Wednesday, December 5, 2012

IWSG: Need Honest Feedback - Are My Posts Stale?


It's that time of the month again (you know what I mean ...). This time, I'm throwing all my cards on the table about something that's concerned me for quite some time. I'm a little worried that my blogging has turned stale, that my content is predictable and static. This may be an irrational feeling, but I can't ignore it. Something that's taken me by surprise lately is the many, many readers of this blog who have made themselves known by emailing me recently, complimenting this blog and the posts provided, from folks who don't have blog accounts, but they like what they see and visit often (thank you for that, btw). So why am I feeling insecure?

Today, I'd like to know - how is this blog doing? Is the current content enough? Is it too predicable? Is there something you'd like to see more of? Anything you'd like to see less of? The Cosmic Laire is open to your critique, so tell the truth like it hurts. I'm ready for it!

Also, remember that special guest post I wrote for Ellie Garratt's blog that I accidentally announced was up a while ago? Well, it's up now, so let's take this insecurity and turn it into a party! Who's with me?

Thanks be to Alex again for starting this group, and a ginormous thanks to my many readers for their unabashed awesomeness!

I'm David, and for clue #2, you'll need to fill some of these.

49 comments:

  1. Saw the post at Ellie's.
    Only you can answer that question. Think what you post is great, but if it feels off to you, then maybe a shake up is needed. Because if it's not something for which you fell excited, then that will eventually show.

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  2. I don't think you are stale/predictable at all. Keep doing what you are doing!

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  3. I read two of your earlier posts then allowed the internet to sweep me away to another blogger, came back when I saw you'd posted today.

    This is the third post of yours that I've read in the last half hour. So...what's the problem?

    Dull? Nope. Same old, same old? nope.

    Excellent cool blog with a fantastic wall. Heck YES!

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  4. Ummm... you're kidding right? You are one of the only people that I still read. Go get yourself a cookie and stop worrying. :-)

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  5. Nothing stale here, David. I love your blog. And the elusive blue water barrels...a classic.

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  6. I definitely don't notice and stale-ness! But I'm a huge believer in gut feelings, so trust in that feeling, and if you think you need to try something new, we'll all be here for the ride! Great... now I'm insecure if my posts are stale... gaaaaah... thanks, DPK... ;-)

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  7. I've enjoyed what you've written, your entries, your content, but it might serve you to re-evaluate your purpose and mission. I do that twice a year with most things in my life. Priorities shift, what may have once held my interests might have fallen by the wayside.

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  8. Enjoyed your blog post today. I have had the same questions but get very little feedback on my site's progress. This is my first visit to your site and I plan to visit again. Good luck and keep writing! www.valfoxwrites.com/apps/blog

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  9. I get worried about that too on my blog. I think it's just one of "those worries" - the kind that float around and hit all of us from time to time. Your content is great! However, to echo M.L. - if you need to change your content to fit new priorities - go for it!

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  10. Though I understand your concern, it is truly unwarranted. You have an wonderful blog that offers engaging topics. FWIW, I enjoy it very much.

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  11. I agree with Alex and Morgan. Though I don't think your blog is stale AT ALL. You might be getting tired of what your posting. No harm in shaking it up a bit.

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  12. Are you kidding me? I love your posts! You're like the KING (pun intended) of the blogosphere. Kick those doubts away becasue they are totally unfounded. We all think you're the best!

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  13. I think I stop by and comment every time you post so that's a good sign! Your posts are fun because they are YOU. And to me, when I go to a blog, that's what I like to read-- a reflection of the writer. That's how I learn too.

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  14. I don't think you're too predictable or stale, but if you are feeling that way, find something different to liven things up a bit.

    I always fancied your closing signature, though.

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  15. There's a kind of formula to blogging that is repeated from website to website and author to author and I think it may have originated with Nathan Bransford or someone similar. And that is to keep your posts consistent and on topic. I'm extremely poor in applying this principle, but I think you do it really well.

    My friends who have known me for years have all complained that I have undiagnosed attention deficit. It's been kind of a joke to them, but unless I really concentrate, my brain just moves onto something random. For example, you could be talking to me about writing and suddenly I'll interrupt and say, "I loved it when Sheldon's mom visited in Big Bang Theory and got Amy and Sheldon back together."

    Anyway, the reason I say this is because over the course of two years, it's really hard for me to stay on target with anything. But you do it really well. So I think if it works for you and you have stuff you can endlessly blog about, then that's good. The one saving grace about my random thoughts is that I think I've got enough material handy to blog about things endlessly.

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  16. Sometimes its hard to feel like we're providing something fresh as our voice is our voice. I just found you and I'm loving what I'm reading each time I come here so to me you're on target. :)

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  17. after blogging for two years, i feel the same way. but i love your tropes and topics! there's always new and recycleable things to talk about!
    plus, you gain new followers all the time! must be doing something right!

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  18. There is an old saying: Don't fix it if it aint broken. If your blog is doing well and your viewers love it maybe there is another issue at play. Take some time for yourself, sit with a piece of paper and write five reasons why you think your blog is great and five reasons why you think it's not. Put away the list for a week then look at it again with fresh eyes. Maybe then you'll be on your way to finding the source of your insecurity.

    I'm not a follower of your blog but while looking at the comments on this post those who are seem to really love your blog. I wish you all the best and have a good day.

