My Website is My Business
Karen and I have an arrangement where 9 til 5 each weekday is "my time" and I spend most of it out in the office undisturbed. On the odd day I'll request an early start and Karen will normally agree but not without saying something to the effect of:
Ok, but as long as you're not just dicking about on your website!
At this point I'll remind her that, without codestore, my company wouldn't exist and we'd probably not be able to afford the house we live in, lifestyle we live etc etc. More importantly we wouldn't have the quality of life that me working from home affords us.
Codestore & Rockall
There's no doubt that Rockall exists because of Codestore. In the first place that is. Whether Rockall continues because codestore does I don't know. I tell myself it does as this is what keeps me going with this site at the time when I wonder whether I should or not. The idea that, without the site, I would lose customers and end up like any other non-descript independent contractor and back on the open market place desperate for work isn't one I cherish.
While it's true that all my customers are in some way connected to this site it's also the case that 90-odd % of my income comes from about half a dozen repeat customers. I've had this same set of customers for the past five years or more. Although I do get new customers coming along now and then, most of them are people who have been with or known of codestore for the duration. None of them are "new visitors" who have happened upon the site and then approached me for my services. This leads me to wonder whether codestore is really the business marketing vehicle I think is.
I've been thinking about this more and more recently as I continue to contemplate the site's future. As it is I'm becoming less and less happy with the quality of the site and am getting to the point where I'm wondering why I do it and whether it's always better to quit while ahead.
Change of Direction
Half the reason I am becoming less happy with this site is that I don't feel it really reflect either me, my personality or what I'm really interested in. Following on from the idea that I need this site to continue working from home comes the idea that this site needs to be professional. For this reason I've put less of myself in to it of recent. That's never a good thing for a blog.
The other notion I have is that I need to keep you guys happy. Happy readers = more readers = more business. But then I've not had any new business come about from my activity on here for years now. So, who am I kidding?
What I need to ask myself is not so much why am I blogging but who am I blogging for. Should I be blogging for me or for you? The answer is probably a bit of both, but over the last couple of years I feel like I've been trying to make it more about you and so my interest has waned. Unless it's fun for me then there's little incentive.
Blogging as Fun
My thinking about this was brought to a head on Friday just gone when I posted an entry that received "No Comments". This is the first time that has happened pretty much since I began blogging. Although I can see why it got none (it's very specific and of little interest to you guys) the fact is comment numbers have become something of an obsession to me. So Friday was a bit of a welcome relief as I can now go forward from a clean start and worry not about how many of you respond.
Moving Forward
Friday's blog entry about Google Gears was a good example of what I've not been doing through fear of upsetting/losing my readers and that is talking about something you don't appear interested in. What I should be doing is talking about whatever it is I am interested and/or involved in at the time.
Within a day of Friday's post Google had it as the top entry for the same query I used in vain to try and find the solution the day before. That's what blogging is about for me. The fact I've added back to the community from which I take. Hopefully it will help somebody else out and then I've done my bit and will feel satisfied.
Flex is another example of something I've talked about recently but then stopped as I didn't sense much interest. The effect then is that I continue working away with Flex but not talking about it here. Instead I talk about nothing and it looks like the site is going to the dogs.
Rather than have long silences on here I think I'm going to try and talk about more random/fun things and more of what I want to talk about. Without worrying about it from a professional aspect or whether I'm keeping you all happy. Hopefully I'll get back to making a post a day. I do have plenty of stuff to talk about. Just maybe not what you want to hear all the time.
The title to this blog has a double-meaning. Not just about the notion that Rockall is only because of codestore but also that what goes on my website should be my business and not so much yours. See what I did there!?
Let's see where we end up in six months... hopefully I'll be putting far less emphasis on comment counts by then and having fun with this site once again.
