Chris Campbell Posted January 26, 2017 Report Share Posted January 26, 2017 How many of you have a blog? How often do you post on it? How many other pottery blogs do you follow? What do you get from posting or following other blogs? I am curious as to how blogging is or isn't changing the pottery scene. Are they generating more interest in pottery? More sales? Is it just a feel good for the poster or does it really connect with others? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrim8 Posted January 26, 2017 Report Share Posted January 26, 2017 I follow floriangadsby on instagram and his posts are so long they act like a blog. I think it looks like this form of pictorial blog has helped him. He has a huge following and has really capitalized on what looks like John Britt's 1234 snowflake glaze! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberta12 Posted January 26, 2017 Report Share Posted January 26, 2017 Good questions Chris. I have been giving this some thought as well. I do have a few potters that I follow. Some overpost. WAaaay more than I am interested in. I think our own Mea Rhee does an EXCELLENT job with her blog/page. Her blog is interesting, informative, fun, and gives the reader good insight into the day in a life of a potter. One with a great deal of ENERGY and focus. So I guess that is what I look for in a blog. Not so much sales, but more about how does this or that person feel about their craft, how do they find inspiration, what do they like to do besides make pots, who do they hang with?? I think Mea does one or two posts per month. That seems perfect to me! Roberta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted January 26, 2017 Report Share Posted January 26, 2017 I think it really matters the intent. I read a number of them and often think they lose focus and become more of a journal with little purpose or information. One of the reasons I do not use my name here is that I want to shape my online business voice in a very tight controlled way BUT I am trying to build a business that will not only pay my bills but provide growth someday and become established and respected. Blogs and forum post can dilute that message with way too personal information or business insights that are less than professional. So I suggest deciding up front If the blog is a chronicle of a personal journey being shared with et all OR is a business blog that is championing you and your business, highlighting exciting news and building excitement for you and your work. If you make this distinction from the beginning I bet it is more fun to write and more fun for the followers to read. I would guess both approaches will build sales and relationships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
What? Posted January 26, 2017 Report Share Posted January 26, 2017 I follow a few. This gives me a connection to someone else not in my area. I comment on them once in awhile. A couple of them over post like what there eating where they went etc.. I follow them because I like their work and gain inspiration and the technical approach to their work. I comb the internet for images and sometimes they are linked to a blog which makes for more combing and associates me to an artist's body of work. Sometimes I save them to my favorites. I will say many of the blogs start out strong with interesting posts and what not and fizzly out. Many only run a year or two. It is kind of a turn off when I see this. I can only say it seems neglectful to me for some odd reason. I appreciate them for what they are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeU Posted January 26, 2017 Report Share Posted January 26, 2017 Re: a blog, I am considering reactivating another domain I have (Two Steps Forward) that used to be my Weebly site that I used as a multi-purpose outlet for my photography, writing, ceramics, and general look-at-me, look-at-me stuff. I used it to learn how to use a site generator, to get through a period where coming to express myself in some online visual/written manner was of some benefit to me, and gain some experience inreaching/attracting people; didn't care if anyone visited, stayed to look/read, or not. I would be more judicious with length and depth, especially the TMI threshold, next go-round, but I enjoy putting myself out there a bit. For my Lee U Ceramics site (pending...pending...pending) I plan on keeping any commentary brief and to the point, but I do think it is nice for visitors to have a glimpse into the work-a-day world, and the thought process to some extent, of a ceramist and his or her studio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted January 26, 2017 Report Share Posted January 26, 2017 but I do think it is nice for visitors to have a glimpse into the work-a-day world, and the thought process to some extent, of a ceramist and his or her studio. To me that seems to be the key. Handmade pottery is generally more expensive and unique and for people that like it I think the artisan's backstory is meaningful, part of the charm. It's not that it can't sell on its own merit but the direct connection that handmade pottery has to an honest to goodness person I think means something in today's world and part of the reason many people like it over factory make wares. At least that's why I am going to adding one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEP Posted January 26, 2017 Report Share Posted January 26, 2017 Good questions Chris. I have been giving this some thought as well. I do have a few potters that I follow. Some overpost. WAaaay more than I am interested in. I think our own Mea Rhee does an EXCELLENT job with her blog/page. Her blog is interesting, informative, fun, and gives the reader good insight into the day in a life of a potter. One