I found out that a friend was thinking about starting a blog. He hadn't got any further than thinking that he had many good stories to tell. That discussion got me thinking about what happens when someone sets up a blog.
I knew no one who had a blog. I had looked at blogs . But, I had no one I could go to and get some hands on advice.
One of the first things you are asked to do when setting up a blog is come up with a name. I had a name in mind before I actually got around to setting up my blog. I had gone to a one room rural school from gr. one to nine. I wanted to honor that little school for I had while I attended. I thought house would make things inviting and I could use this to make people feel welcome. Other than that I had no idea that a blog name could be used to bring more traffic to your site! My decision was completely romantic.
I think most bloggers write things because they want people to read what they have to say. For most people the writing comes easy. They have lots to say and can make it interesting. But there are some mechanics that can be used to get a bigger audience.
Here's where I step out into uncharted territory. Some blogs seem to stand out and grab your attention. Aha! A professionally done web site. Great color combinations! An eye catching header! Attractive side bars! Lots of great photos! Regular features! All these things count but then, you get back to that stupid name!
I have started two other blogs for clubs. One blog is called Natural Wise. So if someone uses natural or nature there's a good likely hood that search engines will take you the Natural Wise.
Have you seen eye catching names? Have you seen a name that search engines would like? Hiawatha House is ranked first on the search engine listings for Hiawatha. On the other, hand how often does someone Google Hiawatha something? I don't think my name is bringing in many readers. Fortunately there are many other ways to gather readers.
So my question is, "Would you change the name of your blog if you thought it would attract more readers? Are you attached to your blog's name like I am? "
Red, I would use your own name....Perhaps you do.
ReplyDeleteI like to know who I'm talking to.
I suspect Blogging is dying along with all the old bloggers. Young people haven't got the patience for it.
I like blogs with writing and pictures but it is hard work. I still only get a couple of hundred hits a day but it suits me.
You bring up a super point that I'd never thought of. There are very few younger bloggers. It's the same way with skating.
DeleteMy name got torqued when I set up an email account. It wouldn't accept Keith so I took Red From Red Deer which is the city I live in.
DeleteIf you are around for some time in the blog world and if people know you by your blog name, then it is not advisable to change it.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely right. There would have to be a big incentive to make a change.
DeleteI never thought of attracting readers when I made my blog name. I didn't even know that a certain blog name would bring more "hits" but I guess ti does make sense. I loved learning how you chose your blog title Red!
ReplyDeleteMaybe I read too much in "Blogging for Dummies."
DeleteWhen I started my blog, I just gave it my own name, but then after awhile I decided to change the name to something similar, which I did, but I kept the original name. I notice that other people sometimes change the name on the header. When I started my second blog, I was much more careful to think about its name. I'm attached to both of the names now and wouldn't change them. I like Hiawatha House as the name for a blog, Red. It's just right for you, and who needs tons of followers? You've got a devoted following right now. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm satisfied and a little surprised at how many people do read what I have to say. I like your examples with names and what you did.
DeleteHi Red, WELL I started my blog when I was at the far side of fifty...and never thought I would be blogging long enough to use up the name.. but I keep on keeping on. No bells and whistles at my place, just me.
ReplyDeleteHiawatha House is you Red:)
You have a great writing style. You really have character. I remember a post you did when you hit 60 and wondered what you should do with the name. Your rationale for keeping the name was completely down to earth
DeleteNever thought much about it before. However, recently I did changed the title of my blog recently to Montanagirl's Photoblog.
ReplyDeleteI never noticed the change! That says a lot.
Deletei named my blog perfectly as about 90% of what i post happens/is seen right here at run*a*round. except for fences and findings around town, i post birds, critters, dogs, horses, flowers, all from my place. if i moved, i would discontinue the blog and if i wanted to keep blogging, i'd start a new site.
ReplyDeleteYou had a very well defined objective when you started. I wondered widely , but that's me.
DeleteNo. Nope! I picked the two names for my blogs because they really reflect me. If readers find them and read that is comforting and great. But if not....so be it!
ReplyDeleteNow I didn't know you had a second blog! I'll have to look at it.
DeleteHi. I found you on the sidebar when I was reading about Kay and Art releasing a lantern boat, and now I see your blog has been linked to my friend Jenn's blog.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking of changing my blog name, but only slightly. I came up with the name "unfittie" to describe myself because I'm not crippled, or seriously ill, but I have aches and pains that make life difficult for me. My blog is called "An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel" but it isn't really a guide, so I'm thinking of changing it to "An Unfittie's Adventurous Travels" which is simpler and more to the point.
Interesting question.
K
I will bet you that people will never notice the change. I think you're right about finding blogs to follow. When I have time I look down the side bars.
DeleteNever thought about the name much, mine started as a writers share
ReplyDeleteI like out on the Prairie. It's very descriptive and that's what you do...describe the prairie.
DeleteMy blog name is not eye catching but it describes exactly what it is about: my life. Sure, it isn’t very interesting and maybe I should do something about it but wouldn’t I then also have to write more interesting posts?
