OPINION NEEDED: What Should I Do With This Site?

I’ve been struggling in the past few months with the future of One Half Amazing.com.  Sitting down, cranking out interesting and valuable content and then adding genuine thought behind it has become more and more of a chore.  The site has given me many opportunities to meet new people and has opened lots of doors, but I feel like I’m almost a slave to it now.

There is so much going on in the digital marketing realm, but I’m becoming more nonchalant about it all.  I’m excited, but I don’t have any opinions or strong feelings towards any of it.   Maybe I’m just in a lull and in need of something to jump start my engine. I’m not even sure any of that makes sense.

I come to you today in need of some advice.  What should I do with this site? Some options I’ve considered are;

  • Keep the site, but post less often (to the tune of 1x per month) or just post small snippets of content (links, videos, slides, etc).
  • Wait out the lull I’m feeling and hopefully I’ll get inspiration in the near-future.
  • Bring on more contributors to to the site and take on a different role in the site’s future.
  • Sell the site to someone who sees value in it
  • Totally flip the site in a different direction, use it more as a personal site for family and friends, posting things beyond marketing.

So wherever you may read this, I ask you to leave a comment, offer a suggestion or give some sort of feedback.  I write this for the users; you determine the direction it goes. Thanks so much!

April 29, 2010 17 Comments

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Dave-Barger/902650303 Dave Barger

    Señor Amazing: If you sold this blog, I know dozens of other people that would thump you in the head. I like the fact that your posts are erratic, and about a variety of things. I'd be a lying sap if I said I was a regular reader. I'm an erratic reader. When I do come by, I usually have a look around to see what I missed and always (always) come away with at least a nugget (if not some jewels) of something valuable.

    I am completely comfortable with you posting whatever, whenever. But only when you are inspired to do so. No obligatory posts please. My dos centavos…

  • Jim Sanders (jwsandersjr)

    My initial thoughts were a combination of your choices. I do NOT think I'd try to sell it to someone else, and the idea of bringing on additional contributors didn't strike me as the right thing to do either (I don't know why – maybe because it might take on a different personality).

    I'd start with the wait out the lull, while waiting just post less frequently (bullets one and two). If the muse doesn't come after a while (three to six months?) think about flipping it for personal reasons.

  • http://twitter.com/Durden76 Tyler White

    I'd go once a month unless you feel storngly about using it for a friends and family site. Writing full posts is a major investment in time; the last thing anyone needs is another “chore”.

    Good luck whatever direction you take!

  • http://tylerwainright.com/ Tyler Wainright

    I had a similar struggle with an old dad-related blog that I used to author and your feelings sound a lot like what I was dealing with. I became very uninterested in the direction that some dad-blogs were taking and I felt like it was too much work to keep up. I also went the guest-author route until none of them decided to write anything for the site…discouragement set in and I eventually started tylerwainright.com to share my photography which I very passionate about and since it's a Tumblr site, it's much easier to post. I don't have any good thoughts on where to take this blog other than follow your gut and don't get too burned out.

  • http://tylerwainright.com/ Tyler Wainright

    …or is it “burnt out”

  • http://www.bethgsanders.com beth g sanders

    Like the others, I'd hate to see you sell it. I think there are valuable resources here. Take a break if you need to and do the monthly thing, then see how you feel about it after some time has passed.

    If you feel like incorporating some family/friends stuff, try it and see how it goes.

    My opinion is probably worth about as much as my blog, but I think it's an evolutionary thing. It might start as one thing and evolve to qutie another. As the shrinks like to say, “Go with it.”

    .02

  • http://abhab.tumblr.com Holly

    I liked your personal writing on how you found a new job. I liked how you incorporated your personal experience and how you used your social networking skills. But then again, I am your fiance and just like you, period.

  • http://www.onehalfamazing.com Bob Hazlett

    Great insight. Thinking back now, this blog has evolved many times over and the topics have changed quite a bit. Maybe I widen my net, bring on different content and let it evolve. Thanks so much Beth, your input means a lot.

  • http://www.onehalfamazing.com Bob Hazlett

    Love you.

  • http://www.onehalfamazing.com Bob Hazlett

    Thanks, I think you're right. Trusting your gut is huge and learning to do so is something that takes a while.

    Switching this site over to a Tumblr blog is actually something I'm heavily considering, simply for the ease (post) of use factor.

  • http://www.onehalfamazing.com Bob Hazlett

    Thanks Tyler. Writing should be fun, not a burden.

  • http://www.onehalfamazing.com Bob Hazlett

    Ok, I think you and Dave convinced me not to sell it and personally I really didn't WANT to bring on anyone else (but I considered it). Its hard to convey your message and vision to someone who didn't labor over every detail with you.

    Maybe I'll start sprinkling in new posts and expand my reach. You and Beth are great. Thanks so much for your input.

  • http://www.onehalfamazing.com Bob Hazlett

    Thanks Dave, your input means a lot. I think I'm going to let the blog evolve and let the inspiration come when it does. Posts will probably stay tech and online marketing heavy, but maybe I'll toss in some cat videos (my other passion) now and again…. Gracias.

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  • http://tylerwainright.com/ Tyler Wainright

    I've noticed that Tumblr blogs don't get much Google love but I've over that now. I share what I want to share and, to me, I'd rather be inspired to post than worry about getting everything right for Google. Tumblr is fun and if you find a fun theme you can do a lot of tweaking to make it your own.

  • http://www.onehalfamazing.com Bob Hazlett

    Exact feelings I have. The tweaking and tinkering seems to take a large part of my time.

  • http://www.buckdaddyblog.com BuckDaddy

    I read everyone else's comments and we have discussed it a couple of times, I am having similar issues with my site and my own writings. I gave you a lot of crap about not posting but it is better to not post than to post crap.

    I think you have a voice that is unique and valuable. Maybe the best bet is to expand your topics and post about them.

    Unlike Dave I read whenever you post.