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jake,
there is an old saying which i keep finding is true for me - "write for yourself". i've written several posts on going vegan for instance - something not exactly what Domino geeks are looking for - but hey it's what i'm into now and though the activity on the site hasn't gone through the roof, there have been some interesting, quiet inquiries behind the scenes which are in the long run more satisfying than any interest i've had before, because hey if i can help someone avoid cancer or heart disease, it's worth a lot more than kudos about some code i wrote.
i thought the post on Gears was interesting and nicely surprising. i didn't have anything to add about it, but checked it off in the back of my head as something i might look into sometime later. it's outside the box thinking for "this crowd" and honestly i felt proud to see it.
it may be that your interests are expanding and this is a good thing. we all need to branch out more and i think it is natural to do so. i'm doing a LOT of stuff nowadays that has nothing to do with Domino per se and yet it is still the core of my working life. the blog (when i get around to writing) reflects more and more of everything BUT Domino (ok that isn't terribly different from what it always was), but i have to write "for me".
writing is an art form, whether blogging or in some other sort. you can only produce art through the lens of the self, through that which the self sees. you only observe that which you are curious about. everything else is drudgery, in my experience. so there really isn't any choice, you either write out of your curiosity and passion, or you don't really "write" at all. that is the way i see it.
fwiw i found the piece on Gears much more interesting than another entry regarding a new Domino hack. not that that stuff isn't great too, but your new interests are more compelling for me personally.
Jake,
Yours is truly one of the more helpful blogs in the YellowVerse in terms of technical things vs. "newsy" things. Though your skills are far, far ahead of my own, your site give examples of what *can* be done and how to do it. It is helpful for idea-generation. How that ultimately affects your direction with it, I don't know, but that is what it means to me.
Comments are just one indicator of interest, but not everything. In my case, I read every article and click on every link you post under "Elsewhere". In most cases, I don't have anything to add. That is particularly true in topics where I don't have any experience or any way to apply directly.
I certainly learn a lot from the techniques you explain and from the resources that have been helpful to you. Your site has been for years a place to learn and a source of reference.
Thank you.
Hi Jake,
Blogging without an audience isn't blogging, it's like keeping a diary. On the other hand, writing about things that don't interest you is a sure way to loose it and end up totally demotivated. So, I guess you're asking yourself the right questions and your vision is coherent. Without Codestore your business will continue to move on with probably no change in earnings. But if you want to make money with your writing you need to capture an audience, give them what they want and monetize, either via advertizing of some form or via leveraging some activity (write a book, sell services, sell subscriptions etc...), all of this is time consuming and not always fun...but it's a business model.
Like Victor said, the comments are not always a relevant indicator. Your articles have always been interesting, well written and fun to read and above all of great use to Domino developers. Write about your hobbies and you'll loose that audience, but at the same time, since you don't monetize, you business won't suffer, so why worry ?
My advise is: either make the blog your business and earn from it, or just have fun writing and hope people will follow on.
In any case, whatever you decide, thank you for all you've done.
Jake--I'll chime in here with a couple of thoughts for you...
First, as a Notes admin, I follow 46 blogs at work. Many of those are Notes related--and when I'm searching for some external, Notes-related help of some sort, before I Google, I go to my blog list, to see if anyone I read regularly (the people who don't know me, but I feel I have a relationship of some sorts with ;)) offers me what I need. If they do--then that's my preferred place to spend my company's money, rather than "just someone I find through Googling".
Right now, I work for a small company, that rarely needs anything I can't provide--but in the past, I've worked for Fortune 500 and 100 companies, where I had more corporate dollars at my disposal--and I may find myself in that position again, in the future.
Which is a long-winded way of saying that although you may not be seeing the results *yet*, you are, through your website, building credibility and trust with people you never speak with--but who will remember you, when they need what you have to offer. Your history of giving tells us that you're the sort of person we want to be in business with--and we'll remember that, when we need the services you offer. :)
Second--in terms of what you write...writing what you love, and what interests you, is, ultimately, the way to keep us engaged--as well as a way to find new audiences. As someone who follows a ton of blogs, an "off-topic" blog entry, or something that doesn't interest me is a little like having a snow day--I can skim it, or even skip it, if it's something that REALLY doesn't interest me (like politics, or sports ;)).
