Oh, Blog It! 31/01/2005 Well, we've all been blogging for a while so it's about time we flew up our own, umm, "fundaments" for a change (note that the symptom of the degeneration of art is when it starts to talk about itself - hopefully, this won't be true of blogging, because it can't be considered an art form. Can it?). Recently, Hannah wanted to know why Gone Away gets so many comments. Many have seen my response to that question already but it's worth expanding upon.And, to begin with, we could look at why we want comments in the first place. This was a conversation between Ned and myself this morning:Ned: But I was thinking about it this morning, just after my second cup of coffee, (I don't think before that) why is it we want people to visit our blogs? I can't remember.Gone: Why do we want readers? Well, it's all traffic for one thing. And traffic does several things. It increases the need for the blog to be updated - creates the pressure for the blogger to continue blogging. It also raises the profile of the blog - makes it more likely to be noticed by someone who matters* (this is from my point of view, of course). And it establishes a network of bloggers and readers that encourage each other and spark new ideas - as in the Hereunder thing. Besides, it's fun. Very importantly for us all, it gives us feedback so that we get some idea of how our stuff affects people - and what's effective in reaching people and what isn't. I'm sure there are other reasons but it's early yet and the coffee needs time to work.* The point here is that Mad and I have a sub-agenda to the blog. There is a vague hope that it might become popular enough for someone connected with publishing to notice, in which case it might assist in the sale of my book. I am certainly not saying that other readers don't matter.So it seems that the number of comments received to a blog is a feather in the blogger's cap. If we now continue to the point of how commenting might be increased, here is the conversation between Hannah and myself:Hannah: Why do you get so many comments? I count myself lucky to get five.Gone: An excellent question, Hannah; and the answer is that I do not really know. Ned has pointed out that the majority of comments come in response to those posts that leave room for comment i.e. where what is expressed is opinion only. The posts that deal with recalled memories leave little for commenters to say, since who would argue with another's experience?So this would indicate that, if it's comments one aspires to, a good strategy would be to concentrate on opinion rather than fact.It is also the editorial policy here at Gone Away to strive to answer every comment received (a matter of courtesy, I think). Apart from the effect of encouraging further comment, on occasion sparking little debates, this has the effect of doubling the number of comments.Note that very often the comments section will depart from the original subject to investigate other incidental matters. One could say that the original post receives far fewer comments on its actual content than appears at first viewing.If we look at the original discussion that Ned and I had, a few more important points appear:Ned: And I figured out why you get a zillion comments on your non-blogs, like Slay, which isn't really a non-blog, just not like your more serious offerings. It isn't that Gorongosa or Hendrina were not great blogs, they were. But they don't spur silliness. They are so well done that people don't really know how to comment as they cannot say anything about the blog that doesn't look trite and inept compared to the elegance of the blog itself. When the subject is light or less powerful in imagery, then the commenters get into silly avenues of their own and there is always someone to come along and keep it going. Same is true of blogs that express opinion, people can have fun disagreeing with you and each other. It doesn't mean Hendrina was not worth the effort or unpopular. People are a little nervous about poking fun at things that are so far beyond them.Gone: Ahhhh, so what you mean is there ain't much to say in response to a good blog apart from, "Hey, that's pretty good..."Ned: Lemme give you a "for instance". The "town of lions" really did capture my imagination, and yet.... you were there, you saw this, you described it so well. How would it be possible for me to describe the effect of this scene better than you had already? You said of Matthew that he leaves nothing for anyone else to say. That can be true of you as well. We have not been there and seen this except through your eyes. What do we have to add to it that would be of interest to you? Not being capable or qualified to launch into a literary appraisal of your work, we offer bland and unsatisfying pats on the back and some mumbled "well done's". The more silent are we, probably the better the piece is. Ned also has things to say about content:Ned: I like to mix things up. After a meaningful poem whose meaning is probably missed, I like to follow it up with some humor to relax everyone. The comfort level of the audience is always uppermost in my mind. Can't have those five or six people becoming tense and confused.Gone: I understand now what you mean about being unable to comment. Yes, that does make sense. Although I do love comments (and the opportunity to reply), I am aware that they are not a good indicator of traffic, especially as just a few people comment many times, sometimes even getting into discussions. For some reason, people seem to be interested in what comes out of my feverish brain so I will just continue to regurgitate whatever comes to mind.I think it's important that there is a difference between number of comments and