Anybody Out There?
No, this is not about aliens.
I have been blogging here for a few years now and I believe I’ve stuck with my original intention (see it there on the left <--). I know I have several subscribers and regular readers, but over the last several months I’ve wondered just how many people are actually reading this stuff and why. I’m also wondering if what I’m doing is actually ministering to anybody except a few close friends. So, I’m going to ask all of you who are reading these words to take a second to respond to this blog entry with at least a brief acknowledgement that you are occasionally reading some of the essays. A simple “Here” as an anonymous post is acceptable. That would satisfy the “how many” question. (I know not all of you will reply to this, but it would give me a rough estimate. I’ve always imagined about 30 people reading this thing regularly, but I have no way of knowing!)
For those of you who really want to help me, I have several questions I’d love for you to answer. So, in your response, you have the option of simply posting your answers to the following questions.
1. How do you access the blog? (e.g., “Whenever I think about it”; “When my blog feed emails me”; “When somebody tells me to”; “By accident”)
2. How often to you access the blog? (e.g., “Once a day”; “Once a week”; “Once a month”; “Whenever”; “Rarely”)
3. I always intended the blog to have two or three quality posts a month to keep readers from being overwhelmed with trivialities. Do you find this satisfactory, or would you prefer more frequent but shorter entries (like a real blog)?
4. I intended the blog to have a variety of essays ranging from 800 to 1200 words each, some humorous, some theological, some scholarly, some practical. Do you find this diversity of genres to be satisfactory or would you prefer a different approach? What?
5. Have you ever printed, distributed, forwarded, or otherwise used any of the essays on this blog for ministry to others? (Note: this is both allowed and encouraged!)
6. Have you ever gone through the archives to find old essays or do you generally stick with easily-accessible recent posts?
7. What do most like about the blog? What do you least like about it?
29 comments:
here. :)
1) via Google Reader
2) Whenever you write something
3) This is Collin County: More is better
4) Good mix
5) Yes.
6) Snarky academic humor.
1. RSS Bookmark on Safari
2. Whenever I see a new post. I get a # by your bookmark like this: SvigeLand (1)
3. You're a quality/long blogger type, I'm a frequent/short blog reader. Just means I skim :)
4. I'd narrow the variety to 3.
5. Yes. I fwd'd your blog several times to friends and family. I've gotten good feedback but they're not subscriber types.
6. New only.
7. Solid stuff and funny.
1. Via Google Reader
2. When I see you've posted something.
3. I actually want more frequency, because I value what's on your mind - but since there's only one of you - and you can't be all things theological to all people, I'll take what you can give.
4. I think you are right on with what you're aiming at. It is quintessentially you. So I wouldn't change anything.
5. Yes, among the forwards I have engaged in was the end of the world/HR manual post - classic.
6. I haven't gone back to archives, but might if I need ammo to bolster an argument.
7. I like your perspective and I find that you hit on points that usually resonate with me. But I also like it because you educate me - I learn things reading your blog.
1. google reader
2. whenever you write something
3. If you wrote 1000 words twice a week, I would probably not read everyone, especially during the semester (unless the title was really catchy)
4. It works for me, but I always enjoy humor. I get to read enough serious stuff. That's why I like Pearls before Swine.
5. I linked to your last post last night on my blog. Seems like I have told others about some others as well, but I don't remember.
6. Seems like I skimmed through before, but my reader doesn't actually take me to your blog, so unless I have lots of time on my hands…
7. Most: makes me think.
Least: a little long. Was going to tell you that today, but I got distracted by the raining crepe myrtles.
1. Feedblitz
2. Rarely...I read your posts via Feedblitz
3. More frequent and shorter
4. You are perfect in your approach
5. I forward it to all of my staff in the UK whenever a Feedblitz comes through to my e-mail. We have an entertaining time reflecting on your nonsense.
6. Read and rely only on the Feedblitz (BTW...I just like saying and writing the word 'feedblitz').
7. I like it because I know the heart and mind behind it. There isn't much I don't like about your writing.
Hello Mike,
You know I read this regularly. I get the e-mail from Feedblitz. Sometimes I come in to look for a specific article. Yes I have forwarded them or made copies and given them to people- they are always recieved well.
I enjoy the mix of things you write about- seems ver much like you-
1 When you mention something to me about it.
2 Whenever
3 I like the quality posts - I should read them more often.
4 I like the approach.
5 Yes, I print them and give them to co-workers
6 I usually read what is easily accessed.
7 Gets me thinking / I have no recommendations
1. Feedblitz
2. Feedblitz
3. Both short and long are fine since the quality is always good.
4. Great.
5. I'm going to forward the last entry.
6. Sometimes
7. Let's see: interesting and diverse topics, great writing, Christian encouragement-- a pretty good reason to read it. Keep it up.
Here.
I check your blog daily.
I like your fresh perspectives.
