This Isn’t Really a Subscribe to Me Kind of Blog

December 20th, 2007 | writing

I took a widget off my sidebar this week.

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Because this isn’t really a “subscribe to me” kind of blog. I’m happy to be in your RSS reader. And if you want to send feeds to your email, well, there’s the form above this paragraph.

But, I’m rethinking this site a bit. I even changed my “About” page. And I’m still wondering… What do I want to do with this space? What do I want to give the two readers that visit each day? Is this a diary? A journal? A site about editing and writing or what?

I don’t know. If that keeps you coming back, great. If not, well, the net’s a big place. I hope you find what you’re looking for.

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Karen 11 months ago 1 point
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Considering my family is spread across ... um ... three continents and a few islands this is an efficient way to keep tabs on each other's lives. But if I think about blogging as more than family communication it's hard to figure out a purpose "statement" for me, too. My blog isn't about any one thing. It's about life and growth... mine, to be exact... which isn't particularly interesting to most of the world.

The things you think about interest me, also. Therefore, I enjoy your blog. Sometimes it isn't about niche so much as it's about living a testimony or provoking thought. I like what you think about and tend to find truth in your perspective, so I read what you write. *grin* Not that this comment is particularly helpful, but for what it's worth... Thanks for blogging.

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Carl Holmes 11 months ago 1 point
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Just be... that is the best advise I have been given. Just let it be, whatever it ends up as is what it shall be.

I have tried not to restrict my blog to much. Why must it have some higher purpose that just stresses us out if our creative savvy is on empty? Just let it be. I like reading different things because it keeps it from getting old and stodgy.

What is with everyone in the blogsphere asking this same question? Alice the Camel and others are asking as well. Must be the new year new you type of thing.

Merry Christmas.

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Marcus 11 months ago 1 point
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Karen, thank you for your kind words. I've got a post in the works called "Your Mom Is the New Mass Market" that explores what your saying more. We can't appeal to a mass audience unless we appeal to a micro audience.

I like micro.

Carl, Merry Christmas to you too! And I like what you said. Just be. There's a whole lot of grace in that idea, you know?

As for why this came up now... Someone unsubscribed from my feed a few days ago. : ( At first I was sad. Then I thought, why in the world would anyone subscribe to this feed--unless they're looking for writing advice. I give that from time to time, but mostly, I'm just myself here.

And I get to meet people like Karen and Carl!

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L.L. Barkat 11 months ago 1 point
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I guess there are different approaches. You seem to have the Scot McKnight approach. Rolling themes that come up in fairly predictable cycles. The L.L. approach is to start a new blog.

This only makes sense if the new blog is extremely focused and has the potential for A LOT of content. Like the way "Green Inventions" is stewardship and health. And "Love Notes to Yahweh" is prayer and devotion. And "Stone Crossings" is a book club blog.

If I tried to do these on Seedlings, I think it would be bothersome and perplexing to my core audience, which comes (I think) for conversation around a variety of spiritual, artistic, life management, and writing topics.

Which comes back to a central question. Why do people come to a particular blog? It's either primarily for information and affirmation regarding a particular topic or lifestyle. Or it's to find a particular person behind what's being said. I would say I come here for you, the person. Which is why I even come when you do science fiction posts! :)

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Marcus 11 months ago 1 point
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L.L., you know I just love science fiction. Sigh. It's so fun.

So as a blogger you create a network of sites. Interesting. If you were on WordPress, you could create special sections for each thread. That would allow everyone to see the different things you say, but still tell google that you are the person creating all of these different streams of content.

But the way you are doing it works well too!

And Stone Crossing is a book club blog. I like that.

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L.L. Barkat 11 months ago 1 point
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I wonder... wouldn't Google know since my name is in the header of each blog?

I'm not sure what you mean about WordPress having sections. Do you mean like a web page where you click a button and are taken from "Home" to new pages within the site?

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Marcus 11 months ago 1 point
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L.L., I'm not trying to get you to switch to wordpress, really! But one of the big advantages right now is the ability to create pages as well as posts. It doesn't sound like a big deal, but it allows you to create whole sections of a site with independent pages and an old-fashioned sitemap.

