GeneaBloggers New Year’s Resolutions

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Here is list of my goals for GeneaBloggers for 2010:

I always use the exercise “If an alien spaceship were to land and take a look at . . .” when analyzing a blog or website – meaning, what would someone totally unfamiliar with genealogy blogging and GeneaBloggers think if they visited the blog? Is the message clear that it is a resource site on how to get started blogging your ancestors as well as how to keep the blogging momentum going?

Right now, I think I can do better in terms of organizing

1. Utilize a Web Toolbar

Just like some blogs and websites have developed a downloadable toolbar to make their sites more useful (see the March 2010 issue of Family Tree Magazine), I need to develop one for GeneaBloggers. I want to include a search function so users can search across all 800+ genealogy blogs. I also want to include a link to GeneaBloggers resources pages on PDFs, photos, data backup and more!

2.  Make “Getting Started” More Prominent

Those who are new to genealogy blogging or who want to know how to get started should be able to find a series of “how tos” quickly. This is not happening right now.

3. Separate Area for Blogging Prompts

While I continue to stress the importance of the Daily Blogging Prompts as well as carnivals and memes, I think right now they take up too much room on the GeneaBloggers site.

I need a better way to organize these posts as well as the roll-up widgets that display the posts from members of GeneaBloggers.

4. Create Podcasts and Webcasts

People learn through various methods and I think that having step-by-step instructional videos would greatly help those who have questions on how to set up a blog, how to add widgets etc.

In addition, a regularly scheduled podcast would be geared more towards discussion of topics rather than instructions or how-tos. One idea is to have a monthly call-in type radio program where there is participation from the genealogy community.

5. Seek More Guest Posts

Following the example set by Gini Webb and her series of May I Introduce To You posts about new genealogy bloggers, it would be great to have other genealogy bloggers contribute periodically to GeneaBloggers as guest authors.

6. Develop a Mobile Version of GeneaBloggers

Make GeneaBloggers more mobile app friendly as well as develop a mobile app to assist genealogists with their research.

7. Larger Conference Presence

Currently, GeneaBloggers is scheduled to have a presence at the Arizona Family History Expo in Mesa, Arizona on January 22-23, 2010 as well as the Southern California Genealogical Society’s Jamboree June 11-13, 2010.

Investigate attending at several other conferences including NGS, FGS as well as others.

© 2009, copyright Thomas MacEntee

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15 thoughts on “GeneaBloggers New Year’s Resolutions”

  5. Thomas Dahling – Happy New Year!

    Hey, I just read somewhere that the Family History Expo is coming to Northern California in October 2010. It will be held in Pleasanton (Alameda County) which is only 30 minutes from my house. Please consider bringing Geneabloggers to my neck of the woods!

  8. Although new to the blogging world, i think your ideas are great! As you know, I am one of those who have had contact with you for help, and the “Getting Started” section easily identified is a good idea, even though I already often refer to Bootcamp. This is always my first stop each day before moving forward, so the improvements just continue to fit into why I found I enjoy Geneabloggers in the first place!

  12. Happy New Year Greetings Thomas! Your plans for GeneaBloggers sounds exciting. I like the idea of the web toolbar. Are you still planning to attend OGS 2010? Perhaps GeneaBloggers could make set up an informal type of event (hint, hint)? I wish you continued success.
    ~Kathryn

  15. I’m looking forward to seeing your ideas come to fruition. I also would love to see you at the OGS Conference in May in Toronto. And Thanks for all your help in 2009, couldn’t have done it without you.

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