The Feed Reader Debate

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“The Feed Reader Debate”

We had a lively discussion in the comment section of a previous post – RSS Reader or Website? The previous post pondered whether you read posts in a reader or whether you go directly to the website? Do you prefer to read the post in the reader? Some bloggers make that decision for you. Some offer only the title of their post in the reader while others will give you a little sneak preview with an excerpt. Of course there is always the option of the full post being available in the reader. This choice is set up by the blogger, not by the reader.

I thought we would further the discussion in another article after a little more research.  I decided I would examine all of the blogs in my reader.  I wanted to get a consensus as to which option is more widely used.

I have 100 blogs in my reader.  I know, how do I have time to do all that reading?  Well a majority of the blogs don’t post on a daily basis.  In my Google reader, the posts are sorted by the most recent update.  As you can see from the following graphic, the name of the blog is first, the title of the post, then the date or time.

I view the title and choose the most interesting ones first.  I have a few blogs that I visit whenever they update.   I click on the title and don’t necessarily even read the excerpt or any of the post.  I like to click straight through to the site.  I like to check out everyone’s site, see what they are doing different and join in the conversation.

Often, I make decisions for my blog based on my own preferences.  I prefer to go directly to the blog to read the posts.  Therefore, I list the excerpt for my post in the reader.  I don’t trust my talent that the title will be enough and I don’t want to list the whole post as I want my readers to come to my blog. I reviewed each blog in my reader and I was very surprised with the results of my research.

Title only ~ 1% of the blogs in my reader list the title only.  No surprise there.  You would have to be overly confident with yourself to list just the title.  The title is the only part bringing your reader to your blog.  For the record, I rarely click through to that site.

Excerpt ~ 11% of the blogs in my reader list just the excerpt of their post.  For the blogs that I read on a regular basis, I click through to the site regardless of the excerpt.  In fact, I don’t bother with the excerpt, I just click through to their blog.  I like to see what, if any, changes they are doing with their design or ads.  It is also a sense of community and I like to join in the discussion if possible.

Full Text ~ 88% of the blogs in my reader list the full text of their post.  To my surprise, an overwhelming number of blogs choose this option.  I have all types of blogs in my reader from beginner to the seasoned pro.  Choosing to use the full text went across the board.  Again, this is neither a benefit nor a deterrent to my routine of reading blogs. In the discussion on the original post ~ RSS Reader or Website? Tsunami and I exchanged a few comments  on this topic.

Tsunami and I were both of the same opinion in regards to using the excerpt.  My thinking is that I hope to use a creative title to get readers to click on my post in their reader then my second hope is that the excerpt is interesting enough to get the reader to click through to my site.  I want to encourage readers to go to the site to build community and hopefully create loyal readers.

I have since changed my opinion of how my post will be listed in a reader based on my research for two reasons.

The first reason is the overwhelming number of blogs that offer the full post.  88%?  That speaks volumes.  In my reader, 21% of the blogs I subscribe to are categorized (by me) as the “A” list.  ALL of them offer the full post.  With the combination of their years of experience and their thousands of readers, I try to follow their lead.

The second reason is the choice of clicking through to my blog should be the readers choice not mine.  The majority of the reason we all write is for people to read our brilliant words, right?  So shouldn’t that be a blogger’s main objective?  If the post is compelling enough, the reader will click through to your site. Wouldn’t it be nice if the reader had control over the option?  Give that option to your reader.

One other interesting “factoid” I discovered – only 17% of the blogs in my reader have ads in their posts.  I thought that was low.

Wow, this post was interesting to research and quite an eye opener.  I am glad we had this discussion on RSS Reader or Website?

What do you think?  Has this research changed your mind?  Do you have any thoughts to add?  Any arguments for or against this debate?  Keep the discussion open!

Toodles – Blog Happy!

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“Things should be made as simple as possible, but not any simpler…”

~ Albert Einstein

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2 Steps To Become A Productive Blogger

“2 Steps To Become A Productive Blogger”

There are so many tasks necessary to achieve success as a blogger.  Unless you are organized it will be difficult to accomplish everything you need to do.  You need a plan, a schedule or routine to follow.  I’ve noticed I say that very frequently.  I get stressed if I am not in my comfortable rut and routine.   Otherwise, I get overwhelmed and panic.  Kind of run around in circles.  You know, like the puppy who chases his tail?  Overloaded as it may be, a rut and routine eases my stress.

