Instigator Blog - Latest Comments in 6 Steps To Getting Back Into The Blog Saddle

Re: 6 Steps To Getting Back Into The Blog Saddle

Ben Yoskovitz — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 09:51:13 -0000

Dave - Good luck with it. Original, quality content is definitely key. You can't really get around that, even with all the social media marketing in the world...

Re: 6 Steps To Getting Back Into The Blog Saddle

Dave Nofmeister — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 18:21:44 -0000

Great post!

I think writers block is probably the biggest thing that is on a bloggers mind, even beyond site maintenance and "how to make extra cash off of your blog".

New and creative content is the only thing that separates blogs out.

I've blogged a little here and there, but never could get anywhere with it. I'm hoping your ideas will actually get my site somewhere.

Re: 6 Steps To Getting Back Into The Blog Saddle

GP — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 12:38:39 -0000

I saw the word saddle and was instantly intrigued being a horsewoman myself :) I have found that unplanned (or planned for that matter) breaks in the action , actually further the action; slow down to go faster.

An unplanned encounter with a sheet of ice 3 weeks ago while running forced and unplanned (and cranky i might add) absence from riding. I've found that with the return to it, a gratitude, energy, new focus ... different arena, same theme.

GP in montana

Re: 6 Steps To Getting Back Into The Blog Saddle

Naked Jonny — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 11:46:22 -0000

Cheers Ben, thanks for your time and advice, it helps alot. I will be looking to implement your suggestions as soon as possible. Keep up the good work on your blog, I will definately keep checking it out. If you fancy following our journey through Naked Business, any further advice you could give along the way would be greatly appreciated and who knows, you might be able to use us as an example in one of your future blogs.

All the best

Re: 6 Steps To Getting Back Into The Blog Saddle

Ben Yoskovitz — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 11:07:01 -0000

Hey Naked Jonny,

Kudos for writing a blog about your entrepreneurial adventure. I think you'll find a lot of interest out there in that sort of content.

A few things you should look at / thing about:

* ABOUT page - it's got nothing on it.

* Who are you guys? People will want to know. If they don't know and can't know they won't care as much.

* Read copyblogger religiously on how to write better blog posts.

* Network online - start leaving comments on other blogs and connecting, like you've done here.

* Write more personal stuff but also give details. Your posts right now are very thin in both.

* Get rid of the calendar in the top - it's useless. Put pictures of you and your partner there with an explanation of what you're doing.

* Get rid of all standard WP things - like your blogroll *smile*

Hope that helps!

Re: 6 Steps To Getting Back Into The Blog Saddle

Naked Jonny — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 08:17:36 -0000

Im an entrepreneur like yourself and have just launched my first ever blog, Naked Business, which is basically taking a first hand look at building a company from scratch following myself and my business partner.

Business books are great and necessary and there is alot of them out there...a lot, but we wanted to get people involved in a real journey that hasn't been predetermined yet with real time lessons and risks.

Anyway the blogs up and running but with basically no one knowing about it. How on earth did you get to the top of "blogtopsites" in just 6 months.

Appreciate your interest btw.

Re: 6 Steps To Getting Back Into The Blog Saddle

Ben Yoskovitz — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 06:15:50 -0000

Naked Jonny - what do you want to know?

Maybe it's in the archives somewhere... *smile*

Re: 6 Steps To Getting Back Into The Blog Saddle

Naked Jonny — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 06:01:21 -0000

Seriously

Re: 6 Steps To Getting Back Into The Blog Saddle

Naked Jonny — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 06:00:41 -0000

Dude, teach me you ways.

Re: 6 Steps To Getting Back Into The Blog Saddle

Evelyn — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 14:59:34 -0000

Hiya Ben!

RE: "(Granted, a post about how to get back into blogging might not be the most unique; so I may be breaking my own rule!)"

Obviously we all wanted to read this because we can all relate in some way or other... and that was the whole spectrum of bloggers from experienced to... yeah, okay, whatever (not into self-condemnation these days). My point is that unique is not always what we want to read. :)

Pssst... rules are made to be broken! Glad you got your keyboard hooked back up! Move is a 4-letter word! Blech!

I just wish my saddle was a little bit better oiled and broken in! Enjoyed this. Thanks!

Re: 6 Steps To Getting Back Into The Blog Saddle

Ben Yoskovitz — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 11:58:56 -0000

Bah! I forgot to mention in the post -- THAT'S NOT ME! *laugh*

I've been on a horse once, that was enough for me thank you very much.

Re: 6 Steps To Getting Back Into The Blog Saddle

Easton Ellsworth — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 11:57:36 -0000

Welcome back, Ben! Nice photo of you, BTW ;)

Re: 6 Steps To Getting Back Into The Blog Saddle

Chas Grundy — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 08:43:26 -0000

I have this problem sometimes (like right now). I heartily agree with your first item - read more. I've been knocking down books like crazy. I'd add a couple of suggestions:

7. Find a new source of inspiration. I try to add at least two or three new blogs to my feed reader each week. A new perspective from an unknown blogger (like me!) often starts the idea mill.

8. Keep a list of ideas. If you're feeling the itch to write but don't have anything to write about, you're not going to produce anything worthwhile. I keep list of ideas written down (in Backpack or Google Spreadsheets) for when I get the time and energy to put into a real piece.

Re: 6 Steps To Getting Back Into The Blog Saddle

Ben Yoskovitz — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 23:14:09 -0000

Thanks for all the feedback folks.

Saddle rash sounds unpleasant, so I think I'll avoid that...but I don't see myself taking too many more breaks here. In the future I'd probably plan out a series of posts and set the publish dates in the future so WordPress does it's magic without me even being around...

Re: 6 Steps To Getting Back Into The Blog Saddle

Renée — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 21:20:12 -0000

It's good to see you back, Ben!

I've always been a great believer in quality over quatity whether one takes a break or not.

Whenever I take a break, I usually come back with slow and steady posts, gradually building up my momentum--spreading over a couple of weeks. Good for me and my readers.

Re: 6 Steps To Getting Back Into The Blog Saddle

blogpaul — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 16:40:50 -0000

Thanks sooooo much...I posted about 4 times today and thought it was too much...which is a HUGE reminder to get my other blog sites developed so I can go over there! Thanks

Re: 6 Steps To Getting Back Into The Blog Saddle

engtech — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 15:06:25 -0000

That's a hard one, but there truly is something to be said for having less/better content. There are some great blogs I subscribe to that only post once a month or so...

Re: 6 Steps To Getting Back Into The Blog Saddle

Adam — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 15:05:08 -0000

Great list, and I think this was a great comeback post. I was wondering where you were!

Re: 6 Steps To Getting Back Into The Blog Saddle

Leah Maclean — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 13:41:06 -0000

The most successful media personalities take time off during the "non-ratings period" (I wonder when that is for new media) so why not the ever popular byosko? We knew you'd be back so don't sweat the small stuff.

You know what happens when you are in the saddle for too long ..... saddle rash! Yuk!

Re: 6 Steps To Getting Back Into The Blog Saddle

Bret — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 11:14:55 -0000

Point number 2 is similar to a podcast I heard from Merlin Mann of 43Folders: honor thy energy. If the creative juices just aren't flowing, the energy just isn't there. Time for a break. Of course, if you have a deadline (as I do at the moment for an article I'm writing) you just don't have the luxury to "honor thy energy." Ugh! Back to work.