Over the last few years I’ve only written a few blog posts. I don’t want to give up blogging altogether but I need to work out a way to make it fit into my current life and work habits. I’ve noticed that since I’ve been mostly working on other people’s family trees my blogging has dropped off. I used to blog mostly about my own family history and don’t feel free to blog about my client’s history without asking specifically and that can take time. I like to blog when the mood strikes me or something piques my interest which I would like to share so by the time permission has been given I’ve lost the urge.
Technology and the way we use it has changed dramatically since I first started blogging nearly 20 years ago. I wonder how many people read my blog on phones these days instead of on laptops or desktop computers…….. I don’t read as many blogs as I used to. I use Facebook a lot and read a lot of articles linked to from there and watch a lot of videos too. I have considered making genealogy videos about my own family history and about the tips and tricks I continue to learn as I keep researching and attending webinars and seminars.
I love the Youtube vloggers that I follow and watch their content avidly, always happy when a new video comes out but I don’t know that I could fit regular vlogging into my schedule. I don’t have the equipment necessary however I could use the new equipment at Makerspace Adelaide where I am a member and volunteer. I would like to do the occasional video though and they may be genealogy related or one of my other hobbies and interests (which I will still post here).
I now have four grandchildren and two of them with special needs. Ilijah is on the autism spectrum, he’s just started school this year and the youngest Naomi has Osteogenesis Imperfecta also known as Brittle Bone Disease. I help out with babysitting where I can and also transport to medical appointments and sporting events. Josiah the eldest is a talented and keen footballer (Aussie Rules).
I still get some cousin contacts via my blog so I definitely don’t want to take it down or stop blogging altogether I just need to come up with a format and style which works for me. I won’t make any promises about new content because life so often gets in the way but I will say, “watch this space”.
Hi Kylie, the nice thing about blogging is it stays and can be found by cousins or anyone who is interested years later.
I am reading on an iPad right now but I read from the internet on desktop and phone also. WordPress is good because you can preview for the different platforms.
I am not a fan of video blogs, I much much prefer to read. Writing takes work but in the course of that work I find I am more focussed on what I am trying to say and I am less likely to repeat myself. I can read quite quickly. I am not prepared to take the time to watch even 10 minutes of a video blog. Just today though I watched a 7 minute video by a very well known and articulate blogger. There were no umms or errs but she repeated herself many times, she only had two things to say which could have been expressed in two crisp paragraphs. Her video confirmed my dislike of the medium. Occasionally I have found a how-to video worthwhile, for example when learning DNAPAINTER but that is the exception.
Good luck 🙂
Thanks Anne, it’s good to hear what people’s likes and dislikes are. Yes there are a lot of umms and errs in video blogs and I find these annoying too. If I were to do videos they would most likely be scripted or of me teaching something which I hope would eliminate the umming! 🙂
🙂 Could be really good. I think only other bloggers know how much work goes into sharing family history or genealogy techniques. Look forward to you getting your mojo back.
I think the longer we blog, the fewer things urge us to write about them. I definitely wouldn’t take it down and just write as and when you feel like it. The blog content will be preserved meanwhile. I’m with Anne, I prefer to read than watch…vlogs always make me want to say “hurry up”.
Thanks Pauleen, I guess I don’t want to give the impression of an abandoned blog, therefore the rest of my website isn’t up to date either. It’s good to hear your thoughts on vlogs too.
I struggle also to find time so totally understand. Don’t take it down as it is still catching cousins. As Pauleen says do it when you feel like it. You could go for short posts with a quick few facts you already know. Good cousin bait and not as time consuming as researching for a post.
I like the idea of the shorter posts with several facts and I can add a photo if I have one, thanks Fran.