Poll for the Bloggers

bbyckes

1. How often to you post to your blog?2. Typically how long does it take you to write a post?3. How do you advertise your blog?4. What do you blog about?5. Any advice for a first-time blogger? Thanks for any insight!

wadingmoose

1.  Used to be almost daily.  Now it's lucky if I post every month.2.  Not long.  I'm pretty spur of the moment, flow of consciousness.  My blog is rather entertaining sometimes.3.  I don't.  No one needs/wants to see that.4.  Life.5.  Decide what your goal is with your blog and write to meet that. 

salt78

1. A few days a week. 2. Depends on the subject matter. No longer than an hour usually and no shorter than like 10 minutes. 3. Twitter. I'm blog rolled on some other blogs. My blog is in my sig here and on my Facebook. 4. Whatever BS pops into my head at the time. I blog about recipes, wedding stuff, holiday stuff, yoga, art, funny shiit that happens to me, etc. 5. Not really. Just have fun with it. It's a great way to get your thoughts out.

Soon-to-be Mrs. Vogt

1. Never, anymore. I used to post almost daily during the week and recap the weekend (I avoid my computer on the weekends).2. Just depends on what I'm writing about. Anywhere from 2 minutes to 30 minutes in the past. 3. I never did before, just had it on facebook and some friends found me. I doubt it was highly read.4. I used to blog about life and creativity. I plan to start a new one soon about the business I'm starting.5. Moose's advice is very good, so I'll second her. And consider that what you're writing is out there for everyone to see. If it's going to be a very personal blog, maybe consider making it invitation only or private. I have a friend who ended up taking a lot of her stuff down about her personal life because people were getting too much info (hers is a very public blog that's read by a lot of people).

Audrey_03

I used to write 2 or 3 times a month. Now... not so much. Posts generally take a couple hours, but sometimes they're quick and sometimes they take days. It's connected to my twitter account and every time I post something it gets announced on Twitter. I also used to do a podcast and we'd plug our blogs in the credits. The best way to get new readers though is to be quoted or mentioned in other people's blogs or websites (the more popular the better). Industry stuff. Read ProBlogger.com or Marketing Pilgrim

Nebb

1. 2-4 times a week depending on whats up, sometimes more sometimes less though. 2. If it is just a random thoughts post around 15 minutes, if it is a photo post a couple of hours. 3. I dont, its more of a private "this is my blog, if you want to know more about me, friends, read it" 4. My life, my photography, funny thing i notice or that happens to me, random stuff 5. I dont really.

DevonStiles

1. I try to post every day, if not more. 2. 15-20 minutes. I go into the post knowing what I'm going to write about. 3. Link in siggy. I comment on other people's blogs. That's about it. 4. Health & Fitness and life 5. Write for yourself. I really enjoy going back and seeing where I was a year ago.

bbyckes

This is all very interesting.  Thanks all for the answers.  I just figure not too many people would read my blog and wondered if I should open it up more.  I think it's more for me and getting my thoughts out.

salt78

I'm reading it now. You are so cute!

danieliza1127

I'm not a blogger and don't read any blogs.  I don't really see the point honestly.  So I ask this sincerely, if you just want to get your thoughts out cacoffer, why not just buy and write in a journal?  Does it have to be something everyone reads?  What is the benefit of that?

J&K10910

I'm reading it right now too!

bbyckes

Write for yourself. I really enjoy going back and seeing where I was a year ago. Devon, this is exactly what I hope to accomplish.  To be able to look back and think, wow, I'm glad I've come so far.Salt, thanks!  Funny, I would have never thought the blog was cute.  lol Or maybe you're calling me cute.  Anyway, I'll take it.

bbyckes

So I ask this sincerely, if you just want to get your thoughts out cacoffer, why not just buy and write in a journal?I don't know -- maybe to commisserate with others who happen to experience what I'm going through too.  Maybe to feel like I'm not so alone.  Maybe to "reach out" to others.   I don't think that I could accomplish that with just writing in my journal (which is what I've done in the past).   I think my quest is to be honest with myself.  I can lie in a private forum.  I think my "blog" forces me to be forthright.I'm working on trying to be a better person.

Nebb

I find it easier to write in a blog, than a journal. I have always prefered typing as opposed to writing things by hand. Its easier to get your thoughts out if they are coming quickly as well.

LarissaAnn

1. Body art blog: Generally at least once a week, Law Blog: I try to keep it to once every couple of weeks, but I've been bad and the last post was nearly a month ago. I'll post to it today or tomorrow and get it going again. 2. Body art blog: Not long because it's heavily photo-driven. Law blog: A LONG time, because I'm doing case synopses. Those judges are verbose, so boiling a decision down takes a while. 3. I send pings, use blogcatalog.com, send updates on my facebook pages (which go automatically to twitter also). The facebook pages are gathering quite a few fans, so when I announce new posts, the announcements are getting around. 4. Body art: photos, events I've done and am doing, safety and news. Law: new cases and laws in NJ. 5. Only to keep it up and keep it regular. If you want search engines to find you and readers to stay interested, they need to know they'll be seeing new material. Even if it's once a month, if they know that every 15th of the month there'll be a new post, they'll come back to read it.

danieliza1127

maybe to commisserate with others who happen to experience what I'm going through too. Maybe to feel like I'm not so alone. Maybe to "reach out" to others. I don't think that I could accomplish that with just writing in my journalOkay, that makes sense.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

