The bloggers's support and blathering thread

[DillyTante]

I thought I would start off a new thread based on a comment by Queen Maeve on another thread, which I completely agree with. In the beginning, the bloggers' chat thread was just that, we chatted, shared links, tips and exchanged views on each others' blogs. Now it has become a bit 'post and run' sort of a one way street really.

While I think that has it's place, as I like to have somewhere to go to pick out new blog posts, I miss the chat and the community, so I am deeming this a chat/support/blather thread. Posts and running will only be tolerated in extremis from regular contributors. Otherwise we shall glare at you via our screens.

So, I'll kick off: how's your blogging going? I hit 101 posts today! That's since July. What sort of numbers are you averaging?

I was really inspired by Latte Lady's post here, and have decided I need to make my blog more instructive, rather than just bumbling around going "oh look, I made this, it's really easy, I bet you could do it too" and sticking a couple of instagrammed photos in. And I want to be more passionate and more interesting. I want to branch out a little, but I'm worried about putting off any followers I do have who follow me for my niche which is mainly crafting.

Blogging has also made me think a bit more seriously about writing. I have always enjoyed writing but never pursued it in anger. I did NaNoWriMo and loved it, but I think that blogging has shown me that if I am going to give writing ago, I don't think fiction is my thing. I'd like to write features. I currently have complete career envy of Perri Lewis. She craft blogs for the Guardian and writes on Mollie Makes and Psychologies. She get to write about craft and psychology, that is what I want to do!

[ATOmum]

Hi all, I did set up a new profile on Facebook as I didn't want to link it to my personal profile at all - I know Page's are supposed to be anonymous but I don't quite trust it. (I blog anonymously mainly so I can rant without fear of the ex taking offence and taking me to court over DS1) Amazingly FB happily accepted Attempting TheOrdinary as an acceptable name! Although I have to say, I haven't really used it properly yet - please feel free to find me and friend me because I don't have any at the moment - none of my FB friends on my usual profile even know I blog!! Re: names, maybe worth trying a few different variations until you get one they like?

[RecipeJunkie]

I set up a FB 'page' linked to my account this week - i tried to set it up completely as a new account but Recipe Junkie wasn't acceptable... And I ended up having to set it up as 'community' rather than as a personal blog which I couldn't find, although LittleRedFarm on the fascebook thread that's going on has given me some top advice about that. The thing I'm struggling with mostly is that on the recipe Junkie page, I am having to deal with the new timeline thing which I can't get my head around and haven't switched to on my personal account yet. I need to do more on the page but you can have a look if you like (go on... Recipe Junkie

This weekend I am going to try and get on to twitter too

[ATOmum]

I have liked your page! and thank you for friending me! I think the page looks good - the photos are fab, although I have to say, I'm still struggling to get my head round the timeline thing - I know they'll be changing it over before the end of the month, so I'm going to have to deal with it, just keep putting it off!

[yummymummyreally]

DillyTante I started to type an answer about the Twitter lists - then realised It was getting a bit long, so figured I might as well transfer it to my blog. Maybe others will find it useful. It is here but I'm conscious that this isn't a 'posts' thread, so please don't be that I linked it.

Flying in and out!
I am struggling with not flying in, posting, and flying out. Simply because I tend to only have snatches of time, rather than big blocks of time. The other reason Twitter works for me is that the messages and replies come to me, rather than me having to come into sites to check for them. But I am trying to learn how to organise that better and subscribe to feeds appropriately.

Sponsored posts?
I am also struggling to understand the concept of 'sponsored posts'. I have started to be approaches to get involved in networks that specifically ask you to post their 'pieces' in your blog every so often, and I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that - does anyone have any advice?
And do people charge for reviews? How much?! Oh so much to learn!

[DillyTante]

Yummymummy haven't read the blog post yet but I think it is a great idea, thanks.

[Tee2072]

Just a warning...if FB catches you using a made up name, the will delete everything having to do with that name. And they do catch people. You really are much safer being an Admin on a page rather than falsifying a name.

[Flubba]

4999 views!! Waiting to catch the 5,000 views one :o

[yummymummyreally]

Congrats Flubba! I haven't that many more than you and I watch them too much!

Tee2072 is right... better to be an admin. It does work, as long as you check your settings to ensure that you've ticked the box that ensures you always post to the page as 'the page' rather than as your own name.

[QueenMaeve]

I've had my fb page with same as my blog name for almost a year now. I've never had any issues.

[TheCamelsHump]

Right, I'm gonna try and post more in Bloggers Forum.

I have just had my wrist slapped and a thread deleted off Bloggers, because I was apparently promoting TCH by namechanging to post (I was outing myself too much being words or soe or whatever) and asking for people to join the blog is against mumsnet rules without paying for a job advert. Which is frankly bizarre, esp given that there are two blogs currently recruiting on the main boards (which btw I have no problem with) and this was on bloggers, about a blog network blog. I'm half annoyed and half confused. Argh!

Does anyone know what the situation is with promoting group blogs?

Will come back to chat after I've herded children to bed, just had to get that off my chest. Grr.

[TheCamelsHump]

The other thing with being admin of a page means that you can appoint other people to join you. I know most people don't need this, but I have always done it for any page as a backup - I appoint a trusted friend to keep the page ticking over if I'm ill or banned or something.

