Comments on Kyoto Maiko: Keep calm...

I think I more or less get what you are saying. I ...

2012-01-18T15:45:25.672-06:00

I think I more or less get what you are saying. I think IFB has great potential, and it's a great tool to connect, but I too find the community it wants to build a bit... Superficial? A lot of the people joining IFB lack a true unique voice. They attach far too much value to numbers and traffic, and produce the 'hit and run'-comments. I do appreciate those (unless it's clear the person behind them did not read the article in question). I will rarely take the trouble of writing comments when I do not connect to the blogger in some or other way - because I find them inspirational or interesting. Chances are that when I do, I will stick around, even if I don't comment again. (Simply because I refer from writing when I don't feel I can attribute something to the discussion.) The traffic Links à la Mode produces might not be building a community (unless 20 people telling you you wearing a great coat counts as a community), but I do think it's valuable to getting you views out there. From time to time it does introduce me to blogs I keep on following very loyally.

I think you're on the right track putting more emphasis on personal relationships. This is what a true community and valuable interaction are all about, after all. And I do think it will pay off - given the choice between a substantial amount of followers who can't be bothered to show a deep interest or a select but intelligent readership, I would always choose the latter.

Kyoto Maiko might not be a blog that would normally entice me to follow, but I'm following on bloglovin' nonetheless, because you have a view on things I very much appreciate, because you have a way of putting things, because you have a unique voice. Which to me is definitely the most important aspect of all.

This is so well done, I really enjoyed it. I even ...

2012-01-16T18:15:21.469-06:00

This is so well done, I really enjoyed it. I even went back to re-read the August post to make sure I had the context right, and then I also re-read some of the other posts that were pertinent, as well as visiting a few blogs of those who already commented. (It is the beauty and the mystery of the iPad, I make time to surf when sitting on the sofa, pondering things at a fairly relaxed pace, something I rarely do on the desktop.)

Like you, I do not believe it is about the volume of readers. If that were the case I would cease railing against Ralph Lauren's logos and start singing the plaudits of things antithetical to personal beliefs and tastes. It takes awhile to get to the point where that is 'okay,' or it did in my case.

The disconnect with IFB is a great tale, not because it didn't work out, but precisely because of the effort expended and the reasons why it did not ultimately make sense. I follow you on twitter and know some of the energy you put into that relationship. I didn't think you were making a negative statement about IFB at all, rather sharing the reasons why it was not a great fit in the long run.

I understand that process, having tried to explain to many who have asked via comment or email why it would *not* be a stellar idea for me to add them to my blogroll, or why I do not want to pursue a cross-promotional relationship with their particular endeavor. It has not been intended as a negative or positive reflection of my thoughts about their undertaking, rather, it is about better predictions on
what works in the longer term for both interested parties.

We have been at this a similar amount of time, I shouldn't be surprised we have arrived at similar conclusions. Good for you on having further defined your goals and means to get there, it is something I admire about you.

What can I say? You GET it. Like you, I'm in t...

2012-01-16T16:50:36.241-06:00

What can I say? You GET it. Like you, I'm in this for the connections, for the conversations, even if they take time to develop. I love the tremendous diversity of my readers, and adore each for their individual personalities. There is nothing more refreshing than intelligent, thoughtful comments from readers like you. As you noted, that's what keeps us coming back together. And I love that, even if it's sporadic, it's awesome!

Interesting thoughts! I agree with you, blogging ...

2012-01-14T10:44:03.827-06:00

Interesting thoughts! I agree with you, blogging to me is much more about building relationships with readers and other bloggers. That is certainly what I enjoy about the blogging world. Also, what a clever graffic!

@Terri No problem. A lot of the brands/stores you ...

2012-01-13T21:34:42.024-06:00

@Terri No problem. A lot of the brands/stores you mention are not ones that I personally purchase from, but I have worked in retail, and I have had friends and significant others who have. I've also spent more time than I care to admit window shopping in stores to kill time when I would never actually purchase what was being offered.

