Saturday, August 09, 2008

Do You Want More Guest Posts Or Not?

Labour Minister Tom Watson has just left this comment on the latest Guest Blog (well, I assume it is THAT Tom Watson...)... (UPDATE - It wasn't)
Iain, These guest posts aren't great are they. They are too long and too dull. I come to Iain Dale's diary for comment by Iain Dale. If I wanted to read these other chaps I'd go to their lame blogs. I don't. I know I can just scroll past their useless writing, but do I have to. Please stop posting these.

Most people seem to have enjoyed the previous guest blogs I have posted over the last couple of weeks. August is usually a quiter time in politics and I just felt it would be nice to hear a few different voices. Several of them have been teenagers and have, I think, written some really good pieces. The one by Ed Jones on voting reform, was particularly good.

Anyway, my intention is to continue posting these once a day for the rest of August. However, if you all really don't like them, I'm happy to stop! Have your say and

vote HERE


UPDATE: The real Tom Watson has been in touch to say 'not me, guv'!

57 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Mr Mainstream Media man - perhaps its time you folded this blog? If you can't find the time to post because you are too busy doing other media, what's the point???? Time to pull the plug I think. You are getting more like Robert Maxwell each and every day!

Unknown said...

I haven't read all of them, but the ones I've read have been of good quality and made me think hard. It's not hard for people who don't want to read them to scroll past anything entitled "Guest blog" anyway. They're a nice antidote to the political non-news other blogs are having to focus on at the moment.

I say keep 'em for the time being.

John M Ward said...

I have to confess that I found them generally over-long, so didn't get through many of them. That is a danger.

Of course there are issues that merit lengthy analysis; but by and large readers will in general prefer to be able to read shorter articles in full, rather than flick through lengthy essays and take them in only superficially.

Not soundbites, but concise writing is what the blogosphere needs, on the whole -- neither too long nor too brief.

It is a lesson I have tried to learn and apply, and I think it would be beneficial if others who habitually tend to be over-wordy (not you, but there are some I could mention!) were to learn the same lesson.

Sometimes a summary in sufficient detail to be readable and comprehensible is what should be posted, with a link to a more in-depth and detailed version. After all, the technology exists to do this, so why not take advantage of it?

Just a thought, in the interests of enhancing the blogosphere offer in our field. Feel free to ignore it :-)

Unknown said...

It's up to you, but I generally think this is a good idea, Iain. You do screen them, don't you?

Mutley the dog stepped in for me on occasion and was very popular.

Anonymous said...

Iain - the principle behind your Guest Blogs is a sound one and one that should be continued. Sadly though I agree with Tom Harris that most published so far have been rather dull.

Why not use the remainder of August to invite pieces on something more accessible and interesting to those who frequent the Tory blogosphere? Suggestions of items for the future Conservative manifesto? Articles should also be shorter, 350-450 words tops.

Anonymous said...

I think encouraging younger readers to engage in political thinking is a good idea, but maybe 500 words is a better maximum, and there should be a maximum age of ?25?

Anonymous said...

I have enjoyed the guest posts although would not want them as a regular feature throughout the year. It is refreshing to read contributions from younger people. I am disappointed that an elected representative would not want to read what younger people are thinking in terms of policy issues.

JH said...

Well.. I don't come to your blog to read long pieces, and I certainly don't come to it to hear teenagers' pearls of wisdom. Incidents involving shaving foam can be blogged elsewhere. That said, it being quiet season, the guest principle as such is fine. Just as long as your post rate does not reduce on the basis that there's already a big post up already! I'd rather read more Dale than dull, lengthy guest posts. Especially ones from those with (though they would deny it) limited experience.

Thar's my pennies..

Unsworth said...

Nobody obliges this Watson person to read everything that's posted here do they? Can he not be selective, like most other normal humans? And is he saying that posts by other people preclude posts by yourself?

For a Minister of State that constitutes piss-poor thinking, but it is typical NuLab control-freakery to attempt to tell you what or what not to publish.

Then again, maybe that's why we are where we are. Paddle-free up Excreta Creek.

Post what the hell you want and tell these morons to sod off if they don't like it. Good Grief!

Anonymous said...

ohn m ward writes about the dangers of boring overlong blogs and posts and then writes one.

boyce - you probably think hard working out which is the left and right shoes in the morning if those posts challenged you

this blog jumped the shark a long time ago

Anonymous said...

Although I think Tom's being a little harsh in the way he's put it I have to agree with his premise.

They're mostly too long and I think have suffered from plodding prose. What we want is pithy posts that perhaps put across a rather controversial point of view.

Could you not put a little guest blog link that takes them away from the main text but means they are still available?

Anonymous said...

The Telegraph seem to be expanding their blogs site to include non-Telegraph writers. They've had pieces from:
Matthew Elliot from the Taxpayer's Alliance
Dan Ikenson from the Cato Institute
Philip Booth from the Institute of Economic Affairs
Duncan O'Leary from Demos
Angus Kennedy from the Institute of Ideas

etc.

