Discussions

Local Exposure - Too Close to Home?

Posted by Anniepooh • 8/10/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: blogging, exposure, traffic

I recently received and email from my local newspaper asking if they could add me to their weekly round-up in print and also link to my blog from their website.

Question is, do you think it's safe to do this? Will I get too much exposure locally? I didn't think too much about the cons when I first read the email.

What say you?

User Comments

8/10/08

globalgirl

Go for it, Annie. This could be the launch of becoming really famous, you know, beyond BC.

[reply]
1. 8/10/08
  
  Anniepooh
  
  How do you know I'm not already really famous?
8/10/08

MadameX

It depends a lot on what you put on your blog and how cautious you are. If you're already writing with some checks in place, then it's really no different from writing a weekly newspaper column, right? So are the things you write on your blog things you'd be comfortable writing in a local column?

[reply]
1. 8/10/08
  
  Anniepooh
  
  I figured that I write so often about buying local and staying local that I could use a little local exposure. No use in someone from India reading the directions to my local farmers' market or a review of a local restaurant - right?
  
  I think I'm fairly safe. If I get nervous about it, I'll ask them to remove my link.
8/10/08

weblogian

I will go for it
I have three Newspaper giving me free space every Sunday

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8/10/08

Friday13

I also say go for it. I mean, it's not like you'll be getting stalkers or anything like that ... um ... right? Am I right? Oh, dear ...

(just kidding, do it!)

[reply]
1. 8/10/08
  
  Anniepooh
  
  No stalkers, lol
8/10/08

mberry

Personally, I would go for it. It's exposure and marketing for your blog(s), and positions you as an authority/expert. From what I can see, you blog primarily about food... it could lead to side gigs giving talks and/or cooking lessons and the like at local venues, and put a few extra dollars in your pocket to boot for the privelege! I really don't see a downside ;-)

If I may ask, what exactly are you worried about? Some random kook tracking you down and harassing you? The odds of that are remote, IMHO.

[reply]
1. 8/10/08
  
  Anniepooh
  
  Well, my cooking blog already led me to blogging for Disney - you can't get much cooler than that! I have a lot of connections here anyway in my area of expertise and, you're right, this could only serve to broaden my horizons.
8/10/08

TheBigRuski

Two thumbs up! Just take the cautions necessary and as you become aware of them.

[reply]
1. 8/10/08
  
  Anniepooh
  
  TY Ruski
8/10/08

Hoeno

That's a tough one. I understand your hesitance. If you get really controversial or personal with your content, you might be opening yourself up to the nuts. If not, I guess it really could be like writing a column for the local paper like MadameX said. Congrats for the opportunity, anyway.

~JD

[reply]
1. 8/10/08
  
  Anniepooh
  
  Ty Hoeno
8/10/08

wtmarsh

I think that it depends on your long term objectives. If you are writing your blog strictly as a hobby to voice your personal views, then additional exposure probably doesn't matter. But most regular bloggers want to grow their readership and feed subscriptions. If this is also a goal of yours, then any additional exposure helps toward that objective.

[reply]
1. 8/10/08
  
  Anniepooh
  
  Well, that's true, too. I've never been really big on traffic so my decision was based on more than just numbers.
8/10/08

GeorgieB

Any exposure for your blog is a good thing. Get more traffic through word of mouth.

Especially tagging with the news media is always a good thing.

[reply]
1. 8/10/08
  
  Anniepooh
  
  True.
8/10/08

clioandme

You're talking one of your food blogs, right? Why not?

[reply]
1. 8/10/08
  
  Anniepooh
  
  I really only update my food blog - the other one is almost a shame to keep up! I just don't have THAT much time.
8/10/08

DrowseyMonkey

As long as there's nothing personal on your blog or links to any personal blogs, and you're sure it's a legitimate request.

[reply]
1. 8/10/08
  
  Anniepooh
  
  Yes, legitimate. I know the editors since I worked there at one time lol
  Besides, I'd only REALLY be worried if you lived near me!
2. 8/10/08
  
  CrotchetyOldMan
  
  Good luck with it. It will be fine, I'm sure.
3. 8/10/08
  
  DrowseyMonkey
  
  well, it's not like I's stalk ya or anything...you know, I probably wouldn't.
4. 8/10/08
  
  Anniepooh
  
  I have perfume to ward you off anyway.
5. 8/10/08
  
  DrowseyMonkey
8/10/08

bitburonet

Congratulations! That's terrific. Go for it.

