a peek inside the fishbowl

1 | Erica

December 30th, 2010 at 11:28 am

I actually love that this is your little corner to use for whatever interests you. I treasure some of the recipes you’ve shared, but I equally appreciate your reviews of local places and things, your rants against particularly irritating stuff, your giveaways, your general “here’s what our family has been up to lately” posts, and your bigger projects (like Know More Do More or the Trust Experiment).

I guess I’m part of the “I am large; I contain multitudes!” camp – I believe that personal websites should be about the whole person.

2 | andrea

December 30th, 2010 at 11:35 am

Thank you Erica!

And don’t get me wrong. I don’t expect this space to change much. I’ll always be writing for myself first. I need to be true to myself otherwise I won’t be happy.

I’ve been reading SEO-related posts (i.e. “Ten ways to drive more traffic to your blog!”) and although it’s good stuff to know when I’m implementing social media projects for others, it does takes the steam out of personal blogging a little bit. Does that make sense at all?

3 | Alison in Ottawa

December 30th, 2010 at 11:54 am

I think you do have focus. Focus on being a Mom and doing the best for your girls and then having other things in your life going on for you.

I like reading about your girls, your activities with the girls, the reactions of the girls to new recipes, new places to shop and explore in Ottawa, other things you are doing etc. I imagine I will enjoy your blog as it changes (if it changes) but I like it just as it is now.

I love your promotion of special Ottawa businesses… both those you have sponsor you and the others.

I have really enjoyed your kid book recommendations… have you done the 39 steps series yet? I just got Amulet out of the library.

4 | Hellcat13

December 30th, 2010 at 12:31 pm

I too like the brain dump aspect of it – it feels like it’s you and nothing but you, rather than a specific persona that you’re crafting. In short, it feels authentic, and that’s my favourite thing about the Fishbowl.

5 | Ginger

December 30th, 2010 at 3:59 pm

I just like you! Is that a good reason? :) I live far away and my little slice of Texas is very little like where you live, but I like reading about it. You have such wonderful and creative ideas. You make me think about things that maybe I haven’t thought of before. I also like seeing how other people live. Blogging expands my world. I consider myself friends with people I never would have known if I didn’t blog. You are one of the first blogs I read each day and I am always eager to see what you have to say today.

And on a slightly personal note I think it is really cool to know that my mother-in-law’s grandfather and father lived in Westboro. Sometimes we think the world is so big and then we found out something that makes it seem not quite so big.

I am glad you write. And I am glad that I found your blog…even though I have no idea how I did! (Oh, and I do have my hourly Christmas photos, I have just been so busy I haven’t finished going through my pictures from the day!)

6 | Mandy From Nova Scotia

December 30th, 2010 at 6:07 pm

I like to read your thoughts on parenting and the things you do with your girls. I think you are a great parent and reading what you write about helps me to try and be a better parent. So I thank you for your little blog I really look forward to reading your posts, an your pics are great too!

7 | coffee with julie

December 30th, 2010 at 6:34 pm

I say ignore all that SEO crap and how to drive traffic to your blog crap and just keep writing what you want to write — it works for you AND it works for us! :)

8 | Sarah (mrsgryphon)

December 30th, 2010 at 7:37 pm

I love your writing and all the different aspects of your life that you share with us – I look forward to reading your posts, and the way that you often make me think about my life and my choices differently. I’ve embarked on little projects in my family and for myself, because of things that you’ve said and done. Not being very helpful with the “direction” question, but really, I find the vast majority of what you post is relevant to me and really enjoyable :) You are a person of many facets, and those can (and I think, should) be reflected in your personal blog!

Have you read Scott Stratten’s “Unmarketing” book? I highly recommend it for anyone using social media. He says, over and over, that great content is the best way to drive traffic – if you don’t believe it, it won’t translate well and people feel that. I happen to completely agree with him – write what you love, who you are, what you believe and we’ll be here reading :)

9 | Kaitlin

December 30th, 2010 at 11:51 pm

I second Sarah’s suggestion to read Unmarketing. And your content is already driving your traffic. Case in point: I wanted ideas for an advent calendar (inspired originally by yours). I googled “advent calendar ideas” and yours was the first post that came up.

And no, that’s no the first time that happened. I think there’s a reason that the sub-header for your blog is “Because content is king… er, queen”.

10 | archie

December 31st, 2010 at 12:31 pm

It is the content that brings me back here. You present your life in a most sincere manner and that is what is compelling. The things you do as a family and as an individual are inspiring. I have stolen more than one of them and become a superhero at my house.

The problem is that if you try to draw a crowd it may diminish what you are. Stay the course. The traffic will come.

11 | andrea

December 31st, 2010 at 12:45 pm

Thanks everyone, for your encouraging words.

Yes, Unmarketing! I must pick up a copy.

archie: it’s not about the traffic … I have good numbers and they’re steadily on the rise, which I am happy about.

I feel like I’m floundering a little this week and trying to define things for myself a little more. I posted more about it today. Let me know what you think.