Blog or not to blog?
 

Hi,
I am considering running a blog to compliment my site and to add traffic.
Is it worth the effort?

www.worldofrenewables.com

I use it on my site and it was a waste. I guess it fits into some forums but I feel that the more posts in the forums the better and the blog takes up members time that could be used in the forums.

I think you really need to think about how this will compliment your forums.
There is a tendancy to kneejerk into the latest buzz word application, so it is great to see you are actually discussing it.

I have been doing a great deal of research into blogs and feel on the whole they are a waste of time. Most are unread and most are low quality content. But it does work if you use it for experts or members who have a specific skill that is enhanced through their use of a blog.

If general members have blogs outside of your site then there is no reason why they can't just point to these iin their profile or signature. There is no need to reivent the wheel.

Being all things to all people is a rather dodgy road to go down.

I also did a poll with my community. Most didnt want them, infact they seemed rather fed up with gimicky add ons.

That was my experience.