Is Quality Content ~ Good Articles Better for a Blog ?
Is quality content better than fluff or trivia ?
Regulars will be quite aware, unless they’ve now abandoned the site due to boredom, that there has been a gradual but marked change in the site
How’s it going ?
I should first say, sorry for those who’ve heard it before, that some things have gone on with this site for search engine purposes. It’s very difficult to get what you do found by people searching the internet. Few would imagine how important our old friends the Grid Girls have been in helping searchers find Little Coates church or WWII bunkers !
I’m personally happier with the site now than I’ve ever been although I still try and keep some humour and entertainment here - I want it to be interesting - not dry and dusty !
Out of interest this month end I’ve changed the most popular pages list (right hand side scroll down) so this this time it’s the top 10 solely for ‘history type’ articles.
It’s interesting as it shows what’s been most popular - and often it’s quite surprising.
The Stallingborough Bunkers for example actually makes it right up there with the ’search engine based posts’
Who also would have thought that Neville’s catch in finding and old map and spotting a strange name would result in Sydnaceaster making the Top Ten !
The most popular article overall, in terms of hits, overall was Vanity Sizing, that is quite pleasing as I count that as a serious article. Quite a bit of work went into it so clearly making an effort with content can pay off.
It beat the #2 page by 300% !! that being how to look like Cheryl Cole. Interestingly, that was written for ‘other reasons’ yet turned into a really good resource with some great comments.
Does it all work, well that’s not for me to say, that’s for those who visit and read.
As always I more than welcome comments on the site content and the way it has changed - good or bad - in fact critical is more use.
It’s very difficult to manage a site like this, balancing content, managing comments and dealing with emails etc - feel free to let me know how I do
I hope all those who lend me their precious time don’t feel cheated afterwards and either found some information they sought, came across something interesting or had a bit of a laugh.
If so then I’ve acquitted myself reasonably well and achieved what I set out to do
All the best
Rod
A Spot in Lincolnshire Where I Regularly Walk
Femme Fatale said,
March 1, 2010 @ 8:46 am
Rod,
I personally think that you have hit the right balance.
I find your blog interesting, informative and also amusing, I look at it almost every day.
Thank you for enlightening my days
FF
xx
Rod said,
March 1, 2010 @ 9:08 am
FF,
many thanks for the opinion, much appreciated - always useful to hear an independent opinion.
Thanks also for participating and leaving comments.
regards
Rod
Cid said,
March 1, 2010 @ 3:02 pm
Rod,
I’m always astounded by how many people tune into this site…. runs into the millions as you’ve mentioned before. I’m not trying to be rude either, I’ve been a long time follower of the Rod Collins online magazine and realize how much work goes into it, it’s just that for many it’s hard to handle the notion that millions of viewers are tapping into historical Lincolnshire goings-on or sizing issues within the rag trade etc. The proof is in the numbers and if those keep steady or indeed increase, then you must be ’selling’ the right stuff.
Personally I keep viewing because I’m sure someone once promised a photo of LB, dressed only in a Marco Pierre White style head band, posing in his kitchen
Cid ~ finger on the pulse of life’s important issues… never shallow
Rod said,
March 1, 2010 @ 6:54 pm
Cid,
I must say I never imagined it would get the viewers it does.
I always find it fascinating when I meet people in person and they tell me what they like and why they keep looking.
There’s all sorts of reasons some pretty obvious - some less so.
Thanks for the continued support and patience !
Cheers
Rod
Little Brother said,
March 1, 2010 @ 7:40 pm
Rod,
It’s not easy is it? I think you’ve got a great balance and anyone who is missing the less cerebral content can always visit you on MySpace
LB
Emma S said,
March 1, 2010 @ 8:05 pm
Hi Rod,
You do have the right balance, I think your blog is great, reminds me of home, I like the history and also the humour!
Keep it up!
Sitting at my desk in goodfellas land am happy loging on to find good chat again!
Emma s x
chris keyworth said,
March 1, 2010 @ 10:39 pm
its all good Rod keep it up…
regards
chris
Rod said,
March 2, 2010 @ 8:33 am
Hi Emma,
thanks for that, it is appreciated, as are your great comments.
I’m not sure what land I live in, it’s not Goodfellas that’s for sure, nor is it the real world I’m pleased to say
Kind regards
Rod
Rod said,
March 2, 2010 @ 8:35 am
Chris,
much appreciated, as is the continued support. I’ve lost track of just how many good spots you’ve put me onto.
I was somewhere yesterday and knew all I needed to know thanks to ‘The Bible’ you lent me.
Very best wishes
Rod
Annie Flinn said,
March 2, 2010 @ 6:41 pm
Hi Rod,
I “tune in” to your blog for many reasons: the armchair travel, the historical education, the humor, the great photography. But, not least, is the companionship that I derive by connecting with you and your readers. Your site allows me to engage in flights of fantasy, as I imagine myself walking the historical places you feature, or indulging in a fine bottle of claret while thinking about the connections between this California gal and her ancestors in the old country.
Thank you for your insights, adventurous spirit, and your willingness to share with the rest of us.
Yours in admiration,
Annie Flinn
Rod said,
March 2, 2010 @ 7:52 pm
Annie + Site Update !
Hi Annie - thank you so much for that, a pleasure to read and incredibly encouraging.
It certainly makes it all worthwhile when I read things like that.
To that end: sorry about no post folks !
I’ve been busy with two days out - couldn’t miss the sun ! !
Very hectic but lots of trips including a 900 year old Augustinian priory, only earthworks now but today a Cistercian Abbey with some standing remains (hoping for good pics) - churches and historic sites, not to mention woods, nature reserves and long chats with estate managers etc etc phew !
I’ve a load of pictures to process and shall get a post up tomorrow
Best wishes to everybody - I’ll raise a glass to you all tonight
Prost !
A Very Busy Rod
Lindi lou said,
March 5, 2010 @ 4:06 pm
Well, now my internet connection is back I can finally leave a comment.
I have to say that the site is very well balanced (altho being the cynical old beggar that I am, I can’t help favouring ‘Rant’). The photography is wonderful and I have learnt all sorts of things to waffle on endlessly about at dinner parties or to blokes who I want to get shot of in pubs (Help! Intelligent woman alert etc,etc) and I often have a side splitting giggle at some of the posts.
Well done Rod for keeping us all captivated. Please don’t stop any time soon x
Rod said,
March 5, 2010 @ 4:55 pm
LL,
many thanks - I think there’s something in what you say, when I start talking it seems to get rid of people
I hope to continue for some time yet all being well
All the best
Rod
The Dinosaur said,
March 7, 2010 @ 8:22 pm
Rod, just back from holiday, a week without technology and a priority was catching up with the past week’s posts by yourself. I was only tellimg a friend today we’re all learning a lot about our history thanks to you and it’s great, a bit of humour too is never a bad thing. Keep up the good work
Rod said,
March 8, 2010 @ 8:16 am
Dino,
just back from holiday - how the other half live - I can tell people this site now has ‘visitors with money’
I could probably use a holiday myself
I shall try to keep things going as they are Dino and many thanks for the continued support - makes a lot of difference
All the best
Rod