Instigator Blog - Latest Comments in When Is A Blog Post A Success?

Re: When Is A Blog Post A Success?

Ben Yoskovitz — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 11:49:44 -0000

Maria - There's no question that comments are a gage of success. Comments are one of the most rewarding aspects of blogging.

However, there are plenty of successful blog posts that don't receive a lot of comments. Often I write something that's very rewarding for myself personally (for any number of reasons) but it doesn't receive huge discussion. And that's OK.

Re: When Is A Blog Post A Success?

Maria — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 21:10:17 -0000

My blog's goal is to communicate and share. I write about anything that strikes my fancy, from the flood that destroyed my lower horse corral (horses removed in time; thanks for asking) to how to modify your WordPress blog's theme to add Twit This links. (And that's just this week.) My goal is part personal journal, part supplemental reading material for the folks who (buy and) read my books.

That said, I can tell which posts are successful by how many hits and comments they get. The comments are especially rewarding; they turn a narrative into a conversation. I'm not lecturing -- my visitors and I are discussing. And that's when I get to learn new stuff, too.

That's how I gauge success.

Re: When Is A Blog Post A Success?

Ben Yoskovitz — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 23:34:18 -0000

Matthew - Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

And the great thing about the goals you've laid out: you can accomplish all 3 at the same time!

Re: When Is A Blog Post A Success?

Matthew Cornell — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 20:35:36 -0000

As a follow-up, having a goal enables *focus*, which in turn enables making good choices, in this case, about what to write.

Re: When Is A Blog Post A Success?

Matthew Cornell — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 20:34:49 -0000

Great point. After blogging for two years, I *just* realized what my blog's purpose is: 1) To establish my reputation, 2) to help my readers, and 3) to know what I think (via writing).

Re: When Is A Blog Post A Success?

Jerry Lee — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 23:34:41 -0000

Actually, I don't have a goal at all with my blog.

Re: When Is A Blog Post A Success?

Ben Yoskovitz — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:31:20 -0000

@Happy Rock -- I think more people have the goal of developing and enhancing their personal brand and important relationships in the online and offline world.

That's really my key goal, which allows me, in some respects, to not be hyper-focused on specific niche. I talk about a few things that interest me, each reaching different audiences, and raising awareness of "me" in those spaces.

Re: When Is A Blog Post A Success?

The Happy Rock — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 14:01:36 -0000

Most people have the goal of make money, or have fun.

I know that I have specific quantifiable goals for my blog, but I can't say the I have directly narrowed who my audience is and how I am going to be different. Not easy tasks to quantify without having some experience and time.

Re: When Is A Blog Post A Success?

CapForge — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 19:31:46 -0000

This post and the last one are elemental, and something I just hit on in my own post today (before I read yours!).

I am working on my goals for my blog, and the specific direction I want to zero in on to make the niche and the readership more targeted than just the overall "starting a business" theme.

A good blog knows its purpose, scope and limitations, and that is what you have hit upon and what I am working to distill.

Thanks for the reminder :)

Re: When Is A Blog Post A Success?

nettiehartsock — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:04:31 -0000

Hi Ben,

great one!

nettie