Your's is one of the higher profile/traffic political websites, it seems odd that your guest articles come from adolescents.

Tapestry said...

make them shorter. blogs have to be punchy.

(i'm a fine one to talk of course).

writers should be put through the following exercise.

1. write an essay in 1000 words.
2. write it again. but halve it
3. halve it again
4. halve it again

now it's ready for publication.

people would be amazed on reading the four versions to find that the 125 or maybe the 250 word version are the best.

Any story can be told in one sentence, or phrase - as in newspaper headlines.

Any political point needs to be tellable in four sentences maximum or it's too long.

Churchill was famously quoted as saying - 'Sorry to write such a long letter. I didn't have time to write a short one.'

Accept the blog posts. Then say halve them etc etc, and if the posters have time, they'll produce better results.

The Remittance Man said...

Keep them, I say. If people think they are too long, too boring or too adolescent they can always scroll past.

For the techo-challenged that's the little wheel between the buttons on your mouse or the arrow thingies at the side of the page.

Anonymous said...

Their pretty good, but a little overlong. Maybe set a word limit?

Laurence Boyce said...

Hmm. I'm just in the middle of writing one! It's a bit crap though . . .

Anonymous said...

Its up to you Iain...from what I have read they are a tad long but some have been of good quality...maybe you should shorten the word limit?? ultimatly it is your blog and i'd be inclined to tell Tom Watson gently to 'do one'....you'd think he would have enough on his mind trying to run the country and save his sinking Party but evidently he wants to run peoples blogs for them too....

Steve_Roberts said...

Some of the guest posts are worth reading, but I come here to read Iain Dale, and what you are doing by relying on guests is diluting the 'brand'. It all depends what is the problem you're seeking to solve with the guests: You're too busy - make fewer, shorter posts; There's nothing newsworthy happening (really ?) - Do some of your more personal posts, or post something that isn't topical; You want to publicise worthy unknowns - link to their sites. Or maybe you don't want to keep the 'brand' - fair enough, but it seems rather wasteful given the work you have put into establishing it

ljuk said...

I like the guest blogs, maybe eventually they could have a subsection of their own. Just keep going with what you want and don't let others make your mind up for you.

Anonymous said...

If Tom Watson dislikes them they are worth keeping. Guest blogs are fine for a while.

Unsworth said...

@ DaveB

"Your's is one of the higher profile/traffic political websites, it seems odd that your guest articles come from adolescents."

Unlike many of the comments, eh?

zendo said...

Since the guest blogs started, I haven't been coming here very often
as I find them long and boring.
I actually want to read Iain Dale's opinions.
I'll continue to pop in now and again instead of the few times a day I used to do.

zendo said...

OK. I do not like the guest posts.
Instead of coming here a few times daily, I only pop in now and again.
Disappointed!

Anonymous said...

I'm with Tom Watson - the guest blogs have been worthy but dull. Having a different point of view was refreshing at first, but too many Tory sixth-formers on 'Why Politics Is Like Really Really Important' is a turn off.

This is a blog, not general studies.

Anonymous said...

They are better than many of your own recent posts Iain (e.g. the Olympics one, totally shockingly disgusting), although i agree that you could perhaps ask for them to be a bit shorter - say 60% of their present length.

As for your boast on the Olympics thread about doing Question Time - don't get too full of yourself: it is August you know when the serious people are all away.

Anonymous said...

They're generally much too long, and rather uninspiring. I read your blog for informed comment from someone who is well-connected and articulate, so have tended to scroll past the uninformed and lengthy opinion from the guest bloggers.

Catosays said...

They may be too long, but if they annoy Tom Watson then that's a damned good reason for keeping them.
And apart from anything else, who's he to tell you what to publish?

Anonymous said...

Personal opinion, but I come here for political gossip and opinions, not essays.

Anonymous said...

I think that you should continue with them but not in the main body of the blog - a short description and a link would be better, so that the blog is yours - that's whet we come for!

Alan Douglas said...

I think they are a useful addition to your site, but the length is an issue. Can you not put up a punchy 1 or 2 paras and then a place to click to continue - ie the rest off the main page ?

Thus those with weak scroling fingers would not have too much to go past.

Alan Douglas

PS Guido is a scream - don't suppose he is trying to see off his main competitor in stat-porn ?

Iain Dale said...

Guido tells me the comment wasnt from him!

CherryPie said...

I think the comment from Tom is rather rude and hurtful. I think it is a good idea to encourage other bloggers. If people don't like the post, they don't have to read it.

Anonymous said...

Iain

I think the guest blogs are OK but to be honest I do't come here for that. Like many others I come for the political insight and the stuff that I can't get by reading the newspapers.

I know a blog is a personal thing and I suppose it is really up to you what you put here - but I do tend to scroll past the guest blog.

Stu said...

Does anyone else find it strangely ironic that Tom Watson's words were written in the comments on another blog?

I know I can just scroll past Tom Watson MP's useless comments, but do I have to? If I wanted to read what he has to say, I'd go to his lame blog.

(self-plug!)

Anonymous said...

