I can't find the original thread...but what *is* this section meant to be about...

[Tee2072]

the conversation sort of died, the thread is way down the list somewhere, and we never really got an answer from HQ.

Anyone still interested in the answer?

[yummymummyreally]

Hi all,

Read this thread will interest. I have been a little light on my mumsnet trips recently, but that's due to starting working full time and having no time for anything! I used to love sharing posts in the weekly posts thread, and visited it, and the associated blogs linked there, in a weekly glug of blog reading. It was nice to share, comment, and be able to ask other bloggers their thoughts specifically as peers. It's a shame it's use has died down

I have posted a discussion thread elsewhere in Talk today and, even though I knew the rules say I could link to my post this week on the same subject, I didn't. I felt nervous I'd be shouted out of the room for daring to link.

Hoping the new rules will find their feet though, and that both blogging and non-blogging mums-netters can find a comfortable balance on the boards.

[Tee2072]

Okay, so the announcement was posted.

Has anyone linked to their blogs from the main boards?

Have you had any feedback on doing that?

[Tee2072]

I actually once 'stole' the code link for MN smilies but I figured I'd get in trouble if I used them some place other than MN.

I can't remember how I figured it out or what I did with it though...

::shoves choc digestive in preschoolers mouth for 5 minutes peace::

[fuzzypicklehead]

I'm already on it. as my husband would confirm if his mouth wasn't full

[MmeLindor]

I like the idea of wandering around with a packet of Jammy Dodgers, ready to stuff one in the mouth of some nitwit.

Can you organise that too, Kate?

[KateMumsnet]

I will enquire of our technological team, fuzzypicklehead. And lol at shoving biscuits: "Here - have THIS" then turning tail and marching off.

[fuzzypicklehead]

This is probably a really stupid point, but because I do sometimes view my blogposts as MN posts in long form I get annoyed that I can't use the emoticons when I'm blogging.

At some point after joining mumsnet, the posting style here permeated my brain and now I find myself thinking or in real life. Fair enough, in face-to-face conversations I can contort my expression accordingly or shove a biscuit into some big stupidhead's face but it just doesn't work in the blog.

Are there gifs of the mumsnet smileys floating around somewhere that we could use in posts where we're "speaking Mumsnet"?

[KateMumsnet]

Interesting suggestion over here - what do you lot reckon?

[KateMumsnet]

MmeLindor - agreed. We don't welcome blogs which don't offer any real content other than that designed to sell their products - nor those which (when they register and we have a look at them) consist mainly of reviews or sponsored posts.

We don't only want to be open to blogs which are beautifully written/topical/display expertise, because that would be a bit elitist, and not in the spirit of MN - so we do sometimes give the benefit of the doubt. But we really don't want promoblogs in the network.

[MmeLindor]

Kate
the point was just made on the other thread about the kind of bloggers we accept. I don't mind new blogs - in fact I just discovered a great one today via your latest newsletter.

I think that blogs whose sole existence is to promote or sell a product, or to blag products, really shouldn't be on MN.

[KateMumsnet]

Take your point, Tee. I think it's hard to argue against growth per se - but agree that we certainly be looking to encourage existing MNers to blog (and help them 'get' blogging) rather than looking externally.

[Tee2072]

I still think HQ should stop looking for new bloggers. I understand the want for a lot on other networks, but I think it could be unique to MH to have bloggers who:

Are actually part of the wider MN community and post on at least the MNBN board

Actually update their blogs!

Don't slag MN off on Twitter or elsewhere but expect support from MNBN

JMHO

[PetiteRaleuse]

That's true, it doesn't bring many hits but I felt more pat of a community when we all chatted though. But there were fewer of us then too.

[MmeLindor]

There isn't much chat now on the dump and run thread, but there could be if we all just decided to do it.

I don't really think it brings a lot of hits cause it is v insular. It is just us reading each others blogs, rather than normal MNetters reading them.

I like the idea of a 'Roundup'

[PetiteRaleuse]

I like that idea.

Linkies are always a good way to read new things.

[KateMumsnet]

Gotcha - we'll leave as is for now.

We're also mulling a 'your best post of the month' linky - might be a good way of helping MN bloggers to promote their posts more widely?

[PetiteRaleuse]

I don't know. It would be an extra thing for you to have to think about and people might not change anyway. I haven't been on them for a while so not sure if what I am whining about saying is still relevant.

[KateMumsnet]

Would it be an idea if MNB HQ started those threads, with encouragement not to just post a bald URL, and an invitation to stay and chat?

[PetiteRaleuse]

Yeah of course.

Even in the bloggers section I have pretty much given up on the weekly link thread. It used to be a fun thread with lots of discussion but now it is a post and run and just not the same.

[KateMumsnet]

Sorry - my last about letting you all know in advance was to MmeL. And good idea about monthly linkies too.

PetiteRaleuse that's exactly right - we're putting the guest posts in the OP of the thread to make it easier for others to comment without having to go back and forth between pages (and thank you again).

Re 'the rules' - hmm, I think we might have to let people know that they shouldn't post their URL as their only contribution to a particular thread. Might be perceived as being a bit like thrusting a pamphlet into someone's hands in RL, then scarpering?

[MmeLindor]

Yes, think that is good for getting discussion going.

It would be great if we could do a planned guest post once a month or so - that we agree to all post on a particular subject and do a mega link up. They are always quite good.

[Tee2072]

I noticed that too, Petite. I think it's made a real difference in people reading and responding.

Stick with me kid...er MmeL, we'll go far...

[PetiteRaleuse]

Good idea re getting the post off to a positive start.

[KateMumsnet]

Arf tee.

Yes, we were definitely planning to do that - and completely agree re the first 10 or 20 posts. How's best to do so - Twitter? Here? Newsletter?

[PetiteRaleuse]

So the rules will be something like linking to a post you have done on a particular subject on a thread about that particular subject would be OK have to admit I have done that on two occasions when I cba to write it all out again ?

By the way I really enjoyed writing the guest post a couple of weeks ago. It was a shame the discussion didn't get very far - the guest post-linked discussions seem to be a bit hit and miss enthusiasm wise. Is that why some of the latest ones have been on the same thread, ie the post is at the top of the thread, rather than being on a separate page - sure I saw that this week, though might be going mad?