number of visitors. It is possible to be having nice, cosy little chats in the comments system and to assume that the traffic is good as a result. Only access to reasonably detailed statistics can actually confirm or disprove this. Without stats we can have no overview of the real traffic situation. Who knows how many people are regular visitors yet never comment? Stats can reveal that they do exist, at least.There are things that we can do to improve traffic flow. Getting listed on a few of the blog directories is one. Don't get me wrong; this isn't going to make your blog an overnight sensation (unless you get lucky enough to be selected as the "blog of the week" or you select a category in which there's no competition). But it does provide the occasional visitor (about one a day in my experience) and some may like what they see and become regulars.Commenting on other blogs can also be effective. Blog addicts often cruise the blogosphere by clicking on the names of commenters to other blogs. By the law of averages, this is bound to bring an occasional newcomer to your blog.Chat is another avenue through which readers come. Rooms in chat collect like-minded chatters and so trailing your blog's URL through your own and similar rooms will always bring in a few visitors. And don't forget to put the URL on your chat profile; many chatters sit silently while they click through profiles in the hope of finding something interesting. Again, Mad and I get three or four like this every week.These things help but, in the end, the most important thing is content. If you're content's poor, they won't come back. It's always content, content, content. With regular updating, of course. Your content can be the best on the net but, if you only update it every month or so, you'll lose them long before your next blog goes in. Think about it: how many blogs did you visit once but have now stopped bothering with because there's never any change?Many of us may not care about all this. We might be quite content to blog when we feel like it and never worry about readers or comments. But, if you want to make an impact on the blogosphere, it's necessary to put in some hard work. The more I get into it, the more I realize I've set a mountain of work before myself. Mad, too, has the occasional gripe when I ask him for yet another improvement to the site. Yet we're committed to this; we knew it wouldn't be easy, right from the start. And the stats show us steady improvement.January stats tomorrow, woohoo!I could end this piece by some nonsense like "happy blogging". But I won't. Instead, I'll just blog off.
Clive
Way DuhYEE. I just realized Ned had a blog. Now I must disappear for awhile, and catch up. I'll comment here later, though...I really hate going first anyway. Date Added: 31/01/2005
Gone Away .oO(Kewl. I'll go see what he says to Ned's blog...) Date Added: 31/01/2005
Hannah I'm quite upset with you, Mr. Lizard. You never once told me how difficult blogging would be, or how often the damn things would need to be updated. (insert mad's preferred paragraph break here) When one has very little to say, it's difficult to update a blog with something worth the trouble of reading. And that which is worth the trouble is often extremely personal. Sharing myself with strangers is very difficult for me. (insert appropriate break) There is also the point that the writing I prefer to do is not what I am best at, no matter how I wish it were. Is it fair to me to offer less than my best? What exactly do I owe these mythical readers? (paragraph break) My biggest peeve, however, is when someone comes along in chat, and says, "Oh, I read your blog." and when I go to look, there are no comments from that person. At this point, I would be happy with a "Kilroy was here" comment. (insert final break) So, in the spirit of fair play, HANNAH WAS HERE Date Added: 31/01/2005
Way I'd ask if there is any such radar that tells me when some other fiend blogs, but then I'd expect a dissertation that would certainly spoil my up-coming nap. Ya'll sure have odd months down there in the flatlands. Our January up here is near toast. Date Added: 31/01/2005
Way (danger! danger! Loose owl in the room!) Date Added: 31/01/2005
Gone Away It's all my fault, Hannah, I admit it. My only excuse must be that I knew nothing at the time. But I think you do yourself an injustice. You have plenty to say (don't forget I've seen you in chat ;)). Remember that this is not a literary exercise (well, it is, but only from the point that practice makes perfect) - the whole idea is to have fun, let off a bit of steam and who cares what anyone else thinks anyway? Don't be so self-critical - you're beaten before you start that way. Just write your thoughts and let the literary critics go to - well, you know. And don't tell me you've nothing to say. Seems to me you've got the beginnings of a good blog up there and you blow it on my silly comments system! Having a good gripe at the world is allowed in blogs; in fact, have a read of a few and you'll realize that lots of them do nothing else. Your last blog was wonderful - really brilliant. You have it in you. Date Added: 31/01/2005
Gone Away SharpReader, Way - does wonders. ;) Ahah! You misread methinks. You read "January starts tomorrow" whereas what I said (intentionally) was "January stats tomorrow". Tomorrow I can see how we did for the whole month of January, is what I meant. But you're right - I should have said statistics, not stats. Mea culpa once again :( Date Added: 31/01/2005
Way *embarrassed* And here I thought it were yer bloomin' accent, but you see, mate, I got Ned-in-the-brain And saying SharpReader (which admittedly looks so much better as a word when a capital are is used) is like quoting ShakeStick to a doe-eyed brick. Date Added: 31/01/2005
