Before I make any rash decisions, I wanted to discuss something with you guys and gals.
I have been in discussions with the blog network Bloguin about bringing my blog under their umbrella which includes such popular hockey blogs as The Pens Blog and Cycle Like the Sedins.
A move would mean a completely revamped blog (I will try to keep it as similar as it is now), no more .blogspot url, a technical team to assist with any issues or ideas, access to big time advertisers such as Gatorade, NBC, ESPN, Wheaties and Versus as well as opening up the blog to a new audience.
As far as the readers go, there won't be any change in my posting. I will still be the premiere Rangers blog for breaking news on the web.
I will also have the opportunity to collaborate with other Bloguin NHL blogs which would bring more access to Rangers opponents. There's also talk of a shared commenting section where you guys would be able to talk smack with the readers of an opponent's blog on game night.
This has been a very difficult decision for me as I love everything about this blog and what it offers all of you, but I think this could be a jump to the next level for The New York Rangers Blog.
Before I make a final decision, I would love to hear everyone's thoughts on this. Thanks.
Remember to follow me on Twitter & Facebook or e-mail me at nyrfan94@yahoo.com.
44 comments:
Well, it's up to you but if you change urls you'll lose all your backlinks and have to start from scratch building up backlinks again to rank high in the search engines.
I like the 'little blogger that could' vibe on this blog. Plus will they edit your posts or not allow you to talk about certain things?
Don't let them change you!
Kevin: Talk with the people who the Pens and Sedin blog to get their thoughts. Find out how much editorial control they have over their websites. Have they ever been censored? Told they couldn't publish something?
Another downside that I can see is added number of random trolling fans of other teams that will do nothing but ruin the comments sections.
I dont know how much of a concern it really should be... because I dont know what measures they have in place to prevent it.
Just something to think about.
i echo other's thoughts re: editorial control. if you're able to write what you want and not have to answer to anyone, i say go for it. with those bigger advertisers, it sounds like there could be some money in it for you. why should you not get paid doing something you love?
i look at matt cerrone of the metsblog as an example. he started out writing about the mets because he loved the team and had a great time doing it. he picked up a following, got brought into the sny network, and now it's his full-time gig.
Kevin, you have to do it. It's in your best interest to do it. Though I will miss the blogspot, mostly because I can type nyrangersblog.blogspot.com faster than I can type my name. However, you need to do it!!
Good luck, I'll be right behind you.
Do whatever is best for the blog but if the new blog will be infested with trolls I think it will take a lot away from the blog.
Aside from the editorial control issue, I really like the idea. This blog deserves a big audience and to come to the attention of as many Ranger fans as possible.
On an unrelated note, updates on the fantasy leagues!!!! I know that i'm in 4th (stupid Gaborik/Franzen injuries) but I want some idea of how other leagues are going.
I was first after first week in Richter league and think I'm sitting in first right now.
My only complaints would be if commenting is harder and how the site works with mobile browsers. 99% of my time on the blog is on my phone.
Don't believe in a "little guy" motif: we read your blog cause it's good, not cause you're some sort of indie champion. If it's good for you, and it's good for the blog, then it's good for your readership - the less you have to wrestle with technical issues, the more you can concentrate on giving us the coverage we come here for :) Go for it, and the day the editors start making you compromise your content, you can always walk out!
Put another way, my crappy Rangers blog that no one reads is going to continue to link to your very good Rangers blog that everyone reads, no matter what you decide ;)
Im in 8th in Graves league after being in 2nd for a few days. I have like 5 injured players its terrible and everyday someone else gets injured. Plus all 3 of my goalies are fighting for number 1 spots at the moment so they are getting limited time... Rask, Neuvrith, Niemi...
On the issue at hand. It seems like a great opportunity for you Kevin, but if they try to censor you in anyway that would probably be the end of my reading this blog. The one thing i love about this blog is your short uncensored and humorous little captions to all the news around the Rangers.
Let me address some of the concerns:
HankLundyBlog, they will not be editing my posts at all. The search engine issue is a concern, but not a major one. The Pens Blog was on Blogspot and moved over and have increased traffic to the point they have 600,000 hits a month.
Anonymous, they will never change me.
Murray M, I have spoken with the guys at The Pens Blog and they have nothing but great things to say about Bloguin.
Chris, trolls could be a problem, but I don't think it will increase to the point where it's a problem.
Dan W., they can build me a mobile application for the site as well as a mobile version of the site.
Iron Clad, I've been meaning to to an update on the Fantasy Leagues. I started in second I'm now down to 7th. Yikes. Expect a post on the league next week.
Atarnow thanks for all the links I just added your blog Playing Petr Prucha to my blog roll.
