Blogging @ Threadwatch

Had some wonderful responses to this - really quite exciting.

Im hoping to get it all set up today, and email/pm those that responded this morning.

Some other areas i thought worth covering:

1. Windows
2. Linux
3. Tools / Software
4. Blogging
5. PPC

Sure there are loads more, but if you're keen on a topic above or any other, pm or email me :)

Instead of assigning one expert to each topic in a community where we've various experts on any related topic, I can think of a slightly different approach.

What if you install kinda guest blog for each important topic? Exposure could be ensured by a topic specific permanent authors list.

Each guest blog would shortly become a mega-authority on its topic, when the industry's best known new radicals contribute regulary.

The quality of the articles would be much higher, because nobody has to squeeze a weekly post out of a tortured brain while rescuing a client's site fallen in a SE trap ;)

One off articles are actually coming Sebastian - i've just not publicized it yet :)

I think you're right, though there is also a niche (at tw) for specific columns - no blogger has exclusivity, unless it's a tight niche, and/or they're prolific enough - but the 3 folks maybe 4 i hope to bring in shortly are exactly what i envisioned - experts in their areas, with something to contribute on a regular basis.

I want tw to have it's cake, and eat it heh..

for the cake and chocolate blog :)

or is that not quite what you meant?

I think Ivana has that bagged already heh..

Could definitely be persuaded to cover PPC for TW...

email sent frank :)

Got it but the link does not want to work

Frank, sorry. I'll check it when i can, but Ivana is about to leave me in charge of thunderpants, while she picks my mum up from the airport :)

back a little later, can you email what link didnt work?

cheers!

Is the blog section supposed to be comprised of good articles or sales letters? Just curious.

Actually, the "about me" post is supposed to be *exactly* that for those that want to plug a biz/service - we dont want bloggers disguising, or blatantly promoting their own services in regular posts at TW, but we do want to recognize that their needs to be a little give and take.

They need to get something out of this aswell - i've suggested that a 2 line sig go at the bottom of each post, either linking to the "about me" page (the first post they're required to submit) or thier business sites.

FYI, and in the interests of their being no misunderstandings, here's the "guidelines" for bloggng @ TW

## Ground Rules

* Stear clear of promotional posts/linking - Your authority on your subject
should do all the talking. Couple that with your signature (see below) and
it should work nicely for you if your goal is exposure for biz/service

* Link out, link often, link generously. Given the above, please link out as
often as you can, after all, that's what TW, and blogging is all about.

* Frequency: Everyone is different, and i'll not impose any "rules" as such
regarding frequency. As a guideline though, posting once a week or so,
providing it's a thoughtful piece would be adequate as a minimum. If you
lose interest, or circumstances change, I may ask you to stop, and let
someone else try to fill the gap - i wouldn't do anything without talking to
you though, so don't feel pressured.

## Promotion

* An "about me" page is required, and is your chance to plug your skills
and/or business with relevant links and history. This should be your first
post.

* A 2 line signature, to go at the bottom of each post you write would be
welcome. It can either link to your business, or your "about me" page
depending on what you feel would be best for you. Im not bothered which,
provided you get what you want out of it and we stear clear of promo's in
the actual posts themselves. Unfortunately, there is no way to automate
this, so it'll have to be up to you to insert those lines each time you
post. I'd suggest you kept a txt file with the html in for just that
purpose. Sorry it's a bit lame, but what can you do? heh..

## Competition

* There may come a time when someone else wants to cover your subject, or a
subject that overlaps yours. It will depend on whether i think there is room
for multiple blogs on the same subject, and how well you're covering your
subject. I can't put any hard and fast rule on that - but i'll let you know
in advance of this happening, should it happen.

##############

Hope that makes sense :)

Yes Nick asked us to write an "about me" page for starters and showed us each others pages so we could get a feel for how they were done. I think it's helpful for the readers to know the background of the article writers so they know what type of experience the author has or where they come from. With most articles you are stuck with the whole paragraph of "about the author" bio sales stuff. Here, there is just that one page for people to refer to if they choose. From now on, no self promotion is allowed and I'm sure you can count on good solid content from this blog team.