with a great deal of ENERGY and focus. So I guess that is what I look for in a blog. Not so much sales, but more about how does this or that person feel about their craft, how do they find inspiration, what do they like to do besides make pots, who do they hang with?? I think Mea does one or two posts per month. That seems perfect to me! Roberta Thanks Roberta! I have to admit I enjoy blogging a lot. I also have to admit that my reason for blogging is not about sales or exposure or fame. I'm doing it so when I am sitting in a rocking chair at the old folks' home, I can remember what I did. :-) I only post when I have something interesting to write about. It's roughly once a month, but not always. I lose interest in blogs where the blogger in on an obvious schedule, therefore posting uninteresting stuff in order to meet an artificial deadline. I don't think the blog generates sales. Maybe here and there. Since I'm writing the blog for myself, the natural audience is other potters. I do think it has made me more well-known in the ceramics world. But really, this didn't start until Ceramics Monthly asked me to parlay one of my research projects in to an article for them. A blog by itself can only reach so many. Unless maybe you put in a full-time effort into social media outreach. Working potter has no time for that! The most gratifying feedback is when a younger potter approaches me at a show, and says something like "I read every word of your blog, and it inspired me to start my own business." I consume other blogs by using the Blog Review on PotteryMakingInfo.com. He reads all the blogs and generates a curated list every month of best blog posts. I scan the list and read the posts that seem interesting. I'm interested in what other potters are writing, but don't have hours to spend reading blogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted January 26, 2017 Report Share Posted January 26, 2017 no blogs no following no time I spend my time doing other things as time is short here on this spining globe. When I'm in the rocking chair at the old folks home I'll read about what Mea did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilly Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 no blogs no following no time I spend my time doing other things as time is short here on this spining globe. When I'm in the rocking chair at the old folks home I'll read about what Mea did. Same here Mark. I do read other's blogs occasionally, say, when someone on here links to one, but I don't go looking for them. And I don't go back to any. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glazenerd Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 I guess I would be classified as a techno-dinosaur. I do not have facebook, blogs, or twitter. As of today, I have yet to send a text message. I have a domain name, and have partially developed it ( well, I let someone else develop it). One of these days, I might actually look at it. The few accounts I have, I have known for decades. My only connection to the pottery world is this forum: I worked and studied alone before that. They say when you get older you revert back to your childhood. I think that might be right: I enjoy looking at the pictures on potters websites: but not much else. Then again, I enjoy seeing the creativity those pictures represent. Nerd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 I don't have the time or the inclination to start a blog. I have read a topic or two from a blog as result of a google search, but for the most part I avoid them. Its is of my opinion that they are like youtube videos, half of them are informative, the other half dangerous and at times its hard to tell the difference. I have built websites, android apps and created ebooks for other peoples content. No facebook, twitter or instagram. I use a flip phone whose battery lasts 6-8 days before it needs to be charged. I know how to read a map so no GPS or google maps app. When my daughters text me I call them, I prefer to hear their voices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotterPutter Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 Instagram! A lot of bloggers I used to follow, mostly home décor and renovating, have abandoned their blogs for Instagram, or at the very least use it to gain followers and direct people to their blog for the occasional update. IG is a way for them to stay in front of, and engage with their readers on a regular basis without having to write a full blog entry. There is a fantastic community of potters and buyers on Instagram and if you work it properly you can get tremendous exposure, and ultimately sales. I resisted for a long time, but once I started making pottery I found IG immensely useful for inspiration, education, feedback, etc. It also compels me to spend the time taking good photos (I hope) which I use in my shop listings. I threw my first pot less than a year ago, so it has helped me stay on track and push myself... since people are watching. I also use it as a visual diary of my work, not just to make money, although that bit doesn't hurt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 I have been posting on a blog for a few years now. In November I had a mention in Clay Blog Review under the "Can't Miss Blogs". I use my blog site as a classroom, posting old handouts, ideas about pots, different techniques. I am sure several from here have gone to the site as my Stats show that traffic. I don't get to it every month, and sometimes I have an article that takes a few months to fill in, but I find it fun, and rewarding. Old teachers really never retire, they just find new venues. . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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