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8/10/08

Theresa111

Absolutely, if it is something that would make you feel fulfilled and happy, then it can only have the same effect on your readers. Create and let the sun shine on you.

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8/10/08

hannahmiriam

It is a good oportinity not everyone has this great chance...
Don't worry be happy :))

=

empoweringthoughts.blogspot.com/

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8/10/08

voodooKobra

Do it. I've only received one press interview, and it was from a college student doing a paper on tourism in Florida. (My site is the first result on Google for "florida sucks".)

Edit to add: And if any of your locals react badly to your blog, send them a link to Kobra's Corner and say, "Look, I'm obviously not as bad as this guy, so go eat a bowl of pickled bull testicles."

[reply]
1. 8/10/08
  
  Anniepooh
  
  LOL I'll do that!
8/10/08

jafabrit

I think that is wonderful, congratulations and I say go for it. Like others have said if your writing on the blog is similar to what you would write in a news column, then I think you should be fine.

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8/10/08

Katuluu

You write a local blog and are worried about getting too much exposure locally? I guess I don't truly understand your concerns. Do you think people will be following you around town, or bothering you at home?

[reply]
1. 8/10/08
  
  Anniepooh
  
  No, I don't write a local blog - I write a food blog. I write a lot about local stuff because, well, this is where I live!
8/10/08

Skysnowyowl

Let me tell you about my local exposure. It was not plan or meant to be in this way. I was interview by a reporter this past Aug. 8th, due to my incoming deployment. He asked me for my email, for his use. I gave it to him, alone with my blog URL, for also "HIS USE". I never would thought, that he would publish my blog URL on the newspaper as well online.

Am I getting traffic?, yes...but me---being a cop, there is no telling whom of those people I have arrested in the past, is reading my blog now. Honestly, right now, its too close for confort, and it made me edit few of my posts.

In a situation like this, I don't know if being open about my identity was a right choice, instead of being with a fake name.

To see that newspaper article go to: gwcommonwealth.com/articles/2008/08/08/news/top_stories/news05.txt

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8/10/08

harleyblues

Just Do It!
hb

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8/10/08

Anok

Yeah, if you're comfortable with the exposure locally, I'd say go for it.

I mean, it's not like you are a unliked, misunderstood political activist that people would like nothing more than to deport!

[reply]
1. 8/10/08
  
  Anniepooh
  
  ROFL! That sounds so familiar...
8/10/08

crpitt

I try not to expose myself locally, it would probably lead to me getting arrested

My blog friend Linda is listed on this newspaper
www.norwichbulletin.com/homepage
She is a 911 dispatcher and blogs about personal stuff, I don't think she has had any bad experiences from it.

[reply]
1. 8/10/08
  
  Anniepooh
  
  Whoa-I didn't think about that. Yeah, exposure can be a bad thing.
2. 8/10/08
  
  aningeniousname
  
  If you do decide to expose yourself locally can you let me know in advance so I can charge up my camcorder battery, cheers.
3. 8/10/08
  
  Anniepooh
  
  @anin - you have opposable thimbs?
4. 8/10/08
  
  aningeniousname
  
  Yes my thumbs have very strong views on most things, it's very rare they agree.
12/15/08

handycrafts

yeah I meet sweet women, I hope increase the freinds in blog. I believe yr better blog, if you interest back visit me maybe some information of Bali tour

[reply]
12/21/08

handycrafts

comeback again to visit u

[reply]
1. 12/21/08
  
  Anniepooh
  
  OK - creepin' me out a little...
12/21/08

GabrielGadfly

Go for it. It can't do anything but draw in more readers.

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12/21/08

PotatoChef

I personally think it makes a lot of sense to try and remain annoymous where you live. Chances are nothing will ever go wrong, but there is a always a slight chance something could.

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12/21/08

Anniepooh

I already did this - please look at the date of the OP!

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12/22/08

handycrafts

visit again

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