When Blogging is Like a Class Reunion...

I have been maintaining an Art Blog Directory for...well, a very long time. It is one of the ways that I try to connect our stellar community. Any and every blog that is related to art, craft and creativity is welcome to be listed. 

Once or twice a year I do housekeeping and delete any blog that has been inactive for 6 months or longer. That time came again this past weekend. As I clicked through all 432 (!) links, I realized yet again that the heyday of the long form blog has passed us by. Replaced by social media sites that allow for easier posting, quicker viewing, and like-clicking, these original weblogs almost seem quaint at this point. Not quite as quaint as cassette tapes though. Maybe more like CDs.

I ended up deleting 70 inactive blogs. 15% of the total. Some were very familiar to me, being from the pioneers of art blogging. Many had moved on to posting only on Facebook or Instagram. Some people posted that they were ill and couldn't keep up. Some just disappeared without a trace. There were a few new ones and many old friends that are as consistent now as they have been for many years. It was almost like having a class reunion.

Blogging for me started it all. And I continue to be dedicated to posting and sharing info and images in a way that requires allows us the opportunity to stop for more than a few seconds, breathe and take in all that art and creativity offers. Glad there are at least 366 other people who still do that too.

Art Blog Directory

Have you visited my Art Blog Directory lately? In it I include links to creative blogs.

I just finished my biannual review and deleted 55 blogs, all of which have not been active within the last six months. What does that say about the state of the blogosphere?

That still leaves 415 links for you to explore. Yes. 415. Better get started now...

And if you want to add your blog to the list of links, email me at shap97@gmail.com.

Balancing Act

I spent this past weekend updating my Art Blog Directory, which now lists 490 links to creative blogs. The update included deleting over 90 former links or nearly 20% of the original total. I deleted links to those blogs that were no longer in existence, that were password protected, and that had no new posts within the last 6 months. There also seemed to be a trend to shifting platforms from a blog-only site (think Blogger or Wordpress) to a link within a website -- and these links were updated too.

As I clicked through the hundreds of links for the update, I took the time to (quickly) scan each blog. I was struck by the fact that some posts captured my attention and others less so. My favorite posts were those that focused on one or more of the following: highlighting artwork - whether completed or in progress, sharing detailed content about the artist's process, discussing issues (positive or negative) related to creativity and life as an artist, presenting tutorials, and reviewing topics (for example, a list of 10 favorite art books or 5 ways to prevent creative block).

My least favorite posts seemed to be those that were overly self promoting. HOWEVER, it is these types of posts that got me to thinking about the balancing act that many bloggers -- including myself -- go through. For those of us who have a blog that supports a creative career and an income generating business, our blogs are almost by definition advertisements. The trick is to find a way to be able to share what you have to offer to your readers in a way that does not become overly self promoting. Not an easy balance to achieve.

I am curious to hear thoughts from other bloggers who may be grappling with a similar issue and thoughts from readers who have experienced both compelling posts and those that are, well...not so much. In other words: what turns you on and what turns you off in a blog?

More Thoughts on Blogging...

In March 2013 I wrote a post called Thoughts on Blogging..., musing about the impact of "newer" social media platforms on the experience of blogging. It generated 42 thoughtful and opinionated comments and a very interesting conversation.

Now, just over one year later, I thought it was time to revisit this topic. I have had my blog for nearly 7 years and have put up over 1,200 posts. It has always felt to me that my blog was my true online home but lately I have been putting equal energy into my other online sites: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. In doing so I have noticed that while there is some overlap, I seem to connect with a different group of people on each site.

I admit that there are times when the quickness of these other platforms is quite inviting - both as places to post and places to visit. I know that I have not been able to visit blogs nearly as often as I would like to and had been able to in the past. Part of this is due to my limited schedule, part due to the fact that there are more blogs than ever, and part due to the lure of the other social media sites.

It seems that I am not alone. When recently visiting a slew of blogs on my list, I found that many of the bloggers that began around the time I did no longer seem to be active. Some had shut down their blogs, often saying in their final post that they were at a point where they wanted to make art rather than talk about art. Many others hadn't posted in more than a year. And I came across several posts that spoke of declining readership and fewer - if any - comments.

However, life is often like a pendulum, swinging back and forth. I have to say that I also noticed what I hope will become a trend...a return to blogging. I visited many bloggers who haven't posted in many months or years only to find that within the last few months they have begun again. Perhaps after a period of time focused on some of the quick and easy platforms, people are just beginning to come back to the depth and breadth that is the core of blogging.

If you are a devoted blogger/blog reader or want to get back to blogging basics, think about joining me in one or more of the following:

This past Sunday I began a new blog project to be posted every Sunday called The Week Links, where I share a series of links to blog posts that have caught my eye.

Get lost in my Art Blog Directory, with links to 569 creative blogs. And email me if you would like to add yours to the list.

Join in on the 6th annual Buried Treasure online collaboration on June 12th where participating bloggers re-post one or more of their favorite posts that they ever put on their blogs.

-------------------------

Curious as to what you all are thinking. Are blogs on the decline? Do you have a favorite platform to use and/or visit? Do you use the different sites for different reasons? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

Art Blog Directory

There have been a lot of changes to our online worlds since I began blogging in 2007. Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, and so many other sites have taken off. The one thing that all these platforms have in common is speed. Posting is quicker and the posts are shorter. This is a double edged sword. While I love connecting with you all on my Facebook Page and Twitter Account, the format of these sites limits the depth of content in my posts. While maintaining my blog takes an extraordinary amount of time, for me it is worth it. Blogging allows me to share my art and my heart in a way that truly reflects who I am as well as my creative approach.

Over the last year or so, I have noticed that many of my old blogging pals no longer post. I have also read many blog posts that talk about missing "the good old days", where the art blog community was truly connected and when people took the time to leave comments and, in doing so, have a genuine conversation.

To that end, I have created an Art Blog Directory. Think of this as your phone book (remember those?) to source out creative bloggers. A home page to begin you search for inspiration on a Sunday morning alongside your cup of coffee. But be prepared to stay awhile as there are already more than 400 blogs listed!

The link to the directory can always be found in the [ART BLOG DIRECTORY] tab just below my blog header and also on my sidebar. Want to help spread the word? Feel free to capture the Art Blog Directory Icon and add it to your own site with this link.

Don't see your own blog listed? Email me at shap97@gmail.com with your name/blog link and I will add you to the directory. Want your name removed? Just let me know. And when you visit the blogs and see something you like, leave a comment. Let's get the conversation started!