Blog Study

As I mentioned in a previous post I had the opportunity to attend the Got Blog workshop taught by Kem Meyer at the Willow Creek Arts Conference. One of the first things she does is ask, "who's husband bought them the Blogging Church book?" I sheepishly raise my hand not sure if I should be embarrassed or proud. The fact that she asked that question made me instantly like her because it showed that she does her research in finding who would be attending the breakout. Here are some of my take aways:

- The word "blog" simply means a WEB LOG.
WHY READ THEM???
- I can get info. in the fastest way. Makes me appear smarter in compressed time.
- Removes middleman- direct read to top business experts, author's etc.
- A blog is more current than any book because so much that is published is sensored
- Reading un-filtered work of a real person
- Forces me to discipline myself to stay current on stuff
WHY WRITE???
- Cannot disciple 1,000 people face to face one to one (not that 1,000 people would ever read my blog)
- stewardship- sharing what I learn
- accountability- better leader, stays focused
TIPS
Bloglines- Go through bloglines and subscribe to a bunch, don't have to have them emailed to me- After I got home I did this. I LOVE bloglines. If you don't use it I highly reccommend it. Saves me so much time. I still go into specific blogs but I don't have to in order to see if someones posted.
Blogging is personal but not private.
Every blogger should define primary audience.
Find your unique voice and don't stop. Write the way you talk. You're an unmatched resource. Be authentic.
Don't apologize for not blogging in awhile
HAVE FUN.
Don't link to every word
Don't sell or self-promote- it's a conversation
Take the time to build others up and be vulnerable, don't cover up mistake.
Always provide an email using a seperate account
Don't ask someone to link to you
BLOG SMART
Develop thick skin.
Good book to read- God's Blogs: Life From God's Perspective- Lanny Donoho
BLOG JARGON
Blogosphere- Universe of blog
Blovel- too long writing for themself novel
Blogworthy- Provides value, compresses time
Blawg- blah, blah, blah
Dooce- Fired from what's on your blog
Lurker- read's blogs but does not engage in conversation
Doppelblogger- Bad, plagerizes content for personal recognition
Moblogging- mobile blogging
troll- leaves commnets to antagonize the author

It's kind of funny that when I returned from my trip I kind of had a writer's block and zero desire to blog anything. A few weeks later I feel like I'm getting into a groove now. The biggest take away overall for me was to find my own voice and define my audience. For a moment while being at this conference around so many very smart, creative, technical types I thought maybe I should change what I'm writing about? I mean where is the intellect in dirty diapers and cleaning house? I think this is why I felt kind of funny knowing Kem had read my blog. I'm realizing now if my blog was any different it would not be authentic. In addition stewardship, discipling, accountability is all about dirty diapers and cleaning house. If you don't understand that statement you're probably not one of my regular readers. Bottom line is my blog is fun for me and I think that's cool.

Kem- If you ever do another search and come across my blog thanks for the great breakout. I gained some vital perspective.