Go to Some Scary Stuff
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bpitter2007 - nothing would really change other than the "About Me" pages
becoming more sophisticated.
You may have noticed that since I wrote this post that the owners of Blogit are taking a small step in this direction. The use of videos sounds interesting
posted by
gomedome
on December 29, 2007 at 9:15 PM
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gomedome, would we still be...
...able to interact with each other as we do now? I didn't see that in your concept. Have you thought about including videos at all? I was thinking of a great idea concerning videos that could be unique to blogit only and separate us from the rest.
posted by
b2008
on December 29, 2007 at 4:19 PM
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FreeManWalking - what you are suggesting is very similar to my thinking
Though I believe the coding end of it must incorporate RSS feeds. I'll show you a perfect example of how I think that the software running the Blogit site should be set up to be the best of all worlds for everyone involved.
First I must say that I do not believe that the private membership/blogging for rankings competition model currently in use, will survive indefinitely. That is a reasonable statement, the internet is dynamic, evolves, with technologies and trends sometimes becoming redundant within short time spans.
I believe we need a public page for every member, a profile page that has a number of customizeable options and is part of a social networking community where we could promote our blogs, our writing and other creative projects. Our Blogit "About Me" pages could be modified to do this fairly easily. Here is an example of what the new pages might possibly incorporate: HERE . . . notice the headlines that appear on this page via an RSS feed from my private blog.
Then we would have our blogs such as this one: HERE . . . (this is the blog where the RSS feed comes from for the first page)
The promotion of the public page, promotes not only the authors work but the private site as well. I could go on for hours on this but will stop now, I think you see the basic structure.
posted by
gomedome
on December 19, 2007 at 7:31 PM
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gomedome - I've been around pretty regular since January 2004 and have
noticed the thinning out. Its good that you point out all the alternatives that weren't around a few years ago.
I suggest Blogit keep the blog/social aspect of the web site but also offer contributors an online writing portfolio where they can park a few examples of articles (or stories or poems) they've written and link these pages onto personal web sites. It would be sort of like a youtube for words. And of course access to the portfolio pieces would have to be free and open to the public. I'm actually looking for such a service right now because I'd rather create one link on a personal web page and be done with it rather than having to update multiple links everytime I want to put a new piece in my portfolio. Writing.com offers such a service but it comes with a seriously hokey background that I am leary of.
Does this idea make since?
posted by
FreeManWalking
on December 19, 2007 at 1:48 PM
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Oddy - I cannot disagree with any of that but please consider that this
post is entitled: "The Future of Blogit"
What you are describing entails an entirely different business model. Probably best acheived by a new website altogether. That may well be a viable argument, maybe it is time to rip things up and start over again but that decision is not in our hands.
posted by
gomedome
on December 18, 2007 at 6:21 AM
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Gomedome - You are definitely correct that the concept of vertical
integration cannot be said to be applicable to the site as it is now. However, it would become applicable if the site were successfully organized and operated as I proposed. The production is the writers product. Wholesale is where writers presently sell their product. Retail is where magazines, newspapers and others deploy the writing to produce their revenue. Vertical integration occurs when the writers go straight to market with their product, which has been impossible in the past because of the enormous overhead associated with printing presses, advertising sales teams, and the like. However, digital technology has created a path where this can occur.
posted by
Oddy
on December 17, 2007 at 11:26 PM
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FineYoungSinger - I'm going over to the chalk board to place a checkmark
beside your name under status quo.
