Postcards from the Funny Farm

Yesterday I wrote about how Google PR and other ranking systems for blogs fall short of really selecting value. Let’s face the fact at the start though not everyone agrees on what is valuable in blogs. It is often the same sort of preference as between clip on earrings and studded. There are some things that are universal though. I wrote about an acronym v.a.l.u.e. and specifically the “V” in value for a blog. I chose the word “visceral” and targeted to a nice short 200 words because so many blogs are not.

While that was a very large point that needed over 400 words ;) the aspect today is not so needy of length: “aphoristic” for example, with a catchy title. An aphorism is a short quote or phrase.

Writing a blog is unlike writing a book. Readers rarely will “curl up with a good blog.” On the other hand, when they read a book they are more patient and allow more time for ideas to develop. SO, be careful to not fall into the trap of thinking you are a JK Rowling or Eckhart Tolle online. Even if you write that well, you have a different sort of audience that doesn’t want to hang out long.

Here are three tips on how to add value to your blog by being aphoristic:

1. Wait to create your title until you have written your 200 or so words in your post. 9 times out of 10 you will have a better title after you have the post.
2. As you write thing more in sound-bytes, or lines people could quote. I did that when I wrote: “Readers rarely will “curl up with a good blog.” On the other hand, when they read a book they are more patient and allow more time for ideas to develop.”
3. Use the blockquote function as much as possible without being over-the-top.

So now we’ve covered 2 aspects of a valuable blog: 1) visceral, and 2) aphorostic. Tomorrow I will talk about “L.” If the suspense is too much, again, I will tell you in an email for 25 bucks and I hope you appreciate sarcasm. Have a great Sunday out there making blogs of value.

There’s a lesson for business and communication in this sign.  The Cocky Bull is on a highway for truckers and travelers.  Therefore they cater to that in their slogan.  Can you imagine if they were catering to surfers? Miners?  I think you get the idea.  We need to reach out to the people in our sphere of influence, whether they are our “choice” or not.  I think this is especially true in writing to a blog or website audience.  Get to know who visits your blog and write to them.

In case you haven’t noticed, I haven’t played the SandBar or any other venue for several months. My last gig was a while back at the Ponderosa. I played for 20 minutes in front of an audience of 18-20 year olds. It was a good experience as playing live always is. I enjoy playing “Talk to Me,” “People,” “Rockin’ in the Free World,” “Angelyne,” “Day Tripper,” and all the usual set tunes. Since my last gig however I have been occupied with teaching and spending quality time with my two kids. In that time, as many already know, Sarah found out we are pregnant and so we have been doing our “think-tank” planning for when the baby comes in May.

In place of performing music, I have switched gears into teaching music at my school where I teach 3rd grade. I have a guitar class of 9 6th graders and several classes of grades 1-6 to whom I teach music history, theory, and lead in singing. It was phenomenal the last week before Christmas break (which I am enjoying immensely I might add). My 6th graders can form their fingers into position A, D, and E. Next when we resume in January, we’ll be working on playing “This Land is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie. I was asked by my Principal to have them perform the song at the next school board meeting in January. I am excited to see my kids up there strumming away. It feels really good at this point in my career to be passing along what I know to the youth.? I don’t consider myself old at 37, but I feel I am passing through the season of life where playing clubs, bars, and coffee houses is not as interesting as it used to be. My wife thinks I should still play at the SandBar, but I am honestly enjoying my work and the extra stuff I am doing with teaching music to the elementary school kids. For now, it’s enough. My dad generously donated several guitars to my after-school classes so I am thrilled to be able to add more kids to the class in January.? My students always ask me to play something for them during each class. They like fun bluegrass stuff like “Under the Double Eagle,” and the catchy tunes I play like Angelyne. I feel like I am passing on influence to these kids that they would never otherwise get.? Ad I said already, it’s a good feeling. Playing in clubs, bars, and coffee-houses may be in my future, but certainly not for a while and for now . . . that’s ok!

To check out my music on MySpace, click below:

myspace.com/damienrileytunes