Comments on: Branding Bull Runnings

By: acwresearcher

acwresearcher — Thu, 14 May 2009 23:35:51 +0000

While I may have commented here before and encountered your blog in passing, I am a relatively new subscriber to your feeds through Google Reader. I am impressed that you have maintained focus on a specific Civil War battle and resources related to it. This just goes to show (as if 50,000 titles weren’t enough) the study of the Civil War is hugely complex and not nearly as simple as some would have us believe.

By: cenantua

cenantua — Thu, 14 May 2009 23:30:53 +0000

The important thing is that you enjoy what you do and it shows in your posts. I especially like watching the various forms of creativity in getting historical information out (as in what you do here). You get the job done (getting out the historical info) while at the same time throwing in some personal features that make it more than just an info compilation blog. I think a good balance of both are an encouragement for folks to return.

Signed… a kook… I mean a FOBR :-)

By: Harry Smeltzer

Harry Smeltzer — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:54:01 +0000

Thanks Craig! You know, “focused” is not a term typically used to describe me.

I think I know what you’re talking about re: my “brute force” marketing. I’m pretty sure there are other ways, besides those that are content related – certain topics that are sure to draw readers – to increase traffic. And I’m just like anybody else, I DO want folks to read what I write. But I think I’m too old to learn these tricks. Diggit, delicious, etc. I tried “stumble” and “technorati”, but I’m not sure I did it right. Hey, at least I got on Facebook!

By: Craig Swain

Craig Swain — Thu, 14 May 2009 18:41:46 +0000

You have succeeded, in my opinion. In fact, provided a fine example of how best to approach a study of a particular topic, in this case a battle, within the blog format. But you’ve heard me say that a few times before.

The admirable part is you’ve built a well followed blog essentially by “brute force.” In my day job we are constantly pulling out tricks to lure users into web content and attract traffic. Stuff that I’d violate a stack of NDAs just to name. But you’ve accomplished quite a bit simply by having quality content. Sort of a “Mr. Smith Writes a Blog” story line when compared to some of the technical blogs I read during the day.

Seriously, though, I admire your focus!