I’ll be in Salt Lake City on January 20-21 at “Alt.” That’s the Altitude Design Summit, a conference for design and lifestyle bloggers. I’m actually speaking, hosting a roundtable on creating a niche blog and building a vibrant community around it. After three years, I feel like I’ve learned some things. That said, I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on any of these three questions in preparation for the conference:
- What do you think makes for a good “niche” blog? What do you want or need… what makes you come back?
- What makes a blog feel like “community”? What kinds of things can a blogger do to nurture this feeling?
- Any readers in Salt Lake City wanna get together for a cocktail or latte or thrifting on Friday night the 21st? Tiki time?
Leeann Wright says
Gosh, I stumbled across you by accident and now I check in daily. For me, the thing that keeps bringing me back, is that you are not just the source, but the filter. There is a lot of information here, but it’s all good.
Your sense of humor about what we are all willing to go through (flashlights and gloves at estate sales) to get the prize we want makes daily reading enjoyable. I think that the forums are what create the community feeling. That a question on a floor will elicit SO many comments from so many schools of thought…makes me feel that the compromises I must sometimes make-or the things I will not budge on are both okay. i.e. there are others out there making the same kinds of choices.
You seem to be doing it right…not me me me everyday, but enough me from someone whose passion i respect. thanks.
pam kueber says
thanks, leeann, yes, i really *worry* about the me me me %. i kinda have a formula in my head: resource / vintage-image / resource / reader / resource / something ridiculous / resource / me / repeat … as you can see, i usually want to weigh heavily on the resources — that is the heart — “helping you GET THINGS DONE.” all the other stuff is frosting but i do recognize that in real life i like the frosting the best – and that in online life, it’s likely super duper important, too
Shane Walp says
Yeah, like Eartha said “It feels like home”. For over a year, I have been on this site everyday. I am so busy that there’s no time to sit on the computer, so it’s just this site and 2 others (CL and FB) LOL
A little bit ago Gavin yelled at me (jk) about starting a tangent. But I like talking to people, esp. people who love this stuff too, and feel like I’m working towards tenure on this site 😀
I kinda wish there was a forum area too, where we can get on and ask, advise, answer, banter, etc. I, too, feel guilty sometimes when going off-topic
but I can’t help it! Some things just beg for a little Bob Hope-esque humor!
Anyway, the site is great, love the format, the current level of interaction with other long-timers here, and esp the INCREDIBLE level of advice, experience, and sources on this site. And the more of us there are, the stronger it gets!
Shane a.k.a Trouble
pam kueber says
thanks for your comments, shane. i actually had a second forum up at one point. i took it down pretty fast. it takes a TON of time to monitor forums — i just don’t have it. also, they require extra expense, ditto, baby needs a new pair of shoes. all that said: i have NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER with posts that go off on a tangent. in fact, those often turn out to be the funnest kind. e.g. the original MR DUX. as a tenured reader i am sure you get that one. 🙂
Gavin Hastings says
Shane!!! I was going to suggest the same thing about a forum, but I thought that it might be too hard to manage and that people would just be talking to themselves (or to me and you!!!)
I don’t remember ever responding negetively to you, I always look forward to your comments…except maybe someone’s remark about the “burger joint kitchen wallpaper”!
pam kueber says
Moderating that third forum (in addition to cabinets + the main blog) put me over the top. I read EVERYTHING.
Shane Walp says
LOL Gavin I was just giving you a hard time. I was really going to milk it, but people don’t really KNOW people on here, so there was too much chance it would be taken wrong.
Pam – I understand the forum part would be a whole other situation to handle. I’ve never run a site so I can’t speak from experience. I’m just happy this is here. And yeah
MR Dux. Jeet Jet?
Cheryl Warren says
Pam –
I agree with Andrea’s comment… it is you coming through and your passion. However it is also the fact that you, Pam, are in a constant learning mode. Some of the bloggers (my igoogle page is a mix of retrorenevations, dog agility, gardening, and zen habits/yoga blogs) blog as if they have all the answers. This gets old in a hurry especially if the blogger is 30-something and doesn’t have silver hightlights in their hair yet. Your blog is constantly assimilating info from the readers and organizing it for our “community” to use. Bless you for that… I’ve stared at the archived histroical sales brochures pictures numerous times looking for inspiration (the forum aspect we all appreciate deeply).
You also appeal to a wide range of personal styles. You point out the house design style that makes it unique (age or style) as well as the efforts that the owners make/made to add personal touches to the house design as well. You appreciate all that and more … it comes through in your blog!
As my dog agility blogging buddy Michele says… upwards and onward! Cheryl
pam kueber says
thank you, cheryl. hey, when i was 30-something is think i thought i knew everything, haha, now i know better *computer explodes in contradiction*. and this reminds me: i need to make an appointment with my hairdresser at J.C. Penney. some encroaching silver highlights need to be banished!
Susan says
Why do I visit retrorenovation-com-staging.enwf9w61-liquidwebsites.com anytime I find myself sitting at a computer for more than 15 minutes at a stretch?
