i love the idea of featuring several blogs with specific themes every couple days. i've done a lot of browsing through the group's comments and blogs and its been difficult to figure out which ones suit my interests. this would address that wonderfully.
and congratulations on the great publicity and feedback! it's well deserved. this project has introduced me to so many fascinating on-line worlds.
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
That seems to be the consensus that more variety will be a good thing. Thanks for voicing your opinion, and thanks, too, for the kind words!
Ginger
· 1 year ago
Kudos all around--this project was a stroke of genius and it's getting the recognition it deserves!
Oh, and I love the idea of featuring different blogs for different audiences.
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
Thanks, Ginger! Again, another good vote for multiple blogs being featured.
CJ
· 1 year ago
Oh, I do agree with all that and I have to commend you on the spiralling success of the project. Zoe's blog was a great choice for first feature and I'm enjoying understanding her take on things, but I too would like a bit of a choice regarding the type of blog that will interest me most in the future.
One thing I would like to ask of the fellow members of our group, though - if several differing blogs are featured each time, please do go and take a serious look at each one at the start, even if you don't return. You might well find something surprising there that intrigues you. I certainly do that sometimes on the most (on the face of it) unpromising blogs.
If we do that, it will both ensure encouragement for ALL the featured bloggers and also hopefully prod the rest of us into broadening our reading horizons - which is always a good thing, don't you think?
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
I'm 100% with you. I will encourage everyone to give each of the blogs a fair shake and to follow AT LEAST one of the blogs but maybe all of them. This will be up to the individual, of course, but I'll make my case for it.
Johnny Truant
· 1 year ago
Cool. I'm not a top blogger and I don't know any, but it's still cool.
So did you end up using a Gravatar or what? I assume that's why mine shows up.
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
Yep, I'm using a Gravatar. It took me a while, but they're pretty useful.
Ken Stewart
· 1 year ago
Congratulations to you on beginning this, Chuck - and kudos to everyone participating. Even if each of us only subscribe and leave 1 or 2 comments, that has a wonderful impact on the community.
Zoe's blog is a lot of fun, and what is great is that each time a new blog is announced I hope to expand my reading list!
Building a community is a wonderful thing.
Warmest Regards, Ken Stewart
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
Thanks, Ken. : )
Alain Lemay
· 1 year ago
This initiative has somehow managed to take off where similar initiatives have crashed and burned. That is no doubt because the bloggers who signed up were true to their words so kudos to all.
I'm also wondering if there is not an opportunity here to create a group blog. We could, for example, pick a topic every month and everyone that wants to contribute writes an article that is posted on the blog.
What do you guys (and gals) think?
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
I love the idea of giving a voice to this community. Would a blog be the best way to do that? I'd tried to do some of that on the forums, but I can see some possibility around a blog as well. Could you tell me more about what you are envisioning?
Betsy Wuebker
· 1 year ago
Hey Chuck - the reason this took off so well is that you were unconcerned with self-promotion. You started by paying it forward, and look what you get! :) It's so deserved, and look how it's gone viral. Just by sheer awesome-ness you should be able to attract an A-list panel to help with your selections, whatever you decide the parameters will be.
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
Thanks, Betsy. : ) I hope to get some involvement from the higher-ups, but if that doesn't work out, it's no big deal.
Anya
· 1 year ago
Chuck, you've helped create a wonderful community and project. I'm so glad that it has been a success. As for adding more blogs to the two week tour, I like that idea, but not too many (say not more than 5 at a time), pretty please, as it might be hard to devote dedicated attention to all of them.
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
Thanks, Anya : ) We're on the same page. Some more blogs, but they will still be "featured." I'm going to guard against losing that aspect.
SINgleGIRL
· 1 year ago
Chuck, I agree with Anya. A few more blogs each week would be a good thing, but too many might spread our attention too thin. And thank you so much for initiating this project. I've so enjoyed reading Zoe's blog, and never would've found it without you.
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
Totally agree. I'm going to try to keep the ratio of readers to featured blogs very very high. And you are welcome!
Jean Gogolin
· 1 year ago
Add me to the list of people who loved this idea, jumped in, and am so glad I did. I agree its "play it forward" aspect is the reason it's taken off.
I nominate "Eggs on Sunday" as a blog to follow, if you like food, great recipes and lovely photography. Good writing too.
