SHE-POWER Changes: My World is in Your Hands
This weekend my internet connection has been problematic, dropping out at random and without warning. Very annoying. I’ve been trying to get a couple of half-written articles completed, but it just hasn’t been possible, so I’ve found my mind going around in circles, throwing up lots of questions that have been stewing around in there for awhile.
Questions like:
What niche am I in?
What do I offer my readers? What more can I give?
What’s unique about me?
Should I write an e-book, and what would it be about?
What can I do to move my subscriber numbers to the next level?
And the big one that’s been circulating for some time; should I cut SHE-POWER Fiction?
You’re probably thinking right now, “Wow, she really doesn’t know what she’s doing here.” And you’d be right. At least a little bit anyway.
Like my life itself, this blog is a work in progress and I tend to live and write by gut instinct. Everything you’ve ever read on this blog has poured forth from my heart and soul. Even if an article has seemed trivial to you, it’s been authentic and meaningful to me at the time I published it. On that day, those words, whether mundane or profound, were the words I wanted to communicate to you.
That said, this blog is not just about me. YOU are the reason I take time away from my young son and family and friends to blog on a regular basis. You may not have been here in the beginning when SHE-POWER was started, but the blog was nothing then. It was an idea, a catchy url. Now it’s a tool that I use to serve and entertain YOU.
So tell me, what is SHE-POWER to you? Do you have any feedback you’d like to share with me? Because for a chick that usually has a lot to say, I’m going to go out on a limb and admit I’m a bit stumped for answers here. I know the ideas I’m trying to communicate, but I don’t know what you’re actually receiving.
One decision I have made for the moment is to move SHE-POWER Fiction to its own page.
As an aspiring novelist, this category is very important to me. I not only want to share my stories and characters with an audience, but I want to impose a public discipline on myself to keep up my fiction writing.
That said, I’m not sure SHE-POWER is the right place for fiction. Some of you are devoted fans of my current storyline with Clarissa and Scott and email and write me with encouragement. I really appreciate that, thank you. Many others don’t seem to click through and read these posts. So, what to do?
For the moment, the next extract of SHE-POWER Fiction will be the last blog post. After that, I’ll post a quick message to let you know I’ve updated the Fiction Page, but you’ll then have to follow a link to read the story extract. That way, people who are interested get their Clarissa and Scott fix, and people who aren’t can just ignore the notification.
I will also get a chance to see how many people are actively seeking the stories, which will help me decide what to do with SHE-POWER Fiction long term. I have thought about moving all fiction to another writing site, but I’ll make that decision in due course.
Hope you’re having a great weekend, and I look forward to hearing any thoughts you might have about the future of this blog.
Kelly
Photo by aussiegall
Kelly - I think moving the fiction to a separate page (with link) is the best avenue. It gives your readers a choice, and don’t we all like to have our finger on the control button? I’ll be following your fiction page as well. If yours is a roaring success perhaps I’ll revive that much rejected novel of mine and see if a little mouth to mouth online will bring it back to life!
Noa Rose Choose the Present’s last blog post..The Power of Quotes
Kelly you know I like She-Power Fiction so I’m happy with wherever you put it as long as I can read it. When is the next story coming?
As for why I read your blog, I guess I just like the writing and the humour and I’m pretty happy so I don’t know what to tell you to change.
Sorry I haven’t been more help.
Rachel
Thanks for the feedback Noa and Rachel. I’m feeling good about moving the SHE-POWER Fiction, and you don’t have to worry, Rachel, I won’t stop posting the story. It’ll be completed at some point. I’m not even sure where it’s going though!
Kelly
Kelly,
I too have asked the same questions. I am just glad that even an experienced blogger like you still have the same questions that haunts a newbie like me. Here’s my two cents. I visit your blog and three other blogs religiously because I seek inspiration and guidance. Since I have started blogging, I have visited plenty of blogs and only a handful really contribute to my growth as a blogger and as a person. One of these blogs is obviously yours (zenhabits is the other one).
Simply put, it doesn’t really matter to me if you chaged some things because it’s your voice and tone that I come back to and not the structure of your blog.
