Dear Writers and Readers,
I have so many questions and as much as I look things up on the web I really just value the opinion of the people who are writing and reading regularly, NOW. I am trying to figure out how often to post. I keep reading to post often and regularly to be successful. Don’t y’all get sick of me? If I am telling stories is it best to post three times a week and schedule them say M,W and F? Or do I post a story one day and just a picture with a caption the next and repeat? Does anyone read on Saturday and does it matter? I don’t know!
I am wrapping up a post I am just tickled with, (that means it will get read about 12 times I have learned in the short time I have been doing this) and I am planning on scheduling it for tomorrow. I am trying to cut down on how many times I revise something after I publish. I know I’m not supposed to do that and CLEARLY I am not doing it for grammar or punctuation! I just see a way to write it that is funnier or with a clearer description and then I’m on the “Update Interstate” and unable to stop rewriting.
If you attempt to read me regularly what advise would you give? Are my stories too long? Am I doing something that gets on your nerves? Is there another blog you think I should visit and read? Should I stop inserting my own poor quality family photos and use pics, like a lot of people do, from the web. Am I using too many pictures? Should I go back to third grade and actually learn how to use a comma? Would it make me a bad person to ask for a girl if we ever adopt?
Help a sister out. I am still avoiding that laundry pile.
Abbie, allthatmakesyou.com
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justbetweencousins says
I write Monday through Saturday with an occasional Sunday thrown not the mix. “It depends on how early I need to be at church.” I have a variety of story and pics with a poem every so often. It is your blog! Just be consistent and those of us following you will know when you post and look forward to reading your thoughts and news. Keep it up!
Peach State
Chris Hall says
Honestly I do not think there is a right way to blog as long as you write what you are interested in, feel satisfied with your post and having fun with it.
But to answer some of your questions…
To gain an audience you need to advertise. Every time you post on your blog, Facebook it, Tweet it, Pinterest one of the photos in your blog, use Digg, Reddit, and Chime In. People cannot visit your blog if they do not know about it. I do this every time I post, sometimes 2 or 3 times a day with Twitter if I have the time. But be warned it can be time consuming.
Photos, Text or Both … That depends on you. My blog is primarily a Photo Blog. Lots of photos not a lot of text. Although I tend to write a post containing several paragraphs at least once a week. I don’t plan it that way, I just have a lot more to say some days.
Also I would try to use your own photos whenever possible. No worries about copy rights and your photos add character to your posts.
Posting M-F or M, W, F? Well that depends on whether you can come up with content every day for 5 days every week. If not then I would not post any less than 3 days a week. (M,W,F). Just keep it consistent.
Sorry for the log response. I hope this helps.
Lorna's Voice says
I think 3 times a week is plenty and keep doing what you’re doing. I agree with The Diffident Observer that you should proof your posts as much as possible. I know I always have typos in my posts and comments (being human and all), but do your best. Your blog is lively, fun and your bubbly personality shines through!
thediffidentobserver says
I’ve read through these comments and I want to offer you some critical advice, however it is coming from a warm/happy place, so please don’t take it the wrong way. When you commented on my blog, I was thrilled, but once I checked out your posting (I don’t remember which one) I saw many grammatical errors. I realize that not everyone is a grammar Nazi, English major like myself. However, it did keep me from returning to visit your site. When I finally did come back, the entertainment and personality of your stories made me want to follow you.
So my advice, I guess, is to throughly check your grammar. For example, “advise” is the verb, “advice” is the noun. You advise people to give advice. The top blogs, I’ve noticed, have impeccable grammar. The more you pay attention to it, the more professional it will appear. I read through my postings at least three or four times before publishing. For example, I originally spelled “impeccable” as “impeccible”, but a quick http://www.dictionary.com check solved that. How horrible would it have been for me to critique your grammar, when mine was at fault?! (I’m honestly freaking out about the fact that I just used an exclamation mark next to a question mark as of now…)
I hope you don’t take this as hateful; I am truly just trying to help. I love to copyedit, so if you’re ever unsure or have a question, definitely send it my way. One thing you shouldn’t change: the cross-throughs. I love that you share what you are thinking, but cross out and put what you “should” say. It makes you very approachable. 🙂
All that makes you... says
I totally appreciate your criticism. I genuinely have terrible grammar. I tease that my parents were hippies and how much can you learn when you missed about 45 school days a year! Ha, ha. My husband tells me my writing is like a well endowed porn star with an ugly face. He is a technical writer and he rocks at cleaning up stuff I write but he’s off all day saving lives and I am supposed to me cooking and cleaning and waiting for my brain to just liquefy and fall out of my nose. It there a blog venue for stupid people that might not care if I am intimidate by a semicolon so I have never used one?
thediffidentobserver says
Stick to the “parents-were-hippies” thing; I think it’s your best bet. 🙂 Oh, and I laughed so loud at the “porn star with an ugly face” thing that I woke up my husband. He thought I was crying.