Gone Away Ar blimey, mate, that don't matter. Soon's I blogged it 'n read it again, I knew it were gonna catch people aht. Well, I didn't want to bore you with SharpReader, seeing as I did a whole blog on it a while back. Basically, it's a little free doo-hickey you can get on the net and all you do is install it, point it at the websites you're interested in and it'll let you know when a new blog's been posted. Magic, innit? Date Added: 31/01/2005
Way Free doo-hickey, ya say...lemme speak to my banker and see if she's game... Date Added: 31/01/2005
Gone Away Never mind the banker, Way (besides, you know she'll do anything for you). Try this little orange feller here ... Date Added: 31/01/2005
Remainderman Happy blogging! ... [was it something I said?] Date Added: 01/02/2005
Gone Away Thanks Remainderman. And I assure you, I'm blog happy! Something you said? Oh, I don't think so; just glad to have an easy one (mainly written unwittingly by Ned and Hannah) to blog for a change... Date Added: 01/02/2005
Hannah My comments weren't wasted-- at least here, they'll be seen by someone other than you, Harry, and Ned ;) Date Added: 01/02/2005
Gone Away I am eternally grateful, Hannah. Thanks especially for the blog idea. ;) But you see what I mean? Blogs are all around us; just reach out and grab and mess with it a bit and bingo! It's blogging time! Date Added: 01/02/2005
josh I am uncomfortable using the word blog, but not half as squidgy as when I am forced to use the word blogosphere. I recognize that it is a phenomenon, sure... but I have seen enough "I had me a good tuna sammich today, yeahum" offerings to make me hate myself for being so ordinary. I had a blog, oh, a year or so ago now (it was called rhetorical fluorocarbon - damaging the blogosphere. . . I spent more time thinking up the name than I did posting worthwhile entries) -- I found myself posting things that insulted my own intelligence, not to mention that of any poor sap who stumbled upon it. ( If you are offended by this, I apologize; I am simply trying to establish a baseline from which to point out that this blog is superior to most , as are the blogs of the people who post here.) It is niche thing, I reckon - not unlike any other hobby - and I remain wary of popular culture forcing it on me as the latest and greatest form of self expression. Perhaps I am bitter about my prosaic nature; yet I have a sneaking suspicion that eventually these journals will go through a process of natural selection, you see, and only ones like this will remain. Which will be a very good thing. Date Added: 01/02/2005
Ned OOPS! I've unwittingly left a comment... Date Added: 01/02/2005
Mad Hey, There's a URL from Ned this time! Quick everyone click Ned's name and go visit her home, she makes nice tea... Date Added: 01/02/2005
Mad I sympathise with Hannah, I started a blog on my old Flash site (for the rather sad reason that it was trendy) and its been a rod for my back ever since. The damn thing demands updating! There should be some kind of health alert on blog accounts, something like "Warning if you let this blog die it will lie here accusingly for all time - Internet Surgeon General." Oh and Hannah it's "<br /><br />" for a break Of course I shouldn't grumble; from my humble little flash blog has grown into this worthy community. Josh what can I say? I don't think you get how readable even your arcane networking mutterings are. I enjoy visiting your abode and I like to come away thinking things like "Them cable boys sure do some clever stuff, yes siree. Mmm-mmm" Date Added: 01/02/2005
keeef Not being the owner of a blog (having sold my last one for a packet of cigarettes and some dubious substances), I can only speculate on the need to update. During my travels i sent emails on a regular basis back to friends at home....that Mad decided to post on his own blog (slacker). I did this because i felt the need to share the experience with others, but with my own peculiar slant on life. Friends liked it so i wrote more and more. (if the break did/didnt work blame Mad). I agree that the blog is fuelled by the need to keep an audience entertained, to provide a constant thread in order to fuel the thirst for a topic which will, in itself, fuel the need for a new topic. But it is also a very very Ego related thing...quite simply it is nice to be wanted....to be...if you will...the bait around which the predators circle and dine only to retreat until a new bait is dangled in front of them. So if a Blogger has the need to be read surely the reader (blogticiant maybe?) who becomes involved, then reads all replies to see what impact they have had on the Blogers world...thus forming a constant circle or 'feeding frenzy'. Josh makes a very good point about the lack of interesting topics in many blogs, and luckily Allen Snr (gawd bless the wrinkly one)& Jnr (gawd bless the not so wrinkly one) appear to keep us all entertained and interested/intrigued enough to reply. Blogs differ in response from chat in that they provoke a meaningful response rather than an instantaneous reactive response, meaning that you can actually hold a decent multi thread conversation online without someone dropping in to advertise porn or insult half the room members.......there are of course always those who make random comments....sorry. Anyway enough rambling laters Date Added: 01/02/2005
Mad Keef, I'm begining to suspect that the email address you post on my blog are bogus... Date Added: 01/02/2005