For example, I did this last May when we had the High Calling Blog Tour. Rather than create a post with all of the information, I built a custom page and emailed that particular URL to everyone who volunteered. And you can see it right there in the URL: page_id (rather than 2007/12/20/this...)

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spaghettipie 11 months ago 1 point
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Um, I'm pretty sure you have more than two readers. And I'd agree with Carl. I come to read about you and what you're thinking about. That's why I visit most of the blogs I visit. It's like getting to have a bunch of little coffee dates where I check in on people, see how they are doing, what they are learning and thinking about, and feel connected.

I am a bit like LL, though, in that I tend to create separate blogs. The stewardship blog is just so much more focused and scheduled than spaghettipie. I didn't want that much structure in spaghettipie, but I like it in the stewardship blog.

You just have to do what feels natural to you. If you go for anything else, I think you'll just burn out on blogging.

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Marcus 11 months ago 1 point
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spaghettipie, the old self-degradation about readership is wearing thin, eh? I do it as a reminder to myself that I'm not trying to become Darren Rowse or Brian Clarke. I'm not building a platform online.

In fact, I like the way you put it. I'm having coffee with friends. That's perfect.

And as for having one blog with a more focused structure... I guess all of my structure gets used up on TheHighCalling.org, FaithInTheWorkplace.com, and HighCallingBlogs.com. I'll be structured there.

I'll be myself here.

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L.L. Barkat 11 months ago 1 point
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Back to an earlier issue you raise... Google knowing that one person is generating all-that-content. What would be the value of that? Curious.

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Craver-VII 11 months ago 1 point
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I dropped in today 'cause someone was talking about coffee, and I was hoping to top-off my cup.

You said, "I'll be myself here."

Good idea, because we like you just the way are... so much so that I think today I shall just be yourself also.

Merry Christmas, Marcus! The Lord bless you and your family.

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Marcus 11 months ago 1 point
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Some people say PageRank is becoming less and less important. But in the mysterious google algorithm, I'm a site's credibility will always be at least partially dependent on regular updates with good relevant content.

So, one site that contains every stream of your content focuses your credibility under the umbrella of one URL. However, since google owns blogger, the same may work for all blogs operated by the same blogger/google account.

To be honest, I think it's six of one, half dozen of the other. And it's very possible that all of this speculation is completely bunk.

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Marcus 11 months ago 1 point
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CRAVER! I've missed you man. I've missed myself lately, in fact.

Now I know why. It wasn't that I was working myself to death or burning the candles at both ends. No, no. It was because you were being myself. That explains everything.

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Tim 11 months ago 1 point
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Lol
I subscribed anyway
and i love science fiction
and i responded to your comment about utes with an explanation for you
http://www.spyjournal.biz/node/311#comments

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Ted M. Gossard 11 months ago 1 point
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Kind of a fascinating post and thread, Marcus. So many of you folks are so sophisticated.

I like and agree with the thought of being as natural as possible, while realizing in that, that there may be ways we're mistaken, or more likely, ways we can improve.

But I especially think just being a part of a blogging fellowship can really help us in some important and varied ways.

Blessed Christmas and new year to you and yours, Marcus!

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Marcus 11 months ago 1 point
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Tim, we scifi fans have to stick together! It's good to know there are some others out there. Here in Kerrville, it feels pretty lonely sometimes. I've enjoyed reading your blog, lately by the way. It's one of my favorites on highcallingblogs.com. I'll try to comment more regularly.

Ted, good to hear from you again! I hope your Christmas was good. Mine was filled with kids and toys. That's a good thing, and hopefully proof that I'm not at all sophisticated. : )

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Every Square Inch 11 months ago 1 point
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Marcus

Hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Look forward to many great posts from you in 2008

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Marcus 11 months ago 1 point
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Thanks, ESI. Happy New Year to you as well.

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kim 11 months ago 1 point
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Mark, Merry Christmas and Blessings in the New Year. Thanks for all your efforts at High Calling. I appreciate all your work. Peace! Kim

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Susan 11 months ago 1 point
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Happy New Year Mark

I come here just because I like to and I'm always glad at what I find.

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Carl Holmes 11 months ago 1 point
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umm...did removing that widgit preclude you from being able to post??

Look forward to hearing from you soon! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

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