Teresa Cleveland Wendel says
love you just the way you and your famlee are
All that makes you... says
Ahhhh….you have been commenting from the beginning and I think you get just “get” us! Thank you. Thank you.
dianiarusha says
Thanks for linking my post!
From what I can gather (judging by the amount of comments you’ve already got on this post), you already seem to be doing a great job. 🙂 In all honesty, this is a question I found myself asking this very day–how do I get more people to check out my site?
Truthfully, I’ve no idea. I just keep doing what I’m doing, which is sharing my posts via Twitter and Facebook on top of using popular tags (that, of course, relate to what I’m saying) in the hopes that people will stumble across my ramblings and (fingers crossed, less rambling) stories.
And hey–don’t be afraid to post often! Unless you just repeat what you’ve already said over and over, I don’t think people will tire of it. I always aim to make each post ‘unique’ (as unique as they can be in a world where what you’ve said has probably already been said in a slightly different way), except for the cases where one is a follow up on a previous post (i.e. my writing tips, etc.).
At the moment I’m more focused on writing stuff that is relevant to a contemporary readership, and I post often. Until someone tells me to shut up, that’s the way I plan on continuing. When I’ve finally gathered enough followers, I’ll probably stick to a a set structure of twice/three times a week on specific days, but I reckon that’s a good way to go about it when you know people will be checking up to find out what you’re saying rather than discovering that you’re someone who has something to say, if you get what I mean. 🙂
All that makes you... says
I agree with so many of your comments. I don’t want to sound like the mom who is writing about always having to change the toilet paper roll. I believe that we are all part of some kind of family and I hope people can relate. I also know that I have lived the full spectrum of “family” and hopefully I will be able to tell some other stories as well that might not always be on the lighter side. I think I need to have a good following so I don’t drive people away with some heavier “stuff”. All the stories are “All that makes me.” That is why I titled my blog that. Thanks again for taking the time to comment and it was my pleasure to link your post!
manoucheri says
Just started looking at your blog, sorry! But I post every day but Saturday. I cheat a little, I write a weekly column for a syndicated site, but I get to link that on my blog as well. It is interesting, though. I took a week off and watch readership drop dramatically. Once I started back up I have come close, but realize that it’s all about having presence.
As for what to post and such, I tend to stick with what inspires my words. Every few times I’ve tried to anticipate what I think will strike a chord or touch others it backfires. The most personal, closest to my heart tends to gain most traffic.
But I also get some of the most random locations reading as well.
Keep to what you are doing, and do best, and if you have a schedule, stick with it. Don’t pull back. I started a daily blog and realize now that daily is what I must continue to do if I want to reach people. If you have a solid following I think you can schedule your posts, but until then, if you’re trying to garner more views, the more you post the more people will find you is the advice other successful writers have informed me.
Not sure this helps, but if you keep writing like you are and post as often as possible, you’ll get eyes looking at your site.
All that makes you... says
You have confirmed what I have read. Thanks for giving a newbie some veteran advice, (see comment two down and I am patting myself on the back and relieved I didn’t type advice wrong in a reply to an ACTUAL writer.) I headed over to your site and read the prom dress story you wrote. My mom passed away when I was 19 and my kid sister was 14. She died two days before my parents divorce was final. Our dad wasn’t too interested in us after. I took my sister shopping for a formal. You are a better person than I was. When my sister tried to squeeze her “girls” into a dress I couldn’t stop talking like the dad in “So I Married an Axe Murderer.” I was all, “There like giant watermelons trying to escape your chest! Like missiles aiming at the person to my left and right!” She did not think I was funny and especially didn’t think I was funny when I then walked her into bra departments saying things like, “Do you have anything that can hold these up?” Such a bad, bad sister. My mom would have done the same thing, probably.
Thanks again and I hope you come back and I might give you a smile.
shekinah419 says
Actually your blog is refreshing among blogs. It’s like one of those fun books I read in the summer, only it’s real and has new installments that keep coming. Your life, your kid’s personalities, and your perspective are like fresh ingredients in a recipe that works really well and I frankly wouldn’t change a thing. I don’t know how long you’ve been at it but I think your material has an Iconic sort of very broad appeal on par with favorites in other genres like the columns of Dear Abby and radio show of Dr. Laura. Those people that everyone feels they personally know. It surprises me that you say 12 people might read a really good post. It can only be a matter of figuring out how to “get it out there”. Unfortunately in that arena I have absolutely no advise to offer. LOL.. But if you are looking to go professional with it and want to know if we, your readers think you have what it takes, the answer is yes! Your family photos are great, your commentary is hilarious and I think many a mom probably reads your stuff and thinks “I wish I were more like that”. (Maybe there is a professional consutant who could take a look and give you pointers?). Life sounds fun at your house. Keep it up and I hope your rising star takes off. And consider writing a book. I’d buy it!
