Some Changes, Some Endings And The Whole Blogging Question

Clearly, some bloggers are considering anew what to do with their online presence. Just this week Steve Knight noted that he is becoming more engaged with Facebook, than with his blog. Steve is not abandoning the blogging platform, but noting the way his interactions on Facebook are gathering more obvious discussion and interaction. John Smulo and Jason Clark announced relaunches of their blogs – John’s is looking much sharper and cleaner, Jason’s is yet to be delivered but will carry a change in direction for his writing. And, sadly, Duncan McFadzean has announced the end of his blog.

It’s a familiar pattern, some engage more with other social networking platforms, some revise and redevelop their blogs and some decide blogging is not for them. I highlight these four bloggers in particular because they are what we could call “mature” and established users of the medium. It feels, to me at least, that there is a significant churn in the blogging world. Lots of blogs I follow have been slow in 2008, more than any other year bloggers have not just gone on hiatus, but pulled up stumps completely. On the flipside, I’m seeing some serious energy being invested in new blogs, redesigns and even relaunches.

I suspect we will see even more of this over the next year as social networking options like Facebook and Twitter grow in both their audience and range of applications. I still have serious reservations about both platforms, but can see for me how they are better solutions for lighter tasks, like link and quote sharing. Moreover, the grind of regular blogposting and tiny blog audiences will continue to have it’s toll.

As for me, I’m pretty content at the moment. I’m happy with the current design (especially the way it performs on the iPhone). Sure, the audience for the this blog is tiny, but it has helped me establish and sustain some valuable connections. But, there is a looming problem – this blog was originally relaunched on the back of a specific set of problems and goals and those have, pretty much now been met. I’ve tried a few times to rethink those without a lot of success. I know the time will come to have another bite at that, but that time is not now.