Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Focused or free association - how do you blog?



Gratuitous baby Darby photo. Just in case :)

Reading this wonderful post at Something Wagging This Way Comes reminded me of a few thoughts that have been tumbling around my brain of late.

I love writing about my critters and their various personalities, but there are about 27 other companion-animal things I like writing about, too. Do I need one blog about my pets, one for animal welfare issues, one about pet products and services that I may or may not use, one about pet-themed products for people and one for everything I couldn't manage to pigeonhole into any of the other blogs? Or is it cool that I sort of free-associate my blog with whatever pet-related theme that happens to pop into my head, leaving it to the reader to decide what is relevant or interesting, and trust that if they see something that isn't their cup of tea, they'll still check back in the future?

If you were to come to my house, the one theme you'd see is that there isn't one. The whole place is a mish-mash of styles, textures and colors, but to me it just looks like my house, a reflection of things we found cool enough to keep around, enjoying them for what they are, rather than for how well they fit together. Can my blog be like my house and still be an engaging blog? I know there are a bunch of people who say "no", that a blog must focus on a particular niche, but isn't blogging about companion animals a niche? It's not like I'm moving from pet themes to recounting last night's episode of True Blood, but it's also not as though every click on my blog guarantees you a story about the Doodlebug and his feline cohabitants, even if I think all things pet-related ultimately relate back to them.

I'm curious to hear the thoughts of my fellow bloggers. How focused is your focus?

4 comments:

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

Well it makes perfect sense to me, I love your blog and I would definitely love your house because I share the same philosophy.

Your blog name is "Paw Print City Times" in my interpretation that would cover ALL things animal related which is what you do.

My blog name is "Cat Chat" I blog about anything and everything pertaining to Cats...cats is my niche...so to me anything that pertains to cats is relevant. Others might disagree but it works for me and your blog definitely works for me as well!

You gooooo girl!

Vicky said...

Thanks, Caren, for your kind thoughts. I really appreciate it. Maybe being at home too much is getting me a little too deep inside my own head.

snoopy@snoopysdogblog said...

Hi Vicky,

I love your blog no matter what you're talking about, it's always interesting!

If it makes you happy then it makes me happy! :)

Keep up the great work,

Your pal Snoopy :)

mel said...

I have been trying to comment on this for days! Silly Blogger.

I say blog about what you want - anything animal-related. Originally my blog was going to be just about my foster dogs, but it's become about them plus all things rescue-related. I think it all goes hand in hand.

 

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