And there is nothing wrong with that position, I lean very strongly towards it myself. . . . but we are working on the assumption of fixing something that isn't quite working. Where we must assume, simply because we are not privvy to facts, we do know that the overall site participation is now a bit thinner than in past years. Improving overall site content can only be done by improving the rewards for making site contributions. You simply cannot mandate that participants who are paying for the priviledge of being here write better, nor can their work be edited or refused on the same grounds. The homepage is out of our hands as well but I agree, it may be time for an overhaul. The treatment of new members is entirely in our hands. Without attempting to re-invent the wheel we can all help ourselves as site contributors by simply making a bit more of an effort to welcome people new to this site.
posted by
gomedome
on December 15, 2007 at 12:31 PM
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Ariala - everything you are describing points to one inescapable conclusion
The membership/payment distribution model in use on this site is unique and to my knowledge is not used anywhere else. There are other business models in use today that reward contributors to a much greater degree, These two realities coupled with diminishing site interest suggest that this site's business model is in need of enhancement. Preferably retaining as many of the elements we have come to enjoy about this site, while addressing the inequity of time versus reward that has always existed here.
posted by
gomedome
on December 15, 2007 at 12:03 PM
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Oddy - I thank you for the business theory 101, it may however save you
some time and effort in your comments if you remember who you are having dialogue with.
My point is that you need not give examples of basic business models or economic principles to me (I speak the lingo). Unless of course you are doing this for the benefit of others, then by all means carry on.
I don't mean to shoot down all of your ideas (honestly) but I cannot think of less applicable business strategy than Vertical Integration pertaining to this site. Necessary elements to controlling all aspects of bringing a product to market are predicated on the one biggy of all of these aspects actually existing. There is no manufacturer/producer to wholesale to retail vertical distribution chain to integrate or anything that resembles this. There is instead an infrastructure of site membership and payment distribution in place where a number of people must lose for a few people to gain. The question that presents itself from this reality is: How long can this continue in the face of competition from other online communities using different membership and payment distribution models?
But you do inadvertently outline something that is very workable in a writer's community controlling its own destiny and by virtue of doing so, controlling its potential income.
posted by
gomedome
on December 15, 2007 at 11:51 AM
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The draw of this site for me is it's clean, simple, advertisement-free
format. Adding advertisements would be a drawback. I'd rather pay $15 a month for access to a dynamic site that potentially can help my writing get to print. Like most people that surfed into this opportunity, people didn't come here to "make money"; they came here to "make money WRITING." Two very different things.
As a writer, I can write a piece, post it, and instantly know whether or not it's quality by the kind of feedback I get. I can also, by reading and commenting, draw readers to my works and at the same time support their efforts. There's no fluff here to wade through; no crazy windows popping up; no formats to fight; no gimmicks like "tokens" for reading and writing with which you can buy more space. I prefer the streamlined format, and gladly pay for it.
Advertisements would be the nail in the coffin. They are annoying and destracting. I'm here, like most of the writers here, to hone my skills, develop a writing habit, get feedback and find inspiration for future works, and to ultimately get my work into print. Overall, the content needs to improve, the homepage needs to be simplified, new members need to be supported.
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on December 15, 2007 at 6:52 AM
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I definitely think to keep and encourage better writing on this site, it
would be wise for Blogit to pay its writers a heck of a lot more money. This can be done with ad revenue. Blogit could branch out and do something like Associated Content and ask its bloggers to write on certain topics. Information is big on the Internet and it pays via ad revenue. Blogit needs to branch out and perhaps have two channels on here...one for blogging (more of a chat room like it is now with paid membership) and one for distributing valuable information and articles (like AC with ads running to generate revenue.) This part of Blogit would be free for anyone to join and write. Seriously, they could REALLY increase their income this way.
posted by
Ariala
on December 15, 2007 at 4:10 AM
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Gomedome - Many industries have been revolutionized when producers
are able to become vertically integrated, which refers to their ability to encompass more of the entire process from the production of a product all the way to its retail delivery. An example might be an oil manufacturer that adds retail service stations into its business mix. Digital technology opens this ability to the literary industry. The middlemen who exist between a freelance writer and his ultimate market could potentially be eliminated if a group of highly competent writers were capable of working together in a digital platform such as this. Because they are eliminated, the profit margins of the middlemen can be seized by the successful vertical integrator. Of course there would be a lot of things to work out, but I think it could be very profitable because the writers would be more motivated to produce effective pieces. Sort of like the difference between the salesman who works on commission and the one who has only a set paycheck. Anyway, these are just speculative ideas from me.
posted by
Oddy
on December 15, 2007 at 12:05 AM
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Chyrlann - in your first comment you cover a number of good ideas
I wholeheartedly agree that it it time for a Blogit facelift. As a non invested party but also as a longstanding contributor, I feel we have to divide suggestions between doable without ownership rights and doable with ownership rights. As contributors we are very limited but not entirely. We can do things such as instill sitewide sentiment, form welcoming committees and proliferate rudimentary unwritten rules. As an example: Unwritten rule number one would be to never discourage a newbie.
