Comments on: What Are YOU About? [Choosing a Topic for Your Blog]

By: Missy Caulk

Missy Caulk — Thu, 01 May 2008 10:53:33 +0000

Just read the interview Midori did with you on Active Rain. Great job.

By: Rajita

Rajita — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 01:05:10 +0000

Thanks for this article.I am a new blogger.It gives me lot of guidance about how to write and design my blog
Cheers
Rajita

By: Caleb

Caleb — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:24:33 +0000

The five questions in this post are the main reasons to blog;otherwise,it’s just a waiste of everybody’s time -especially the readers.

Another strong reason to blog is the inate motivation or desire to want to help/share something of value.

In possible solution to the last comments question: For blogs not kept up it may be a good idea to either import the posts to an active/updated blog(as long as the posts fit the particular subject matter) or redirect the traffic to an active/updated blog or even turn it over to someone else who may be in a better position to give it more life.

Darren: I agree with you about going on a “hunch”. But thats how many great ideas develop and grow anyway ;)

By: Ron

Ron — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:12:55 +0000

Do what you love (or in this case write what you love) and the success will follow. The formula doesn’t work the other way around. Good post.

By: "In Between The Tapas And Tantrums"

"In Between The Tapas And Tantrums" — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:59:44 +0000

“In Between The Tapas And Tantrums” Is a chronical of the ups and downs and so often funny side that goes hand in hand with raising twins and multiples as seen through the eyes of their devoted but very tired father.

I dont think I will ever run out of things to write about as there is always something new happening on a daily basis and I’m hoping it will be a lovely thing to be able to hand over a log of their lifes from birth to adulthood to my daughters and hope they continue it on for their children.

I did get the blog for money bug, but as you have all pointed out they soon fall by the wayside as you stuggle to find things to write about.

My question is: What have you done with all the blogs that you don’t keep updated now?

By: Darren Rowse

Darren Rowse — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:55:28 +0000

jhay – sometimes it’s just a matter of choosing one of those many interests, going on a hunch and seeing what happens.

Max – you’re very right. My two most successful blogs just… well they just came out of me and I couldn’t really stop them.

Dave – good attitude to have

By: vutha

vutha — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:39:34 +0000

Thanks for your sharing good idea, before creating my own blog, i never know that what i should do with it. I just want to share my thought, opinion and for what i have with my friends and other people. Until now, I just know that we should set specific topic before entering into the world of blog. My friends are mostly giving up their blog it is because of without comments on their blog.

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:10:01 +0000

For me making a little money on the side is a bonus, but it sure would be a nice bonus to get money for talking about a subject you are really into. The subject of my blog was a natural fit since it was something I’ve been interested in and it definitely helps, like you said, to have a passion for your subject!

By: guardian angel

guardian angel — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:36:16 +0000

So true. I am a part time blogger for about 6 months now and my blog topic is about having a happy family, parenting and marriage tips. Ironically, I am an engineer by profession. Got the connection?

My friends who do not know me that well says I will not make it for a month and I will run out of topic.

Surprisingly, I am posting almost every other day, and having good comments.

This is because I came from a broken family, grew up belonging to the poorest among the poor and worst, without a mother.

I promised myself that I will NOT do the wrong things my parents did, and to remind me of them, I blog about it. It may sound weird but this is my dream job.

About monetizing my blog. Well, I just realized it when it’s time to pay some bills. Hopefully, I am not in the wrong path.

Thanks for enlightening us once more, Darren.

By: Scott Fillmer

Scott Fillmer — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:28:42 +0000

Those are really good points, I decided that I am about many different topics, so I created different blogs for different topics. Not a rare thing, but it keeps me focused on the topic at hand when I am writing about a particular subject.

You do have to blog about something you have a passion about, I agree. It will be much more interesting to your readers for one thing.

By: @balootisme

@balootisme — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:45:31 +0000

you’re the man Darren.

you know what you blogging about. after 6years of blogging, you know what you are. ;)

well, im blogging for personal use and to help those newbie affiliate marketer in Malaysia.

many affiliate marketer from Malaysia are newbie, and thats are my blog readers. and my blog posts right now is for newbie.

everyone knows it.

By: Evelyn Lim

Evelyn Lim — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:34:43 +0000

I totally agree. I’ve started many blogs, more than I can remember. But it is the few that is about my journey that continues to hold my interest. At the end of the day, I found out that it is not really the money that the site earns but the satisfaction of having helped readers in that niche.

By: Max from ConsumerFight.com

Max from ConsumerFight.com — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:34:42 +0000

I think it’s kind of funny that when you try real hard to come up with the perfect subject, it turns out it was right there in front of you the whole time. You hit this one right on the nose.

By: Neil Duckett

Neil Duckett — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 07:57:28 +0000

Couldn’t agree more ….i think the results show for themselves too.

By: Wil

Wil — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 07:45:25 +0000

Great post! This step should be done prior to starting a blog. I believe the key is to be focus on your blog theme and not deviate too much from it.

By: julie

julie — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 04:50:16 +0000

Valuable post and range of insights – what I find tricky is having a number of creative interests/passions which I normally pursue sporadically, and knowing how best to express these (or not) in blogging without creating confusion or multiple blogs to manage.

One slant on the ‘dead blog’ comment – I’ve come across bloggers who don’t keep archives – to cut down on people using their material without permission. Makes it easier to pull the plug.

By: Kishor

Kishor — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 04:20:09 +0000

Nice post. I want to write about technical stuff. I generally write about problems I faced while coding something or using some software and how I solved them. So in a sense my blog is not the one where people will keep visiting every now and then. I think it is more of a blog that gets hits via google search when people face the same problems that I did.

By: jhay

jhay — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 03:25:22 +0000

This is my struggle up to now. I have so many interests that I can’t decide on which one to focus a blog on.

By: Darren Rowse

Darren Rowse — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 03:07:11 +0000

Thanks everyone for your thoughts on this. Looks like it connects with others experience too! Phew!

SpaceAgeSage – exactly – great question

Andy Wood – great story – hadn’t heard that one!

By: Ken Stewart

Ken Stewart — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 02:28:45 +0000

I couldn’t agree more!