First of all, there’s a photo of a certain gal in a party dress holding a drill! In other words, the spirit of the thing is fun and practical–not taking our style too seriously but not holding back in celebrating it either! And if you ever approach that particular peron (that’d be you, Pam!) with a specific question or need for feedback, she takes the issue to heart and responds with helpful and thoughtful ideas and/or encourages her readers to do the same!
Also, I am sucked in by the vintage illustrations. I can’t get enough of documentation of this era (esp. late 40s and early 50s)! Real-life photos of how these things are surviving today–including in folks’ real-life homes–are also fascinating, but I L-O-V-E seeing this stuff in its own time.
I always call retrorenovation-com-staging.enwf9w61-liquidwebsites.com a web site, but I realized recently–when explaining the funny “cement bunker” post of last week to my devoted husband–why it’s a blog: There’s something new posted every day! I think of a blog as “blah blah blah” about someone’s all-too-personal perspective, but I agree with MikeD: This is much more like a forum, and it functions like a community because Pam sets the tone and inspires readers to share!
But who needs labels! It’s the only web site (oops! blog!) I visit regularly. Great job, Pam and retro renovators!
pam kueber says
You are so sweet, Susan. Yes, a “blog” is defined as a site with dated-entries. That is: New content regularly. And yes, I really have shied away from just blah blah blah my opinion… my occasional rants aside… I have always wanted the epicenter of this site to be USEFUL INFORMATION. Hi falutin *journalism” even.
Eartha Kitsch says
“What do you think makes for a good ‘niche’ blog?” – To me, it’s when the blogger really has passion about what they’re blogging about and don’t just follow the formula used by other bloggers in the same vein. Maybe they’ll go outside of the box from time to time and really let their passions shine through. Also, it’s great when you feel like the blogger isn’t just writing a diary for themselves but is also writing for their readers and cares what their thoughts and interests are. I have a theory that there is an audience for every blog – it just has to be tapped into. There will be readers who will stop by and just won’t dig the vibe at a certain blog…but then there will be readers who will instantly think, “This feels like home!” and will keep coming back. Bloggers just need to keep it real and follow their hearts..
“What makes a blog feel like ‘community’? What kinds of things can a blogger do to nurture this feeling? ” It’s a toss-up on this one for me. A lot of bloggers that I follow are constantly linking to, talking about and giving props to their friends who have blogs. This can be great for THEIR inner circle community but it can also make those of us who aren’t in that inner circle feel left out and wander off to another blog. A blogger has the right to do that but they should know that it might be isolating to some people (while other readers might like that inside scoop).
Honestly, I think that a sense of community is cultivated when a reader comments and the blogger answers back and makes the reader feel like they’ve had a conversation (I need to get better about that lately) – and when the blogger not only posts but also asks questions of the readers regarding the post… i.e. “Readers, What do you think about this item?” and starts a dialogue between themselves and other readers.
Enjoy Salt Lake City! I hope that you get a whole passel of people to hang out with afterward…..
pam kueber says
Thanks, Eartha. In the past I have not responded to each reader because I *think* it felt to me like that would be making it too much more about *me.* Like, honestly, I don’t want to be THE center of it all. Like: I like it when you talk to each other back and forth. But based on your comment and a few others, I’ll try dipping my toe in and responding more directly…. What do you think about this issue, readers?
Eartha Kitsch says
Honestly, with the amount of comments that you usually get, I can’t imagine that you’d have the time to answer each one – and prepare more posts! : ) Also when readers are commenting on their personal taste about a home, room or product pictured, there might not be a good place for you to comment back. I mean, what are you going to say about someone’s personal opinion? I think that with the way that your blog goes, the way that you handle it now is perfect. You comment to readers when it seems like you should and the rest of the time, you just let the discussion happen. I think it’s handled perfectly here so don’t sweat it.
Susan says
I kind of agree with you, Pam. I think responding to each and every reader would interrupt the flow. Maybe you could encourage readers to address you directly in their comment if they really want a response from you. Or maybe you could weigh in with a comment that responds to several readers at once, at least one time in each thread. Sounds like lots more work for you, though!
To me it seems that if you have pertinent information to add to the conversation or can’t resist responding to something controversial or funny, then you jump in! Seems appropriate to me!
pam kueber says
roger that, susan. i’ll aim for: balance and what makes common sense
Eartha Kitsch says
Oh, and I meant to say that in the context of Retro Renovation, “when a reader comments and the blogger answers back and makes the reader feel like they’ve had a conversation” comes in when you listen to what readers say and are interested in and give us posts later on that might be influenced by those conversations and comments on posts. It doesn’t necessarily have to be you chiming in on every comment. I can’t see that format working here.
Gavin Hastings says
Personally, as I stated earlier, I think you might end up being a referee a good deal of the time. It would bring a classroom/teacher feel to the conversation.
pam kueber says
that doesn’t sound good to me: “classroom/teacher”.
pam kueber says
i hear you, eartha… that said, i think i could reply more. i think that in the past, i have left some readers hanging. you run a blog, too. it takes a ton of time, and some days i have more time than other, that is usually the reason. my responses to emails are in a TERRIBLE shape, it’s pitiful, actually
Sidney says
Pam, I worry about the same thing: making it all about *ME.* I am currently answering / commenting on / thanking each poster for their contribution, but I feel like I’m inserting myself or trying to get the last word as I validate each poster’s thoughts. I haven’t yet figured out that blogging boundary.
