That Robert Scoble is a Rascal
I’ve been scooped before, but not like this. I call Robert Scoble to interview him for a column I’m writing on blogging and I end up being the story — a story that’s posted before I’m even back from lunch.
Seriously, Scoble who rose to fame as a Microsoft blogger and now works on video podcasting at PodTech.net, is a nice guy who was gentle in his criticism and constructive in his advice. And he asked if could write about me on his Scobleizer blog.
(Hey, I call to him to say I’m attention starved and he asks if he can write about me. Of course, I said yes.)
Basically, I’m convinced no one reads this blog and I know almost no one posts comments on it. So, I thought I would write a column about blogging angst and maybe pick up some tips along the way.
This Scoble knows what he’s doing. Google “Robert” and you get — not Redford, not De Niro, not Kennedy, not Altman. You get Scoble.
Two hours after we talked, Scoble’s post on our conversation already had more comments attached than I’ve gotten in a month. Me? Jealous?
Turns out, I’ve done a few things wrong. The blog has a bad name. I write about stuff all over the map. I don’t irritate people. And my headlines suck.
That’s why the rascal line. Take that.
Heheh, that’s what happens when you call a blogger.
The recommendation for a descriptive is a good one. Of course, this is coming from a guy whose blog about public relations is called “Don’t Eat the Shrimp,” and based on an old inside joke.
Head line for sure Mike. Loose ends might mean many things :). Well this reminds me that I should start blogging again.
Looks like we started blogging about the same time. Like you I get few comments, so Scoble’s tips will definately be helpful.
One of the things I like about wordpress is that it gives you stats over time. The one thing I’ve learned is sort of cliche but true, if you build it they will come. I started posting seriously, every weekday in late October. At the beginning of November I was averaging about 3 hits a day. Now my average for last week was about 80, best day of 104 hits. You just gotta have content for them to hit.
As for comments though, still trying there. Unless you post something really controversial, I guess there’s not a whole lot to comment on, although it would be nice if the folks looking at some of my entries would drop a comment saying “looks good” “solved my problem” or “you’re an idiot”.
– Arcane Code
Josh,
How about “Don’t Eat the Loose Shrimp?” Or “Don’t Eat the Shrimp Ends?”
Hmmm. Maybe I still don’t quite have the hang of this.
Mike, I’m glad Robert led me here, and now that I’ve read one well-written and interesting post of yours, I want to read all those to come.
Mike, that’s a good trick to get traffic to your site — have Scoble give you advice and link to your blog. I’ve enjoyed your writing in the Merc for years and I’m glad to know you have a blog too.
Tom
Well, it never hurts to be blogging about something with broad interest…you ought to try blogging about Oracle technology like I do…what was that Rumsfeld term?
A Slog?
kevinclosson.wordpress.com
Hey, I’ve figured out one way to get comments is to write them yourself. OK, I’m kidding. I just wanted to pop back in to thank you for your ideas and encouragement. Robert Cain has a point about controversial vs. non-controversial posts. And I’m going to work on the blog name — and the headlines. Never could write a good headline. And if you haven’t checked out Anton’s blog, take a look. Very sweet piece about an expert on diagramming sentences. And no, it doesn’t involve nuns.
Hi
to make a long story short. I am here cause I read the article at Roberts blog, anyway - from now I will have a look at your blog
If I see that right he has made your blog some kind of “interesting stuff:-)”. Though, perhaps I may learn here how 2 
Greetings from good old europe
MIC
Keep on ! Already interested in what you got for us tomorrow
Great title :p (for being a rascal.)
The one thing I learned about blogging was that people just don’t comment unless they disagree with you. Sure, you may get the occasional “I hear ya” comment … but for the most part people do more lurking than commenting.
And this is especially true for folks like me. I must read 200-300 blogs a day. I don’t have time to comment on all of them and I’m not reading them so I can pat someone on the back and say “good job,” blah, blah, blah.
I read them because I want to learn more, absorb more, or get a feel for whether or not my own thoughts about a particular issue are within the societal norm or if I’m just a crazy loon.
So don’t focus on being such a comment whore. Just keep writing. Because if you start paying attention to what others think or don’t say, you’ll be blogging for the wrong reason. And if you’re blogging for the wrong reason (to please others) then you’re going to lose the ability to write about what’s important to YOU.
But hey, what do I know?
scooop is executed quite well !!
If compelling headlines are a problem, as Robert suggest, you should have Paczkowski over at GMSV write them. In fact, he should write *all* the Merc’s headlines.
Great blog. Since you are a journalist and can actually write well, you have a big advantage.
But I have two other kind suggestions: 1) use categories. Your blog posts are all tagged “uncategorized”. Either you can start organizing your posts in categories (gossip, tech, news, etc.) or if they are all in one category, there is no reason to display it.
