If someone asked you what kind of blogger you are, what
would you say?
What if I said within that answer you can’t say something
generic like “A Parent blogger” but requested that you were more specific?
Ultimately, what is your blogs Unique Selling Point?
I have always said that I am quite versatile in my blogging;
with the Title being “Inside Martyn’s Thoughts” I could literally write about
anything.
I started the Parent Blogging back in September 2014 at the
time I had two main goals for the blog.
1. To document the things that I do with the boys and to
leave an online footprint for them, myself and, if the scenario ever rose, for
support with access rights.
2. To document the Home School Journey that we’re on.
Starting off I didn’t even know that there was a blogging
community out there or one that specifically built around themes like
‘Parenting’.
Somewhere through blogging and sharing the odd post on
Twitter I was introduced to all of you and I started getting comments, my
statistics started rising, I was taking part in Linky’s and I became friends
with many of you.
Inwardly I have been struggling for the last couple of
months about what I write and share and since I did a mini-series on Home
School FAQ I have been debating about writing Home School posts.
It’s been suggested that I’m limiting my readership by
specialising posts in something such as Home Education. This, in theory, is
potentially affecting my Bounce Rate and building up a larger, regular, number
of readers.
I love that we Home School. I know that it is a personal
choice and that it isn’t for everybody but to see the free expression of
learning and the progress of the Boys is incredibly inspirational every single
day.
The problem is I have spent far too long concentrating on
the wrong things: I have watched my stats, analysed which posts were doing
better and with that I came to the conclusion that people really weren’t that
interested in Home Schooling.
That was until two things happened:
1. The Map Project
2. BritMums
For all those who saw it the other week I sent out a cheeky
request for people around the UK to help us with our Topics on Maps.
(If you missed it please click here)
The response to this has been seriously overwhelming;
something that I am equally pleased and surprised about. We received 12
postcards in the first week and have had more and more people saying that they
will send us one.
We have made our Map and, through a variety of social media,
everyone has seen the project build and progress with continued comments of admiration,
love and respect at what we are doing.
Last week, at BritMums, the opening question at the top was
very briefly asked in one session.
The more I thought about it the more I came to the
conclusion that Home Schooling IS my
unique point. I know that there are other Home Schooling blogs out there and I
am far from setting some sort of ground breaking blog writing. Yet, I haven’t
found any others written by a Dad; Dads, within the Home Schooling circuit, are
usually the sceptical ones who enter Home Ed dragging their feet.
(Apart from Luke and his family who produce wonderful
podcasts documenting their Journey and support others as part of HomeEd Matters)
From my Home Schooling Posts I have also created a sub
series called “My Little Chef” where I showcase William’s interest in Cooking
and Baking. I have also on a few occasions written posts around fun and
creative crafts that we, as a family, have been doing. These posts, although
not directly Home School themed, have all blossomed from it.
This realisation has connected me with my original purpose
for writing and has focused me to continue with posting about it.
I know I have regular readers who are intrigued in what we
are doing. I have some that take an interest in activities that they might want
to do outside of a School setting with their Children and I also have readers
who are just generally interested in our journey.
This doesn’t mean that I won’t be writing about other parts
of Parenting as a Dad or joining in with Linky’s, of course I will! What this
does mean though is from now on that there will be more Home School Posts on
the blog covering all that we’re doing; rather than just the odd post every
other week.
I think it’s easy sometimes to be caught up in what others
in the community are doing as well as becoming attached with statistical
figures and then using these to push further forward but in doing so you can
lose your unique voice.
I am pleased that I have been reminded of mine and that I am
more than just a parent blogger; I am a Dad blogger who Home Schools.
So do you know your unique voice on your blog?
Do you feel that you have lost the purpose of why you
started Blogging?
Or, does specific posts limit what you regularly read?
33 comments:
I like this Martyn, I'm not sure I've found my voice yet, mine is still a mish mash of everything that I love and that I do!
I find your home school posts fascinating and I think that some of what you can do can be adapted for non-home school environment. though little chef makes me hungry.
