With the new year, I keep seeing new features coming along on blogs. I even sort of officially started one yesterday with "The Story of...", but as I said, I'm a little hesitant to jump on the bandwagon. After not too long, I get tired of things like that, and often I forget about the regular schedule. And yet, I keep thinking of some things that would make wonderful features.
So here's a quick mini poll for you.
Do you like blog features? Even if they end up a little random and not entirely reliable? Or is it better to just go with the flow and leave "features" out of it?
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As one of those folks who is in the process of starting a series of features on her blog this year, I have chosen to be more flexible in my schedulling of these. I am working on focusing my blog more and through this 'features' on the sorts of things I want to share. As I blog on alternate days I am not committing myself to 'it's Saturday, it must be Etsy Seller day', so far as it being every week. Rather, when that day does coincide with a blog day, that is what I am choosing to blog about, or 'feature'.
ReplyDeleteFeatures, so far as my interpretation of them, are great in helping me to focus my thoughts that would otherwise be randomly scattered all over the place, on the subjects that matter to me that I want to share.
Lastly, with a nod back to my days in radion advertising, I am mentally thinking that my features as such will only run for 13 issues, before other new ones are introduced.
I am only at the very beginning of putting this plan into action, so only time (and life) will tell how long lasting this plan will be, but so far I already feel happier and stronger in my blogging self that I am building post by post something worth reading.
Like you, I'm interested to hear what others think though...
I don't really like them. haha as I typed that I realized that I have a blog feature. I suppose they're alright in moderation but I hate when people have a feature for every day of the week. I think it's a little excessive and I don't like knowing what to expect when I go to various blogs. I am just like you in that I start features then I'm really inconsistent with them lol. So I have no problem with that!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see more articles about pygmy hippos and midget celery
ReplyDeletem
I meant 'radio' advertising! Doh!
ReplyDeleteI love features, but I don't necessarily like them as a regular thing. Having features set for specific days can make them seem forced. Plus, it can take away some of the apparent spontaneity of a blog.
ReplyDeleteI think features should be a treat, kind of like a guest appearance on a tv show or record album. If they're on all the time, they lose their "featuring the amazing..." status, I think.
It's a nice surprise when a familiar feature pops up! But, it can get dull if they pop up daily...
I like blogs that do both, so that's how I've tried to model my blog. Up to this point I always get off schedule and forget my features and everything. It's hard to keep track so one of my resolutions was to actually keep a calender to make sure I don't forget. I mix some weekly, monthly and bi monthly posts (like "I subscribe to..", I &herts; ...", "Flickr Faves", etc.) and then I do random posts to fill in the empty days. I actually just pre-posted your blog as one of my "I subscribe to" posts set to show up later this month early next month. :)
ReplyDeleteYour blog is a much bigger, better and more visited blog than mine. I think mostly my friends, family and a few stragglers visit mine... but most of the blogs I subscribe to a large scale to-dos and they all seem to mix the regular feature posts with the rendom here and there.
I LOVE that you get such in depth comments from your readers! The first thing this reminded me of was your weekly stripes post! It was so random and unlike other weekly features that I knew it was coming and knew what to expect :)
ReplyDeleteI am wary about starting weekly features because I don't want to feel like I need to follow the regimen each week. Maybe it'll work for you?
I try... and usually give up. I've been super busy this week. So, I'm trying to get back on track with my "features".
ReplyDeleteLauren
For a while I had a feature called "Just a Quote for Friday." I'd post a photo and an quote which seems like it would be simple, right? Well, for some reason I got tired of the obligation part of it and stopped for a while. My daughter wanted me to start it up again so I did a post for today, but that's as far as my "features" go. Sometimes I'll participate in challenges presented by my blog friends who have challenge features but I tend to steer away from them. I supposed that's the little rebel in me. :o)
ReplyDeleteI like features best when they are randomly spaced and not one for each day of the week... unless there is only one feature... but random posts are more real, feel like we're really getting to know the "real" blogger, instead of her/him over-producing their "blog-self" to fit a self-imposed mold. For instance, I love Thursday Stripes, but when you miss a week, that's fine-- life happens. I'd rather read what is inspiring/interesting to you each day.
ReplyDeleteI like the random feature idea. Some break for the writer and the reader. Being a reader i forgot the schedule too. So random is better in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI like the features. I also like it when i click on my bookmark, and it's a surprise. So my input is, i like them, but I don't mind if they aren't on a regular schedule.
ReplyDeleteI think random is great. Especially when your creativity is just flowing, you don't have to feel like you can't just share whatever you want with us. I like when you share. ;)
ReplyDeleteI think I know why we get along so well. We think alike! I'm leaning towards a couple features that are more like categories...so when things come along that work for those, I'll post it in a feature...but NO SCHEDULE!
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