Blogging for Writers

How to Choose Blog Categories

I love to categorize things, a point of contention between me and hubs when we used Quicken. Instead of using Misc., Recreation, or Hobby for to put my scrapbooking supply purchases in, I wanted a Scrapbooking categeory, with a Cardstock sub-category. That tendency spilled over into my blog where I have a kajillion categories. I tried to use few categories on this blog, but didn't do so well. (Those need to be culled at some point, but who knows what that point will be.)

As part of the relaunch of my Lexical Light blog, I'll be streamlining the blog's categories. What about using Trivial Pursuit categories? Nah, they don't fit my blog. Despite the risk of wandering, I did a bit of research and found some good advice. 

How to Choose the Perfect Blog Categories (from Co-Schedule in 01/2014, a cool-looking tool)

    Take aways: Use less than ten categories. Overlap some categories. Don't use the subject of your blog as a category. "Cute is for kittens." Aim for clairty over cuteness. 

How to Choose Categories for Your Blog (from ProBlogger in 10/2008, a long-time favorite) 

    Take aways: Use fewer categories, rather than more. Keep categories at same granularity level - the same level of broadness or specificity. Keep the tone of the categories the same. 

 Get Started Guide: Blogging or Writers (from Jane Friedman in 08/2011) 

    Take aways: Know the goals and purpose of your blog. It may take time to find your voice and categories. 

How Many Categories Should Your Blog Post Have? (from TodayMade in 2014, author Julie Neidlinger also wrote the Co-Schedule post above. 

    Take aways: SEO tends to favor single categories for a post versus several categories for one post. 

    Another thing I'll add is to consider what your blog platform allows. Some use categories and tags. Others just allow categories.

My next step is some pen and paper thinking about my blog categories, after I figure out which category this post belongs in. 

Do you have any advice for choosing blog categories? 

2015 Blog Goals

I started this blog in 2007 as a place to put resources. I'll continue to do that in 2015, partially to serve as a file cabinet of sorts for me so I can remember how or why I did what I did on my blogs. 

As I have questions or do bloggy things that require research or some other help, I'll post the info on the blog. If someone has a question about blogging, writing, or social media, I'll post that on the blog. However, instead of posting them as they happen. I schedule them to post on Mondays. 

I'll also update the resources in the sidebar as needed. 

Nothing entertaining or earth-shattering. Just useful...for myself at least and maybe a few other people. 

Happy New Year!