All About WBA 10/09/2005 John Evans of Syntagma recently posed a question to the Writers Blog Alliance (WBA): "Is WBA losing its momentum?" We have thrown that around a bit and generally agreed that any loss of momentum should be overcome when we move into our new "premises". This should be happening within the next two weeks.There have been two by-products from John's article, however. One is that I've been reminded that I need to produce a mission statement for the WBA and the other is that it's been pointed out that new members have to dig around in early posts to find out what WBA is all about. Working on the mission statement has meant that I have had to do a bit of archaeology myself and, in doing this, I realized that things could be made a lot easier if all the information could be collected in one central point. So that's what I've done.I considered putting this up as a post in WBA but it would then suffer from the same old problem: burial beneath subsequent posts. In putting it on my blog and giving it an instantly identifiable name such as All About WBA, I ensure that it remains easily to hand through my Contents system. The fact that this also might increase my traffic a bit is purely intentional, I assure you!In working out how to do this, I realized that there are actually two subjects that need to be presented to any new members: "WBA's Aims" and "Blogging for Writers". So that's how I have arranged this basic guide.WBA's Aims:On my own blog -Writers' Blogs and the Mighty PRAccount of the original genesis of the WBA. Contains links to documents that assisted in the process.What Is A Writer's Blog Anyway?Working towards a definition of WBA's target membership.The Writers' Blog AllianceAnnouncement of WBA and restatement of aims.Within WBA -What's in WBA for Me? Part 1Some introductory thoughts on the future for WBA.Writers Blog Alliance - the BlogExplanation of how important WBA's own blog will be.What's in WBA for Me? Part 2Looking ahead to a strategy for getting publishers and agents involved.What's in WBA for Me? Part 3What if WBA fails in its primary objectives - are there still benefits to be had?The Writer and the BlogA few thoughts on how to make things easier for the blog reader.Deborah:Beyond BlogExplosion: the Mini-series Part 1Marketing for writers using blogs.Sisyphean:Hurray for the 6%!How large is the market for blogs anyway?John Evans (Syntagma):First Thoughts on WBAThoughts on WBA direction for the future.Blogging for Writers:How to Not Make Money OnlineProposal that bloggers who do not intend to earn a living from their blogs drop all advertising.Anyone for Comments?Suggested policy on responding to comments.The Importance of Blog DesignHow blog design can help or hinder in gaining readers.Keeping the Customer SatisfiedA look at how we can be deflected from primary intent in our blogging and how to deal with it.How to Win FriendsA look at ways to convert visitors into readers.An Interim ThoughtA thought on writing and how it applies to blogs.Blog Day and the WriterHow content is important in achieving prominence in the eyes of the search engines.
Clive
melly I see that someone (other than Deborah) actually read my comments and that all my points were taken to heart. :) Thanks.That's also a good think to know about WBA. Date Added: 10/09/2005
Gone Away You were quite right, Melly; it needed doing. :) Date Added: 10/09/2005
John (SYNTAGMA) I must confess, I thought I may have overdone it by barging in so strongly on this topic. But often a bit of Semtex clears a blockage and opens the way to a more honest approach. A lot of irrelevant stuff gets shunted out the way, leaving a cleaner path to the future. You've done a good job, Clive, in redefining the idea. Sometimes the radical approach, taking on board what's been learned along the way, is the right one. I'm looking forward to Josh's new edifice. There's nothing like a new skin to give fresh emphasis to a project. And a new body is even better. :-) Date Added: 10/09/2005
Gone Away Agreed, John. You were quite right to suggest that the steam had gone out of WBA over the last few weeks. In my case, it was because it seemed pointless when I knew there was going to be a new start anyway. Had I known that we could continue with the same address, it would have made a big difference and I'd have kept pushing. It's great that we don't have to lose all the work we've done so far. Date Added: 10/09/2005
ME Strauss Clive, the amount of thinking that went into this post is obvious. Melly and John, thanks for the push that made this happen sooner. I was lurking and looking for a sense of identity. I was hoping as John says that the new skin would bring with it a new emphasis. Or as I hope a more solid identity. Take my name if there is any way I can help in this quest. Date Added: 11/09/2005
Gone Away Liz, you're one of the people who has always been solidly behind WBA. We appreciate it and thank you for all you've done so far. :)
And, yes, we'll be calling on you for more in the future... ;) Date Added: 11/09/2005
Josh Good deal. Now all we need is a writer to meld it all together.
Hrmm, wonder where we go to get one of those? :) Date Added: 11/09/2005
Gone Away We couldn't find one, Josh, so I got the job. Working on it, honest! :D Date Added: 11/09/2005
John (SYNTAGMA) I noticed that membership fell from 55 to 33 last time I looked. So obviously others felt the same way. It's good we've sorted that out. Date Added: 11/09/2005
Gone Away True, although we did seem to have a large number of people who wandered in without really knowing what we were about, John. Date Added: 11/09/2005
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