August 3, 2013

• A Transition Period - What Can We Do During This Time?

  We are in a state of transition on Xanga.

  Many people have asked me when we are finally moving to 2.0.  My answer is "I don't know the timeline".

  However, the fundraiser is done - and I know that @thexangateam has already migrated a lot of data over to the new system.

  I do know that many of us are waiting on e-mails from The Xanga Team pertaining to our contribution - and what accounts we want our contributions applied to.

   

  Based on the information we've already been given - this is what I would expect at the moment - that we would be transitioned to 2.0 by the end of August.

  Until then, this current platform will remain up and running until further notice.

   

  Why the end of August?  

  Well - not that anyone has told me anything, but that John mentioned in the last xanga team blog updates that they negotiated for another month with the networking facility.

  It's an assumption on my part, but given the video that John shared that showed Xanga 2.0 - and what he mentioned what they've done and what they still have to do... I wouldn't be surprised if by the end of the month we are all on 2.0.

   

  So, what do we do during this transitional period?  Plan what we want our own personal blogs to have.   

  Here's a few steps to get you started.

  Well, first - it appears that our ability to download archives has been turned off.  So we are unable to update any further archives as Xanga is in this period of transition.   I know, bummer right?   But  Alex @roadlesstaken did find a link where someone can upload their blog posts.   Can't remember where it is - (alex, care to leave a comment on that one?)

  Secondly -come up with a plan of action for your own blog.   Think about layouts.  If you have a wordpress.com account - get some practice on the general usage of using a wordpress based website and operating on that platform.   Take a look at security settings, comment moderation, how to follow someone.    Much of the functionality that Xanga 2.0 will have is expected to be similar when the 2.0 first launches.   

  Third - think about how you want your blog to be shared.  This is the marketing aspect of your own blog.   Unlike 1.0 where we had to rely on Xanga's main page to help promote our blogs - you will have a lot more options to market your own blog and to connect it with other social media platforms - automatically.   And I mean not just by using an RSS feed to connect to facebook and twitter.

   

  One thing you can do in the meantime as an example is to create a facebook fan page for your blog.   This is different than your personal facebook account, and adds a simple layer of privacy for yourself.  Also having a facebook page will open the doors for you to be able to promote your blog even more. I'll dive more onto facebook page management later.   I also know that not everyone on Xanga wants to have their blog being promoted everywhere.    But let's be honest with ourselves here - most people who blog like having an audience (I know I do).   So, extending your own personal digital footprint will also extend the digital footprint of Xanga - and for our Community to grow - we'll need to understand how to promote our own blogs even more.   After all, we shouldn't have to rely on Xanga team to promote our blogs.  I'll share more on basic social media connectivity soon  - but just be thinking on this topic for your own blog as well.  The cost is usualy free - and it's an easy way to expand your own audience.

   

  Lastly - one thing to think about are plugins.   As you get accustomed to the wordpress based platform, and your blog - you may want some extra bells and whistles for your blog that didn't come (out of the box).   One thing the Xanga team has shared with this upgrade is their ability in using this open-source technology in order to accommodate a much quicker turn time in delivering extra levels of functionality to the site.   This will be done with plugins.      So, take a look at  http://wordpress.org/plugins/  and see which ones you might think could work for your xanga blog.   Then, make a wish list.    When the time comes, I'm sure xanga will refer to their Ideas page first - http://www.xanga.com/ideas - and then ask for more of our ideas on what we'd like to see available on the site.   

  The more you are able to get accustomed to a wordpress based site, and the more you're able to plan some things out - the quicker you'll be able to get used to Xanga 2.0.    If you want to get started on some basic social media set-up, now would also be a good time to see what other sites you'd like to be a part of, and get those accounts set up as well.   I usually suggest keeping it simple - Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Google+ and Pinterest.   These are what most companies and people are using - but you may find others you prefer.   

  Just some thoughts on what to do for your blog.   Feel free to chime in with questions and answers.   I'll get more into social media connectivity and marketing soon.

  Until later...

  • 8:18 am
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