When I read your headline "How Do I Start A Blog?" I initially was thinking of the technical aspects like using choosing WordPress vs. TypePad vs. Blogger, etc. But truthfully, the topics you covered are far more important.
I think the most significant consideration is the motivation aspection you mentioned: *why* you want to blog. I'm finding many people (myself included) do it for ill-conceived reasons like "a quick way to make money."
My other thought is that while it's possible any single post has the potential to generate a lot of traffic, the best blogs are ones that have endured over time so patience is needed. A blog won't be remembered by a single post or even several posts; it's the overall body of work that's important, it's kind of like a comic strip in that sense.
That's how I see it, anyway.
Jake
· 1 year ago
Yeah, blogging software is boring. People don't usually ask about that anyway. Honestly, I'm not sure it even occurs to them until they login the first time and then try to post something.
As for "why", most people I talk to want to spread knowledge about Oracle, so making money isn't a thought. Frankly, it's way to hard to make money blogging anymore b/c of longstanding blogs like TC.
You're right about the body of work. Traffic is fickle and so are readers. If you can keep it up over time and build a loyal audience, you win.
Tim
· 1 year ago
Nice post Jake! I have found that pacing yourself with what you can cope with is the most important thing. I burnt out twice until I found a 'blog rhythm' Over the last two years I think I have developed as a writer - its not a pure techy 'how-to' blog anymore but I hope I inject some of myself and my 'passion' for my product into the articles along with the techy knowledge Im trying to impart to the reader.
Jake
· 1 year ago
I tend to point to David b/c I like to take some measure of credit for pushing him into blogging.
However, you and your blog deserve more credit for being there way before we got there. Your XMLP/BIP blog is probably the longest running and most successful Oracle product development blog as far as as I know. You've been around so long that we're taking you for granted.
So, good on ya. We're all in your shadow.
davidhaimes
· 1 year ago
Your blog rocks Tim. You warned me about burnout when I first mentioned starting a blog and you were spot on. After an initial flood of posts I have slowed down and am trying to find the pace I can maintain long term. You need to factor in time for writing posts but also replying to comments, reading other related blogs and getting distracted by interesting stuff you find.
Andy C
· 1 year ago
Blogging is so last year. If I was starting a blog, it would probably be a Tumblelog - sorry - it would probably be a 'micro-blog' (Twitter/Pownce/Jaiku) - whoops sorry - it would probably be links, comments, shared items and likes left on FriendFeed.
The conversation is well and truly fragmented (TM).
Jake
· 1 year ago
Agreed for early adopter types, and fragmentation is a function of what you follow and what interests you.
Blogs are still very much in the now for a lot of the enterprise folks who ask me for advice. The content locked away in people's heads should get out into the world, for Google to find and distribute to users.
Puneet Thapliyal
· 1 year ago
@Andy: Twitter is for people who can't blog. Blogging requires a flair for writing and not many people have that natural skill.
@Jake: Sometimes a little encouragement helps too. I was prodded into blogging by Jake and Sagar. I am not as prolific a blogger as Jake is, but that is just because Blogging Is Hard.
Andy C
· 1 year ago
@Puneet: Originally I didn't get blogging but then I didn't get Twitter, del.ici.ous, FriendFeed, IM and something as fundamental as commenting.
However, after a while I realised the reason I enjoyed blogging was precisely because I enjoyed writing. It helped that a handful of people enjoyed reading it but that was almost secondary.
As a weirdo who has multiple blogs, Twitter (recently deceased) and accounts on Tumblr, Reader, Disqus Jaiku and FriendFeed (all active), I dispute your asssertion that 'Twitter is for people who can't blog'.
They are all valid outlets. Anyone is free to choose to use one, many, none or all.
Jake
· 1 year ago
This is a weird discussion. On the one hand, blogging to early adopters is mature. TechCrunch reports news, others try to trump TC, and everyone else has a spin.
As blogs become mature as sources for information for everyone else, it becomes much harder to know what will be successful, which is why knowing your audience is critical. Poorly written posts that have great technical content can succeed, but so can interesting posts with very little content. As more people read, the success factors are not as predictable anymore.
I think you're both onto something about Twitter. The 140 character limit makes it impossible to tell who can and can't write, assuming you get to it at all.
Andy C
· 1 year ago
I can only speak for myself but Twitter definitely reduced my blogging output.
Much to my surprise, I was converted from the occasional considered blog post to a stream of < 140 character, inane drivel.
Twitter/FriendFeed/gReader has consumed me almost completely so my blog is almost forgotten now although I still get the occasional inspiration for decent content that doesn't fit (i.e. too long) for FF/Twitter/Jaiku.
But my point is that I am (almost always) now merely reacting to other content rather than creating original content.
It is now a real effort to compose a blog post. And that is a real shame.