Gone Away Josh: I, too, have a problem with the word "blog". To me, it sounds too close to a swear word (perhaps this is no accident), hence the title of this post. "Blogosphere", however, seems more natural to me; somehow its component parts complement each other to make an altogether pretty piece, a roundness that describes the circle of blogdom quite nicely. I thank you for your kind comments re my particular offering although I do not share your optimism for the future of blogging. When we consider that those blogs listed in the directories as most popular, top sites, recommended, etc. and find that these invariably have sex as their common constituent, we realize that we are competing with a deep human urge that defeats our higher aspirations. My hope is that blogs not depending upon such basic and natural human drives will ultimately be cordoned off to form an island of its own, a little paradise where we may rest and pretend that we are higher beings than our nature would suggest, a recreation ground for imagination. Fat chance. Date Added: 01/02/2005
Gone Away Ned: Ah, a footprint in the sand... Look, my good Watson, at the clue I have so cunningly chanced upon. Here is a mystery apt to my eager skills, a sign that points unerringly to the question: What thoughts upon the mind of the imprinter of this single depression in the sand were carried away unspoken? Date Added: 01/02/2005
Gone Away Mad: What can I say but to echo your noble sentiments regarding the good Josh's site? Sure, and it's a diamond in the crown of the humble blogosphere... Date Added: 01/02/2005
Gone Away Keef: I must thank you, sir, for such an elegant and penetrating contribution to this discussion. You have pointed at so many truths that I must pause for breath as I take them in. There's the truth indeed, that the human ego thirsts for approval, longs for applause at its achievements, and this blogosphere is so often the opportunity to present ourselves in hopeful anticipation of said approval. You are right, too, that, in commenting, we partake of the exercise ourselves, grasping at the chance, however slight, of a brief but lofty immortality. Here too is mention of that dread imperative of the blog, the ever present injunction that more, always more, be produced, the resultant drain on the blogger's resources stretching him to ever narrower and more elongated a state of tension until surely he must break from such mistreatment. Your understanding of our plight is most gratefully received and appreciated. Not content with these revelations, you go on to join this humble blogging with its chattering parent, the cacophany that is chat. And here, too, your clear and insightful eye has taken us to the core, that we might espy with you how the child exceeds in eloquence the parent. I thank you, sir. It remains only for me to point out, sir, that your noble offering is evidence indeed of your own blogging powers; how, though you embrace the leisure of justly-earned retirement, yet your powers are not decreased, your thoughts yet cut to the heart of the matter and we who are left must thank our stars that such excellent ponderings may now grace our sites, their natural home having been put up for sale. We salute you, Sir Keef! Date Added: 01/02/2005
Way Now Josh, that was a most bloggeriffic commentary, and I am pleased as a bloggerdite that you mentioned the bloggerty thing. It was blogdatious, man. Blogawockie! A few decades ago I started me a little personal diary. (here I would spell out 'diary' in hot pink, were I capable) Now in this (should be hot pink) diary, I thought to go with the flow, to get on the bandwagon, follow the girly herd and generally succumb to that current fad. I penned three entries. Short entries. The briefest of lines. O the slop. O the torment. O the woe. (it had to go) ( Only now do I look back and bask in the amount of wisdom gained by day four) I give you credit for at least taking some time with your title. Heck, if a thing is just called Thing, what does that tell us? Date Added: 01/02/2005
Way (did Sir Keef ever get shuck of the curry smell? And how was hippiefied Goa?) Date Added: 01/02/2005
Gone Away Wisdom from Way, as ever. But he reminds me too: where is our next instalment, Mad; where the continuation of Keef's nomadic drama? Date Added: 01/02/2005
Ned If one were to find a depression in the sand, what inferences may one make? Very few. Say one sees the depression to show marked deformity, one may then assume the owner of the foot that made said impression to have a decided limp or suffer some degree of pain in walking. Beyond that, nothing of the owner of the foot can be known. To guess at intent or thought by mere footprints would be considered inductive reasoning rather than deductive reasoning (an accusation sometimes leveled at the estimable Mr. Holmes). Surely, a footprint is simply a sign of a former presence and not cause for a scandal in Bloghemia. Date Added: 01/02/2005
Gone Away Let us not forget, good Ned, that a footprint is the mark of its owner. Such things as length and width do hint at height and stature. How deep the depression? A sure indication of weight and substance. Whither direction? A clue to the intent and purpose. In such ways can a picture be formed, a shadowy portrait of the departed one. And, if guess be made upon identity, some greater insight into meaning might be made, a deduction, an induction (it matters not if truth be born), some indication of thoughts bent upon a journey. A guessing game, it's true. But some guesses can be right. Date Added: 01/02/2005
keeef Way, i think the curries of India stain the soul and are never truly erradicated. Hippified Goa is full of fat brit tourists demanding breakfast and getting burnt in the sun while drinking themselves into oblivion.....hope that answers all Date Added: 01/02/2005
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