There are two essential areas of a successful blog.  Writing and Marketing.

First things first: Okay, so you want a blog.  Well what is a blog?

The definition of blog according to dictionary.com;

Blog -noun

An online diary; a personal chronological log of thoughts published on a Web page; also called Weblog, Web log. Typically updated daily, blogs often reflect the personality of the author.

Dictionary.com needs to update that definition.  Personal diary!  This is not yo’ mama’s blog!

You need to write. Period.

Darren Rowse of ProBlogger wrote an excellent detailed post about Batch Processing and how he organizes his time. I use some of his helpful hints to make myself more productive.

There is no way around the little task of writing.  For me, it is best to start writing in my notebook.  I can’t get my thoughts together while I am writing on the computer.  I literally have to tell myself – step away from the computer – way too much distraction for my undisciplined self! Otherwise, a one hour post would take me three days to write! I can’t help it! I’m weak..

Do NOT try to write under pressure.  Prepare your posts for the upcoming week.  Pick at least 5 topics to write about.  Create a tentative title and start a draft in WordPress.  I write my title first so I can set up the posts for the week in WordPress drafts.  If you don’t like it you can change it but the title will give you a place to start.  Then you can start brainstorming.  If you are a big girl or big boy as the case may be and can write in your draft part of WordPress without venturing off into the never never land of the blogosphere, then good for you.  That will save you a step.

I always put a picture or graphic in each post.  Searching for just the right one can be time consuming.  Set aside some time to get all your graphics for the week.  I also put a quote at the end of every post.  Also time consuming.  I have to have just the right one.  If the picture and quote are added in each draft, even before you are ready to add your content, you will be half way there.  Add your tags and categories and you will have your post nearly done.

Take one day to work on drafts to start.  Let them simmer for a day or so.  Go back and edit them, add to the content, firm them up. You can add some additional tweaks if you like at this time.  You can get them ready to publish.

Now what do you do?

The definition of marketing by dictionary.com

mar⋅ket⋅ing –noun

The act of buying or selling in a market.  The total of activities involved in the transfer of goods from the producer or seller to the consumer or buyer, including advertising, shipping, storing, and selling.

It doesn’t do any good to do all that writing and  make everything look all pretty and fancy if no one comes to visit!  Get out there and strut your stuff or sell your stuff whatever the case may be.  You need to spend some time on the social circuit.  This part is so crucial,so much fun, so overwhelming.  There are a staggering number of choices, it is hard to decide which social media to use.  Obviously you can use more than one, hopefully you do.  How many social sites you participate in is completely up to you.  It all depends on the time you can devote to your choices.

It is important to participate with good intentions. I focus on Twitter with quick blurbs here and there. I try to dabble throughout the day whenever I get a chance. I usually visit twitter for breakfast, lunch & dinner and sometimes when I need a little snack. I also like StumbleUpon to share different posts with different bloggers.  You can show your appreciation for good writing with others who might not have seen it otherwise.  StumbleUpon is where I often meet other bloggers who have the same interest. I have met many people and have made great contacts from MyBlogLog.  That is a fun network and allows you to share a ton of stuff about yourself.

I like to visit and contribute to other blogs as part of  my marketing plan.  Sharing your thoughts with other bloggers is a great way to add community.  it also is a great way for people to get to know you.  I don’t necessarily set aside a certain amount of time to socialize.  I try to dabble throughout the day whenever I get a chance.  I have all my favorite stops in my RSS reader and after I browse the headlines for a topic I think might interest me or that I might just have something to contribute to, then off I go for my visit!

I am just starting to browse forums.  I recently joined Budding Bloggers Network and Bloggeries. I haven’t devoted as much time to them as I would like. I will definitely put both these forums on more or a priority list.

What are your tricks of the trade that keep you on the track to success? What do you concentrate on and consider most important?

Toodles – Blog Happy!

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“Divide each difficulty into as many parts as is feasible and necessary to resolve it…”

- Rene Descartes

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What Are Your Challenges of Blogging?

What Are Your Challenges of Blogging?

Blogging is STRESSFUL! I am fairly new to blogging – a BloggerNewbie. Having said that, blogging is challenging with all the “must do’s” in our daily schedule. Then, of course as with any business, unexpected difficulties will arise that can throw you off your schedule.
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Popularity: 21% [?]