Yes, and I'd like to add that you really need to LOVE doing it - so that even if your readership goes down you will still have the momentum to continue blogging because you love it and because you think you are providing information to customers who DO visit.
My blog is for my SU business mainly. I highlight updates to my SU website, I post hints and tips, etc. It promotes my business.
As a general reality, anyone who designs for major companies will have more readership than someone who is an SU demo. They have a larger reader base because they are not just blogging for select customers but also for other designers, their design companies and they can showcase a wider number of products.
An SU demo basically has a smaller readership. Their customers. And sometimes other demos. That is it. But each audience is important nonetheless! I blogged even when I only had 5 or 6 customers... it has helped me get more!
I totally agree that it all depends on what you are wanting to get out of it! For me, it has been a good time consuming activity since I have been on bedrest!
Thank you everyone for your insight on blogging. Now I have to decide whether it would be something for me or not. Appreciate all the comments..it really helped!
I love my blog! I post "ALMOST" every day. It's not just my SU blog, either. I use it to write about my silly life and my various obsessions. Sometimes the stories are funny, (Littlest Pet Shop addictions) and sometimes sad (It's hard to say good-bye). Sometimes miraculous, like when Marshall my hamster came home after 2 1/2 months of being missing!
I love reading people's comments and I LOVE visiting others' blogs.
My one piece of advise....put a hit counter right away! i only put my hit counter on Tuesday. I wish i had it from the beginning!
IS IT WORTH STARTING A BLOG
