Friday Roundup
by Sean Platt on April 24, 2009
in blogging
There are few better ways to both connect with fellow bloggers and pass value to your readers then through a well gathered link roundup. This is an area of the Blueprint that can certainly stand some improvement. The next era of the Blueprint will see a round-up published every other Friday.
Enjoy the links, have a wonderful weekend, and we’ll see you next week.
If you haven’t checked out the hottest new WordPress theme, you really need to. It’s awesome, free, and designed by none other than the Blueprint’s own Eric Hamm.
Did you know that WordPress has it’s own URL-shortener built right into the architecture? No! Neither did I, but now I do.
Sean has been wondering for a while if he should stick with Writer Dad or move to Sean Platt for his Twitter name. This post articulates 10 reasons why real names are better.
The categories vs. tags debate has raged since the blogging’s beginnings. The battle continues.
Chris Guillebeau just came to Sean’s attention last week, but he has been wowed with lightning. Chris is awesome, here’s just one reason why.
Though this post is nearly as old as the Blueprint, the subject of making a living with blogging is one we’ve covered quite a few times around these parts.
Remember last week when Twitter was getting all that mainstream attention? Yeah, I know. Who could forget?
Remember when Eric and Sean were on ProBlogger talking about being blogging buddies? Darren did too.
Gary Vaynerchuk is everywhere. Why? Because he’s doing what he loves and waves his passion like a weilded weapon.
Michael Martine has been publishing some deep, meaty posts. This week’s on whether blogs should have a blogroll was a total winner.
See you Monday,
The Blueprint Team
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Just out of interest, how come you used shortened URLs? Wouldn’t that stop the bloggers get trackback notifications? I’m also wondering how it affects the flow of link juice.
The post about whether you should use your real name has this to say:
“you should definitely use your real name, real business name or **real brand name** as your Twitter @name.”
So apparently this post doesn’t only advocate using your real name but conveys that your brand name is also a good option.
As far as Writer Dad vs. Sean Platt, I think it really depends on what you want to accomplish. In my opinion if you want your website to be underscored you would use Writer Dad.
If, on the other hand, you want your personal name to come more into the focus you would use “Sean Platt.”
Thing is… if someone isn’t really acquainted with your name and wants to find you on twitter – their instincts are going to be for typing in ‘Writer Dad’ and not ‘Sean Platt’ since they are not familiar with that name.
I personally give the edge to using the name of one’s brand over the name of the person who owns the website.
Case and point:
Look at Leo Babauta…. His last name may be hard for people to memorize, to spell or even remember. But, “Zenhabits,” is as easy as 2 + 2.
As a result… I am uncertain why some out there feel more inclined to use their names and not the name of their brand. If they felt compelled that using more of a brand name for their domain superior to their own name then why would their assessment be any different for the url for twitter? Not exactly consistent logic if you ask me…
There is of course a third option. Look at what Darren Rowse does. And believe me… he’s a smart fellow. He simply uses “problogger.” He has his own name on twitter but doesn’t use it. He simply bookmarks it for telling people to get their arse over to @problogger.
Everything considered, I believe that using the name of your website is advantageous to using your own name, in the same way that it is often better to have a domain name that reflects what you’re trying to accomplish over using your birth name.
Bamboo Forest – PunIntended’s last blog post..7 More Bizarrely Named U.S. Towns
Hi, guys. Glad you’ve started the link love again on Fridays. Michael’s post on blogrolls was really interesting. Thanks for the others, too. I like that we can each be someone else’s google.
@Bamboo – I read what you said about keeping things short over at Write to Done, but I have to say, I really enjoy your long comments like the one above! I haven’t been brave enough to dive into twitter yet, but I’m soaking up useful insights. Thank you.
janice’s last blog post..How to Feel Happy for No Reason
Hey Eric, well done on the free theme, looks great – a professional look free theme.
Useful links in this post guys I didn’t know at lot of that stuff.
Chris Smith’s last blog post..How to – move from Wordpress.com to a Self Hosted Wordpress Blog
@ Janice: When you dive into twitter… I’ll be sure to follow.
Bamboo Forest – PunIntended’s last blog post..7 More Bizarrely Named U.S. Towns
Do away with the shorturls please, there’s no need for them here. I like to get an idea of what site I’m about to click on by previewing the URL in the status bar.
I also believe Danny is right in saying the pingback is lost as well as anchor text for SEO.
Danny, Marc and everybody: Sorry about the short URL’s. I had no idea. Amateur I know, but I gathered them from my Twitter stream during the week and didn’t think it made a difference. It is fixed now. Thanks for teaching me.
Bamboo: I’ve been playing around with both a lot lately. I think my real name is important and may have gain capital with time, right now I need to run with what has the most muscles.
Janice: My pleasure, Janice. Link roundups can be a wealth of information. Thanks also for the great email suggestion. I really liked it. Looks like you’ll have a lotta instant love on Twitter, Janice. Liz and Cindy both joined this week as well.
Chris: Thanks, Chris. I’m glad they were helpful.
Thanks for the links. I traveled over to Chris Guillebeau’s site and was blown away. His manifesto is incredible. I love seeing people buck the system and come out ahead. I found his perspective on gatekeepers and critics something that should be required reading for high schoolers. Let them know the truth early before getting stuck on the conveyor belt.
Randi’s last blog post..Whose Scowl is Scarier? ("24" Fans Only)