I would say that I have been very blessed to be able to travel as much as I have, and that it is a fairly significant part of my life, so it should feature in my blog.

As for the age of the blog, one of the reasons there is such a huge gap between June of 2008 and January of 2010 is because I deleted several "random thought" posts that really added nothing to the blog.

First, Kionon, I greatly appreciate the lengthy co...

2012-01-13T19:05:01.396-06:00

First, Kionon, I greatly appreciate the lengthy comment you left at Rags today. You are a more experienced retail shopper than I am and it helped immensely with my project for the year.

I keep coming back--first, because I enjoyed the controversy around the first post of your I read regarding how students dress for class.

I've come to be interested in your travels, and I have another good blogging friend who has worked from Japan. It is interesting to me to compare notes about that.

I was surprised to learn that your blog has been around for so long. In its previous form, Rags was named footnotes and was rarely read by anyone. Somehow style blogging comes with a ready made community and that can be gratifying to a blogger who has written into the ether for years.

@Ebeth I said on my twitter link to consider this ...

2012-01-13T17:04:36.400-06:00

@Ebeth I said on my twitter link to consider this as "Notes on Readership Part II." I think if you read the original Notes on Readership, you will understand the context of my statements in relation to IFB. Much of what I say has to do with watching carefully for what I discuss in that post.

This was not a farewell to IFB, although it definitely signals a break from Links a la Mode specifically. It is, I am sure, working for others, as they have other goals. I do not think it is working for me, and I don't believe I should be faulted for recognising that fact.

Before I proceed any further, I think it is necessary to state that I did not say that those bloggers who participate in IFB are not "fit" for my blogroll. I said that I have yet to come across a blog I have met through IFB that "fit" on my blogroll. These are very different uses of the word fit. In the first means, "inferior" which I did NOT say. The second means, "complimentary."

I enjoy reading many IFB blogs, and I comment often enough on several of them. Yours not as much as Terri's or Alexis Grace's but you've had more than one or two comments from me. I find Cosmolawlitan to be absolutely intriguing because I am taking law courses... Yet, I would not put House of Guise, nor Rags against the Machine, nor Cosmolawlitan on my blogroll. That's no insult. YWP isn't even on my blogroll (although, admittedly, if he keeps up his commentary on prep school myths, he'll probably earn a spot). As I stated in Notes on Readership, a blogroll for me reflects purveyors of content that matches my own. There is an implicit suggestion to my readers that those on my blogroll will provide similar content.

As for Prep and Ivy and the such, they're only labels. Scott dismisses them. I find them useful. Muffy is near enough a philosopher for her views on authenticity. My very first Links a la Mode selection was about how Prep is open to anyone, as long as the values are shared. Elitism may be prominent in the prep set, but it is hardly a requirement, and it is one thing I think the blogosphere is helping to put down.

If people can't connect to such labels, why do Muffy and FEC have so many readers? Why does Kiel James Patrick and the Cordial Churchman have so many customers?

I get that you have taken the recognition that perhaps I am not a good fit for Links a la Mode in specific, or perhaps other themes of IFB in general, as an attack on IFB, but that certainly was not my intention. I'm not saying, explicitly or implicitly, that my current readership make up (or lack thereof) has been caused by my connection to IFB. Does one blame the fork if you fail at eating soup with it? No. You've used the wrong tool for the job, and the fork is not at fault. Likewise, I think that Links a la Mode is the wrong tool for what I am trying to do, and perhaps IFB in general might be as well, I don't know. I do know that other tools have worked, and I want to spend more time using those.

I'd be happy to have you grab a beer with me or sail with me- if you're interested in doing those things. I know some of the others are, and shared experiences are a significant part of any personal relationship, especially those we call friendships.

This seems primarily like a farewell letter to IFB...

