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To Facebook or to blog, that is the conversational question.
Invitation to eavesdrop…
Some helpful conversations circulate social media, but unless you happen to be connected with those people, great comments are lost in cyber space for very few to see. With permission, I am sharing a conversation in a Facebook author group this week.
An author friend Penny Reeve posed this question on Facebook:
“… Would you say you reach/engage with more people on a regular basis via your author Facebook page or your blog? (i.e. – not numbers of ‘liker’ or ‘followers’ but actual engagement/interaction).”
My reaction was:
“I have found that more people are reading my blog than I realise. But they engage with me on Facebook. Determining what to post is another thing. I am asking myself about that all the time. Lots to write about, but have to focus direction, as we can’t do it all.”
Penny then asked,
“Kayleen, I know what all the ‘experts’ say, but what do you personally find are the measurable benefits of your blog as opposed to a Facebook page or other social media platform?”
I answered,
“Your blog is a way of contributing on a more substantial level. You get to write and share more meditative content, on a far easier to navigate platform. It doesn’t get lost in feeds and is preserved for passers-by. Less discriminatory, as you don’t need to belong to the social platform to visit. A very different medium to work with. Added bonuses are e-commerce and other add-ons and you own your own content if you host your site.”
Which media wins?
Social media is more like texting friends and stopping to chat. Disadvantage is that it is less conversational like what we are having here. This is why I like to combine the two.
It is so true, social media is just that – social. It wins hands down (for interaction) but it can’t replace the blog or website. I have access to some wonderful content on blogs that you can’t find on social media. Social media is a jumping stone to a solid diet of contentment.
I would love to know how many people read my blog, where it goes and how helpful my posts are. After all I spend a great amount of time considering my blog and how it can serve my readers. It could be discouraging to assess its value by the amount of comments, particularly as we get more accustomed to the interaction on social media. But every now and then someone lets me know they find a post or posts encouraging or helpful in some way, and it motivates me to continue growing my little blog.
I can almost hear the sound of crickets in here sometimes but occasionally a little voice pops up and says a friendly hello. Thank you to those little voices who take the time to say hello in our busy hectic spinning world – YOU ROCK mine 🙂
About my author friend Penny
Penny Reeve writes great Christian children’s book that my kids have independently indorsed. This is one of my cubs with a couple of her books (book are appreciated by my kids at Christmas). My first impression of Penny face to face was a delightful presentation at a writer’s conference. Her animated presence was captivating. She inspired me as a children’s speaker. You can check her out here: http://www.pennyreeve.com
Comments
9 responses to “To Facebook or to blog, that is the conversational question.”
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This is an interesting question and one I have been pondering lately too. For me Facebook is a “social” get together. It feels more immediate. There is a sense of connection with the person. But as you mentioned a lot of what gets said and shared gets lost in the multitude of other posts. Sharing of information that you want to be able to access again easily, to be able to control the format and have some where to direct other people too easily then I would consider a blog and/or a website the better option. The blog gives a more concise feel of the actual person, and just them. Its like entering their home rather than meeting at the coffee shop which Facebook feels like. And its a great way to share more detailed comments and feedback too.
I am enjoying both contacts with you Kayleen but this is where I keep coming back to.-
Yes Jacqui, social media feels more personal but the reality is that if bloggers use blogs like we do social media – you get the best of both worlds! I enjoy the interaction with you too 🙂 I would much prefer it on the blog than Facebook. My intention is to do more here. I use WordPress on my own server so I use the pages feature to make my website work like a website but it is blog software. This works well for me. Having it on my server gives me control over my content and I don’t have to pay any fees.
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Hi Kayleen
I must admit that I mostly interact with others on Facebook, even though I do like to visit and read blogs I don’t often leave comments as I would rather share the blog post to bring the author more exposure (and it’s quicker to press a button than to type sentences. Laziness 😉 ).
I used to be a big twitter fan but for the past two years I’ve hardly interacted on there as I prefer to use Facebook. This post has made me feel that I should be more interactive on blog posts – even if it’s just to say; “What a great post” 🙂
I’ll definitely be back to read and comment on more posts.
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Hi Natalie,
Good on you! It is sad that blogs are more neglected but it is most likely the fault of bloggers. I have been guilty in the past of not responding for months. These days I have notifications so I get back to my blog just as quickly as Facebook. I see craft bloggers create awesome communities, helping each other in all areas and it makes sense not to do this myself. Blogs have more potential if communities of like-minded people adopt the social media approach. Maybe others who think like this will create a new wave of blogging interest. Maybe I should put up a bog roll page for the people I interact with.
I am glad you liked my post. Thanks to Jacqui, I edited it after it went live. It was done in a screaming rush! Or was it Laziness 😉
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Hi Kayleen,
It’s such an interesting discussion, isn’t it?
I’m not really much of a blog reader – and I suppose that is one reason why I’m not a regular blogger as well. I’ll occasionally follow a link from facebook to blog, but only if it really interests me. (This link obviously did!)
I find it fascinating how different people utilize the various forms of social media/online marketing tools. I think there comes a point in each person’s career that we need to weigh up what we are passionate about, what suits us, what’s important and how best to connect with others based on those elements. This is what I’ll be exploring in my workshop at the Christian Writers Conference this October.
Would love to hear what others think too – so I may end up revisiting your blog soon to check on other people’s comments too…-
Hi Penny,
I am delighted to be in those few blogs you read 🙂
You are correct Penny. It does depend on the purpose for writing. We have to determine what information is being shared, how it needs to be conversed, the longevity of the conversation and it’s archival property.
I personally think anything of future value to others needs to be documented in an easily accessible and permanent format like a book, blog, website or audio.
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Hi Kayleen,
I pop by from time to time – I get a dose of ‘happy dance’ just looking at your cheery background birds! I’ve recently organised a domain and web hosting for a potential site with blog – still figuring out the next stages to implementation. Your bright and breezy images and pertinent content provide a great example! But I also enjoy interacting with you on Facebook. Lets face, I like what you have to say – and show. All those pretty pictures … you are a talented lady.
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Oops – ‘let’s face it’ 🙂
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Thanks Cathie. I guess just start blogging in an authentic voice. Sharing what we are passionate about will speak to others with similar passions. I am so delighted my blog is a “happy dance” experience for you! That would have to be the most lovely compliment. I might do a happy dance myself 🙂
Kayleen
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