I have written and rewritten this post several thousand times. There is a lot spinning around in my head about my blog. But the more I write about the whatif’s and the whataboutthat’s, the more I get a convoluted, wordy mess!
So, here’s the deal. I adore my blog. But the reason I do is because of YOU. If it weren’t for the community that blogging brings, I’d still be writing longhand in a blank spiral bound notebook.
And for some reason (maybe being a new mom to two, maybe because I’ve been blogging for two years, or maybe just because I’ve been lazy) I feel like I’ve let my little oh-community down. I haven’t been a great comment-er or blog reader. And I feel like I haven’t been super true to my voice. You know, my VOICE. My bloggy voice. (insert polite laugh and eye roll here.)
Anyway, I want to get back to being lovey-dovey about my blog. But I need your help. Would you answer a few little questions for me? I just need some input on, well…me. Answer as many or as few as you’d like. And be honest. Don’t spare me or try to butter me up. Really.
So, here goes…
One . I’ve got to figure out a better system to reply to comments, read my favorite blogs, find new outstanding blogs and keep up with my readers’ blogs.
Question: When you comment do you prefer an email response, a visit to your blog or a response in the comments? Which is more fun? More personal? If you have a blog, what do you do?
Two. I’m going to be experimenting with affiliate marketing–ads and the like so I can possibly make some moo-lah on my blog.
Question: Does it bother you when you see ads on personal blogs? Do you click banners, text links, etc to buy stuff online? Would you be interested in learning how to make money on your blog?
Three. I need some anchors in my blog. One such anchor, that I apparently let slip away was my black and white Wordless Wednesdays. I love the history and mystery of those pics. I’ll be starting them up again this week. Would anyone be interested in linking up to a purely black-and-white photo mr. linky carnival type thing? (We could call it “Retr-oh Phot-oh”! HA!)
My new bbb, Mandi from Organizing Your Way and I were joking about starting a new blog of Top Ten Lists. You know, Top Ten Things I Just Found Under The Seats of My MiniVan or Top Ten Purses I Wish I Owned or Top Ten Books I Should Really Try To Read This Year.
Mandi & Amanda (and Asa) at BlissDom
I don’t think a whole new blog of that would fly but man, I do love me a list post. So, I hereby dub Tuesdays: TOP TEN TUESDAY. (Creative, right?) Beginning tomorrow I’ll post a Top Ten List and then you can blog your Top Ten and Mr. Linky up!
Question: Is this lame?
Conclusion
I can’t write a good conclusion statement. So, I have one more question for you…
Why do you come back to ohAmanda? What do you like to see/do/read/feel while you’re here? What have you missed lately? Is there something you really LIKE that I post about? Something you DO NOT really like? Am I asking too many questions?
Thank you. Sincerely.
I would so be with you on the black and white WW, I have a few pictures that I was going to do but I always felt like I would be ripping off your idea, so a linky would be awesome.
As for the ads on personal blogs I personally don’t mind them and I have been known to click a few.
Comments wise to me it doesn’t matter but I do love to get an e-mail response, its a very nice surprise sometimes. But overall I think visiting that person’s blog would be best.
Hi Marci! You were one of my favorite pelope I met at sPaRk! And now I find your fun new venture! I am interested in advertising what do you think? Thanks, Miriam
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Guess I don’t have an opinion! Whatever you do is fine. I just like the community, too, and typically if someone visits my blog, I will visit hers. I like reading what you have to say and seeing how your cute kiddos are growing up!
I’m a notorious lurker and thought I’d chime in. I know…sorry!
I love to get a response back when I comment but it’s totally not necessary. I feel sometimes that a person (me) may feel obligated to comment on a new commenter’s blog. Usually I will try to comment back in hopes they will come back if their really interested in my blog.
I love a random list post and think the top 10 idea is great and I may even participate.
Love those old black and white pics as well. I think that’s what kept me coming back.
Ads don’t bother me either way. I cant guarantee I’ll click unless it’s really something I’d be interested in.
