I’ve had a long hard think about this blog and I’ve decided there’s going to be a few changes. When I say I’ve had a long hard think, what I really mean is the thought crossed my mind yesterday (very briefly) and then today I decided to run with it, so here goes!
From now on my blog’s going to be as professional as possible, I’m probably only going to post film reviews and articles and I’m going to be writing a lot more reviews on independent film, Asian film and new releases (or trying to anyway!) I will continue the Wednesday top 5 posts because they’re good fun and I love hearing about your favourites too, but other than that I’m not going to post any more ‘personal’ posts. No more posts about my life, no more sentimental posts about Once Bitten, Twice Shy or anything, just professional posts.
I want the tone of this blog to be professional and current, I try to inject humour into my film reviews and articles and I do try to write in a style that reflects myself and doesn’t just sound like it was typed out by a robot, but I did learn a while back that when writing professional film reviews/articles (which is something I want to pursue, hence this desire to change the tone of my blog) you need to drop the ‘I thinks’ or just the ‘I’ in general and write like an entity rather than an individual; write with the assumption that your readers don’t actually know you personally. It’s a habit I’ve been trying to kick because I’m now writing for several other websites and that style doesn’t roll with them, so I need to drop the ‘blogging’ habits a little (which also means I need to seriously cut down on my use of exclamation marks too)
The other thing I’m going to change is taking part in giving/receiving awards. Don’t get me wrong, each award I’ve been given has meant a lot to me, and I’m so happy that people read my blog and enjoy what they read. I love being part of this little WordPress community and I’ve met some great people and read some brilliant blogs, and I’ve enjoyed sharing the WordPress love by passing out awards to others. However, I want to cut down on the personal/not-so-professional posts and unfortunately the awards posts fall into that category. I will keep the awards logo’s that I have on my blog so far, my blog will wear them with pride! But I won’t be accepting any more or making any more awards/personal related posts. That doesn’t mean to say I don’t feel totally honoured and grateful when I do get nominated, and I don’t mean to sound ungrateful or snobby, so please don’t take it that way!
In a moment I’m going to fiddle around with my blog settings, delete a few posts and categories, and remove my ‘personal’ page. Basically I’m going to have a play around and change a few things. I’ll still be social, I’ll still read blogs and comment on them and I’ll still reply to comments on here, I just need to change the tone of this blog a little. I do this for fun, I do it because I love writing and I love meeting and talking to like minded people and sharing views and opinions, but I’m also doing it because I want to improve my skills, build a portfolio and aim for a career in writing so it’s time I bucked up my ideas and try and make this thing professional.
I hope this doesn’t put off anyone who reads and enjoys my blog, It will still be the same blog and the same me, just no more rambling personal posts and more reviews and articles! Thanks to all of you who’ve supported, and continue to support this blog, if you have any suggestions of things you’d like to see on here, of films you’d like me to review, articles you’d like me to write, things you’d like me to unleash my views and opinions on etc then please drop me a comment 🙂
Oh and one more thing, I’m going to spend more time reading other people’s blogs, you all write some brilliant things and I love hearing your opinions on films and various other subjects. I’ve been quite busy lately, and so I’ve neglected to read other people’s blogs but that’s going to change too.
Tash 🙂
P.S. the no pictures thing isn’t something I’m doing now, I just couldn’t think of any suitable photos to plop into this post!
Films and Things 
I’ll still be here, Tash 🙂
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Aw thanks 😀
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I know what you mean about the awards. I rarely have time to read other blogs and it’s been very hard to keep posting reviews et al on my site! In reality, the award system is set up for folks who have less than 200 followers on their blog. It’s a way to publicise your blog and feel like you’re part of the community. I’ve just been “hit-up” again and I won’t have time to respond to it properly…hmmm, note to self, do a blog about awards… 😀
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Yeah same, but I’d got the same award a few months ago and 10 facts about me is a hell of a lot to think of and I swear people must get seriously sick of hearing it!
I would write this blog if no one read it, I like when people read it and ‘like’ my posts and stuff, of course, but I wrote a blog for over a year which next to no one read, never had any comments on it and my only follower was a close friend who also has a blog xD haha so I would do it regardless…the awards were fun to start with and yeah it’s definitely a good way to publicise your blog when you’re just starting out but I was looking back at old posts and realised if I want this blog to help get a career, it really needs to have less of the silly, personal posts xD they’re fun and all, but I can’t imagine anyone really cares about my boring little life all that much!!
god I know that feel, I don’t even have time to watch films at the minute let alone review them…spending too much time editing my own xD
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Yeah, I know what you mean! It is nice to have a blog to write personal things on, but as you said, it takes a while to build a readership. My first two blogs were okay, but nowhere near as successful as this one, and this one helped me to get my job at the paper! LOL
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yeah my first was literally me just talking to myself! It was fun and all but WordPress is definitely better than Blogger! Maybe I’ll just start keeping a diary haha
My blog so far hasn’t got me any of my writing jobs, which is why I was kinda thinking I need to up its game a little…mainly my stuff for CUEAFS is what got me the job with Planet Ivy so I’m gonna try and emulate the same tone I use when writing for both of those and see where that gets me!! Probably nowhere, it seems like one massive struggle to please people (employers) these days! such is life though I guess
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Still a good idea though! 🙂
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Just as long as your blog is the way you want it, that’s the main thing. It could be whatever you want it to be. If you want it to be professional then that’s great but if you decide you want to post something more personal or plug your film again then that’s fine too. I’m sure everyone will stick around nonetheless 🙂
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Thanks 😀
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Hope this change works for you Natasha. I write so much shut I’ll never get employment from it! Just make sure you give me a job when you’re editor of some trendy magazine 🙂
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That should have said ‘shit’ not ‘shut’. See this is why I’ll always be an amateur!
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haha shut 😛
well I’m the same haha but I’m trying to write less of the random b*llocks, since I do a lot of that!
Haha as if I’d ever get that far!! Would be nice though, and if it ever happens (when pigs can fly) then I’ll definitely give you a job 😉
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Good luck with that. Doesn’t sound like much fun, but you’re in the career building stage of your life, so perhaps that’s what you need. Just know that’s not terribly appealing for me. It’s the human, personal stuff that gives me a sense of connection to you. I can read reviews all over the internet … but you’re not just a reviewer. You’re a person, a friend.
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Yeah I know what you mean, it’s difficult to strike a balance and I love writing on this blog in a personal way, as opposed to professional. I’ll probably still post the odd thing now and again, but my articles/reviews etc are lacking a bit lately and some of the things I’d been posting just didn’t seem all that professional, I can’t seem to find a happy mid-ground!
Thanks for the comment/advice, I ‘spose I just need to figure out exactly what I want this blog to be like!
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I think the direction you’re headed is “spot-on”; good changes!
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Thanks 😀
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