Great post. Great insight for a fledgling like me. Thanks and best of luck in Salt Lake!
pam kueber says
Yup. Exactly. I don’t want to have the last word. (Usually, tee hee.) See? This is a tricky issue. Thanks, Sidney, and I’ll be sure to check out your blog!
Mr. Modtomic says
Hmmm..I’m afraid I must disagree. I feel like, if a reader took the time to leave a message (we all know that sometimes it can be kind of a chore to actually leave a message) then the least I can do is to acknowledge their effort. Sometimes I just say something like “I know what you mean” but I try real hard to go through all my messages every couple days to answer everybody. I don’t feel self conscience about it at all. It never even occurred to me that there should be any kind of boundary until reading these comments, and honestly…when I leave a comment on another blog I check back a couple of times for a reply from the blogger. If I never find one I might not leave any more comments as obviously the blogger doesn’t appreciate MY effort. My reader contribution is still small enough that it feels intimate. I wouldn’t keep blogging without the back and forth I have with my readership and I hope to have enough growth so that it becomes difficult in the future.
pam kueber says
Hmmm, I think this is a tough one, Mr. M. For example, if 83 readers each left a comment, and I replied to each one, the “balance” of me compared to them would seem so “off”, at least in my mind… I think I will continue to study this issue and report back. Thanks for your input — I’ll really consider it….
vintigchik says
Oooh. I live an hour north of Salt Lake. I hope I can come to this 🙂
pam kueber says
I hope you can come, too, vintigchik!!!!
Andrea says
1. What do you think makes for a good “niche” blog? What do you want or need… what makes you come back?
As a faithful blog reader, I share an interest in the “niche” at hand… RetroRenovation provides fresh ideas (daily!); exhaustive research on many topics of interest; articles that educate me on topics I didn’t even know were of interest to me before; concrete resources for so many aspects of our wide area of interest; and more.
But to me, the overriding ingredient in the success of your blog is YOU—your personality comes through, lending humor, passion and a dose of reality to what we read about.
2. What makes a blog feel like “community”? What kinds of things can a blogger do to nurture this feeling?
The blog feels like a community because everyone is encouraged to chime in with their ideas and inspirations. I appreciate your “no hurt feelings” doctrine—no one is to be ridiculed or condemned for decisions they have made/are making. That builds a sense of inclusiveness.
I love the “reader features” where we get to see photos of real homes, whether they have problems to solve or original features to celebrate. I have gained a whole new perspective on many aspects of 1960s and even 70s decor (having arrived at the blog as the new owner/lover of a 1950s house).
Congratulations on the “assignment” in Salt Lake City—sounds like fun!
Gavin Hastings says
I would like more interaction myself, although that would seem to bring its’ own set of problems. Do you really want to play referee?
Many times lately I read posts using terms such as: horrid wallpaper, crappy lights, hidious carpeting when refering to other peoples homes. Posters would never say these things to someone’s face; yet feel no slight when typing away…Over the years I have watched a few “attackers” come and go, and that must be stressfull.
.
Most readers enjoy views into other peoples homes: I have always questioned whether you alert the “Star du Jour” that: “Next Friday is your kitchen floor….” By doing so, a conversation can be had with the homeowner- rather than fifty posts with a “round up”, filled in with missing pieces of the story at the end. I work 3-12, so it is easy for me to follow chapters throughout the day.
For me, this is a hard Site to “read”.
Lately, I have written something….Shane or Jeffery will respond-then I make some quip to that-then I get a reply….then someone else will chime in….sort of Cocktail Party banter…but all the while I am waiting for the boom to fall, stating: “Please stick to the subject at hand”. So how much interaction is allowed?
Otherwise, as you and fellow readers know, I am completely addicted to RetroRenovation. I look forward to the ideas and insights that other readers bring. The question for you, Pam, and for the readers: Now that we are here, what do we do together?
Gavin Hastings says
AND-(there is always an and)…It is to your credit Pam, that you actually ASK your readers for an opinion on this subject!
pam kueber says
Thanks, Gavin. I have no problem with conversations going on tangents. And, I will try to take up your suggestion about alerting homeowners to when they are featured so they can try to respond during the day. That said, I am going to assume that having a “live dialog” will usually not be possible as many/most people are at work….
Amy Hill says
Your contest for “Love the House You’re In” was fun to win, and sometimes you give out prizes for the best solution.
I also like how easy your site is to navigate, and it’s aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Websites without a lot of color aren’t very interesting to artsy types.
The best part is You, tho. You teach without being preachy, and you keep it upbeat & positive & wholesome.
Have fun at the conference. When are you coming to Atlanta?
MikeD says
For your what makes it feel like a community question, one way is how you make it interactive with you and your readers. Almost like a forum message board.