Good questions.
#1 I really like when people email a response to a comment I’ve left (if it warrants one). I don’t like when I get a comment back on my blog about the comment I left on their blog. It gets confusing for anyone reading thru the comments. lol
For me, I have all my fav blogs in Bloglines and I try to comment on all the ones that I have a “relationship” with. As in, we’ve exchanged comments before or I know they read my blog too. I tend to not leave comments on blogs that have tons of traffic or who don’t read my blog unless I just really have something to say. Not to be mean, I just don’t. Because I read ALOT of blogs and commenting takes time.
I guess what I am trying to say here is I am all about the community friendship type feel in the world of blogging. Take BooMama and BigMama for example, I read their blogs everyday and I love them, but never comment. For me, leaving a comment on a blog that popular makes it feel like a one sided relationship so I’d rather just lurk on those. Does any of that make sense?
Oh my word, I have rambled so much and I haven’t even gotten past the first question.
I’ll make the rest short.
#2 I don’t pay much attention to ads on personal blogs and I definitely don’t click on them.
#3 I think a Top Ten Tuesday would be fun. 🙂 I like lists too.
1. Unless it’s a “great post” comment, I think it deserves a follow-up. The person took their time to read what I wrote and then took time to comment, so I return that. I used to respond back in the comments, but then I realized very few people ever go back and check comments…so they never got my response!! Now I e-mail or visit their blog or both.
2. HATE ads on blogs, but it seems I’m in the very small minority here. I have been known to stop reading some blogs though, because their ads were OVERKILL. Sidebars, under each post, hyperlinks in their posts….it was too much. Detracted from the content, which is what I was there for.
3. I always always forget Carnivals and link-ups. I think they’re a great idea as long as they stay fresh. Many carnivals dwindle down after awhile.
But after all that…you have to do what is true to YOU!!!! But you knew that 🙂
1. I prefer to get an email response because I don’t always go back and read comments. I get annoyed at people who comment on my blog, especially with questions, who don’t leave an e-mail.
2. Don’t mind. We all gotta eat, yo.
3. Top Tens sound fun! I guess my anchor is Menu Plan Monday. I occasionally do another carnival, but that is the one my readers can count on every week.
I come back to OhAmanda cause you’re funny, sweet, and I feel like I “know” some of your life now! And I wanna see more pictures of your sweet kiddos. 🙂
1. I reply in email. I sometimes use my plugin that allows me to reply both to the email and to the comment section. I do not return to read comments after I leave one, so if anyone wants to reply to my comment, they better do it via email.
2. As long as ads are unobtrusive, I don’t mind them. I’ve been known to run an ad or two. 😉 I do keep them out of my posts and off my header b/c I feel like that detracts from the personal aspect of the blog.
3. I have no b&w photos and wouldn’t participate. Top Ten Lists is a fun idea, but I do my Things I Learned Tuesdays and doubt I’d do both. Still, I think that’s a cute idea and I think it would be well received.
I stop by because I like to see what you’re up to and because I consider you a friend! 🙂 I wish I could be a more consistent visitor, but there are so many blogs I visit I fear I am not consistent on any of them.
Good luck figuring out your next bloggy steps! 🙂
I like Q&As:).
#1 – via email. I agree with the others, I rarely go back so in comments doesn’t make any sense to me. But I don’t think every comment is worth a response – but definitely new people.
#2 – ads don’t bother me, but I never click them – on anyones pages. the links can sometimes get a little more annoying only because you have to click to know what ‘this’ is, but if it’s here & there it’s all good. Here & everyWHERE though & oh brother:). I’d love for you to teach me how to make money though!
#3 – Anchors are fun, I’ve never been good at them though. But lists sound good:)
I like whatever you do so I’m all for anything. I don’t mind ads at all. I click on lots of them. Top Ten Tuesday sounds like fun. You could have weird Wednesdays, Freaky Fridays or whatever.
Keep up the good work.
I like either one. I’m really bad about not commenting too!