This might be just the way I peruse a blog but one of the first things I did when I got here was try to drill down and I couldn’t.
Second, since you are a tech writer I’d recommend getting your blog listed in Technorati.
That’s really it, as I mentioned before you already write well, you have short paragraphs, good subject matter - also don’t fall into the trap of “build it and they will come.” I still struggle with that.
I’ll likely check back here in a few and find something to read!
Mike, if you had a data counter on your blog, you’d know whether people are visiting and since R obert linked to you, you’d have had the real experience of seeing how connectivity works - as I did recently when A listers linked to me. It is quite a bizarre experince I can tell you.
That said, don’t forget that the 1% rule applies - very few people actively participate in a blog - they lurk, they read, they say nothing. Very few blogs regularly get a lot of comments though occassional posts like this one do!
As for headlines - he’s absolutely right to emphasise them and as a journalist you missed a trick there. Since your post coincided with a friend’s similar report from Canada, I’ve blogged them togetehr under my idea of a provocative headline. http://makemarketinghistory.blogspot.com/2006/12/tossing-cookies_08.html.
http://makemarketinghistory.blogspot.com/2006/12/tossing-cookies_08.html
Hi Mike,
Good luck with the audience engagement. You may have to be a prolific commenter on other blogs to gain more attention to yourself. I believe Jason Calacanis suggested posting about everything appearing on Techmeme for 30 days if you want to become an A-list blogger, so maybe that’s a strategy too.
david
Personally I’ve found that posting about bobcat urine, naughty nurse photos and beergarita recipes helps spice things up when comments start to fall.
But maybe that’s just me.
A couple of comments Mike,
First I agree with most of what Scoble said. For this specifically:
You guys in print media always complain about the headline the editor gives you. Take control man, make it a gripping and appropriate headline.
Second, I read the article and guess what, the comment link is way back up at the top … not at the bottom. Redo you theme (let me know if you need some help, I’ll try). Last, give a link to read comments different than the link to give comments as I have to scroll through all the comments to leave one. Now I might want to scan them or I might not, but to have to find the place to leave a comment … well, it makes me less likely to take the time.
Good luck with your blogging. It’s important for all bloggers that blogging be considered journalism as it extends certain freedoms to our media.
Go man go, and write good headlines as you do.
Don
Hi Mike! Funny, I actually get the paper version of the Mercury as well as reading online, but hadn’t thought to see if you had a blog, found it via Scoble’s post…
Regards,
–hjl
Welcome to the Blogosphere Mike ,,,
I’ll add you to my RSS feeds
If your gonna get some tips on blogging who better than the Scobelizer , its a must read for any blogger .
Your on way to more readers im sure , thanks to Roberts nudge
Good Luck
John Piercy
I am 19, I read more and write less, Why? Because, I read Techcrunch and always have timecrunch. So be it. As I read more than I write, therefore I have an advice for you( or say 2). Be crisp in writing, even if it means breaking 1 or 2 grammar rules. Another which have is mother of all advices and was mentioned by Robert Scobel,
‘Little bit of vanity is always fair’.
I also suffers from lack of readers, but its not a worry as I am only 3 month old in blogging. But I learned an important lessons from this whole conversation, allow a DRM free, creative common right to others to criticize your blog.It works. And make some well known blogger your friend.
And now I count you in my friends.
“Turns out, I’ve done a few things wrong. The blog has a bad name. I write about stuff all over the map. I don’t irritate people. And my headlines suck.”
Me, too!
I read a lot of blogs, but leave comments on very few. It is very important to have a conversation, but dont ignore the fact that there are lots of readers who say nothing but enjoy reading you.
I want to be a jerkface too.
The absolutely easiest way to get comments is to have glaring errors that people can harp on.
Let the error run for a while, let the post get a good number of comments and then update the post to remove it.
Having one or two readers who will comment on anything is great as well — most readers only get comfortable with leaving a comment once they see other people have as well.
Hey Mike. Added you to my daily feed. Glad to stumble on you, and keep up the good work!
LOL! It’s all about the power of LINKING!
That or it’s just part of the google conspiracy of blog bombers trying to keep you down, man!
How about “Mike This!” instead of Loose Ends. I begin reading your column pretty regularly, and actually completely read the ones you write where you are irritated or incensed about something, anything. Maybe that’s your niche….
Don’t give up, you have good blogging inside you somewhere.
How about “Open Mike” ? Simple, and a party for your blog readers would be “Open Mike Night”? nyuk Nyuk!
How about calling it “Tight Ends” ? I’m sure people will be Googling for that well with football season and well other things (heh heh)…
Hello! Good Site! Thanks you! rqfudghvxie