All that makes you... says
What kind words! I like the idea of being like a “summer book”! It is funny you mentioned “Dear Abby”. No one was names Abby when I was growing up, unlike today where every third girl under 15 is named Abby. I have always loved the idea of having a day a week to answer letters, in a fun way. I may just start doing that!
I have been at it since February 29th. Not long and many mistakes being made. I have never been confident enough in my technical writing, (lack of) and my inabilities to use punctuation. I think I am just going to go with it – makes me mysterious, right? 😉
Thanks for reading. Thanks for the kind words of encouragement! I hope to continue to keep you entertained with my suffering. 😉
beccawilki says
I’m brand new to blogging. I feel you, girl. My goal is once a week right now! I loved this and can’t wait to poke around some off your other posts. I, too, am always avoiding laundry!!!!
All that makes you... says
Always. Always! I spent a long time yesterday trying to figure out how we invented a machine to reduce the “washing” but why haven’t we figured out a way do the rest in less time and with less effort. Yep, the baskets are still sitting waiting. I HAVE to reply to these fine comments, right?
beccawilki says
Sorry it’s taken so long for me to reply…I fell into a laundry basket and got lost. 🙂
MrsPeas says
Right before I started my blog I read this post by Ree Drummon, http://thepioneerwoman.com/blog/2010/09/ten-important-things-ive-learned-about-blogging/, I think it’s great advise from a very experienced blogger! I try to post once every weekday on various topics, that way I’m not bombarding everyone’s inbox.
Your stories are great. Keep it up.
anaslense says
If you have a passion and skill for writting, by any mean do it! I am not a writer (at least not a good one) so I am one of those that post a picture a day (and I try to post pictures with a meaning or history that every person can “read”). Keep psting so people like me had things to read! Have a nice day!
All that makes you... says
I think I am a story teller and not so much a writer. The same way a writer needs to write I need to tell stories to stretch my “creative” side. Thanks for the advice and reading and telling me to continue. It is hard to keep motivated if people don’t comment. Your mind gets filled with, “Sure people are reading but then are they running away slapping their eyes?”
anaslense says
Don’t be discouraged…Sometimes I think like you with my pictures! But anyway I keep posting (although I don’t know for how long)! 🙂
crubin says
Your blog should be whatever you want it to be. Personally, I only post twice a week. That’s about all I and many of my followers can handle as most of us follow many blogs. Some people post daily. Whatever floats your boat. Oh, and I also don’t spend as much time online on the weekends. It seems there is less blog traffic on Saturday and Sunday. As for the pics, your crew is adorable. If you’ve got your own photos and are comfortable posting them, go for it! 🙂
All that makes you... says
The photos of the kids are all us but I don’t use the kids names. I use my “real” name and my husbands “real” name. I did try using his initials but he said “JR” sounded completely ridiculous and insisted I use his real name and so I am. I don’t want to use the kids names but they all want me to. I don’t even let them on Facebook or Twitter so no “real” names for them.
I think the weekends might be a good time to post a picture.
Thank you for reading and giving me your experience to draw from. There is so much to figure out.
sf4images says
You’re doing a great job! And I like the family photos!
All that makes you... says
Thanks. I take a lot of pictures. I don’t know how to take a “good one” but I love looking at them with the kids. It is funny how I am using pictures I probably should have thrown away. Glad I am a photo hoarder now! Again, thanks so much for the compliment and taking the time to comment.
Julie Catherine says
Abbie, I love your posts, especially because your own family is in them – it makes them unique and adds a sense of humor and intimacy that some other sites (IMO) lack. Even though I don’t have children, I always come to see what you’re posting – and what they are up to! LOL.
I prefer to read a post with your pics rather than just see a photo with a caption; and I like your idea of M-W-F postings – that gives you time to browse other blogs, write more stories, and be involved with your own life, as well.
You have a wonderful, witty and interesting blog, and I love dropping in to visit! ~ Julie 🙂
All that makes you... says
Thanks for the words of encouragement. To be honest I was trying NOT to read too many other blogs. I am a mimic, you don’t want to HEAR me tell a story because I cannot do it without making everyones voices, and I wanted to just tell the stories the way they are in my head. I realize that that this is a big community and you need to be a part of it. It is a bit ironic since I am guessing most of us are a bit introverted in person!