The "Clean Break" Question - Follow Up
Several other bloggers posted, weighing in on the "clean break" (or in some cases "should I shut down a blog") issue.
1. This is what blogging is all about. Having a conversation, connecting with people, etc. As trite as it sounds, without a doubt this is one of the biggest benefits of blogging.
2. I'm not sure where I stand on the issue of whether the name is important. Like all other things branding-related, my view is that it depends. For some people it probably doesn't matter. For others it may matter more. (Although I'm a certified "Level 5 Social Media Guru," I'm far from a branding expert, so take this with a grain of salt.)
3. Kevin brings up a good point. It's all about the engagement. I think we all get that (see no. 1, above) but it's worth repeating.
4. Apart from the branding, the question I was getting at as if you have multiple online spaces where you are active, which one do you want to focus on (or tell other people to focus on)? More and more people seem to blog but do a bunch of stuff outside the blog. If you are speaking at a conference, what's the URL you give people when you say "here's where you can find me [engaging online]". What's the URL you leave when you leave comments? Many people have 2-3 options here. Steve Rubel has a post ("What URL Should You Emphasize") which asks this question. It's worth checking out.
5. Much of the attachment (for me at least) is emotional. I liked the way Ron Coleman described his process for deciding to shut down Likelihood of Success. That's a clean break!
6. Blogs are organic and live and die. I like the idea of a blog having a focus, but things always change. You will outgrow your blog at some point (or your blog may outgrow you).
7. You don't even necessarily need your own blog to blog. You just need to generate content and have some place to put it. Starting your own blog is helpful, but obviously not necessary. You could blog at a group blog. (But see no. 4, above.)
8. In the overall scheme of life, all of this may seem menial, and it is. If you are debating whether to start a blog or whether to start blogging, just do it!
- Ron Coleman (Likelihood of Confusion & Likelihood of Success): "Gotta get a Round Tuit"
- Colin Samuels (Infamy or Praise) "A Round Tuit (23)"
- Bob Ambrogi (LawSites) "Should I Shut Down LawSites and Start Anew"; "More on Whether to Scrap My Blog"
- Kevin O'Keefe (Real Lawyers Have Blogs) "Focus on Engagement, Not the Title of Your Blog, For Blogging Success"
- Bruce Carton (Legal Blog Watch) "Should I Scrap My Law Blog and Start a New One"
- Eric Turkewitz (New York Personal Injury Law Blog) "Name That Law Blog!"
1. This is what blogging is all about. Having a conversation, connecting with people, etc. As trite as it sounds, without a doubt this is one of the biggest benefits of blogging.
2. I'm not sure where I stand on the issue of whether the name is important. Like all other things branding-related, my view is that it depends. For some people it probably doesn't matter. For others it may matter more. (Although I'm a certified "Level 5 Social Media Guru," I'm far from a branding expert, so take this with a grain of salt.)
3. Kevin brings up a good point. It's all about the engagement. I think we all get that (see no. 1, above) but it's worth repeating.
4. Apart from the branding, the question I was getting at as if you have multiple online spaces where you are active, which one do you want to focus on (or tell other people to focus on)? More and more people seem to blog but do a bunch of stuff outside the blog. If you are speaking at a conference, what's the URL you give people when you say "here's where you can find me [engaging online]". What's the URL you leave when you leave comments? Many people have 2-3 options here. Steve Rubel has a post ("What URL Should You Emphasize") which asks this question. It's worth checking out.
5. Much of the attachment (for me at least) is emotional. I liked the way Ron Coleman described his process for deciding to shut down Likelihood of Success. That's a clean break!
6. Blogs are organic and live and die. I like the idea of a blog having a focus, but things always change. You will outgrow your blog at some point (or your blog may outgrow you).
7. You don't even necessarily need your own blog to blog. You just need to generate content and have some place to put it. Starting your own blog is helpful, but obviously not necessary. You could blog at a group blog. (But see no. 4, above.)
8. In the overall scheme of life, all of this may seem menial, and it is. If you are debating whether to start a blog or whether to start blogging, just do it!
Comments