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
You've been added to that list and thanks for the point to the EoS blog. : )
kyle steed
· 1 year ago
Awesome post. It's so great to be a part of something that I believe in. And I love that Copyblogger has given this project the credit it deserves.
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
Thanks, Kyle. I'm glad you're a part of it as well. I hope to get to work more closely with Brian someday. He's so darn busy that it's hard to break through and reach him.
TJ Hirst
· 1 year ago
Thanks for opening the door on this creative endeavor. I'm finding lots of helpful ideas for creating from Zoe. Way to go Oktober5, love the simplicity of your designs. Can't wait to see the banner.
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
Thanks, TJ. Z and Okt5 are great, and I too am glad to have found them both.
Writer Dad
· 1 year ago
You deserve ALL the praise, Chuck, as well as the readers who made it happen. These all sound like great suggestions, and I'm sure this ball's just starting to roll. Oktober 5 is awesome, and that's funny about your avatar, because the first time I saw it, it reminded me of him.
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
Thanks, WD. We'll see whether the ball does get rolling faster. At the moment, I think it could very well do that, or it could slow down as the excitement over the initial idea fades. I'm hoping for the former!
Blake
· 1 year ago
Yeah I think a few blogs per week would be cool. This really is a great project and I'm glad to be a part of it, especially as a Z-List blogger! :)
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
Thanks, Blake. I'm glad you're a part of it as well.
Alden Smith
· 1 year ago
Hi, Chuck~
Good to see that you are getting the recognition you deserve. I am glad to be a part of this experiment that you have given us the opportunity to share in. Although my time is limited due to obligations to my clients, I would happily look at several blogs per week. Zoe is holding her own, and that is a good thing. I also like the idea of Alain's about a group blog. I think it is an awesome idea. We already see good participation with the members who have stuck with it thus far. That is amazing in its own right. Carrying it further only makes good sense. I would be glad to lend a hand in that...
Regards,
Alden~
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
I'm not sure I fully understand the vision for a group blog, but I'm willing to listen. Shoot me your thoughts in an email?
Aaron Irizarry
· 1 year ago
Great to hear that everything is moving forward Chuck. It is awesome to see something that is bringing the community together as opposed to us just all trying to promote ourselves at each others expense.
I really think this has the potential to be such a valuable resource that will help designers/bloggers grow and develop their skill set all the while giving back.
keep it up
~Aaron I
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
Much appreciated, Aaron. I know that the design community is an exciting one from my perspective, and I hope to do a better job of reaching into that group here in the near future.
tawnya
· 1 year ago
That is awesome news! I don't qualify for being on the panel but I do hope someday to be a selection. :)
And should the day come I DO qualify to serve, I would love to. This has been a brilliant idea and just being a part has been thrilling. I've met quite a few bloggers and have added most of them to my reader feed. I've also seen a nice uptick in my own traffic as well.
Can't wait for the next blog you pick.
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
Thanks, Tawnya. I'm so glad it's been fun for you so far. : )
Holly Tucker
· 1 year ago
Love this project. And agree, I would be really interested in seeing blogs that cover a range of topics. My specific interests are: books, history, and generally geekstuff. Would be thrilled to help recommend a blogs--there are SO MANY in that area that are undervisited and undervalued. High quality content, passionate, knowledgeable writers.
(And if you are ever REALLY stuck, you could always pick me.... lol
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
Thanks for sharing, Rhonda. : )
Tiffany Monhollon
· 1 year ago
Chuck, congrats on all the traction! E-mail me to let me know how I can help.
Elizabeth Marie
· 1 year ago
Must say that you are doing an amazing job with the group so far Chuck - really quite an impressive feat.
I am definitely not a top blogger as my blog has only been around for about four months however I could make a few recommendations if you ever need any.
I also really like the idea of perhaps doing more than one blog every couple of weeks because while Zoe's blog was a great first pick there was only so much we could critique after she had been so proactive about making amends and following the groups suggestions so quickly.
Looking forward to seeing what kinds of changes you make!
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
Thanks, Lizzard. Any recommendations you have, feel free to send them my way. As for critiquing Z's blog, I think that's an important part of the process but not the most important part of the process. Moving more quickly than two weeks at a time would be a nightmare for me to try to manage, but it would also be a bit of a short attention span.