Ads do not bother me. If you are a serious blogger you need them to be able to keep on doing what you do at some point. 🙂
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I don’t know how I prefer comments. I generally leave them on blogs, but don’t always comment on everything I’d like to.
Ads don’t bother me, but I generally read my posts with Google Reader, so I don’t see them. When I come to a post to comment, I go straight to the bottom of the page, so I bypass ads altogether.
I would LOVE to see Retr-oh Phot-oh! I love black and white photos, and could look at them for hours!
Count me in for Top Ten Tuesday! I’m thinking I need to do a list of Top Ten Things I Need to Clean.
1. Usually if someone comments on my blog, I try to go to theirs and read and comment to let them know I was there. But e-mails are okay too. I guess I just like to think someone is reading my stuff too, if they have time. But there’s no pressure if they don’t.
2. It doesn’t bother me to see ads on people’s blogs. If I’m interested I might click on it, but usually I don’t.
3. I may be interested in the black and white Wordless Wednesdays (do they have to be black and white photos only?) and also in the list blog.
4. I think you have a fun sense of humor and I enjoy reading seeing what you have to say. Plus you met Alton Brown! lol
I read because a)I love you and want to know what is going on in your life, b)because I love your writing style and your “voice”, c)you are interested in some many different interesting things, and d)you are a connector person, meaning you are good at linking people up by introducting us to new sites and blogs.
I love to hear back when I make a comment, but I don’t really care how. I agree with the girl above that it doesn’t have to be every time for sure.
I would like to promise to link up some photos, but I can’t promise to do that every week. I would like to do it once in a while if I get myself together, though.
I love the top ten idea.
Also, I don’t have a problem with ads, but I rarely click. :0)
1. I like it when you email back. I like to email people back when they comment, but not every person with a Blogger blog gives me that option. I think it’s fun and is more personal. Besides, I don’t always make it back to a persons blog to see if they left a response to my comment.
2.no, i don’t mind the ads. i don’t click on any of them though. and yes, please tell me how i can make some moo-lah with my blog!!!
3. nah, it’s not lame, at least i don’t think so. and who knows….i may even join in from time to time! 🙂 besides, i’m in a bloggy slump so this will give me an idea for posting tomorrow! 🙂
4. why do i come back???….because i like you and because of your response to me and my blog and the ‘conversations’ we’ve had via email, well, i kinda consider you a friend! I like posts about your life. you know, its the random things that make you interesting (even if you think it is dull…but its sooo not!) I like the way you write and tell a story, and you be funny! 🙂 THAT is why I keep comin’ back for more Oh Amanda.
I didn’t read the comments so that I wouldn’t be influenced by others’ responses.
Honesty: you asked. I aim to please.
One: I’d rather have a visit and comment on my blog, but it’s not always practical, so an personal email is OK with me. I rarely check back in someone’s comments for a response to my comment.
When someone comments on my blog, I always try to respond via email and then click on over to the commenter’s blog and leave a comment. Do unto others, right? I don’t have many commenters (except for WW), so this is not difficult to keep up with for me.
Two: I don’t mind the ads on others’ blogs. I read most of my favs via RSS feed, so I don’t see the ads. I really only click over to the blog itself when I intend to comment. I rarely click on the ads. I don’t buy much online.
Three: I’m not sure I’d participate in the B&W Mr. Linky carnival you mentioned, but not cause I don’t like the idea. I just have other carnivals that I’ve already committed to participate in.
Though I may participate in a tuesday top 10 now and again.
i just wanted to answer conclusion:
we are in similar life stages (i have almost 3 yr old and a 6 month old) and on rough days it is nice to know some is treading water too and on good days it is fun to read about funny things that are going on with your kids. i can relate to a lot of what is going down and enjoy reading about the simple life of ohamanda
Hi. I have added another blog to my wbsiete, and all is well, except when I try to subscribe to it. When I try to subscribe to the second blog, it just sends me to subscribe to my first blog. I changed the wp-config file like you suggested, and followed the steps in your tutorial, but my problem still persists. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you so much.
i know seriously i baiscally just asked the same question. it’s so freakin annoying!! probably gets paid to do it and makes a new account just to do that. i looked and they block out email. its so annoying.
