Monday, October 13, 2014
Why you shouldn't change your blog's address
A couple of months ago I acted rashly to solve what I perceived as a glaring problem.
Initially (four years ago) this blog was created to help promote my (at the time) newly released E-book--The Sweater Curse. (Please don't search for it. It's no longer available.) I used the address http://sweatercursed.blogspot.com
Sweater Curse? Does that sound like a knitting blog to you?
Yup, that's what I was afraid of. And you aren't alone. Many wondered if it was a knitting or writing blog. And this confusion really bothered me.
When I bought back the rights to The Sweater Curse E-book I thought I could make-over this blog as well. I'd start with the confusing address. But can I change it?, I wondered. And what would happen if I did?
Very bad things, blog gurus told me. (Blog gurus like Kristen Lamb)
But as the confusion continued so did my unease.
Then... Then one day I was snooping around in the inner bowels of my blog and I found a magic button. This magic button offered to grant me one wish. If I pressed it I could change my blog's address. Like Cinderella looking at the Witch's juicy red apple, I didn't think twice I pressed the button and instantaneously I killed http://sweatercursed.blogspot.com I didn't feel anything but relief as I created my new address: http://authorleannedyck.blogspot.com
Yes, I was happy until I woke up the next day. Realization found me with the morning light. As usual, I logged on to my blog and checked my stats. The number of page views was down, dramatically. And I knew what was happening. I visualized people trying to log on to http://sweatercursed.blogspot.com. and instead of seeing the home page they were being informed that the blog they were looking for no longer existed.
No, it's not true. I'm still here, I wanted to scream. But I was helpless. My hands were tied. I'd killed http://sweatercursed.blogspot.com and there was no way to bring it back. The only thing I could do was wait for you to find me.
And...
And...
Happily ever after, you did find me.
What about WordPress?
Well, I found this link.
Changing my blog's name was no biggie. But ideally you'll find a name and address that you love and stick with them.
Sharing my author journey...
A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that I'd won a spot in a local (on-island) playwrights' contest. Though it was a difficult search, thankfully a director and three actors have been found. I was able to attend some rehearsals and hearing my words voiced by skilled actors was a thrill. In fact, I'd highly recommend entering play writing contests simply to have this pleasure. I think it will help me learn how to write even stronger dialogue.