There is something about the more free-flowing discussion forums about ASDs such as Wrong Planet that scare the bejesus out of me.

I have control of this bog, and I’m comfortable with the others I comment on.

I’ve used Google Analytics on the blog since it went live. It is amazing seeing where people come from – from Australia to Venezuela, and everywhere in between.

Sometimes I wish I’d taken this approach too – I’d probably worry less!

I see what you mean about that page on WrongPlanet, it’s certainly only displaying internal blogs. Funnily enough, I’ve never visited that page before.

I’ve visited many people’s blogs from WP and I used to do it via the Blog button (which no longer works). Regardless, I’ve always had my blog as part of my signature – and that always works. You should try it.

Also… If you answer something relevant on WP, don’t be afraid to link back to your blog. Sometimes you can get a lot more info that way.

Regarding Statistics… Use Google Analytics. You only need to include a string at the top of each page – there’s probably a plug-in for wordpress – there certainly is for blogger.

I don’t worry much about the visibility thing. I don’t even know how to keep track of my blog stats, or how many people read my blog and don’t post. I figure that the writing helps me, that people find their way to my blog via other blogs I post to, and that the things I write seem to help people. So I’m happy.

I feel so old-fashioned, letting people find me by word of mouth! But I will not tweet. Not now. Not ever. And no one can make me.

All of those things, I think, at least some of the time.

I’m going to try and write something – not sure yet if it will end up as an article or a page – that reflects why I blog.

Oh, and I started, because I felt like I had something to say, and no-one to say it to.

James

Lots of useful tips there, thank you.

I had a go at twitter six months or so ago, and have decided to have another go. I’ve been tweeting outside of this alter-ego for some time now, and having got accustomed to it, thought now might be the time to give it another go. See the section on the right to view tweets and follow me, etc.

I’m going to go back through and add cuts to all my blog posts so that I can post the big before the cut to Livejournal, with a link back to here to read the rest. With that in place I’ll try joining a few communities and see how it goes.

Titles of articles have always been a very curious part of my self expression. They often come to me before the article itself, and I like them the way they are. To be completely honest, it had never occurred to me that people may choose not to read based simply on what the title was. Perhaps that says a lot… I’ll think a little more about subjects from now on.

As regards your blog showing on Wrong Planet… Well, as far as I can see it doesn’t. Go to here, and you’ll note the text that reads:

“WrongPlanet.net encourages the idea of weblogging. Listed here are the weblogs of our members, including those who use the blog feature here, and those who have chosen to host their blog elsewhere. Reading blogs can provide a great insight into the minds of their authors and about Asperger’s, in the blogs of those who have it.” (My emphasis)

I can’t see any external blogs showing on that page – and I certainly can’t see your “Defining Ourselves..” article from the 19th.

Perhaps it’s just me?

Updated article/page about why I blog is in the works.

Thanks again for all the useful tips!

James

I’ve been reading your blog for quite a while and I find it really interesting.

I do understand the need for community – it’s one of the reasons I chose to use blogger (I evaluated wordpress but it didn’t offer quite the same degree of innovation). Google is ALWAYS on the move.

The WrongPlanet blog link works. It took a few weeks to work when I first linked it but now it works well.

There could be a few reasons why you don’t get many comments. If you cover a topic too well, you leave nothing for your readers to say.

Then there’s your titles… A lot of people use RSS Readers. Every morning, I wake up to nearly 300 RSSed topics and 30+ direct emails. Obviously I can’t read everything – so the titles and opening lines are critical. If you capture my interest there, then you generally get read.

A longer title which describes what your article is about is better than a short snappy but obscure one.

You should also open digg, facebook and twitter accounts. Digg your own posts (and other people’s) under HEALTH and use twitter to automatically update your facebook status with new posts to your blog.

I’ll second cynsurf’s comment too… A post explaining your goals on the blog would help you structure things better in your mind.

Keep up the good work.. It’s a great blog.

Let me ask you, why are you writing this blog? Is it for educational purposes? Is it to connect with and help others who are in a similar situation? I think your blog does both of these. But do you feel like it fills a need in you to connect with people that you don’t get as much in real life because talking in person is harder than writing things down? Why do you feel like you should have more people reading it?

I am just curious, because I just started a blog myself. I wonder about the motivation to write my thought on line for everyone to read. It is an interesting phenomena.

So what are your thoughts – why did you start this blog?