1…I usually reply with email if there is something to reply to not just a generic comment or statement, and then try to visit the commenters blog.
2…I don’t mind the banners, but I have to admit I think doing the ads caused my blog to suffer and people were turned off even though I tried really hard to bury them below actual posts…
3…I like your tuesday idea! I’ll try to remember to link up with a top ten something, are you going to suggest a list?
conculusion… I heart you regardless.
conclusion… duh 🙂
1)When you comment do you prefer an email response, a visit to your blog or a response in the comments? Which is more fun? More personal? If you have a blog, what do you do?
** For me, it’s more personal to receive an email response. I feel more in touch with the blogger, but I think you and one other blogger ever did that, lol. Mostly everyone else, responds in the comment section. (I’m learning to go back to look for a response, but forget to do that often.)
I was responding by email, for a long time, but just recently started responding back, through comments.
2) Does it bother you when you see ads on personal blogs? Do you click banners, text links, etc to buy stuff online? Would you be interested in learning how to make money on your blog?
** No, it doesn’t bother me to see ads on blogs… but it does annoy me when the blog is COVERED in ads. Thankfully, only one blog I read is like that. I have clicked a few banners, (on here, as well) but I’ll admit, a lot of times, I ignore them. 🙁 I would love to learn how to make money with my blog.
3)I LOVED your black & white WW! And it’s funny that you bring this up, because I was just thinking about it, when I found some old pictures in my room, the other day. Only mine aren’t black & white, lol. I would love to see you bring it back. And I like the Top Ten Tuesday, idea… lots of fun!
4) Why do you come back to ohAmanda? What do you like to see/do/read/feel while you’re here? What have you missed lately? Is there something you really LIKE that I post about? Something you DO NOT really like? Am I asking too many questions?
**I come back, cause I loves ya! 😉 OK, seriously, I love to hear about your family. I love seeing pictures of you & the kids & hearing about what’s going on in your life. I love your WW posts.
Don’t stop blogging… I’ll miss ya!
You know I have an opinion about everything, so here goes. 😉
Comments: I usually read through other comments on a post I’m interested in. And I really like when there are reponses from the author in there. They don’t have to respond to every single comment, but if someone asks a question, I like to see it answered. Makes it seem like you’re paying attention. But, that AND an email is probably preferred, since I wouldn’t check back to see if my comment was commented on. Again, doesn’t have to be every single one.
Ads: I will only click on an ad that I know has been selected by the blog owner and does not disrupt the content. Like, if you had a side bar featuring an etsy shop you liked, or a book from amazon you read…I might click. A randomly generated Google ad? No click.
Not a blogger, so no comment on #3. 🙂
Why I’m here: Because I like to see what you and the kiddos are up to! And, when I see you, and I ask, “So, how’s Asa been sleeping?” You can’t roll your eyes and say, “Umm…didn’t you see my blog post?” Not that you’d say that, of course…I’m just being proactive. 😉
Keep up the good work! 🙂
I have been reading you for over a year and really enjoy your enthusiasm! Also? We both LOVE LOST!!
If somebody comments on my blog (still mostly family, bless ’em!) I will respond in the comments and send the comment in an email, copied and pasted. That way all my bases are covered. I know I like getting an email response, as I don’t re-read comment sections. If I do comment on a blog, I do appreciate a peek at mine, and hopefully I will have posted somethng brilliant that day. *snort* *excuse me*
I have my blogs on Google Reader. I click over if I want to comment and I read through all the comments first to make sure I’m not repeating somebody else. Like Trina, I don’t comment on blogs like Pioneer Woman, event though I think we were twins separated at birth. I almost always read the comments on Bye Bye Pie even if I don’t have a comment, because those people? Crazy funny.