ReplyDeleteYour blog gives a very vivid slice of English life. It does describe your world
DeleteIf you wanted to change the link of your blog, it would be better to start a new blog and leave at the last post of this one the new link, undoubtedly many of your followers would switch there and also would be able able to find you. But is it worth? You must think it over carefully. I was also thinking about changing my blog's link - not because of trying to have more followers but because I wanted to choose a better name. Nevertheless, I haven't found any better one so I stayed. And don't regret it actually.
ReplyDeleteI have no intentions of changing my blog name. I agree it wouldn't be worth and besides all that I like it. I was thinking out loud in this post.
DeleteNope, I wouldn't change it for that reason. I never considered whether it would bring in readers by its name and now that I have, it doesn't matter if it doesn't. ;)
ReplyDeleteI think most of us put at least a little thought into our blog's name and unless we want to take the style of blog into a different direction, we probably chose wisely.
As for Hiawatha House - I think it's a great name. Most of us who read your blog regularly know why it's called this. Any new readers would be intrigued but the title and can set out to learn why.
You have a well established blog and produce top notch material. Besides you have a sense of humor that I have to watch for. I like Hiawatha House. I was thinking out loud.
DeleteI doubt I'd ever change the name of my blog. People visiting my site expect a chubby chatterbox and that's what they get. I did enjoy the explanation for your blog name, however.
ReplyDeleteThe name you've chosen does attract attention. I t draws . After that you tell an excellent story.
DeleteI guess it all depends on what your intentions are for having a blog. If it's to profit from it, you'd need a good name, interesting content and a visually appealing presentation. But if it's just for fun, it really doesn't matter. I changed my blog's name a few years ago because I took it in a different direction.
ReplyDeleteMy intention was to give me an opportunity to write and keep up some skills. After that I didn't know anything about blogging!
DeleteWhen I started blogging a friend's sister who lives in another country had a blog and gave me some advise over the phone. She suggested I choose a name that reflected me. I knew paddock means something slightly different to people in Aust and NZ but didn't expect anyone from another country would ever visit. I'd never change it now. I like your blog name, it intrigues and amuses. As for traffic, that is the least of my concerns.
ReplyDeleteWe don't use paddock in Canada, however I do understand the term. Interesting that some people have made slight changes and very few people notice.
DeleteBoth my blog names were chosen without any thought for traffic. A Hebridean in New Zealand was visited by people who were looking for something which the names conveyed but that was coincidental for me. Eagleton Notes attracts fewer people (but the quality of reader is very high!!). It really depends what one wants out of blogging. I'm happy.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that most people have some rationale for the name they choose.
DeleteI am quite happy with my name and Blog just as it is. I had thought of a name to suit me before I entered Blogging and wouldn't ever dream of changing it, for then my Blog just wouldn't be the same. I am a wee bit saucy now and then and I likes me fish (as my Dad would say). Yep, "SaucyKodz" is fine for me - the part that thrills me the most is people I would have never met came my way and new friendships were born - people scattered across our wide world are stopping in to read my posts, look at my photos, and I am amazed these folks keep dropping into my little bit o' heaven. Guess, I won't be changing my blog name or face-lifting, eh. Very interesting post Red and great comments.
ReplyDeleteSaucy Kodz is one of the coolest blog names I've seen. It certainly attracted my curiosity.
DeleteI had my blog by my work. In the Public Library we had to learn 23 things about working on internet. One of them was making a blog. When I shortly after that retired I went on with the blog which I very much liked to do at home.The name is rather stupid, we all had to make up a name for it in the course and I just put on a fake name with the name library (bibliotheek) in it. Literally it means "Library Jitters". But I don't want to change it now anymore. People will come for the content and not for the name I think. Sometimes I see at other blogs I follow,an interesting blog and start to follow that one.
ReplyDeleteI have always been curious about your blogs name. I thought maybe it had something to do with your name. When you don't read Dutch you get curious and I was never brave enough to ask you what it means.
DeleteNow, do you mean its name or its title? My URL I'm keeping, the title I've changed since I moved away from Muskoka! Besides, lots of people are looking for info on Muskoka!
ReplyDeleteI'm referring to the title. Not many people pay attention to the url.
ReplyDeleteI'm not really crazy about my blog name now, but it is who I am and I won't change it. I'm not about attracting more readers. I can't keep up with the ones who comment now, and I think it's only fair to reciprocate when someone comments on mine.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I started my blog with the purpose of building readers who I could then coerce into buying the book I was writing. Now, although the book is long since written, I just enjoy blogging for its own sake. It's a great place to send out thoughts and observations that usually just rattle around in your head while you're doing errands. I can't imagine what I'd pick now, since my blog is a mishmash of things I've thought about, places I've gone, and short fiction.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed learning how & why you chose your blog name. I don't think I would change mine- it's kinda just me to a t! But my blog is a photo blog..I envy those who can talk and tell stories about their lives and adventures.
ReplyDelete