On length: I considered doing a 100-300 word piece, but found that doing so as a guest-blogger just wouldn't ne natural. Iain can post a short opinion on the latest news or gossip, or he can provide a few links with commentary. As newcomers, something like that would be pointless and out-of-place.

And how kind of Mr Watson to provide such constructive criticism! My party subs help pay for his campaigns, so that he can come here and call my work useless and boring from a position of authority.

Anonymous said...

you selected some pretty boring guest blogs....

:)

Anonymous said...

I just wanted to say that, as a person who's had a guest blog published by Iain, I really appreciate the chance he gave me to get my writing read by a wider audience. Like he said, most guest bloggers have been young (I'm 22, most others have been teenagers) and it actually does give us a bit of a boost of confidence to see our work published on the blog.

As for Tom Watson, the guest posts may be dull and long, but they're certainly more informative and entertaining than speeches given by government ministers.

Anonymous said...

Some of the guest blog stuff has been worth reading, but it's not what I come here for. Real danger of diluting the "brand"

Anonymous said...

Objectively, I'd post mine then call it a day. ;-)

Johnny Norfolk said...

About one a month would be fine. but Iain we tune in to listen to you. Your quick replies when some one rubs you up the wrong way are a delight. I think you are a mild mannered man so its even more interesting.

Anonymous said...

Iain,

I am with the others who suggest a whole new section to the site; the guest blogs would then continue to run and be enjoyed by those who wish to read them, but would be separate from the shorter day-to-day publications.

Anonymous said...

I, like many others, come here to get Iain's views and pick up on snippets of news not highlighted elsewhere.

As for the guest threads well I have nothing against them in theory but if they are to write then can we have people writing them that provide something that taxes the brain?

Of those I read we have had (to summarise) an Aryan supremacist (Germany's right and everyone else is wrong) and a simpleton who without justification pulled PR out of his magic hat and claimed it was some mythical panacea for the nation's political woes (as if) neither of whom actually justified their positions in any meaningful way at all.

Oh and then there was that dreadful EDP piece of ra-ra propaganda by their leader Robin Tilbrook that only managed to undermine the image of the EDP even further (the EDP is on the verge of achieving in 6 years what it took the SNP 46 years to achieve - yeah right) by giving the impression they are living in Cloud Cuckoo Land.

All their conclusions were transparent nonsense. Still they all had novelty value I suppose.

The EU article was reasonably argued but hardly provided anything new.

If you are going to have guest threads they need to find a new angle and put together some well argued conclusions.

Not easy in 750 words I know....

Anonymous said...

I don't mind, but must admit that I've never read one. Tried to when they began but sorta gave up.

cheers.

Anonymous said...

Iain. Keep up the guest blogs. If they are to be from young people, why don't you consider assisting them by a little gentle moderation? Help them to get their points across by using your experience to help them write well.
In the dog days of Aug, you could run a sort of mini-distance learning course on effective blogging. Unfortunately, I'm too old to qualify or to gain by the experience!

Anonymous said...

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are what makes your your Blog

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a good idea but it doesn't work. You are your blog and your Blog is YOU

Anonymous said...

"Guido tells me the comment wasnt from him!"

Why didn't you write a post all about Guido's comment without asking him if it was his comment first, like you did with Tom Watson?

(Tom Watson uses a Blogger profile when he comments on sandpit blogs like yours and doesn't link to Tommy.com, dim bulb.)

Anonymous said...

Possibly worthwhile but too long. I cannot believe the one about the batman movie got through.

Anonymous said...

To me Ian it looks like you cant be bothered - shame but if you keep allowing these boring over long posts and not writing your own stuff then its a waste of time looking - Guido is right

Anonymous said...

I do love the guest blogs. Good idea. Blogs enable thought provoking debate and that's exactly what you're doing.

Anonymous said...

I visit your site to listen to YOU Iain - not overlong rubbish - keep this up and you will be off my list pf daily reads - to be honest I've yet to read one of them

zendo said...

Yet another long and boring guest blog.
No results of the poll which shows you don't really care about our opinions.
I wonder how many readers of your previously excellent blog you've lost! I notice that the usual eloquent contributors are absent.
I'm joining them.
I'm off for good. Guido, here I come.

Anonymous said...

This obsession with blogging something every day is beneath you, Iain. If you stop or go away for a while, we will wait for you.

Anonymous said...

You should treat this weblog like your magazine - leave the writing and analysis to others and focus on your main skill of publicity.

Anonymous said...

The reason I come to this blog is to find news and comment, which are not available elsewhere (or not as well done).

It is not the place for political essays.

I had presumed the innovation was to fill space during a period when you were too busy to give full attention to the blog yourself.

Please revert to default format asap.

Chris Paul said...

Many of them have been pretty weak Iain, IMO. The review of The Dark Knight deserves particular opprobium for idiocy with a complete and utter naivity on the twin terrors which your correspondent gets utterly wrong. Neither Bush nor Osama are nihilists. They both have plans and objectives.

Anonymous said...

They're a waste of space.