2012-01-13T16:31:00.082-06:00

This seems primarily like a farewell letter to IFB. If it is, I think that would be of value here, as you dismissed every blogger connected to IFB as not being "fit" for a spot on your blogroll. I'm sorry the traffic you receive doesn't "build a community" on your blog, though it seems to me that that would be less the fault of IFB than of your own work. Why does it work for some and not others? It has nothing to do with inconsistency or an unstable readership. Quite frankly, one's style and taste in fashion can be as personal as one wants, but if it's not accessible to others, you can't expect to build a community around it. Buzzwords like "prep" and "ivy" imply an elitism that people are grateful to dismiss. No one is out there defining their style in one word; people can't connect to that sort of thing, and there's no fun in it. And if that's so, then what's the point of fashion? To impress people? To inform the public of your earthly possessions? How can a community of individuals like that truly function intimately and honestly? Then again, maybe I just don't get it because I'm not having a beer at the club or going sailing.

@YWP You can have the whisky, and I'll have a ...

2012-01-13T15:28:09.556-06:00

@YWP You can have the whisky, and I'll have a pint of stout. We can call that a good day.

@Muffy *snirk* Oh my. That could be an entire post in and of itself, the subject of "preppy giveaways." That said, I do not have any issue with the idea of giveaways in general, just the way in which they are often abused to create false readership and blatant exposure. Mister Midwester's Style Share is an excellent example of a good giveaway. However, most giveaways I see are variations on the theme of "to enter, post this on your blog, to enter again like me on facebook, to enter a third time, follow me on twitter, to like me a fourth time carve my blog address into your forearm with rusty dental tools..."

@Chic Blog courtesy only goes so far. This is why while I will always attempt to periodically revisit the blogs of commenters and even leave a comment now and again, a tit for tat comment scheme without genuine interest leads to comments such as, "I like that shirt" or "Wow, you look very nice." The kind of discussion that Muffy, YWP, and Scott tend to engender or engage in tends to be far more substantial- and much more worth it to myself as the blog author, and hopefully, to you as a blog reader.

What an interesting post. You cover few things re...

2012-01-13T15:08:23.153-06:00

What an interesting post. You cover few things related to blogging and commenting so I'll just give my view.
I like to blog during most weekdays because it gives me an outlet and enables me to share light things like posts about my travels, outfits, or designer collections. I consciously make my blog light, but know that people do get a bit of feedback when they are quite personal.
I also try to comment on everyone who comments on my blog - call it blog courtesy. I have found that the combination of posts, comments, and Twitter has allowed me to get to know bloggers better. I've met a few in real life and would love to meet more. To many, blogging is about community and shared interests. You won't connect with everyone in the group, but you will eventually find a few whom you can forge a more meaningful relationship.

I've been pretty lazy about doing more with the blog, but will revamp it soon. Presentation and networking are definitely key to capturing and maintaining your audience (something I resolve to do better!)

Have a lovely weekend!

xoxo,
Chic 'n Cheap Living

You have shamed me into canceling my "29 days...

2012-01-13T14:51:43.442-06:00

You have shamed me into canceling my "29 days of giveaways" next month. Now I just have to figure out what to do with those pink and green mugs filled with neon candy and leather-like wallets.

@Scott It comes from your resistance to labels. &q...

2012-01-13T11:24:23.311-06:00

@Scott It comes from your resistance to labels. "WASP/Trad/Ivy/Prep, I don't care."

Very interesting to hear thoughts on your personal...

2012-01-13T11:14:53.358-06:00

Very interesting to hear thoughts on your personal blogging experience. Nothing builds readership like frequent posting. My goal this year is to post every day, or at least finish the year with no less than 365 posts. However, I consider this primarily a challenge to myself rather than an attempt to gain readers. Thanks for being included in your selective list, though I'm curious as to your choice of that particular quote.

I'll have a beer with you anytime... though I ...

2012-01-13T11:08:04.166-06:00

I'll have a beer with you anytime... though I do prefer liquor.