Be assured, if I decide to do this, I will not allow them to censor me in any way shape or form. If they do I will be gone in a NY minute.
Daweson waivers today
Dawes* on waivers today
i say if you can keep doin what youve always done and just get more exposure then im all for it!
CHANGE, while it might be scary, is necessary, evolution my brothas!!!
this is the best mother truckin blog around!! we effin love your work kev! keep it up regardless of whether you agree to let the man control you or not ;-)
Do what you think is best. Atarnow is right, it's about the content. As long as you're still in control of the content, who cares?
Congrats and good luck!
Do it, but keep your comments in blue italics. For me, that's a nice feature.
Go for it....but you're gonna need a lot more teams in Fantasy Hockey ;-)
Kevin, I don't care where your blog is located in the interwebz, it will still be my main source of Rangers info (which is hard to come by in Clemson, SC.) If you decided to start a LiveJournal, I'd probably read that too. Keep up the great work, and your fans will follow. I'm sure of it.
I think if it's in your best interest to do it, then by all means go for it.
Do it.
It sounds like an amazing opportunity for you, and you've talked to the other bloggers, I say go for it! Congrats!
JoeR, do know my wife came up with the idea for the blue italics. If you go back and look at my first couple of posts back in November of 2007 my commentary is in black italics.
I think Chris is absolutely right. Opening the site would invite all other trollin fans to absolutely ruin the comment section.
Paul, I'm going to ask if there is a way to ban certain commenters.
Kev
If you can make a buck from the hobby that you love and are so good at, go for it. Just keep the placethe same fan friendly information station that it has been. If you build it, we will come (apologies to Mr. Kinsella)
After hearing everything i say: DO IT!
this blog is first on my list for news on the rangers. i don't think a new URL will change that.
btw, i'm riding in second in the Howell division despite tons of injuries already.
You could buy "nyrangersblog.com" for $12/year (it's available, I checked) and just have the .com URL redirect here.
Don't ban the trolls. They're a part of internet glory. If a Flyers fan wants to show up and say "Gaborik eats wang sandwiches for lunch!" let him do it. Who cares?
Comments can always be deleted if they're abusive/offensive. Plus, differing opinions spice things up.
If the Rangers won't stand up for themselves on the ice, at least give us the chance to do it in the comments section of your posts =]
Do it!
Kevin,
If you got an offer of more money and prestige for doing the same job you've been doing, wouldn't you take it? You've got to do what is best for you and for the blog. To me, that would be getting more exposure for the great job that you do. The comparison to Matt Cerrone and the MetsBlog is a good one, except for the fact that you do a waaaayyyyyy better job than Matt does (success has gone to his head.) Make the move, continue to kick ass and be assured that we will do for you what the Rangers have failed to do for each other so far...we'll have your back.
Go for it! Its a great opportunity.
Congrats Kevin. Love this blog and you deserve it man.
Do it Kevin. You have to take every chance to improve your blog. Joining them will allow you to get a better reach and will probably allow you to get some money too for your blog.
It's the next step forward, so I wouldn't hesitate to take it.
Let's go Rangers (blog)! ;)
kevin do whats best for you.
just hope the shared comment area with other teams fans is in a seperate section so trolls don't come here. if it becomes like lohud where comments overrun even by ranger fans i can always stop reading the comments and just read your stuff and links. in other words if it gets to 100's of comments per thread that gets to be too much to follow.
Go for it, we'll all follow you.
If this means money for you stop thinking and do it.
Much love,
Congrats on the recognition! However, I think it should stay the same.
Good for you for getting some props in the blogosphere, but I can't see how the move will make the site better from a user perspective. Maybe I'm just being myopic here, but for me the blog is perfect the way it is. I worry that it will look and feel different and somehow become diluted upon changing. It will also open our nice little corner of the sandbox over to a whole bunch of new assholes. I say don't fix what ain't broke, but ultimately, its your blog and your effort thats being put into it, so its up to you and you alone.
There is no reason why you can't expand what you are doing to incorporate other teams from the metro area into this environment. Why join someone else when you can establish blogs for the teams like the NYI and NJD who basically have no outlet. You already have the experience of what it takes to make a run at it. All you need is a few dedicated writers and you can be doing this metro area a service. Just a thought.
kevin,
Congratulations on having your hard work recognised & the blog being such a success!
Go with your gut feeling.
I don't know your work or financial background but I know you have a family & hey if you get to make a few quid from this why not?
I too like the small blogger style but its the content that counts, regardless of how you deliver the information, if you continue to put as much effort in as you have you will continue to have success.
Good luck fella!
Kevin,
you should go for it if you believe it will grow the blog and add improved or new features, this is by far the best ranger's blog out there in my opinion and you know we will go where ever you do...lots of luck on this decision i know it will be the right one
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