I don’t mind ads in the side bar as long as there are only a few and that they are relevant to the blog. I do click through occasionally.
I have always loved your WW, even though they aren’t totally wordless. Your observations compel me to take a closer look and really bring the photo to life. TTT would be great, too. I’m sure I could come up with a few of those (like, Top Ten Strangest Signs in Las Cruces).
Finally, and in conclusion, I read your blog because you’re somebody I would like to be friends with in real life. If this is your actual real self, and not a fake identity like a pumped up MySpace, I really like you! 😉
Some of these ads are sexist, some just focus on seauxl imagery, some are simply cheap.Although I have to say the Arby’s ad isn’t all that bad. I would even say it’s a somewhat clever ad. But hey, what do I know ?
Do a search on yahoo for .free csilsifaed ads site And you will find over 28 million sites that should be enough to keep you busy posting for a while.Hope this helps,Have a great Day.
I’m pretty new to your blog but hopefully my answers will be helpful.
1. I never go back to comments to read a reply. I like an e-mail and visit to my blog.
2. I actually like seeing ads on a blog because I think it gives you credibility. If I don’t see any, I wonder if I’ve stubled across a more personal blog and maybe shouldn’t leave comments in case I freak them out. 🙂
3. I LOVE the top 10 idea and don’t think it’s lame at all! I already have an idea and I’m excited to join next week. I wish I could do it today but I’ve already done two posts. I wouldn’t do the B&W carnival just because I hardly take photos. But I would still like looking at yours.
Good luck!
The D&G ad i think is the most disturbing. It looks like they are trynig to make a rape image look like it’s in and sexy but it actually looks like they are going to do a gang rape on the model. So if I buy those glasses men will want to gang rape me also?Ramez it is sooo easy for you to laugh at this you are a guy and these ads appeal to you. Men can be so insensitive right IVY?
Hi Ron, thanks! Yes, stats are great becusae they can support what you already felt was true or totally turn you around. I think display advertising (aka banner advertising) has gotten a bum rap thanks to terrible click rates, so I hope this shows people that it’s still an effective ad medium it’s just been measured wrong!
I love to get a response back when I blog something important, if it’s not really some great input, no big deal. It could be on the blog site, or a personal email. It doesn’t have to be long either, just something like GOT IT, READ IT, THINKING ABOUT IT, if a person is short on time. I like the pictures. I really believe sometimes pictures speak louder than words, and who doesn’t like looking at smiles, I think they’re uplifting. If you have a mental block day, then I like reading shared recipes. I’ve printed out some from various blogs, and some I’ve even tried. They’re good. I am going to try making some pretzels next week that I printed out a recipe for today. I think no one can follow all the blogs out there, there are so many good ones. So, pick just a few, or jump around, whatever feels good to you. I don’t mind ads on blogs, and it’s great you want to make some money. Just remember to put about half of what you make away for taxes, so you don’t get hit hard at the end of the year. Instead of asking your viewers so much on what they are reading, tell us about what you’re reading or doing etc., so we can get inspired to do similar things or read what you liked. I know some blogs won’t tell anything about crafts/sewing ideas etc., but I know many moms who enjoy new crafting and sewing free ideas/projects, so if you have any or know of any links that would be nice too. Top ten ideas/ or other top ten things days are great. Wordless days are great to. Idea, top ten things for mom to do when everyone is home sick. Well, good luck.
Hey! What a fun post!
1. I always respond by email. I can’t get my act together to respond on my blog. 😛 I try to visit their blogs too, but sometimes my choice is between providing quality content and reading other blogs, and I tend to err on the content side for now.
2. I think ads are tasteless when they’re purely money-grubbing, but other than that, I think that if you’re providing quality content and earning a few dimes off of it in the process – go for it! (You probably guessed I would say that!)
3. Hey, look, there’s us!
I miss your Wordless Wednesday photos, so I do hope you’ll bring those back! And I love Top Ten Tuesday as well! I think you probably want to be careful not to do a carnival-type post every day of the week, though, because it starts to feel a little unoriginal, even though the content IS original. Does that make sense?
