I’ve been toying with the idea of becoming more “specific” on my blog. I originally started my first blog, Amber Alert, back in September with the intentions of using it as a way to practice my writing. I didn’t really have any specific intentions of what I was going to blog about or a schedule, I just wanted to have a way to write. I never thought anyone would read it.
Wrong! I now have established an amazing network of other bloggers and readers who seem to be interested in what I write about every day. But, what is that exactly? I realize this blog is not focussed at all, it’s basically a combination of everything happening in my life–my running, my internship, my relationship, some current events etc. Basically, my life and my opinions. It’s actually a little bit self-centred I would say. Look at how many times I’ve already said “I” in this blogpost!
I think my original goal has been accomplished, because when I look at my old posts I can see how much I’ve grown as a writer. Grammar-wise, content-wise, humour-wise and in other ways. But, is that enough?
I read a million different blogs all the time and some of my favourite ones are ones that are just random life blogs, I also love reading running blogs, journalism blogs, finance blogs, fashion blogs, the list goes on and on. I wonder if I should become MORE focussed on one thing with my blog, but sometimes I think that would be boring. I mean, sure, I COULD write about only running and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, but my life is SO much more than that.
I’d love to know what you guys think, should I make my blog more specific and if so, about what? What do you blog about? Do you prefer reading blogs that are more specific or do you prefer reading general-life blogs?
PS: For all of you who have emailed me about your online dating experiences I have been getting them and reading them! They’re so great. I am working on a really intensive (possibly series?) of blog posts related to the online dating phenomenon and your feedback is welcome and SOO appreciated! Not sure when that will be coming, hopefully next week. If you have any online dating experiences/horror stories/success stories etc. and you haven’t yet emailed me, my email is amber (at) girlwiththeredhair (dot) com, so please send them my way!
{ 34 comments }
I’ve often toyed with this exact thing myself. When I was still in college and living in Vancouver I had a lot more amusing stories and incidents than I do now.
I’ve always wondered if I should dedicate my blog to cooking ( I don’t have the patience to photograph everything I cook) or travel or relationships or sports etc.
But then I can never commit myself to one thing and then I just convince myself that my “boring life blog” is an “expat” blog and then revisit it in a few months.
I prefer to blog about daily experiences…I can’t commit to one thing.
I like the variety of your blog! I am such an unfocused blogger as well - started on thinking my blog would be all about book reviews, but that format hasn’t worked out for me. So now it’s a hodge podge of everything that’s going on in my life.
i think you should blog about your life and what’s important to you right now. I’m sure not everyone who’s into my running blog likes the tri talk, or the pics of my kids or garden. but that’s why it’s my blog. I write about life and how I treat it.
If you want to be very specific start another blog. I’ve been contemplating starting a programming blog, where each post would only contain code and explanations of why that snippet of code works and what it does. total appeal to only other software developers.
I’m all for specific blogs, but I enjoy reading about your life!
i like a little bit of everything.
I started a new blog — about my CI journey, but in reality my life is so much more than that, so i find it difficult to just write about that one thing. It’s just not me. it’s some people, but most definitely not me!
In my personal opinon having a blog that is just about one specific aspect of your life/interests might get a little boring. I tried having one about getting in shape but I never update it. I think maybe having a schedule where you write about certain aspects on certain days might be fun and more of a way to focus your blog, I’ve actually been toying with the idea of doing that too.
I’ll read you no matter what you write, you know that =)
Lately my blog has been a tad blah, so I need to reinvent it myself, or at least have some wacky experience that allows me to get back in the spirit of writing. It’s rather a shame.
(Also, pertaining to your wake-up call post, I also need to get back to the healthful eating and etc. It’s just awful how not fit I feel right now. I’m about 7 pounds away from where I want to be, and 12 from my absolute ideal. We can do it!)
I personally LOVE your blog the way it is, it’s what makes it special
I love that you talk about many different subjects - health, exercise, random things, love, and sometimes some tough topics as well! 
So my vote is to keep it the way it is 
It seems like a lot of bloggers have this thought once in a while, and while I generally advise that people do with their blogs whatever they want, I think it’s pretty risky to reduce the focus of your blog. It’s true that you might lose some of the people who prefer personal blogs, but I think the more likely possibility is that you’ll lose interest in writing if you can only write about one thing. What keeps me writing is that I can talk about anything I want to. The only focus of my blog is me, so there’s no excuse for getting bored with it.
Do whatever makes you happy!
I think you should just keep writing about what you feel. My favorite blogs are the ones where people write about whatever crosses their mind.
I think you should just keep writing about what you feel. My favorite blogs are the ones where people write about whatever crosses their mind.
I enjoy reading your blog as it is, in fact, it’s your blogs’ lack of specificity (I just looked that word up, and I love it!) that makes it so interesting to me: I don’t know what the next post will be about.
I also think that the decision to be more specific or not is a personal one. This is YOUR way of communicating to a lot of people and so you should be comfortable with what your writing.
So, bascially, I think it’s up to you whether to make it more specific or not, but I like it just the way it is.