Jake
· 1 year ago
Exactly what I meant by mature as seen by early adopters. Original content exists in the heads of people who don't get blogging, are wary of social networks, and have no freaking idea what Twitter is.
I want to tap that keg.
+1 on consumption by Reader and Twitter. I've dropped out of FF completely due to noise, and I use Twitter for messaging more than information anymore. It's seriously hard to filter out the noise.
megbear
· 1 year ago
Great post Jake, blogging is certainly a journey. I especially agree with the fact that the comments are what make the exercise interesting.
Jake
· 1 year ago
To Puneet's point about encouragement, I would have quit long ago if no one commented. I like comments.
Also have recently started my first external (non-tech/work related) blog - http://goingtobeadaddy.blogspot.com/. Early days, but using this to try and develop my writing skills before attempting on other topics.
Jake
· 1 year ago
I'll drop a note with the other internal blogging s/w instances. Congrats on your new blog and your upcoming baby. Methinks the new baby will either provide loads of blog-fodder or kill it off due to lack of time.
Tom
· 5 months ago
I bookmarked this page..I liked it so much..Easy tips for starting a blog.. good credit score
All Comments
When I read your headline "How Do I Start A Blog?" I initially was thinking of the technical aspects like using choosing WordPress vs. TypePad vs. Blogger, etc. But truthfully, the topics you covered are far more important.
I think the most significant consideration is the motivation aspection you mentioned: *why* you want to blog. I'm finding many people (myself included) do it for ill-conceived reasons like "a quick way to make money."
My other thought is that while it's possible any single post has the potential to generate a lot of traffic, the best blogs are ones that have endured over time so patience is needed. A blog won't be remembered by a single post or even several posts; it's the overall body of work that's important, it's kind of like a comic strip in that sense.
That's how I see it, anyway.
As for "why", most people I talk to want to spread knowledge about Oracle, so making money isn't a thought. Frankly, it's way to hard to make money blogging anymore b/c of longstanding blogs like TC.
You're right about the body of work. Traffic is fickle and so are readers. If you can keep it up over time and build a loyal audience, you win.
I have found that pacing yourself with what you can cope with is the most important thing. I burnt out twice until I found a 'blog rhythm' Over the last two years I think I have developed as a writer - its not a pure techy 'how-to' blog anymore but I hope I inject some of myself and my 'passion' for my product into the articles along with the techy knowledge Im trying to impart to the reader.
However, you and your blog deserve more credit for being there way before we got there. Your XMLP/BIP blog is probably the longest running and most successful Oracle product development blog as far as as I know. You've been around so long that we're taking you for granted.
So, good on ya. We're all in your shadow.
The conversation is well and truly fragmented (TM).
Blogs are still very much in the now for a lot of the enterprise folks who ask me for advice. The content locked away in people's heads should get out into the world, for Google to find and distribute to users.
@Jake: Sometimes a little encouragement helps too. I was prodded into blogging by Jake and Sagar. I am not as prolific a blogger as Jake is, but that is just because Blogging Is Hard.
However, after a while I realised the reason I enjoyed blogging was precisely because I enjoyed writing. It helped that a handful of people enjoyed reading it but that was almost secondary.
As a weirdo who has multiple blogs, Twitter (recently deceased) and accounts on Tumblr, Reader, Disqus Jaiku and FriendFeed (all active), I dispute your asssertion that 'Twitter is for people who can't blog'.
They are all valid outlets. Anyone is free to choose to use one, many, none or all.
As blogs become mature as sources for information for everyone else, it becomes much harder to know what will be successful, which is why knowing your audience is critical. Poorly written posts that have great technical content can succeed, but so can interesting posts with very little content. As more people read, the success factors are not as predictable anymore.
I think you're both onto something about Twitter. The 140 character limit makes it impossible to tell who can and can't write, assuming you get to it at all.
Much to my surprise, I was converted from the occasional considered blog post to a stream of < 140 character, inane drivel.
Twitter/FriendFeed/gReader has consumed me almost completely so my blog is almost forgotten now although I still get the occasional inspiration for decent content that doesn't fit (i.e. too long) for FF/Twitter/Jaiku.
But my point is that I am (almost always) now merely reacting to other content rather than creating original content.
It is now a real effort to compose a blog post. And that is a real shame.
I want to tap that keg.
+1 on consumption by Reader and Twitter. I've dropped out of FF completely due to noise, and I use Twitter for messaging more than information anymore. It's seriously hard to filter out the noise.
Also have recently started my first external (non-tech/work related) blog - http://goingtobeadaddy.blogspot.com/. Early days, but using this to try and develop my writing skills before attempting on other topics.
Congrats on your new blog and your upcoming baby. Methinks the new baby will either provide loads of blog-fodder or kill it off due to lack of time.
good credit score