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  19. Figuring out what to write about always stymies me, so I only manage 3-4 posts a month. I think you're doing great and you can stop worrying!
    I just noticed your "Favorite Stars." Yay for O.S.C. and Dean Koontz! They're big stars in my book, too. :-)

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  20. I think this blog is as fresh as a newly baked batch of chocolate chip cookies! (And that's pretty darn fresh.) If people are liking what they read here, OWN IT. ACCEPT IT. Climb onto your desk chair and yell, I AM KING. (Maybe not at work though)

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  21. I don't think it's stale at all! You always have something interesting to talk about, and I make it a point to come visit your blog whenever I can.

    Keep up the great work and turn that frown upside down!
    :( ---> :)

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  22. I would say thats its not stale, and the fact new people join up every month, and that even people who don't have a blog are reading regularly must be a very good sign! ;)

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  23. I come over whenever I can, and you always have cool stuff up. I like this site. :)

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  24. I know the feeling, but you shouldn't worry. I love reading your blog.

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  25. David, I always love reading your blog. Life's often been too hectic for me to comment, but I love knowing I can stop here for a smile and bit of inspiration. :)

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  26. That time of the month. Needed that chuckle, thanks! I think your blog is cool as is. I felt that way at the end of the summer. I went on a blog break, and came back feeling much better. Happy IWSG post day. :)

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  27. The good thing about being new in a site is that everything is a novelty. :) I like your writing style.

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  28. i don't think you are stale or predictable at all and I always enjoy reading your posts - however I guess it's what you feel about it that counts, if you have the burning desire to try something different then do!

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  29. I think your blog is neat. If your following is growing (or at least not shrinking) then you're doing good. :)

    IWSG #145 until Alex culls the list again. :)

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  30. Definitely doesn't feel tale to me, for what it's worth...

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  31. I enjoy your blog. And the thought of it being stale hasn't crossed my mind. But I know the feeling so maybe it was good to ask.

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  32. Life has been crazy lately, so I've not been around to blogs much, including yours. But when I do get by here, I always enjoy the posts. The word "stale" never enters my head! Hopping over to Ellie's now.

    Have a great weekend!

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  33. I feel stale all the time, so I know exactly what you're talking about. I'm still here though, and I have the attention span of an ADHD squirrel. You must be doing something right.

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  34. To continue in the same vein as everyone else, no, I don't think you've gone stale. It's always an enjoyable trip to the Cosmic Laire. If YOU feel like things are getting a bit dull, do something just for you. Post something that ISN'T in line with what you usually post. Take my blog for example, I rarely post what people would call blog posts (usually short stories, poems, and a new chapter in my book) but once in a while I'll write a more classical blog post. Perhaps you should try posting something out of the ordinary for you. Why not give us a short story or a poem every once in a while?

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  35. If you are getting tired of what you are posting, that will eventually show. But I think your blog content is fantastic and I am frequently cracked up by your posts. I think your blog is great!

    Allison (Geek Banter)

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  36. I've been blogging for two years, and it's true you sort of have to keep reinventing yourself a little bit. I began posting things mostly about writing, but the blog has evolved into something more, uh, me I guess. I think if you've got a group of people who like to hang out at your blog when you post you're doing alright. :)

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  37. I have only been following your blog for a couple months, and I find them enjoyable! I haven't noticed any staleness, so if you are recycling posts from last year, I haven't discovered it yet!

    I recently cut back my blogging to 2x a week, except for First Impressions, because I just didn't have it in me to keep up the pace I'd been going at. And so far, I think that has helped ease the pressure a little.

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  38. Your posts are absolutely not stale. I enjoy visiting your blog- you share a lot of neat ideas and make interesting observations. Keep up the great work!

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  39. Definitely not stale - I always enjoy your posts!

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  40. I started feeling that way since my blog focuses on publishing and promoting, and despite the fact I teach seminars on the subject, I started to feel I didn't have much more to say. (I've been blogging for almost eight years no.) I finally realized what was missing was my personality, so I reintroduced my "Hammy the Squirrel" side. I've felt much more refreshed since doing that.

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  41. I seldom ever leave comments, but I have visited your blog several times. Loved the blog on the end of the world, btw. :D With my work schedule, I rarely have time to go blog hopping so I rarely visit any, but yours always seems to catch my attention when I log on to my blog (bc I'm following and your blog pops up). For what it's worth, I think you're an excellent blogger with an excellent blog. :)

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  42. You definitely have one of the best writer blogs out there. I love everything you're doing here. Keep it up!

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  43. Congratulations on 800 followers! As for the *staleness* of your blog; I think the numbers speak for themselves.

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  44. Not stale at all! Since when has quality become stale?

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  45. Congrats on 800 followers! 800?? OMIGOSH!
    I don't visit your blog often enough... so can't say whether it's stale - though the 800 followers figure speaks volumes...

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  46. I always enjoy your blog, David but if you fancy a change go for it. You have 800 followers so you are obviously doing something right.

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  47. David,

    You are doing a great job. You posts come from the heart and are very sincere. Who could ask for anything more? Keep up the good work and DON'T WORRY about it.

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  48. Oh I think you can stop worrying! It may feel stale to you at times because you know your topic so well. I think your posts are great, entertaining and I've always enjoyed my stops over here even if I don't always comment. But this is your blog and if you want to try something new, add a little blogging salsa, go for it. At 800 + followers, you must be doing something right! (:

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