You have a meaty blog. Expanding the range of things you write about, and not hitting your core Lotus audience every single time will simply mean we'll value your Lotus entries that much more--AND, we'll get a better idea of who you are as a multi-dimensional person--which goes back to my first point, about building trust. :)
Just my two cents!
First, I love reading about the Google Gears and Flex stuff. In fact, I will hopefully contact you shortly for some Flex development.
But just because people don't comment, doesn't mean it's not worth anything. Maybe it just so well explained, that it leads to no comments or questions, or like in my case, I wait for more articles on the topic.
For my own site, I don't look at comments as a measure. Some are high, some are non-existent. Reader visit and pageviews tell me if an article is of interest.
But most importantly, whatever you write, you should be having fun doing it. If not, it'll show up in the articles....
I'd keep things going. The nature of our jobs change as does the technology. I'd be disappointed if this was _only_ a Notes blog. The fact that you talk about different stuff is really interesting, and makes it all the more relevant, in fact. Some of us get so focused on just one piece of technology, that we forget what it's like to see other things, and therefore, the fact that you're jacking around with other technologies is really interesting - and makes it seem all the more attainable.
Hi Jake,
You say that this website doesn't reflect "me, my personality or what I'm really interested in."
What do you mean by that?
CodeStore is a "lotus blog", and you are no more interested by Lotus? Or you are no more interested by technical things?
CodeStore has been created 9 years ago, it's a long time for a blog. I feel normal that you do not find blogging as fun than at the beginning!
I have learned a lot with Codestore and am used to looking for code snippets from time to time.
Regards
I enjoy the variety on the site, whether it's personal, Lotus-related or other technology. Just a few weeks ago I was able to resolve an issue that had been plaguing a client of mine for about a month with a Google search that ended up on your site. The post was Lotus-specific, but my problem was not. However, one of your readers' comments had the solution to my problem. My client had spent 20+ hours and $1,000s with Microsoft and the one post on your site resolved the issue within minutes.
Personally, I'll continue to visit whether you post info specific to Lotus, personal or any other technology.
Jake,
I agree with previous comments that note codestore's status as part of the Notes/Domino firmament.
I know I am one of the people who have read and depended on codestore for many years as a Notes developer, yet have rarely had occasion to comment.
I wonder if it would be helpful for you to have a set of those 'Vote Up/Vote Down' buttons like they have on DZone?
That way, even if we don't have anything constructive to add via comment, we can register our approval (or disapproval).
Hang in there Jake, and thanks for many years of invaluable assistance!
Tim
Tim,
I like the idea of thumbs up/down ... similar to other apps too like Facebook.
Jake, if you try to read your audience's mind and restrict yourself to it, you will make yourself crazy. Plus when you do that you're letting the tail wag the dog.
Codestore is popular because of the passion you put into it, regardless of topic. Sure, it's been mostly Domino, and that has attracted a specific audience. But if you do good work on other platforms or topics, that will attract an audience too. Your Google Gears post is an example -- it will find an audience just because it's good work and a good post.
So I agree with Aurora and recommend you follow your interest.
I also think that if Codestore were to move away from being a show of your technical expertise (regardless of platform), you'll come to regret it. There will come a time when you want a new client and Codestore will be a help in getting that new client... as long as it's still technically meaty.
I appreciate your candor about your thought process. I also know you are wrong to assume no comments means no interest. I only comment when I think I can add something to the conversation. You're ahead of me on most things Domino so that leaves me without much to add. When I do comment it often takes me quite a while to write it because I try to choose my words carefully and check all my facts twice.
So let me be clear about my interest in your blog.
I am currently subscribed to 181 blogs, which I look at every day. I always look at yours first. Yours is the only blog where I'm subscribed to the comments. Many of these 181 blogs have unread posts, 1000 unread right now, because my interest in them waxes and wains but there are several I always keep read up to date. Yours is one of those.
I am extremely interested in Notes/Domino for web development, XPages, Flex for Domino. I'm also quite interested in Google Gears and anything else that may have application to web development.