Very interesting. I think there are pluses and minuses to having a very specific subject area. Obviously, it gives you a niche & that makes you a bit different. On the other hand, you may be limiting your audience or your material or both. I did set out with a very specific area in mind (child language), and I have stuck to it. But I am very new to blogging, so who knows if I will continue to consider it practical to stay in my niche? #bigfatlinky
Really interesting and I can relate - I started out wanting to blog about my love for fitness and the scrapping but I soon realised parent blogging is so much bigger and like you I introduced to this community. I ended up writing more as a Mummy blogger. I think you need to do what feels right for you and the home schooling is so important to you. In time you will get your readers and followers who want your little niche.Good luck! xx #bigfatlinky
Interesting post Martyn. I think the most important thing is that we write what we are passionate about (for me it's travel) and that we enjoy the writing process - otherwise the writing will suffer - if there is no passion behind the words. Sometimes it's more important to have a smaller but loyal audience who come back again and again! Oh, I still need to send my post card. Pls let me know your address. #bigfatlinky
Really great post Martyn, I think you have a great angle and unique usp! You're doing a great job! And for the mention too :) #bigfatlinky
Interesting post - not sure what I would say - you have got me thinking now :) #bigfatlinky
I'm like you quote versatile. I like to write my thoughts and feelings but then I love to share tips and educational advice for parenting and I also enjoy writing about health and raising awareness for chronic illness and Adrenal Insufficiency. A bit of everything is good. It stops me getting bored.
#BigFatLinky
Angela xx
Angela recently posted I am the Blogger who peed in a field http://wp.me/p5XRN6-1KD
Thanks Laura! I think it's good to write about lots of different things. But if you find your voice hold on to it. But try and not be generic and boring with it too.
Am pleased you enjoy the home school posts. That's my aim too. I'd love people to see what we do and want to adapt it later for themselves.
I think it's good to be broad with what you write but at the same time to stick to your roots. If someone says "I want to read this" then you can point people in the right direction. I'd love for people to do that with me.
Thanks Sarah. Glad you understand. The parent blogging is bigger, definitely. My problem was that I got caught up in it and forgot my main goal and purpose. For me though I love how you still include your main points like your recent diet post. Which was fab.
I want tobe more like you and post the passionate things without pressure.
Thanks. You're completely right with all of that. I feel more strained and struggle when it's not home school posts. Not because I'm not passionate about what I write but more that it's not necessarily my normal thing. And at that point I feel like my writing suffers a bit. I'd love for a loyal fan base that comes to me for educational, crafts and school support. Even if the child isn't home schooled.
Thanks Luke. I appreciate the support. And no worries. Happy to drop you the mention
Ooo glad at least it got you thinking! I think it's completely fine to write broadly as it gives readers a range to look at. But I also think it's good to have a stamp on something particular.
I agree it's better than getting board with the same topic. And ultimately I can and do write around a range of things. But saying that I think a stamp and a USP is good for people to have a go to place. Take the dad network....its known as a place for baby posts and for its unique dad perspective and as well as its support of dad's. I'd love that for home school too.
Are you a member of local home schooling facebook groups as there are loads out there and will give access to group activities like forest school, drama etc.... your blog is whatever you want it to be. #bigfatlinky
Interesting post. I've only been blogging for about four months but I've found that by writing less, but about things I care about, I'm much happier than when I was trying too hard to grow my numbers and fit into a niche.
Fab post as always Martyn. By sticking to your passions you may loose a few generic followers but will build a really engaged audience :) #BigFatLinky
Really interesting post Martyn. I'm trying to figure out what I want to write about as well. I love writing about the kids but I like lots of other things as well. I think my biggest struggle isn't writing the posts. Rather it's who I should try and share them with.
I've been blogging the same amount of time, and like you, was completely oblivious to the community. I find my original voice getting put to the back burner a little, while I start to write about bigger parenting issues, rather than having a bit of fun, talking about getting knocked unconscious by children's toys, or being elbow deep in sh*tty nappies.
I feel I am growing as a blogger, and finding a deeper, more humanitarian voice, one that I am embracing more and more as each day goes by, and that can't be a bad thing.
Of course the fun blogs will still get published, but as and when, we have a 'slow news day'. :D
I love this! LOVE it! Blogging only really works when it's authentic as that's what makes the connections and enables the great content to be written. It's easy to get caught up in doing stuff because it's popular or copying what looks like a successful formula. But where's the value or fun in that?! Who wants to be like everyone else when you can be you! #bigfatlinky
Great post! I have also looked at certain posts receiving more attention and thought I should write more of that type of post, but then realise I don't want to. I like writing about our lives, about the crafts and adventures we have, not just stick to a winning formula. I want to enjoy what I write! :)
This is really interesting...it must be a great feeling to have pinpointed your usp as it were and when something feels comfortable i think that's your unique voice. I haven't been blogging long at all and i'm really surprised at the 'voice' that is emerging more and more in my posts...it wasn't there at the beginning and may not stick around, I don't know! I love the creativity of writing and this is all part of it. Hmm as for limiting your audience by honing in on something...perhaps but does that matter? If you love what you're writing and feel more comfortable alongside developing different networks (and keeping some old) sounds like a win win. The map project sounds fab by the way. Lucy at occupation:(m)other #bigfatlinky
I love this post. As a former magazine editor, I feel quite strongly that each blog should have its own voice and find its "tribe", just as all newspapers and magazines have their target readership. Mine is the "Cardiff" element. That's not to say people outside of Cardiff won't find things of interest, but a certain proportion of my posts are for this core loyal readership. I think even if we don't homeschool, we are all responsible for helping our children's education, and I know I get some great ideas from homeschool blogs.
