“Jack, is your blog dying, or is it dead?”
I asked the writer of the email how to define a dying blog but I didn’t get a response to the question I asked.
Heck, I didn’t get a response or any indication they received it, not even a remark about how annoying it can be to answer a question with another question.
We could build a 1000-word post on this without much effort and could probably go deeper but there is no interest on my part.
I am on vacation and if the subject doesn’t move me I don’t intend to move. Nonetheless in this circumstance, I am prepared to share a few thoughts.
A blog doesn’t have to have to comments to be considered a living blog, just new posts or comments that advance/continue the discussion on old posts.
You don’t need a specific editorial calendar or schedule of new posts either. You just need to update it periodically and voila, the blog is a living thing.
The mighty JackB isn’t dead though you could argue it has periods of semi-hibernation compared to what it used to be.
If you keep visiting you’ll keep seeing new posts and various changes that could include a resumption of a daily or weekly update.
Remarks of my death, the JackB are greatly exaggerated.
Like both of you said, a blog isn’t dying until their owners stop posting for a very long time. That or their links disappear or you’re getting 404 messages all over. It’s always sad when it was someone you liked a lot and talked to often.
I hate the 404 messages, especially on blogs where I have guest posted. I know that is kind of selfish/narcissistic but when you worked on something…
And you are absolutely correct about the friendship aspect, when you have had a certain amount of interaction you start to feel a connection. Always sad to see it go.
Wow a cool subject. I guess I’ve seen a few dying blogs that haven’t been updated in a few years.
It always make me sad to think someone gave up on all the work they put into their blog
Hi Lisa,
I feel the same way. When you have put thousands of hours into something it is hard to understand how people could just walk away.