I would add that I feel partial commercialization is inevitable but it must be balanced against the reality of site user fees. Commercialization could only be extremely subtle, possibly coming to fruition by developing a user's research resource. This could so easily be accomplished as well as a number of other things you mention; by the further incorporation of Gozoof.com into Blogit. Gozoof is a nice chunk of interactive scripting, one which has enormous possibilities.
posted by
gomedome
on December 14, 2007 at 9:57 PM
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Oddy - what you are proposing is an allegiance of forum moderators.
That part of your ideas is good because it is doable. Alternate sources of income derived from the partial commercialization of this site is a good idea as well. Where we run into trouble is in the purchase idea and in limiting a range of categories for certain people. I would not tolerate suffering such limitations, I like to contribute to many categories, change them as I please or leave them alone, as time allows. Minimizing trivial chit chat from this forum would be like removing one of this site's appendages. It thrives on and is fueled by the inane, that is one of Blogit's major appeals. And finally, nothing can be imperitive on this site but .....
I do not stand here criticising an effort to apply some creativity and thought without offering something in return. Looking at it pragmaticly, realisticly and prudently, I feel that we must all understand the realities. Blogit is not a cash cow, it is a small and marginal player in the world of profitable blogging sites. The second reality is that; due to the fact we have reduced membership from higher levels in the past, this site also has unused or under utilized web resources. It is time to bundle what this site offers in an attractive special site membership sale package. That is the simplest quick fix, which infuses both life blood but also postpones the inevitable. A free trial membership is another idea along the same lines. The point being to use existing site assets to self finance the necessary time to ponder a true solution.
posted by
gomedome
on December 14, 2007 at 9:08 PM
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I beg to differ slightly sir; I don't believe we are at the mature stages
of an internet trend. I believe we are at the infant stages of three dimensional interface interaction; computerized talking houses and cars connected to internet, interacting websites; Safeway for example will be connected to your refrigerator filling your grocery needs as you voice them...ect. Maybe I did not understand your response to Sally's suggestion? I do not believe the internet has become a trend, nor has reached any mature stages technologically speaking. Maybe I misunderstood your reply?
posted by
roadscross
on December 14, 2007 at 8:41 PM
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I have investigated many writing websites and have come to a number of
conclusions and opinions comparing others to Blogit and I am pleased I found your article. I have every intention of advancing my writing. The socializing here is much like chat rooms at other personal websites; good for many if that is what they're looking for. I was not, although during my more secluded times this past year working many hours, the interaction has been a blessing. I was introduced here because I wanted to practice and hone in my writing but in the interm, have met many wonderful writers.
One thing I found on another popular writing website that I appreciate is rating comparitive articles. The subject matter is introduced (in the same way writing contests are) and everyone competes for the highest rating regarding several attributes overall; clarity, interest, honing subject matter, brevity, profundity, etc. I have competed when time will allow. The website is free of charge, but like Sally (Offy) stated, it is supported by advertisers (most popular websites are currently), particularly advertisers proud to support upcoming writers. There are many organizations and corporations willing to support writers. An important point of consideration; just as we read to be read....rating articles is required to compete.
The second aspect I've noted is the writing catagories are supported by advertisers relating to the subject matter, i.g; The Single Life, supported by online dating services / Arts & Photography supported by the arts....etc. Home & Garden supported by Home Depot, Lowes, HG TV, etc.
