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Original poster

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

12 replies

Tee2072 · 26/03/2013 20:50

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?

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MNHQ

KateMumsnet · 08/04/2013 14:44

Hello all - thanks for this, and huge apols for the delay in responding.

We have been giving this lots of thought - honest. These things can take a little while, but we've now got some changes underway which we really hope will make a big difference.

Firstly, we're going to be redesigning homepage to make it much more engaging, and give us extra space promote more of your blogs.

We've also designed a 'blog of the day' block, which will soon be appearing on most Mumsnet Talk pages. We hope this will raise the profile of the Bloggers Network, and integrate it much more effectively with the rest of the site - as well as bringing lots of traffic to those blogs.

And we're also going to have a 'latest blogs' box on key Talk topics pages, which will link out to some recent, related blogs. We think this will be a great way to introduce interested MNers to blogs that will interest them, and which they mightn't otherwise see.

We're also exploring ways of encouraging more MNers to blog - we'd really like it to be seen as equivalent to MN-ing, but longform Wink

Finally, we're going to experiment with allowing MN Bloggers to link to their blogs on all Talk topics, and not just this one, as currently. We're working on the guidelines for this - as you know there can be some resistance on the boards, so we want to be clear to bloggers and non-bloggers alike about when it's fine to do this, and when it's not. But this will be happening sooner rather than later.

With our guest blogs, we've had several brill ones recently from MN Bloggers: Lowden Clear on disability hate crime, Stephanie Pomfrett on the rise of one-child families, Chiller on the Daily Mail's Philpott front page, Pint-sized Rants on Eddie Mair's grilling of Boris, and Glosswitch on press regulation for bloggers. They were all great - and the plan is to continue with a mix of guest posts from MN bloggers, and public figures/experts.

Some of these changes will happen soon, others (eg the homepage redesign) will inevitably take a lot bit longer - but we hope they'll make a big difference and we're v excited. Do let us know what you think?

MNHQ

KateMumsnet · 08/04/2013 16:18

I think, peekyboo, that we probably won't allow links in signatures (which aren't very common on the Talk boards anyway). We'll more likely say that the link has to be in the body of the post, as an addition to the point that the blogger is making as part of her contribution to the thread itself - does that make sense, or have I got the wrong end of the stick?

MNHQ

KateMumsnet · 08/04/2013 22:41

Good points Peekyboo. And we're pondering whether it would be best if everyone could see at a glance that a poster was a boney fidey MN blogger - will keep you updated, but would love to hear what you think?

Tee, actually there aren't currently that many in comparison to other networks. And of course no network could promote everyone, once you get beyond (say) a hundred bloggers. What we can do is enable our bloggers to promote each other, and that's our next must-do. We'd really appreciate everyone's input on this.

On your second point Tee, about MN bloggers not necessarily 'getting' MN as a whole - I think that's something we can signpost on our 'join us' pages. Thanks - we hadn't thought of that.

MNHQ

KateMumsnet · 09/04/2013 15:29

That, my dear MmeL, is a blardy BRILL idea for an ad!

PetiteRaleuse, there are 2700 and rising Shock - though it's probably fair to say that a fair chunk of those post very irregularly.

On the negativity issue - I think we will just have to give it a bash, and be prepared to rethink if it all goes belly up. We'll probably start a thread to let MNers know that we're trialling it - with luck, that will prepare the ground, and allow us to disseminate the excellent comparison with magazines, made by landofmakebelieve on the other thread.

Though I expect there will be a period of adjustment. And we'll need some watertight 'Them's the rules' criteria for when it's okay to link.

MNHQ

KateMumsnet · 09/04/2013 15:37

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?

MNHQ

KateMumsnet · 09/04/2013 15:58

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?

MNHQ

KateMumsnet · 09/04/2013 16:08

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?

MNHQ

KateMumsnet · 09/04/2013 16:26

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?

MNHQ

KateMumsnet · 10/04/2013 11:51

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.

MNHQ

KateMumsnet · 10/04/2013 21:42

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.

MNHQ

KateMumsnet · 10/04/2013 21:47

Interesting suggestion over here - what do you lot reckon?

MNHQ

KateMumsnet · 11/04/2013 15:18

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

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