I am trying to think of a better organization for my blog(s), such as various blogs (but not too many) that are more focused to a specific subject. Although it is not my goal to have the most visitors or the most popular blog, certainly like anyone else, I want to have posts that are of interest to those who visit.
I've come to the realization that successful blogs tend to be focused on a certain subject such as Japan, baseball, politics, Buddhism, Stuff White People Like, etc etc. Blogs that are about general experiences and things you do are more geared towards family and friends. Correct me if I'm wrong in that understanding.
I have my regular blog, toshogu.blogspot.com, which is supposed to be a general blog about anything. However, as you can tell by the web address which comes from the Toshogu Shrines of Nikko Japan, this blog seems to be more focused on my interest in Japan. It would seem to me that if your interest is Japan that you couldn't care less about mountain biking or Buddhism and vice versa, if you like to read about Los Angeles you couldn't care less about Japan.
I recently created fixlosangeles.blogspot.com as a blog to air my gripes about Los Angeles and suggestions on how to fix LA. It will probably also include general Los Angeles specific posts.
I also recently created tornadoes28things.blogspot.com with the idea that maybe this blog would be my general blog about whatever. I am not completely sure yet.
What do you think? Is it a good idea to have a blog or blogs that are more about a specific topic?
Is it a good idea to turn this blog into a Japan specific blog and have the other blogs for my other interests? Let me know what you think.
Daibutsu, Kamakura
Daibutsu in Kamakura, June 2010. There were thousands of school kids visiting that day. It was still great fun.
Overall, I think its a good idea. I came to your blog firstly because you write about Japan and even Tochigi.
ReplyDeleteBut I have enjoyed a few other subjects too. I like seeing the odd post about environment (on which we seem to largely agree), homelessness (on which we frequently disagree) and other LA things. Its nice to get to know the person whose blog you read. (I frequently wonder if the decision to make my Tochigi blog a just the facts blog makes it better or worse).
I'm very curious to see if your test post (now deleted) about mapping ever materializes into some integral part of your site.
In short, I enjoy your blog even though I really can't say exactly why. Keep it coming!!
cheers,
david
Thank you David. The map was a test. I just learned some new features on Google maps that are kind of cool. I already used it for a jogging post and I may use it for other things as well.
ReplyDeleteI have been toying with the same ideas, setting up a few more blogs on other subjects, or subdividing my Japan blog into several specialized ones. But in the end I have basically remained with my one blog - the reason being that unless you are a professional writer, it is difficult to find time to write enough to fill the pages of several blogs and still keep your readers interested by sufficient posts. There is also something like the style of the posts and the personality of the author that keeps the blog together, even if the topics differ. Moreover, the "gravitational mass" you build up in this way, helps attract readers and search engines... And I enjoy your present blog as it is!
ReplyDeleteI think it's a good idea. Just don't spread yourself too thin. If you do it, and start to slip, roll them back together.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ad. That is true what you say. Maybe I will only have two at the most. Not sure.
ReplyDeleteThank you Thomas. I agree also and at the most probably woill have only two.
ReplyDeleteI think it's best to have a personal webpage/blog and then 2 or 3 niche blogs, each with a fairly specific focus.
ReplyDeleteThank you billywest.
ReplyDeleteI'm leaning toward that. Two blogs. One with general stuff. Ans one about Japan topics. I think japan is a great place (in spite of what Debito says) and I like to read and write about it.
I think it's better to have different blogs. I have two, one about life in Japan and the other about the creative stuff I do. At times they cross over, but then it's easy just to link to something on your other blog.
ReplyDeleteI like BillyWest's suggestion and my go down that road myself soon.
I agree Melanie. I think I will keep it to no more then two blogs.
ReplyDelete