Lately I've been thinking about scrapping all of the (woefully unused) "extras" on Lincolnite and turning lincolnite.com into "just" a blog. All the extra stuff I've had planned just isn't going to happen right now, just as it hasn't been happening for months (and months and months). I think I've let the overall "Lincolnite" concept languish because I've been unable to reach all of my goals with the site. (My big dream, by the way, is [was?] a comprehensive community resource.) The site currently generates $0 for me. I can't spruce things up without it paying for itself, and it'll never pay for itself if I don't spruce it up. Chicken, meet egg.
I'm starting to think that I need to focus my sights on an attainable goal. That goal? Making Lincolnite a "damn good blog". I can see that happening. It's sort of like paying off a big pile of debts. If you focus on how far you are in the hole, you feel overwhelmed. But if you nibble away at the little debts first, you feel successful and empowered.
If I do make some changes, I think I will also begin placing advertisements on the site. I've had a few people contact me about advertising on Lincolnite. Up until now I've said "I'm not quite ready for that". I think it's time. But don't fret, there won't be any obnoxious seizure-inducing animations or v1@6ra sales pitches. Lincolnite is my baby, and I'm not going to let just anybody slap a tattoo on her forehead. Besides, I know you folks'll let me have it if I go too far.
I would love to hear your thoughts on these and related topics.
Comments
See what your friends and neighbors have to say about this.
If they could be local, or at least regional? Tasteful is a plus as well. Ive never minded ads as an offset to cost, just so they don’t end up dragging the site down or berating me with Crazy Frog.
I bookmark the blog and only read or contribute to the blog. I think it should be the best blog (it is already) in town, and I wouldn’t care if you scrap the rest.
I also don’t mind some ads - it would make sense for local Lincoln businesses and others that want to attract our eyeballs, and I think you should be paid for your work. More power to you!
I have no problem with ads. You need to make money on this and that is the natural way to do it. Local stuff would be neat but I really don’t care what it is as long as you keep the Blog going.
Do as you please. It is the blogger that brings return readers, not themes and gimmicks. I predict a
Mr. Wilson,
Considering the only four articles visible on the front page of Lincolnite.com are from the first three months of 2006, I’m almost surprised you still get new visitors to the blog. Virtually all the content you see when going to Lincolnite.com suggests the site has been dormant for 2 years.
The blog is great though, and I just come to the site by way of bookmarking the live feed to bypass the stagnation.
As far as ads go, I trust your judgment on which ads would be fine and which would be obnoxious.
I don’t mind ads- but I hope you continue to offer full feeds. I don’t even mind small ads at the bottom of feeds, but I may be alone in that.
Going to blog-only is a great idea. I couldn’t tell you what’s on the main page, or the rest of the site, for that matter. As Neal said, many new visitors have probably been turned away if the most recent article on the front page is from two years ago. I wouldn’t mind ads, either.
Blog-only would be a good idea.
Neal and Dave have agreed on something. It’s a sure sign of the apocalypse! See, Mr. W.? Something very good comes out of your blog.
Neal and I agree on a couple of big issues. But in this case, we’re merely pointing out the obvious.
Of course, I kid. I think blog-only wins hands-down!
I the lone dissenter think that the best solution would be to make this the “comprehensive community resource” that you dreamed of. However, if you are dead-set on keeping your approach (collaborators, partners, time, effort) to the site the same then you’re best bet would be to make it a blog.
Go blog only.. thats the only thing active.
Is a redesign in order?
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