*Sneak Peak* - AA Blog

Hello all! I've been working on setting up a Blog for AdminAddict. It's not going to be like our last homepage where we just posted the articles, and hardly ever updated it.

I intend for the blog to be the central location of AdminAddict for gathering news and knowing what's going on in the community, while also posting occasional tips and short write-ups on the subject of community management.

I plan to post industry news (i.e. price changes, vB 4 hoopla, etc.), tips and tricks (perhaps a daily "tip of the day", such as "always remember that your community's success depends on its members - always treat them with respect"), news from within the AA community (i.e., CotM has started, we have a new contest going on, a new article has just been posted, etc.).

Before I go completely public with it, I'd like to get the thoughts of you guys who have access to this limited forum.
Here's the blog; let me know what you think: AdminAddict Blog

 

It looks good, but how is it any different than what was there before?

 

Yup, I like it. But, was wondering what you were using now versus before.

 

Well before, we really only posted articles that users submitted. This was unnecessary, because articles were viewable in our Articles section (Articles).
We ended up actually never updating it and it sat there in dormancy.

It was also our homepage before. Going to AdminAddict.net took you to that homepage/blog. We have decided to totally scrap that and redirect root visitors to the /forum directory.

The blog is now it its own directory and visitors can view it at their leisure.

This time, we plan to use it for a variety of things, other than just posting articles.

WordPress both times. :shrug:

 

Looks fine, has the same look and feel as the rest of the site. The trick is to keep it fresh otherwise it too like the previous incarnation will in time be rendered useless.

 

Do you guys have any other suggestions as to what some interesting things we could post would be?

I'd like to make it interesting.

 

You could post links to my new project daily there =).

On topic though, all I can say is post like software of the month, member of the months, industry news, server outages/upgrades, etc.

 

Weekly rotating feature showing off the members sites.

 

Interesting! How would we go about selecting the community for each week?

 

You would start with me and go from there. Then every other person you come back to me =).

 

Interesting.

I say that you put out a request for all forums that would like to participate in it. Then, when you have your list of 10 to 20 forums, then you start to show them off. It's not a "winner" per say, but a "featured" forum of the week.

 

I like that idea, but I still say start with me when I'm online then come back to mine every other site XD. That's fair I think lol.

 

Random number generator up to the number of registered members.

Select a few numbers, say 5. Contact them and see if interested.

Maybe include a list of 5 questions about the site the admins philosphy about running said site.

Ask the basics too...

When started

Why

Stats

What forum software used

Hacks or mods installed.

Over time this can become something where others can look and see whats being used by whom and why.

 

I agree.....not only should it be "featured" just to have something in the space. But, make the admin explain some of the customizations and why they originally started the site.

More than just a questionnaire, I'd make it in "interview" style. Use the questions, but write them as if it was an interview....

Nick: So, why did you start the Disney forums/sites, Arny?

Arny: Well Nick, I started them because (insert 'questionnaire' answer here)

Nick: That is so interesting.

...you get the picture. Then, you have a series of "interviews" rather than just plain articles.

 

I like that idea Arny XD.

 

Then, we can promote this "interview" on our own sites with links back to the "interview" as well

Helps us help AA

 

The blog looks great. I really like that going to AA redirects to the Forum.

 

can I suggest a main page layout similar for the one I created for Web Hosting Review Shop

 

All I think is missing is some nice images, a small icon here and there and maybe images within the posts. Something so it isnt mainly text.

I like the admin interviews and forums idea too, maybe add up their avatar in there or their own photo if they wanted it. Good job so far.

Maybe have a testimonials section as a blog category possibly, im sure me and others would certainly write one up

 

Looks great!

Just in case you are interested I have learned a lot about blogging from a woman by the name of Lynn Terry. She has a great article on the 7 elements of blogging that you might be interested in. I swear by it. Here's the link: How to write a blog post that brings readers and makes sales.

HTH,
RR