An article Ariala posted recently confirmed TV advertising profitablilty diminishing due to online activity. Majority is spending more time online than viewing TV. As we all know, attempting to watch any 'free' TV at this time requires we view three times the advertising as the actual program. If it wasn't for remote control surfing (multi-watching) the majority would walk away and not view 'free' TV atal. Free television is rapidly becoming an icon.
Pop-ups are frustrating and annoying and I wouldn't support or promote a website attempting this type of advertising. Productive websites creatively incorporate advertising in bordered areas. Advertisers could also offer free information when clicking on their ads much the same way DIY offers do it yourself information on the HG TV website. They have been productive online from their inception.
I also feel Blogit is more of an elaborate, social alternative......there are free chat rooms available anywhere and IM, etc. If advertisers and organizations and corporations who support writers do not have access to the writers websites, the possiblity of promoting writers is nile.
I appreciate the fact that I've practiced and honed my skills, learned many attributes from many amazing writers here, but I feel unless Blogit has a face-lift, keeping up with internet times and promotes this website as a venue for promoting writers, many more will be discouraged at the price of this elaborate, social alternative.
posted by
roadscross
on December 14, 2007 at 8:33 PM
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Oddy - I'm going to get back to this when time allows
You actually have some creative ideas that deserve further discussion. . . but be forewarned that I have a great deal of knowledge of these subjects. Some of your ideas are good, however some are not facing reality. That one main reality being that we are in the mature stages of an internet trend. Pumping life into a dying technology, at the very least warrants caution.
posted by
gomedome
on December 14, 2007 at 7:51 PM
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The better writers on blogit should all go in together and buy the site
and then each take responsibility for writing and promoting writing in a more limited range of categories. LImited advertising should be accepted that would be relevant in each category, in order to provide revenue. The front page should be marketed like an on-line magazine. Trivial writing and chit chat would have to be minimized to convert the site into a more serious literary vehicle, but public commentary would be imperative. With good writers (with a stake) spread in a variety of places all around the world, cool local stories would be popping up all the time. (just think, Kooka could have been on the scene to cover the recent Denver shootings and provide digital photography!). Readers and advertisers would flock and the stock would soar! Everyone would make money!
posted by
Oddy
on December 14, 2007 at 6:41 PM
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EX_TURPI - the free trial period sounds like a good idea
I feel that the number of new members that become hooked and eventually join would outpace the smaller number of those join, who pay up front and quit shortly thereafter from disappointment (under the current system). A free trial incorporated into some of the other ideas, both yours and some mentioned earlier sounds as if it has promise.
posted by
gomedome
on December 14, 2007 at 2:13 PM
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If Blogit were to introduce a trial period for nonmembers, maybe that would attract more members. Maybe they could have a panel which rates blogs and gives prizes. Maybe they can find a way for their bloggers' posts to be used by other entities. Maybe, they should advertise and pay their members more. Just a few thoughts.
posted by
EX_TURPI
on December 14, 2007 at 1:29 PM
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Corbin_Dallas - that's a good idea and very simple to do
It could be a first page of a member directory and with some tweaking, be utilized as a means of getting newcomers more involved immediately. A who's online field might also be helpful.
posted by
gomedome
on December 14, 2007 at 12:58 PM
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A page showing a listing of new members....
They drop off after 30 days.....then we can read their works.
posted by
Corbin_Dallas
on December 14, 2007 at 12:41 PM
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FineYoungSinger - I agree with everything you have said
One thing I would add to all blogs is a simple archiving/compression system beyond the rudimentary recent posts archive we have now. Possible along the lines of the Blogger archiving system which breaks every down into months. A member directory alphabetically prioritized, would be helpful as well. I can think of a dozen more suggestions.
posted by
gomedome
on December 14, 2007 at 12:29 PM
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New blogit members get lost in the shuffle.
The homepage is too muddled and cycles way too much. The interactivities splitout isn't really that great of an idea. There are too many categories that are unused. Writers in this forum often post nothing more than email content or video clips.
Blogit needs to be streamlined.
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on December 14, 2007 at 11:42 AM
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I agree with you
posted by
Kayzzaman
on December 14, 2007 at 11:22 AM
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