Keeping up with all my interests takes all my time so my reading is very focused. Commenting takes time away from that so, as I said above, I only comment when I think I can make a significant contribution to the discussion. I won't be commenting just to say, "Cracking post, Jake" if that's all I have to say. But I do try to say something nice if I'm making a comment.
In conclusion, I support you in whatever you decide because, after all, it's your life. I might say this about one or two other blogs but ... I'd pay to read your blog ... It's that interesting to me.
Peace,
Rob:-]
Agree with Keith, Codestore is so successful because of your passion and ability to explain the most complex solutions with elegance. Not many other web-authors have this skill and this is why people keep reading (certainly why I do).
I've always liked the personal aspect of your blog, and also the non-domino stuff. At the end of the day technology is moving all the time as we all know too well, so in my world right now that means trying to utilise new technologies with domino (your flex tutorials were a perfect example). All excellent stuff.
Also, no comments doesn't mean no-one was interested, as you know so well, keeping up with all the blogs around nowadays is almost a full time job in itself, there is no way I could post a comment on everything I read.
Here's to the next 6 months anyway mate... And thanks for the past x years, invaluable.
Jake,
Have you ever considered that you are actually ahead of the game, hence people are not commenting?
Both examples mentioned above, Gears and Flex, triggered heaps of discussion between me, friends and colleagues. In fact, I've only had a session with a Flex developer last weekend who wanted to have a closer understanding of Notes/Domino as there are huge cross selling and integration capabilities for specialists on both sides.
Keep the innovation flowing and share your findings on this blog. Your thoughts are a huge asset for the community, who is going to follow you eventually :-)
Christian
I'll echo some of the previous comments. I think you are ahead of the game compared to many of us. And that probably explains the lack of comments on some posts.
There is a hugely useful back catalogue of information on Codestore for Domino developers. One of the reasons for this is your ability to make technical topics so readable and understandable to the rest of us. I don't think there are any other bloggers in the Domino arena that have deliverable anywhere near the quality of the articles that have appeared on Codestore. I still refer to many of the old ones and would be gutted if they disappeared a la "notestips").
Although Domino topics are most relevant to me I still find your other subjects interesting. I think you will have a loyal readership whatever you write about. But not writing at all would be a massive loss to the rest us.
Jake, keep the good work. Your blog is a reference for us. I'm from South America and I access your pages at least 6 times a week. Maybe I don't have so much of interest to reply but for sure I have a lot for reading your posts.
Codestore is something that really worth the job. Maybe you don't feel but me and all readers world around send to you and your family very positive vibes. The dedication and effort used on this blog for sure is not in vain. Maybe my hands doesn't reply your posts but surely my thoughts are always gratefull for your nice works and all your sharing. Keep sharing! Keep going! Maybe you don't realize but you help a lot clarifying us all.
8.5 has changed everything. I personally think that most domino blog traffic for the forseeable will be focused on the xpages centric blogs as we all struggle to catch up.
Codestore seems to be less Domino lately, and more about related and allied technologies.
Gears is bound to have limited appeal on a replicating platform, personally I rather like it so I enjoy your gears stuff. I had a look at flex, and decided not, but at least you motivated me to have a look.
I always loved Codestore most when you were doing stuff with Domino that no-one else had thought of.
I'm hoping that when you really get into 8.5 on your newly installed server you'll be at it again. - When you get into xpages etc, there's plenty of scope for innovation. Even I'm at it, and I'm sure that all your regulars can't wait for you to start posting your famous 'hacks and work-arounds' for the new platform.
I don't think you should pack it in. The world would be a far poorer place without Codestore, and I remain a supporter and fan.
I second Nick Post - and go with your passion. We will still read it. I would love to read blogs from you on X pages, give it a change :) now when its coming to Client its only going to make Notes better and easier for us developer to do great applications with great interface. As you know am into Flex but have find that its better to use Flex without Domino. I see this to be a great tool to create application that can be delivered as a standalone app in excellent quality. Don t get me wrong Domino + Flex is like my marriage "Perfect",but its a nice add on for the web for Domino. You did ask us in one of your blogs " what do you like to see ". How did that go ? if positive then redo that, get a feeling for what your readers like to see. As a family man myself i can relate to what Karen is saying to you "Ok, but as long as you're not just dicking about on your website!" been there done that . its a fineline to walk. Codestore is and will always be "Number one" for us developers. cheers
Do what you love, Jake, including writing. That's the only thing that really makes it worthwhile. If you're not passionate about it, why do it?