Can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!
I am a new blogger and just finding my way around. was looking for photo memes and found you.
I have ads. why not? can’t hurt and can eventually make a buck or two.
Am definitely interested in black and white photo meme!
I love reading your blog because you have such a classy sassy attitude that it almost always makes me smile. I also love to hear your mommy ups and downs because you always put humor into it. The WW pics typically depress me (sorry!) because they don’t ever smile and I just want them to smile!!! I mean, I know it was the Great Depression, but c’mon! But your comments and interpretations about them are fresh and positive, which makes me appreciate your optimism even more. I say all this to say, do what makes you happy. Blog about what you want. I’ll keep reading!
Totally been meaning to come back and answer these questions…sorry for chiming in so late!
1. I prefer email responses.
2. Ads are cool with me. I have clicked on one or two before.
3. I love Top Ten Tuesday!
I love Oh Amanda the blog because I love Oh Amanda the gal. Seriously! Post about whatever moves you, ’cause that’s what makes this you! Does that make sense?!
1. Depends on the type of comment. If it’s a question, it’s usually most fun and most personal to get a quick email – and that’s what I do. I RARELY check back for a response within the comments section of a post. And it is fun for a return visit but I also know that we all only have 24 hours in a day!!
2. Sidebar ads don’t bother me. Obviously. 🙂
3. Fun — I’ve read some of the Top Ten posts. I’ll get my act together one of these weeks!
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Hey, the one where it looks like she’s giving head is the best! . After that there were pahoogrhpters, stylists, assistants, photo editors, graphic designers, assistants and a whole lot of other people who became involved in the process and not a single one of them said With our budget do we really want to go for something that borders on stupid and down right offensive? or screamed What the hell are we doing?! . It’s almost amusing . but only almost! I would like to see numbers on if these advertisements actually work though
Actually, I think that webmasters suhold take this little bit of info to heed. If you look at it from the most literal perspective, it is easy to see how ads would or could affect a site’s ranking.First off, to a search engine bot an ad is no different than a simple outbound link. A bot’s not going to look at the size or graphics of an ad, but it is possible (and likely) that it will look at where this outbound link goes, where it falls on the page and how many instances of this and similar outbound links it finds on a given page. We all know that in the past, outbound links have had an effect (even if only a small on) on page rank, so it’s safe to assume that an ad will as well.Also it is possible that as search engines continue to develop, they may begin to look at the ads on a page as a way of determining a page’s relevancy. Think about it if a bot arrives at a page about organic dog food and finds a variety of outbound links that also go to sites about organic dog food, it could make the connection that the site it’s crawling provides more information on organic dog food than perhaps other sites with no outbound links to relevant content. And with the way Google is going these days, it may even begin showing search users the ads on a page as a part of the extended info about at site.These are just theories of mine, but to this tune you can use advertisements to your advantage. Just be sure that you keep ads to a minimum (especially above the fold), and that the ads you do allow on a given page are directly relevant to that page’s content. That way, if ads ever do become a more important factor in ranking algorithms you’ll already be ahead of the game.Tip: if you’re a WordPress user, I suggest either using a theme that allows you to create several different sidebars and choose which to use on each page, or create them yourself and then create templates for each of your sidebars. That way, you can more easily control which ads show in the sidebar of your pages. Sometimes showing the same ads across the entire site isn’t the best idea (as some ads won’t be as relevant to some pages). Consider this if you have even the slightest inkling that Google may count ads a part of its algorithm.One thing I will remind everyone of it’s never a good idea to assume one way or another. Unless you’re in deep with Google and know the in’s and out’s of their current algorithm (a luxury most of us mere mortals don’t have), you’ll never really know what Google does and doesn’t count in its algorithm. And the important thing to remember is that Google isn’t every really going to tell you. So it’s best to plan for possibilities, actualities and eventualities when it comes to Google because everything’s a possibility.