I love that your blog covers so many different aspects of your life Amber!! I don’t think that your blog would be boring if it was more specific, but there is so much more to a person than just one specific aspect. I prefer to read about the combinations that make up the whole rather than just the specifics. Also, I love checking out your blog everyday and not knowing what you will be writing about until I actually visit the site. Your blog will still be fantastic wheather you decide to keep it the same or make it more specific
I like your blog just the way it is. Its about you & what your thinking about. The first thing i do in the AM when I get to work is check your blog!!! It lets me know whats on your mind, what you did (not like i dont already know) and gives me a better look at your fabulous writing skills!!
If you wanted to spice it up a bit, you should do a couple days a week with a certin Theme. Mondays-Hot Debate topic, Fridays- Running Topis? I dont know, hahah Just though I would trough something out there.
Xox
I like your blog the way it is. When you talk about yourself it is entertaining, and interesting for your readers. Keep doing what you are doing hon, it works!!
Obviously my main target is blogging about my running because it’s the only place I can absolutely nerd out about it and people actually seem to enjoy reading about it (or so I like to pretend) but I think no matter what you have to share a little more about yourself than just your main focus to make you real. I love reading your blog and I don’t think you need to change a thing! I still owe you an online dating story… I promise to get that to you soon. As you saw, I had a busy weekend! I’m glad you like my new design!
Like a lot of people listed I have the same problem. I know I post a lot of reviews, and often do food postings, but I’m not sure there’s a general theme to tie it all together. Except I guess that’s its all about me, so I guess maybe I myself am my blog’s theme?
I can see the benefits to both, I mean I love looking at fashion/cooking blogs but unless people are really passionate about them they have the ability to fizzle as well as it’s nice to see the person behind the words/stories. My (sad excuse) for a theme free blog is my life is all over the map so the writing is as well. Of course direction is never a bad thing…good luck figuring it out!
Amber darling…
I love the randomness of your blog. It keeps me up to date with your life and makes me laugh. I say keep it random and self-centered…
You have an interesing life that is fun to read about!
I always notice the number of times I use “I” in my posts too! Then I remember it is mine and I don’t feel so bad. Your blog is great, definitely one of my very favorites and one that I look for daily. I love that you try and post everyday and that you put so much thought and research into your topics! Keep it up!
I think that would be a great idea….the problem for me is what to zero in on. i would so read your blog, no matter what you write about. It is just fun to hear what is going on.
Here’s the thing, Amber - and this is my opinion, and I do apologize if I offend you or anyone else - this is YOUR blog. Yes, you started Amber Alert for a good reason - to become a better writer, and it helped you tons (like you said). However, regardless of why you started a blog, it’s still YOUR blog. You write for you, it’s just now you have many readers who enjoy stopping by and reading more about YOU.
In other words, write about whatever you want to talk about. When you do this, we know more of the type of person you are, and you allow us to read more about your life, and those in your life as well.
Don’t worry about us, or me to be more specific. I know for sure, if I didn’t enjoy your blog, I wouldn’t be coming back.
Your blog is yours, not ours.
sometimes I feel like my blog has no direction and is not specific-enough like some other super popular blogs, but I like my little corner of the blogosphere and I think it is a work in progress– just like my life! haha. I love reading about all the different facets of your life. some posts I really relate to, and other posts maybe not so much, but I keep coming back because you keep me interested. so I guess what I am saying is don’t stress about being more specific and just keep doing what you’re doing. because I love your blog and judging by your commenters/followers, they do too!
I’m very happy hat “personal blogging” is a genre into its self, if I had to be more specific I’d die! lol
I used to have an “every day life” type-blog too - then I started my running one and found that much easier to write! Eventually I stopped the other one; yes there are days when I’d like to post something completely random about “my life”…and sometimes I do.
For me though - going more “specific” was also related to my career development (nutrition and fitness). So! Um, that’s just me. haha. If you find writing about random every day occurences (which INCLUDE your running, relationship, job, goals, etc) then hey, we’re still here reading! 
p.s. I did get your email and will be replying very sooooon!
i know exactly what you are talking about! it’s hard when you feel like you’re rambling about nothign in particular. thats exactly how i’ve been feeling these days too! but i do love reading yours always no matter what you write about!
I left a little award for you over on my blog today.
Happy Tuesday!
I love that you write about different topics. It’s about you, your interests, and your thoughts. It’s great as is!
I struggle with the same problem but since I see my blog as more of an online journal and a way to update out-of-town friends on my life, I think I’ll probably stick with randomness for now. And for me, I think those are the types of blogs I like to read most. Keeps it interesting!
Oh my gosh, I’ve been having this same exact thought lately, in exactly the same way that you word it. I worry that One Happy Panda is too random- the only real “rule” to my blog is that I try to make each post upbeat, though I sometimes cheat on that too. Last week I was feeling totally uninspired so I stopped writing for a week- I think it gave me the perspective I needed to say that I like my blog being random, because it gives me the ability to write about the things that interest me most. Right now I try to keep a set variety of things that interest me to write about, and I rotate topics so it never gets too stale. And hopefully it works!
~Amanda
I think your blog is perfect just the way it is and that’s why everyone loves and continues to read it
I say keep it varied! I just found your blog today so I’ve only read a dozen or so posts, but personally I really like the variety. I also read both “topical” and also general life blogs, and I love them both, so I say go with what works for you! Don’t try to mold yourself into a topics blog if you think that will leave you composing posts in your head that you can’t publish.
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