The readers aren't going anywhere. You spent a lot of time writing about PHP a while ago, and yet you were still at the very top of the Domino blog list for everyone.
If Flex is more fun for you than XPages, show us how cool it is. You're definitely not the only Domino guy who's into Flex, so there's already some interest out there - maybe you could build up a thriving mini-community of Domino Flex geeks. Or you could just give a lot of Domino geeks a chance to see how the other side lives, and maybe they'll decide to invest some energy in that direction too.
I'm not a huge Flex fan, but the Gears topic is very interesting for me, personally. That doesn't always mean I'll comment, because, well, stuff happens. But if there was a thumbs up/down rating, I'd be clicking the up arrow.
Jake,
Like some of your readers, I read the majority of you posts and comment on a few - so don't read anything into the comments. I also like the fact that you do cover other technologies. If I ever find myself contemplating gears or flex and domino, then I'll be returning to your articles as a quick, well written and researched references to get me started. I even found the SQL article interesting and timely.
Personally, I blog about what interests me or something that I think might be useful, that said, my blog doesn't generate any business for me - so I don't need to consider that aspect. Maybe now that Rockall is the business site and you are well established then you can blog for yourself.
Now, as for 'dicking around'. I have stopped telling my other half that "I am playing with PHP or reading XYZ blog/website". If she asks, then I always say "I am working", because at the end of the day it is all related to work - just because I'm not in an office doesn't mean that it is less important.
I'll continue to read your articles, regardless of what you dickaround with...err...blog about.
;-)
An old story comes to mind. A clock maker in a small village meticulously maintained his clocks on display, setting the time of each one by the church bell tolling at noon. He wanted to have his best face forward for any potential business walking by.
Time passed and he noticed each day one man stopping to admire the clocks, then moving on. The clock maker wondered if the passer by had any interest at all in his clocks and wanted to have the chance to make a clock for the man if he didn't see what he liked in the window. So, one day, he stepped out and said, "Excuse me, I couldn't help but notice your interest. Is there something I can do for you? Perhaps a clock you would like which is not on display?"
"Oh," replied the man, "I'm not looking to buy a clock. I stop each day to set my watch by your clocks so I can be sure to ring the church bell precisely at noon each day."
Who's following whom? You've always been at the forefront, Jake, leading us into new areas - challenging us to keep up - an I've been one to profit from your curiosity about that which you find interesting. Thanks for that, and mind the perils of setting your clock to someone else's time! :-)
I have to agree with everyone above and hope you continue to write about whatever interests you, either technical and/or personal.
Comments don't exactly equal interest. I specifically enjoyed reading about Flex and Google Gears, even though I didn't have anything specific to contribute. I would think your Google Analytics data would be a better indicator than the comments.
I eagerly check CodeStore everyday to see what's on your mind and the rest of the community!
Jake,
I agree with the comments above.
Most of the stuff you write about I haven't even thought about yet. You are probably always a year or two ahead of me. This site gives ideas and shows what's out there and helps shape direction. I feel I am not qualified to comment on your blogs although this is the only blog that I read consistently even when I'm on holiday and trying to forget about work.
I do enjoy equally your non domino posts and if you look back at "Going Down Town" for instance you will find that there are many comments and the majority of these are all from regular subscribers.
So in essence my message to you is to KEEP WRITING, but write about your interests as well.
Although we've never met and most likely never will I feel I know you from your blog and would miss our "friendship" if you left this cyber town.
Thanks All!
I half expected a response like this, but that is *not* why I wrote it. No, honestly!
I wrote it to just get it off my chest and release the mental shackles I'd placed on myself. From now on I want to make it fun for me to write on here. I need to take it way less seriously and disassociate this site from Rockall. Let's hope it works.