Jenn
· 1 year ago
I found you through a link on Twitter. I love what you're doing with the project and must agree that featuring a couple of blogs every two weeks is a great idea. I'm looking forward to seeing who you end up featuring and if you need any help, let me know! I'm always hanging out in the Blogosphere.
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
Thanks, Jenn. Glad you've found us, and I definitely need help. Drop me a note, and we can chat!
Melanie @ MelADramatic Mommy
· 1 year ago
Congratulations on the accolades, they are well deserved. I ditto the idea of a variety of blogs featured.
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
Thanks, Melanie. You all deserve the accolades as well. I'm impressed that we've had such follow-through.
Allan McDougall
· 1 year ago
I wonder if it would be worthwhile to think about high-level genre categories to situate your bi-monthly blog selections. What would these categories be? I'm not sure. Perhaps "photoblog," "opinion," "politics and culture," and "humour." What else would you suggest?
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
That's exactly what I'm thinking. I want to be creative about how I do the categories, though. I'll be doing a lot of thinking around the reasons why people are attracted to blogs.
Meredith Gould
· 1 year ago
Like the idea of a few blogs in various categories, although I confess that my participation has been less than active. So many (wonderful) blogs, so little (waking) time! Thanks to you for all that you do to build community, Chuck.
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
You are very welcome. I understand how hard it is to keep up with everything. My own blog reading has taken a serious hit since I started this project.
jen
· 1 year ago
I reckon if there's say 4-5 really broad topics with a blog from each topic every fortnight that would work quite well. I love how this project has taken off and I look forward to seeing how it progresses. Well done for thinking of it.
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
Thanks, Jen. We're on the same page about how to do the categories, by the way.
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
Also, well done for being the first one to use the word fortnight in conjunction with this project. I can't believe it took this long.
JenX67
· 1 year ago
Zoe is exactly the kind of blog I look for, so I wanted to thank you for making the introduction. I like the idea of one blog every few weeks. I think it creates more anticipation and participation; however, if you get a blogger with a tight niche - like about bicycles or crocheting or ???, people might wander off and you'll actually end up with deflated readers and little participation. You can see that I've really helped you here. LOL!
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
I'm thinking that we'll keep the categories nice and broad, but it could also be fun to do a mini-feature every so often just for a day about some bizarre niche blog.
Liz
· 1 year ago
(d-list blogger)
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
Why, yes I am.
mike logan
· 1 year ago
Hi Chuck,
So amazing. I hardly have time to read all that you have started, because you were willing to pay it forward. I like the idea of several blogs being featured each week, and I really like the introspection I read in Zoe's work. So I am here to participate and help out as time permits. Is it possible to get addresses for the other blogs, and if it has been done, my apologies. Mike Logan
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
Glad you are finding it interesting. You're looking for the address of other blogs? Like the other readers and participants? I would suggest just scrolling through the comment section on that original post for those.
Mon
· 1 year ago
Congrats Chuck and everyone.
Couple of things. I'm glad to hear that you're considering featuring a few blogs and perhaps covering certain themes. I was beginning to think that it wasn't much point me being part of this (except to support others) as it seemed my blog wasn't to the taste of others involved. But if this grew and there were topics to suit many tastes, then this would be great. Secondly, although the growth of this is of course fantastic, I would hate for it to become so big and generic that it's just another blog promotional site. Where blogs are lost in the heap so to speak, you know? Fo me, it was the small intimate nature of what started here that caught and held my interest. A big site, of 'big' bloggers nominating and promoting thousands of blogs might lose the initial magic. Just my 2 pence worth. :)
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
Thanks, Mon. I'm going to strive for the best of both worlds. I want our attention to be focused collectively on just a handful of blogs for two weeks. I want the selection process for those blogs to be as authoritative as possible, though.
Chuck Westbrook
· 1 year ago
Thanks, Tiffany. You know I appreciate that, and I'll take you up on your offer.
PV Reymond
· 1 year ago
Great Chuck.
It is getting better and better. I think this will be a great success.
I'd like to say how much I appreciate your taking the time to RESPOND to each and every comment on your own blog. I think that makes a whale of a difference! G. PS--Count me in on your Board, if you need an expert in self-improvement, writing, psychology...all I need is a big readership. :-)
Denise
· 1 year ago
Chuck, I think the project is going beautifully so far! I really like the idea of featuring more than one blog every two weeks. I don't know about others but I have time to read several blogs a day and there must be others that have that time, also. Naw, we don't want to be burned out but if we're reading blogs anyway.....