1. Used to once a day or so, now it's every few weeks2. Really depends on the post, if there are images, etc.3. I don't. I was self-conscious about starting one in the first place because I don't have a theme other than "crap about me."4. Myself. Yeah, exciting. At this point, it's mostly about school and vacations (with pictures).5. Honestly? Try to pick a theme. The personal "I'm just going to tell you about my life" thing isn't interesting, unless it's a way to keep in touch with people (and FB is more convenient for that) or unless you're 17. Do a food-related blog, or a parenting-related blog, or a local attractions-related blog.

bbyckes

Larissa, that was very helpful.  Thanks.

georgia_bride09

I'm not a blogger and don't read any blogs. I don't really see the point honestly. dani, cakewrecks is a blog :)I have read blogs before, but there aren't any that I follow- they're all blocked at work, and at home I don't spend as much time on the computer. I have read brie's and salt's blogs in the past, and if I could access them at work, I would probably keep up with them. Oh, and I did read IBBB, but he went on a hiatus, and I haven't looked to see if he's back.

BioGirl21

1. I aim for once a week, but I've been bad the past month 2. 1/2 hour usually 3. On my facebook page, mainly 4. My wedding, running, I'm also starting the 101 in 1001 challenge, so that too 5. Don't worry about what others think. I was always worried that I sound whiney and stupid, but I'm trying to get over that and just blog about what I care about in the way that I'm used to, without altering my "voice" in my posts

danieliza1127

dani, cakewrecks is a blog :)you're right!  But it's not a blog about someone's cooking or day to day life, it's more just entertainment.  I will say this, be careful using a blog as a way to stay in touch with people.  I've been getting a lot of flack lately for using Facebook and text messages too much instead of picking up the phone and calling people.  Your nearest and dearest won't be satisfied with just reading your blog to see what you're up to. 

salt78

[i]I have read brie's and salt's blogs in the past, and if I could access them at work, I would probably keep up with them. [/i] Awww that makes me so happy! Cacoffer - YOU are adorable. And I like your blog.

temerityjane

1. How often to you post to your blog? - At least once a day, at least 5 days per week. At the moment? Every single day for NaBloPoMo.2. Typically how long does it take you to write a post? - Depends on the post. 10 minutes to 30 minutes.3. How do you advertise your blog? - Hm. My link is here, I link new posts on Twitter, I comment on other blogs, I'm linked from a lot of other blogs.4. What do you blog about? - The boring life stuff that msmerymac finds so uninteresting. Heh.5. Any advice for a first-time blogger? - Write even when you don't feel like it, never write about how you have nothing to write about, never apologize for NOT writing, comment on other blogs, make friends.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

4. What do you blog about? - The boring life stuff that msmerymac finds so uninteresting. Heh.I don't find it uninteresting. I just fear others do! Okay, okay, lately I think I'M uninteresting. I read one or two of your blog posts and they were nice. But then, I like to read and write, too.

Brie2010

1.   Once or twice a day.2.  Depends.  Sometimes I'll spend an hour, sometimes 10 minutes.3.  Twitter.  I get a lot of hits from posting on P&E and another forum.  I'm also going to be a Knot Featured Blogger or some such thing coming up in a few weeks and I'm anticipating that will help.4.  Staying healthy and weddings.5.  Have a focus.  I hate blogs that are nothing but "This is what I did today" and then sometimes you ramble about your job or your dog or your cookies or whatever.  I do that, but it's "This is what I did today, exercise-and-food-and-wedding-wise."  I stray occasionally, but I can tell people concisely, "I blog about getting fit before the wedding" and they get it.  Have a one-line hook!

temerityjane

I've got to disagree with the "you MUST have a niche" thing. That's a relatively new phenomenon in blogging in general, and while it's often touted as "THE ONLY WAY!" by bloggers who blog about blogging, you do not NEED to have a defined topic to be a successful blogger.Of course, you also can't be boring, and "I woke up, then I went to work, then I had lunch, then I worked some more" is pretty boring.But while a specific topic works for some people, it is certainly not the rule. ALL of my favorite bloggers are general bloggers with writing talent. Just don't write something even you wouldn't want to read and you're fine.

Brie2010

Of course you don't NEED to have a niche, but I like reading blogs that do have one better than those that don't.  Of the 20 or so blogs I subscribe to in Google Reader, only one is a daily life blog, and that's someone I know IRL.

salt78

I don't really have a niche either. I'm kind of all over the place. Which is exactly how I am IRL.

ac_in_dc

I think that you have some interesting things to say. If I were you I'd start by writing about *anything* and then see how the blog evolves. Maybe a specific topic will begin to surface over & over again, and then you can start to orient your blog around one or two poles and work with that.

MeaghanandMichael

1. How often to you post to your blog? A few times a week. Theya re SO new so we are just trying to gather info right now and sort through what we want to do.2. Typically how long does it take you to write a post? Depends, some an hour, some a few minutes.3. How do you advertise your blog? I just share on facebook and with my circle of friends. Interest grow exponentially.4. What do you blog about? Wedding style and wedding gossip, mostly in the Boston/Cape area5. Any advice for a first-time blogger? Just have fun! If it gets too much take a step back and get perspective on what you want to do.GL capri!!

janedoe1113a

1. How often to you post to your blog?: Every day.  I normally schedule posts in advance so I can knock them out on the weekend.2. Typically how long does it take you to write a post?: 15-20 minutes3. How do you advertise your blog?: I have the link in my siggy.4. What do you blog about?: Budget wedding planning5. Any advice for a first-time blogger?: Blog consistently so your readers can always expect something from you.