Jake
Codestore is a foundation site for many of us. I check it daily when possible and always look forward to either a domino tip, an emerging technology/domino integration topic, a remodeling story (one of my favorites), family news, a comical anecdote etc... I think codestore is more of you then you may think, especially for those who have been reading awhile.
-John
Jake,
You need to make yourself happy, that's for sure. But for me, like many others have said, I don't comment on every article even though I read everyone because I'm a novice in comparison to you.
But I do want you to know that because of you and Codestore I've started developing my Notes apps for the web and because of you I'm trying to start using Notes for my moonlighting business instead of PHP.
I find all of your articles interesting whether I can apply them or not; the ones about your family and the one a few months ago about Google Maps was great. Daily I find myself checking Codestore just to see if you've had a few extra minutes to write about something because I do enjoy it so much.
Unlike what others have said about being part of many blogs, yours is the only one that I care anything about reading. Occasionally I read come across others while Googling something but that's pretty much it.
Well brother I've wasted enough of your time, just hang in there and whatever you decide I'm still a devoted reader.
Thank you,
Aaron
hi Jake,
- In short, blog for yourself. People who care or are interested will listen. Please do not conclude that Flex and Gears is not found interesting by your readers. I think most are interested, plus, this blog is about what you are interested in, not us. You continue to produce quite unique content that is appreciated by many.
- Don't confuse few comments for few readers. An overwhelming majority reads but does not comment. This is true for almost any website. Not commenting != not interested.
- I can imagine that only a small part of your website audience is a potential customer. It's good that the site gave you an initial, trustworthy network of customers, but it is risky to rely on it for new customers so it seems. I would focus on building a great portfolio, getting enlisted and doing pro-active marketing to further build your network. To be honest I see the current site as a tech mag, a good one at that. I happen to know that you have your own business, but it is not really obvious from this site. It does not seem like a site that sells your services.
Oh, and don't ever ask "permission for an early start" again. Just start early. Stop the pussification of the world ;)
Hey! I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate the Very Technical Articles, and the blog overall. I may not comment a lot, but I always keep reading!
There's your business. And then there's this amazing technical networking tool called codestore that you've built up over 9 years! What we would give to have that advantage in the market place... ;-)
I doubt if I've ever commented, but must say that your blog is welcome read - a breath of fresh air - simply because your curiosity take you into technologies like FLEX that aren't the IBM/Lotus standard party line (or sometimes into them before IBM gets there - seems to me you were doing stuff with AJAX and JSON way ahead of them).
Wishing you all the best, wherever your curiosity leads you!
Jake,
Stop freaking out. I haven't done domino development or let alone any development in about 2 years. I still check out your site mainly because I find it interesting and I like the mix of new technology blogs, fun blogs and the blogs about domino.
The reason I like your blog is you don't seem to take things too seriously, and you enjoy what you do.
Life is too short and you have to do what makes you happy, otherwise you will look back at your life with a lot of regret. Nobody wants to do that.
Hi,
I've been reading for years and have never commented. I don't do much notes web development, but like to keep tabs on it (you never know when your job will change).
I have enjoyed all your posts, regardless of what technology it is about. It is always good to see what is new and interesting.
I really enjoyed posts on your home office. I must admit it makes me jealous when I see someone who has created a job that allows them to work at home.
Cheers
Tim
Hi Jake,
I have also been reading your blog for years, but have never posted (yes, I am a jackass and will change my ways). You have always been ahead of the curve and I truly appreciate all of your posts. I have implemented many of you solutions to meet my business needs. You are an inspiration to the lotus community. I will continue to read your site regardless of any shifts in your blogs (write whatever you are interested in). Thank you again for all of your time, efforts, and down to earth explanations of complex issues serviced with real world domino solutions! As many expressed before, xpages truly change everything. I am currently drinking the kool-aid, and I only hope you do too and continue to assist the loyal domino community!...RockOn!...Peace....robk
This post should satisfy your 'response count' concerns for a while...
I always enjoy reading your blog. Keep it up.