Colleen
· 1 year ago
Great work Chuck I just friended you on twitter as tixrus. It points to my other blog -- maybe I should point twitter to my food blog what do you think?
All Comments
and congratulations on the great publicity and feedback! it's well deserved. this project has introduced me to so many fascinating on-line worlds.
Oh, and I love the idea of featuring different blogs for different audiences.
One thing I would like to ask of the fellow members of our group, though - if several differing blogs are featured each time, please do go and take a serious look at each one at the start, even if you don't return. You might well find something surprising there that intrigues you. I certainly do that sometimes on the most (on the face of it) unpromising blogs.
If we do that, it will both ensure encouragement for ALL the featured bloggers and also hopefully prod the rest of us into broadening our reading horizons - which is always a good thing, don't you think?
So did you end up using a Gravatar or what? I assume that's why mine shows up.
Zoe's blog is a lot of fun, and what is great is that each time a new blog is announced I hope to expand my reading list!
Building a community is a wonderful thing.
Warmest Regards,
Ken Stewart
I'm also wondering if there is not an opportunity here to create a group blog. We could, for example, pick a topic every month and everyone that wants to contribute writes an article that is posted on the blog.
What do you guys (and gals) think?
I nominate "Eggs on Sunday" as a blog to follow, if you like food, great recipes and lovely photography. Good writing too.
Good to see that you are getting the recognition you deserve. I am glad to be a part of this experiment that you have given us the opportunity to share in. Although my time is limited due to obligations to my clients, I would happily look at several blogs per week. Zoe is holding her own, and that is a good thing. I also like the idea of Alain's about a group blog. I think it is an awesome idea. We already see good participation with the members who have stuck with it thus far. That is amazing in its own right. Carrying it further only makes good sense. I would be glad to lend a hand in that...
Regards,
Alden~
It is awesome to see something that is bringing the community together as opposed to us just all trying to promote ourselves at each others expense.
I really think this has the potential to be such a valuable resource that will help designers/bloggers grow and develop their skill set all the while giving back.
keep it up
~Aaron I
And should the day come I DO qualify to serve, I would love to. This has been a brilliant idea and just being a part has been thrilling. I've met quite a few bloggers and have added most of them to my reader feed. I've also seen a nice uptick in my own traffic as well.
Can't wait for the next blog you pick.
Nice to see everyone over at Twitter. Let's follow each other there too. http://twitter.com/holly_tucker
http://carriestuckmann.blogspot.com/
Check her out sometime!
(And if you are ever REALLY stuck, you could always pick me.... lol
I am definitely not a top blogger as my blog has only been around for about four months however I could make a few recommendations if you ever need any.
I also really like the idea of perhaps doing more than one blog every couple of weeks because while Zoe's blog was a great first pick there was only so much we could critique after she had been so proactive about making amends and following the groups suggestions so quickly.
Looking forward to seeing what kinds of changes you make!
So amazing. I hardly have time to read all that you have started, because you were willing to pay it forward. I like the idea of several blogs being featured each week, and I really like the introspection I read in Zoe's work. So I am here to participate and help out as time permits. Is it possible to get addresses for the other blogs, and if it has been done, my apologies. Mike Logan
Couple of things.
I'm glad to hear that you're considering featuring a few blogs and perhaps covering certain themes. I was beginning to think that it wasn't much point me being part of this (except to support others) as it seemed my blog wasn't to the taste of others involved. But if this grew and there were topics to suit many tastes, then this would be great.
Secondly, although the growth of this is of course fantastic, I would hate for it to become so big and generic that it's just another blog promotional site. Where blogs are lost in the heap so to speak, you know?
Fo me, it was the small intimate nature of what started here that caught and held my interest. A big site, of 'big' bloggers nominating and promoting thousands of blogs might lose the initial magic.
Just my 2 pence worth. :)
It is getting better and better. I think this will be a great success.
Thanks,
^PV Reymond
http://www.pvreymond.com
PS--Count me in on your Board, if you need an expert in self-improvement, writing, psychology...all I need is a big readership. :-)