Hope this helps!
Chris Austria’s last blog post..A Mother’s Strength
I’m still pretty new to your blog but I’ve really enjoyed your posts on life and relationships. If you feel you write fiction pretty frequently, then maybe it should have it’s own page. That way it would keep everything organized. IMHO.
kailani’s last blog post..Giveaway: J. AUSTIN Ryan Designs
Chris, calling me an experienced blogger, wow I’m chuffed!
I guess I’m an experienced WRITER, but I class myself as another newbie blogger, considering I’ve only been posting regularly this year. But thank you for the kind words.
Kailani, thanks for your input too.
Kelly
Kelly, if you’re not permenently in a state of chaos and confusion you’re doing something wrong! It’s being relaxed about being like that, that’s the real trick. Obviously I’m a guy but if I can offer some advice?? You’re doing what you should be doing and that’s stamping your character and personality on your blog. There are dozens of crapy list sites that all mimic each other and that’s all well and good, but it’s the ones that offer something different that will stand the test of time. Of course I could be wrong, in which case ignore everything I just said and head for the hills. BTW, yes you are insane getting on a plane with your son for 23 hours.
Tim Brownson’s last blog post..Alternative Viewpoints
Hi Kelly. I think I would define your blog as personal development. Your posts often make us think deeply about our feelings and thought on specific topics.
Not sure what to do about your fiction. I have found fiction posts irritating on some blogs - but only because the author doesn’t mark clearly that they’re fiction and that can be confusing. But, I like reading your fiction and you did say it was fiction from the very beginning, so there was no confusion.
Cath Lawson’s last blog post..Is Fear Stunting Your Growth?
Well, I guess I’ll just keep on with what I’m doing. Thanks for the encouragement, people.
Hi Kelly - from the questions you are asking it sounds like we are in the same boat! I am not too sure what the hell my niche is either, but I don’t think that is a bad thing.
Currently, you have the freedom to write about whatever you like. A few months ago I faced the dreaded *blogging frustration* because I found myself trying to cover everything. For the time being I have narrowed down to Pursuing Personal Freedom, (Open Source) Entrepreneurship, and Living Overseas.
YES - you should absolutely write and ebook!! What are some ideas that you have? If you ask in a post maybe we can all help you narrow it down
mark @ mytropicalescape’s last blog post..AnyWired-Middlebrook Make Money Online Challenge: Open Source Entrepreneurship
Guess it’s time to stop lurking.
I like the mix. I like that you are not limiting yourself to a single niche. I also like that your writing is personal and real.
Personally, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Vered’s last blog post..Recession Forces Americans To Delay Retirement
Mark and Vered
Thanks for the feedback. And asking the readers about an e-book is a great idea, thanks Mark.
Vered, thanks for moving out of Lurkville (it’s next door to Whoville - have you seen Horton Hears a Who? Great movie!). I too lurk on numerous blogs, but I love it when I get to see who I’m talking to. Glad you’re a happy reader.
hi kelly, the truth is i don’t read fiction … so i have nothing to contribute about that! however, your other blog topics are very interesting to me and … they are really nice to read - humorous, meanigful and relevant and your writing style is refreshing! i think you should go with how ever you want your blog to be and not be swayed by other’s opinion. in that way, you will not feel pressured or obligated. i guess, what i am really trying to say is, don’t change a thing. if you do however, let the change be something that you want.
Charlotte (Charmed Life)’s last blog post..If I Were
I’m with Cath on this one - I think your blog falls within the self-improvement and personal development niche. The reason I keep coming back is your voice.
I personally like that the blog is growing with you. You’re not targeting, strategizing, and all the other things that a lot of bloggers (myself included, sometimes) do and seem to be happy with what you’re doing.
I also like fiction pieces being part of the content. You clearly label them, so there shouldn’t be any confusion, but from a marketing standpoint, it’s good because it at least exposes your readers (and potential book scouts) to your writing. Either way, though, I’ll continue reading the unfolding story.
Keep up the great work.
Charlie Gilkey’s last blog post..The Triple Filters Test