RSS Thinking Out Loud: To split, or not to split (my blog)
Filed in Thinking Out Loud
Image by KB35 under Creative Commons licence.
This is an unusual Thinking Out Loud because it centers around a question that I’d like to ask you. I’m hacking away at the question by writing about it, but I’d really like to know what you think, as well.
It may well be that I’m reacting to the chaos in my life by trying to control a small corner of it–my blog. Still, I’ve been wondering whether it’s time to split this blog in half.
I started Raven’s Roads as a place to talk about motorcycling and travel. The more I blog the more I have a sense of not writing about travel and motorcycling so much as about life in general with travel/motorcycling mixed in but not predominant. Conventional wisdom suggests that the best, most successful blogs are those in which a niche topic merges with a writer’s personality; my own inner radar, to which I tend to listen more carefully than conventional wisdom, feels a bit lost.
To make things even more fun I’m definitely looking to start a new RV-themed blog when we get the RV, and have another project in the sidelines, too. If I split this blog, that would be four. Five if you count the Markeroni blog. While the prospect of being Queen of the Blogs excites me, I also fear that I’m biting off more than I can chew.
Now, making a living from my blogging is a distinct possibility, but what I wonder about is this: why do you, dear reader, come here? Is it because I’m a biker chick who writes about biking, or do you come here to read about my “interesting life”? While the niggling thought persists that it might be better to have one motorcycle/travel blog and one in which I could develop the interesting life/WR award/life in general theme, I haven’t yet been able to get deep enough down inside myself to figure out whether it’s a genuinely good idea or if I’m just reacting to the chaos in my life. The likelihood of my having time to sit in a forest and breathe deeply enough to gain some perspective in the near future is very small, so I need to turn to others for help. Do I turn off bikers with the non-biking content? Do I turn off non-bikers with the biking content? I really don’t know.
I’ve spent a lot of time networking and schmoozing and getting to know people. I worry about losing my good Alexa rating and growing Technorati rank if I split the blog. I worry, even more, about losing readers and friends. Yet if I’m going to do it, it should be now: sooner rather than later. I worry about becoming too much of a generalist and whether that ever works in a blog.
Decisions, decisions, decisions. I can see the potential here of shooting myself in the foot. I really have no clue what to do about this, right now. Thinking out loud, putting the thoughts on the “page,” at least helps me to put the questions into “brew mode” until the answers finally come.
What would you like? And if there were two blogs, how would you split the following themes: travel; motorcycling; living an interesting life; stuff about blogging; stuff about writing; life in general; opinions; White Raven Award?
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12 Comments, Comment or Ping
avanta7 (1 comments.)
Well. As a non-biker chick, I tend to skim the biker-centric entries. I wouldn’t say they turn me off…after all, I *do* skim them, and even find nifty stuff in your commentary. I guess I read you for everything else, and take the biker stuff as part and parcel of the entire package. And I’m anxiously awaiting to hear about your future RV living adventures.
In other words, my preference would be…don’t split.
It’s ultimately up to you, of course. If you DO decide to carve out separate niche blogs, I think travel, motorcycle, RV, interesting life, WhiteRaven Award in one blog; and opinions, writing, blogging, life in general in another.
Whatever you decide, please make sure all blogs have the RSS/LiveJournal feed, okay?
Sep 24th, 2007
Becky (14 comments.)
I come to read about your motorcycling adventures which amaze me. I also am very interested in your markeroni escapades. I usually skip over all the sponsored posts unless they have something to do with motorcycling. I say split…..still enjoying your blog nevertheless.
bikerchickz
Sep 24th, 2007
J. Lynne (36 comments.)
I skim the motorcycle bits, but I’ve been known to comment there. But really I come for most everything else.
Sep 24th, 2007
Lissyvigeen
I’m for don’t split ! IMO, all the various topics are aspects of your interesting life — and the variety is part of what makes it interesting. I don’t always read all of every entry, but I’m certainly not put off by ones that are beyond my ken — like the intricacies of motorcycle maintenance. And I’ve been intrigued by *something* in just about every one of the categories you listed. In other words — for me — the wide range and variety of themes is a plus.
Sep 24th, 2007
Celeste (8 comments.)
I vote no split.
Sep 25th, 2007
pussreboots (158 comments.)
You don’t need to split it up. Blogs evolve over time. Mine used to be more centered on computers and politics and now it’s mostly books and family. You will find yourself enjoying certain subjects more than others. Your life will change and it will give you different things to write about.
Sep 25th, 2007
beautyredefined
Sorry, I realized I never weighed in on this, but I definitely favor no-split. I’m here for you - not just “your motorcycles” or “your travels” or “your writings”, but all of those. They all combine to give you. And that’s why I read.
Oct 1st, 2007
Linda R. Moore
Avanta: it’s a deal–there will definitely be the rss feed. These last couple of weeks have allowed me time to brew what I want to do and I think I know the way forward now. :)
Oct 21st, 2007
Linda R. Moore
Thanks Becky — I have a few ideas now and will be making some announcements soonish :)
Oct 21st, 2007
Linda R. Moore
Lynne: thanks for the input! I have some ideas :)
Oct 21st, 2007
Linda R. Moore
LV: cool! The last couple of weeks have allowed me to brew what I want to do and I think the solution is going to be pleasing to everyone. :)
*giggle* Well, as much as everyone can be pleased. ;)
Oct 21st, 2007
Linda R. Moore
Celeste, Pussre, and BR: cool. :)
Oct 21st, 2007
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