Thanks,
Allen
I read the blog whenever your feeder emails me. I enjoy reading your blogs. I probably enjoy the humorous posts the most, so don't leave these out.
I read most of your blogs all the way through.
Leininger...present
1. blog feed emails me
2. 2-3 times a month
3. Like the entries the way they are
4. Love the approach/mix
5. Have pointed several people to the blog
6. One on community was particularly helpful in shaping my thinking...read it to several people
7. I most like having really smart friends...being challenged even if impossible to share a meal these days
1. Whenever I think about it, or look at my bookmark toolbar.
2. Every other day, if not daily.
3. Satisfactory
4. Love it as is.
5. Yes.
6. Mostly recent ones since I've read most of the archived articles.
7. I enjoy the variety of articles. The writing is superb, funny, and scholarly. Great work.
1. I get a reminder email, and then when I have the time to actually read and not skim my emails.
2. Whenever
3. I like it the way it is, however it may take me all month to read one. I lead a sad, sad life.
4. I always prefer you funny, but I need it all.
5. I have gotten fwds and have fwd.
6. At the beginning I went through them, and in a perfect world I will go back and read most of them.
7. That it is good food and not a regular blog about your dog's heartworms.
1. google reader
2. when you publish
3. amarilys said it best.
4. what you're doing now is fine. keeps me reading.
5. yes.
6. i think i have dug into archives once, but generally new only.
7. i enjoy your perspective on things. you present an angle on several topics i've not ever explored before and it keeps me interested.
Here.
1. thru the email in my inbox.
2. when there's new stuff.
3. perfect now.
4. perfect now.
5. yep.
6. just once, I think.
7. helps clear out the cobwebs in my brain.
perhaps the timeliness of my response may answer most of your questions...
1)google reader
2)anytime a post is made
3)quality is always good...but i mostly skim long posts
4)excellent
5)no
6)no (though i continually say i am going to go back and read old ones)
7)like - christian/theological (whatever label you will accept) perspective
dislike - ummm, i like the blog, just don't always fully read the longer posts
Here Mike. I like your blog - I've always been a fan of your writing.
I check it every 1-2 weeks...I ususally read through all your posts, except the longer ones are sometimes a little too long.
I like the mix of genres.
1) At random in any given week
2) A couple times per week
3) Quality over quantity
4) Mainly prefer theo. and scholar
5) No
6) Yes
7) My main reason for being a reader is to gain exposure to the academic stuff that I'd never encounter at church (I'm a layperson with an interest in historical theo. and systematics)
1) By Bookmark (link from my own page)
2) Once a week
3) Frequent and short would feed my attention span
4) Yes
5) I have forwarded some of the humor ones on to friends.
6) Like the Archives
7) Variety is good
1) RSS Bookmark
2) Whenever there is a new post
3) 2-3 a week is good (I usually succeed in 1-2)
4) Diversity is a good thing
5) Not yet
6) I looked through the archive when I first discovered the blog
7) I like the design and content, but you need a blogroll.
1&2. I have your blog on my menu bar and I check it several times a week.
3&4. I gladly read whatever you offer.
5&6. I just found your blog a few months ago and I plan to use the archives.
7. I find your writing to be a continuation of my DTS education.
1) When I'm looking for a good blog entry to harvest for my publication. I always like your posts, but I have to follow my theme (and I can't use the same people over and over)
2) Sporadically
3) Like the few meaty entries rather than millions of short dippy ones.
4) I like it the way it is.
5) No. But I will when the stars finally align.
6)I go through the archives to find articles that I have read but want to see again. But I primarily read whatever is new.
7) I like that it is well-written and thoughtful but not stodgy. I like that it is honest about life and faith and all the complications therein. I can't think of anything that I don't like.
I forgot the questions but I read it when I remember you have a blog or a friend tells me you have recently written a good blog or when I am supposed to be working.
here
Just found you (via Scot McKnight) so I can't answer any of your questions, but after browsing a bit here, I'm pretty sure I'll subscribe.
Carol:
If you happen to read this, could you explain what you meant by "via Scot McKnight"? Thanks...
1- It emails me
2) Weekly or whenever
3. Weekly would be nice, as long as the quality stays up.
4: Diversity. Go with your mind and mood. Don't put yourself in a box.
5 I forward a LOT
VI. I looked at archives before. Im now caught up
Seven - Your talented and I like to see your work. I wish I had your skillz.
1. via Google reader
2. I read blogs 2-3 times per week
3. write when you have something good to say
4.yes
5. Yes
6. yes
7. your clarity of thought and helping make theology relevant
1. Feedblitz
2. Sporadically
3. I am currently contented with the current mode
4. Variety is the spice of life ... and your blog too!
5. I send the links to my friends
6. I read the olds ones too. That's how I found this! ;)
7. It is scholarly yet simple. And you don't come across as though you know it all. You keep it humble, and I like it!
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