Dear Sulekha,
First of thanks for providing such a great platform where I got 15 comments in the matter of hours. I dont think a new blogger on blogspot or wordpress would get such a warm welcome.
That said I think there are many minor stuff that can be improved. a) As a aspiring blogger what I would like to see.
I thought I will share my stuff here so that others can comment. rather than just send it to editor via email.
Posting Issues
There are many places I did not know what to do and why I should do.
a) In the settings I am asked to pick a Blog Title - I after googling wrote "...Out there, they are. A certainty that is" from starwars.
But I dont see it anywhere on my blog. Nor at the point of creating the blog it was clear what this is for and why I should provide this.
b) When I try to make a blog post, I am asked for a Title the "Tips" says it is important to give a good title..
But what is a good title ?
I spent a few minutes trying to figure out what to put the title as. I have written lot of technical documents but there there is no need to compete and attract someone to read my stuff.
But here the title needs to be inviting enough for someone to read ( as a reader that is how I read).
Same with the short description. This atleast the help was enough for me to write.
c) I got stuck again at the Tags field where I wanted to Tag it as "Sulekha History" but the tag as 2 words and I was not sure whether it would be taken as 1 word or 2 words . The tips does not explain.
d) Since I tagged why should I again pick a category / sub. this I understand that you have categories on the home page. Why not use the tag itself. Why one more.?
Because the category is a confusion since I dont know what category to choose for my post.
I am confused again with "Post Blog" Since there is no other option I clicked but I think someone who is very new would be confused with "Post Blog".
I think there is terminology issues. "Blog" "Blog Post" Make a Post ....
please pick one and use it everywhere.
For the above problems I feel Sulekha has a great community of bloggers who can help the up and coming writers.
Can sulekha setup a blog exclusively for people to discuss suggestions and issues of bloggers?.
For e.g Things like "How to write a Blog Title?" can be discussed with other bloggers the senior folks here can share their experiences.
The thank you page with click here to go to your blog post etc is quite confusing.
The thank you page also have a "Few offers" I am guessing these are your adverts. Atleast can you make there relevent and first present me with the options to do more on what I came to do and then show the ads.
Increasing Readership
Now That I posted my next question is how do I get more readership.
Considering the fact that I got so many comments and being featured I should be happy. But as soon as I posted this was my concern.
h) I was anxiously watching my blog post slowly but steadyly moving away from the home page. within 3 hours it moved away from the home page. and it got only 28 clicks in that 3 hours. I was worried what would happen next once it goes into the void. Luckyly the editors featured the post. This good forture I may not have for all my posts.
The problem is from the Sulekha Home Page unless I am featured there is no way for someone to find my post. Until it gets indexed or until someone comments so I would appear in the comments page.
I think this is sulekha's biggest challenge. As the blogging platform becomes more popular this 3 hours on blogs home page will become an hour and who knows minutes.
what better tools is Sulekha planning for
Readers. because these readers are the ones who should find it.
I searched my name is Sulekha Search it still isn't showing my blog post. it shows something I posted in 2002.
Many in the comments have said they are looking forward for my other posts. Now when I post this will they get notified ?
i) What Next ? I have posted my blog now how do I promote it. What are the things would Sulekha like me to do and what tools does sulekha has to help me promote.
Again the solution for this could be a blog where others can compile their experiences. Since I am a software guy I know that there are tools to submit your urls to google, and others. What are the things sulekha is doing today. Because I see lot of sulekha bloggers appear in google. How long before I will be on Google.
for e.g I am from chennai where can I see other chennai bloggers. I know a few on sulekha as I have been reading their stuff. but has sulekha informed them that a new blogger from chennai has joined ?
More importantly I feel Sulekha should engage us better to help Sulekha improve the services.
Looking forward to here from other fellow bloggers and "Readers" on how we can collectively enhance this place.
Thank you.
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