I think it can often be very easy, as you say, to fall into the trap of chasing the stats, looking to write what is popular rather than what you want/need to write, but I think the truth is our best writing will always be about what we care about. Although in truth I am constantly checking my stats and seeing what posts work and what don't, and usually over thinking why some don't do well or getting upset that a brilliant piece (humble?) is ignored while a trashy piece is engaged with.
I guess the reality is that an engaged small group of readers will usually be better than an engaged huge following, I would rather know the handful who read my blog enjoy what I am writing or gain something from it and let me know or interact, over thousands reading and ignoring.
Oh and personally, while I don't home school, I do enjoy reading your posts on the subject.
This is a great post Martyn. I think it can take a while to find your voice and actually I think we all have a few inside us. Mix that up with varied and wide interests and suddenly you have a non-specific blog like mine :). I'm just too interested in too many things to be able to run a single theme. Likewise I love seeing people posting on a mix of things too.
Great post, I really don't know how to answer that question though! I'm just me. I do link ups and they're always personal, I do mental health and family posts I don't think there is any one unique thing to be honest..not sure it's a good thing.
I love your home school posts it's something I couldn't do but I love watching others share their journey. X
Great post! At the end of the day its your blog, you should write whatever makes you happy :) Thanks for hosting the #bigfatlinky
Debbie
www.myrandommusings.blogspot.com
It's so easy to get caught up with the stats and ranks, isn't it. So pleased that you've taken a step back to reconsder your USP. Your blog name definitely gives you the room to explore a range of issues and you should definitely write more about what is paticularly close to your heart at this point. Broad and narrow foci each have their own pros and cons. Ultimately though, it's your blog and you make of it what you want, you lovely man! #bigfatlinky
Another thought provoking post Martyn. People keep telling me they like my voice. I just say thanks, but I don't even know what my voice is. I just try to write things that I think would be entertaining to read. I honestly have no idea why I started a blog, several people suggested I should and eventually I just decided to try it out. Blogging community...I had never heard of it.
I check stats a lot too, that's part of the fun of blogging for me. I did once write a controversial post with the sole motive to get high views. And it worked, one of my highest viewed posts to date, but I hated it and told myself I'd never do that again. I want to write stuff that people can enjoy reading, not start online fights.
Good post, Martyn. I started out much like you, blogging generally about my thoughts on a variety of topics. It's only been the last couple of years that I have narrowed the focus to parenting, which has allowed me to hone my voice both in terms of content but also in terms of tone and style.
In fact, I'd say I've learned more about refining my voice in the last 8 months than I did in the previous 8 years. Interestingly, now I'm looking to expand the scope of the blog again - not too broadly, but selectively. I won't end up as broad as I once was, but being more certain of what my blog is at its core makes me more confident about diversifying again.
Interesting Martyn. I've always enjoyed telling stories and making people laugh so that's what I try to do. Parenting is the most imporant thing in the world in my opinion, so I mostly tell stories about parenting but I don't limit myself. My most viewed post of all time had nothing to do with parenting and I almost didn't even write it. Funny how that works. Keep up the good work and keep re defining and fine tuning that voice and I will do the same. #bigfatlinky
Interesting Martyn. I've always enjoyed telling stories and making people laugh so that's what I try to do. Parenting is the most imporant thing in the world in my opinion, so I mostly tell stories about parenting but I don't limit myself. My most viewed post of all time had nothing to do with parenting and I almost didn't even write it. Funny how that works. Keep up the good work and keep re defining and fine tuning that voice and I will do the same. #bigfatlinky
Interesting Martyn. I've always enjoyed telling stories and making people laugh so that's what I try to do. Parenting is the most imporant thing in the world in my opinion, so I mostly tell stories about parenting but I don't limit myself. Everything I write is going to be encouraging though. My most viewed post of all time had nothing to do with parenting and I almost didn't even write it. Funny how that works. Keep up the good work and keep re defining and fine tuning that voice and I will do the same. #bigfatlinky
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