One tip I see over and over again is be consistent. That is to say restrain the themes of your blog to a particular set. You may have noticed that I never write about the politics and issues of other sacramental traditions here – it is a conscious decision one that keeps this site focussed on Old and Independent Catholic ideas and issues forcing me to consciously explore and develop them, and I hope challenging regular visitors to do the same. It turns out that readers become regulars because your blog covers a specific set of ideas or issues. Blogs that meander all over the place – here one day, there the next, don’t get off the ground really. It is therefore difficult to build an ongoing conversation within a “community” of readers both regulars and sporadic visitors. Moreover without that seed and the momentum that builds from it – the circle of regulars does not change and grow, bringing in fresh perspectives and new stories.
Again we are faced with the “discipline” of writing. Not only does consistency require a focus from the author, it also means the occasional shepherding the panel of commenters to stay within the blog-niche.
As this series is about encouraging other OC/IC bloggers perhaps this is the place for a “relevant nudge”. What are some of the themes other talented OC/IC folk (i.e. YOU) might pick up? Keep in mind that you don’t have to go it alone – blogs can be community affairs, a writing collective, a parish, a mission, an entire synod can organise and collaborate to produce some fantastic thoughtful content. Our OC/IC community is relatively silent – we need to begin to work together to change that; blogging is one simple inexpensive way to not only create resources within our individual communities, but also to speak with a wider audience in and out of the OC/IC frame.
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