[annelg1]

We're all told we need to use twitter and FB. I think that you have to work out what works best for you and your blog. The new thing is now Pinterest. However, only some blogs do well on that site. It all depends on what you want and what you hope to achieve.

My advice is not to put too much time into this. Do your tests and see which site brings you most traffic, then stick to this. If you feel you have to follow the crowd, you'll be doing this all the time and get absolutely no blogging or writing done.

Another good thing to do is to make out a social-networking schedule. When you've spent that time on the site - leave - no matter what.

[TheAlphaParent]

I've found a lot of my traffic has started coming from Pinterest. Do you think it is worth myself making a Pinterest account, or shall I just rely on the pins other people are putting up?

[DillyTante]

Hello all

Sorry, been a bit quiet of late, and neglecting the blog a bit too. I am busy doing lots of making, but so many things at one that I am not actually finishing anything!

I'm really pissed off that I am having so much trouble commenting on Blogger blogs using my Wordpress credentials. Anyone else have that problem or know if it is Blogger or Wordpress being an arse?

Camel, didn't see your post but it does sound a bit off (not you, MNHQ).

[Flubba]

I was having problems with blogspot, but ended up commenting using an 'OpenID' where I could still post as MadeByYoursTruly.wordpress.com and it seemed to overcome the problem. May be worth a try?

I've made a clutch bag today, and the intention was to give it to a friend for her birthday, but really not sure about it now. It was a bugger and a half to make too! :)

[WordsAreNoUseAtAll]

We seem to get the vast majority of our views on TCH fron Google, then stumbleupon, then twitter and facebook, with a few from linkedin. Then there are links from other websites - blogs as well as more traditional ones. After that, it's three or four a day, if that, from the 'blogging' sites, but I think having links on those helps the search rank.

I think it's twofold really, you want lots of page views to start with, because that is motivating and helps with things like networking. You also want 'quality' visitors - those who will comment, recommend and even (for group blogs) join in. You are much more likely to get the second if you have loads of the first, but the second are the visitors who will keep coming back and making it more interesting.

I think the deleted post was someone from the maib site being a bit over zealous. Was really confusing though.

(I'm The Camel's Hump, btw. Well, I'm not the website, but I was posting under that name)

[staranise]

HI everyone

Has anyone tried Pinterest as a way of promoting/expanding their blog? It should work well for us as we're a children's publishers so have lots of images and books that 'pin' well and fit easily with mood boards but I jsut find it sooo time-consuming. Plus, I'm a little dubious about copyright infringement - there was a good article linked from teh FT written by a photgrapher/lawyer - it's here if anyone's interested:

ddkportraits.com/2012/02/why-i-tearfully-deleted-my-pinterest-inspiration-boards/

I feel we're safe at the moment as I've only pinned our own images and photos but what's the point of Pinterest if you can only use your own images? What does everyone else think?

[trulymyrtle]

My head is about to explode - I need a stiff drink and am about to pick up the kids from school and take them to the dentist...
But, I have a facebook page for my blog AND I have a link
I'm going to have a great big celebratory giveaway next week! Like me and sit tight. I'll be in touch...

[Flubba]

I don't think pinterest can harm you, although they (the makers of pinterest) do say not to use it purely to promote your own end). I can't see a copywrite issue as it's all about creating boards to enjoy, not stealing images to use for your own commercial benefit, so it should all be good. As long as you mix your own promotion with your own interest in other's things, I think it should all be good.

Wow truly you have been busy! Well done! I'm still burying my head in the sand when it comes to FB and twitter. But my original purpose for my blog was to keep a note of all my own creations, although I think that its direction is changing a bit... My vistaprint business cards arrived today :o

[staranise]

Interesting though I think many photographers do object to people using their images even if it's not for a commercial reason - intellectual property on the internet is very tricky, a very grey area (as anyone downloading films and music must know!).

Well done to those with FB pages - I'm afraid I dislike FB enormously so tend to avoid it though I do have a personal page. However, I would massively recommend Hootsuite as a great way to organise all the various twitter/FB/social media accounts especially if, like me, you have both persoanl and business accounts. And I promise, I don't work for them, I jsut do find it really useful!

[trulymyrtle]

Hope pinterest stays untouched - I have to say that despite the copyright problems it is an amazing resource to get hits to your blog. Mine is going totally crazy this week after I posted a tutorial that has been pinned a few times
If only a few more of the hitters would join

[ATOmum]

Help! I just joined in my first BlogHop, MmeLindor's We believe you one, and somehow I've managed to do four links instead of one - Can I undo this? I guess I was bound to do something technically wrong first time!! Any ideas how to undo this gratefully recieved!

[DillyTante]

Have you posted your own stuff to pinterest truly? I havent quite got to grips with it yet. Finding it a bit overwhelming.

[trulymyrtle]

totally overwhelming I agree - I am just starting to fiddle about with it. Can see it is a MASSIVE time waster so trying not to do too much!
I have pinned my own stuff - have made a board for Truly Myrtle goodies. But funnily enough my own pins haven't been repinned - others have pinned from my blog. I think I need a pin-it button to make it easier to pin from my blog but haven't worked that one out yet...

[DillyTante]

Truly, have you seen the thread in Arts & Crafts on the Pinterest's T&Cs? Might want to check it out. Loved your placemats btw, so clever!